Rangamati, Dec 12 (V7N) – The complex geopolitical dynamics and multi-dimensional crises facing the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) are no longer confined to a regional issue and must now be treated as a national priority, said Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). He noted that the involvement of multiple neighbouring countries is reshaping the region’s geopolitical landscape, making national security and territorial integrity increasingly important.

Speaking to journalists following a regional consultation meeting organized by Citizen’s Platform in Rangamati on Thursday afternoon, Dr Bhattacharya said that a comprehensive national solution is urgently required. He emphasized that such a solution must be shaped through inclusive participation of all communities—irrespective of ethnicity or religion—while respecting history, acknowledging local characteristics and safeguarding the rights of all people living in the region.

He stated that stakeholders from the CHT have clearly demanded that political parties incorporate a well-defined roadmap for resolving the longstanding crisis in their election manifestos, outlining how these commitments will be implemented for the future of Bangladesh.

Summarizing the discussions from the consultation, Dr Bhattacharya said participants spoke candidly about the challenges in establishing stability in the region. Key issues highlighted included land reform, strengthening local government structures, improving inter-ethnic respect and cooperation, recovering illegal weapons, upgrading the education system, ensuring sustainable management of Kaptai Lake, promoting eco-system-based tourism, setting up local industries and creating an inclusive socio-economic framework ensuring equal participation for all communities.

He added that due to the Rohingya crisis and broader geopolitical tensions involving neighboring states, the challenges of the CHT can no longer be categorized as a regional matter. For this reason, political parties must recognize the CHT’s ongoing issues as a national concern and reflect this in their election platforms as part of a broader agenda of national cohesion.

Citizen’s Platform has initiated the formulation of a “Citizen’s Manifesto” to ensure that marginalized and disadvantaged communities are represented in ongoing national discussions on reform, justice and the electoral process. The initiative aims to promote a fair, inclusive and accountable Bangladesh by gathering public opinion ahead of the election.

In response to journalists’ questions, Dr Bhattacharya said that Bangladesh is currently in a state of transition. The changes demanded by the July student-citizen uprising need to translate into sustainable democratic progress. He added that the announcement of the election schedule marks another step toward an inevitable political process.

However, he cautioned that visible signs of a fearless electorate, an administration free from influence and strong, impartial law enforcement have yet to appear. He urged the government, the Election Commission and security agencies—including the military—to take tangible steps in the coming weeks to build public trust. Political parties, he said, have a crucial role as major players, and all stakeholders must work together to create a credible electoral environment. Citizen participation, he stressed, will remain central to this effort.

The event opened with the national anthem and was attended by a wide range of participants, including the wife of the Chakma Circle Chief Yan Yan, community leaders, headmen, karbaris, journalists, public representatives, civil society members, NGO officials and students from colleges and universities in Rangamati.

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