The Daily Star, Vol. 5 Num 187
Thu. December 02, 2004
Staff Correspondent
The government does not have any intention to fully implement the
Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) accord and it is rather 'supporting
anti-indigenous forces' in the hill region, Chairman of the CHT Regional
Council Joytirindra Bhodhipriya Larma alias Shantu Larma alleged
yesterday.
The objectives of the peace accord signed seven years ago on December
2,1997 is yet to be fulfilled, said Larma, also chairman of the Parbatya
Chattgram Janasanghati Samity (PCJSS).
Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka on the eve of seventh
anniversary of the accord, he put forward a six-point demand and called
upon the government to meet them immediately in the greater interest of
the country.
Meanwhile, the PCJSS will go for an agitation programme in the three
hill districts today demanding full implementation of the accord, our
correspondents reported.
Larma, who signed the agreement on behalf of the PCJSS, said fundamental
clauses of the accord have not been implemented yet.
"People in the hill region are frustrated that the accord has not been
implemented fully. If the government does not fulfil our demand, it will
be responsible for any consequences there," Larma told the press
conference held at the Jatiya Press Club.
The six-point demand includes full implementation of the accord
immediately, removal of Wadud Bhuiyan MP from the chairmanship of CHT
Development Board as, Larma said, he is the 'mastermind' behind burning
down Mahalchhari villages in Khagrachhari last year.
Larma also demanded an end to 'Operation Uttaran', withdrawal of army
from the CHT, appointment of an indigenous person as a full minister of
the CHT affairs ministry, proper functioning of the CHT land commission
and preparation of a voters' list comprising permanent residents of the
CHT.
The other demands include election to the regional council and Hill
District Councils and appointment of an indigenous to head the CHT
Development Board.
The regional council has no powers and the local administrations do not
naturally take it into account, Larma said. This shows how the
government's how the government views the council, he added.
After coming to power, the alliance government has slowed down
implementation of the accord, and so far it has only appointed chairman
of the Taskforce for Rehabilitation of Returnee Refugees. The government
agreed to do many things at meetings but never implemented them, the
PCJSS chief said.
The CHT accord had ended two decades of bush war and sought to make the
indigenous people happy by involving them in the local administration,
but their participation in the decision-making process remains
negligible.
The hill people are unhappy that army presence in the region continued
despite the peace accord.
After the signing of the accord, many Bangla -speaking people moved to
the CHT and settled there with the support of the administration, Larma
said.
The ratio of indigenous people and the settlers is now 55: 45, he
pointed out.
The PCJSS leaders present at the press conference included Mongal kumar
Chakma, Shaktipada Tripura, Shaktiman and Chakma. Yusuf Alam of Parbatya
Adi
Bangalee Parishad was also present.