The cases of January-October 2026 indicate continuing concerns for Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh across the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and the plains. The most repeated patterns are disputes over ancestral land and territory; alleged attacks, threats and destruction of property; sexual and gender-based violence; alleged excessive or intimidating conduct by security personnel; restrictions affecting movement and access to homes, roads and customary lands; and damage to forests, crops and water sources that sustain Indigenous livelihoods. Reported incidents include violent attacks on Indigenous communities in Khagrachari, Bandarban and Rangamati; repeated attempts to occupy Indigenous homesteads, customary land and cremation grounds; alleged searches, beatings, detention and pressure on village leaders in the CHT; cases of sexual violence against Indigenous women, girls and a person with disability; and environmental damage affecting Mro and Khasi Indigenous communities. The report also records the deaths of Indigenous peoples in circumstances requiring investigation, including a Tanchangya teenager killed by an abandoned mortar shell, a pregnant Chakma teacher killed after a road collision involving a BGB dumper truck; attack, vandalism, looting and arson reported in Indigenous Garo village in Sherpur following discovery of unidentified body; deaths of Nika Tripura and Riya Soren whose circumstances were reported as requiring clarification, thousands of betel leaf plants belonging to Khasi families at Nursery Khasi Punji in Karmadha Union of Kulaura Upazila, Moulvibazar and the alleged beating death of Santal youth Ripon Murmu in October. Responses described in the source material include complaints to police and administration, court proceedings, community resistance to land encroachment, protests and human chains, media engagement, and intervention by local administration. Some responses produced immediate relief- for example, a Garo family’s demolished house was addressed after intervention by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), and an abducted Chakma teenager was later rescued following a police/RAB operation and public attention. However, many cases remain unresolved or have no clear update on investigation, prosecution, remedy or protection. This report is based on a compiled set of Foundation’s regular documentation process of human rights violation cases, IPHRD network reports and community reports.
The cases of January-October 2026 indicate continuing concerns for Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh across the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and the plains. The most repeated patterns are disputes over ancestral land and territory; alleged attacks, threats and destruction of property; sexual and gender-based violence; alleged excessive or intimidating conduct by security personnel; restrictions affecting movement and access to homes, roads and customary lands; and damage to forests, crops and water sources that sustain Indigenous livelihoods.
Reported incidents include violent attacks on Indigenous communities in Khagrachari, Bandarban and Rangamati; repeated attempts to occupy Indigenous homesteads, customary land and cremation grounds; alleged searches, beatings, detention and pressure on village leaders in the CHT; cases of sexual violence against Indigenous women, girls and a person with disability; and environmental damage affecting Mro and Khasi Indigenous communities. The report also records the deaths of Indigenous peoples in circumstances requiring investigation, including a Tanchangya teenager killed by an abandoned mortar shell, a pregnant Chakma teacher killed after a road collision involving a BGB dumper truck; attack, vandalism, looting and arson reported in Indigenous Garo village in Sherpur following discovery of unidentified body; deaths of Nika Tripura and Riya Soren whose circumstances were reported as requiring clarification, thousands of betel leaf plants belonging to Khasi families at Nursery Khasi Punji in Karmadha Union of Kulaura Upazila, Moulvibazar and the alleged beating death of Santal youth Ripon Murmu in October.
Responses described in the source material include complaints to police and administration, court proceedings, community resistance to land encroachment, protests and human chains, media engagement, and intervention by local administration. Some responses produced immediate relief- for example, a Garo family’s demolished house was addressed after intervention by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), and an abducted Chakma teenager was later rescued following a police/RAB operation and public attention. However, many cases remain unresolved or have no clear update on investigation, prosecution, remedy or protection.
This report is based on a compiled set of Foundation’s regular documentation process of human rights violation cases, IPHRD network reports and community reports.
Created using ChatSlide
This report examines patterns of rights violations, mapping land disputes and documenting violence and environmental harm. It highlights illustrative cases across regions, emphasizing the need for independent investigations into deaths and the impact on communities. Additionally, it reviews responses to these issues, identifying gaps in accountability and prioritizing necessary protections and remedies for affected populations.