At the inaugural of the government-UNDP project called promotion of
development and confidence-building in CHT on Saturday Santu Larma spoke
as the chief guest. He did so in his important capacity as chairman of
the Interim Regional Council. As chief of the PCJSS he had been a
signatory to the peace accord on the tribal side nearly half a decade
ago kindling hopes for an all round development of the Chittagong Hill
Tracts.
Apparently in the risk assessment report by UNDP, Mr Larma's party has
been mentioned as a 'terror group', whereas, according to Mr. Larma, the
group opposed to the peace treaty was portrayed in good light in the
same report. We understand his sentiment on the issue, especially at a
time when he is heading the interim council in the area, but we also
think that his reaction to the points made in the report tantamount to
an overreaction.
Let's get a few things clear. UNDP based the risk assessment report on
various factors in order to initiate the development work that had long
been suspended. They not only tried to tap the development potential but
also weighed the risk factor. It was the kidnapping of three foreigners
from the area in early 2001 which caused the suspension of development
work. Therefore before making the allegation that only his party was
singled out in the report, Mr. Larma should see the report from the
right perspective. Also, quite a few non- government organisations are
involved in the programme, so that it will be erroneous to suggest that
in the selection of projects they were biased towards the settlers as
opposed to the tribals. There couldn't have been such partiality so far
as the donor community and NGOs went. It is the development potential of
the areas that must have been the chosen criterion.
UNDP is resuming work in the region after two years, not only because
much time has already been wasted, but also because they think the time
is right: security has markedly improved in the area. The government
seems keen to break the stalemate, too. Therefore, any discordant voice
from the top leader of the area could only prove to be
counter-productive which no one wants. Maybe the regional council should
have been consulted more intensely before drawing up the programme; the
process is not over yet. But let no one mix development with politics.
It is of the essence though, that the government hold council elections
so that a truly representative regional council can be formed to
coordinate with the development partners when necessary to avoid any
misunderstanding.
Independent
Dhaka, Bangladesh Issue 1817 June 15 2003 Sunday
UNDP launches uplift programme in CHT
Staff Reporter
A partnership of Government, NGOs and donor community was formed
involving the local people for the development of the people of
Chittagong Hills Tracts yesterday, according to a UNDP press release
here.
The people and the institutions of the CHT will shape their own
modalities of 'bottom up' development keeping an eye on the requirements
of the area through this partnership, which, UNDP Resident
Representative Jorgen Lissner defined as 'a new era of development
initiative, with international donors support'.
The commitment was announced formally during the inaugural ceremony of
the new Chittagong Hill Tracts Development facility office in Rangamati.
The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs has welcomed the
initiatives through the new partnership and looked forward to 'close
collaboration' with the partners. "This is our best chance to build the
confidence and consolidate peace in the Hill Tracts," said Deputy
Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts, Moni Swapan Dewan, while delivering
his concluding speech at the inaugural ceremony,
The partnership would facilitate self-reliant approaches to development
that the 'local people and the institutions have defined for
themselves'. The measure would be based on empowering the local people
to take charge of the community-driven development planning and
implementation.
"We will work to strengthen their capacities and support their small
projects widely across the Hill Tracts. Our common goal is to build
confidence and to turn the peace initiatives into development treaties
that will reduce poverty and benefit the people," Lissner said.
Conflicts in the Chittagong Hill Tracts over the past three decades have
inhibited development in the area. But, the report said, people are now
on the threshold of reaping the fruits of new development opportunities.
Local communities, national Government, international donors and UNDP
officially re-started the development activities in the region.
Most of the development activities were scaled down in the Chittagong
Hill Tracts two years ago after three foreign engineers working on a
Danish-funded project were kidnapped. In August 2002, however, UNDP
coordinated a joint Government and Donor mission to access the security
situation prospects of the region.
The project has initiated a Multi-donor 'Quick Impact Fund'. A fund of
about Tk 300,000 would be established initially. The project is designed
to run for one year with the initial fund, having the 'intention of
providing quick impact development assistance that would lead to more
extensive and long term joint Government and multi-donor development
support programme in the locality in future.