Stop repression on CHT: indigenous students

The indigenous student community today held a rally and human chain in Dhaka, demanding justice for what they said was the custodial death of Lal Thleng Kim Bawm and the release of Bawm women and children allegedly detained without trial.

Under the slogan "Stop state repression on indigenous people in the hill tracts (CHT)," Samilito Adivasi Chhatra Samaj organised the protest at the base of Raju Bhashkarjo on Dhaka University campus this afternoon.

They also called for justice in the case of the alleged rape and murder of Chingma Khyang.

Shantimoy Chakma, general secretary of the Dhaka University unit of Pahari Chhatra Parishad, moderated the protest, presided over by Nungmongpru Marma, general secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan unit of Bangladesh Marma Students' Council.

Speakers included Dipayan Khisa, central member of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS); writer and researcher Pavel Partha; journalist and writer Ehsan Mahmud; Jagdish Chakma, president of the Dhaka Metropolitan unit of Pahari Chhatra Parishad; and Ananta Tanchangya, president of the Indigenous Students' Struggle Council.

Pavel Partha said such incidents should not occur after the July uprising. "Indigenous women are being raped and murdered, and the justice system remains silent," he said.

Dipayan Khisa said the government is responsible for ensuring the safety, healthcare, and dignity of prisoners.

Journalist Ehsan Mahmud said that despite indigenous peoples' contributions to Bangladesh's liberation and development, the state continues to treat them with neglect.

Speakers, including Richard Bawm and Nungmong Marma, said several indigenous women had been raped in recent months despite a heavy presence of law enforcement in the region.

The protest received solidarity from various student organisations, including the Tripura Students' Forum, Hill Women's Federation, and Dhaka University Jumma Students' Family.