Chakma Leaders Urge India to Downgrade Ties with Bangladesh

The Chakma community in India has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to downgrade diplomatic relations with Bangladesh due to escalating violence against indigenous hill tribes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs). In a memorandum submitted to Modi, community leaders highlighted recent attacks by the Bangladesh Army and illegal settlers that have reportedly led to the deaths of at least nine individuals and the destruction of over 100 homes and businesses. They emphasized that these attacks are part of a systematic effort to suppress the rights of indigenous people and urged the Indian government to pressure Bangladesh for protection of these vulnerable communities. The leaders also requested Modi to refrain from engaging in dialogue with the caretaker government in Bangladesh until the situation improves. Reports indicate that violence has surged since September 19, following a period of relative calm, with local media documenting significant destruction of property. The memorandum was signed by several prominent figures from the Chakma community, reinforcing the urgency of their plea for intervention.