The peace talks between the government-appointed National Committee on CHT and the Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS) seems to be nearing the end of a long road. Once signed, the agreement will end the 23-year insurgency that traces its roots back to the time of the previous Awami League government of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The PCJSS has indicated that they would like to sign the final CHT peace agreement on 25 November to coincide with the tripartite (Bangladesh-Pakistan-India) economic summit and Indian Prime Minister I.K. Gujral's visit to Bangladesh.
Any agreement on the CHT would be a personal political victory for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Only that the dialogue is facing hurdles in its final stages.
For starters, what has been reported as one of the highlights of the agreement – the PCJSS's long-standing demand that "unnecessary" army camps and border posts be withdrawn or dismantled in the CHT – is being strenuously opposed by Begum Khaleda Zia of the opposition BNP. Saying that this would be a grievous breach of national security, the BNP has called for a nation-wide strike on the day the treaty is signed.
The peace agreement had initially been expected to be signed earlier this year before the ceasefire agreement with the PCJSS expired on 30 June. But an attack in May by Shanti Bahini "regulars" in olive uniforms on a border outpost in Banderban killing a Bangladesh Rifles soldier and two tribals led to the postponement. The BNP has been using the example of this attack to term the PCJSS demand unacceptable.