12/03/2026
Statement Condemning Harassment, Intimidation of a Garo Indigenous Woman, Child and Forced Evictions of Indigenous Peoples in Madhupur, Tangail and Khadimnagar, Sylhet, Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum (BIYF) strongly condemns the recent incidents of oppression, intimidation, and attempted eviction targeting Indigenous peoples in Madhupur of Tangail and Khadimnagar of Sylhet. These incidents represent a grave violation of human rights, human dignity, and the fundamental rights of Indigenous communities to live peacefully on their ancestral lands.
On 9 March 2026 at approximately 1:00 PM, in the Kalapahar area of Dharati village under Kuragacha Union of Madhupur Upazila in Tangail, an operation was carried out in the name of “recovering departmental land” by the Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC), members of the Ansar force, and the authorities of the Chandpur Rubber Garden Development Authority. During this operation, Indigenous Garo women and children were reportedly subjected to harassment, intimidation, and physical abuse. Homes were damaged, and attempts were made to forcibly evict an Indigenous family from their ancestral land.
According to local sources, the operation was led by the manager of the Chandpur Rubber Garden, Mr. Aman Ullah Aman, along with BFIDC and Ansar personnel. The operation was conducted without any prior notice and in the absence of authorization or the presence of the local administration, raising serious concerns about its legality. When the affected Indigenous family protested this unlawful action, they were reportedly subjected to further intimidation and abuse. Disturbingly, Ansar members allegedly pointed fi****ms at an innocent Garo woman holding a child and threatened to shoot, demonstrating an alarming level of aggression and disregard for human life.
The victim, Ms. Shibli Mangsang, wife of Mr. Romen Kubi (60) and daughter of Mr. Jugesh Mangsang of East Dharati Kalapahar, has lived on her ancestral land for many years. Local accounts indicate that the rubber garden authorities had previously allowed the family to remain on the land and even requested their assistance in overseeing the rubber plantation. However, when the family recently attempted to repair their deteriorating house, the authorities allegedly obstructed them by removing the house pillars and cutting down surrounding trees, thereby preventing them from rebuilding their home.
Following public protests, the local Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) visited the site, expressed regret to the affected family, and assured assistance. However, to date, no departmental action has been taken against the Ansar members accused of abusing Indigenous women and children.
At the same time, Indigenous Garo families in Khadimnagar of Sylhet are facing a similar crisis. Sixteen Garo families living in Garopara at Fishery Chhararpar in Kollogram under Sylhet Sadar Upazila are currently living under the threat of eviction. The community has been settled in the area for approximately 60–70 years, where nearly 80 people from three generations live on about 25.7 decimals of land. They have established homes, pay holding taxes to the Union Parishad, and possess national identity cards reflecting their residential address in the area.
Despite this long-standing settlement, a local housing company has recently threatened to evict them, creating deep fear and insecurity among the community, particularly among women and children. Although local administrative authorities have reportedly promised rehabilitation measures, influential groups are attempting to force immediate eviction, which constitutes a serious violation of human rights.
Local residents have also reported severe industrial pollution flowing into nearby streams from the BSCIC industrial area. Attempts are reportedly being made to alter the natural flow of the stream by dumping soil into the polluted waterway. Such actions threaten the safety and survival of the Garo settlement. If the natural water flow is obstructed, the community will face environmental hazards and unbearable living conditions caused by polluted water and foul odors.
The Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum believes that these incidents are not isolated but rather part of a long-standing pattern of systemic marginalization, intimidation, and dispossession of Indigenous peoples in the Madhupur Gar region and other Indigenous territories across Bangladesh. The Madhupur Gar forest is not merely a geographical space; it is the historical homeland and cultural foundation of Indigenous communities such as the Garo, Koch, and Barman peoples, who have lived in harmony with nature for generations.
Despite decades of struggle, Indigenous communities continue to face eviction threats under different policy frameworks and development narratives. Projects introduced under the names of “Reserve Forest,” “National Park,” “Eco-Park,” and more recently “Eco-tourism Development and Sustainable Management Projects” and the “SUFAL Project” have repeatedly placed Indigenous lands and livelihoods under threat.
The history of resistance in Madhupur reflects the courage and sacrifice of many Indigenous leaders and activists. The names of Late Piren Snal (Martyr), Utpal Nokrek, Kalpana Chakma, Alfred Soren, Cholesh Ritchil, Gidita Rema, Bihen Nokrek, Sentu Nokrek, and many more IP leaders remain powerful symbols of the ongoing struggle for justice, land rights, and dignity.
The Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum firmly believes that development cannot be justified if it destroys the lives, cultures, and existence of Indigenous peoples. Any development initiative must respect Indigenous rights, ensure meaningful participation, and uphold the principles of justice, environmental protection, and human dignity.
Therefore, the Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum (BIYF) puts forward the following demands:
1. Immediately halt the illegal eviction operations in Madhupur and stop all conspiracies to evict Indigenous communities from their ancestral lands.
2. Conduct an impartial departmental investigation and ensure swift and transparent justice against Chandpur Rubber Garden manager Aman Ullah Aman and the Ansar members involved in the abuse and intimidation of Indigenous women and children.
3. Immediately stop lake excavation and all development projects on Indigenous lands that threaten biodiversity, environmental balance, and Indigenous livelihoods.
4. Ensure the safety and secure living conditions of the Garo families in Khadimnagar, Sylhet, and immediately stop all eviction threats against them.
5. Establish a separate ministry and a dedicated land commission to address and resolve the longstanding land issues of plain-land Indigenous peoples.
6. Provide formal state recognition of Indigenous peoples’ traditional land rights and customary ownership systems.
7. Ensure justice and accountability for all killings, violence, and human rights violations committed against Indigenous peoples.
8. Immediately withdraw all false and politically motivated cases filed against Indigenous people in Madhupur.
The Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum calls upon the Government of Bangladesh, relevant authorities, human rights institutions, civil society organizations, and the international community to take urgent action to protect the rights, dignity, and lands of Indigenous peoples.
The struggle of Indigenous communities to defend their ancestral lands, cultural identity, and fundamental rights continues. BIYF stands in unwavering solidarity with the affected communities and reiterates its commitment to advocating for justice, equality, and recognition of Indigenous peoples in Bangladesh.
Press Wing
Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum (BIYF)
