Implement peace deal to stop unrest in hills

Source: The Daily Star News

PCJSS leaders urge govt

Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) chief Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, popularly known as Santu Larma, who is also chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council, addresses a rally at the inaugural session of the 9th national council of PCJSS on the premises of Rangamati gymnasium yesterday.Photo: STAROur Correspondent, Rangamati

Leaders of Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) yesterday reiterated their demand for full implementation of the CHT peace agreement and urged the government to curb all sorts of anti-peace activities in the hills.

They said due to delay in implementation of the peace deal, various anti-peace forces are spreading extremism, militancy and fundamentalism in the hills.

The PCJSS leaders were addressing a rally on the premises of Rangamati gymnasium in the town organised on the occasion of 9th national council of PCJSS.

Inaugurating the three-day council, the PCJSS chief and CHT Regional Council chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, popularly known as Santu Larma, said the ethnic people in CHT are passing their days in extreme insecurity.

He blamed the indifference of security forces for the recent killing and arson attacks on indigenous people at Baghaihat and Khagrachhari.

Calling upon the government to take immediate steps for proper execution of the CHT deal, Larma said, “We do not want to see any further delay. Implement the accord fully and as early as possible.”

Presidium member of Gono Forum Pankaj Bhattacharya, secretary of Workers Party Anisur Rahman Mollik, member of Communist Party of Bangladesh Shah Alam, information and publicity secretary of PCJSS Mongal Kumar Chakma and Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) president Udayan Tripura also addressed the meeting.

Pankaj Bhattacharya said militancy, fundamentalism and extremism are spreading allover the CHT as full implementation of the treaty is being delayed.

Pankaj said those who failed to keep peace in CHT must be reprimanded for deaths of two indigenous people during the recent ethnic violence.

Leaders and workers of PCJSS, CHT Mohila Samity, Hill Women's Federation and Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) from three hill districts joined the council.