Proposal for Autonomy in the CHT Unconstitutional, Says Student Body
News Desk
The United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), a separatist armed organization, proposed the creation of an autonomous region comprising the three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts during a meeting with the National Consensus Commission. The move has drawn strong condemnation from the Bandarban District Committee of the Parbatya Chattagram Chhatra Parishad (Hill Tracts Student Council).
The controversial proposal was raised on Saturday during a meeting held at the LD Hall of the National Parliament, where UPDF organizer Michael Chakma led a four-member delegation. The delegation demanded autonomy for the Chittagong Hill Tracts, a demand that the student council claims is unconstitutional and amounts to treason.
In a press conference held today (Sunday), council president Asif Iqbal stated, “Michael Chakma and all members of the UPDF delegation have long been involved in terrorism, extortion, abduction, and killings in the hill region. Sitting with them in negotiations legitimizes their crimes and encourages separatist agendas.”
He further added, “It is extremely unfortunate that such a demand was presented in the presence of Professor Ali Riaz, the vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission. This raises serious concerns—does the commission aim to uphold democracy, or is it empowering anti-state forces on a national platform?”
The Parbatya Chattagram Chhatra Parishad accused the UPDF and its affiliates of consistently acting against the territorial integrity of Bangladesh. It drew historical parallels, referencing how, in 1972, Shantu Larma—regarded as the ‘godfather’ of hill-based insurgents—submitted a similar autonomy demand to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The council believes Michael Chakma is treading the same path.
The council also highlighted that outdated colonial laws from 1900 are still in effect in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, depriving Bengali settlers of basic rights, including land ownership. Additionally, the continued influence of armed groups has created a climate of fear and violence in the region. Since independence, over a thousand members of the armed forces and security personnel have been killed by such groups. Thousands of innocent Bengali and indigenous civilians have also fallen victim to violence and enforced disappearances.
During the press conference, the student body presented five key demands to the government:
-
Ban all organizational activities of separatist armed groups and their affiliates, including UPDF, JSS, and KNF.
-
Immediately arrest and prosecute anti-state figures like Michael Chakma, Shantu Larma, and Debashish Roy.
-
Increase the number of army camps in the hill tracts and establish additional police and APBN camps with adequate resources to strengthen national security.
-
Establish new BGB border outposts to curb illegal infiltration, arms smuggling, and drug trafficking across the border.
-
Repeal the discriminatory 1900 Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation and ensure equal rights and harmony in the region.
Concluding the press conference, Asif Iqbal stated, “Those who have orchestrated bloodshed in the hills and taken innocent lives cannot be invited to dialogue in the name of the state. Terrorists are never representatives of the people. Their place is not in politics—it is in the court of justice.”
It is also worth noting that during the 2024 mass uprising, UPDF and its affiliate organizations supported the controversial quota reform movement and staged demonstrations in Dhaka and Chattogram, destabilizing the country. Furthermore, Michael Chakma has also been accused of instigating the communal violence that broke out in Dighinala, Khagrachhari, and Rangamati in September last year.
For More Info Click Here.
Follow Our Facebook Page From Here.
Subscribe Our Youtube Channel quickly.