Peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is important for ensuring national security and economic development, said Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain. He emphasised the importance of respecting the cultural diversity of all communities in the region, irrespective of religion or ethnicity.
He made these remarks on Monday (6 January) at the launch of a book written on the CHT at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.
Acknowledging the region's security challenges, the advisor noted, "The hill areas are not completely secure, but the government is working to protect everyone living there."
Calling the CTH Peace Accord an "incomplete peace model," he stated, "We need to complete this model, not in one day, but step by step, to bring peace to the region. Some people create unrest for their benefit, but with the right measures, peace can be established, and people will support the accord once they see it serves their interests."
Highlighting ongoing challenges, the advisor said, "Non-local individuals conducting activities in the hills often have to pay regular sums to groups wearing specific uniforms, who are not part of the state apparatus but operate with some form of establishment and collect funds as their primary means of livelihood."
Touhid Hossain proposed two solutions: establishing peace for the common people and improving the region's economic conditions to provide alternative livelihoods for those relying on these informal means of income.
He added, "If we could show the indigenous communities and others in the region that they could benefit economically from inclusive measures, it would have been easier to resolve conflicts.”
