**6.1 Pace of progress after the Peace Accord**

The CHTs Peace Accord was implemented to some extent in the first three years (1998-2000) like, demobilization of the PCJSS, repatriation of Jumma refugees, enactment of the three revised Hill District Council Acts, the Regional Council Act, establishment of the CHTs

to surrender and de-commission their arms for general amnesty (Adnan, 2004). However, the Accord was not protected by the constitutional safeguards, and is open to amendment or revocation at any time. It makes no provision for forest and environmental protection and the existing forest act, rules and regulation were not referred. Besides, it makes no provision

Early 1977's Government took first political measure to appease the insurgents in

1977 A Forum formed in the Tribal Convention in order to negotiate at the

them from the Forum due to their internal conflict. 1982 The new Government formed a committee headed by an indigenous

1985 Some announcements were made by the Government that resulted in

1987-1988 The Government set up a National Committee for the resuming the

1989 The Parliament enacted the Chittagong Hill Tracts Local Government

1992 Declaration of a general amnesty for the insurgents along with cash

1992-1993 About 50,000 families affected by the insurgency were provided

1997 The new Government after a serious of meetings and concerted efforts

The CHTs Peace Accord was implemented to some extent in the first three years (1998-2000) like, demobilization of the PCJSS, repatriation of Jumma refugees, enactment of the three revised Hill District Council Acts, the Regional Council Act, establishment of the CHTs

ineffective to continue the process.

the CHTs, and appointing the mother of the Chakma king.

official level. After initial interest in the process, the PCJSS withdrew

leader but this committee failed because the PCJSS did not approve it.

holding the ever first dialogue with regards to suspension of Bengali settlement, the granting of amnesty to insurgents, and a proposal for

dialogue with PCJSS. However, every dialogue ended up without any

Council Act, 1989 and the Hill District Act, 1989. The Special Affairs Ministry was constituted in 1990 to look after the CHTs affairs.

rewards for surrendering arms. Some 2,294 insurgents' surrendered and 30,390 indigenous populations came back from the Indian camps. A committee was formed to oversee the most sensitive issue of land

various relief and rehabilitation support. This created confidence among Jumma people and encouraged many of them to return back

found a permanent political solution within the framework of the State sovereignty and came up with a historic Peace Accord.

direct dialogue with PCJSS leadership. The dialogue proved

for social reconciliation between tribal population and migrated Bangali population.

**Time period Steps towards conflict resolution** 

conclusion.

ownership.

Source: Chowdhury, 2002; Hosena, 1999; Jumma Net, 2009

**6.1 Pace of progress after the Peace Accord** 

Table 5. Summary of conflict resolution initiatives the CHTs

from the camps.

1994 The process of the refugee repatriation stopped.

Affairs Ministry, etc. But the most important provisions of the Accord, such as the withdrawal of temporary military camps and resolution of land conflicts, remain unimplemented till to date. Since assuming the power by the new elected Government (2001-2006) who kept themselves out of the treaty, implementation of the Peace Accord was quite ignored. During this period the military began to expropriate vast areas of land defying the provisions of the Accord. However, by now various new issues have appeared and the limitations of many provisions of the Accord are hindering the implementation even under the current Government who signed the Accord in 1997. Individual respondent opinion as well the focus group discussion show that indigenous people have again become more sceptical and are loosing their confidence over the Accord. The Peace Accord is facing a number of difficulties regarding implementation as follows.

Box 1. Perception of the conflict by an aged indigenous man


Though the Accord got acclamation from the World community including UNESCO declaring Houpet-Felix Boigny Peace Award in 1999, the CHTs Jumma people still live under duress because of continuous pressure from the civil administration manned by nonindigenous and non-local officials and communal attacks by the Bangali settlers with direct back up from many camps of the Bangladesh security forces (Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization [UNPO], 2004). The non-implementation and in some cases violation of vital clauses of the Accord by the government in one hand and extreme Bengali fanatic fronts float against the Jumma people on the other has seriously deteriorated the CHTs situation in recent months (UNPO, 2004). It is found that the Government does not give

Conflict and Corollaries on Forest and Indigenous People: Experience from Bangladesh 199

mutually agreed ways of solution to land and forest. Proper application of this model may help solving the problems of the indigenous people bringing sustainability to the forest

> Migrated folks and other non-indigenous population

**Monitoring and evaluation Observer groups and Human rights organizations** (National, International & Local)

> Constitutional approval (approval of indigenous people & the

Finalise the Accord

Re-revised the Accord Critiques & Opinions Public the review result Workshops & Consultation Mutual dialogues & Collaboration Review of the Peace Accord

Public the Document & acceptance

(Problem survey, Population survey, Land

accord)

Survey:

survey)

Peace Co-existence Shared needs and values Mutual respect and belief Cooperation Development

Indigenous population (all indigenous ethnic groups of the CHTs)

It is understood that the CHTs issue is clearly a political problem created over many decades. The indigenous communities in Bangladesh are left as the most disadvantageous groups by the Government and policy makers. The study shows that the CHTS are one of the resourceful areas with forests, natural landscapes and diversified indigenous people. In order to utilize the economic potential of the areas, both forests and indigenous people are to be treated properly. A strong political will, concerted efforts of all political parties and actors are required to implement the Peace Accord. Land is the one of the major issue of the CHTs conflict which requires more cautious dealing. Empowering indigenous people by resolving the exiting conflicts in the CHTs is essential to help manage forests. Constitutional recognition of the indigenous people in Bangladesh will solve many problems. In order to protect and manage natural forests of the CHTs in a sustainable manner, the cultural and sacred relationship of the indigenous people with the forests must be recognized. Indigenous people should be

motivated and be involved in all participatory co-management programs in the CHTs.

to evaluate the progress of implementation of all programs in the CHTs.

We believe that our proposed model can be an effective tool for the CHTs conflict resolution. In the proposed model, it is suggested to start with reviewing the Peace Accord. However, before this review, precise surveys on problem situation, population of the region and land and settlement need to be conducted. According to this model, a meaningful discussion of all relevant actors is needed to finalize the revised Peace Accord before getting it approved by the National Assembly. Local, national and third party led international monitoring are required

management and forest use in this region of Bangladesh.

Fig. 4. Proposed model for conflict resolution in CHTs

Government Political parties Land Reforms Commission Forest Department Land and Civil administration

Army and Police Go-NGO Agencies

**8. Conclusion** 

CHTs Commission and Councils PCJSS and UPDF representatives Indigenous Circle Chiefs Local leaders

exact picture of the latest status of the Accord to the countrymen and the concerned international communities.
