The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in southeastern Bangladesh, with its rolling hills and rich tapestry of indigenous cultures, presents a complex and often painful narrative that has unfolded over decades. This region, home to the Jumma people, stands as a poignant reminder of the intersection between political power, military might, and the fight for human dignity. Despite the signing of the 1997 CHT Peace Accord, intended to bring an end to decades of conflict, the Jumma people continue to endure systemic oppression, displacement, and violence. The ongoing militarization of the region and the partial implementation of the Peace Accord have perpetuated a cycle of human rights violations that leaves the indigenous communities vulnerable and marginalized.
Historical Background
Colonial Legacy and Early Marginalization
The story of the Chittagong Hill Tracts is deeply intertwined with the legacy of colonialism. During the British rule in India, the CHT was treated as a frontier zone—a buffer between British India and Burma. The Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation of 1900, which aimed to preserve the cultural and territorial integrity of the indigenous communities, also laid the groundwork for their future marginalization. By restricting the settlement of non-indigenous people in the area, the British sought to control the region's resources while keeping the indigenous population isolated from the rest of the colony. This isolation, however, would later become a tool for their exploitation.
When British India was partitioned in 1947, the CHT was controversially awarded to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), despite the predominantly Buddhist and animist population's desire to join India. This decision sowed the seeds of deep resentment among the Jumma people, who felt culturally and religiously alienated from the Muslim-majority Pakistan.
The subsequent policies of the Pakistani government only deepened this alienation, as efforts to assimilate the hill people into the broader Pakistani identity were met with resistance and resentment.
The Onset of Conflict: Post-Colonial Marginalization and the Kaptai Dam
The early years of Pakistan's rule over the CHT were marked by policies that sought to consolidate state control over the region while marginalizing its indigenous inhabitants. One of the most devastating projects undertaken during this period was the construction of the Kaptai Dam in the early 1960s.
Built on the Karnaphuli River to generate hydroelectric power for East Pakistan, the dam flooded vast areas of arable land, displacing tens of thousands of indigenous people, primarily from the Chakma community. These displaced people were given little to no compensation, and their resettlement was poorly managed, leading to widespread poverty and social dislocation.
The Kaptai Dam project exemplified the state's disregard for the rights and livelihoods of the hill people, fueling their sense of injustice and sowing the seeds of future conflict.
The Bangladesh Period: Conflict and Military Suppression
The creation of Bangladesh in 1971 brought hope to many, but for the hill people of the CHT, it marked the beginning of a new chapter of struggle. The newly independent government's emphasis on Bengali nationalism left little room for the recognition of the country's ethnic and cultural diversity. The hill people's demands for autonomy and recognition of their rights were met with resistance, and in 1972, the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) was formed to represent their interests. When the government refused to acknowledge their demands, the PCJSS formed an armed wing, the Shanti Bahini, which began an insurgency in 1976.
The government's response was swift and brutal. The military was deployed to the CHT, and the region was effectively turned into a war zone.
Human rights violations during this period were rampant. The military conducted operations that involved mass killings, torture, rape, and the destruction of villages. Tens of thousands of Pahari people were displaced, with many fleeing to neighboring India to escape the violence.
The army’s counter-insurgency strategy also included the resettlement of Bengali settlers in the CHT, further exacerbating tensions and leading to more violence and displacement.
The military's actions during this period were largely unaccounted for, as the region was under strict military control, and reports of human rights violations were heavily censored. The international community, including organizations like Amnesty International, repeatedly called for investigations into the alleged abuses, but these calls were largely ignored by the Bangladeshi government.
The 1997 CHT Peace Accord: A Fragile Agreement
After years of armed conflict and failed negotiations, the government of Bangladesh and the PCJSS reached an agreement in 1997. The Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, signed on December 2, 1997, was seen as a significant step towards resolving the conflict and addressing the grievances of the hill people. The accord promised greater autonomy for the CHT, the withdrawal of military camps, the rehabilitation of displaced people, and the resolution of land disputes through the establishment of a Land Commission.
However, more than two decades after the signing of the agreement, many of its key provisions remain unfulfilled. The military has maintained a significant presence in the region, with numerous camps still in operation. The Land Commission, which was supposed to resolve land disputes, has been largely ineffective, and the process of rehabilitating displaced people has been slow and inadequate. The continued militarization of the CHT has led to ongoing human rights abuses, and the failure to fully implement the peace accord has only exacerbated these problems.
