A group of 240-250 Bangladesh army men of Alikadam Army Camp and Lama Army Camp launched a military operation in Tongkabati Union of Bandarban sub-district.

Bangladesh army terrorize indigenous people in Bandarban

On 19 May 2025, a group of 240/250 Bangladesh army personnel led by Major Manjur Morshed, 2nd-in-Command of Alikadam Army Camp and a captain and a warrant officer of Lama Army Camp launched a military operation in Tongkabati Union of Bandarban sub-district at around 4 pm. During the operation, Bangladesh army tied 2 indigenous Jumma villagers of Punarbasan Chakma Para and Tripura Para of Tongkabati Union to the electric power posts. Bangladesh army severely beat them and abused the villagers in foul language. The victims of the beating are:

1. Nayan Chakma (14), son of Amarsen Chakma, Village-Chakma Para.
2. Jumarang Tripura (45), son of late Japuram Tripura, Village-Tripura Para.

Bangladesh army warned that the Chakma and Tripura communities will be deported in the same manner as the Bawm people of Ruma and Thanchi upazilas. As of the time of writing this report on 24 May 2025, the army personnel are still present in that area.

On 20 May 2025, another group of more than 100 Bangladesh army men led by Commander Mubarak of Sualak Amtali Army Camp in Bandarban sub-district started a military operation in Sualak, Tongkabati and Chimbuk areas. The Muslim soldiers went to Chini Para village in Tongkabati and took 6 Jumma villagers to the Brickfield army camp and severely beat them. The victims of the beating are:

1. Menchang Mro (35)
2. Menpa Mro (38)
3. Karbari Sakrui Mro (45)
4. Saksing Mro (30)
5. Mendui Mro (35)
6. Klonglai Mro (25)

Bangladesh army accused these villagers that Shanti Bahini come to their village. It is also known that the army personnel took the villagers to the camp, asked who wanted to implement the CHT Accord, and beat them. In addition, the army personnel threatened that action would be taken against them if they were found to be in contact with the Shanti Bahini.

As of 24 May 2025, the army operations are still being conducted in Chini Para, Brickfield Para, Lakuri Para, Tongkabati Chakma Punarbasan Para and Sholo Mile (Chimbuk) areas. There are allegations of harassment, house-to-house searches and destruction of household items.

An army contingent of about 45 personnel is currently stationed at the Tongkabati Brickfield Government Primary School. It has been alleged that due to the presence of the army in the school, students are unable to attend school classes. Teachers are also being harassed when they go to school. When the matter is informed to the local public representatives, they are also not opening their mouths out of fear. When the headman is informed, he is also not able to tell anyone out of fear.

In addition, it is known that about 30 army personnel are stationed in the Sholo Mile area and about 45 in Ananda Mohan Chakma Karbari Para, adjacent to Karamba Union in Lohagara Upazila.

Meanwhile, it is said that the men of the areas are almost in hiding due to fear of torture and persecution during the army operation. The locals are unable to go to the bazaar or do any daily work. Their normal life is being severely disrupted.

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