Prothom-alo, February 16, 2004
News text: A Bengali organization in the name of "Equal Rights in CHT",
has taken up road blockade program demanding equal rights in
Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban, the three hill districts of CHT.
Yesterday, on Sunday, in a day long program, the president of the 'equal
rights' movement and president of Bandarban Press Club, Prof, Osman Gani
declared this program in a community center at Chittagong city. In this
gathering, Dr. Kamal Hossain and Prof. Meshbah Kamal was charged with
the act of instigating against the sovereignty and integrity of the land
of Bangladesh and declared unwanted in CHT.
It has been declared that a dawn to dusk 'haratal' will be observed in
Khagrachari on 22nd February, in Rangamati on 23rd February and in
Bandarban district on 24th February.
Mr. Wadud Bhuiyan, the ruling MP from Khagrachari district was the chief
guest of the meeting. Among other delegates there were also Belayat
Hossain, Chairman of Ramghar Municipality, Abu Usup Chaudhuri,
administrator of Matiranga Municipality, Mashiur Alam Humayun, BNP
leader and Ex-member of Rangamati Hill District.
In this gathering the speakers termed Mr. Santu Larma, Chairman of the
Regional Council, Mr. Moni Sawpan Dewan. State minister of CHT Ministry,
Dr. Manik Lal Dewan, Chairman of the Rangamati Hill District as
anti-state elements and also demanded their removal and trial. The
Bengali leaders also demanded quick dissolution of the three Hill
District Councils for fresh election or handing over the responsibility
to the persons acceptable to all. Demands were also raised to reinstate
the land settlement process and making a list of the Bengali displace
persons along with provisions of ration supply.
The speakers further mentioned that the Bengalis in the three hill
districts are now neglected and oppressed. They do not have equal rights
there. The hill people are dominating at every level. They further
charged that Mr. Santu Larma and Mr. Moni Sawpan Dewan, bearing the
government flags in their cars have taken up stance against the
government. The speakers even demanded to eliminate the citizenship
rights of the hill people from CHT and drop their names from the
electoral list.
In reply to the delegates Mr. Wadud Bhuiyan said that it is not possible
to solve all the problems within one week of this gathering. Agreeing on
all the points of demands Mr. Wadud Bhuiyan however assured that from
the present democratic government or, whoever comes to power in the
future they will realized their demands from them.
(Translated from Bangla by Japan CHT Committee)