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Importance of CHT

Published : Sunday, 2 June, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 436
Md Shawkat Alam Faisal
Situated in the southeast of Bangladesh, the Chittagong Hill Tracts comprise the districts of Khagrachhari, Rangamati, and Bandarban. The name Rangamati was once used to refer to all of these districts before 1981. Yet, they were officially separated into separate entities with the founding of Bandarban in 1981 and Khagrachhari in 1983. Because of their landlocked location, the Chittagong Hill Tracts are bordered by the Bangladeshi district of Chittagong to the west, the Indian states of Mizoram and Tripura to the east and south, respectively, and Myanmar to the south. Ten percent or so of Bangladeshs overall land area is made up of this region.

The largest forest area in the nation is notably found in the Chittagong Division, much of which is included inside the Chittagong Hill Tracts. These woods are essential to the countrys ability to meet its wood needs. Khagrachhari district is also home to the Semutang Gas Field, which is the only gas reserve in this region. Karnaphuli Paper Mill and Kaptai Hydroelectric Station, two important components of Bangladeshs energy and economic sectors, are located in Rangamati. The Population and Housing Census of 2022 found that there are thirteen different ethnic groups living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, including Bengalis. The total population of these groups is 1,842,815 people. Bengalis make up around half of this population, but there are also other minority ethnic groups that live in the area, including the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Murang, Bam, and Pankhwa.

Every resident is entitled to government-provided civic privileges and is acknowledged as a citizen of Bangladesh. But some of these ethnic groups sections have been involved in terrorism since the countrys independence, endangering the independence and sovereignty of the nation. Among the prominent terrorist groups are the Kuki Chin National Front (KNF), the UPDF, and the Parbattya Chattogram Janosonghati Samity (JSS). Based on reports, these terrorist organizations have caused at least 38,000 innocent Bengali deaths through their acts. (Up to 2023)

Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in education since gaining independence; according to UNICEF, the countrys literacy rate is now 72.9 percent, a considerable increase from just over 16 percent in 1971. The literacy rate for Bengalis living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is significantly lower, at 23%, than the national average. This is in stark contrast to the Chakma ethnic group, whose rate of 73 percent exceeds the national average. Ethnic minorities gain disproportionately from schooling notwithstanding the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord and quota allocations.


Tribal quotas have allowed at least 3,108 students from ethnic groups to enroll in government universities and medical schools over the last ten years, while Bengalis in the same area, despite facing comparable socioeconomic difficulties, have not benefited from such advantages. This has led to an increasing educational divide in violation of Article 19 of the Bangladesh Constitution. The Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board, which is in charge of the areas development, grants scholarships every year, however the Bengali community is discriminated against when it comes to their distribution. There was evident bias in the 2021-2022 academic year as just 600 Bengalis received scholarships, while 1,583 members of ethnic minorities received 2,183 total.In addition to impeding the goal of a digitally empowered Bangladesh, neglecting to provide fair advantages for the underprivileged Bengali community in the area amounts to flagrant discrimination and violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Maintaining the countrys commitment to equity and inclusive growth requires addressing these imbalances.

Every citizen of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh is guaranteed equal work opportunities under Article 29 of the constitution. It is apparent, therefore, that minority ethnic groups-including Bengalis from the area who meet the requirements to be considered citizens of backward areas-benefit from preferential quotas in a number of ministries and government offices. Bengalis living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, on the other hand, are not subject to these quotas, which keeps them from being able to work. This discrepancy impedes Bengalis socioeconomic growth and feeds a cycle of poverty by exacerbating the educational and job inequalities that they already confront in the area. The problems encountered by Bengalis are further exacerbated by the governments favoritism for ethnic minorities, which hinders national development and widens socioeconomic gaps. of order to promote inclusive development and guarantee the welfare of all residents of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, it is imperative that these disparities be addressed.

The advancement and defense of fundamental human rights are crucial in the globally connected society of the twenty-first century. The United Nations and other international organizations work nonstop to ensure that these rights are applied to everyone. In a similar vein, the government of Bangladesh has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development through a number of comprehensive goals, including those included in its five-year plans.

In this regard, it is critical to categorically denounce any kind of prejudice based on racial or ethnic differences, especially in a specific area of the nation. An important obstacle to the development of a wealthy Bangladesh for all its residents is this kind of discrimination. In order to address this issue, human rights organizations and governmental authorities must work together to end discriminatory practices like these. This will respect the ideals of equality and guarantee that each and every citizen of the country can fully enjoy their fundamental rights.

The writer is an Apprentice Lawyer at the Bangladesh Bar Council



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