http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/02/15/d4021501099.htm
The Daily Star, Vol. 4 Num 256
Sun. February 15, 2004
Pinaki Roy
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has reached an
understanding with Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) and
is expected to resume its development activities in Chittagong Hill
Tracts (CHT) soon, ending a three-year impasse.
"We have an understanding now. But things haven't been finalised yet and
we will have to sit with them (the UNDP) again," said PCJSS Chairman
Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma alias Shantu Larma.
The bone of contention between the PCJSS and the UNDP was that the UN
agency's local office did not involve the CHT Regional Council headed by
Larma in its development projects.
The other thorny issue was that the CHT's Bangalee settlers were also
made project beneficiaries, which, according to the PCJSS, allegedly
violated the UN's development strategy for CHT's indigenous people.
The UNDP pulled out of the region after three foreign nationals were
abducted in February 2001. After a detailed risk assessment survey in
the region, it announced it would resume its development activities from
July 2003. It also set up offices and appointed staff in the three
districts to that end.
But the PCJSS allegations, for all practical purposes, brought the
UNDP's development works to a standstill.
Now after the understanding, Bangalee settlers and also indigenous
internal refugees receiving rations from the government will be left out
of the UNDP programme, which will target only the most disadvantaged
groups that receive no aid from any source.
"We have decided not to cover the ration recipients under our programme.
We now have a good understanding with the regional council and our
officials have already been to Rangamati to prepare the groundwork for
the project," said Jorgen Lissner, the resident representative of the
UNDP.
Under the programme titled 'Promotion of Development and Confidence
Building in the CHT', indigenous communities in 500 villages in the
region will receive training and tools for income-generating activities.
Tk 3 lakh has been earmarked for each of the villages under the
five-million-dollar project.
The UNDP also agreed to involve the PCJSS in the decision making process
for all its projects in the region.
Sources said the UNDP will soon take up some development programmes for
the people affected by the Kaptai dam, internal refugees who returned
from camps in India and also for the PCJSS members who surrendered their
arms following the CHT peace treaty in 1997.