IPNEWS Desk (Dhaka): Nazmul Haque Pradhan, General Secretary of Bangladesh JASAD, stated that state reform will remain incomplete without the inclusion of Indigenous peoples. He made this remark on April 19 (Saturday) at a day-long public awareness campaign organized by the Parbatya Chattogram Chukti Bastobayan Andolon (Hill Tracts Accord Implementation Movement) in Dhaka. The event was held to demand that the implementation of the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Accord be made a priority on the interim government’s action plan.
The day-long program started at 10 AM from Bahadur Shah Park in Old Dhaka and concluded in Uttara in the evening. Six street gatherings took place throughout the day at Bahadur Shah Park, National Press Club, Shahbagh, Farmgate, Mirpur-10, and Uttara’s Rajlokkhi area. Human rights activist Dipayan Khisha moderated the street gatherings.
The program was led by Zakir Hossain, human rights activist, and Professor Khairul Islam Chowdhury from Dhaka University — both joint coordinators of the movement. Notable speakers included Ruhin Hossain Prince, General Secretary of CPB; Nazmul Haque Pradhan, General Secretary of Bangladesh JASAD; Bazlur Rashid Firoz, General Secretary of BASAD; and Abu Sayeed Khan, advisory editor of The Daily Samakal.
In the inaugural speech at Bahadur Shah Park, joint coordinator Professor Khairul Islam Chowdhury said that without implementing the CHT Accord, national unity and solidarity would not be possible — something urgently needed at this time. He urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve the crisis in the hills and strengthen national unity by implementing the Accord.
At the National Press Club gathering, Bazlur Rashid Firoz emphasized that the primary way to resolve the hill crisis is through full implementation of the CHT Accord. He suggested holding dialogues with Bangladesh’s political parties to reach a national consensus on this matter. He also highlighted land disputes as a major problem for both Indigenous peoples in the hills and plains, urging the government to take necessary action on this particular matter.
Nazmul Haque Pradhan criticized the government for not initiating any new dialogues with the CHT Accord Implementation Committee, calling it a matter of national concern. He stressed that state reform cannot be achieved without Indigenous peoples and urged the government to immediately start dialogues and restore trust through effective implementation of the Accord.
Bazlur Rashid Firoz further stated that the current government should declare a framework for the Accord’s implementation and take steps to end military dominance in the region, empower the CHT Regional Council, and resolve land disputes in the hills.
Abu Sayeed Khan remarked that Bangladesh belongs not only to Bengalis but also to Chakma, Marma, Santal, and many other ethnic groups. He stated that the spirit of the Liberation War was to establish an inclusive and pluralistic state, which remains unfulfilled. He called on the interim government to take concrete steps in resolving land disputes, ending military control, and democratizing the CHT Regional and District Councils.
Additionally, solidarity was expressed by leaders of Bangladesh Youth Union, Student Union, Student Front, BCL, and Pahari Chhatra Parishad. Teachers, eminent citizens, and human rights activists were also present and expressed support.
