CHT body seeks rules of business

Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Commission yesterday held its first meeting after re-appointment of Justice Anwar-ul Haque as chairman of the commission.

“We will request the government to make rules of business for the Land Commission soon. So far, 22,000 applications have been submitted from three hill districts, seeking resolution of land-related problems,” the commission chairman said after the meeting that continued from 11:00am to 2:00pm at Rangamati Circuit House in the district town.

“We will open two branch offices at Rangamati and Bandarban very soon. At first we will start work for the refugee people, those who had gone to India. We will also work for all people of Chittagong Hill Tracts very soon,” he added.

Jyotirindra Bodhipriyo Larma (popularly known as Santu Larma), chairman of CHT Regional Council, said, “In today's meeting, we discussed ways to take forward the commission's work. For this purpose, the commission will take steps for appointment of sufficient manpower soon.”

“I hope that the commission will work for solving the problem of the people who lost their lands in the hill tracts region. The traditional customs have to be taken into serious consideration regarding the matter,” said Debasish Roy, Chakma Circle chief.

Among others, Chacing Prue, Mong Circle chief, Uchu Prue Chowdhury, Bomang Circle chief, and Brisho Ketu Chakma, chairman of Rangamati Hill District Council, were present at the meeting.

Anwar-ul Haque was appointed the chairman of CHT Land Commission for the second term on December 11 last year, after expiry of his three-year contact at the same position.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Dispute Resolution Commission (Amendment) Act-2016 was approved in August, 2016.