Thousands protest on International Women Day seeking removal of Santu Larma as CHT Regional Council chairman

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Hill Women Federation (HWF) submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Tarique Zia seeking removal of Santu Larma as Chairman of the CHT Regional Council for sexual exploitation of women. The memorandum was accepted by Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari District and it provided the letter of Mrs Shipra Dewan, wife of Santu Larma to then Vice President of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) on 11 October 2005 regarding sexual exploitation of women by Santu Larma.

As per the letter of Santu Larma’s wife, Mr Larma sexually exploited the wife of a peon of his office in the air-conditioned room at the Kalyanpur government residence on 19 January 2004, one Watchingpu Marma at the Banani Rest House of the CHT Regional Council in Dhaka on 11 June 2005, Ms Inu Chakma at the Banani Guest House on 29 June 2005 and one Kushi Akhter by repeatedly taking her to the Banani Rest House, Dhaka. Ms Shipra Dewan also made specific allegations of corruption against Santu Larma including award of contracts for sexual exploitation of women.

“For the last 27 years, Mr Santu Larma has been serving as the Chairman of the CHT Regional Council and using his position and powers as the Chairman of the CHT Regional Council including offer of jobs, offer of contracts, purchase of assets and jewelleries, providing scholarship, Mr Santu Larma has exploited dozens of indigenous women, sometimes by consent and often by force or allurement. Santu Larma forcibly sent his wife to India to silence her forever and despite Mr Santu Larma being a serial sexual offender, no one is able to protest.” – stated HWF.

HWF also raised increasing violence against indigenous women including gang rape of a 12-year-old Indigenous girl by three settlers while returning home from tuition in the Singhinala area of Khagrachari Sadar Upazila on 23 September 2025. The police failed to arrest all the accused and the protestors demanding justice were criminalise with killing of three protestors Guimara on 28 September 2025.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts becomes the place to keep the sexual predators. On 25 February 2021, Abul Hasnat Mohammad Sohel Rana was jailed in a case filed of sexual harassment of an Indigenous student. After being released, he rejoined the school, which prompted protests. On 20 September 2024, Rana died while fleeing after allegedly sexually assaulting an Indigenous student. This became another flash point for ethnic clashes.

The HWF stated, “indigenous girls and women are not safe in the streets, in the school premises, and the office or residence of the Chairman of the CHT Regional Council Mr Santu Larma”.

Encouraged by the statements of the Prime Minister and his daughter Zaima Rahman on women’s rights and access to justice, the HWF demanded removal of Santu Larma for sexual abuse of women by misusing the powers and position as the Chairman of the CHT Regional Council; inquiry into affairs of the CHT Regional Council especially award of the contracts and their implementation, jobs and overall mis-use of the funds for the last 27 years in view of the allegations of Mrs Santu Larma and to ensure safety and security of indigenous women and girls in the CHT by prosecuting the culprits and speedy trial in cases of sexual violence against women in Bangladesh.