Editorial
Unrest in the hills
Implement the CHT Accord expeditiously
WE cannot but be worried about the brewing unrest in the hills. The last thing that one would want to see is clashes between the tribal and Bangali population when the effort should really be to implement the provisions of the Accord speedily. It is simply unacceptable that people should be subjected to arson and looting and forced to leave their hearth and homes under duress.
Clearly there are two points that have direct bearing on the matter that we would like to highlight; one has to do with the disputes and the other with the method of handling the situation as a consequence of the disputes.
As for handling of the recent clash between the tribal and Bangali settlers we suggest that a very thorough and impartial investigation be conducted to determine some important details. The investigation should find out whether it was at all necessary on the part of the law enforcing agencies to open fire? It is necessary to find out if the tribal people were armed, and, if so, did they resort to firing and was the firing directed at the security forces, and whether the security forces were subjected to any other form of attack from any other quarter?
We understand that the army was called in by the civil administration and that too they were in the spot after the police and other agencies. We understand too that under such a situation, the army plays two important roles that of providing security to the people who are under threat of force, and to establish peace in the area. And under those circumstances we understand that there are clear rules of engagement and the authority to order opening of fire does not lie with the army but with the civil authority. We wonder whether there are different rules of engagement in the CHT. Also we have reasons to believe that there had been disproportionate use of force and the investigation should determine whether that is so.
Reportedly, the recent clash had to do with land disputes between the two groups; and that is the nub of the issue we feel. We suggest that the CHT Land Commission do everything to complete its task quickly and it is for the government and all the other parties concerned to ensure that no impediment is put in their way.
The argument that the clash is a consequence of withdrawal of the army from the CHT is not based on facts, according to our understanding, since there are instances of tribal-settler clashes even during the peak of army presence there. Withdrawal of the army is stipulated in the Accord which should be followed, and no one should use the issue to play partisan politics.
It has been long 13 years since the CHT Accord was inked but the tribal groups are yet to get the full benefit of it. It is quite natural that their sense of grievances at non-implementation of the Accord may manifest at times. Implementation of the accord brooks no further delay and to this end all issues must be ironed out peacefully including the differences between groups within the tribal people themselves.
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