Insurgency and Counterinsurgency: The Bangladesh Experience in Regional Perspective -- The Chittagong Hill Tracts

Abstract

Abstract : A situation of insurgency has existed in the Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT) area of southeast Bangladesh for more than a decade now. The experience of Bangladesh and its security forces in relation to evaluating the insurgency and countering it by various socio-economic and political steps is peculiar in many respects, yet has much in common with situations elsewhere in the world. CHT is inhabited by tribal people who are ethnically different from the rest of the country. CHT is bordered on three sides by India, having people of similar ethnicity. Beginning in 1947 (when British India became India and Pakistan), both the government and the tribal people have taken steps which ultimately led to the outburst of armed insurgency in 1975-76. Many steps have been taken as part of a counterinsurgency campaign -- political reforms have been taken after first preparing the ground for many years. The insurgency is not yet quelled -- apparently because of external support to insurgents, raising the question about the center of gravity in such a conflict situation. (EDC)