Tripura’s indigenous body raises voices against ongoing fratricidal violence in CHT of Bangladesh.
Agartala Jul 9: A series of leaflets have surfaced in different parts of Tripura, reportedly distributed by a group calling itself the Conscious Tribal of Tripura (Tripurar Sachetan Janajati), appealing for an immediate halt to the ongoing fratricidal strife in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh.
Local reports confirmed that the leaflets were circulated in areas such as Shilachari, Natun Bazar, Jatanbari, Taichakma, Karlyachari, Nandan Nagar, Chanmari, Nagicherra, and Abhaynagar. Several copies were also spotted pasted on public walls in the Ijira and Rambhadra localities.
The message within the leaflets appeals directly to Janajati communities residing not only in Tripura but also in neighboring Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
According to a press release issued by the organization reads: “We, the conscious Chakma, Mog (Marma), and other Janajati communities in Tripura, earnestly call upon all indigenous groups to put an end to the on-going violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.”
The group attributes the genesis of the conflict to the actions of the Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS), specifically the Santu Larma-led faction, following the signing of the 1997 CHT Peace Accord. It alleges that instead of fostering peace, the JSS has contributed to continued violence, leading to the deaths of numerous tribal leaders, activists, and civilians. The leaflets further accuse the JSS of derailing reconciliation initiatives spearheaded by the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) and other democratic groups through repeated betrayals and attacks.
The ongoing conflict only serves the interests of the Bangladesh government, military forces, and Bengali Muslim settlers, while indigenous communities continue to suffer displacement, violence, and marginalization,” Mithu Chakma, the president of the organization said.
The Conscious Tribals of Tripura make five key demands:
- Immediate withdrawal of all forms of support to the JSS (Santu group).
- Accountability for those responsible for internal violence.
- Promotion of dialogue, unity, and peaceful coexistence among tribal factions.
- A formal demand for the Government of India to ban the JSS.
- Social ostracisation and expulsion of JSS members currently residing in Tripura, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.
The leaflet ends with a stark message: “If this internal bloodshed continues, the future of indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts will be in grave danger. We must stand united to protect our existence.”
Authorities in Tripura have not yet made any official statement regarding the circulation of these leaflets, nor has the identity of the group been independently verified.
However, the distribution has sparked discussions among local tribal leaders and activists about the deepening crisis across the border and its growing resonance in India’s northeastern states.
