Editorial
15 years since the signing of CHT peace accord
Address core issues for full implementation
When the state entered into a peace accord with the PCJSS, the now-defunct political wing of the former tribal insurgent group which called itself Shantibahini, one and a half decades ago, it formally ended a two-decade long insurgency in the hill districts. Peace was an instant dividend from the accord that both sides celebrated with the world welcoming the olive branch spread across the CHT.
The beginning was also marked by surrender of arms by the Shantibahini preceded by repatriation of tribal refugees encamped in the Indian state of Tripura to Bangladesh. Both the returnee Jumma refugees as well as former Shantibahini elements were rehabilitated. The scene was thus set for implementation of the core provisions of the CHT accord.
The progress of implementation from that point on has been extremely tardy as successive governments dragged their feet whenever encountering the core, difficult issues of implementation. Awami League, though the author of the peace accord couldn't go beyond just forming CHT affairs ministry, a selective regional council and a land commission coupled with phased withdrawal of army camps in altogether nearly two terms in office.
Fundamental clauses including resolving land disputes and strengthening CHT Regional Council and the three hill district councils remain on paper. Having a mixed police force in the region to look after security concerns still seems a far cry.
Of particular importance is a clearly defined mandate for the land commission keeping an eye on demographic characteristics of CHT which is unfortunately lacking. Land survey would be necessary for documentation of land occupation pattern in the region. Central to the issues of land rights and settlement are disputes between the settlers from plainland on the one side and all the hill tribes on the other.
These are facts to be faced with a resolute, realistic and accommodative plan of action for peace and harmony to strike a root in the ground. As part of the process, dialogues should be held among all parties leading to removal of impediments to a negotiated settlement of the land and other disputes paving the way for fuller and sustainable implementation of CHT peace accord.
The way forward appears to lie in holding elections to the hill district councils culminating in the formation of a truly representative and fully empowered CHT Regional Council to meaningfully address the major tribal concerns.
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