'No compromise on sovereignty in CHT’: Students for Sovereignty

Armed groups are killing unarmed civilians, attacking mosques, and engaging in arson and looting to destabilise the Chittagong Hill Tracts, alleged 'Students for Sovereignty', a platform of Bengali students from three hilly districts of Dhaka University.

On Friday, the platform organised a human chain and protest rally at the Raju Memorial Sculpture on the university campus, demanding safety for the people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. 

The students stressed that there can be no compromise on the question of sovereignty, saying, "Armed terrorist groups are killing unarmed civilians, attacking mosques, committing arson and looting to destabilise the region."

At the rally, the group demanded that armed terrorists in the Chittagong Hill Tracts be identified and brought to justice; law enforcement agencies take effective steps to recover all illegal weapons in the area; the army play an active role in ensuring the safety of ordinary citizens; and army camps be increased in areas where there are security risks.

Minhaj Tauki, who studies philosophy at Dhaka University, blamed the Awami League and India for unrest in the CHT. He said since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's dictatorial regime on August 5, the Awami League, with the help of India, has been trying to create instability in various sectors across the country.

Addressing the political representation of Bengalis in the hills, he said that Bengalis can neither become the chairman of the three hill district councils or the permanent council.

He also recalled the history of Bengali oppression in the CHT, saying, "Their tactics are not new; they started it back in 1973. Initially, there was no military rule in the region."

"The army is only needed when the police force becomes unsafe there. Considering the current context, the security of all Bengalis in Chittagong Hill Tracts should be strengthened to protect Bangladesh's sovereignty." he added.

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