Tripura indigenous bodies protest against violence in Bangladesh’s Chittagong, demand safety of minorities

Various indigenous bodies of Tripura, including student groups, on September 21 launched a peaceful protest in the state, demanding the safety of minority communities amid barbaric attacks and killings of indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). 
 

The Youth Tipra Federation, the youth wing of the Tipra Motha party, the Buddhist monks, the Tripura Chakma Students Association, the Society for the Welfare of Mog Students, and many individuals held a series of peaceful protest rallies in Agartala. 
 

They also staged a demonstration in front of the office of the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Agartala.
 

Speaking with reporters, Youth Tipra Federation President, Suraj Debbarma pointed that Tripura and the Indian government helped Bangladesh during the liberation of Bangladesh. He further added that the minority people, including Bengalis, Tiprasa, Garos, Mizos, and Chakmas, are facing brutal attacks currently.
 

“We are holding a peaceful protest in front of the office of the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh against the attacks on indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Our main demand is the safety of minorities, including Bengalis, Tiprasa, Garos, Mizos, Chakmas, and others living in Bangladesh who have come under brutal attacks. Their houses have been torched, and many people have been killed. We are demanding peace in Bangladesh. During their liberation war, the Indian government and Tripura government helped them. I urge everyone to maintain peace and immediately stop the attacks,” he said.
 

Meanwhile, the Buddhist monk of Venuvan Vihar Buddha Temple of Agartala also joined the peaceful protest. 
 

One of the monks said, “Today we are launching a peace protest march in Agartala. In Bangladesh, many minority people are coming under attack. Buddhist temples were also vandalized. We strongly condemn this and demand justice. Our main demand is safety for minority people in Bangladesh.”
 

Amitabh Chakma, on behalf of the Tripura Chakma Students Association, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the current situation in Bangladesh. 
 

“This protest rally is against the discrimination and atrocities carried out in Bangladesh against minority Buddhists and Hindus. We are protesting these discriminations. The situation has gone from bad to worse, with indiscriminate firing, resulting in the deaths of more than 70 indigenous tribal people. We protest against this and urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene to save the minorities there. They have crossed all limits and are trying to expel the minorities from the country. We urge all our minority brothers to stand in solidarity to save the minorities in Bangladesh. Our message is strong and clear—we will not tolerate this any longer,” he added.