Because of the rivalry of four armed factions in the Chattogram Hill Tracts CHT, the benefits of The Peace Treaty that was signed 22 years ago are declining. People's representatives in the hill area say that if these groups are not apprehended and weapons recovered, the peace agreement would not work properly.
The regional factions including Jono Shonghoti Samity JSS which signed the Treaty with the Government of Prime Minister Sheik Hasina on 2 December 1997, are fighting each other for domination over the areas. Another three factions are JSS (Larma), United People Democratic Front UPDF and UPDF (Democratic).
According to law enforcing and intelligence agencies sources, all four factions have special arms wing with sophisticated arms like Rocket Launchers, Automatic Sniper Rifles and Heavy Machinegun. Security sources said, JSS ambushed security personal several times and is believed to be involved in an attack on a patrol team of army in which one army man was killed in Rajstholi of Rangamati district in August this year.
Diponkor Talukder, Member of Parliament of Rangamati, told Bangladesh Post that implementation of Peace Treaty is a continuous process. But armed groups don’t want peace in the area for their own interest of earning money through extortion and kidnapping. The groups have to come under the grip of the government for peace in the life of people of the hills.”
“They (armed groups) attack on army patrol team to create provocation” he said, “but the army avoid this trap because they (army) are working for peace in the areas by winning the heart of the people.” In the last six years, 321 people have been killed in bloody clashes between themselves. According to the CHT Ministry, out of 72 clauses, 48 have been implemented so far. 15 sections have been partially implemented and nine sections are under implementation. But the sections regarding the surrender of arms of Shantibahini armed wing of JSS, may have not been fully implemented.
Major Shamim Sharkar, a company commander of Rapid Action Battalion RAB-7 told Bangladesh Post, “In a recent operation at CHT region, it has been proved that the terrorists have arms like Rocket Launcher, Machinegun and Sniper class Automatic Rifle.” “CHT is a very remote and hard to reach area,” He said adding “now we are working there to retrieve weapons and carry out other operations based on particular information.
Local sources in CHT said, Santu Larmar’s JSS is in a tight position in Bandarban. On the other hand, UPDF is the strongest in Khagrachari. Besides, the two parties have the same position in Rangamati. Under the terms of the peace treaty, after withdrawing the army camps from different areas of CHT they were active in those areas. In the last 22 years, the Government has withdrawn 240 army camps and a brigade from the CHT.
According to Articles 12, 13, 14, 15 of the fourth (GHA) part of the peace treaty, the list of members of the Shantibahini and their arms should be submitted to the government within 7 days of signing the agreement. On February 2, 1998 the first group of the Shantibahini formally surrendered to the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina under the leadership of Santu Larama at Khagrachari Stadium. Later, on 16 and 22 February 1998 a total of 1947 members of Shantibahini surrendered.
Source said significant part of this insurgent group denied the Peace Treaty and did not surrender; they then formed UPDF lead by Proshit Bikas Kisha, a commander of Shantibahini. According to the agreement, those who surrendered have been declared general amnesty and there are provisions to take action against those who do not surrender.
Intelligence sources say the four groups are collecting millions of Taka from people from all walks of life in CHT. With this money they (terrorist) are buying weapons.
The people of CHT want to get rid of these terrorist groups. Government should take action with iron hand in CHT for the sake of peace. Our forces and agencies have long experience to bring peace in different parts of the world under the peacekeeping mission of The United Nations. They should use the experience in CHT, said Abdul Wadud Bhuyia, a political leader in Khagrachari.