‘Jumma’ – Demanding an End to Ongoing Violence Against Jumma People in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
By Dinesh Kumar Pariyar/Devi Prasad Gautam
London, September 28 – Members of the UK-based community gathered in solidarity to protest against the violence and human rights violations faced by the indigenous Jumma people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. Holding placards and raising their voices, demonstrators called for an end to what they describe as ongoing atrocities and ethnic cleansing in the region.
The demonstration, organized by a passionate group of activists under Jumma Solidarity UK, took place outside Downing Street, London. The group continues to advocate for the rights of the Jumma people and other minorities in Bangladesh, raising awareness about the decades-long oppression faced by these indigenous communities, who are often marginalized and subjected to state violence.
“Our voices represent the Jumma people, who have been silenced for far too long,” said Nipun Chakma, a coordinator for the campaign. “The atrocities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts cannot go unnoticed any longer, and we are here to demand justice and media attention,” added fellow member Jun San.
The Jumma people, a collective term for the indigenous tribes of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, have been struggling for autonomy and the preservation of their cultural and territorial rights for many years. Despite international calls for peace, the region remains plagued by conflict, displacement, and human rights violations, with little intervention from global powers.
“We appeal to everyone to join us in amplifying the message of the Jumma people. Together, we can break the media silence and push for an end to the violence and injustice,” emphasized one of the organizers, Rega Telukder.
Solidarity campaigners Jecy Chakma and Marshan Chakma called on the Bangladesh government to create an environment where their community can live in peace.
A Vikkhu Anand from Bangladesh Buddhist Association UK also participated in solidarity, urging the international community to speak out against the violence faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh.
The Jumma people, also known as the “Hill People” or Pahari, comprise 12 different ethnic groups, including the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Tanchangya, Mro, Lushai, Khumi, Chak, Khiyang, Bawm, Mrung/Riang, and Pangkhua.
With the exception of the relatively well-integrated Chakma and Tanchangya, the Jumma people predominantly speak Tibeto-Burman languages, distinct from Bengali, the language spoken by ethnic Bengalis. They also maintain diverse religious practices, with most identifying as Buddhist, along with some Hindus, Christians, and Muslims.
Between 1978 and 1990, the ruling military junta viewed the Jumma people (including Chakmas) as potential threats to national unity. Allegedly, around 400,000 Bengali homeless people were relocated to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, often displacing indigenous communities from their homes and arable land.
Over 15 major conflicts have erupted between Bengali Muslim settlers and minority tribes, with government agencies accused of supporting the settlers. These violent outbreaks have caused many to flee to the Indian states of Mizoram and Tripura or to Burma.
Peace negotiations initiated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League led to a formal peace accord signed on December 2, 1997.
In Bangladesh, religious minorities make up approximately 8.5% of the population as Hindus, 0.6% as Buddhists, and 0.3% as Christians.
