CHT Accord Implementation: Indigenous people feel betrayed

CHT Accord Implementation

Indigenous people feel betrayed

Representatives from indigenous communities yesterday said the government had “betrayed” them with "false" hopes and promises of constitutional recognition and implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord.

They warned that if the promises remained unfulfilled, the government would have to take responsibility for any conflict that may break out in the CHT region.

They made these comments at a discussion on a national convention of democracy activists protesting "the crisis in national and individual lives" that would be held on October 29.

The organising committee of the convention arranged the programme at the Liberation War Museum in the city.

“The issue of the indigenous people has been a much talked about issue both nationally and internationally,” said Sanjeeb Drong, indigenous community leader and general secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum.

And yet it remains neglected by the government, and the indigenous communities are left with no other option but to highlight the issue in protests and in the upcoming national convention, he said.

Speaking as the chair, Gono Forum Presidium Member Pankaj Bhattacharya said the debate on constitutional recognition of indigenous people is just a ploy to divert attention from implementing the CHT accord.
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courtesy: The daily star