<i>Shun personal ambition, serve greater interest of hill people</i>

Chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Regional Council Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma yesterday urged the headmen (traditional leaders) to play their due role to protect own culture, tradition and customs and take part in development activities in their areas.
The headmen should rise above personal interests and be competent and educated enough to serve the people, he said while addressing as chief guest at the CHT Headmen's Conference held at the auditorium of Khudro Nrigosthi Institute in Rangamati town.
"The traditional leaders cannot perform their job properly as the Chittagong Hill Tracts peace deal is yet to see proper implementation," said the CHT ethnic people's leader, popularly known as Santu Larma.
He urged the headmen to be united for greater interest of hill people and refrain from involving in the political parties that do not believe in the existence of indigenous people.
Santu Larma demanded that the government implement the peace accord fully and hand over the land management system to the hill district councils immediately.
CHT Headmen's Network and Khagrachhari Headmen's Association organised the conference under the auspices of CHT Regional Council and International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Three hundred and sixty-nine headmen under Chakma Circle, Mong Circle and Bomang Circle attended the conference.