The interim government has reconstituted the three-member Implementation and Monitoring Committee to oversee the implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord, signed in 1997. This move is part of renewed efforts to address longstanding demands for the agreement's full execution.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs on (12 January), Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has been appointed as the convener of the committee. The other members include Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, president of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), and Sudatta Chakma, a senior secretary and chairman of the Taskforce for CHT Affairs.

Responsibilities of the Committee
The committee has been tasked with developing and implementing a comprehensive programme to address the key provisions of the peace accord, including the surrender of arms and the granting of amnesty to former combatants. It will coordinate efforts across ministries, departments, semi-government, and autonomous agencies to ensure seamless execution of the agreement.
The committee is also empowered to provide guidance, address arising challenges, and make recommendations to the government as necessary. To ensure effective implementation, the committee may establish sub-committees, with administrative and financial support provided by the CHT Affairs Ministry.

Unfulfilled Provisions of the 1997 Accord
The Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord was signed on 2 December 1997 by the then Awami League government and the PCJSS to end decades of unrest in the region. However, nearly 27 years later, several critical clauses remain unimplemented, prompting calls for renewed efforts to honor the accord's promises.
On 24 August last year, the CHT Peace Implementation Movement held a press conference urging the interim government to prioritize the implementation of the peace accord. Among their five key demands was the reconstitution of the monitoring committee to accelerate progress.

Government’s Renewed Commitment
The reconstitution of the committee signals a commitment by the interim government to address lingering issues tied to the peace accord. As per the directive, all ministries and departments are required to align their actions with the committee's decisions to ensure progress.
Observers have expressed cautious optimism about this development, with many emphasizing the need for swift action to fulfill the accord's promises, which include enhanced regional autonomy and the resolution of land disputes in the hill tracts.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry affirmed its support for the committee and reiterated its dedication to seeing the peace accord through to completion.
 

BOB Post