Two hundred thirty-five citizens, including academics, researchers, journalists and activists on Tuesday demanded a judicial investigation into the recent deaths of two Bawm people, Sang Mawi and Tleng Bawm.
They were arrested as suspected activists of the Kuki-Chin National Front.
In a statement, they also demanded release of all innocent Bawm people.
Arrested in 2023, Lalsang Mawi Bawm died on June 1, three days after he was freed on bail from Chattogram Central Jail.
Lal Tleng Kim Bawm, who was in Chattogram Central Jail custody for his alleged involvement in a bank robbery in Bandarban, died at Chattogram Medical College Hospital on May 15.
Expressing anger over the deaths, they strongly condemned the arrest and detention of the ordinary people of the national minority community, including women and children, in the name of containing violence in Bandarban.
According to the statement, families of the both victims alleged that there was medical negligence in the custody.
鈥楧eath in state custody is a reflection of the state鈥檚 extreme failure,鈥� the statement said, adding that the state cannot avoid responsibility for the deaths.
They raised a five-point demand, including bringing those responsible to justice through judicial investigation, an end to the tactic of collective punishment of Bawm people and arresting them and immediate release of the arrested Bawm people, an end to the state surveillance and control over the normal activities of Bawm people, fair investigation into bank looting incident in Bandarban, and ensuring equal rights, dignity, security and justice for all citizens in the hills and plain lands.
Signatories of the statement included Ganatantrik Odhikar Committee member Anu Muhammad, lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua, writer Rahnuma Ahmed, photographer Shahidul Alam, journalist Saydia Gulrukh, lawyer Sara Hossain, rights activist Khushi Kabir and Dhaka University professor Gitiara Nasreen.