Santu for early execution of CHT peace deal

Chief of PCJSS and Chairman of CHT Regional Council Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, popularly known as Santu Larma, joins the 17th annual council of Pahari Chhatra Parishad on the premises of Rajbari gymnasium in Rangamati town yesterday.Photo: STAR

Leaders of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) yesterday urged the government for immediate implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord to safeguard the rights of jummo people.
Due to delay in execution of the peace deal, various anti-peace elements are emerging in the hills, giving rise to crimes, militancy and fundamentalism, they said at a rally on the premises of Rangamati Gymnasium in the town on the occasion of 17th council of Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) central committee and its 23rd founding anniversary.
Chief of PCJSS and Chairman of CHT Regional Council Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, popularly known as Santu Larma, inaugurated the council and addressed the function as chief guest.
Urging the government to ban all kinds of anti-peace activities in hills, speakers at the rally said United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) is destroying the peace through their criminal activities including killing of the leaders and activists of PCJSS.
Bangali settlers are grabbing the lands of ethnic people under the shelter of army in hills, they said.
"We do not want to see any further delay. Implement the peace accord fully as early as possible," Santu Larma said.
Santu blamed State Minister for CHT Affairs Ministry Dipanker Talukder MP and Birbahadur Ushoi Sing MP for what he said secretly opposing the peace treaty.
Speaking at the function, presidium member of Gono Forum Pankaj Bhattacharya urged the government for providing constitutional right to the jummo community as indigenous people along with full implementation of CHT accord without delay.
Among others, Prof Nur Mohammed, Chairperson of CHT Mohila Samity Madhabi Lata Chakma, Chhatra Union leader Ferdous Ahmad Jewel, and PCP Organising Secretary Avilas Chakma addressed the meeting chaired by PCP central unit President Nitol Chakma.
The two-day conference will end today with forming the new central committee of PCP for the next two years.