02/06/2026
Chittagong Hill Tracts: Deep in Discontent — Dipen Dewan's Resignation and the Larger Context
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Dipen Dewan's resignation as Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs on June 1, 2026, is not an ordinary event. It is a reflection of the complex political, social, ethnic and geopolitical equations of the hilly region. He submitted his resignation citing physical illness — a polite and formal explanation often used in political life. But considering the reality of the hills, the lack of implementation of agreements, the controversy over the appointment of state ministers, and the context of regional and international games, many are seeing this resignation as a sign of deep dissatisfaction and a crisis of trust.
Dipen Dewan's political journey is an example of sacrifice and dedication. Born in 1963 in Rangamati, this leader completed his law degree from Dhaka University. Under family pressure, he joined the 7th BCS and served as a Senior Joint District Judge for about 19-20 years. During the BNP's bad times, at the direct invitation of Begum Khaleda Zia, he voluntarily left his job in 2005-2006 and entered full-time politics. His father, Subimal Dewan, served as the Tribal Affairs Advisor/State Minister during Ziaur Rahman's tenure.
Dipen Dewan served as the Rangamati District BNP President for a long time and became a full-time minister after winning the Rangamati-299 constituency by a huge margin in the 2026 elections for the first time as an MP. The party leadership believes that he played an important role in strengthening the BNP's organizational base in the hills.
But the problem of the Chittagong Hill Tracts is not the problem of any single person or government. The Bengali-Hilly divide here is rooted in historical, administrative and demographic changes. Kaptai Dam, military operations, land acquisition, Bengali migration and demands for autonomy - these are the reasons for the lack of trust that has existed for a long time. The 1997 Hill Peace Accord is the main document to resolve this conflict. Clause 19 of Part ‘D’ of the Accord clearly states: “A Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs shall be established by appointing a Minister from among the tribals.” This clause is symbolic of ensuring tribal representation. Dipen Dewan was made the (Tribal) Minister, but the appointment of Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, a non-Hilly leader elected from Chittagong-5, as a Minister of State in the same ministry sparked intense discontent in February-March 2026.
The Jana Sanghati Samiti (JSS), along with 35 prominent hill people, and other organizations protested against it as being against the spirit of the Accord. They claimed that tribal representation was being undermined under the leadership of the ministry and that the lack of understanding of local complexities, land, culture and autonomy by outsiders could exacerbate the problem.
Against this backdrop of discontent, many are viewing Dipen Dewan's resignation not only as a health issue, but also as a result of administrative pressure, lack of coordination, and failure to meet the expectations of the hill people. Resignation letters usually mention personal, family, or health reasons for the sake of politeness and political etiquette. But if Saching Pru Jerry (Bandarban MP, member of the royal family of Bomang Circle, and an influential BNP leader) is not appointed as a minister or if he does not accept the offer without giving any reason, then the situation will become more complicated. Saching Pru Jerry is a symbol of the traditional leadership of the hills. His reluctance or neglect may create a perception among the hill people that the BNP government is not showing sensitivity to the hill issues like previous governments.
The problem of the hills is not just internal. Regional and global games are being played here. The impact of Myanmar's conflict in the Arakan (Rakhine) region is being felt in the Chittagong Hill Tracts — there are allegations that terrorist activities of various groups, arms smuggling, drugs and the refugee crisis are increasing. Allegations of increased surveillance by Pakistan's ISI, Turkey's MIT and American intelligence agencies are also being discussed in various quarters. Some see the demand for the formation of 'Zumland' as a conspiracy to create a separate Christian-dominated state, which is going on around the India-Bangladesh-Myanmar border region. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's tweets and speeches on India's 'Chicken Neck' (Siliguri Corridor) have also referred to Chittagong as a second Chicken Neck and hinted at a threat, which has made the stability of the hills even more vulnerable.
Allegations of free movement and increasing power of radical groups in the hills are also not new. All this has created deep dissatisfaction among a section of the hill population. They believe that no government can gain their trust unless the agreement is fully implemented, land rights, autonomy and cultural protection are ensured. If the resignation of a dedicated leader like Dipen Dewan is an expression of this dissatisfaction, the situation may become more complicated if an influential leader like Saching Pru Jerry is not given a ministry quickly or if he does not accept it.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts are an integral part of Bangladesh. The solution to the problems here is not only administrative, but also political dialogue, the spiritual implementation of the agreement and the joint development of all communities (Bengalis and Hills). If Dipen Dewan's resignation is for genuine health reasons, then I wish him well. But if there is deep dissatisfaction, a crisis of representation and geopolitical pressure behind it, then the government should quickly rebuild trust by respectfully including the Hill leadership. Otherwise, the instability in the Hills may become a threat not only to local but also to national security and regional stability.
