Government's ambiguous stance threatening to destabilise region

Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Regional Council Chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, popularly known as Santu Larma, yesterday came down heavily on the government for not completely implementing the CHT Peace Accord, 1997 during its present term.
“The government spread lies over the implementation. The government's ambiguous stance is again threatening to destabilise the hilly region's overall atmosphere,” he said.
Santu was addressing as chief guest a discussion, “Providing education to indigenous communities in their mother tongue”, organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) in the capital's Brac Centre Inn.
The government, like the previous ones, was “communal, extremist and anti-democratic” and this stance will not ensure the rights of indigenous communities, he said.
“The incumbent government is also not people-oriented, the rule of which is essential, and has been working for a particular community to hold on to power,” he observed.
On ensuring education for indigenous communities, Santu said it was the government's responsibility to ensure the basic rights, including education, of its citizens as it was impossible for others to do so.
He urged the government to immediately implement the accord and take necessary steps to provide education to indigenous children in their respective mother tongues.
Chairing the discussion, MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam emphasised the government's role in implementing the accord and in ensuring the educational facilities.
Dhaka University teacher Prof Sikder Monoare Murshed presented a keynote paper on the topic's existing challenges and solutions. Jahangirnagar University teacher Prof Ainoon Naher and MJF Programme Manager Tandra Chakma also spoke.
At another discussion yesterday, Santu, also chairman of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity, said the situation in CHT would go out of control if its problems were not addressed properly.
The government has not realised the situation in CHT. The future of indigenous people has become uncertain as they are leading insecure lives with their backs against the wall, he added.
“This cannot continue indefinitely. Aggrieved people might either want to live with honour or accept their fate,” he told the discussion organised in the capital's Parliament Members' Club.
Parliamentary Caucus on Indigenous People organised the discussion marking the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, to be observed on August 9, with assistance of International Labour Organization, Research and Development Collective, and Oxfam.
Mentioning Saturday's arson attack on indigenous people at Matiranga and Khagrachhari which displaced 200 people, Santu said the government was not sincere in implementing the accord.
Criticising the military presence in the CHT region and attitude of most government bureaucrats towards implementing the accord, Santu said “Islamisation” in the CHT, started by the Pakistan government, was still ongoing.
Presenting treaties and agreements which helped establish indigenous people's rights worldwide, the caucus' technical committee Coordinator Prof Mesbah Kamal said land, to indigenous people, was not just property but a part of their culture, lifestyle and livelihood.
The caucus' member, Mainuddin Khan Badal, said having no accord was better than a bad or unimplemented accord and that the prime minister should give thought to implementing the accord as her government had signed the treaty.
Industries Minister Dilip Barua, the caucus Convener Rashed Khan Menon and State Minister for Social Welfare Promode Mankin were present.