Hill Voice, 13 October 2025, International Desk: A protest was held in front of the United Nations headquarters (Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza) to condemn the alleged rape of an eighth-grade girl in Guimara of Khagrachari, as well as the reported brutal attack and arson by Bengali settlers and the Bangladesh military in Ramesu Bazar of Guimara Upazila. The event was organized by the American Jummo Council (AJC) on Saturday (11 October).

The demonstration was addressed by Khing Khing U Marma, Chanda Tanchangya, Uzzal Chakma, Sushil chakma, Tukumoni Chakma, A Kiu Marma, Khokon Chakma, Juel Chakma, Ashok Kumar Karmakar, USA branch of Hindu Boudha Christian Oikya Parishad, Umongbanu Marma and Tapan Tanchangya.

The protest was followed by submission of a memorandun to António Guterres, Secretary-General of United Nations. The memorandun was copied to Chief Advisor of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, and Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact.

In the memorandum, America Jummos Council (AJC) and representatives of the Indigenous Peoples of the CHT urgently appeal to Secretary-General of United Nations for his intervention following the violent attacks in Guimara and Khagrachari, which resulted in the burning of Indigenous homes, assaults on women, and civilian displacements.

The statement by the local military command labelling this a “pre-planned conspiracy” only deepens their alarm. It implicitly acknowledges a security failure and raises critical questions about state responsibility and the protection of Indigenous civilians.

Core demands of the AJC and representatives of the Indigenous Peoples of the CHT were an Independent UN Investigation into the Guimara violence to ensure accountability, Protect Indigenous communities, prosecute perpetrators of sexual violence, and provide victim rehabilitation, Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous peoples and the full implementation of the 1997 CHT Peace Accord.

The AJC and representatives of the Indigenous Peoples of the CHT also demand the immediate suspension and rigorous review of any Bangladeshi personnel nominated for or deployed in UN peacekeeping missions who are implicated in rights abuses in the CHT, particularly in light of the recent military conduct in Khagrachari. Credible allegations must bar deployment and warrant immediate repatriation.

The memorandum also mentioned that the Guimara incident is not isolated but part of a persistent pattern of violence and impunity. The AJC and representatives of the Indigenous Peoples of the CHT call for your decisive action to uphold international law and protect the Indigenous peoples of the CHT.

On September 23, an eighth-grade girl was allegedly raped by three Bangali settlers in Guimara, Kagrachari, Bangladesh. On September 26, residents of Khagrachari staged a peaceful protest against the alleged rape.

On September 27, Bengali settlers and the Bangladesh Army allegedly launched a joint attack on a peaceful protest program, opened fire, and burned down indigenous shops and houses in Guimara, Kagrachari.

On September 28 and 29, Bengali settlers allegedly attacked villagers from house to house, notably in the Ramesu Bazar area, Guimara, Kagrachari. The spot dead were identified as Athui Marma (21), Athrau Marma (22) and Thweching Marma (20).

Seventy-six houses and 53 grocery stores were allegedly burned down by Bengali settlers and the Bangladesh military in Ramesu Bazer, Guimara, Khagrachari.