Govt wants to establish peace in CHT: Touhid

The government wants to establish peace in the three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) to unlock the region's immense potential for development, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said today (20 July).

"If peace is established, there is vast potential here. Although we cannot achieve everything overnight, we want to start the process so that peace can return in the coming days, ensuring coexistence. 

If we can achieve this, it will significantly advance our progress," he said.

The adviser made the remarks while addressing a scheme distribution ceremony as the guest of honour at the Bandarban Hill District Council Auditorium. 

The schemes aim to improve the socio-economic conditions of farmers and women across various upazilas in the district.

Hossain emphasised that social peace and order are essential for any country or society to progress. 

"Diversity is our strength, but we can only transform this diversity into real strength if peace prevails in society," he said, noting that no one would invest in a place lacking peace.

He stressed that while Bangladesh's natural resources are limited, its people are its greatest assets. 

"In this regard, there is no alternative to education. Over the past 19 years, our education system has suffered due to the blind race for GPA-5, but we have now begun the process of change," he added.

CHT Affairs Adviser Supradeep Chakma attended the grant distribution event as the chief guest, while Chairman of the Bandarban Hill District Council Professor Thanjama Lusai presided over the programme.
 
In his speech, Supradeep Chakma highlighted that out of 400,000 people in Bandarban, 112,000 are living in extreme poverty while in Khagrachari, 108,000 out of 600,000 people face extreme poverty and in Rangamati, 90,000 out of 550,000 people live in similar conditions. 

He noted that a key reason for reduced budget allocations for the hill districts is the return of unutilised funds.

Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ara Rini, Superintendent of Police Md Shahidullah Kawsar, and other local administration officials were present at the event.

Later, fruit, forest, bamboo, and coffee saplings were distributed among 300 residents of Bandarban Sadar Upazila. 

Additionally, 116 people received livestock, 30 sewing machines were distributed, 31 mothers received maternity grants, and five organisations received sports equipment.

Organisers said similar schemes will be implemented across other upazilas in phases to improve the socio-economic conditions of farmers and women in the hill district.