Hill Voice, 24 October 2024, International Desk: On October 2, 2024, Indigenous people from the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) living in Japan organized a significant protest march in Tokyo under the banner of the ‘Japan Diaspora Chittagong Hill Tracts Adivasi (Indigenous) Jumma Forum.’ The demonstration aimed to oppose the military and settler attacks on Indigenous communities in the CHT of Bangladesh, highlighting their determination to fight for their rights.

The march started at Shibuya Jingūmae Park and concluded at the United Nations University (UNU) in Tokyo. During the march, participants chanted strong slogans such as ‘Stop Killing Indigenous in CHT,’ ‘We Want Justice,’ and ‘Withdraw the Military from CHT,’ sending a clear message of their united stand for justice.

Under the moderation of Reabata Chakma, several speakers addressed the crowd at the UNU. These included Dipti Shankar Chakma, Kai Shing Marma, Purna Lal Chakma, Tom Eslikdsen, May Mong, Oga San, Keya Chakma, and P.R. Placid, all of whom delivered passionate speeches about the ongoing violence in CHT.

The speakers collectively condemned the attacks not only on Indigenous people in the CHT but also on other minority groups, such as Hindus, during the two-month rule of the interim Yunus government.

Dipti Shankar Chakma criticized the growing influence of Muslim extremist groups following Jamaat-Shibir and Pakistani fundamentalist ideologies under this government. He accused the police of allowing criminals to go unpunished and called for an end to the conspiracy of inciting communal violence and the burning of Indigenous homes in the CHT.

Kai Shing Marma stressed the need to halt the violence against Indigenous people and minorities under the current regime. He advocated for equal rights for Indigenous people, the same as any other Bangladeshi citizen.

Purna Lal Chakma lamented the decades-long wait for justice, highlighting that despite over 50 years of suffering, Indigenous people have not received justice for the atrocities they have endured, including rapes, murders, and village burnings. He warned that if Indigenous people eventually demand separation, the government will bear responsibility. He also called for U.N. involvement to resolve the crisis in the CHT.

Tom Eslikdsen called for an end to the oppression of Indigenous people by both the military and settlers. He urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, to put pressure on Bangladesh to address these human rights violations.

P.R. Placid, the first Bangladeshi journalist living in Japan, expressed concern over the potential consequences of the CHT separating from Bangladesh due to continuous oppression. He emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the plight of Indigenous people so that the general population in Bangladesh could understand their situation.

May Mong and Oga San criticized the government’s silence on the ongoing atrocities and oppression of Indigenous people in their speeches.

Following these speeches, Keya Chakma read the contents of a memorandum, which was then presented to Mr. Kawade Nobuyuki at the UNU. He received the memorandum from Purna Lal Chakma and May Than Nue Marma and promised to submit it to the United Nations on behalf of the Indigenous people.

Later, a separate gathering was held in front of the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo, where additional speeches were made by Prabhat Kusum Chakma, Deebas Chakma, Sayaka Watanabe Kankolongo, Orilika Tripura, and May Tha Nu Marma. These speakers demanded immediate action to stop the attacks on Indigenous people in the CHT. They called for compensation for victims of military shootings in Khagrachari and arson by settlers in Dighinala, Khagrachari, and Rangamati. Furthermore, they demanded justice and accountability for those responsible for these violent acts.

Finally, Kai Shing Marma, Sayaka Watanabe Kankolongo, Seka Chakma, and Jibak Kumar Tanchangya submitted another memorandum to the Bangladesh Embassy, reiterating their calls for justice and an end to the violence.