Hill Voice, 15 January 2025, Dhaka: At least 7 indigenous students were seriously injured and more than 15 others were injured in a planned attack on the Sonkshubdha Adivasi Chatra-Janata (‘aggrieved indigenous student-mass’) by the Muslim Bengali settlers and the radical group gathered under the banner ‘Students for Sovereignty’ in Dhaka.
It is worth mentioning that on 12 January 2025, after the NCTB Besiege Program by Muslim Bengal settlers and the radical group gathered under the banner ‘Students for Sovereignty’, National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) decided to remove the graffiti containing the word ‘Adivasi’ from the cover of the Bengali grammar books for grades 9 and 10.
Immediately after this, the collective platform of indigenous students and the public studying in Dhaka, ‘Sankshubdha Adivasi Chatra-Janata’, called for a program to surround NCTB today (January 15, 2025) demanding that the cover of this graffiti be retained in the textbooks. Immediately after this, the Muslim Bengali settlers under the banner ‘Students for Sovereignty’ and the fundamentalist group behind them also announced a program to surround NCTB at the same place.
Meanwhile, as part of the pre-scheduled program, indigenous students gathered at the Raju Sculpture of Dhaka University at 11:00 am on Wednesday and held a demonstration there. The demonstration was moderated by Dhaka University student Donwai Mro, and speeches were made by Don Jetra, president of the Dhaka Metropolitan Branch of Bagachas; Reng Yong Mro, central vice-president of the Parbatya Chattagram Pahari Chatra Parishad; Alik Mree, president of the Bangladesh Adivasi Chatra Sangram Parishad; and Numongprue Marma, president of the Dhaka Metropolitan Branch of the Bangladesh Marma Students Council.
From there, hundreds of indigenous students and leaders of many progressive organizations and human rights activists marched towards the NCTB located in Motijheel of Dhaka. The procession paraded the Dhaka University Kala Bhaban, passed Doel Chattar, High Court intersection, National Press Club, Dainik Bangla intersection and proceeded towards the NCTB building located in Motijheel.
The march then proceeded towards the Motijheel Metro Railway Station. Later, the procession was obstructed by the Muslim Bengali settlers and fundamentalist groups and police who had gathered under the banner ‘Students for Sovereignty’ and were already carrying national flag-tied stamps, sticks and sharp weapons.
Later, while the procession was standing there for a while and chanting slogans, the Muslim settlers who had gathered under the name Students for Sovereignty and the radical terrorists suddenly attacked the indigenous students and masses. In this, Ananta Bikash Dhamai, the former president of the Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum, was seriously injured after being hit in the head. Later, the indigenous students decided to hold a rally there while chanting slogans.
Before the rally could begin, the terrorists, led by Muhammad Yakub Majumder, Abdul Malek, Mohammad Golam Ali Naeem, attacked the indigenous students and masses with cricket bats, iron rods and other country-made weapons. At least 7 people were seriously injured and more than 15 others were injured. Among the injured were students from Dhaka University, Jagannath University and other universities, journalists and human rights activists.
The seriously injured are: 1) Ananta Bikash Dhamai, former president, Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum; 2) Dhan Jetra, president, Dhaka Metropolitan Branch, Bangladesh Garo Students’ Organization; 3) Jewel Marak, journalist, DBC News; 4) Rupaiya Shrestha Tanchangya, central member, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Students DU; 5) Tony Mathew Chiran, vice-president, Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum; 6. Isaba Shuhrat, human rights activist; and 7). Futonta Chakma, student.
On the other hand, the other injured are: 1) Donwai Mro, student, Dhaka University; 2) Reng Yong Mro, vice-president, Parbatya Chattagram Pahari Chatra Parishad; 3) Snehlal Tanchangya, student, Dhaka University; 4) Shanta Chakma, student, Dhaka University; 5) Sushmi Chakma, student, DU; 6) Angel Chakma, student, Jagannath University; 7) Sushanta Chakma, student; 8) Michel Tripura, student; 9) Malay Bikash Tripura, student, Dhaka University; 10) Rahi Nayab, student, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Dhaka University; 11) Bobby Biswas, student, Dhaka University.
In addition, many unknown people are reported to have been injured. The injured have been admitted to Dhaka Medical College and other hospitals.
The ‘Sankshubdha Adivasi Chatra-Janata’ have decided to hold a protest march at 6 pm today, Wednesday, to protest the attack and demand the arrest and trial of the terrorists involved in this attack, protests across the country on January 16, 2025, and a besiege of the office of the Chief Advisor on January 17, 2025 to demand a trial of the incident and the reinstatement of graffiti containing indigenous words.
Expressing anger over the incident, student leaders Alik Mree and Jagadish Chakma said, “We will remain on the streets until our demands are met and we call on all indigenous students and the leaders of all progressive individuals and organizations to show solidarity to make these programs a success.”
