The Parbatya Chattogram Nagarik Parishad (PCNP) held a
press conference in Rangamati.
The organization released a report on the recent human
rights situation and public safety in the hilly areas at the press conference
organized at the Parbatya Gyan Anbeshan Library in Banarupa on Tuesday (July
28) morning.
PCNP Rangamati District President Abu Bakkar Siddique read
out a written statement at the press conference chaired by PCNP Rangamati
District Organizing Secretary Humayun Kabir and conducted by PCCP Central
General Secretary Md. Habib Azam.
The main points of the report raised at the press
conference are highlighted below:
Human rights violations and violence: From January to
June 2026, about 240 human rights violations occurred in the hilly areas by the
armed terrorist organizations JSS, UPDF and KNF. Of these, 47 kidnappings and
16 murders were committed by local businessmen, farmers, drivers, students and
ordinary people.
Child and women abuse: Regional armed groups (JSS,
UPDF-Prasit, KNF) have forcibly involved more than 70 minor children and
adolescents in armed conflict and group activities. In addition, 14 women have
been abducted and abused.
Extortion and money demands: Extortion has become the
main source of income for hilly armed regional groups. More than 1,520
extortion incidents have occurred in the past one year. Terrorist organizations
JSS, UPDF and KNF have collected large sums of money and ransom from timber
traders, pharmaceutical companies, local transport and ordinary people.
Land grabbing and attacks: There have been 4 incidents of
land grabbing between January and June. On May 27-30, terrorists of the UPDF
(Prosit) group occupied about 20 acres of land in Manikchhari, Khagrachari and
built houses. In addition, on March 23, JSS (Santu) terrorists attacked a
resort called ‘Jungle Bilas’ in Lama, Bandarban and demanded a ransom of Tk 3
lakh.
Disinformation and cross-border crimes: Hill armed groups
are spreading disinformation against the government and security forces by
creating a narrative of establishing ‘Jummaland’ to gain international sympathy
and money. In addition, JSS, UPDF and KNF are smuggling illegal weapons and
drugs through the border areas and pushing hill youth towards conflict.
At the press conference, PCNP leaders said that it is
possible to restore lasting peace and stability in the hilly region not only by
ensuring law and order but also by protecting the victims, stopping the use of
illegal weapons, justly resolving land disputes and ensuring equal rights.
Also present at the press conference as special guests
were Morsheda Akhter, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Chattogram
Hill Tracts Women’s Council, Nur Hossain, President of the Central Committee of
the Chattogram Hill Tracts Youth Council, Hero Talukder, General Secretary Nur
Islam, Rangamati District President of the Chattogram Hill Tracts Students’
Council (PCCP) Rangamati District President Tajul Islam Taj, General Secretary
Alamgir Hossain. Among others, leaders of various levels of the PCNP, Chattogram
Hill Tracts Women’s Council, Youth Council and Students’ Council at the central
and district levels were present.
