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CHT insurgencies must be efficiently addressed 

Published : Wednesday, 25 September, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 394
AR Sumon
Concluding Part

As for how the tribal or ethnic communities arrived in this area, Chakma writer Biroj Mohor Dewan states, "It is an undeniable fact that the Chakmas are not the indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. They are not the original inhabitants. When Arakan was attacked by Burma, the Chakmas sought refuge in Chittagong under the protection of the Bengali Subedars in the early 14th century. Out of humanity, the Sultan of Bengal permitted them to settle on the banks of the Toinchari River. At that time, their numbers were very small."

Other tribal groups like the Kuki, Mro, Khumi, Pangkhua, and Kuki groups arrived relatively recently, around 200 to 500 years ago. These groups originated from regions such as Myanmar, China, and Northeast India before settling in the Hill Tracts.

The Marma people of the Hill Tracts began arriving in this region during the 16th and 17th centuries, particularly after the Burmese war of 1784. Today, they are divided into three groups: Jumia, Roang, and Rajbongshi Marma. Many of the Marma who migrated from Myanmar and China converted to Christianity due to missionary activity, while others continued their traditional nature worship.

Currently, among the 13 tribes in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Chakma community is relatively influential in terms of population, education, and cultural aspects. The Chakma and Marma communities practice Buddhism, while the Tripura community practices Hinduism.

A review of the history of these tribal populations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts reveals that nearly all of them fled to this region due to war and conflict, having escaped from their original settlements. Alternatively, new populations have entered this land as invaders, pushing back other groups.

Recently, the ousted Prime Minister Hasina of Bangladesh hinted about two months before losing power that a particular powerful group wants to establish a Christian state in this region, incorporating parts of Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar.

The recent violence in Khagrachari and Rangamati districts has forced the interim government to impose Section 144. In this context, AF Hasan Arif, an adviser from the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives of the interim government, commented that there are external conspiracies behind the recent violence in Rangamati and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Foreign influence is not unexpected when claiming indigenous status. A new state means new trade opportunities and strengthening one's own influence. Controlling small fragmented parts becomes easier, allowing them to maintain dominance and power more effectively.

The "Jumland Movement" in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is a separatist movement that has emerged from within the tribal communities of the region. The aim of this movement is to separate the districts of Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachari from the country and establish an independent state, creating a distinct autonomous region (Jumland) for the tribal communities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. However, not all members of the tribal communities are separatists. There are a few individuals who have long been trying to incite the general tribal population.

Who are the participants in this Jumland Movement or separatist movement?
l    Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS): This organization has been active since the 1970s, and they led a rebellion against the Bangladesh government before the 1997 Peace Accord. Even after the peace accord, they and other smaller groups have occasionally been involved in various conflicts.

l    UPDF (United People's Democratic Front): One of the notable active militant organizations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF). This group was formed in 1998 and demands autonomy for the hill residents. It is an armed organization that opposes the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord and advocates for complete independence of the region. There have been allegations that this group is involved in arms procurement, training, and receiving international support, particularly in smuggling weapons from neighboring Myanmar and gaining foreign assistance.

l    Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF): This organization is also known as the Bawm Party. The KNF is active in the hilly areas of Bandarban district, especially in areas bordering Myanmar and India.

l    Organizations like the KNF are accused of smuggling arms and other military equipment from Myanmar. There are claims that the KNF and other similar groups have received foreign support and training, which have aided them in acquiring weapons and carrying out insurgent activities.

A similar situation arose during the rule of the late President Ziaur Rahman. With great wisdom and intelligence, he attempted to find a long-term solution to the problem. In 1979, President Zia initiated a program to establish Bengali settlements in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). 

There were several key reasons behind this:
l    The demand for autonomy and insurgent activities led by tribal communities in the Chittagong region had escalated. Ziaur Rahman believed that settling Bengalis in the area would better integrate it with Bangladesh's mainstream population and reduce insurgent activities.

l    The government wanted to relocate Bengali communities to the neglected hill areas with the goal of agricultural and infrastructural development.

l    Ziaur Rahman sought to balance the demographic makeup between the local tribal population and Bengalis by establishing Bengali settlements.

Although this policy created dissatisfaction among the tribal communities, it significantly reduced threats to the nation's integrity and sovereignty.

To confront the well-armed and militarily trained hill terrorists, a military response is essential, without question. In recent history, we have seen how countries like the United States and many Western nations have extended beyond their borders to combat terrorism. 

Bangladesh itself has earned a reputation under the United Nations for successfully participating in counter-terrorism efforts in various countries.

There is no doubt about the professionalism and patriotism of the Bangladesh Army. In the face of threats to the nation's integrity, sovereignty, and independence, all classes, professions, and political parties must unite and stand with the country, giving no concessions to terrorists. The patriotic military and its allied organizations must be allowed the freedom to protect the country. To safeguard both the general tribal population and Bengalis from hill terrorists and to ensure lasting peace in the hills, the army has no alternative at this moment. Re-establishing the army camps that were withdrawn from the hills is the demand of the time.

The writer is a photojournalist and feature writer of the Daily Observer 



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