PM orders full implementation of CHT Peace Accord:Daily Sun

Sheikh Hasina Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to take measures for full implementation of the CHT Peace Accord to reduce the sufferings of hilly people. “Whatever is needed should be done for socio-cultural development in the CHT region. CHT people have been suffering for two decades. This situation should no longer continue,” she said while addressing t
he officials of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry at Bangladesh Secretariat. “We signed the CHT Peace Accord. We have to take measures immediately so that people of the hilly region can get benefits from the deal,” the premier said. The then Awami League-led government signed the historic CHT peace agreement in 1997 assuming office after 21 years. The premier mentioned that a committee-led by the Deputy Leader of the House has been formed for the full implementation of CHT peace agreement. “All the unimplemented clauses of the accord will be executed. We want to restore permanent peace in the CHT region,” she said adding that of the total 72 clauses of the deal, 48 have already been executed while 15 are partially executed. Nine clauses of the deal are now in a process to be executed, the premier said and asked the officials concerned to immediately execute the clauses. She said that land dispute is a major problem in CHT region and this problem still remain over land distribution. “This problem will be solved if all extend cooperation. “They (CHT people) have the rights on our land. They are our citizens and their rights on their own land should be ensured.” The premier called for solving land dispute with the cooperation of all groups and stressed the need for bringing a pace with the activities of CHT Land Commission. Holding all the governments after 1975 responsible for the crisis, she said the post-1975 government created the problem by sending some people in CHT region. Mentioning her government’s steps to rehabilitate 64,000 refugees after the peace accord, Sheikh Haina said, “Some 1,500 refugees are yet to be rehabilitated.” The Awami League government formed the CHT Affairs ministry in 1998. Mentioning the issue, the premier said, “All will live with the own rights. Intervention in anyone’s freedom is not expected.” Criticising different quarters for raising demand for full implementation of the accord, she said, “We signed the accord but many are poking their nose on the issue.” “We all have to work together so that none can create any sort of crisis,” she said, directing the ministry to take measures for creating jobs for CHT people. State minister for CHT Affairs Bir Bahadur also spoke on the occasion while Secretary Naba Bikram Kishore Tripura and senior officials were present.