Implement CHT deal fully, repeal 15th amendment
Demands PCJSS, declares 3 lawmakers 'unwanted'
Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity brings out a huge procession in Rangamati hill town yesterday following a rally on the premises of Rajbari Gymnasium demanding constitutional recognition of the indigenous people and repeal of the recently passed 15th amendment, right, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum brings out a procession followed by a rally in Bandarban hill town demanding the same. Photo: Star/ Focus Bangla
Leaders of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) in a large public meeting yesterday reiterated their demands for full implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord. At the rally held on the premises of Rajbari Gymnasium in the town, the PCJSS leaders denounced the passing of the 15th amendment bill in parliament 'without giving due constitutional recognition' to the jummo people. The PCJSS leaders also declared 'unwanted' the three MPs from CHT --Dipanker Talukder, Bir Bahadur and Jatindra Lal Tripura, saying that the three lawmakers did not play any role for ensuring constitutional rights to the indigenous people in hills during the parliament session. Jummo people will never forgive them, they said. "The 15th amendment aims at making us Bangali and destroying all of our rights but jummo people will resist the conspiracy through united movement," PCJSS chief Santu Larma said in his address as chief guest at the rally. Rangamti district unit of PCJSS organised the rally protesting the recently passed 15th amendment bill. Urging the government to take immediate steps for proper implementation of CHT peace deal, Larma said, "We do not want to see any delay. Implement the accord fully as early as possible. Otherwise tougher agitation will be launched against the government." A deep conspiracy against the jummo people has continued since 1972 to evict the indigenous people from ancestral lands and not to give them constitutional recognition but jummo people through a united movement will resist such conspiracy, speakers said at the rally. The PCJSS leaders demanded repeal of the 15th amendment, which 'ignored Buddhist, Hindu and Christian and other communities' in Bangladesh. Presided over by Gunendu Bikash Chakma, president of PCJSS district committee, the rally was addressed, among others, by Prakkriti Ranjan Chakma, president of CHT chapter of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, vice-president of central PCJSS Ushatan Talukder, convenor of MN Larma Memorial Foundation Bijoyketon Chakma, former president of Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) Udoyan Tripura and running president of PCP Nitol Chakma.
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