Rights group seeks international intervention over threats to Buddhist MP candidates in CHT of Bangladesh

The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) has urged international election observers from the European Union, the Commonwealth and Japan to intervene with the Government of Bangladesh over alleged death threats to indigenous Buddhist candidates contesting the ongoing 13th Parliamentary elections in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

According to the RRAG, two independent Buddhist candidates—Mr Pahel Chakma from the Rangamati Parliamentary Constituency and Mr Dharma Jyoti Chakma from the Khagrachari Parliamentary Constituency—along with key members of their campaign teams, have received death threats from the Parbatto Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS). The organisation is described by the RRAG as a government-sponsored armed group.

The PCJSS is headed by Mr Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma, also known as Santu Larma, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council.

The RRAG further alleged that the Bangladesh Army has deployed nearly 75 armed PCJSS cadres since January 29, 2026, in the Dudukchara area under Logang Union of Khagrachari district. The cadres are reportedly intimidating indigenous voters and coercing them to vote for candidates of national political parties, including the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizens Party.

Despite filing a General Diary (GD) entry on January 17, 2026, Mr Pahel Chakma’s complaint was not converted into a First Information Report (FIR), with the Bangladesh Police allegedly refusing to register the case. In another incident, a forged withdrawal letter was submitted on January 20, 2026, to the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari district on behalf of Mr Dharma Jyoti Chakma. The RRAG claimed that no action was taken against the alleged forgery. As both candidates refused to withdraw from the electoral race, they are now allegedly facing death threats.

RRAG Director Mr Suhas Chakma stated that although the PCJSS surrendered following the 1997 CHT Accord, it has continued to retain its armed wing. He noted that Mr Santu Larma has remained the Chairman of the CHT Regional Council for the past 28 years without elections, enjoying facilities equivalent to those of a State Minister.

“The existence of the PCJSS armed group is well known,” Mr Chakma said, citing the arrest of 13 of its cadres in Agartala, Tripura, on June 4, 2025, and a September 5, 2024 judgement of the Guwahati High Court, which described the PCJSS as a terrorist organisation in connection with the seizure of a large cache of weapons and ammunition.

He further alleged that although the PCJSS is not contesting the elections, it is issuing death threats to independent indigenous candidates to ensure the victory of national political parties. “This is part of a wider arrangement among national political parties and the Bangladesh Army to deny free and fair elections to indigenous peoples,” he claimed.

The RRAG has called upon election observers from the European Union, the Commonwealth and Japan to deploy election monitors in Khagrachari and Rangamati districts, ensure the safety of independent candidates, and intervene with Bangladeshi authorities. The group also urged the Government of Bangladesh to direct PCJSS cadres to remain confined to government barracks and respect human rights.