Recent Developments: Intensified Military Presence and Human Rights Abuses
The situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts has further deteriorated with the recent increase in military activities and the establishment of new military camps under the pretext of combating Islamic militancy and the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), also known as the "Bawm Party." In October 2022, the Bangladesh military, along with the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), launched operations against the KNF and an associated Islamic militant group, Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya.
As part of this operation, 15 new temporary army camps and one Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) camp were established in the Rowangchari, Ruma, and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban district. These camps were set up following a bank robbery and the looting of weapons by the KNF in April 2024, which prompted intensified military operations in the region. The establishment of these camps, according to Sajib Chakma, Assistant Information and Publicity Secretary of the PCJSS, constitutes a direct violation of the 1997 CHT Peace Accord, which called for the withdrawal of military camps from the region.
The military presence in the CHT, particularly the recent expansion of camps, has exacerbated the already tense situation, leading to increased human rights violations against the indigenous Jumma people.
The Bawm community, in particular, has been severely affected by the ongoing conflict between the KNF and the military. Many Bawm villagers have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring Mizoram, India, or becoming internally displaced within the CHT.
The Role of the Military in Perpetuating Human Rights Violations
The military's involvement in the CHT has been central to the ongoing human rights violations in the region. During the insurgency, the military not only engaged in combat operations against the Shanti Bahini but also played a key role in the resettlement of Bengali migrants in the CHT.
This resettlement policy was part of a broader strategy to change the demographic composition of the region and weaken the insurgency by increasing the number of Bengali settlers, who were seen as loyal to the state.
The resettlement of Bengali settlers led to widespread displacement of indigenous communities, who were often forced off their ancestral lands without any legal recourse. The military provided protection and support to the settlers, often at the expense of the indigenous population. This led to violent clashes between the settlers and the Pahari people, with the military frequently siding with the settlers.
Even after the signing of the peace accord, the military has continued to play a dominant role in the CHT. The region remains heavily militarized, with army camps and outposts scattered across the hills. The military's involvement in civilian affairs, including land disputes and local administration, has been a major source of tension and has contributed to the ongoing human rights violations in the region.
Land Disputes and Forced Evictions
Land disputes are at the heart of the human rights violations in the CHT. The traditional land tenure system of the Pahari, which is based on collective ownership and use of land, has been undermined by state policies that favor individual ownership and the settlement of Bengali migrants.
The failure of the Land Commission to resolve these disputes has left many Pahari people without access to their ancestral lands, leading to further displacement and marginalization.
One of the most egregious examples of land-related human rights violations in the CHT is the practice of forced evictions. The government has designated large areas of the CHT as reserve forests, restricting the indigenous people's access to their traditional lands and resources. The expansion of these reserve forests, often without the consent of the indigenous communities, has led to forced evictions and the destruction of homes and livelihoods.
In addition to the reserve forests, the military has also been involved in land acquisition for the expansion of army camps and bases in the CHT. These land acquisitions are often carried out without proper consultation with the indigenous communities, and those who resist are frequently subjected to harassment, intimidation, and violence. The forced evictions and land acquisitions have not only deprived the Pahari people of their homes and livelihoods but have also eroded their cultural and social fabric.
The Plight of Indigenous Women
Indigenous women in the CHT are particularly vulnerable to human rights violations. They face multiple forms of discrimination and violence, both as women and as members of indigenous communities.
Reports of sexual violence against indigenous women by military personnel and Bengali settlers are widespread, and these crimes often go unpunished due to the lack of accountability and the culture of impunity that prevails in the region.
The marginalization of indigenous women is further compounded by their exclusion from decision-making processes. Despite the provisions in the peace accord that call for the inclusion of women in local governance, indigenous women remain largely underrepresented in political and administrative bodies in the CHT. This lack of representation has limited their ability to advocate for their rights and has left them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
The social and economic marginalization of indigenous women has also had a devastating impact on their health and well-being. Many indigenous women in the CHT lack access to basic healthcare services, education, and economic opportunities, which has further entrenched their poverty and vulnerability. The government's failure to address the specific needs and rights of indigenous women in the CHT is a glaring omission that has contributed to their ongoing marginalization and victimization.
The International Community's Response
The human rights violations in the CHT have not gone unnoticed by the international community. Organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly documented and condemned the abuses in the region. The United Nations has also expressed concern over the situation, particularly the failure to implement the peace accord and the ongoing militarization of the CHT.
In 2011, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues conducted a study on the status of the implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord. The study highlighted the continued presence of the military in the region, the failure to resolve land disputes, and the lack of effective participation of indigenous people in decision-making processes. The study called on the Bangladeshi government to fully implement the peace accord, withdraw military forces from the CHT, and ensure the protection of the rights of indigenous people.
