PM wants end to CHT land dispute

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said most of the works under the guidelines of the CHT peace accord, except land reform, had been completed.

"All army camps except four brigades would be withdrawn from the hills," she said.

The PM was addressing the foundation laying ceremony of 'Parbatya Chattagram Complex' (Chittagong Hill Tracts Complex) on Bailey Road in the city.

She said her government constituted and reconstituted the commission for land reform in the CHT areas time and again, but its work could not progress satisfactorily because of some mistrust and confusions.

"To find out a solution, both sides need to sit across the table."

The government was making progress in the implementation of the CHT accord. The rest of the work would be done gradually, she said.

Only four brigades would be there in the CHT, Hasina said, adding "most of the army camps in the CHT have already been closed and rest of the camps would be withdrawn."

Referring to the demand for amending some sections of the CHT act, the PM said dialogues had already been launched on this issue.

The government was ready to do everything what was possible under the constitutional framework after upholding country's independence and sovereignty.

The PM said the CHT people were citizens of Bangladesh and that was why the government took massive programmes for the benefit of the area, including developing local road communications, power supply and telecommunications.

She said CHT Development Board Act 2014 had been enacted to expedite the pace of development in the Chittagong hill tracts. Changes were brought in the administrative system and most of the tasks were transferred under the authority of deputy commissioners.

Hasina expressed her pleasure for having laid the foundation of the CHT complex on the International Mother's Day and 155th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore yesterday.

She said the complex would bring enormous opportunities and benefits for the people of the CHT.

The PM also thanked Santu Larma for having trust in her and alleged that every political party, except the BNP, had joined hand with the peace process.

The BNP even enforced hartal on the days of the signing of the peace accord and surrendering of arms by rebels, she said.

Hasina termed the peace agreement a unique one as it was signed without the mediation of any foreign country or third party.

She said apart from setting up bridges, pole and culverts, around 1,359 kilometers of roads were constructed in the CHT regions. Due to inaccessibility of grid line, the government took steps to ensure solar panels for the homes in the area, she added.

Deputy Leader of Parliament and Convener of CHT Peace Accord Implementation and Monitoring Committee Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Minister for Housing and Public Works Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Chairman of CHT Regional Council Joytirindra Bodhi Priya Larma (Santu Larma), Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on CHT Affairs RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury attended the function as special guests.