PCJSS council ends with a vow to realise indigenous rights

The demands include preparing of a fresh voter list by enrolling only permanent residents in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), election to three hill district councils, settlement of land disputes by activating the CHT Land Commission formed as per the CHT peace accord, an end to army presence in the region and steps for development of indigenous people, said a press release here yesterday.

The council on the concluding day elected a 35-member new committee headed by Jyotirindriya Bodhipriya Larma alias Santu Larma as its president and Sattyabeer Dewan as secretary for a three-year term. Shantu Larma was re-elected to the post by voice vote of councilors.

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But the council did not announce any agitation programme. Shantu Larma, in his inaugural address on the first day had hinted that agitation programmes could be announced, PCJSS sources had said earlier.

The press release said indigenous people in the hills are deprived of their rights.

"Rather, the situation is deteriorating with the rise of a terrorist group named United Peoples' Democratic Front (UPDF) under the patronisation of vested quarters in the government", said the press release.

At the council, PCJSS leaders asked its members to make indigenous people in their respective areas aware of their rights and unite to realise those, the release said.