http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/dec/03/03122003mt.htm#A2
STAFF REPORTER
Chairman of CHT Regional Council Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma at a press conference in the city yesterday announced a four-point ‘programme of movement’ on behalf of his party Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS).
The four-point programme include mobilising public opinion across the country to press home full implementation of the historic 1997 CHT peace treaty, drawing up next movement strategy in the first week of January, formation of indigenous forum and support groups for ethnic population with progressive parties of the country and observing hartal in the region on December 8.
"We demand withdrawal of all temporary army camps from CHT and appointment of a full minister of the CHT affairs within 31st December," Santu Larma said and warned that his party would launch a vigorous movement if the demands were not met by the deadline. The press conference was organised by the PCJSS at the National Press Club. Santu Larma read out the written statement at the press briefing marking the sixth anniversary of the CHT peace accord.
Larma also identified some 27 points of the Peace Accord that, he said, have not been implemented until now.
"We have classified the fundamental factors of the peace accord that remain unimplemented, under four major categories. Those include general issues, factors related to district council, CHT Regional Council and rehabilitation and general amnesty," Larma pointed out.
He said that the unimplemented points of the peace accord are lack of initiatives to amend the CHT Regulations Manual 1900 and working regulations of different ministries and other laws and rules regarding CHT and lack of initiative for reconstruction of CHT Treaty Implementation Committee after the present government came to power.
As regards the district council, the government is yet to formulate Election Rules for the three hill districts, he said demanding that only the permanent residents of the CHT be made voters.
"The government did not conform to the provision of the peace treaty to determine permanent residency of Bengalis through Circle Chiefs rather endowed the respective Deputy Commissioners with the power in parallel with the Circle Chiefs," Larma said.
Larma also alleged that CHT Regional Council laws had not yet been implemented and expressed utter frustration regarding non-allocation of adequate funds to the Regional Council.
Regarding rehabilitation and general amnesty, the PCJSS chief accused the government of non-withdrawal of 469 temporary army camps out of 500 and continuation of, what he said ‘army rule’ in the name of ‘Operation Uttaran’ in CHT.
‘The government is yet to withdraw cases in military courts against members of the PCJSS and their relatives although the cases were supposed to be withdrawn after the signing of the 1997 peace accord," Larma told the press conference.
Around 1339 jumma refugee families could not yet return to their homesteads and 3,055 families are yet to get back their lands. Around 40 jumma villages still remained occupied by the settlers, he alleged.
"Neither the Awami League government of Sheikh Hasina nor the present BNP government of Khaleda Zia showed any willingness to solve the problems and implement the treaty in full," Larma noted.
Vice-President of PCJSS Rupayan Dewan, DU Professor Mesbah Kamal, Monk Sumanalanker Mahathero, writer Sanjeev Drong and others also addressed the press conference.