Implement CHT accord or face strike, warns Santu Larma

To press for implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord, the chairman of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS), Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, popularly known as Santu Larma, yesterday threatened to go on a strike for an indefinite period.

Larma was addressing a crowded press conference organised by the PCJSS, marking the 19th anniversary of the accord, at a city hotel.
Larma urged all progressive and non-communal political parties and people to come forward with different programmes in support of the PCJSS’ demands.
He also announced several programmes, including hartal and blockades, if the authorities fail to implement the peace accord.
Larma said the hill people have been seeing the government’s lack of interest in implementing the accord since the past 19 years. “The government is initiating different activities one after another that go against the peace accord and interest of the indigenous people,” he added.
Reading out a written statement, Larma placed several recommendations that include the government’s announcement of a roadmap to implement the peace accord, protection of indigenous people’s rights to land, education and other issues.
Speaking at the press conference, noted columnist Syed Abul Maqsud said the government must set a definite roadmap for the effective implementation of the peace accord to eliminate vexation and frustration of the ethnic minority people.
If the government fails to achieve trust of the CHT people soon, a feeling of suspicion and deception may rise among the hill people, he added. 
He also said all the communities fought against the Pakistani occupation forces for independence in 1971. “If the government tries to deprive any of them, the spirit of the Liberation War cannot be established," he noted.
Maqsud told the press conference that the ethnic minorities are not outside of Bangladesh. The government must fulfil their logical demands and take effective measures to implement the peace accord, he added.
Sanjib Drong, general secretary of the Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, said the government must fulfil their demands; otherwise, it will create doubts among them regarding the government's sincerity about ensuring their rights. 
He also urged politicians and civil society members to stand united for implementation of the accord, signed between the government and the PCJSS.

 

Implement CHT accord or face strike, warns Santu Larma

To press for implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord, the chairman of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS), Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, popularly known as Santu Larma, yesterday threatened to go on a strike for an indefinite period. Larma was addressing a crowded press conference organised by the PCJSS, marking the 19th anniversary of the accord, at a city hotel. Larma urged all progressive and non-communal political parties and people to come forward with different programmes in support of the PCJSS demands. He also announced several programmes, including hartal and blockades, if the authorities fail to implement the peace accord. Larma said the hill people have been seeing the governments lack of interest in implementing the accord since the past 19 years. The government is initiating different activities one after another that go against the peace accord and interest of the indigenous people, he added. Reading out a written statement, Larma placed several recommendations that include the governments announcement of a roadmap to implement the peace accord, protection of indigenous peoples rights to land, education and other issues. Speaking at the press conference, noted columnist Syed Abul Maqsud said the government must set a definite roadmapfor the effective implementation of the peace accord to eliminate vexation and frustration of the ethnic minority people. If the government fails to achieve trust of the CHT people soon, a feeling of suspicion and deception may rise among the hill people, he added. He also said all the communities fought against the Pakistani occupation forces for independence in 1971. If the government tries to deprive any of them, the spirit of the Liberation War cannot be established, he noted. Maqsud told the press conference that the ethnic minorities are not outside of Bangladesh. The government must fulfil their logical demands and take effective measures to implement the peace accord, he added. Sanjib Drong, general secretary of the Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, said the government must fulfil their demands; otherwise, it will create doubts among them regarding the governments sincerity about ensuring their rights. He also urged politicians and civil society members to stand united for implementation of the accord, signed between the government and the PCJSS.