CHT Regulation 1900: The Legal Backbone of Hill Administration
You cannot speak about law in the Hill Tracts without understanding the ‘Manual.’ The CHT Regulation 1900 is the constitution of our traditional administration.
This is an educational post about the source of the Chakma Circle’s legal power. It breaks down the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation 1900 (often called ‘The Manual’). Specifically, it highlights the sections that empower the Raja and Headmen to police their respective areas, collect revenue, and adjudicate tribal matters. It explains why this 125-year-old law is still vital for maintaining order in the region.
Recent Updates
Modernizing Customary Law: Adapting Tradition for Today’s Justice
Tradition is not static; it flows like a river. As society changes, so must our laws. The Chakma Circle is currently undergoing a quiet legal revolution, interpreting ancient customs through the lens of modern human rights.
Customary Law vs. State Law: How They Coexist in the CHT
Living in the Chakma Circle means navigating two legal worlds: the laws of Bangladesh and the Customary Laws of the ancestors. But how do they work together? Does the police intervene in a tribal divorce? Does the Raja judge a theft?
Land Disputes and the Headman’s Court: The First Line of Defense
In the hills, land is life. But who decides where one man’s land ends and another’s begins? Enter the Mouza Headman. Tasked with the authority to oversee land management, the Headman’s court is often the battleground for resolving complex boundary disputes.