July Charter implementation demand should come from CHT region: Nahid Islam

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam today (2 August) said the demand to implement the July Charter should come from the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT), alleging that the region lacks representation in the current government despite its political significance.

"The government had failed to appoint a representative from the hill districts to the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, he said at a discussion titled "July in the Hills: Equal Dignity, Coexistence and Harmony," organised by the NCP's three hill district units at the Chattogram Press Club auditorium.

"The government, despite enjoying a two-thirds majority, has no representative from the hill districts in the CHT affairs ministry since Dipen Dewan was removed. I do not know if such a thing has happened before in Bangladesh's history," Nahid added.

He also said the political, social and economic realities of the hill districts were highly complex and could not be resolved through a one-dimensional approach.

"Different ethnic communities in the hills have long faced discrimination, while many Bengalis there have also experienced deprivation. Foreign powers exploit these divisions. Our common identity is that we are Bangladeshis," the NCP chief said.

Nahid further said the region's prolonged crisis required a political solution led by political parties through dialogue, arguing that military measures alone could not deliver a lasting resolution.

He also alleged that extortion and terrorism remained prevalent in the hill districts and stressed the need to ensure accountability across both the hills and the plains.

Referring to the upcoming local government elections, Nahid said the NCP would field candidates across the country, with special emphasis on the hill districts.

"We hope the people of the hill districts will get a new generation of public representatives after a long time," he said.