CHT Peace Agreement
Full implementation must for lasting peace: Larma
Our Correspondent, Rangamati
Santu LarmaChittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council (CHTRC) Chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma has said that full implementation of the CHT peace accord is a must for resolution of land dispute and establishing lasting peace in hills.
He was speaking at a regional workshop on 'Law Concerning the Land of Indigenous People, Their Tradition and Custom” in the conference room of District Sports Association in the district town on Wednesday.
Although the responsibility of The CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission is to resolve the longstanding land dispute in hills, its chief is working against the interest of jumma people, Larma alleged.
He demanded that the government take immediate steps for amendment to the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Committee Act for better functioning of the commission.
Larma, also the chief of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS), further said democratic process must be followed in selection of headmen.
Organised by CHT Regional Council in association with Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), representatives of Chakma, Bomang and Moung circles, headmen, NGOs representatives and women leaders joined the workshop.
The participants said the land of jumma people are being grabbed by the outsiders. They called to build up resistance against the grabbers and stressed the need for formation of land management committee at village level, led by local leaders including headmen and Karbaries.
In Khagrachhari, leaders of Democratic Youth Forum (DYF), Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) and Hill Women's Federation (HWF) yesterday urged the government not to reappoint retired Justice Khademul Islam Chowdhury as the chairman of the land dispute resolution body.
At a protest rally in Shanirbar Bazaar area in the district town, they said that Khademul had already become a disputed person in the CHT due to his 'controversial activities', reports our correspondent.
The speakers said that reappointment of Khademul will only 'complicate the situation in CHT further'. They also demanded the amendment to CHT Land Commission Act and reorganisation of the traditional land law of the hill people. They threatened to go for tougher movements if the government did not accept their demands.
Earlier, the leaders and activists of DYF, PCP and HWF, backed by anti-peace accord United Peoples Democratic Front, brought out a protest procession in the town.
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