Shantimoy Chakma, Rangamati
Leaders of Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) and its front organisations on Monday reiterated their demand for full implementation of the historic Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Accord. Without full-scale implementation of the deal, bringing an amicable solution about the problems in hilly region is never possible, they said.
Lamenting, ethnic leaders said that twenty two years have elapsed after signing the accord, but most of the fundamental clauses were not executed. As a result, mistrust, disappointment and grave concern has been prevailing among the hilly people both Bengali and jumma communities over the last near about two decades, said leaders.
In the name of curbing terrorism in hills, forces of the government implicating in false cases of our PCJSS leaders and workers. Security personnel everyday harassing, torturing and killing our people, claimed leaders. As part of conspiracy, the government is trying to destroy the PCJSS and jumma people through it blue print, they blamed.
PCJSS leaders were addressing in a programme organised by Rangamati district unit PCJSS to mark the 22nd anniversary of landmark CHT accord held at Samit Roy Stadium in the town on Monday. Ushatan Talukder, vice-president of central PCJSS, addressed the gathering as the chief guest while Syamo Ratan Chakma, member of PCJSS, district unit, chaired the programme.
Comrade Ashok Saha, president, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Chatttogram unit, Midul Islam, assistant professor of sociology department in Chattogram University, Bijoy Keton Chakma, convenor of MN Larma Memorial Foundation and Arun Tripura, secretary of Parbatya Chattogram Juba Samity, addressed the rally as special guests.
Jewel Chakma, president of Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP), central committee and Ashika Chakma, leader of Hill Women Federation, were also spoke in the rally. Nicilai Pankhua, member of Rangamati district unit PCJSS, addressed the welcome. In his speech, former lawmaker Ushatan Talukder said that all problems in CHT region would be solve if the accord is executed fully. Otherwise, bringing standing peace in the hills is totally not possible.
About the five regional political groups existing in the region, Talukder said though we have problems within ourselves, but the government has to holds whole responsibility for this disquiet situation. He demanded to the government for immediate hand over the subject of ‘Management of Land’ to the three hill district councils as per the agreement.
He urged the government to come forward with political good will to resolve problems in hills as early as possible through full implementation of the accord. Prof Midul Islam said that jumma people have become beggars now as they have been begging to the government for full execution of the CHT agreement since the beginning.
Killing, disappearance, secret killing, rape, torture and oppression on the ethnic people was continue to unabated in hills and such aggression was not possible without governments’ patronisation, opined Midul. Aiming his finger at prime minister, Bijoy Keton posed a question, saying, ‘Did you know who killed your father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his whole family members? Everybody knows it.’
Now why do you (PM) wants to rule the CHT and trying to establish peace here by those forces? It’s never possible, said Bijoy. By killing and torturing on our people, our ongoing movement could not be stop. Our agitation would be continue until full implementation of the landmark CHT accord, he, said, adding that if necessary we will shed blood and sacrifice our lives to establish our rights.
They called upon all to be united and strengthen the ongoing agitation for implement the accord without further delay. Hundreds of ethnic people with colourful banners and festoons yesterday gathered at the venue to mark the anniversary of peace accord. Rangamati Hill District Council organised a programme at the premises of Rangamati Ethnic Cultural Institute to mark the day following a rally from district council to municipal office.
A concert was jointly organised by RHDC and Rangamati Brigade at Marry Stadium at evening.