Massive development, welfare by Army ensures peace in the Hills

The implementation of the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Treaty in the three rugged south-eastern hill districts covered with dense forests has been made possible by not only the massive infrastructure development undertaken by the army putting aside health and security risks, but their welfare works have made the uniformed men popular among the tribal population.

"We are involved in all sectors and in some cases we take responsibility by being pro-active ... One cannot sit idle if there is a situation. It is a responsibility we cannot ignore, although the area has only one percent of Bangladesh's total population. It is like running a country," Brigadier General Md. Ziaul Hoque, Commander 69 Infantry Brigade and Region Commander, Bandarban Area told me. He added that "Our men have died not only in conflicts, but while working in constructing roads and bridges, and yet we continue to give our best for the sake of our country."

He said under "Operation Uttoron" the army has even taken projects for the empowerment of women, besides providing poor students, majority of them belonging to various tribal communities, with mobile phones to help them join Zoom classes. "We are also giving financial and other help to the victims of clashes between tribal groups," the Brigadier General said with a very satisfying smile.

The army is very popular in the hills as they stand by the residents in all difficult times and implementing projects that have directly changed their life style, a regional security officer said. One important part has been ensuring water supply in remotest areas which has helped them in agriculture and different modes of communication has helped them market their agricultural products.The Army Corps of Engineers is involved massively in the area in building roads, bridges and other facilities. Many of their men died during the development works.

The landmark Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Treaty was inked on 2 December 1997 between the Awami League government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti, (JSS) led by Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Shantu Larma, who led the "Shanti Bahini" insurgents until the peace pact was came into effect.

It was just into the second year of Sheikh Hasina's first term as prime minister after her Awami League stormed into power after 22 years of political wilderness following the brutal assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman when the pact was signed amid high drama.

The region bordering India and Myanmar have had a sea change since the army moved in to ensure peace.One army officer here said "It was not an easy task as first we had to contain all kinds of violence and then win the hearts of the tribal men and women, who were initially very suspicious of us." Now, he added that men and women welcome us as one of their own.

Official statistics indicate the pace of development in the region. In 1997 there was only 2803 kilometers of roads, while it is now 7,949 kilometers with more plans underway. From only 24 hospitals or health facilities it now stands at 270, while factories increased to 223 from 135.Asked who were behind the clashes, the outspoken Brigadier General Md. Ziaul Hoque blasted both Shantu Larma and Chakma King Debashis Roy for their "mischievous activities" against the Peace Treaty. "They are like a cancer."

Shantu Larma has violated the Peace Treaty, but travels with a Bangladeshi passport and refuses to participate in all national day events in recent years, officials said, adding that he has been enjoying all government facilities on one hand and on the other his PCJSS (JSS-main) is allegedly resorting to activities to make the region restive again.

Thus, experts say the government must re-think if Shantu Larma is fit to continue as the chairman of Hill Tracts Regional Council after seriously probing his anti-peace activities. It is learned from reliable sources that regional political groups are working to launch a campaign for "Jummaland."

Chakma King Debashis Roy and his sister are also campaigning for issues that have no basis. Their father Tridib Roy was a collaborator of the Pakistan army in 1971 and fled to Pakistan before independence. He became a minister in Pakistan and died there as a wanted war criminal. Officials said. They added he has raised the issue that the tribal must have "indigenous status" which is baseless and Debashis Roy has himself said while serving as an advisor to the 1/11 caretaker government that "the country has some tribal populations and there are no indigenous people."  

Local officials blamed a number of non-governmental and international aid agencies for provoking the tribesmen to raise issues like their so-called indigenous status, which is false. The tribal men and women living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region are not indigenous as their forefathers migrated from different countries like India, Myanmar and Turkey.The illegal "toll collection" and drug peddling earnings are being mainly used to purchase weapons, despite that fact the general tribal population want peace and are happy about the positive changes in their lives with massive works being implemented by the army.   

The army men and women are risking their lives for ensuring a permanent peace in the hill rugged region with camps that can be reached by snaking through dense forests on foot for ours and where they are open to diseases like malaria. Away from families and loved one the troops brave all elements to serve the country as they continue to diffuse tension between tribal groups who sometimes exchange gunfire.

One hill researcher here said the conflicts have now shifted from army versus tribal men to tribal infighting over illegal "toll collection" and regional supremacy. "The military is always alert against any violence and strike to calm infighting between tribal men. You cannot just watch, but act to ensure permanent peace."One senior official said "ensuring better education and quota facilities for the tribal children has resulted in campaigns from abroad as many have gone overseas for higher education. They are using social media and other means for their propaganda which is very sad."

"They want better lives on one hand but on the other hand are resorting to demeaning the government and army. Sometimes we wonder what they really want," he said.The tribal communities have more educated people in their communities now compared to the Bengalis as they get extra facilities.

---Bandarban