Protest in Bangladesh’s Khagrachari: CHT Women Demand End of Santu Larma’s 27-Year Rule, Alleging Abuse

Khagrachari: On International Women’s Day, thousands of protesters, led by the Hill Women Federation (HWF), took to the streets in Khagrachari in Bangladesh to demand the immediate removal of Jyotirindra Bodhipriya (Santu) Larma from his long-held position as Chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Regional Council.

The demonstrators accused him of systematically exploiting indigenous women through abuse of power over the past 27 years.

The HWF submitted a formal memorandum to Prime Minister Tarique Zia, which was received by the Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari District.

The document included a key 2005 letter from Shipra Dewan, Santu Larma’s wife, addressed to the then Vice President of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS). In her letter dated 11 October 2005, Dewan alleged that her husband had sexually exploited several women, including the wife of a peon from his office.

She alleged that he had allegedly assaulted the woman in an “air-conditioned” room of the Kalyanpur government residence on 19 January 2004.

She pointed out several such names that allegedly fell victim to Larma.

Dewan’s letter further claimed that Larma linked the awarding of contracts and other favours to sexual exploitation, intertwining corruption with abuse.

The HWF stated that, since assuming the chairmanship 27 years ago, Santu Larma has misused his influential position, offering jobs, contracts, scholarships, assets, and jewellery, to exploit dozens of indigenous women.

Some instances involved inducement or allurement leading to consent, while others allegedly occurred through force.

The federation alleged that Larma forcibly sent his wife to India to prevent her from speaking out, allowing him to continue unchecked as a serial offender.

Protesters claimed that this was a broader crisis of violence against indigenous women and girls in the CHT, describing the region as a “safe haven for sexual predators.”

They cited the gang rape of a 12-year-old indigenous girl by three settlers in the Singhinala area of Khagrachari Sadar Upazila on 23 September 2025. Authorities failed to arrest all the accused, and when protesters demanded justice, three demonstrators were killed in Guimara on 28 September 2025.

The HWF also referenced other incidents, including the 2021 imprisonment of Abul Hasnat Mohammad Sohel Rana for sexually harassing an indigenous student. After his release, he was reinstated at his school, sparking protests. On 20 September 2024, Rana reportedly died while fleeing after allegedly assaulting another indigenous student, triggering ethnic clashes.

The federation added that indigenous girls and women feel unsafe in public streets, schools, offices, and even at the residence or office of the CHT Regional Council Chairman.

Drawing encouragement from Prime Minister Tarique Zia’s and his daughter Zaima Rahman’s public statements on women’s rights and access to justice, the HWF made several key demands.

They called out for the immediate removal of Santu Larma for sexually abusing women by misusing his official position and authority.

A comprehensive inquiry into the CHT Regional Council’s operations over the past 27 years, focusing on contract awards, job allocations, fund misuse, and other affairs in light of the allegations raised by Shipra Dewan, was also demanded.

They further said that stronger measures to ensure the safety and security of indigenous women and girls in the CHT, including the prosecution of perpetrators and expedited trials in all cases of sexual violence against women across Bangladesh, were needed.

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