CHT Sampriti Jote has held a press conference demanding the arrest of those involved in enforced disappearances, murders, and extortion in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and an end to anti-nation propaganda by regional organisations. The press conference was held on Saturday morning at 10:30 in light of some recent incidents in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
At the conference, the Convener of CHT Sampriti Jote, Engineer Thowai Ching Mong Shak, said, “Attempts are being made to destabilise the situation by running misleading and provocative campaigns in the hill areas, which is saddening. It is the duty of every citizen to protect the sovereignty of the state and its geographical integrity as provided by the constitution.”
He added, “The terrorists of JSS and UPDF want conflict, not development, in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. They are holding the lives of peace-loving hill people hostage to protect their own illegal interests. The establishment of an army camp in Barmachhara is an essential state measure for people’s security. But they are using the Buddhist temple as a shield and misleading innocent non-Bengalis, which I believe amounts to destroying religious harmony.”
The organisation strongly protested such activities and called upon the general public of the hills to stay away from these falsehoods and misinformation.
According to CHT Sampriti Jote, lasting peace and development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is only possible through mutual cooperation between state institutions, local administration, and the people. In their statement, they said the Chittagong Hill Tracts is an inalienable part of Bangladesh, and the constitution and national law are supreme here. If any individual or organisation makes statements against the state that are divisive, it is contrary to patriotism.
The organisation expressed its deep respect and support for the role of the army and other security forces, saying they are working tirelessly for the security and development of the hill people.
The statement further mentioned that development in education, health, infrastructure, communication, information technology, and employment is the foundation for lasting peace in the hill region. People’s involvement in the state’s ongoing development programmes is the path to genuine peace.
It is possible to build the Chittagong Hill Tracts as a “mountain of harmony” not by spreading confusion or hate campaigns in the context of any incident, but through dialogue, tolerance, and legal means, the statement said.
CHT Sampriti Jote called upon all citizens of the country – Bengalis and non-Bengalis, teachers, students, journalists, and political leaders – to work unitedly in the spirit of brotherhood and on the constitutional path of peace.
