"We have an understanding now. But things haven't been finalised yet and we will have to sit with them (the UNDP) again," said PCJSS Chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma alias Shantu Larma.

The bone of contention between the PCJSS and the UNDP was that the UN agency's local office did not involve the CHT Regional Council headed by Larma in its development projects.

The other thorny issue was that the CHT's Bangalee settlers were also made project beneficiaries, which, according to the PCJSS, allegedly violated the UN's development strategy for CHT's indigenous people.

The UNDP pulled out of the region after three foreign nationals were abducted in February 2001. After a detailed risk assessment survey in the region, it announced it would resume its development activities from July 2003. It also set up offices and appointed staff in the three districts to that end.

But the PCJSS allegations, for all practical purposes, brought the UNDP's development works to a standstill.

Now after the understanding, Bangalee settlers and also indigenous internal refugees receiving rations from the government will be left out of the UNDP programme, which will target only the most disadvantaged groups that receive no aid from any source.

"We have decided not to cover the ration recipients under our programme. We now have a good understanding with the regional council and our officials have already been to Rangamati to prepare the groundwork for the project," said Jorgen Lissner, the resident representative of the UNDP.

Under the programme titled 'Promotion of Development and Confidence Building in the CHT', indigenous communities in 500 villages in the region will receive training and tools for income-generating activities. Tk 3 lakh has been earmarked for each of the villages under the five-million-dollar project.

The UNDP also agreed to involve the PCJSS in the decision making process for all its projects in the region.

Sources said the UNDP will soon take up some development programmes for the people affected by the Kaptai dam, internal refugees who returned from camps in India and also for the PCJSS members who surrendered their arms following the CHT peace treaty in 1997.