Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday reaffirmed her strong commitment to fully implement the CHT Peace Treaty and stressed ensuring the hill
people’s rights to land so that they do not recurrently face land-related problems.“You (CHT people) should have the trust in me. We’ve signed the peace accord and
it’s our duty to implement it. We’ll certainly do it,” she said while exchanging views with the headmen of the three hilly districts – Rangamati, Khagrachhari and
Bandarban at her official residence Ganobhaban.
The Prime Minister also sought cooperation of all in implementing the peace treaty signed on December 2, 1997.
Citing that most of the problems in the hilly region are over land, Hasina said the ownership of land should be ensured through registration so that the hilly people
may have it and they do not face land-related disputes.
Reminding that there are various games over the land issue, she said, “Many will go there in the disguise of friends, but that won’t always ensure your welfare. If so,
there would not have been bloody conflict over two decades shedding blood of the hilly people, the army, police and ansars,”
The premier mentioned that her government has been on strong vigil so that the situation of confrontation cannot stage a comeback in the hilly region. “The peace
treaty has put an end to the two decades of conflict although those who had opposed it are hatching various conspiracies…. efforts are still on to make the situation
in the hilly region volatile again.”
The Prime Minister mentioned that a committee, headed by the Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, has already been formed to oversee the implementation
progress of the peace accord.
“Following the peace treaty, there has been no bloody fighting, and the good air of peace has returned in the region,” she said. Making an observation that it is not
possible to resolve all the cumulative problems of the region overnight, Sheikh Hasina said the features that have been included in the peace treaty would get priority
while ensuring land management.
Hasina said a new commission will start its journey to handle the land-related problems in the region and suggested the hilly people to discuss their problems with the
commission.
The premier said her government is planning to build a CHT complex in the capital and protect the heritage and tradition of different regions of the country.
Listing various steps taken by the AL government for the welfare of the hilly people, she said the allowances of the Circle Chiefs have been raised to Tk 10,000 from
Tk 5,000, while that for headmen to Tk 1,000 from Tk 300 and for Karbari to Tk 500 from Tk 200. Hasina also mentioned road communication in the region has been
developed alongside developing religious institutions, improving healthcare and nutrition facilities, mobile network and internet services. She expressed her strong
resolve to create a peaceful environment in the country as her government has curbed militancy and terrorism with an iron hand.
The PM also assured the headmen of considering their demands of setting up offices for the circle chiefs and headmen. Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, State Minister
for Religious Affairs Dipankar Talukder, Bir Bahadur, MP, Jotindra Lal Tripura, MP, CHT Ministry Secretary Nabo Bikram Kishore Tripura, Chakma Circle King Raja
Debashish Roy, Mong Circle King Saching Prue Chowdhury, Bomang Circle king KS Pru and headman Aniu Chowdhury, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Courtesy of UNB/The Independent
