A wave of outrage and protest has swept across the Chittagong Hill Tracts following the recovery of the body of Chingma Khiyang (29), a woman from the Khiyang indigenous community, in a remote forest of Tindu Union in Thanchi Upazila, Bandarban. Her body was discovered on Monday afternoon, a day after she was reported missing. Chingma was the mother of three children, the youngest of whom is just seven or eight months old.
On Sunday morning, Chingma had left home for jum cultivation (shifting agriculture) in the hills. When she did not return by afternoon, her family grew concerned and began searching for her. Locals found signs in the jungle that indicated she had been dragged, and upon following the trail, they discovered her lifeless body in the underbrush. Authorities were immediately alerted, and the police recovered the body from the scene.
The victim’s body bore marks of injury and was found unclothed, raising strong suspicions of rape followed by murder. Tindu Union Chairman Bhagyochandra Tripura confirmed the incident occurred in a remote area with no network connectivity. He notified the police after hearing the news, and the body was retrieved with the help of law enforcement.
Thanchi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Nasir Uddin Majumder stated that Chingma had gone missing while heading to her field, and her body was later found in a ravine. He added that law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the incident.
Following the brutal killing, protest rallies and demonstrations were held in various parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. In Dhaka, the Hill Students’ Council (PCP) organized a protest rally at the Raju Memorial Sculpture on the Dhaka University campus. PCP President Amal Tripura said, “This is not an isolated incident but part of a continuous pattern of oppression against indigenous people in the hills.” He also recalled previous attacks in Dighinala, Khagrachhari, where shops owned by hill people were set on fire.
PCP General Secretary Shubhashish Chakma added, “Whenever the hill people raise their voices for rights, they are labeled as separatists. This undermines their constitutional rights.” He emphasized the importance of ensuring freedom of expression for the indigenous communities.
Meanwhile, another protest march and rally took place in Rangamati town, jointly organized by the Hill Students’ Council and the Hill Women’s Federation. The rally concluded in front of the District Council office, where leaders from various student, women’s, and human rights organizations expressed grave concern over the incident. Speakers included Suchana Chakma of the Hill Women’s Federation, Sumitra Chakma of the Hill Youth Association, and Usiching Khiyang of the Khiyang Students’ Union.
They pointed out that the absence of exemplary punishment is emboldening perpetrators. Violence against women in the hills is rising, and the sense of insecurity is growing. Protesters demanded swift investigation, arrest of the culprits, and justice.
Chingma’s body was found on Monday afternoon in Mongkhoiy Para, Ward-8 of Tindu Union, near a ravine beside the under-construction Thanchi-Remakri-Leikri road. Her body showed multiple injuries.
Following the incident, protests were also held in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas by indigenous students. Organizations such as the Khiyang Welfare Association, Durbar Network, Srijon Bandarban, Women Activity, and Women Resource Activity expressed solidarity and condemned the murder.
The district administration has assured the public that the incident is being treated with the highest priority. At a press conference held Tuesday afternoon at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, DC Shamim Ara Rini stated that they are awaiting the autopsy report to confirm whether it was a murder or an accident. Both law enforcement and intelligence agencies are actively investigating.
Superintendent of Police Shahidul Kawsar informed the press that the crime scene is about 38 kilometers from Thanchi town and extremely remote. The body was recovered in the presence of the union chairman, headman, and local leaders. He added that the victim’s husband has filed a case with the police and that the investigation is ongoing with utmost seriousness.
Publication Date: ০8 May, 2025
Reports published in various newspapers on this issue: bdnews24, bdnews24, prothomalo, jugantor
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