14 September 2003 The Independent
Bengali, tribes harmony stressed
STAFF REPORTER, KHAGHRACHARI
Chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Regional Council Santu Larma yesterday alleged that a vested quarter of the four-party alliance government was mainly responsible for the Mahalchari tragedy.
He also said that the tense situation in the region would be prolonged if the CHT peace accord was not implemented.
While visiting the affected villages of Mahalchari under Khagrachari district, he said for the implementation of the peace accord Bangalees and tribal people will have to work together.
Santu Larma visited the village where a bloody clash between the Bangalees and the tribals had occurred on August 26.
He discussed the situation with the local administrative officials, Headmen, Carbaries, UP Chairmen and businessmen in a three-hour long close-door meeting before his visit to the affected villages.
Santu Larma visited Ramesupara, Babupara and Lemuchhari villages, where the villagers described their agony to him.
Addressing a brief meeting, Santu Larma claimed that political reasons might be responsible for the incident. "A vested quarter of the government is trying to destroy the peace of CHT," he said adding that implementation of the peace accord might bring peace among the people of CHT.
He also visited an affected Pagoda of Lemuchhari. Among others, Sudha Sindhu Khisa, Zafar Ahmed, Rowshan Ara, Shaktipoda Tripura accompanied him.
He distributed 30 metric tons of rice to the affected people. To repair their houses he also distributed 15,000 pieces of bamboo and 5,000 trunks of trees.
While visiting Ramesupara, he met with Golam Habib Dulal, MP and Presidium member of Jatiya Party (JP). Among others, JP leader Karim Uddin Bharasha, MP, Sheikh Showkat Hossain Nilu, MP, ATM Golam Mawla Chowdhury, Rezaul Karim Bhuiyan were present.
The JP leader said described the incident as pathetic and demanded that the hoodlums be punished. He also emphasised the implementation of the peace accord.
Meanwhile, protesting the Mahalchari tragedy, Janashanghati Samity called a demonstration programme at Larma Square today (Sunday). Santu Larma will be present at the programme.
Earlier, a five-member committee led by Mosharraf Hossain, MP, President of Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on CHT, visited the spot on September 8.
On September 9, a five-member team led by Abdul Hamid Advocate, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Jatiya Sangsad, visited the spot.
Armed miscreants abducted Rupan Mohajan, a tribal businessman, from Mahalchari
on August 24. Following this, a bloody clash between Bangalees and tribals occurred
on August 26 when at least 200 houses of nine villages were torched and Binod
Bihari Khisha, an old tribal man was killed by hoodlums.