Commentary Report
The Santu Larma faction of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) has plunged into a game aimed at destroying the Jumma people’s national existence. They do not hesitate to align with national enemies to harm their own people and even spill the blood of their own brothers. It is now evident that their relationship with the Bangladesh Army has deepened and that a secret understanding exists between them. Members of the Santu group are directly assisting the army in the ongoing military operations against the UPDF (United People’s Democratic Front) in various areas.
For example, on the morning of October 8, the commanders of the Santu group met with a commander of the security forces at Boro Kamalack in Sajek (just north of Udaipur). They were seen shaking hands and smiling, which astonished the Jumma villagers who witnessed it. This handshake symbolized a friendly, deep, and sincere relationship between them.
Since October 18, during the ongoing military operations in Sajek, a commander from the Santu group named Bikash Chakma alias Borokana (aged 45) has been accompanying army personnel. His father’s name was the late Jamini Kumar Chakma. Although his home is in Merung, Dighinala, he is currently staying in Udaipur, a village near the Mizoram border. Bikash has been advising and assisting the army during the operations. It is reported that members of the Santu group are providing the army with false and exaggerated information, based on which the soldiers are torturing local people.
Meanwhile, in Panchari of Khagrachari, army personnel are providing security to the Santu group’s armed units. Two army teams are stationed at Singinala and Sammey Adam to protect JSS (Santu) armed members based in Machyachara, Logang.
Previously, in the Bandukbhanga area of Rangamati, an armed team of the Santu group took position with the help of the army at Marichuk Moun. They are still stationed there, and the army regularly patrols the area to ensure their security. In Furmoun, Rangamati, the Santu group also occasionally operates with the support of the army. In Nareichari, Dighinala, the army and the Santu group’s armed members operate based on mutual understanding.
The new army camp being set up at Bormachara also appears to be a result of a secret agreement between the army and the Santu group. It should be noted that Santu Larma used to demand the withdrawal of army camps in accordance with the peace accord and would publicly oppose the establishment of new camps — though it now seems that was merely for show. Lately, he has remained completely silent on the issue, not uttering a single word. His silence is a clear sign of his secret understanding with the army.
In short, the army and JSS (Santu Group) have secretly formed an unwritten anti-UPDF alliance. However, the fact remains that for the past 27 years, they have jointly tried to destroy the UPDF at various times, yet they have failed. Even though their current level of cooperation and mutual understanding is deeper than before, the result will be the same.
This is because the UPDF is a disciplined and well-organized political party guided by superior principles and ideals, whose main leaders possess 36 years of experience in both pre- and post-accord struggles. The UPDF and its leaders are trusted friends of the people, who have successfully led the movement for people’s rights, including the resistance against land grabbing. Therefore, the UPDF enjoys the unwavering support and trust of the people.
History has repeatedly shown — both in global movements and here in our own Chittagong Hill Tracts — that no party founded on sound principles, with disciplined cadres and broad popular support, can ever be destroyed through repression. During India’s independence movement, for example, the British could not destroy the Indian National Congress or suppress the movement even after imprisoning all its leaders (and the Congress was not even a revolutionary party). In the end, it was the British who had to pack up and leave the Indian subcontinent.
Similarly, despite 27 years of ruthless repression, the UPDF has not been destroyed — nor will it ever be. The secret anti-UPDF alliance between the JSS (Santu Group) and the army will only provoke greater anger among the people and ignite a stronger spirit of resistance. The people will see more clearly the danger of national annihilation and will be compelled to unite and rise up in struggle to save themselves.
Even the more conscious and patriotic members within the JSS (Santu Group) will be influenced by this situation. They will begin to oppose the anti-Jumma policies of the Santu–Victor–Bulbul (father-in-law–son-in-law–grandson) clique. It should be remembered that in 2006, some of Santu Larma’s once-loyal comrades left the party and formed a new one because they could not accept his flawed policies. When they see that Santu Larma, merely to hold onto his position in the Regional Council, is conspiring with the army under the pretext of eliminating the UPDF — thereby causing irreparable damage to the Jumma nation — they will be forced, in the greater national interest, to take a stand against him.
(October 26, 2025)
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