The Daily Star, Sun. August 31, 2003


Worried CHT rajas seek multi-ethnic police force


Staff Correspondent

Two ethnic community kings and a prince yesterday asked the government to form a multi-ethnic police force in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) to fight crime in the region.

Emerging from a meeting with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at her office yesterday, Chakma Raja Devasish Roy told The Daily Star that he put especial emphasis on the force in the wake of the recent ethnic violence at Mahalchhari.

Khaleda assured Devasish, Mong Raja Pai Hla Prue Chowdhury and prince Cha Hla Prue, son of Bhomong Raja Saw Hla Prue, of taking necessary steps.

The ethnic community leaders also said insufficient facilities and amenities were hobbling their efforts to discharge whatever regal authority and responsibilities they enjoy.

They sought minimum government support including increased allocations and facilities for the welfare of the ethnic communities.

Khaleda sought cooperation of the ethnic chiefs and communities in maintaining peace in the CHT, saying it was imperative for massive development in the region.

The ethnic community leaders also assured her of all-out cooperation to give peace and development in the CHT a big push.

The kings asked the premier to take effective measures to resolve land disputes, reserve forests and maintain peace in the region.

The circle chiefs are currently working voluntarily as administrative advisers and overseeing the activities of headmen and traders in their communities.

They also discharge some legal responsibilities and help collect tax without any government assistance or honorarium.

The tribal chiefs asked the government to provide each of them with some facilities, including an office, a residence, private transportation, additional administrative manpower and an annual allocation for local celebrations.

They also asked the government to give them the status of Very Important Person (VIP) at state institutions.

"The PM has assured us that she will look into the proposals," said Devasish.

The premier accepted another proposal for holding an annual 'exchange of opinion" between the ethnic chiefs and the CHT affairs ministry.

Khaleda told the chiefs that apart from the government programmes, the development community including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) were carrying out development activities in Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban districts.

The UNDP has already set up its office in the CHT to carry out uplift efforts, she added.

The premier said the CHT boasted not only natural resources, but also an enormous potential for tourism to flourish, saying peace and order were essential to explore the opportunity.

She informed the leaders that a decision had been taken to transfer some responsibilities to the Hill District Councils to expand their jurisdictions.

The CHT kings congratulated the premier on her government's decision to set up district and sessions judge's courts in the three hill districts.

The cabinet at its last meeting approved the plan, which will be tabled in the next session of parliament.

They also thanked the prime minister for preserving the indigenous people's customary laws and practices in formulating the law for setting up the courts.

They said they believe in Bangladeshi nationality that preserved their individuality, tradition, culture, rituals, customs and practices. "I'm in favour of Bangladeshi nationalism," Devasish told The Daily Star emerging from the meeting.

Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Uddin Siddiqui and CHT Affairs Secretary Syed Mushtak were present.