Allegations of ignoring Bangalee areas being probed

Bandarban Hill District Council (HDC) requested for the probe after a complaint was made earlier this month by the Bangalee Somo Adhikar Andolan Parishad, a body of Bangalees in the hills.

The Bangalee Somo Adhikar Andolon Parishad in its complaint to the HDC and the UNDP local office had alleged that though Bangalees comprise about half of the population in Bandarban, the projects under UNDP and ADB ignored areas inhabited by them and also avoided recruiting Banagalees for projects.

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This has created resentment among Bangalees, it said in its complaint.

The Bandarban HDC sent letters to the UNDP project office in CHT last week, terming the matter 'sensitive' and requested it to supply all information about its development projects in Bandarban and criteria for recruitment of manpower for their implementation.

After the complaint, Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, Director of Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facilities (CHTDF), paid a three-day visit to Bandarban from May 24.

He visited the UNDP local office and also talked to Bandarban HDC Chairman Ma Mya Ching during his visit. He will submit his report to the UNDP office in Dhaka.

Talking to this correspondent, he said, "UNDP can not deprive any cast, community or nation as it is an organisation of the United Nations. We consider the matter (allegation by Bangalee Somo Adhikar Andolon Parishad) seriously. Action will be taken if the allegations are found true".

After the CHT peace agreement in 1997, the UNDP took up projects involving about Tk 500 crore in the CHT for development of the areas and improvement in life of hill people. One component of the project is being implemented. It will be implemented in four phases.

UNDP sources said a new project proposal (PP) was submitted to the government. It got Planning Commission's approval in March. But a final decision from the government is yet to come.