Call for united movement to fully implement peace accord

A big procession, marking the 15th anniversary of CHT peace treaty, was brought out by Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity in Rangamati district town yesterday.Photo: STAR

Different organisations as well as the local administrations held rallies, processions and cultural programmes across the Chittaging Hill Tracts (CHT) region yesterday in observance of the 15th anniversary of the CHT peace accord.
At a public rally organised by Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) on the compound of Rangamati Gymnasium in the town, leaders of PCJSS and its front organisations yesterday urged the government to take a clear action plan and road map for proper execution of the accord, reports our Rangamati correspondent.
The speakers also called upon all to be united to launch a tougher movement to uproot all anti-peace treaty elements for full implementation of the historic peace accord.
They criticised the government for what they said not taking any remarkable initiatives on the vital issues of the accord including land dispute during the past four years.
They slated lawmakers Dipankar Talukdar and Bir Bahadur for making 'false statements' about the peace deal and 'not playing' due role for its full implementation.
They also urged the government to ban the anti-peace organisation United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) for the greater interest in hills.
The speakers demanded formation of 'hill police force', handing over matters relating to civil affairs and law and order to hill district councils (HDCs), proper steps for land management, preparation of voter lists in CHT with only the permanent residents in hills, holding elections to CHT Regional Council (CHTRC) and HDCs, enactment of rules of business for CHTRC and HDCs to strengthen these bodies, rehabilitation of Bangalee settlers outside the hills and amendment of CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act-2001 for resolving land disputes.
Ushatan Talukder, vice-president of central PCJSS, addressed as chief guest at the rally presided over by Subarna Chakma, vice-president of PCJSS district unit.
Among others, Pranati Bikash Chakma, secretary of PCJSS, central unit, comrade Shah Alam, secretary of Chittagong unit of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Suprova Chakma, secretary of CHT Mohila Samity, Sunirmol Chakma, president of Jubo Samity, addressed.
Later the PCJSS brought out a big colourful procession in the town.
Rangamati HDC and the district administration jointly observed the day.
District Awami League also held a meeting and brought out a procession in Rangamati town marking the 15th anniversary of the peace deal.
PCJSS and its front organisations -- CHT Mohila Samity, Hill Women's Federation, Jubo Samity, and Pahari Chhatra Parishad yesterday took different programmes in observance of the day in Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari hill districts.
The CHT peace accord signed between the PCJSS and the then Awami League government on December 2 in 1997 brought an end to decades-long insurgency in CHT region.
Our Khagrachhari Correspondent adds: MN Larma faction of PCJSS held a rally at Larma Square in the district town yesterday marking the 15th anniversary of the CHT peace accord.
Speakers at the rally demanded that the government immediately activate CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission after amendment of its controversial points to solve the land disputes in CHT.
They also urged all regional political parties to launch joint movement for full implementation of the CHT accord.
Sudha Sindhu Khisha, co-chairman of PCJSS (MN Larma faction), spoke as chief guest at the programme presided over by its Khagrachhari Sadar upazila unit chief Suvash Shanti Chakma.
Later, the activists of the forum brought out a procession that marched the main streets of the town.
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of CHT accord, Khagrachhari Hill District Council and Khagrachhari Army Zone organised colourful procession in Khagrachhari town yesterday morning.