Implementation of law facing bureaucratic tangle

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Land Dispute Settlement Commission Act cannot to be implemented because of obstacles from the bureaucracy, said Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon yesterday.

He was addressing a memorial meeting on Swaparjito Swadhinata premises of Dhaka University, marking the 32nd death anniversary of Manabendra Narayan Larma, founder of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS).

The speakers reiterated the demand for full implementation of the CHT peace accord. Terming the problems in CHT "political", Menon said the deal's full implementation was the only solution.

The minister said the amendment of the act was pending due to obstacles from bureaucrats, adding that the bureaucrats described the demands of the Adivasis as a conspiracy of the separatists.

Menon alleged, "[BNP founder] Ziaur Rahman started Bangalinisation of the hill districts, which has upset the population balance there."  He also expressed concern over proselytising in CHT.

Columnist Abul Maksud urged the government to form a powerful committee to scrutinise why the peace accord has not been implemented yet. 

Reminiscing about Manabendra, he said, "MN Larma is one of them who firmly believed in the four principles of the constitution. He was pushed to extremism from his peaceful movements."

Sultana Kamal, executive director Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), said, "When people of the entire world remember Bangladesh for the Language Movement, there is no right of the Adivasis to their mother tongues here."