Fresh tension could arise in CHT

There could be fresh tension in the Chattogram Hill Tracts if the CHT Accord is not implemented fully, left-leaning politicians and eminent citizens said yesterday.

As some core clauses of the 1997 accord have not been implemented yet, institutions formed in line with it remained partially functional, they said at a meeting marking the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People which will be observed globally on August 9.

Besides, indigenous people living in the country’s plains are also facing challenges in terms of realising their rights due to lack of the government’s will, they added.

Bangladesh Adibasi Forum arranged the meeting at the capital’s Central Shaheed Minar premises.

“In Bangladesh, people-oriented governance system has not been established yet,” said Santu Larma, chairman of Parbatya Chattogram Jana Sanghati Samity and president of the forum.

Communalism, corruption, terrorism, racial discrimination, financial oppression, and land-grabbing still exist in the country’s governance, alleged Larma, also known as Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma.

“These are swallowing indigenous people every day,” he said, adding a tension had been prevailing in the hills while indigenous people of the plain were also worried about their future.

Former chairman of National Human Rights Commission Prof Mizanur Rahman said most of the clauses of CHT Accord had been implemented.

 One of the main reasons behind this has been the concern that the treaty’s full implementation may pose a threat to national security and sovereignty of the country, he said.

“The state has to get rid of such doubts or phobias,” he said,

Workers Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon said partial implementation of the accord was the main reason behind the tension prevailing in the hills.

The CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission was established but its improper functioning has left people there in frustration, he said.

 Communist Party of Bangladesh President Mujahidul Islam Selim said ethnic exploitation and class exploitation had left the country’s indigenous community marginalised and deprived of their rights.

Rights activist Shaheen Anam said she feels ashamed of being a representative of the country’s majority community as the state could not ensure due rights of the indigenous people despite repeated pleas from them.

Rights activist Rana Dasgupta said indigenous community people had achieved some success, like bringing an amendment to the Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act.

However, lack of proper functioning of the commission is depriving the hill people of their due land rights, he said, hoping that the government will implement the remaining clauses of the accord in the next five years.

Stressing the need for continuous effort, Prof Dalem Chandra Barman, vice-chancellor of ASA University Bangladesh, said holding rallies and seminars regularly would open up scopes for the indigenous people to achieve their goal.