September 21, 2024 – On the night of September 19, 2024, a wave of violent attacks erupted in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) regions of Diginala, Khagrachari, and Rangamati. Bengali Muslim settlers, allegedly supported by armed forces, targeted Indigenous communities, setting ablaze over 100 houses and shops, looting livelihoods, and leaving many wounded and dead. Eyewitness accounts and disturbing video footage have sparked allegations of Army involvement, further escalating tensions in the already volatile region.
Coordinated Assaults and Destruction
Beginning on September 19, 2024, Bengali Muslim settlers, reportedly armed and organized, descended on Indigenous villages in a wave of destruction. Eyewitness accounts detail how the attackers set fire to homes and businesses, leaving families with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Video footage reviewed by local activists shows homes burning in the night and settlers carrying away looted goods under the cover of darkness.
“The settlers came in large groups, armed with weapons and torches. They burned everything they could, from houses to small shops. Our lives are ruined,” recounted one victim from Khagrachari, whose entire livelihood was destroyed.
Army’s Alleged Involvement in the Attacks
Allegations against the Bangladesh Army’s involvement in the violence have added a deeply alarming dimension to the crisis. Disturbing video footage circulating on social media shows gunfire during the attacks, with claims that uniformed personnel—believed to be from the Army—were actively firing on Indigenous villagers instead of protecting them. The footage has sparked outrage, with local leaders accusing the Army of complicity in the violence.
An Indigenous resident of Khagrachari described the horror: “We heard gunshots throughout the night. I saw men in uniform shooting at our people. They didn’t come to help us; they came to attack us.”
While the Bangladesh Army has yet to officially respond to these grave accusations, human rights groups are demanding a thorough and impartial investigation into the security forces’ actions during these attacks.
Casualties, Injuries, and Displacement
Rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have condemned the violence and called on the Bangladeshi government to ensure the protection of Indigenous communities. They are demanding accountability for those responsible, including an urgent investigation into the role of the Army in these attacks.
Indigenous leaders have also appealed to the international community for urgent intervention, warning that the violence could spiral further if immediate actions are not taken. “We are on the brink of being wiped out in our own land,” said a prominent Indigenous leader from Khagrachari. “The world needs to know what is happening here—our lives are in danger, and we need help now.”
An Urgent Need for International Attention
The recent events in the Chittagong Hill Tracts underscore the dire situation faced by Indigenous communities in Bangladesh, who continue to bear the brunt of violence and marginalization. As tensions mount, the international community’s attention and intervention are crucial to prevent further atrocities and to safeguard the human rights of the Indigenous peoples of this region.
Developing Story: This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
