The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) has urged international election observers of the European Union, the Commonwealth and Japan to intervene with Bangladesh against threat to indigenous Buddhist candidates by the Bangladesh government sponsored armed group in the ongoing 13th Parliamentary elections. Two independent Buddhist candidates Mr Pahel Chakma from Rangamati Parliamentary Constituency and Mr Dharma Jyoti Chakma from Khagrachari Parliamentary Constituency and their key campaigning team members have been issued death threats by the Bangladesh government sponsored armed group, Parbatto Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) headed by the Chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council, Mr Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma alias Santu Larma. In addition, Bangladesh Army has deployed about 75 armed cadres of the PCJSS since 29 January 2026 at Dudukchara area under Logang Union of Khagrachari district to threaten indigenous peoples to vote for the candidates of the national political parties i.e. Bangladesh National Party, Jamaat-I-Islami and National Citizens Party.
Though specific police complaint General Diary Entry complaint was filed by Mr Pahel Chakma on 17 January 2026, the Bangladesh Police refused to register the FIR as on date, thereby creating further fears. Similarly, on 20th January 2026, one Bidarshi Chakma submitted a forged withdrawal of nomination letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari District on behalf of Mr Dharmajyoti Chakma, the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari district took no action against forgery. As both candidates refused to withdraw, they are being threatened with death.
“The PCJSS is a government sponsored armed group because though it surrendered after the CHT Accord in 1997, it has been allowed to keep its armed wing. Mr Santu Larma, the PCJSS President has remained as the Chairman of the CHT Regional Council for the last 28 years without elections. As the Chairman of the CHT Regional Council has “the status, and enjoy(s) other facilities of a State Minister of the Government” but is allowed to keep his armed group, the PCJSS is all but a government armed group. The existence of the PCJSS armed group is known to all, 13 of its cadres were arrested in Agartala, Tripura on 4 June 2025 while the Guwahati High Court in its 69-page judgement on 5 September 2024 in the National Investigation Agency versus Rohmingliana termed the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) a terrorist organisation while adjudicating the seizure of 31 AK-47 rifles, 1-LMG, 1 Browning Automatic Rifle and ammunitions – AK47 (7.62 mm)-86 live rounds, LMG (5.56 mm)-24 live rounds and, BAR rifle (7.62 mm)-699 live rounds belonging to the PCJSS on 07.03.2013.”- stated Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of the RRAG.
“Though the PCJSS is not contesting elections, the PCJSS has allegedly been issuing death threats to independent candidates belonging to indigenous peoples to ensure the victory of the national political parties i.e. Bangladesh National Party, Jamaat-I-Islami and the National Citizens Party. This is part of the wider agreement among national political parties and the Bangladesh Army to deny free and fair elections to indigenous peoples”.- further stated Mr Chakma.
The RRAG requested the election observers of the European Union, the Commonwealth and Japan to depute Election Monitors to Khargachari and Rangamati district and ensure safety and security to these two independent candidates (Mr Pahel Chakma and Mr Dharmajyoti Chakma) or other candidates; intervene with the relevant authorities of Bangladesh against such death threats and urge the Government of Bangladesh to ensure that the government para-military group, PCJSS (Santu) cadres, are directed to respect human rights by keeping them in the government barracks. [Ends]
Postscript
1. The filing of General Diary complaint by Pahel Chakma, MP candidate from Rangamati Constituency can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1G2v4YQ88s/
2. The threat to Pahel Chakma’s brother to not to participate in any campaign activities can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17RnXmeQ68/
3. The video showing the submission of the forged letter for withdrawal of nomination of Dharmajyoti Chakma can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/reel/1959777098271538
