Bangladesh’s CHT youth body urges UN to expel PCJSS over rights abuses

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 14, 2025

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Indigenous Peoples Youth Federation (CHTIPYF) has called on the United Nations to immediately expel representatives of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), led by Santu Larma, from participating in the ongoing UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Geneva.

In a sharp statement issued on Monday, CHTIPYF president Pragna Tapas Chakma accused the PCJSS (Santu) of functioning as a government-sponsored paramilitary group involved in serious human rights abuses, including kidnapping, arms and drug trafficking, and the recruitment of child soldiers. He said the continued participation of PCJSS members in UN forums “undermines the very principles of justice and indigenous rights that the United Nations stands for.”

Chakma cited a recent incident where six indigenous villagers—Dhanamuni Chakma (19), Sukesh Chakma (22), Lakshi Shanti Chakma (35), Bhanga Hada Chakma (35), Shan Bikash Chakma (36), and Hullaya Chakma (22)—were abducted on July 1, 2025, from Rangapani Chhara village in Sajek Union, Rangamati district. PCJSS (Santu) has allegedly demanded a ransom of 600,000 Bangladeshi Taka (approximately US$ 5,500) for their release.

He further claimed that despite being in control of the CHT Regional Council for over 27 years, PCJSS has been implicated in the torture and murder of over 1,000 indigenous people, adding, “They act as an armed proxy for the Bangladesh government.”

The CHTIPYF also detailed multiple international crimes allegedly committed by PCJSS operatives child soldiers affiliated with the group were reportedly arrested in Agartala, Tripura on June 4, 2025.

It also stated that on June 19, PCJSS cadres were caught in Lunglei district, Mizoram, with methamphetamine tablets valued at over INR 104.3 million (US$ 1.3 million).

On February 12, Mizoram Police arrested PCJSS operatives with a cache of weapons, including AK-47s, M4 carbines, and over 5,000 rounds of ammunition, along with ID cards, mobile phones, SIMs, and cash.

Despite these accusations, Chakma said, the Bangladesh government continues to empower Santu Larma, allowing the group to operate unchecked.

“The UN cannot be a platform for armed groups with a documented history of terror, especially those acting under the protection of state power,” Chakma said, expressing hope that the UN Expert Mechanism will take appropriate action and prevent the PCJSS (Santu) from participating in its proceedings.

CHTIPYF’s appeal comes as the UN body opens its new session in Geneva on Monday, amid heightened scrutiny of global indigenous rights issues and the legitimacy of representation within such forums.