Peace in CHT: A dream or reality?

Whether peace in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), covering one tenth of the country's total area, will remain a dream or become a reality still seems a big question to be resolved. The government side would argue in favour of implementation of those points of the Accord which remain unimplemented. The leaders of CHT Regional Council and Parbattya Chattagram Jana Shanghati Samity (PCJSS) are, on the other hand, suspicious of the sincerity of the government.

This discord between the two sides was adequately demonstrated when LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and PCJSS leaders were heard making remarks contradictory to each other after attending the 10th Cabinet Committee meeting on implementation of CHT Peace Accord on April 5.

The PCJSS leaders were heard saying that they won't expect any substantial progress in implementation of the Accord under the present government. Bhuiyan was, however, hopeful of its implementation phase by phase. CHT, which is home to nearly 1.3 million people and known for largest concentration of 11 ethnic minority communities, is highly resourceful. Kaptai lake itself can become a source of huge fish supply if properly maintained. There can be eco-tourism in the region if there is lasting peace. The resources of the region remain mostly untapped in absence of stable peace.

Reports of clashes, abduction and recovery of arms and ammunitions reach us from the hill districts as the Peace Accord which was signed in 1998, between the government and PCJSS headed by Jyotindriyo Bodhi Priyo Larma (Shantu Larma), is yet to ensure stable peace in the region.

Shantu Larma, Chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council has been demanding quick and full implementation of the Peace Accord in the region.

The government seems to be in a dilemma because if the Accord is fully implemented it would make Shantu Larma happy but United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) and a section of settlers unhappy. The settlers are afraid of facing eviction if the Accord is fully implemented.

The problem in the CHT region began with the act of dispossession of tribal land rights in 1959 when the country's only hydroelectricity project Kaptai Dam was built across the river Karnaphuli with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). With the implementation of the project an area of 250 square miles of prime cultivable lands were inundated and displaced were about one lakh ethnic minorities, mostly Chakmas from their holdings. A large number of those displaced sought shelter across the borders in India's Arunachal and Mizoram states.

Efforts initiated for restoration of "protected status" granted under the provisions of the Hill Tracts Regulation did not get positive response from the then head of government after liberation of Bangladesh. The then AL government brushed aside the demand as it believed that the ethnic minorities were not with Bengali nationalism.

The successive governments of Bangladesh have, however, offered olive branch to the ethnic rebels who were engaged in bush war in the hill forest terrain since 1975. Though not much was achieved yet the formation of different levels of committees and parleys with the rebels suggest certain degrees of seriousness in finding solution to the problem.

Begum Khaleda Zia's government of 1991 can claim some credit for creating a congenial atmosphere for a political dialogue which led to the unilateral announcement of cease fire by members of Shanti Bahini, which has been disbanded since 1998 following the signing of the Peace Accord during Sheikh Hasina's government.

Reports of frequent clashes between the settlers and the ethnic communities come from the hill districts to the concern of all of us. The recovery of fire arms often in abandoned condition from the region is another cause of grave concern.

Even in the first week of the current month clashes between the settlers and the ethnic communities in Mahalchhari in Khagrachhari district left a couple of hundreds injured. Several people belonging to the ethnic minorities even left their houses out of fear.

Though neither side filed any complains with the police till the evening of April 4, the police on their own initiated a case and arrested two dozens people. The ethnic minority communities blamed the settlers for attacks while the settlers blamed the members of ethnic communities for the preplanned attacks and plunder.

The settlers living in the region protested the Accord through hoisting black flags and widespread street agitation as they apprehended eviction from their holdings in the process of implementation of the Accord. Many settlers including Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, MP and also chairman of CHT Development Board went into hiding as they were known for their anti-Accord stand.

Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who was then Leader of the Opposition was also opposed to the Accord. Expressing solidarity with the settlers she led a Road March to the CHT describing the Peace Accord as not in conformity with the country's constitution.

In this context, Deputy Minister for CHT Affairs Moni Swapan Dewan's opinion was sought who attributed the prevailing problem of CHT to economic disparity and emphasised the need for balanced development. On the Peace Accord, he said, it should be made acceptable to all communities avoiding the blame game. CHT problem, he said, should be treated as a national issue and not the problem of BNP or that of Awami League.

Dewan said, "It won't be possible to resolve the CHT problem unless and until the national leaders stop politicking over the region."

On reports of clashes between the ethnic minorities and the settlers, he said, some vested interest groups in the region, are active to keep alive political unrest and destroy communal harmony.

Yet, despite discords, majority of the people wish let there be peace, whichever way possible.

Nurul Huda is a Special Correspondent of BSS