State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur said politicians must become more aware of issues in the hill areas or Bangladesh could face major crises that may threaten its sovereignty. He made the remarks on August 12 at a National Press Club seminar on alleged conspiracies, sovereignty challenges and solutions in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, organized by the Ex-Forces Association.

Nur said he had read media reports alleging that weapons were entering the hills through three routes and had been bought from the Arakan Army. He also said armed groups possessed Uzi pistols, and raised India or Myanmar as possible sources of heavy weapons and training. These were presented as his assertions at the seminar.

He criticized calls to withdraw the army from the Chittagong Hill Tracts, while saying some issues could be addressed through dialogue. Prime Minister’s political assistant Rashed Khan said removing the army would increase unrest and create opportunities for extortion. Nur also said intelligence agencies should identify such threats and warned against allowing political interests to override national interests.