In response to the attack on ‘Anguished Indigenous Students and People’ in Dhaka on January 15, 2025, protests erupted in the towns of Rangamati and Khagrachhari. Organized under the banner of ‘Anguished Indigenous Students and People,’ the demonstrations took place on the morning of January 16 in Khagrachhari and in the afternoon in Rangamati. Protesters demanded swift legal action against the perpetrators and the reinstatement of a graffiti image that was removed from textbooks.
Rangamati Protest and Demonstration
At approximately 12 PM, a large protest took place on the Rangamati-Chattogram Road, in front of the Gymnasium Field in Rangamati town. The protest was presided over by Sujan Chakma, a student of Rangamati College. Several prominent figures addressed the gathering, including Sumitra Chakma, General Secretary of the Youth Forum (a wing of the Jana Samhati Samiti – JSS), Shantibedi Tanchangya, President of the Hill Women’s Federation, Rumen Chakma, General Secretary of the Hill Students’ Council, and Uzai Marma, a member of the Bangladesh Marma Student Council.
During the demonstration, speakers expressed their disappointment, stating that after the mass uprising, the government was expected to be more considerate towards the indigenous population of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). However, they lamented that oppression, suppression, and atrocities, reminiscent of the previous authoritarian government, continued unabated.
Before the demonstration, a protest march was launched from the Kumar Sumit Roy Gymnasium area. The procession moved through Shilpakala Academy, North Kalindipur, Bijoy Sarani, and the District Council gate before returning to the Gymnasium. Following the demonstration, a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Adviser via the District Commissioner. The memorandum contained a five-point demand, including the immediate prosecution of those involved in the attack on peaceful indigenous protesters in Dhaka, medical care for the injured, and the restoration of the removed July Uprising graffiti in textbooks.
Khagrachhari Protest and Student March
In Khagrachhari, students under the ‘Anguished Indigenous Students and People’ banner initiated a protest march from the premises of Khagrachhari Government College. The procession moved through Shapla Square before concluding at Chengi Square, where a rally was held.
The rally was moderated by student leader Ukyanu Marma and featured speeches from notable figures, including Napoleon Chakma, Mongsai Marma, Tushita Chakma, Hlabey Marma, Nishan Chakma, Angshoi Shing Marma, Nayan Tripura, and Babu Chakma.
Speakers at the rally condemned the attack in Dhaka, emphasizing that the government was attempting to suppress the indigenous movement through repression. Despite such efforts, they vowed that the indigenous community would persist in their struggle for their rights. The protesters demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the attackers.
The protests in Khagrachhari saw participation from hundreds of students, not only from the district headquarters but also from surrounding upazilas such as Dighinala, Panchhari, Laxmichhari, Guimara, Ramgarh, and Manikchhari.
Conclusion
The protests in Rangamati and Khagrachhari underscore the growing discontent among the indigenous communities regarding their treatment by the authorities. The repeated acts of violence and suppression have only strengthened their resolve to demand justice and equal rights. With tensions running high, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to their demands.
