CHT Peace Accord at 25: Problems and Ways Forward

December 3, 2022

Maj Gen MOHAMMAD ASHAB UDDIN, NDC, PSC (Retd) The Chittagong Hill Tracts is a naturally beautiful and culturally varied region in Bangladesh’s southeast. It has a total area of 5,093 square miles, one-tenth the size of Bangladesh. The region boasts various hills, protected woods, and the magnificent Kaptai Lake. Thirteen tribes and Bengalis live in […]Continue Reading

A Deep Dive Into Chittagong Hill Tracts, Peace Accord, Achievements and Expectations

December 3, 2022

Maj Gen Dr. Md. NAYEEM ASHFAQUE CHOWDHURY (Retd) The Chittagong Hill Tracts have been home to several ethnic groups and subgroups since ancient times. Known as Corpus Mahal during the Mughal period (1666–1760), it was renamed the Chittagong Hill Tracts during the British period. As the region is hilly and forested, various tribes came and […]Continue Reading

A chain reaction of misery: How Myanmar’s instability will affect the Indo-Pacific and beyond

October 14, 2022

Major General Md Nayeem A Chowdhury The security and stability of Myanmar is substantially affecting not only its neighbours but it is spreading all over the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Our neighbouring Rakhine State’s stability predominantly revolves around the Rohingya crisis. The primary issue of the Rohingya crisis is identity construction, politically used by the Myanmar Continue Reading

Is the opportunity for Rohingya repatriation slipping away?

August 14, 2022

Lt. Gen. Dr. MOHAMMAD MAHFUZUR RAHMAN (LPR) Five years since the 2017 exodus of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar as a result of its military’s horrific persecution, there is no sign of repatriation on the horizon. And as long as the military junta continues to rule, there is hardly any scope for repatriation. This was reflected […]Continue Reading

Government mainstreaming ethnic communities for inclusive development

August 9, 2022

MD. ZAKI FAISAL Bangladesh is a multi-dimensional and multi-communal country. Article 23A of the Constitution of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh provides opportunities for the preservation and development of tribal, ethnic minorities, ethnic groups and other characteristic regional cultures and traditions. Ethnic groups or indigenous peoples Continue Reading

‘Please help me retain my mouza land rights’: Sajek daughter makes impassioned plea

August 9, 2022

BETHLEHEM PARI PANGKHUA I am Bethlehem Pari Pangkhua, daughter of late Rual That Pangkhua, who served until death as headman of 171 no Betling Mauza, Sajek, Baghaichari Upazila, Rangamati hill district. We are two brothers and two sisters. As my brothers are not educated, my family asked me to go for the post of headman […]Continue Reading

Bandarban: From harmony to conflict

July 15, 2022

Lt. Gen. Dr. MOHAMMAD MAHFUZUR RAHMAN Under the leadership of Manabendra Larma, the 1980s and 1990s were the golden age for the Jana Samhati Samiti-JSS (Regional part of CHT) and its armed organization Shanti Bahini (Armed group of JSS). Despite having absolute support among the tribal people in Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts, their activities in […]Continue Reading

Political evangelization and Chittagong Hill Tracts : Do we need to worry

April 11, 2022

Lt Gen Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman, PhD, Retd Choosing or following a particular religion is part of human rights. However, compelling, trapping or clandestine movement to convert people by taking advantage of a situation into a particular religion is utterly immoral or illegal. In early 20th century it was clear to the British Raj that their […]Continue Reading

Dhaka’s abstention in Ukraine vote is an anomaly

March 16, 2022

Ali Riaz Delegates react as results of the voting are displayed during the 11th emergency special session of the UN General Assembly on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Photo: Reuters Bangladesh’s abstention in the vote on the Ukraine crisis at the United Nations’ emergency special session on March 3, 2022 deserves much more scrutiny than it […]Continue Reading