The Violence Against the Indigenous People in Chittagong Hill Tracts and Its Broken Peace Accord
**The Violence Against the Indigenous People in Chittagong Hill Tracts and Its Broken Peace Accord**
- 25 Oct 2024
The recent attacks on the indigenous people in Chittagong Hill Tracts have concerned the international communities and indigenous rights groups which have happened after the interim government took over the power in Bangladesh which has faced violent demonstrations and clashes between the authorities and the protestors; and among the communities. Attacks on minorities which include Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and indigenous groups are rising up with alleged involvement of authorities and the resurgence of Islamic Fundamentalists groups are fueling the conflicts. Previously banned extreme groups are reinstated and the known criminals linked with terrorism are released from the prisons.
Recent attacks on minorities have killed numerous people and destroyed businesses and properties of many minority communities and created displacement of the land and settlement. Current proposed reform from the interim government has excluded the participation of minorities including the indigenous groups even though recent statements of UN Indigenous Rights bodies have expressed concerns for the incidents and demanded inclusion, accountability and responsibility from the government.
History of violence and conflict of CHT can be traced back to the 1970s period in which the East Pakistan government and newly independent Bangladesh governments have created numerous state-sponsored programs to systematically uproot the indigenous from their ancestral lands. 80% of their lands have been lost to the settlers and thousands of untold atrocities have been committed against them. The 1997 CHT Peace Accord was installed to control them and to extinguish the social movement of the indigenous people for their defense and rights. The following can be summarized regarding the failing or un-honored promises of CHT Peace Accord for the various indigenous people which include Chakma, Marma (Rahine), Tripura, Bawm, Mro, Khumi, etc., :
The **Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord** 1997 was signed between the Government of Bangladesh and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), the political group representing the indigenous communities. While the accord brought an end to decades of conflict, many provisions of the agreement remain unimplemented or only partially fulfilled, leading to ongoing tensions in the region.
### Key Provisions Not Fully Implemented:
1. **Land Dispute Resolution: **
- **CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission: ** Although the commission was established, it has faced various challenges, such as lack of necessary rules, administrative support, and power to function effectively. Many indigenous people continue to struggle with unresolved land disputes, including encroachment and illegal land grabbing.
- **Transfer of Land to Indigenous People: ** The accord promised the return of illegally occupied lands to indigenous people, but this has not been fully realized. Settler Bengali populations still occupy large tracts of land, causing tensions.
2. **Demilitarization: **
- **Withdrawal of Temporary Military Camps: ** The accord called for the withdrawal of temporary military camps from the CHT. Although some camps have been withdrawn, a significant military presence remains, particularly through the "Operation Uttoron" (Operation Upliftment), which indigenous leaders argue is a violation of the accord.
- **End to Military Dominance: ** The military continues to exert significant control over security and administrative matters in the CHT, which is contrary to the accord's promise of reducing military involvement in civilian governance.
3. **Decentralization of Power: **
- **Full Transfer of Administrative Authority to CHT Regional Council: ** The accord established the CHT Regional Council and District Councils, which were supposed to be granted significant autonomy over local governance. However, key administrative powers, such as law and order, land management, and resource control, have not been fully transferred to these bodies.
- **Coordination with CHT Regional Council: ** The role of the CHT Regional Council in coordinating development activities has been undermined by central government agencies that bypass it, reducing its effectiveness in implementing the accord’s promises of local autonomy.
4. **Rehabilitation of Displaced People: **
- **Rehabilitation of Returnees: ** Many indigenous people displaced by conflict or land grabs have not been adequately rehabilitated or compensated. The government has been slow in addressing the return and resettlement of refugees and internally displaced people, both within and outside the CHT.
5. **Recognition of Indigenous Identity: **
- **Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Peoples: ** The accord refers to the ethnic communities in the CHT as "tribal people" or "upajati," but the indigenous groups have demanded formal recognition as "indigenous" or "adivasi." This has not been achieved, as the Bangladeshi government does not officially recognize indigenous peoples, which has led to continued disputes over rights and identity.
6. **Land and Resource Rights: **
- **Control Over Natural Resources: ** The accord included provisions for giving local indigenous communities control over natural resources (like forests and rivers), but many of these resources remain under the jurisdiction of the central government or Bengali settlers, leading to dissatisfaction among the indigenous population.
7. **Legislative Amendments: **
- **Amendment of Laws Inconsistent with the Accord: ** Certain laws, such as the CHT Regulation of 1900 and other legal frameworks, were supposed to be amended to align with the accord’s provisions. However, many laws that are inconsistent with the accord remain in place, limiting the full realization of the agreement's goals.
### Summary of Unimplemented Provisions:
- Full demilitarization and withdrawal of military camps.
- Proper functioning of the Land Dispute Resolution Commission.
- Full transfer of administrative authority to the CHT Regional and District Councils.
- Rehabilitation of displaced indigenous people.
- Constitutional recognition of indigenous people as "adivasi" or "indigenous."
- Control over local land and natural resources by indigenous communities.
- Legislative amendments to bring laws in line with the peace accord.
While the accord brought relative peace to the CHT, the incomplete implementation has resulted in ongoing frustrations among indigenous groups, leading to occasional protests and a call for renewed attention to the unresolved issues.
Bengal Observer
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