Kamalanagar, November 8, 2024: Hon’ble Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), Dg. Nirupam Chakma, who is currently on an official visit to the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), held a Review Meeting on Constitutional Safeguards for Scheduled Tribes at the CADC Rest House Conference Hall today.

The meeting was attended by including Dg. Ananta Bikash Chakma, i/c Chief Executive Member; Dg. Sundar Muni Chakma, Deputy Chairman; Dg. Molin Kumar Chakma, Adviser to the CEM; MDCs, Dg. Pronit Bikash Chakma, Executive Secretary, as well as heads of various departments of the CADC.
Dg. Nirupam Chakma provided an overview of the NCST, its composition, powers, and functions. He informed the participants of the full commission’s proposed visit in January, 2025 and encouraged the CADC to submit proposals for consideration.

Speaking on behalf of CADC, Dg. Pronit Bikash Chakma, Executive Secretary, apprised him some of the important issues faced by the CADC such as lack of infrastructure such as office buildings, quarters and roads. He proposed that CADC should be designated as the channelizing agency for NM&DC and NTF&DC. He also appealed for the execution of BADP projects under the revised guidelines, construction of a Chakma House in New Delhi, a special economic package from NITI Ayog for infrastructure development, reallocation of lapsed TFC funds, establishment of a Skill Development Centre under PMKVY, special consideration for recruitment of Chakma youth into Central Paramilitary Forces, and addressing issues related to the Indo-Bangla border fencing.

The Executive Secretary also emphasized on the need for financial grants to CADC under Article 275(1) of the Indian Constitution which provides for central assistance for socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes.

Earlier in the day, a meeting was held with the district administration and departmental heads under the Chawngte Sub-Division. Dg. Nirupam Chakma invited them to provide reports on the functioning and difficulties being faced by their departments. He assured to raise these issues with the appropriate authorities. Representatives from Village Councils, the Central Young Chakma Association, Chakma Mahila Samiti, and the Government Kamalanagar College Students’ Union also called on Dg. Nirupam Chakma. They submitted representations for the establishment of infrastructure such as a multipurpose hall, roads, execution of solar pumping station, and the establishment of a Women’s Commission Branch in Kamalanagar.

No.32/2024

Kamalanagar, November 7, 2024: Dg. Nirupam Chakma, Hon’ble Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), was accorded a grand traditional welcome upon his arrival at Kamalanagar today. This is his first official visit to CADC since his appointment as a member of the NCST. He was accompanied by Dg. Dilip Kanti Chakma, Legal Consultant, and Dgb. Parna Chakma, PA.

Dg. Nirupam Chakma was received at the Kamalanagar helipad by Dg. Ananta Bikash Chakma, i/c CEM; Dg. Molin Kumar Chakma, Adviser to CEM; Dg. Sundar Muni Chakma, Deputy Chairman; Dg. Pronit Bikash Chakma, Executive Secretary and other high-ranking officials of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC).

Addressing the gathering shortly after his arrival, Dg. Nirupam Chakma expressed gratitude to the CADC authority, local NGOs, and the public for the warm reception. He informed the purpose of his visit was to lay the ground work for the upcoming visit of the full NCST team in January, 2025. He also invited the public and civil society organizations to share their concerns and assured that he would take their grievances and concerns to the appropriate authorities.

He will start meeting public, local NGOs, and civil society organizations and representatives of village councils tomorrow from 8:00 AM. In the afternoon, he will meet the district administrations from Chawngte sub-division and thereafter the CEM, Chairman, EMs, and MDCs of CADC. Prior to his planned departure on the 14^th of November, he also plans to visit tribal villages for inspection of the implementation of various development programs within CADC.

No.31/2024

Kamalanagar, 23rd September 2024: On Sunday (22nd September 2024), a massive protest rally was organized by Chakma Civil Society Organizations and political parties of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) to protest against the recent violent attacks on ethnic minorities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh. The rally, held in Kamalanagar, the headquarters of the CADC, saw the participation of thousands of people, including Buddhist monks, political leaders, and students, calling for immediate intervention of the Government of India to stop the atrocities perpetrated against indigenous communities in CHT.

The violence, allegedly carried out by illegal settlers with reported support from the Bangladeshi Army, has resulted in widespread destruction. Over 100 houses, including several Buddhist temples, were set ablaze. Dozens of civilians were brutally killed, and many others were left injured. Hundreds of families, belonging to the minority communities, have been rendered homeless as their homes and properties were destroyed in the attacks.

In a memorandum addressed to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and submitted through the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), Chawngte, the organizations strongly urged the Government of India to intervene to stop the violence. They also demanded for the constitution of an impartial and independent Inquiry Commission to thoroughly investigate the indiscriminate firing that led to the deaths of innocent tribal people, the arson of homes and religious institutions, and the extensive destruction of property in the CHT; immediate withdrawal of the magisterial powers granted to the Bangladeshi Army in the CHT to prevent further atrocities against the indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities by the military; full implementation of the CHT Peace Accord of 1997 to bring lasting peace to the region; and to provide adequate compensation for the victims of communal violence, including assistance to rebuild homes and restore their livelihoods.