Free Web Site - Free Web Space and Site Hosting - Web Hosting - Internet Store and Ecommerce Solution Provider - High Speed Internet
Search the Web

The Peace Treaty in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, signed on the 2nd December of 1997 to be very precise a 'land-mark' achievement in Bangladesh history. Prime Minister Shiek Hasina, signed the agreement.

The major features of the peace treaty are
a) The preamble puts full commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bangladesh. Both the sides pledged to uphold the political, social, cultural, educational and economic rights of all the people of the Hill Tracts region, expedite socio-economic development process and preserve the right of all the citizens of Bangladesh. The agreement have four parts namely 1, 2, 3 and 4.
(b) The agreement considers the region as a 'Tribal Inhabited Region' and vows to protect the characteristics and attain overall development.
(c) An implementation committee will be formed to monitor the implementation process comprising : 1) A member nominated by the PM - convenor, 2) Chairman of the task force formed under the purview of the agreement-member, 3) President of PCJSS- member.
(d) The Chittagong Hill Tracts local Government council will be formed with both parties reaching an agreement with regard to changing, amending, incorporating, writing off the existing Parbatya Zila Sthanio Sarkar Parishad Ain 1989.
(e) Under the agreement, armed members of the Shanti Bahini will have to surrender their arms within 45 days. The list of armed cadres will be submitted to the government by the PCJSS who will enjoy general amnesty. Cadres failing to surrender arms will face legal action.
(f) Temporary camps of the Army, BDR, Ansar and VDP will be dismantled gradually except three cantonments and three BDR camps.
(g) If need be, army can be deployed in case of deterioration of law and order and natural catastrophe.
(h) A regional council will be formed consisting of 22 members which will be made up by : chairman-1, member (tribal) male-12, member (tribal) female-2, member (non-tribal)- 6, member (non-tribal) female-1. The tenure of it will be 5 years.
(i) A tribal affairs ministry will be formed with a tribal man as its head.
(j) Each family of Shanti Bahani will get Taka 50,000.00 for being able to come back to normal life.
(k) For the speedy settlement of disputes relating to lands, a land commission will be set up with a retired justice as its head. A land survey will also be conducted to resolve the land dispute.
(l) The quota system for the tribals in government jobs and higher education will be maintained until they attain the desired level of standard.