The Daily Star, Thu. September 25, 2003
Staff Correspondent
Leaders of the Parbatya Chattagram Jono Shanghoti Samity (PCJSS) yesterday condemned the comments directed at Shantu Larma by the Khagrachari Jote at a recent rally as vulgar, communal and baseless.
"The comments were unwanted and disappointing," a PCJSS press release read. "Larma did not make any audacious comments on the prime minister in any way, rather Larma spoke of the legal land rights of the hills people and the proper implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Treaty."
The leaders added "hatching a conspiracy to divert issues away from the hill tracts will not bring any benefits for the CHT or the entire nation." Asking citizens to be aware of "petty conspirators" and urging "democratic and humanitarian organisations", the leaders announced that "we will build a unified movement to confront the perpetrators of Mahalchari."
President of the PCJSS Pranati Bikash Chakma, General Secretary Sudhakar Tripura,
and Bihanu Chowdhuri of the Pahari Chatra Parishad were the principal signatories
of the statement.