After more than two decades of instability and deadly conflict, with an aim of bringing overall peace, coexistence of all communities and prosperity in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, on December 2, 1996, a peace agreement was signed between the then government and the Chittagong Hill Tracts Jana Sanghati Samiti. Its significance in the political history of Bangladesh is highly recognized. As per the agreement, the armed members handed over all their weapons and ammunition to return to normal life.
Although nearly two decades of the much-discussed peace agreement have passed, the expected peace has not yet come in the wake of the intense fires of unrest. The seeds of peace that were sown two decades ago could not be turned into a full-fledged tree due to lack of proper care and action. Although not as before, the armed conflict is still ongoing. The regular scenes of all the hellish barbarism like shootings, extortion, kidnappings, murders and rapes have created a permanent home of intense dissatisfaction, anger and panic in the minds of the common peace-loving people of the three hill districts.
Reasons behind the unforeseen disturbance are the land disputes as well as confkictts among the regional political forces to dominate each other at any cost. For various reasons, even after so many years of the peace agreement, not all aspects of the agreement have been fulfilled. Santu Larma’s JSS and the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) are two regional organizations that stand for and against the agreement respectively. Along with them, the reciprocal positions of several organizations formed to protect the interests of the Bengalis and the reciprocal activities of the evil forces behind them are not stopping the flow of warm blood in the green hills.
As the reformist groups of the JSS and UPDF and the Mug Party are active, conflicts and clashes are gradually escalating. Besides, the regular activities of Pahari Chhatra Parishad and Bangali Chhatra Parishad also play a significant role in deteriorating the overall situation. Most recently, after the brutal killing of six JSS (reformist) leaders and activists in Baghmara, Bandarban, all concerned are engaged in concluding an autopsy. Aware citizens as well as regional political organizations are vocal in protest. Everyone is looking for a way to lasting peace. Emphasis is being given on a lasting solution by uncovering the underlying cause.
The common people of the hilly areas are undoubtedly peace-loving. But flawed game of politics is going on here with capitalizing their expectations. The rights as well as peace of the hilly men are being held hostage in the pursuit of self-interest throwing political mud and obscuring the situation. Since the peace agreement, more than 600 lives have been sacrificed in the name of strife and show of strength. In recent times, only Bandarban district has witnessed multiple kidnappings and disappearances. The mutilated bodies of several leaders and activists of different levels of the ruling party have also been found in the deep forest.
Land disputes are one of the reasons why peace doves cannot fly in the sky of the mountains even after a long time of peace agreement. The complex equation of political factions between the Tribals and the Bengalis is mainly centered on the land dispute. The main terms of the agreement could not be implemented due to the change of government after the agreement was executed in 1997. Moreover, the Land Commission for Land Dispute Resolution is also unable to maintain continuity in its work due to the conflicting positions of the parties. This long-standing dispute is the main obstacle in the way of communal harmony. If this is not resolved permanently, it will be impossible to extinguish the communal conflict here forever.
Besides land dispute, reckless extortion is another reason for occurring conflict here. In addition to private business, large sums of money are also collected from contractors involved in government development works. Otherwise, workers are threatened with abduction or closure. Again, all traders, big or small, doing business in certain areas are also regular victims of extortion. And the vicious cycle are trying to dominate these misdeeds. Innocent traders do not open their mouths for fear of life and livelihood. As a result, the violence of criminals is not stopping.
The practice of blaming each other for extortion, kidnapping, murder, arson, etc., has not changed. The history of their reciprocal programs on the anniversary of the peace agreement is quite old. The invisible force is spreading the poison of terror in the peaceful region. With sophisticated weapons, ammunition and trained cadres, they conduct power exercises in remote areas. The long-standing bond of peace and communal harmony is gradually being loosened by their tactics. Disbelief, violence and anger are becoming a solid wall on the path to the expected peace. Violence will increase due to the unethical activities of the armed groups. In such a contrast, peace in the region is undoubtedly far-fetched.
Hill Tracts have long been important for the political, social and cultural diversity of Bangladesh. The agreement was signed to enhance the economic, political, social, cultural and educational rights of all citizens in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and to accelerate socio-economic development. The situation was calm at the initial stage, but when the reformists in the local politics revolted against the main party and started trying to occupy the field by forming separate parties, the range of mutual conflicts and divisions began to widen.
The peaceful coexistence of the regional organizations, cordial efforts of the government and non-communal leaders only can perpetuate an uninterrupted peace in this bloody hilly region of Bangladesh. The government and the concerned administration should take effective steps to recover all illegal weapons. Otherwise, it will be difficult to harness the real benefits of significant developments in the socio-economic sectors including education, communication and tourism of hill tracts. In all cases, if the civil rights of all communities and a widely acceptable lasting solution to the conflicting issues are ensured, the bloodshed in the Green Hill Tracts will stop and the doves of peace will fly.
(Abu Faruk is a teacher & freelance writer lives in Bandarban).
