General information
Type of Incompatibility: Territory
Comment on Type of Incompatibility: The incompatibility regards the constitutional status of the territory of Chittagong Hill Tracts. At the core of the conflict are autonomy aspirations among the tribal people. The demands include constitutional recognition of the national ethnic minorities in the CHT with guarantee for autonomy, restoration of traditional land rights, demilitarisation of the area, and resettlement of Bengali peasants who have arrived to the area since 1971. At times, the rebels have gone as far as to demand secession and the establishment of an independent state. Underlying the autonomy demand is thus the perceived threat of assimilation into the majority culture of Bangladesh. The contested area comprises about 10% of Bangladesh territory, bordering India and Myanmar.
Territory: Chittagong Hill Tracts
Date of first stated goal of incompatibility: 1972-04-24
Comment on date of first stated goals of incompatibility: On 24 April 1972, a tribal delegation under the leadership of Manabendra Narayan Larma, submitted a four-point political charter to the Bangladeshi constitution drafting committee. The demands were rejected, and Larma subsequently formed the PCJSS (Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti; Chittagong Hill Tracts People’s Coordination Association) to front the political demands of the charter.
The charter called for: i) provincial autonomy for the CHT, with the establishment of a separate legislative body; ii) retention of a colonial statute (the 1900 Regulation), providing the CHT with a special regional status, in the new constitution of Bangladesh; iii) retention of the offices of the tribal chiefs and iv) constitutional provisions restricting the amendment of the 1900 Regulation and imposing a ban on Bengali settlement in the CHT.
Date of first use of armed force: 1975-02-01
Comment on first use of armed force: There is little available information relating to the beginning of the insurgency. However, it seems that PCJSS first began its insurgency in the beginning of 1975, ambushing a police patrol near Subalong in the CHT.
Date of first battle related death: 1975-01-01
Comment on first battle related death: The exact date is unknown. There is little available information relating to the beginning of the insurgency. However, it seems that PCJSS first began its insurgency in the beginning of 1975, ambushing a police patrol near Subalong in the CHT. The start of the insurgency in early 1975 is corroborated by several sources.
Date of conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: 1975-02-28
Comment on conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: The exact date is unknown. There is little available information relating to the beginning of the insurgency. However, it seems that PCJSS first began its insurgency in the beginning of 1975, ambushing a police patrol near Subalong in the CHT. The start of the insurgency in early 1975 is corroborated by several sources.
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1976
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1977
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1978
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1979
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1980
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1981
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1982
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1983
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1984
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1985
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1986
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1987
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1988
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 675 |
| Best | 675 |
| Low | 675 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1989
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 26 |
| Best | 26 |
| Low | 26 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1990
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 45 |
| Best | 45 |
| Low | 45 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1991
Primary Parties: Government of Bangladesh - PCJSS
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 45 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 22 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1992
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 24 |
| Best | 24 |
| Low | 24 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1993
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 5 |
| Best | 5 |
| Low | 5 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1994
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1 |
| Best | 1 |
| Low | 1 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1995
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 5 |
| Best | 5 |
| Low | 5 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1996
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 6 |
| Best | 5 |
| Low | 5 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1997
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 7 |
| Best | 4 |
| Low | 4 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 1997-12-02
Comment of peace agreement: Full peace agreement
A full peace agreement was signed in Dhaka on 2 December 1997 between the National Committee on the Chittagong Hill Tracts, representing the government of Bangladesh, and the JSS rebels.
The agreement did not include a ceasefire, and instead directly dealt with other military issues and political incompatibilities. The JSS rebels are to completely disarm, and are to be reintegrated into normal civilian life. In order to provide such rehabilitation into normal life JSS members and their families are given a lump sum of money. Also, JSS members that were employed in the state administration were allowed to be reinstated in their former positions. After the rehabilitation of all JSS members the government troops were to withdraw to permanent military installations in order to normalize the situation. Regarding internal security (police) the created regional council was given the powers over these forces.
The main provision in the accord was the creation of a CHT regional council with a range of autonomous responsibilities, where the chairman was to enjoy the rank of a state minister. 15 of 22 seats in the regional council, including the chairman, were reserved for tribal leaders, thus guaranteeing tribal control over traditional land. Changes in Bangladesh law were required to enable the establishment of the council, but anticipating criticism or misrepresentation of the accord, the issue of the sovereignty and integrity of Bangladesh was explicitly recognized. The transitional period following the signing of the treaty was to end with the withdrawal of the Bangladesh army from the region by the beginning of 2001.A general amnesty was given to all members of the JSS, as well as members of Shanti Bahini in return for surrender of their arms.
