17/08/2026
:
17 August Observed as “Black Day” for Chakma Peoples; Speakers Call for Greater
Attention to CHT, Indigenous Rights and Northeast India‟s Geopolitical Future
Guwahati, 17 August 2026
17 August was observed as a “Black Day” for the Chakma Peoples and the
Indigenous Peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) at a public programme held
today at the PWD Auditorium, Guwahati, Assam. The programme was organised
under the theme “India‟s Partition: Black Day for Chakma People.
The programme brought together public representatives, researchers, Indigenous
community leaders, students, intellectuals, writers and members of civil society to
remember the publication of the Radcliffe Award on 17 August 1947, which placed
the Chittagong Hill Tracts under Pakistan despite its overwhelmingly Indigenous and
non-Muslim population at the time. The organisers described the decision as a
defining historical turning point that continues to shape the political geography,
demographic transformation, land relations and security environment of the CHT and
Northeast India.
The programme highlighted that the CHT is home to fourteen Indigenous
communities, many of whose members also live across Northeast India and share
longstanding historical, cultural, linguistic and kinship ties that predate the Partition.
17 August and the history of the CHT
The speakers and organisers recalled that on 15 August 1947, while India celebrated
Independence, the Indian tricolour was raised at Rangamati. Two days later, the
Radcliffe Award was made public and the CHT was assigned to Pakistan. On 21
August, Pakistani forces entered Rangamati, removed the Indian flag and raised the
Pakistani flag. The historical account presented at the programme emphasised that,
for many Indigenous Peoples of the CHT, the political outcome of Partition did not
correspond with their expectations of independence.
The programme therefore sought to place 17 August within the larger history of
Partition and its continuing consequences for the Indigenous Peoples of the CHT
and Northeast India.
Demographic transformation and land rights
A major focus of the programme was the changing demographic and socio-political
character of the CHT.
Implementation of the 1997 CHT Accord
The 1997 CHT Accord was also discussed as an important framework for addressing
the political, institutional and land-related questions of the region.
While acknowledging the Accord as a historic achievement that ended the major
phase of armed insurgency, the programme stressed the distinction between signing
an agreement and implementing it. The speech notes argued that the CHT requires
effective implementation of the existing Accord and functioning of the institutions
established under it.
Why the CHT matters to Northeast India
A central message of the programme was that the CHT question cannot be viewed
solely as an internal issue of Bangladesh.
The CHT lies immediately alongside India's Northeast, particularly Tripura and
Mizoram, while also occupying a strategic position between India, Bangladesh and
Myanmar. Chattogram, Bangladesh's principal maritime gateway, lies immediately
beyond the CHT. The programme therefore described the CHT as a “geopolitical
hinge” connecting the Bay of Bengal, Chattogram, the CHT, Northeast India,
Myanmar and Southeast Asia.
The programme further discussed the importance of Chattogram and Mongla ports
for India's Northeast connectivity. India and Bangladesh established an SOP in 2019
for the movement of Indian goods through these ports, creating an alternative
logistical route to the Northeast through Bangladesh.
The discussion consequently emphasised that connectivity is both an opportunity
and a strategic dependency, making political stability, border security and territorial
stability in the wider CHT– Chattogram environment important considerations for
Northeast India.
The CHT and India's strategic future
The programme also examined the changing strategic environment involving India,
Bangladesh, Pakistan, China and Myanmar, and the implications of developments in
the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia.
The discussion did not portray Bangladesh as a proxy of any external power, but
stressed that India's eastern strategic environment is becoming increasingly complex
and that developments in the CHT have implications beyond the territory itself.
The opening speech was delivered by Dr. Shyamal Bikash Chakma, Researcher and
Director, CTRA. He stated that, "the CHT issue is not only an issue for the people of
the CHT. It also has implications for Northeast India and, ultimately, India's national
interest, security, sovereignty and territorial integrity. India played a vital role in the
political history of Bangladesh and the CHT 1997 Accord. Once again it is now time
for India and the societies of Northeast India to seriously think what do we want for
the CHT? If India fails to define its vision and strategic engagement with the CHT,
the people of the CHT will have even less space to determine their own future. The
CHT must not remain a geopolitical chessboard; its people must be recognised as
political actors with the right to shape their own future."
