Chittagong Hill Tracts: A Troubled Legacy of Migration, Colonialism, and Unresolved Conflict

Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh — Nestled in the lush, rolling hills of southeastern Bangladesh, the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is a region of stunning natural beauty and profound cultural complexity. Yet, beneath its picturesque surface lies a history fraught with tension, migration, and political strife. The recent violence in Khagrachari on 19 September 2024, which left at least three dead and homes and businesses destroyed, is not an isolated incident. It is the latest flare-up in a centuries-old struggle shaped by colonial legacies, competing claims to land, and unfulfilled promises of autonomy.

The story of the CHT is often framed as a battle between ethnic minority communities and Bengali settlers. But history complicates this narrative. While the Chakma, Marma, and other Jumma peoples are frequently portrayed as the region’s ancient inhabitants, historical records suggest a more nuanced reality. The Chakma, for example, trace their origins to Champaknagar, likely in present-day Bihar or the Himalayan foothills. They migrated to Arakan (modern-day Myanmar) in the 16th century before settling in the CHT (Schendel, 2015). Similarly, the Marma arrived in the late 18th century, establishing themselves in the Matamuhuri valley and the Sitakunda hills (Rafi & Chowdhury, 2001).

These migrations were part of a broader pattern of movement across the region. Bengali populations, often depicted as newcomers, have inhabited the Bengal delta for thousands of years, including the plains surrounding the CHT. This disparity in historical timelines has fuelled competing claims to the land, creating a volatile mix of identity, belonging, and entitlement.

The British colonial era marked a turning point for the CHT. During the Mughal period, the Chakma kingdom enjoyed relative autonomy under Mughal recognition. But British rule brought new administrative structures and policies that disrupted traditional governance. The Chakma resisted British control during the "Carpus Revolt" of 1772 to 1782, culminating in the "Cotton Treaty" of 1787, which granted them semi-autonomous status (Bhattacharjee, 1986). In 1900, the British introduced the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation, which restricted land purchases by non-ethnic minority outsiders and allowed limited self-governance by local leaders (Shelley, 1992). While this regulation aimed to protect the hill communities, it also entrenched a sense of separateness from the rest of Bengal, laying the groundwork for future tensions.

The 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War further deepened the CHT’s divisions. While some ethnic minority groups supported the Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters) in their struggle against Pakistan, others, fearing the loss of their special status, sided with the Pakistani government. Tridiv Roy, the Chief of the Chakma Circle, notably allied with Pakistan, even receiving an offer to become President of Pakistan (Mohaiemen, 2011). This divergence of loyalties was not driven by ethnic animosity but by concerns over autonomy and land rights. Many ethnic minority leaders feared that an independent Bangladesh would encourage Bengali settlement in the CHT, eroding their influence and control over the region.

After Bangladesh’s independence, tensions between the government and ethnic minority leaders escalated. Manobendra Narayan Larma, a prominent political figure from the CHT, sought to preserve the region’s distinct status and pushed for recognition of its unique cultural identity. However, his demands, including the inclusion of special rights for the CHT in the 1972 constitution, were rejected. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s policy of encouraging Bengali settlement in the CHT further exacerbated tensions. This perceived attempt to shift the demographic balance led to the formation of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) and its armed wing, the Shanti Bahini, which waged a two-decade-long insurgency against the government (Adnan, 2004).

The CHT Peace Accord of 1997 was hailed as a breakthrough. It promised greater local autonomy, the resolution of land disputes, and the withdrawal of military forces. Yet, more than two decades later, the accord remains largely unimplemented, with ethnic minority leaders accusing the government of reneging on its commitments (IWGIA, n.d.). This failure to deliver has left the region in a state of simmering discontent, where grievances over land rights and political representation continue to fester. The recent violence in Khagrachari is a stark reminder that the promises of the Peace Accord remain unfulfilled.

The unrest in the CHT cannot be reduced to a simple ethnic conflict. It is, at its core, a political struggle over autonomy, land control, and the interpretation of historical migration patterns. While many ethnic minority groups seek the full implementation of the Peace Accord, their aspirations are shaped by a history of migration that is far more recent than often acknowledged.

Addressing the root causes of conflict in the CHT requires moving beyond simplistic ethnic narratives. It demands a nuanced understanding of the region’s history, including the colonial legacies and political decisions that have shaped its present. Only by acknowledging these complexities and addressing the legitimate concerns of all residents can Bangladesh hope to achieve lasting peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The future of the CHT hinges on a willingness to confront its past and chart a path forward that respects the rights and aspirations of all who call this troubled region home. Until then, the hills will remain a symbol of both beauty and strife, a reminder of the unresolved tensions that continue to haunt this corner of Bangladesh.

References - 

Benar News. (2024, October 1). Violence escalates in Bangladesh's Hill Tracts as locals lynch second Bengali in weeks. Retrieved from https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/bengali/chittagong-hill-violence-2nd-lynching-10012024140435.html

Cultural Survival. (2024). Renewed violence in Chittagong Hill Tracts: Bengalis target Jumma communities. Retrieved from https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/renewed-violence-chittagong-hill-tracts-bengali-settlers-target-indigenous-jumma-communities

The Diplomat. (2024). Clashes erupt in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2024/09/clashes-erupt-in-bangladeshs-chittagong-hill-tracts/

South China Morning Post. (2024). Chittagong Hill Tracts sectarian violence sews fear among ethnic minorities. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3279458/chittagong-hill-tracts-sectarian-violence-sews-fear-among-ethnic-minorities

Schendel, W. van. (2015). The invention of the 'Jummas': State formation and ethnicity in southeastern Bangladesh. Modern Asian Studies, 26(1), 95-128.

Rafi, M., & Chowdhury, R. K. (2001). Counting tribes: Census, politics, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Economic and Political Weekly, 36(33), 3159-3164.

Datta, P. S. (2004). Tripura: The forgotten land. Har-Anand Publications.

Bhattacharjee, J. B. (1986). The Chakma refugees in Tripura. Economic and Political Weekly, 21(32), 1424-1426.

Shelley, R. R. (1992). The Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh: The untold story. Centre for Development Research.

Mohaiemen, N. (2011). Flying blind: Waiting for a real reckoning on the 1971 collaborators. Himal Southasian, 24(4), 46-61.

Adnan, S. (2004). Migration, land alienation, and ethnic conflict: Causes of poverty in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. Research & Advisory Services.

International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA). (n.d.). Chittagong Hill Tracts. Retrieved from https://www.iwgia.org

Levene, M. (1999). The Chittagong Hill Tracts: A case study in the political economy of 'creeping' genocide. Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars, 31(1), 71-80.