PCJSS demands traditional land right of hill people
Leaders of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) yesterday called upon the government to ensure traditional land right of the indigenous people, empower their traditional leaders and review the Land Commission Act, 2001.
They also demanded resolving land dispute according to CHT Peace Accord, 1997 and its full implementation for development of CHT areas and its people.
They made the call at the concluding session of a two-day seminar titled 'CHT Peace Accord, its Implementation and Rights of CHT Indigenous People' organised by CHT Regional Council at Khagrachhari Zila Shilpakala Academy auditorium yesterday afternoon.
Pointing to the vulnerability of indigenous people, the leaders said they have remained neglected since the British colonial era and are still facing discrimination from the government.
They blamed the administration for neglect and non-cooperation' towards the indigenous people in CHT.
They demanded activation of customary land laws and organisations, review of CHT Affairs Land Commission Act, 2001.
Headmen, karbaries, NGO personalities and civil society leaders participated in the seminar.
CHT Regional Council Chairman Goutom Kumar Chakma attended as chief guest while Khagrachhari District PCJSS member Roktutpol Tripura presided over the closing discussion.
Among others, CHT Regional Council Member Jafar Ahmed, Sadar Upazila Chairman Mohammad Shany Alam, former principal of Khagrachhari Government College Bodhi Satya Dewan, Prof Modhu Mongal Chakma, former member of Khagrachhari Hill District Council member Mongprue Marma and Khagrachhari district Headmen Association President Shaktipada Tripura spoke.
Earlier on Thursday, PCJSS issued a press release protesting the recent decision of CHT Land Commission, especially calling applications from the people about the disputed lands in hills.
The release signed by Mongal Kumar Chakma, information and publicity secretary of PCJSS central committee, stated that CHT Land Commission Secretary Md Abdul Hamid circulated a public notice on March 14 seeking applications from the residences Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari hill districts and gave a 60-day deadline for submitting applications about the disputed lands.
As per the CHT Pace Accord, the task of resolving land disputes in CHT cannot start without bringing amendment to the commission, it said, adding that he initiatives of the commission will rather complicate the situation as the rules and procedures for submitting applications concerning land dispute are yet to be specified.
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