http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/12/03/d41203020126.htm
The Daily Star, Vol. 5 Num 188
Fri. December 03, 2004
We have really not been fair to the people of CHT
Seven years have gone by since the CHT peace accord was signed by the
previous AL government and the representatives of the indigenous CHT
people. The accord was hailed as a milestone with the potential to bring
peace to the region, where armed militancy had derailed normal life.
It was seen as the starting point of rebuilding many things, notably
trust among the people living in the CHT. But the provisions
incorporated in the accord still remain unfulfilled. To begin with, the
constitutional changes required to implement the accord in its totality
have not been effected. It seems the change of government in 2001 has
led to dissipation of the momentum, vital for the implementation of
agreements on different issues, though the BNP, on assumption of power,
had committed itself to full implementation of the accord. The AL
government had made limited headway in ensuring the accord's
implementation in the four years since signing it in December 1997.
The unresolved issues are tricky, and their resolution crucial to
durable peace in the region. The controversy over voters' list persists,
and land survey and settlement are still elusive goals. So what have we
accomplished with the accord in the past seven years? It seems even the
psychological block in the form of mistrust could not be eliminated over
such a long period of time.
Shantu Larma, the PCJSS leader who had led the pro-peace elements among
the indigenous CHT people during negotiations with the government has
set a six-point demand in order to get the agreement fully implemented
waxing critical of the government's role. Some of his demands merit
attention. However, indigenous leaders should also address the issue of
in-fighting which is a major threat to stability and a roadblock to
speedy implementation of the accord. They must strive to attain a
minimum degree of unanimity among themselves on the thorny issues. The
implementation of the accord and establishment of the rights of all
groups, will not be possible in the present atmosphere of discord.
Peace in the CHT is crucially important not only for the region, but
also to the nation as whole. The CHT has great development potential
which can be exploited only through concerted efforts on the part of all
concerned in a peaceful, stable situation.