Full implementation of CHT accord demanded

DU Correspondent
Speakers in a commemorative discussion programme yesterday urged the government for complete implementation of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord. Manabendra Narayan Larma's 27th death anniversary observance committee arranged the programme on Manabendra, founder president of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samity (PCJSS), at the conference room of city's National Press Club. Recalling his valiant role to establish the rights of indigenous people in the CHT, speakers said the people would always remember Manabendra for his valiant role in launching PCJSS to ensure their basic rights. Indigenous people led by Manabendra engaged in guerrilla warfare with the armed forces of Bangladesh, demanding full autonomy of the CHT region. Peace was brought through the historic CHT Peace Accord, signed between PCJSS and representatives of the then Awami League government on December 2 in 1997, ending a two-decade long war. Speakers said it is time to review the accord and find reasons hampering its implementation. Writer Selina Hossain, lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon, Communist Party of Bangladesh President Manjurul Ahsan Khan, Pankaj Bhattachariya of Gono Forum, eminent columnist Syed Abul Moksud, Mongol Kumar Chakma of PCJSS and Sanjeeb Drong of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum spoke at the programme. Manabendra was assassinated by a group of his party defectors on November 10 in 1983. Different organisations placed wreaths on his temporary memorial at the base of Shoparjito Swadhinata on the Dhaka University campus and arranged a voluntary blood donation programme.