Further, a land reform was enacted in order to redistribute land between the Chittagong Hill Tribes and Bengali settlers and to solve disputes between these two groups. A number of funds and loan schemes were set up to facilitate the growth of economic enterprises, such as rubber plantations. A deal was also struck regarding internal refugees and their return to the Hill Tracts, under which the JSS was to cooperate in every aspect with the government. India was also involved in this repatriation of refugees, since many refugees had relocated to the Indian state of Tripura. See Third Parties for further comments.
The governments main opposition; the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) rejected the accord, saying it was against the unitary constitution and the interest of the Bengali-speaking settlers. On the other side at least three smaller groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts; the Hill Students Federation, the Hill Peoples council and the Hill Womens council challenged at the time JSS role as the sole representative of the tribal people. Former associates to the JSS/SB leadership have later formed the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF), which has continued a struggle for full autonomy. The amnesty was not extended to army and police personnel, but there was no commitment in the accord that past human rights violations by the law-enforcement personnel or Bengali settler groups close to the army.
Signatories: Abdul Hasnat Abdullah, chief whip of the ruling Awami League in Jatiya Sangsad, convener of the National Committee on Chittagong Hills Tracts, signed the deal on behalf of the government. J.P. Larma, known also as Shantu Larma, head of the JSS signed the agreement on behalf of the tribal party.
Comment of signatories: Comprehensive peace agreement
The Peace agreement was signed in Dhaka on 2 December 1997, in the presence of the highest government of Bangladesh, at the prime ministers office in Dhaka.
Third parties: India
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Indian involvement in the peace negotiations in the 1990s was spurheaded by the large presence of tribal refugees in the neighbouring Indian state of Tripura, reaching 56 000 in the early 1990s. The refugee issue and the allegations of Indian support to the insurgency implied that the CHT conflict became embroiled in the broader issue of Indo- Bangladeshi relations. Against the backdrop of improved interstate relations in 1992, and extended negotiations in 1996, the two governments agreed to facilitate the repatriation of CHT refugees from India and to cooperate in combating insurgencies at both sides of their common border.
Full-text peace agreement
2002
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1 |
| Best | 1 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2004
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1 |
| Best | 1 |
| Low | 1 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2006
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2009
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2 |
| Best | 2 |
| Low | 2 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2010
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2015
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2017
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2019
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 3 |
| Best | 3 |
| Low | 3 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2020
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 5 |
| Best | 5 |
| Low | 5 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2022
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4 |
| Best | 4 |
| Low | 4 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2023
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 9 |
| Best | 9 |
| Low | 9 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2024
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 18 |
| Best | 18 |
| Low | 18 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2025
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 3 |
| Best | 3 |
| Low | 3 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Conflict Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1976 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1977 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1978 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In late 1978, PCJSS armed activity was reportedly stepped up.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1979 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1980 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The conflict between PCJSS and the government reportedly escalated in 1980, with several high-profile clashes taking place. One major event took place in March 1980, when a PCJSS ambush killed 22 soldiers. This was followed by a retaliatory massacre of civilians at Kaukhali Bazar in Kalampati, CHT. The massacre was reported by Amnesty International, and resulted in widespread external and internal critique of the government’s conduct of the counterinsurgency struggle.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1981 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1982 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1983 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1984 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1985 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: In 1985, the government of Bangladesh was actively seeking a negotiated solution to the conflict. It appointed a Liaison Committee for the purpose of initiating talks with PCJSS, and an initial meeting was held in October. However, talks at this meeting reportedly did not address the incompatibility, but rather constituted “talks about initiating talks”.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1986 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1987 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: In 1987, a National Committee on the Chittagong Hill Tracts was established, and facilitated contacts between local representatives and the government. A meeting between PCJSS and government representatives took place in December, at which time the rebels presented a 5-point programme. The programme, which reportedly had strong support from the civilian population in CHT, demanded removal of settlers; withdrawal of security forces; autonomy for CHT, including legislative powers; retention of the 1900 Regulation; and deployment of a UN peacekeeping force.