Shri Ranoj Pegu, Minister, Education and Tribal Affairs, Government of Assam, the
Chief Guest of the programme stated that, "He stands with the Chakma community
and other Indigenous Peoples of CHT against the historical injustice meted out to
them by the awarding the CHT to Pakistan despite representing more than 97% of
non-Muslims in the CHT by the British colonial administrators in 1947. However,
same mistake again committed in 1971 by ignoring the people of CHT and their
aspiration to be part of India. He asserted that another opportunity will to rectify
these historical mistakes repeatedly."
Shri Biswajit Daimary, Minister for Handloom, Textiles & Sericulture, Sports & Youth
Welfare, Indigenous & Tribal Faith & Culture, Government of Assam, Guest of
Honour of the Programme stated that the "17th August is very important, not only for
the Chakmas and Indigenous Peoples of CHT but also for the people of India to
know what really happened in CHT in 1947 - the historical injustice, oppression and
suffering due to the eleven hour decision to award the CHT to Pakistan. He also
asserted that he will do his best to works for the welfare of the Chakma community.
Shri Swapnil Kashyab, President of Intellectual Forum of North East, stated that "the
India's partition led to genocide like situations that includes the CHT. The then
Congress leaders acted on behalf of the Christian missionaries except Shyama
Prasad Mukherjee and Dr. B.R Ambedkar who opposed and save India from
becoming a Christian majority Indian state". He further state that one day the lost
lands of Bharat (India) including the CHT must be brought back and united with
Bharat (India).
Smt. Mita Nath Bora, Member, Assam Youth Commission and Researcher has
illustrated the historical injustice due to the deliberate and conscious repetition of
series of mistakes which she term it a surgery that went horribly wrong by the most
ineligible boundary commissioner led by Syril Radcliffe. She further stated that the
rest of India still does not know the worst and horrible India's partition exercises
including the CHT. She stated that the CHT was never part of the Bengal Legislative
Council and she questioned that how CHT's geographical demarcation can be
included in the terms of reference for the partition.
Dr. Ankita Dutta, Author and Columnist, highlighted the on-going atrocities against
the non-Muslims minorities in the CHT which never gets highlighted in the national
and international media. She further urged the present Indian government to
consider sacting in order to prevent the ongoing genocide and atrocities backed by
the Muslims fanatics against the minorities in Bangladesh, particularly the CHT.
Programme and participants
The programme began with the arrival and reception of guests, ceremonial candle
lighting, felicitation and an introduction to the programme.
Dr. Shyamal Bikash Chakma, Director, CTRA, delivered the introduction to the programme.
The schedule
listed Shri Ranoj Pegu, Minister for Education and Tribal Affairs, Government of
Assam, as Chief Guest and Shri Biswajit Daimary, Minister for Handloom, Textiles &
Sericulture; Sports & Youth Welfare; Indigenous & Tribal Faith & Culture,
Government of Assam, as Guest of Honour.
The programme also featured an address by Shri Swapnil Kashyap, President,
Intellectual Forum of North East, the launch of the Janagan TV newsletter “Sallyeng”,
and cultural presentations by members of the Chakma community.
The afternoon session included addresses by Asutosh Chakma, President, All Assam Chakma
Society, Smt. Mita Nath Bora, Member, Assam Youth Commission and Researcher,
Dr. Ankita Dutta, Author and Columnist, Shri Drishya Muni Chakma, President, All
India Chakma Students‟ Union, along with cultural performances and other speakers.
The event was held at the PWD Auditorium, Guwahati, and was organised by Janagan TV in collaboration with the Intellectual Forum of North East, with support
from the Guwahati Chakma Students‟ Union (GCSU) and All Assam Chakma Society
(AACS).
Guwahati Chakma Students' Union - GCSU
All India Chakma Students' Union - AICSU
All India Radio News Indian Express India Today Hindustan Times The Assam Tribune The Sentinel
Ranoj Pegu Biswajit Daimary
