Source: The Prothom-alo, Editorial, early June 2003
On the last Thursday the CHT Regional Council (RC) crossed the fourth year mark of its formation. But there is allegation with a deep sentiment of frustration from the part of the leaderships of the hill people that in the last four years period no definite executive role of the CHT Regional Council had been ensured or no efforts from the part of the government in this regard had been taken.
The CHT Regional Council was formed as per the condition CHT Peace Accord signed in 1997 and the enactment of the subsequent legislative act in the parliament. As per this act the CHT Regional Council is entrusted with the responsibility of supervising the over all activities of the CHT development Board, the three Hill District Councils, the general administration, law and order situation and the police administration. But the necessary enactments of the provisions and the regulations towards this end are yet to be done. For this purpose the RC proposed more than twenty provisions and regulations but except one the government did not consent the other provisions and regulations. For the last fours years the government did not consent the two important provisions related to the status and emoluments of the Chairman of the RC and the provisions related to the executive functions of the RC. Both the signatory government of the last tenure and the present government have the responsibility in this regard.
The formation of the RC is the result of a justified and rational action but the all the hopes and aspirations of the hill people based on the RC are yet to be fulfilled. Not only that due to disrespect and negligence from the part of the government to fulfill its commitment frustrations and grievances are now piling up in the mind of the hill people. There are allegations that the Hill Districts Councils, the CHT Development Board, general administration and the police forces very often violate the directives of the RC. The subjects related to issuing the permanent resident certificates, making an electoral list, the issue of resolving the cases land-disputes etc remained suspended as the executive functions of the RC is yet to be enacted. In fact, there are reasons for the frustrations and grievances in mind of the hill people.
From the source of the RC we are asked to focus the intensity of their grievances and the prevailing situations. The RC source further mentioned that if the situation continues like this they will be left with no options but to resign all together as the hill people are not getting any benefit out of the RC.
We think that with an aim to end bloodshed and bring about peace after more than two decades long conflict the peace agreement was signed. So it is the moral responsibility of the government to implement the provisions of the Peace Accord. Implementation of the main provisions of the accord can be achieved only through proper functioning of the RC and it may also create conducive environment to fulfill other provisions. Above all it is important to reach the benefits the peace accord to all the homes of the hill people so that the felling of deception out of this accord does not come to their mind. Otherwise the grievances and frustrations will be intensified. It is not a health affair for national solidarity and development to any state or government by keeping a section of its own people amidst frustration and grievances.
Translated from Bengali by Japan CHT Committee