The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), the southeastern part of Bangladesh, having its border with India and Myanmar in the east with 13,295 sq. km area, in 1984 three districts were formed Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban. The area is mostly hilly with some small vallies or plain lands in between the ranges. CHT was divided by the British rulers in the 19th century as three circles: Chakma circle, Mong circle and Bohmang circle. The entire CHT is still not as developed as that of other plain districts of Bangladesh. This hill area constitutes about one tenth of the total area of Bangladesh.

As per the 2022 census total population in CHT is 1,842,815, of whom approximately 50% are tribals and rest 50% are Bangla speaking. There are 13 different tribal communities live in CHT, where majority are Chakma 24.68%, Marma 11.38% and Tripura 7.23%, rest 10 other tribal communities forms about 7%. Bengalis are mostly Muslims while tribals follow mostly Buddhism, only 9.18% follow Hinduism and 3.26% follow Christianity.

Main issues in CHT

For hundreds of years, CHT was a very Peaceful area. Two major issues had started to shaken this hilly region. First, in 1960s Pakistan Govt started to build a barrage in Kaptai to set up hydroelectricity project, thus caused displacement of huge population. Those tribals were not compensated properly and they lost their valuable lands. Secondly, in 1973 the then prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman while in a meeting with the tribal leaders and member of Parliament Manabendra Narayan Larma insisted that the CHT Tribal People to adopt Bangali identity. Mr. SK Mujib reportedly even had threatened to put and settle Bengalis in CHT to make tribal people into a minority group. These two reasons flamed up the entire peaceful area of CHT and still we are fighting to establish peace there in. With above mentioned two burdens on shoulders the tribal leaders finding no other ways to resolving their issues, decided to take up arms and thus in 1973 they founded Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) uniting all ethic tribes in CHT. Their armed wing was named Shanti Bahini, which started to challenge the authority of the Govt of Bangladesh. With the help of India, Shanti Bahini started insurgency war with Bangladesh Army, where in 1977 they, for the first time attacked an Army convey in CHT. In order to finding out a solution the then

Chief Martial Law administrator Zia-Ur-Rahman started to pour in Bangali speaking people in CHT as settlers. This effort had more reactions in the tribal minds than resolving their problems. So, till 1977, for about 20 years Bangladesh Army along with other paramilitary forces were engaged in an insurgency war in CHT.

Peace Treaty Signed on 2nd of December 1997

On 12 June 1996 National election was held in Bangladesh, where Awami League got the victory. 23 June 1996 Sheikh Hasina took oath as the Prime Minister Bangladesh on 2 December 1997 "The CHT Peace Accord" was signed Between the Govt of Bangladesh and the PCJSS. Having been signed this treaty, for the first time the govt of Bangladesh had officially recognized rights of the tribal people in CHT. With this halt document signed, decades -long insurgency in CHT was brought to a half in one hand a new era of disturbance got into in its way on the other hand.

Why No Peace in CHT after the Treaty

Major problems now facing CHT is related to their land issues and few are related to the governance of Hill Districts, delegation of power and authority of the Regional Council. Some are related to the financial and legal support for the good and other hand governance of CHT. Few of the issues have not been implemented at all, such as establishment of CHT as on indigenous inhabited special administered area, clearly spelt out mechanism to resolving land disputes, rehabilitating internally displaced people. Young tribal generation is getting wrong massage due to a kind of mistrust and low confidence among tribals and Bangla speaking citizens living there. Over a period of time the tribals especially Youngs have developed a mindset that CHT belongs to the tribals only, rest all other Bangladeshi citizens are simply intruders. Many tribals feel that CHT is their own land, it is in their ownership and therefore, all Bangla speaking people living there are illegal. This mind set of our tribal brothers and sisters is detrimental to the permanent peace building solution in CHT. This issue needs to be addressed very carefully and seemingly here lies the solution.

What needs to done now

Tribals have to be educated that whole of Bangladesh belongs to all citizens of Bangladesh. All citizens are equal to buy, possess land, build houses anywhere one likes within the boundary of Bangladesh. Thousands of CHT tribals have been living very peacefully in the plain districts without any problems. They own land properties at many places other than CHT. So, this spirit of equality must be built in the minds of all tribals living in CHT.

The peace treaty has got many provisions which are self-contradictory. Its time now to reevaluate and reassess to address this issue to bring major changes there in, Let's not make our tribals/ CHTs tribals to be a special group of citizens, rather Lets built the spirit that we all are equal, together we are owners of whole of Bangladesh. CHT Act 1900 which was made by British Rules 124 years back is no more valid today, this act 1900 needs to be cancelled. Under one constitution there is no need for another Cons substitution.

The CHT District and Upazila level administration also needs to rationalized that is whole of Bangladesh only one system of administration shall prevail. By having two our different types of administrative systems we are dividing ene citizens. An important issue must also be addressed very carefully that all the 13 or 14 tribal communities in CHT have their own cultural diversity, Practices, norms, etc, which we all must respect. Tribals must be allowed to uphold their traditions. Govt rules and regulations must be so made that tribals in CHT feel comfortable to enjoy full freedom as regards their social, religious, all and Indigenous rights and privileges. Lets and Bangladeshis both tribals and non-tribals in CHT live in peace as one single nation, we all are Bangladeshis. Lets all be in peace always and everywhere in our homeland Bangladesh.

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Author: Lt Col Md. Didarul Alam, psc (Retd) 

Joint Convener, Central Committee Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party)