Collective efforts urged for lasting peace in CHT

In order to bring about enduring peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), speakers at a book launch ceremony held here today emphasized the necessity of coordinated efforts by local people, the government, and international partners.

They emphasized how important such peace is for the security of the entire region, not just Bangladesh.

Brig Gen. Md. Nasimul Gani (retd) wrote the book “Regional Security and CHT Peace Accord 1997: An Unfinished Peace Building Model of Bangladesh”.

Md. Touhid Hossain, the Foreign Affairs Advisor, was the main guest during the event, which took place at the Foreign Service Academy.

The special guest was Lt. Gen. Abdul Hafiz (retd), Special Assistant on Defense and National Integration Development.
 
Writer and thinker Prof Salimullah Khan also addressed the gathering.

Speakers noted that since the signing of the CHT Peace Accord 27 years ago, the region is yet to achieve stability.
 
Touhid emphasized the importance of fostering mutual respect and understanding to prevent minor issues from escalating into major conflicts.

“If we can establish basic respect and understanding, small issues will not escalate into significant conflicts,” he said.

Touhid emphasized that in order to promote peace, it is essential to recognize the distinctive culture of the CHT as well as the rights of the various ethnic groups residing in the area.

He did admit, though, that it can be difficult to regain mutual confidence after years of mistrust. Such distrust did not exist at first, but it developed with time, he claimed.

The advisor asked the local government to take the appropriate actions to promote peace. He went on, “We must cultivate a culture of respect and concern for one another.”

Peace in the CHT has wider regional implications because of its closeness to India and Myanmar, according to Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Hafiz.

In order to foster harmony in the CHT, he urged ongoing communication between government organizations, security forces, and civil society.

Prof. Salimullah Khan blamed a lack of political will for CHT’s lack of economic advancement. “We didn’t want to implement this peace accord, which is why it hasn’t been implemented for the past 27 years,” he stated.

Professor Khan underlined the value of hearing the people out and proposed that sincere work may result in the accord’s successful implementation.