Govt refutes Larma's allegations
The government has refuted allegations by Parbatya Chattagram Jana
Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) chief Santu Larma that it has failed to
implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts peace accord, even 14 years after
it was inked.
"We have implemented most of the accord," hill tracts affairs
secretary Naba Bikram Kishore told journalists on Thursday. "Some
issues are yet to be settled -- for example, the settlement of land
disputes is yet to be realised due to its complexities."
"A proposal on how to make changes in the law has been drafted and
forwarded to the land ministry -- they will finalise the issue," Naba
Bikram said at a press meet organised at the Secretariat to give
details on programmes undertaken to mark the accord's anniversary.
Criticising the government, Santu Larma had said on Wednesday that
though the accord was signed 14 years ago, there has been "no
progress" in its implementation so far. "They have broken our trust
and their failure has meant no basic development is taking place in
the hill tracts," he had said.
Admitting that the government has not made any progress plan on
resolving the CHT issue, Naba Bikram said each clause in the deal
would be realised one after the other.
But he pointed out that control of 21 of 31 issues that were to be
handed over to local councils have been given to them. He also said
some 235 army camps have also been removed from the region.
On the issue of not holding Parbatya Zila Parishad polls, Naba Bikram
said, "The number of Zila Parishads is being increased after amending
existing laws. It is not possible to hold any polls in the area now
since there still remains complication about the right to vote."
He also said a ministry cell had been formed to investigate
allegations that many private oragisations are involved in crimes
against the nation. "Measures will be taken if the allegations against
any organisation are proven," Bikram said.
Meanwhile, various programmes have been chalked out to mark the 14th
anniversary of the peace accord, including a festival highlighting
cultural diversity of the area from December 5-9. Prime minister
Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the programme at Osmani Memorial
Auditorium at 4 pm on December 4.
The festival will remain open from 10 am to 8 pm every day, and will
feature 120 stalls selling products by members of small ethnic tribes.
A special art competition will also be organized on the occasion, it
was disclosed.
http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=2&id=212672&hb=1
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