The Kuki Human Rights Council (KHRC), which advocates for indigenous rights, has made grave accusations against the Bangladesh Army, claiming severe human rights violations against the Bawm-Kuki tribe in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). In a statement released on December 22, the KHRC detailed a series of abuses allegedly perpetrated by Bangladeshi security forces, including unlawful arrests, custodial torture, and killings conducted under the guise of security operations in the region. These actions have instigated a palpable climate of fear amongst Bawm-Kuki villagers and suggest a systemic pattern of persecution targeting indigenous communities. The council highlighted a notable incident involving the arrest of a 30-year-old farmer named Sanglianthang on December 21, who was detained on suspicion of affiliations with the Kuki National Army (KNA). However, local residents and the Kuki National Front (KNF) Media Wing refuted these claims, maintaining that he is a civilian lacking any militant connections. The KHRC has called for Sanglianthang’s immediate release, alongside other villagers reportedly held in custody.
In addition, the KHRC reported a custodial killing where Lalramsan Bawm was allegedly abducted from his village on December 5 and subsequently discovered dead within a military camp, his body showing indications of severe torture. The organization attributed responsibility for his death to army personnel. Further emphasizing a broader crackdown, the KHRC noted instances of mass arrests and detentions occurring in Jurachari, Dighinala, and Bandarban. They asserted that at least 17 indigenous Jumma villagers, including a 12-year-old child, were detained in one incident and only released after several days. The council criticized the operations as disproportionately targeting the Bawm Christian community, aimed at eradicating the indigenous identity, culture, and religious liberties of the Bawm-Kuki populace.
The KHRC has called for an independent and impartial investigation into these allegations, urging the international community to intervene to safeguard civilian rights in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Reaffirming its support for the Bawm-Kuki tribe, the KHRC asserted its commitment to documenting what it describes as systematic abuses and appealed to international human rights organizations and governments to advocate for accountability and justice.