National

Frame laws for CHT Land Commission

First meeting concludes without setting a date for the next round

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Commission in its first meeting here yesterday underscored the need for enactment of necessary laws for its functioning to start.

"Only the commission has been formed. It would never start functioning unless necessary laws are enacted", its member Jyotirindriya Bodhipriya larma alias Santu Larma told newsmen after the first closed-door meeting of the Commission, held at Khagrachhari Circuit House.

The meeting was held from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Commission's Chairman Justice AM Mahmudur Rahman, a retired judge of the High Court, chaired the meeting.

Talking to newsmen briefly, Justice Rahman said, "The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. Discussions on sorting out the problems towards functioning of the commission figured prominently at the first meeting today.

"Parliament is responsible for bringing necessary amendments to the recommendations made by the CHT Regional Council, regarding enactment of laws of the commission", he added.

He however said, "It would be more effective in mitigating long standing land dispute issues in the CHT if it is a 'tribunal' instead of a commission".

He avoided any comment on progress of the meeting and did not speculate on when the next meeting could be held.

The CHT Regional Council (CHTRC), the co-ordinating body of three hill districts in Rangamati, Khargachhari and Bandarban, earlier proposed 19 draft laws and bylaws to the government to mitigate land disputes in the CHT.

The government and the CHTRC reached unanimity on 18 of the recommendations, it was gathered.

"The remaining one is vital for indigenous people's land rights", Santu Larma said.

Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Ashraful Maqbul, chairmen of Rangamati and Khagrachhari Hill District Councils Manik Lal Dewan and Nakhstra Lal Dev Burman and Bandarbun Hill District Council Chairman's representative Lushai Mong attended the meeting.

Chief of Chakma Circle Devashish Roy, Chief of Mong Circle Paila Prue Chowdhury and elder son of the Chief of Bomang Circle Chhla Prue Jhimi also attended the meeting.

The Land Commission was formed on June 3, 1999 under the provisions of the CHT peace agreement signed in 1997 between the then Awami League government and the Parbattya Chatyagam Jono Sanghty Samity (PCJSS) led by its chief Santu Larma.

The gazette notification effecting formation of the Land Commission was published in July 2001.

An office for the commission has been was set up beside the office of the Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner.

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