Despite these calls for action, the Bangladeshi government has been slow to respond. The government's official position is that there are no indigenous people in Bangladesh, which has allowed it to dismiss international criticism and avoid its obligations under international human rights law.
This denial of the existence of indigenous people has further marginalized the Pahari communities and has hindered efforts to address the human rights violations in the CHT.
The Path Forward: Addressing Human Rights Violations in the CHT
The ongoing human rights violations in the CHT are a stark reminder of the challenges that indigenous people face in asserting their rights and protecting their way of life. While the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord was a significant step towards addressing the grievances of the Pahari people, its failure to fully deliver on its promises has left the region in a state of uncertainty and conflict.
To address the human rights violations in the CHT, the Bangladeshi government must take immediate and concrete steps to fully implement the peace accord.
This includes withdrawing military forces from the region, resolving land disputes through a transparent and impartial process, and ensuring the effective participation of indigenous people in decision-making processes.
The government must also take steps to protect the rights of indigenous women, who are among the most vulnerable in the region. This includes addressing the issue of sexual violence, ensuring access to healthcare and education, and promoting the inclusion of indigenous women in political and administrative bodies.
In addition to these domestic measures, the international community must continue to hold the Bangladeshi government accountable for its actions in the CHT. This includes applying pressure on the government to respect its international human rights obligations and supporting efforts to document and address human rights violations in the region.
With the recent political upheaval that led to the resignation of Sheikh Hasina, a new interim government headed by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus offers a unique opportunity to address these long-standing issues.
Professor Yunus, known globally for his work in microfinance and social entrepreneurship, has been a vocal advocate for social justice and equity. His leadership in the interim government brings hope that the grievances of the Pahari people, which have persisted despite the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, can finally be addressed.
Yunus's reputation for championing the underprivileged aligns well with the need to fully implement the peace accord, including the withdrawal of military forces from the region, resolving land disputes, and ensuring the effective participation of indigenous people in decision-making processes.
The interim government includes several other notable figures who have a history of standing up for justice.
For instance, Adilur Rahman Khan, an adviser in the government and a former Deputy Attorney General of Bangladesh, has a long history of human rights advocacy through his work with Odhikar, a prominent human rights organization. Similarly, Sharmeen Murshid, another adviser, has been actively involved in promoting social welfare and has experience working in sensitive regions like the CHT, making her a crucial player in addressing the issues in the area.
This new government, formed in the wake of Sheikh Hasina's resignation following the violent crackdown on student protests, represents a turning point for Bangladesh. The protests, which culminated in what some are calling Bangladesh’s "Second Independence," have set the stage for a more inclusive and just governance model. The interim government, while facing significant challenges, has the potential to right the wrongs of the past, particularly in regions like the CHT where the indigenous population has long been marginalized.
For lasting peace and stability in the CHT, the new government must prioritize human rights and justice. This includes addressing the specific vulnerabilities of indigenous women, who often bear the brunt of violence and discrimination.
The international community's role in holding the Bangladeshi government accountable is also critical in ensuring that the rights of the indigenous people in the CHT are finally respected and protected.
This moment of political transition in Bangladesh presents a rare chance to correct historical injustices, and under the leadership of Professor Yunus and his team of advisors, there is cautious optimism that meaningful progress can be made in the CHT and beyond.
The path forward for the CHT requires a commitment to justice, equality, and respect for the rights of indigenous people. Only by addressing the root causes of the conflict and ensuring the protection of human rights can Bangladesh hope to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region. The indigenous people of the CHT have endured decades of suffering and marginalization; it is time for their voices to be heard, and their rights to be respected.
The full implementation of the peace accord, the resolution of land disputes, the withdrawal of military forces, and the protection of human rights are all essential components of this path.
The Bangladeshi government, the hill people, and the international community must work together to address the challenges facing the CHT and to build a future where the rights and dignity of all people in the region are respected.
The lessons learned from the CHT conflict also have broader implications for other regions facing similar challenges. The CHT case highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of conflict, including issues of identity, autonomy, and land rights, and the need for inclusive and participatory approaches to peacebuilding. It also underscores the role of the military in both perpetuating and resolving conflicts and the need for careful consideration of the military's role in post-conflict settings.
As Bangladesh continues to develop and assert its place on the global stage, the CHT remains a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that all citizens of the country can enjoy their rights and live in peace and security. The future of the Chittagong Hill Tracts will depend on the willingness of all stakeholders to engage in a process of reconciliation and to work towards a just and lasting peace for the region's indigenous people.
