CHT deserves peace

In the wake of the killings of several people belonging to regional political organisations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, citizens are concerned. The relative peace that existed in the hills since the peace accord was signed in 1997 is now under threat, with the aforementioned organisations violently vying with each other for dominance.

The solution does not simply lie in law enforcement restoring order. We cannot call on those parties to dissolve either. Opposition and dissent should prevail but they should work hard to find common ground to advance their collective cause. By promoting debate and discussion, they could achieve what mainstream political parties have not been able to. But arms or violence is not the language of debate. They must understand that the violence they often resort to is harmful to their cause.

I urge the civil society members, whom most of those parties' high-ups trust, to mediate peace among them. The Chittagong Hill Tracts has endured too much pain and blood. We all have a responsibility to work together to not inflict agony on the people of this region anymore.

Kabir Ahmed, Chittagong