The Restless Conflicts in Chittagong Hill Tracts

Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, situated in the southeastern side of the country is historically a diverse region, with substantial number of indigenous tribes dwelling in for many years. However, underneath the verdant hills lies an entrenched conflictual history that resonates throughout the lives of indigenous communities. Moreover, the contemporary manifestation of violence on 19 September in Khagrachhari, Dighinala Upazila leads to a variety of misconceptions towards indigenous community, bringing the age-old history of conflict in the limelight.

The chronicle of tensions dates back to the 20th century, shortly after the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. The indigenous communities in the CHT, having unique cultural, religious, ethnic identity sought the right to self-determination and protection of their lands and cultures. Later, between 1979-1983 over 500,000 Muslims had been settled there to reduce the concentration of indigenous population. With a series of insurgencies caused by Shanti Bahini, an armed wing of the United People’s Party of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) over the issue of their autonomy and land rights, Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord was signed between PCJSS and the then government in 1997.

The fact that the dearth in involvement of indigenous communities in 1971 independence war can be considered the other side of the coin. In fact, some of their leaders even collaborated with Pakistan army with which Bangladesh was fighting for independence. After such vile incidents, naturally, the demand of the right to self-determination of CHT had not been easily feasible.

The perpetual tensions in the hills led to the Peace Accord which ensured greater autonomy, land rights and demilitarization of the region. The promises, however, are yet to be fulfilled, and the wheel of tensions is still rolling. Consequently, tensions escalated a step further when Kuki Chin National Front, established in 2017 under Nathan Bom, a fine arts graduate from the University of Dhaka, had demanded a separate state for Kuki-Chin ethnic groups in CHT region. Their ceaseless involvement in armed activities made it difficult to abate the vehemence of conflicts, emerging as a new source of concern.

But the consequence?  Immense abhorrence towards the ethnic minorities has taken place who have nothing to do with the revolutionaries. In reality, common people from indigenous tribes are daunted with the Kuki-Chin armed forces let alone cooperating with them. Subsequently, the demand of establishing a separate state is being associated with whole of the indigenous population consisting of Chakma, Marma and other ethnic minorities in the CHT, bringing the terms, ‘they’ and ‘we’ forward. In fact, questions are being raised whether the major tribes in the CHT are originally indigenous or not.

The recent manifestation of horrendous violence in Khagrachari, with a Bengali named Md Mamun meeting his marker, who was accused of a motorcycle theft, makes it further ambiguous for Bengali common people to perceive the conflictual matters. Moreover, the motto of separate states, with which most ethnic minorities have no real connection, has spread all over the country. They are falsely being accused by the common Bengalis, who rarely recognizes the complications occurring in the CHT.

Social media platforms are overwhelmed with two different streams, one bearing hatred and inferior outlook towards ethnic population while the other being rather sympathetic. Indigenous students are manifesting how every now and then they are being looked down upon in various aspects in life. From their language to even their apparent facial structure, they are unceasingly being humiliated. However, the untold systematic discrimination occurs in the CHT is rarely acknowledged by ‘the people from the plain lands’, a term used by indigenous population.

According to the Peace Accord, military observation was to withdraw from the region, eradicating the accusations of human rights abuses done by the army. However, as conflict after conflict perpetuates, military justifies its presence with a view to maintaining law and order which indigenous communities deem a form of subjugation. In fact, the recent outburst of violence in the CHT has seen no major integration of the military to take everything under control rather four Jumma people had been killed from open fire by the army. Thus, a form of discrimination has always been a part of aboriginals’ lives.

Both Bengali settlers and indigenous communities had been living in the CHT region for many years. Peace and harmony are prevalent among them but what erupts conflict is the continuous illegal amalgamation of lands by the new Bengali settlers coming from various affected areas of the country. Moreover, systematic discrimination towards the common ethnic population is another cause for conflicts to arise.

Rallies have been organized in different parts of the country as a repercussion of the ongoing communal conflict in the CHT. Jumma students blocked the focal points, including Cheragi Pahar in Chittagong, Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University and other pressure points, demanding exemplary punishment for the perpetrators. Also, impartial investigation into the attacks and full implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord 1997 are being demanded in the demonstrations.

The CHT region, untapped potential for tourist destination, has not been given the attention that it requires to promote ecotourism, cultural tourism and adventure tourism due to its political instability and security concerns. A comprehensive solution is necessary, taking the issues into consideration from different perspectives. The indigenous communities are blessings to this country not the burden as their unique and diverse cultures are to be explored and safeguarded, which can contribute to tourism economy of the country.


Ahnaf Tahmid Chowdhury is a
student in Department of
International Relations,
Dhaka University.