From yesterday until today, Michael Chakma’s statement has been the most discussed topic regarding the Indigenous people of Bangladesh’s hill tracts on social media. Every time I open Facebook, that’s the subject I see

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After Michael’s full statement was published, many Facebook bloggers are saying, “Michael Chakma’s statement is correct. Now we understand the matter. Michael Chakma is not at fault.”

I listened to it twice at 3 a.m. I’ve now listened to it three more times. A total of five times. If necessary, I’ll listen to it a few more times. No problem. Unfortunately, I don’t agree with those who are saying that Michael Chakma’s statement is correct.

I accept that before these Bengalis came to the Chittagong Hill Tracts as settlers, we “had no conflict” with them. But from the day they came as settlers until today, we have had “conflict” with them.

Do I still need to explain what “not yet” means to you?

No, right?

The word “not yet” is mentioned in his entire statement. Therefore, the issue has not been resolved.

Tell me, “Do we still have conflict with the settlers or not?”

“We do.”

Then, can we just say there isn’t any conflict now?

Michael Chakma is a good person. I’m not talking about his personal matters. But I, like many others, have objections when he doesn’t choose the right words on sensitive regional issues.

Those Facebook bloggers who are saying “correct” after listening to his entire statement are not neutral. We need to rise above this. JSS is our people. UPDF is our people. They are none other than us. JSS says I’m right, you’re wrong. UPDF says the same thing.

Everyone says they are right. Isn’t that so? Everyone is correct. I’m not searching for wrong. But three decades have passed in tears for this right vs. wrong debate.

Those younger than us have called for a new “unity.” A wave of freedom is rising for the Indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts globally. Somewhere, in some parts of the world, including India, there are protests and rallies in support of Indigenous people.

So, our task now is to be neutral and call “wrong” is wrong and “right” is right. If we can do that, neither group will go down the wrong path. They will come onto the right path. Then, the division will decrease.

But if we remain biased and call wrong “right,” the fight between JSS and UPDF will not stop. We must first take a neutral stance to bring them onto the right path.

No matter how small or big we are, if we don’t remain neutral, JSS and UPDF will never unite, and the tears of the hills will never stop. The people are now the judge. Without a neutral judge, it’s impossible to resolve the conflict forever.

Now, you tell me, will you be neutral or not?

We had, we have now and we will have problems with the Muslim settlers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Michael Statement: here:

Full Statement: here

The interim government’s advisor for the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Supradip Chakma, is coming to Khagrachari to observe the flood situation. Many people have been called to attend the meeting in the city. There’s excitement about attending the meeting, but it’s like a lamp flickering out without any wind.

Many have interpreted his statement in various ways. However, I sense the presence of the military in his words.

For some reason, I am reminded of an incident from my childhood.

While living in the Panchram Para refugee camp in Tripura, India, I suddenly heard that someone’s goat didn’t eat rice plants. The goat would be let loose in the paddy fields of Panchram, where it would graze along the edges and eat grass, but it wouldn’t touch the rice plants.

I was surprised when I heard it.

One day, I went to see for myself! The goat’s neck was tied to its front legs in such a way that it couldn’t lift its head. To eat the rice plants, it would need to raise its head. It could eat the grass along the edges, but it couldn’t lift its head to eat the rice plants. So, how could the goat possibly eat the rice?

Supradip Chakma’s situation is similar. He’s like that tied-up goat who can see the problems in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and even understand them, but he can’t speak out. He’s a man appointed by the military. How can he speak for the people? Of course, he’ll speak in the language of the military, right?

But where is his fault in this?

A few days ago, I saw many respected individuals singing his praises in lengthy Facebook posts. When those who lead the nation do this, what will the ordinary people do?

No one works for the survival of the nation anymore. Everyone works for their own interests, for their own party. Our regional parties are just like our leaders.

The self-serving sycophants of the military are always afraid to speak the truth, whether in public or on social media. They are like that obedient goat that doesn’t eat the rice plants.

Does our nation want to be that goat, bound with a rope around its neck as proof of its ‘honesty’? Or will we have the courage to break those bonds and speak the truth?

Our beloved queen Yan Yan has already given this message to the hill people through her protests. But who listens to her? Now, go on and live your life with your obedient goat.

Most people in the country are currently trapped by floodwaters. Natural disasters do not discriminate between races or religions. Almost all regions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts have also been affected by floods. The chances of water receding in the next two days are slim.

In the Chittagong Hill Tracts, everyone, including the Indigenous people, is suffering. However, since the Indigenous population is larger, they have more experience in dealing with such disasters. Comparatively, the Indigenous people are likely to manage better than others. The settlers have the military to rely on.

But the Hindus could be in the greatest danger. The anti-India sentiment in the country has made the situation for Hindus extremely precarious. The combination of political reasons and natural disasters has worsened their plight.

Therefore, to the Indigenous youth who are actively working in flood-affected areas in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, we urge you to pay attention to the Hindu communities as well. Your role is crucial in this situation. See how you can assist them, whether it’s by providing shelter, food, or medical aid. Ensure that Hindus do not face discrimination in Indigenous areas. Protect them from the hands of jihadists.

