Contested Peace: The Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord

Abstract

Located in the south-east corner of Bangladesh, the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) have a history of a vicious conflict between its Bengali settlers and the Paharis, specifically the indigenous community, the Pahari-adivasis. The region’s already volatile background further escalated thanks to the nation-building approach that was being followed by the state after Bangladesh became independent in 1971. This inclination triggered an insurgency movement whose leaders demanded regional autonomy and a recognition of their identity so that people could lead a life of dignity. To quell the movement, the state resorted to military force. Later to introduce peace, the CHT Peace Accord was signed in 1997. However, though it did succeed in bringing about an element of stability, the accord failed in its larger objective as it excluded the engagement of the larger mass of Pahari people. Just over twenty years after the accord was signed, we examine, through a research study, why it neither lead to sustainable peace nor was it successful in its goal of conflict management.