The government replied with its own proposal and the basic position that any changes must be in line with the Bangladeshi constitution. The government objected to the PCJSS demands for several reasons; it was argued that attempts to remove the settlers might cause communal violence, that security forces could not be withdrawn until rebel activity ceased, and that the 1900 Regulation and legislative autonomy clashed with the constitution and a unitary Bangladesh. The parties did not agree on either proposal as a basis for discussion, and no negotiations took place. Arguing that PCJSS was too inflexible, the government instead sought talks with other representatives of CHT groups.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1988 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In 1988, the government of Bangladesh held talks with representatives of the tribal groups of CHT. In December, talks were held directly with PCJSS, which had adopted a more flexible position on autonomy. However, no agreement on a basis for future negotiation was reached, and deadlock continued between the warring parties.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1989 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: On 1 March 1989 the Bangladesh National Assembly passed four bills, providing for the establishment of three local Government councils in the three largest CHT-districts, thus attempting to reach a political settlement of the conflict. The three councils, directly elected and headed by a tribal person, were provided with limited administrative and supervisory authority, such as the right to regulate transfer or sale of land- rights in the territory. The first election under the new legislation was held in June 1989. It was however, vehemently opposed by the SB, who rejected the councils as powerless and a legitimization of the presence of Bengali settlers in the CHT.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: A seventh round of dialogue, to take place in 1989 between the government and PCJSS, was not held, as the PCJSS did not make the necessary gestures by the stipulated deadline (January 1989). No formal negotiations took place during the year, but the government took some one-sided legal and executive measures aimed at resolving the conflict. On 1 March 1989 the Bangladesh National Assembly approved four bills, providing for the establishment of three local Government councils in the three largest CHT- districts. The three councils, directly elected and headed by a tribal person, were secured limited autonomy, such as the right to regulate transfer or sale of land- rights in the territory. The first election under the new legislation was held in June 1989. It was however, vehemently opposed by the SB, who though the councils were powerless and legitimized the presence of Bengali settlers in the CHT. Two general amnesties, pertaining to rebels who surrendered their arms, were also declared during the year.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1990 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: President (ex-general) H. M. Ershad resigns on December 4. 1990, having ruled the country since the military coup in March 1982.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1991 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Parliamentary elections were held in February 1991. The first democratically elected government since Bangladesh independence came into office in March. One of the first steps taken by the new government in the CHT issue was the declaration of a general amnesty to the insurgents, with cash rewards for the surrender of their arms. On June 10. 1991 the government announced that it would grant limited autonomy to the CHT councils and hand over all local Government powers to the 3 CHT councils.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: No or Low Activity
Date of termination: 1991-12-31
Comment on Termination: The conflict did not reach 25 battle-related deaths in 1992.
On 5 November the first ever political-level talks between the government and tribal representatives were conducted. The parties agreed on a ceasefire, lasting to the end of the year to allow for peace-efforts to take hold. The truce was, however, subsequently extended on several occasions up to the signing of the peace agreement on 2 December 1997.
Comment on Termination Date: PCJSS made a unilateral ceasefire declaration on 11 August 1992. On 5 November the move was formally reciprocated when the first ever political-level talks between the government and tribal representatives signed a truce and decided on a joint effort to find a political solution to the conflict. The truce was subsequently extended on several occasions, lasting up to the signing of the peace agreement on 2 December 1997.
1992 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The new, democratically elected government, headed by Begum Khaleda Zia, took several initiatives to find a political solution to the conflict. A multi-party Political committee was set up in mid 1992 with a directive to submit recommendations for a political solution of the conflict, and to facilitate negotiations with the PCJSS. Furthermore, on the background of improved interstate relations, India and Bangladesh made initial agreements to facilitate the repatriation of CHT refugees from India. For the new government this should be seen as an undertaking to prevent the use of Indian territory as guerrilla bases for the PCJSS insurgency. On 11 August 1992 the PCJSS declared a unilateral ceasefire for three months to pave the way for peace moves. The ceasefire has been subsequently extended up to the signing of the peace agreement in December 1997.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: The first ever political-level talks between the government and tribal representatives were conducted on 5 November 1992, deciding on a joint effort to find a political solution to the conflict and signing a truce initially lasting to the end of the year to allow for peace-efforts to take hold.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: India
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Indian involvement in the peace negotiations in the 1990s was spur headed by the large presence of tribal refugees in the neighbouring Indian state of Tripura, reaching 56 000 in the early 1990s. The refugee issue and the allegations of Indian support to the insurgency implied that the CHT conflict became embroiled in the broader issue of Indo- Bangladeshi relations. Against the backdrop of improved interstate relations in 1992, and extended negotiations in 1996, the two governments agreed to facilitate the repatriation of CHT refugees from India and to cooperate in combating insurgencies at both sides of their common border.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1993 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In May 1993 negotiations over return and rehabilitation of the refugees, the question of regional autonomy and the withdrawal of settlers from the area, were held between the government and Shanti Bahini in Khagrasori, in the northern part of the CHT.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1994 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1995 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1996 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1997 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Talks scheduled for December 1996, to find a political solution to the conflict, were adjourned until late January 1997. Several rounds of negotiations between the newly elected government and the PCJSS were subsequently conducted during the year, allegedly addressing substantial issues of the incompatibility. The talks remained, however, inconclusive until the last meeting in late November 1997. 2 December 1997, a comprehensive peace agreement was signed between the PCJSS and the government.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2002 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2004 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2006 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2009 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2010 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2015 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2017 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2019 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2020 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2022 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2023 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2024 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2025 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
