Hill Voice, 24 May 2025, Special Correspondent: Several groups of the Bangladesh Army have been jointly conducting a massive military operation in different areas of Bandarban Sadar Upazila of Bandarban Hill District. So far, allegedly at least 9 indigenous Jumma people have been severely beaten by the army during the operation and villagers have been threatened to deport, abused and houses searched.

Local sources have reported that this military operation began on May 19 and 20, 2025. Since then, many people have been fleeing the villages in fear and it is reported that it was not possible to obtain much information due to network problems.

According to local sources, on May 19, a joint army group of 240/250 personnel led by Major Manjur Morshed, 2nd-in-Command of Alikadam Army Camp under 31 Bir Alikadam Army Zone, and a captain and a warrant officer of Lama Army Camp launched the army operation in Tongkabati Union of Bandarban Sadar at around 4 pm. During this time, army tied two Jumma villagers of Punarbasan Chakma Para and Tripura Para of Ward No. 7 of Tongkabati Union to electricity poles and beat them up extensively and abused the villagers in foul language.

The victims of the beating are: 1. Nayan Chakma (14), son of Amarsen Chakma, Village-Chakma Para and 2. Jumarang Tripura (45), son of late Japuram Tripura, Village-Tripura Para. Nayan Chakma is a student.

It is learnt that the army personnel have warned that the Chakma and Tripura communities will be deported in the same manner as the Bawm people of Ruma and Thanchi upazilas were evicted and deported. As of the time of writing this report, it is reported that the army personnel are still present in that area.
On the other hand, it has been reported that another army group of more than a hundred members led by Commander Mubarak of Sualak Amtali Army Camp in Bandarban Sadar Upazila has also started a military operation in Sualak, Tongkabati and Chimbuk areas since May 20. On the same day, it was alleged that the army conducting the operation went to Chini Para village in Tongkabati and took 7 Jumma villagers, including a Bengali, to the Brickfield army camp and severely beat them.

The villagers who were beaten up 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) and 7. Belal Hossain (25). The army havelock 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 group that wanted to implement the Accord.
It is reported that 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 that harassing house-to-house searches and destruction of household items are being carried out.

It is known that a military 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.
Several villagers said they don’t understand why such a military operation is being carried out suddenly. ‘We are in panic. We work and eat. Now we can’t even leave our homes.’