Shantu places 6-point charter of demand to solve CHT problems
Staff Correspondent
Full implementation of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord is not possible without a secular and democratic government in the country, said Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Shantu Larma, president of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS). He was speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city yesterday to mark the eighth anniversary of CHT peace accord signed on December 2, 1997. It was organised by the PCJSS to press the demand for full implementation of the CHT peace accord. At the press conference, Shantu Larma placed a six-point charter of demand to solve the problems prevailing in the hill region. These included holding of national and local elections following separate voter lists of the permanent inhabitants in the hill region, immediate withdrawal of temporary army camps and suspension of 'Operation Uttaran' conducted by the armed forces, activation of Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Commission and rehabilitation of all ethnic refugees. He said, "Awami League government signed the accord but could not implement it fully. The present coalition government is working against the accord." "Islamist militants have set up hideouts in the hill region. They have close links with their counterparts in Myanmar. These separatist militants have been providing training to Bangladeshi militants posing serious threat to the country," said Shantu Larma, a former guerrilla leader. He said different vested quarters are now engaged in various activities in a bid to deprive the hill people of their rights. These are intrusion of Bangali settlers in the hill region, encroachment of Adivasi lands, attempt to increase the number of Bangali settlers to soar vote banks, creation of division between the Bangali and Hilly people, and encroachment of lands for setting up of military camps, he added. Shantu Larma alleged that Sama Adhikar Andolon, an organisation of the settlers, and United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), a terrorist outfit, have been carrying out anti-treaty activities with the assistance of the Armed Forces. Jana Sanghati Samity General Secretary Laxmi Prasad Chakma, Information and Publicity Secretary Mangal Kumar Chakma, Adivasi Forum leader Juhinal Khasia, Andrew Solemor, and Hill Women's Federation President Choitali Tripura were present at the press conference.
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