The law and order situation in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) has severely deteriorated. Local residents are fearing a political turmoil following a recent amendment of the land law.
Sources said the government was trying to resolve the prevailing crisis. Three top representatives of the government, including two ministers, will visit Rangamati on Monday in this connection. Rangamati deputy commissioner Mohammad Mostafa Kamal said adviser Prime Minister’s adviser Gowher Rizvi, state minister for home affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku, state minister for Chittagong hill tracts’ affairs Dipankar Talukder will visit the area on Monday. They will talk about the complexity of the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission (amendment) Act.
Sources said the three government representatives will meet leaders of the CHT Bengali-based organisation in Rangamati. They will also meet Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council (CHTRC) chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma (Santu Larma). After mid-day, they will leave Rangamati for Khagrachari.
Sources said the political situation in CHT has worsened following continuous agitation programmes taken up by the hill people. The Jana Sanghati Samity (JSS) and the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) are fighting with each other, while Bengali-based organisations are showing agitation against the activities of tribal organisations. Meanwhile, several organisations in CHT observed hartals and a road blockade programme, in protest of the recent amendment of the land law. Agitation movements were enforced by five organisations– Parbatya Samaodhikar Andolan, Parbatya Nagarik Parishad, Parbatya Juba Front, Parbatya Bangali Chhatra Oikya Parishad and Parbatya Bangali Chhatra Parishad. The strike affected normal life in Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban.
Leaders of these organisations are demanding that the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission (Amendment) Act 2013 should be cancelled.
Moshiul Alam Humayn, chairman of Parbatya Samaodhikar Andolan, said the amended land law would hamper the interest of Bangali people at CHT. “We can’t have this law as it would make locals landless. If this amended act is passed in Parliament, the Bengalis will call an indefinite strike,” he added.
It may be mentioned that the cabinet, on May 27, approved the draft of the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission (amendment) Act 2013. The cabinet also gave its final approval on June 3. The Act makes the Commission more effective in settling land disputes in accordance with the CHT Peace Accord.
-With The Independent input
