CHT Peace Accord
Delay in implementation emboldens miscreants
Observe civil society, indigenous community leaders
Samillito Nagarik Samaj forms a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club yesterday, protesting continuing attacks and repression on indigenous people.Photo: STAR
Civil society and indigenous community leaders yesterday reiterated their demand for the implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord as the delay is encouraging miscreants to oppress indigenous people. They also demanded exemplary punishment of all people who oppressed indigenous people at different times in the country. The leaders were addressing a human chain organised by Sammilito Nagorik Samaj before Jatiya Press Club in the capital, protesting the recent incidents of torture, murder and rape in the CHT region. Gonoforum Presidium Member Pankaj Bhattacharya said, “The miscreants are becoming stronger, strengthening their oppression on indigenous people with the delay in the Chittagong Hill Tracts peace accord's implementation.” “It is not acceptable that grenade attacks are carried out in the hills while you (the government) keep army rule there. What is the point in keeping the army there?” he asked. Bangladesh Adivasi Forum General Secretary Sanjib Drong announced that a grand rally will be held at the Central Shaheed Minar within a few days to protest against the oppression. Prof Mesbah Kamal of the history department of Dhaka University blamed a portion of the government for the delay in the accord's implementation. He also urged all to term the indigenous community “indigenous and human”. Workers' Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon blamed bureaucracy for the delay. “They (bureaucrats) are dilly-dallying so that the accord is never implemented.” In recent months, two indigenous minor girls were violated, four indigenous farmers were murdered and an indigenous student died in a grenade attack. Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, Jatiya Adivasi Parishad, Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon, Manusher Jonno Foundation and Brotee expressed solidarity by participating at the programme. Brotee Chief Executive Officer Sharmin Murshid and Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam also spoke at the programme.
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