'No representation from the hills in this government’s cabinet': Nahid Islam

National Citizen Party Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam on Sunday criticised the government for having no representative from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in the cabinet, saying the absence reflected a broader lack of accountability despite the government’s two-thirds majority.

“A government has come to power with a two-thirds majority. Yet there is no representative from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. Dipen Dewan has been removed. I do not know when something like this has happened before in Bangladesh’s history,” Nahid said.

“The government can do this because it is not subject to any accountability. We therefore believe voices must be raised from the hills for the implementation of the July Charter.”

Nahid was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled “July in the Hills: Equal Dignity, Coexistence and Harmony,” organised by the NCP’s units in the three hill districts at the Chattogram Press Club.

Calling the problems of the hill districts politically and socially complex, Nahid said there could be no one-dimensional solution to decades of grievances and conflict.

“The ethnic communities of the hills have been deprived in various ways and are not accorded equal dignity. At the same time, Bengalis there also face various forms of deprivation,” he said. “We hear about divisions and conflicts between these communities at different times. Foreign powers take advantage of these divisions.”

He called for a political solution to the longstanding problems of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, arguing that relying on military measures would not produce a durable settlement.

“The longstanding deprivation and oppression in the hills require a political solution. Political parties must take responsibility and engage in dialogue to find a solution,” Nahid said.

“Not much can be achieved for very long in the hills through military means. They must be brought into the mainstream. Action must be taken against those who seek to benefit by keeping conflicts alive.”

Nahid also said equal citizenship and Bangladesh’s sovereignty must be pursued together.

“We stand for equal citizenship rights for everyone. At the same time, we are uncompromising when it comes to our sovereignty,” he said. “The deprivation faced by people in the hills must end.”

He acknowledged reports of extortion and violence in the region, saying those problems also needed to be addressed.

“We hear about different forms of extortion in the hills. There are also distinct forms of terrorism. These problems need to be resolved. Accountability must be ensured everywhere, from the hills to the plains.”

Nahid also criticised the 1972 Constitution, arguing that it had entrenched divisions in Bangladeshi society from the beginning.

“Our 1972 Constitution has kept the country divided from the very beginning. The country and society have been kept divided in the name of communalism and religion,” he said. “We believe these divisions must be overcome, and that all of us should remain united when it comes to the national interest and economic development.”

Turning to the upcoming local government elections, Nahid said the NCP planned to field representatives across the country but would give particular attention to the hill districts.

“We will have representation everywhere in the next local government elections. We want to give particular importance to the hills,” he said.

“We hope that, after 50 years, the hills will see new, young elected representatives emerge through the upcoming local government elections.”

Nahid said the responsibility now rested with a new generation of political leaders to pursue a settlement that previous political forces had failed to achieve.

“The old political forces could not do it; those of us who are new must take the initiative,” he said. “We must come together, reach a solution and build a united Bangladesh.”

NCP Political Council members Sarwar Tushar and Ali Ahsan Junaid, Chattogram Divisional Organising Secretary SM Suja Uddin and representatives of the hill communities also spoke at the event.