This is a time when we must all stand together, regardless of party, religion, or race. Nothing is more important than humanity. Let us overcome this disaster by helping one another, showing compassion, and maintaining harmony.

We must strengthen the unity between the Indigenous and Hindu communities in this critical moment. Through our coexistence and cooperation, we can overcome these challenging times. For instance, those who are capable can provide financial assistance or essential supplies to support the victims of this disaster.

We can also work together to ensure that all affected communities receive the help they need. Our collective responsibility now is to save each other’s lives and make the future better.

Hindus and Indigenous people living abroad in countries like Japan, Australia, the USA, Canada, and England have stood together against the persecution of minorities in the country. You may have seen the gatherings in these countries. Now, it’s the turn of those who are in the country. Stand together as Hindus and Indigenous people. Show us that both communities can face political and natural disasters together.

Unity!!!

Recently, the anti-discrimination student movement led to the fall of the Awami League government. The Bangladesh Army unofficially took control of the country. Currently, this is the government of Nobel laureate Yunus, but inside, it’s 100% a military government.

Under this military rule, the majority of the population in the plains of the country seems to be able to speak pretty freely. There is some clear evidence. However, the minorities don’t have that freedom. They live under constant surveillance.

The situation in the hills is even more oppressive. It feels like the barbaric era of Ibrahim in 1986-87. Indigenous people can’t even buy essential rice and lentils without prior permission from the military. They can’t build their own homes. Students in the hills can’t draw graffiti like the students in the plains. The Chittagong Hill Tracts feels like a different country. It doesn’t seem like parts of Bangladesh.

I am fifty years old. I grew up under military rule. I know what military rule is. From a young age, I have witnessed the brutality of the soldiers. I’ve seen innocent villagers in my village being blindfolded and beaten on the courtyard ground as if they were blankets. I’ve seen people’s backs bent from the soldiers’ kicks. I’ve seen them beaten with bamboo sticks while blindfolded. I’ve seen people being forced to swim in the dry courtyard.

I’ve seen soldiers forcibly take away and slaughter village chickens, ducks, and cows. I’ve seen the dead bodies of innocent people from soldiers’ gunfire. I’ve seen village after village being burned down. To escape death at the hands of the soldiers, I had to live a miserable life for 14 years as a refugee in Tripura, India.

In my life, I’ve never seen a good soldier from Bangladesh. To me, the Bangladesh Army is a monster. Oppressive. Barbaric. Inhuman creatures disguised as humans. The experiences of witnessing their rampage since childhood have brought me to this path. I have an intense hatred for the Bangladesh Army.

To help you understand, let me give an example of a Major General who was awarded the Bir Protik honor.

His name is Major General Ibrahim. He was awarded the Bir Protik honor.

You recognize him, don’t you? Many of you might have taken pictures with him and posted these pictures on Facebook. You proudly display them on your wall. It’s something to be proud of.

Do you know how hated this man is in the Chittagong Hill Tracts? Do you know how many innocent people this monster has killed? How many innocent children this killer has orphaned? How many thousands of people he has tortured? How many dreams of the Indigenous people he has burned to the ground?

In return, the government has showered him with various awards. The government offered him the Bir Protik honor.

Why does this happen? The government gives those who can unleash terror on Indigenous people high-ranking positions with honor. The infamous Major General Ibrahim is a blazing example.

What’s the name of this Kapana abduction beast? I feel intense disgust just mentioning this monster’s name. In three decades, no government has tried to bring him to justice. Instead, the government promoted him and rewarded him.

After the anti-discrimination student movement succeeded, the Hill Indigenous peoples thought they would finally breathe a little easier. The country is now led by a man who won the Nobel Peace Prize, so you could say a Nobel-winning government has come.

But within a few weeks, they realized their assumption was wrong. This Nobel-winning government is no different from the others. The ordinary people are suffering immensely. They have to obtain prior permission even to buy rice and lentils. Students have to get military approval in advance for what they can write in graffiti.

Why?

Do you have the answer? Where is the anti-discrimination student society of the plains? Why are they so quiet about the Chittagong Hill Tracts? They don’t speak a word about it.

Of course, they are quiet. They come from respectable families. The population of the country is 180 million, excluding the Indigenous people. How many of them talk about the oppression by the military that has been going on for decades against the Indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts? How many speak against the military? Can you name more than ten people out of these 180 million?

You can’t. So why wouldn’t the anti-discrimination student society be quiet about the Chittagong Hill Tracts? They sleep with their mouths shut so no sound escapes, even in their dreams against the military oppression in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Who says I am not against the Bangladesh Army? I am against the military. The soldiers have made my life bitter. They have taken away the joys, excitement, and education of my childhood. I don’t want the Bangladesh Army in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Note: This is one of the photos from Feni where army and Muslim settlers attacked indigenous villages and indigenous are escaping leaving all behind.