The Unfinished Story of Chittagong Hill Tracts: A Path Toward Reunification with India

The Unfinished Story of Chittagong Hill Tracts: A Path Toward Reunification with India

The history of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is deeply intertwined with the turmoil of India’s partition. While the division of British India into India and Pakistan in 1947 was largely determined by religious demographics, CHT—a region with a non-Muslim majority comprising indigenous communities like the Chakmas, Marmas, and Tripuris—was awarded to Pakistan by the Radcliffe Boundary Commission. The move baffled many, as it ignored the clear majority of non-Muslims in the region. The inclusion of CHT in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) continues to be a point of contention, particularly among its indigenous people, who see it as a historical injustice.

Over the years, tensions between the indigenous communities and the Bangladeshi government have persisted. The 1997 Peace Accord between the Bangladesh government and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) was supposed to bring about peace and provide greater autonomy to the region. However, two decades later, the accord remains only partially implemented. The Chakma community, one of the largest indigenous groups, has seen internal divisions fuelled by external forces, particularly the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) in Bangladesh, which has allegedly encouraged factionalism within the community. The government’s “divide and rule” policy under Sheikh Hasina has created multiple factions, delaying the full realization of the Peace Accord and keeping the indigenous communities embroiled in infighting.

This fratricidal conflict has severely weakened the indigenous movement for autonomy and self-determination in CHT. The Chakma leaders, often driven by personal interests, fail to recognize the deliberate machinations of the Bangladeshi state in sowing discord among them. This has led to a fragmented leadership, with no unified front to negotiate or resist the state’s policies.

Current Geo-Political Scenario: An Opportunity for CHT?
The recent shift in Bangladesh’s political stance towards India, characterized by increasingly anti-India policies, presents a unique opportunity for the indigenous people of CHT. The once cordial relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have soured, and this geopolitical shift can be leveraged by the indigenous communities in CHT to reignite their movement for greater autonomy or even a bid to accede to India. Bangladesh’s growing antagonism towards India may serve as a catalyst for India to reevaluate its stance on CHT and extend diplomatic or moral support to its indigenous communities.

The political environment in Bangladesh, coupled with the historical ties of the Chakma people to India, can create the foundation for a renewed movement for self-determination. The indigenous people of CHT, particularly the Chakmas, share cultural, linguistic, and religious affinities with India, especially with the neighboring states of Tripura, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh. This cultural bond has always kept the idea of reunification with India alive in the minds of many CHT inhabitants, even if it has not been politically feasible thus far.

The Path Forward: Crafting a Strategic Movement
For any movement toward reunification with India to gain traction, it is imperative that the indigenous communities of CHT set aside their internal differences and present a unified front. The fragmentation within the Chakma leadership has only served the interests of the Bangladeshi government. A cohesive, well-structured, and pragmatic movement is necessary to challenge the status quo and seek either a renegotiation of the Peace Accord or, in a more ambitious vision, accession to India.

India, for its part, must be willing to engage with the indigenous leaders of CHT. Historically, India has maintained a neutral stance on the issue, respecting Bangladesh’s territorial sovereignty. However, with the shift in Bangladesh’s foreign policy and its growing alignment with China, India may find it in its interest to reconsider its approach to CHT. The geopolitical stakes have changed, and India can use this opportunity to foster closer ties with the indigenous people of CHT, who have long felt neglected by the Bangladeshi state.

Conclusion: A Strategic Alliance with India
The indigenous people of CHT, especially the Chakmas, are at a crossroads. The ongoing factionalism within the community has delayed the realization of their political aspirations, but the changing geopolitical landscape offers a fresh opportunity. By uniting and strategically aligning themselves with India, they can leverage the current anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh to press for their long-denied rights.

India, as a regional power, can play a pivotal role in supporting the indigenous movement, either diplomatically or by providing moral and political support. The goal of accession may seem distant, but with careful planning, unity, and Indian assistance, the dream of reunification with India may one day become a reality for the people of Chittagong Hill Tracts. It is time for the Chakma leadership to rise above personal ambitions and seize this moment of geopolitical opportunity to chart a new future for their people.

(Author yet to be confirmed)