CHT In  Bangladesh Towards Peace And Prosperity: Peace Accord In 1997 Paves The Way

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord has entered into two eras. The agreement was signed 24 years ago with the aim of ending the bloody clashes between the Bengalis and the government forces and establishing peace with the tribes and hills of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. After the agreement, it was hoped that if implemented, the winds of peace would blow in the mountains and the economy would gain momentum. In the last 24 years, this hope has been fulfilled. The way of life of the locals has changed. Various development projects undertaken by the government have changed the economic condition of millions of people living in the area.

Before the agreement, tourists were afraid to go to the hill districts. Tourists are now coming to the mountains without any hesitation as the security situation has improved after the peace agreement. In the past, due to the underdeveloped communication system, there was not much speed in trade and commerce, but now that speed has increased several times. Before that, the wheel of normal life was closed for two decades. With the signing of the peace treaty, the hill country returns to its normal rhythm; In the contemporary regional and international arena, the successful political end of the CHT problem is considered a rare achievement for our country. For this reason, Sheikh Hasina’s UNESCO award was a recognition of Bangladesh’s unique contribution to peace.

The then Awami League government tried to establish lasting peace in the hill areas. This was followed by the surrender of arms in 1997, which later became known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts Agreement or the Peace Accord. The government claims that most of the clauses of the agreement have been implemented. And the unrealized clauses will be implemented quickly and it needs a conducive environment.

On the other hand, in the two eras after the peace agreement, several schools and colleges have been established. Rangamati University of Science and Technology and Rangamati Medical College. There has been improvement in the communication sector. Sajeke in Baghaichhari has been built for tourists in two-star quality hotels and a three-star quality tourist complex.

Earlier, fishermen could not fish in Kaptai Lake but now fishermen can fish as they wish. Fishing on Kaptai Lake has multiplied since the peace agreement. Kaptai Lake is playing an important role in the economy. Prior to the agreement, the government did not receive any revenue of Rs 1 crore from this lake. Now the government is collecting revenue of around Tk 10 crore every year. Thousands of families in Rangamati now depend on Kaptai Lake. Zoom crop production has increased in the hills. Although it was difficult to get the zoom crop to the market earlier, it has been alleviated a lot now. In the past, most of the crops of Zum would have been ruined on the way, but now there is not much of a search on the road, so hill farmers can easily sell Zum crops in the market. The sector that has improved the most since the agreement was the timber business.

The timber trade in the region has multiplied since the agreement. Although they did not buy tree gardens in the hills before, now traders are buying gardens. The gardeners are benefiting economically. With the improvement in every aspect including education, communication and security, overall economic development has taken place in all the districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts including Rangamati. Laxmidhan Chakma, a resident of Rangamati, said government jobs once seemed like golden deer to us. But as a result of the Hill Tracts Peace Accord, now the educated and meritorious children of the Hill Tracts are easily getting government jobs. It would never have been possible without the agreement.

After the peace agreement, some incidents centered on conflict and hegemony among the regional parties did not stop the wheel of the mountain economy. Economic prosperity has been achieved in the same way that the living standards of the people have improved due to various steps taken by the government after the peace agreement. We can understand this by analyzing the times before and after the peace agreement.

After the Hill Tracts Peace Accord, the hill people were able to trade easily. The general public was intimidated by the obstruction of some regional organizations. But as a result of the peace agreement, the people of the hills are now breathing a sigh of relief. The people here are doing business independently with the incomparable cooperation of the administration.

There was a stagnation in trade and commerce in the hill country before the Hill Accords. Ordinary people could not move freely. But now that day is no more. Now people are doing business freely. The increase in communication has also given impetus to trade and commerce. The police administration is ready so that the people here can perform all their duties independently.

Meanwhile, 10 new development projects have been undertaken for the development of Chittagong Hill Tracts. The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts has sent a proposal to the Planning Commission for inclusion in the Green Leaf in the Annual Development Program (ADP) for the next 2021-22 Fiscal Year. At the same time, the allocation has been sought for 19 ongoing projects.

