If Peace Is to Prevail in the Hills, Ordinary People Must Be Empowered
(Part Four)
Activate Administrative Offices:
From an administrative perspective, the Chittagong Hill Tracts are regarded as remote and underdeveloped. As a result, anyone committing an offence is sometimes immediately posted to the Chittagong Hill Tracts as a form of punishment. This reinforces the negative perception of the region. Because of this entrenched mindset, many officials and employees consider regular postings to the Chittagong Hill Tracts punitive and do not want to go there. Many manage to have their posting orders changed through lobbying. Those ultimately compelled to go often focus more on securing an early transfer back to the plains than on carrying out their assigned responsibilities. Even among those who remain, many do not attend offices regularly. Where government offices are located at upazila level, some officials live in towns rather than at their workplaces and visit the upazilas only occasionally to mark attendance. The same situation exists in hospitals, schools, colleges and almost every other public institution in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. There are still upazila health complexes operating with perhaps only one doctor, while some have only two or three.
Teachers are also absent from government secondary schools at many upazila headquarters, with some schools operating with only two or three teachers. At many primary schools, appointed teachers do not stay at their workplaces but instead employ substitute teachers while living in towns themselves. Many government offices in the upazilas have desks and chairs but no officials or employees. With inadequate oversight, many are also deeply involved in corruption. As a result, marginalised people do not receive the services they expect from the state. Instead, they face harassment in various ways. Administrative offices, hospitals and educational institutions could have strengthened the people’s bond with the state by providing essential services. Instead, the people of the hills are not receiving state services as citizens should. This situation must change. Government offices must be adequately staffed, while hospitals must have sufficient doctors, nurses and personnel at every level. Schools and colleges must have the required teachers and employees. Continuous monitoring must also be established to prevent absenteeism, corruption and irregularities. At the same time, it must be ensured that every official fulfils his or her assigned responsibilities and works to satisfy marginalised people on behalf of the state.
The People of the Hills Have Given the Government a Mandate:
Before the recently held 13th National Parliamentary Election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party made clear commitments regarding the Chittagong Hill Tracts in its election manifesto. Reflecting the hopes and aspirations of the hill people and seeking to improve their living standards and ensure healthcare and security, the BNP pledged that, if elected, it would “reassess the Peace Accord.” Alongside ensuring the security and protection of rights for all, it stated that it sought to guarantee the full constitutional rights of all citizens, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion or race, including the social, political, cultural and economic rights and freedom of religious practice of indigenous communities in the hills and plains, as well as the security of their lives, property and dignity. It also pledged to establish a Directorate for Ethnic Community Development to protect the languages, literature and cultural heritage of ethnic communities living across the country and promote their overall development.
The Jamaat-e-Islami, meanwhile, stated in its election manifesto that it would “initiate reform of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord” to reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people of the region. The election results showed that BNP candidates won all three parliamentary seats in the three hill districts by overwhelming margins. This means that people across the Chittagong Hill Tracts supported the BNP manifesto. By voting for BNP candidates, they therefore gave the government a full mandate to implement that manifesto. Having won the election and formed the government, it is now the government’s essential responsibility to take action in accordance with that mandate.
The Prime Minister Must Go to the People:
President Ziaur Rahman was in power for a very short period. On one hand, the country was devastated by war and had virtually no economy; on the other, every moment was marked by instability and uncertainty amid various domestic and foreign conspiracies. Even under those circumstances, he repeatedly visited the Chittagong Hill Tracts. He did not consider his duty complete after addressing large rallies in district towns. He travelled to remote and inaccessible areas, mingled with the people, listened directly to their suffering and took whatever measures were possible on behalf of the state to alleviate their hardships. He spent nights in remote areas such as Longadu and Farua, seeking to get as close as possible to marginalised people. To understand their hardships, he even asked what food was being cooked in their homes. After witnessing their reality, he comforted the elders and placed his hands on the children’s heads. At Gulshakhali in Langadu upazila, he visited people’s homes and ate “wheat rice.” Despite being president, he became emotional as he expressed his inability to do more for them.
The people felt that the country’s president was one of their own, someone who understood their suffering and was doing everything possible to protect them and ensure their security. Witnessing this, the people gained hope and found the strength to remain resolute against terrorism. Even amid immense hardship, a new sense of hope entered their lives. They became determined to sacrifice their lives with a smile for the country and its independence and sovereignty. The Prime Minister today must likewise go to the people, hear their hardships, deprivation and needs directly from them. In particular, he must reach those in remote and inaccessible areas where the administration fails to reach. On one hand, they have become landless under a feudal system and survive at the mercy of headmen and karbaris. On the other hand, they spend their days and nights under the harsh control, exploitation and extortion of armed terrorists.
He must go to them and make them feel that he stands with them and that the state stands with them. Their security must not be held hostage by any terrorist group. Rather, as proud and respected citizens of the state, they must know that protecting their lives is the responsibility of the state and that the state is committed to fulfilling that responsibility. The state is responsible for improving their lives. The state and administration must therefore always be present at their doorstep and remain so. If the Prime Minister can sincerely and credibly convey this message of trust and reliance from the state to the hearts of marginalised people in the hills, a word of magic will, in effect, transform the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The people of the hills are waiting to see that magic.
(Concluded)
Author: Researcher and journalist specialising in Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs
sayedibnrahmat@gmail.com
