AJC Organizes Protest in New York Against Communal Attack in Khagrachari-Guimara

A protest was held at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York to condemn the alleged rape of an eighth-grade girl in Guimara, Khagrachari, and the reported violent attack and arson carried out by Bengali settlers and the Bangladesh military in Ramesu Bazar of Guimara Upazila. The protest was organized on Saturday (October 11) by the American Jummo Council (AJC).

Speakers at the demonstration included Khing Khing U Marma, Chanda Tanchangya, Uzzal Chakma, Sushil Chakma, Tukumoni Chakma, A Kiu Marma, Khokon Chakma, Juel Chakma, Ashok Kumar Karmakar, representatives of the USA branch of the Hindu-Boudha-Christian Oikya Parishad, Umongbanu Marma, and Tapan Tanchangya.

Following the protest, a memorandum was submitted to António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. The memorandum was also copied to the Chief Advisor of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), and the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP).

In the memorandum, the American Jummo Council (AJC) and representatives of the Indigenous Peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) made an urgent appeal to the UN Secretary-General to intervene following the violent incidents in Guimara and Khagrachari. These attacks reportedly resulted in the burning of indigenous homes, assaults on women, and forced displacement of civilians.

The statement issued by the local military command referring to the violence as a "pre-planned conspiracy" has further intensified concerns. According to the AJC, such a statement implicitly acknowledges a security failure and raises serious questions regarding state accountability and the protection of Indigenous civilians.

Key demands raised by the AJC and Indigenous representatives include:

• An independent UN investigation into the Guimara violence to ensure accountability
• Immediate protection for Indigenous communities
• Prosecution of perpetrators of sexual violence
• Victim support and rehabilitation
• Constitutional recognition of Indigenous peoples
• Full implementation of the 1997 CHT Peace Accord

Additionally, the AJC and CHT Indigenous representatives demanded the immediate suspension and thorough review of any Bangladeshi military personnel nominated for or currently deployed in UN peacekeeping missions who are implicated in human rights violations in the CHT. The memorandum urged that credible allegations should bar such individuals from deployment and lead to their immediate repatriation.

The memorandum emphasized that the Guimara incident is not an isolated case, but part of a long-standing pattern of violence and impunity in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The AJC and Indigenous representatives called on the United Nations to take decisive action to uphold international law and protect Indigenous populations.

According to reports, the violence began on September 23, when an eighth-grade Indigenous girl was allegedly raped by three Bengali settlers in Guimara, Khagrachari. On September 26, local residents held a peaceful protest in response to the alleged rape.

On September 27, Bengali settlers and members of the Bangladesh Army allegedly launched a coordinated attack on the peaceful protesters, opened fire, and set fire to Indigenous-owned shops and homes in Guimara.

Further violence was reported on September 28 and 29, when Bengali settlers allegedly carried out door-to-door attacks in the Ramesu Bazar area of Guimara, Khagrachari. The attacks reportedly resulted in the deaths of three Indigenous youths: Athui Marma (21), Athrau Marma (22), and Thweching Marma (20).

A total of 76 homes and 53 grocery stores were allegedly burned down in Ramesu Bazar by Bengali settlers and Bangladesh military personnel.

Source: Hill Voice