Editorial
CHT peace accord eight years old now!
It is imperative we implement it urgently
What was a landmark event in our history that saw an end to more than two decades of armed insurgency remains an unfulfilled commitment, eight years since it was signed. The effort of the then Awami League government was laudable in that it recognised the need to address the demands of important ethnic groups in the CHT to live with dignity and self-respect. It was hailed by all, at home and abroad, although the then opposition BNP had opposed the accord on the ground that a consensus on the issue should have been reached with all political parties, before signing the accord. But although the accord has put violence on hold in the CHT, the expected durable peace has not come about as both the governments of the Awami League and the present ruling alliance could not implement the main provisions of the accord. And even now there is no palpable action that would convince the people of the CHT about the intention of the government to see its implementation in totality. What was noticeable after the BNP assumed the reins of power was its expressed intention to implement the accord as the successor government, in spite of the fact that it had voiced reservations about some provisions of the accord. It had realised that the accord was a commitment of the state, which all governments are obligated to uphold. But regrettably, while the accord was a good example of how a long running insurgency could be successfully contained through political accommodation, it is becoming a classic example of how an accord can go haywire due to lack of political commitment on the part of the government. And while a tenuous peace is still holding, the inertia in the implementation of the accord has the potential of causing a relapse to violence in the region. That is a situation we would least want to be thrust into. We repeat what we have always said. Peace in the CHT is crucially important not only for the region, but also to the nation as a whole. The CHT has great development potential, which can be exploited only through concerted efforts on the part of all concerned in a peaceful, stable environment. Reinvigorated efforts must be made to see the fulfilment of the accord.
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