Santu Larma’s granddaughter draws flak over UN speech on CHT

PARBATTA NEWS DESK

PCJSS leader Santu Larma’s granddaughter Augustina Chakma has drawn criticism for her remarks at a UN forum where she called for the withdrawal of military camps and Bengali settlers from the region.

Speaking at the 24th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York on 21 April as a representative of PCJSS (Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samity), Ms Chakma said the 1997 CHT Peace Accord had not been implemented, leaving Jumma women vulnerable to violence and political exclusion.

She alleged that 12 Jumma women and girls were sexually assaulted in 2024 by Muslim settlers, with 16 others facing retaliation.

Santu Larma’s granddaughter also accused a security official of interfering in a rape case and reducing the compensation to Tk 40,000 from the Tk 140,000 set during a social settlement.

Her comments sparked anger in the CHT, with Bengali leaders calling her speech biased and selective.

They said she ignored similar or worse abuses allegedly committed by local armed groups, including cases involving women like Retina Chakma and Iti Chakma.

Bengali leaders questioned her right to speak on behalf of local tribal communities, pointing out that she was born and raised in Canada, and that her family enjoys a luxurious lifestyle allegedly funded by extortion from hill residents.

They also cited a recent case involving content creator Upoma Chakma in criticising Santu Larma’s daughter for not mentioning it during her speech at the UN.

Allegedly deceived by a man who refused to marry her, according to them, Upoma’s case was settled for Tk 10,000, which she never received.

Frustrated by the deception, Ms Upoma later threatened suicide on social media, they added.

Local leaders have also questioned how representatives like Ms Chakma are attending the UN forum under the “indigenous” label when no indigenous communities exist in Bangladesh.

Calling it a failure on the part of the state, they urged the government to prevent such representations in future.