A correspondent, Bandarban
The 27th anniversary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Accord saw impassioned speeches, fiery criticism, and renewed calls for justice as thousands gathered at historical Rajar Mat in Bandarban on Monday.
KS Mong Marma, a central leader of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), painted a bleak picture of persistent challenges in the region, blaming past governments for fostering inequality and betrayal.
Highlighting decades of disillusionment, KS Mong accused previous administrations of manipulating religion and nationalism for political gains.
“They ruled with religious arrogance while pretending to uphold secularism. Religion was a subtle but powerful tool in their politics,” he said.
Turning his ire towards the Awami League, Mong expressed shock at its deterioration, saying, “As the party that led the Liberation War, no one imagined it could sink to such disgrace. But we won’t shy away from holding the interim government accountable either. It must not fail—too much blood has been spilled for this chance at change.”
He also warned of lingering threats, stating, “Collaborators of the former fascist regime are still entrenched in power.”
They weaponized institutions against us—police, courts, the army.
“Our activists were killed with impunity, and false cases were used to silence us. These injustices must be undone.”
Land disputes remain the heart of CHT’s troubles, Mong emphasized, calling for an end to exploitative practices.
“Over 100,000 acres jhum land were leased decades ago for rubber and horticulture plantations. These leases have expired and must not be renewed.”
“Illegal land grabs in the CHT must stop immediately,” he declared, demanding reforms in the Land Commission and the monitoring committees overseeing the Accord’s implementation.
Shadhu Ram Tripura Milton, a Regional Council member, expanded on Mong’s critiques, arguing that systemic oppression goes beyond the CHT.
People across Bangladesh are shackled—economically, politically, socially.
The fight isn’t just for hill people; it’s for justice everywhere.
“For 27 years, PCJSS has fought for the Accord’s implementation because it represents more than a document; it’s a promise of liberation.”
The cost of this struggle, he noted, has been immense.
“Our activists have paid dearly, separated from families and communities, forced into exile by false charges. This persecution cannot continue.”
Professor Selim Reza Newton of Rajshahi University lamented the government’s failure to deliver on the Accord’s promise of harmony and coexistence.
“The world saw the Accord as a model for peaceful coexistence among diverse communities. Yet for 27 years, the state has betrayed this vision through systematic deception.”
“Today, the hill people and democratic citizens demand one thing: complete implementation of the Accord”, he said.
Newton highlighted the ongoing struggles of indigenous communities, noting, “Even now, they must fight to survive on their ancestral lands. This isn’t just negligence—it’s deliberate betrayal.”
Uli Sing Marma, president of the Hill Women’s Federation’s district committee, added her voice to the chorus, emphasizing the government’s failure to hold elections for the Hill District Councils or activate the Land Commission.
“The Accord was a pact between the government and the hill people. No matter who is in power, its implementation must remain a top priority. We’re not against the army; we’re against the oppressive military rule imposed through operations like Uttoron.”
The CHT Accord, signed on December 2, 1997, between the then-Awami League government and PCJSS under Santu Larma’s leadership, ended over two decades of armed conflict. But for many, the promises remain unfulfilled.
Monday’s event, chaired by Sumon Marma, the coordinator of the anniversary committee, marked a rare moment of public unity.
Leaders, including Minyo Ching Marma of the Regional Council and Ushaihla Marma of the Hill Students’ Council, called for unwavering commitment to the Accord.
Following the speeches, a protest march through Bandarban town.
For the first time in eight years, PCJSS held a public rally without fear of suppression in Bandarban.
Over 5,000 indigenous people from different upazillas of the district gathered to demand justice and dignity.
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