India, July 28 -- The Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), headquartered in Kamalanagar, is facing a deepening political crisis, which has paralysed development plans for the community and eroded public trust.

Established in 1972 under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the CADC was envisioned as a grassroots body for tribal self-governance, meant to uplift the ethnic Chakma population. Instead, it has become a stage for factionalism, where power struggles routinely eclipse public service.

The stasis in CADC has triggered frustration and resentment among those who are vested in the state's development. Parbesh Chakma, president of the Mizoram Chakma Students Union, for one, is strongly critical of the council.

"Chakma people...