The Global Association for Indigenous Peoples of the CHT (GAIPCHT) on Tuesday  condemned the firing upon the unarmed indigenous civilians who were protesting on the occasion of the 5th July Anniversary at Khagrachari, Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh today morning.

The indigenous people’s protestors belonging to the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) assembled at Khagrachari town demanding immediate grant of full autonomy and the initiation of a process for permanent solution to the Chittagong Hill Tracts problem. The protestors denounced the government led by Dr. Mohammad Yunus as “neo-fascist" one and called for a broader nationwide democratic movement.

However, suddenly cadres of the Bangladesh government supported armed groups opened fire on the unarmed indigenous protestors without any provocation.  One woman, Purnamukhi Chakma (53 years) was injured in the firing while another man received bullet injuries.  All the protesters had to flee to save their lives.

“The firing by Bangladesh Army personnel through hired armed groups shows that there is no change in the CHT and Dr Mohammad Yunus is hell-bent to deny any democratic freedom in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.” – stated Mr Sanchay Chakma, spokesperson of the GAIPCHT.