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The Daily Star, Vol. 5 Num 206 7 more govt depts to be handed over to CHT dist councils Our Correspondent, Rangamati The BNP-led coalition government is proceeding with implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord. "The Prime Minister who is in charge of CHT Ministry assigned us to listen to you, your needs and to make a recommendation to her base on a bottom up approach", said leader of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on CHT Affairs and ruling BNP MP Md Mosharaf Hossain during a meeting with representatives of indigenous communities and officials here on Saturday. He led a nine-member team which visited Rangamati and Khagrachharai hill districts. Its visit to Bandarban on Monday was postponed at the last moment. The government is "closely attached" to the CHT people, he told the meeting where the indigenous leaders placed several demands relating to implementation of the peace accord and development of the CHT region. "Basically, the problem is that people of this region are suffering from a crisis of confidence, which is a fallout of the long-drawn armed insurgency. "We need to keep in mind that no one is less patriot, all are Bangladeshis", Mosharaf said. "The government, meantime, has extended the tenure of the chairman of CHT Land Commission for three years, appointed an indigenous person to the post of chairman of the Taskforce on Rehabilitation of Returnee Refugees and Internal Refugees, and is preparing to hand over seven more government departments to the Hill District Councils. "A letter will be sent to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs seeking suggestion to hold election to the CHT Regional Council and Hill District Councils and other local bodies". "Besides, development projects backed by donors are being implemented to reduce poverty and restore confidence", he added. The meeting, held at the Rangamati Hill District Auditorium, was presided over by Deputy Minister for CHT Affairs Moniswapon Dewan. The speakers included Rangamati Hill District Council Chairman Dr Maniklal Dewan, Chakma Circle chief Devashish Roy, former advisors to President BK Dewan and AK Dewan, retired civil servant Nirmolendu Tripura, Mothuralal Chakma, Madhobilota Chakma, Tuku Talukder, Sagarika Roaza, Advocate Shaktiman Chakma, Biru Kumar Tanchangya, U Sha Hla Roaza and Manosh Mukur Chakma. JS committee members BNP MP Wadood Bhuiyan, Shahjahan Choudhury MP, Md Shahjahan MP, Mustafa Kamal Pasa MP and Moazzem Hossain Alal MP were present at the meeting. Devashish Roy and Nirmolendu Tripura suggested reconstitution of the CHT Ministry advisory and representation of all ethnic groups to the CHTRC and HDCs. "They need help to save themselves from extinction", Nirmolendu Tripura said. Tuku Talukder in her speech urged the parliamentary body to take steps to ensure representation of elected women leaders to the HDCs and increase their number in the CHTRC. Md Shahjahan MP said, "The government is implementing the peace accord in phases". "The decision is very clear. The government does not see the accord from the standpoint of any political party", he said. He admitted that land dispute is the prime problem in CHT. "It needs careful attention and so we have come to listen to you". Deputy Minister for CHT affairs Moniswapon Dewan said. He said the Prime Minister has approved UNDP's 5-year development |