Rural Road Development Project constructed by Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board in Rangamati Hill District, its duration is till 2021-2024. The construction period of rural infrastructure in Rangamati Hill District has been fixed till 2024.

Construction of Master Drain in the development of water system in Bandarban Municipality and Lama Municipality of Bandarban Hill District to remove water blockage, it is aimed to be implemented by 2023. Besides, the development of various rural roads constructed by the Board in Bandarban Hill District has been fixed till 2023.

Construction of bridge with the connecting road from Upazila Sadar to remote areas of Khagrachhari district for the purpose of socio-economic development of the backward people of Chittagong Hill Tracts has been fixed till 2025. Construction of road from Laxichhari Upazila Sadar to Barmachhari Bazar of Khagrachhari district has been fixed till 2025. Construction of rural road infrastructure in Khagrachhari Hill District with the aim of building a communication network of Upazila Sadar with remote villages of different Upazilas. Trending Inclusive Development in CHT Project. Providing sustainable social services in the CHT area. Construction of rural road from Roangchhari Upazila Sadar to Ruma Upazila of Bandarban Hill District. High-value spice cultivation project in remote areas of Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Construction of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council Complex. Construction of two bridges over Sangu river and one over Sonakhali canal in Bandarban Hill District. Construction of master drain for development of drainage system of Khagrachhari district headquarters and removal of water blockage. Increase of cotton cultivation in Chittagong Hill Tracts area and alleviation of poverty of farmers. Power supply through installation of solar panels in remote areas of Chittagong Hill Tracts (Phase II). Safe water supply and development in all Upazilas including Rangamati municipality. Construction of irrigation drains in different Upazilas of Bandarban Hill District. Construction of irrigation drains in different Upazilas of Khagrachhari district of Chittagong Hill Tracts. Supply of potable drinking water through GFS and deep Tube Well in all areas in rocky areas in different Upazilas of Bandarban district.

Apart from this, poverty alleviation projects through coffee and cashew nut cultivation in the CHT region and water supply and sanitation management projects in markets and adjoining areas of the Khagrachhari district are also in progress. Establishing and implementing the network, which is currently the main hub for access to basic social services to the people of the three hill districts of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari. The Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord recognized the special status and dignity of the hill people.

Under the peace agreement, a regional council comprising local government councils of the three hill districts has been formed. The structure of the Regional Council is as follows: Chairman 1, Member (Indigenous) 12, Member (Indigenous) Female 2, Member (Non-Indigenous) Male 6, Member (Non-Indigenous) Female 1. The agreement calls for the formation of a Ministry of Tribal Affairs to oversee activities related to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, headed by one tribe. If the land ownership rights of the tribes are determined then their land will be returned. For this purpose, a land survey system will be conducted in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to determine the ownership of land.

Today there are educated young people in every house of the tribal people. At least one employee per household, Chakmas has an average literacy rate of 96%. The quota system in all jobs including BCS, priority system, a quota system for tribal students in all universities, medical colleges, scholarships in Europe, America, Australia all together the development of tribal people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is much better than any remote region of Bangladesh.

Incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is always striving to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the people of Chittagong Hill Tracts. The present government has not taken any undemocratic and anti-people initiatives in the hilly areas. After the Awami League government came to power, the chairman of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board has been appointed. The formation of the Land Commission and the ‘Minority Cultural Institutions Bill 2010’ has been passed in the National Assembly. In the meantime, everyone has accepted the idea of tribes, minorities, ethnic groups and communities to protect the integrity of the country. We think that supporting and supporting Sheikh Hasina’s efforts to establish peace is essential for development there.

The necessity of implementation of the Hill Tracts Peace Agreement can be seen from the significant examples of successful conduct of various ongoing socio-economic development activities. However, the joint efforts of the hill-Bengalis are needed to implement the conviction to uphold the rights of all citizens as enshrined in the peace agreement.