Rehabilitation of Jumma refugees demanded
72-hour road barricade in Khagrachari from Sept 26
Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari
Chittagong Hill Tracts Repatriate Jumma Refugee Welfare Association (RJRWA) leaders yesterday threatened of a 72-hour road barricade in Khagrachhari from September 26 if effective steps are not announced by that time for proper rehabilitation of repatriated Jumma refugees.They have also demanded security of life of all people in the hills and adequate relief for the Jumma people affected in Mahalchhari in the August 26 incidents. The RJRWA leaders announced the agitation programme at a press conference at the Khagrachhari Press Club. Its secretary Shantoshita Chakma Bakul read out a written statement at the press conference, also addressed by its president Povhakor Chakma. Provakor alleged that there is a fresh bid to "oust" Jumma (tribal) people from the hills. This is evident from the fact that the refugees have not been properly rehabilitated, which is violation of the agreement signed with the government in 1996. Since then, at least five incident of attack on Jumma people took places, the Mahalchhari incident being the latest, he said. He said a stalemate is prevailing regarding refugee rehabilitation although a taskforce is there for this. The press conference was attended by, among others, Ajit Boron Chakma, Bimolendu Chakma, Profullo Kumar Chakma, Thoi Hla Pru Marma and Niyong Karbery, all leaders of RJRWA.
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