Editorial
CHT Agreement
Unfulfilled commitment
We are disappointed by the lack of progress in implementation of the CHT Agreement of 1997. Over the past nine years no serious effort has been made in putting the various terms of the agreement into effect. This issue has been one patent case of apathy and unwarranted negligence on the part of the government. It is a pity that the agreement has been put in the back burner, left to languish. We do certainly owe an apology to the peoples of the CHT for the abject failure. What the government seems to have overlooked is the fact that the agreement has been signed on behalf of the state and no matter who is in power it has an obligation to fulfill it or take measures to remove any hurdle that might crop up in the process of its implementation. Admittedly, there may exist certain issues in the terms of the agreement that may require renegotiation, but nothing has been done in this regard either. Has the government felt the need to approach the other signatory to discuss ways and means to remove any impediment? Can the people of the CHT be faulted for questioning the government's intention and for losing confidence in it? The people of the Hill Tracts are very much a part of the nation and they too should have equal rights and privileges just as any other citizen of the country. As it is the country is passing through a political crisis and discord. Surely, we do not need yet another one to linger and stagnate. Complicated as it may appear, it is our belief that given the will and sincerity, we should be able to overcome any real or perceived bottlenecks that exist in the agreement through mutual discussion. Let us also remember that doing nothing about the implementation is not an option. Keeping the treaty in limbo does not help the country in any way. On the contrary, if anything, it is bound to damage the good image of the country. Let us stop treating the agreement as mere piece of literature.
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