Implementation of CHT Agreement -Govt gives only assurance Says Raja Devasish

Implementation of CHT Agreement

Govt gives only assurance

Says Raja Devasish

(From left) Naeem Mohaiemen, member of the National Human Rights Commission Nirupa Dewan, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) Shaheen Anam, Chakma Circle Chief Raja Devasish Roy and Asif Saleh holds copies of a book titled 'Between Ashes and Hope: Chittagong Hill Tracts in the Blind Spot of Bangladesh Nationalism' at a publication ceremony in the city's WVA auditorium yesterday. Photo: STARStaff Correspondent

The government is only giving an assurance of implementing the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Agreement, said Chakma Circle Chief Raja Devasish Roy at a programme yesterday.

He said the indigenous people hoped that their rights would be ensured through the peace accord, which is yet to be implemented.

Raja Devasish was speaking at the launching ceremony of a book titled 'Between Ashes and Hope: Chittagong Hill Tracts in the Blind Spot of Bangladesh Nationalism' at the WVA auditorium in the city.

Drishtipat Writers Collective, with support from Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), published the book containing 75 essays and research articles.

He said, “The Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Commission is trying to do the job of Amin and Kanungo through cadastral survey instead of resolving land disputes in the area.”

He also opined that there is no need to deploy Army in the area as no insurgency is going on.

“The human rights of the hill people are being violated,” alleged Devasish.

“Whenever a commission like the human rights commission is set up in Bangladesh, successive governments have tried to make the commission as a 'cat' rather than making it a 'tiger,” said Raja Devasish.

Nirupa Dewan, member of the National Human Rights Commission, said the situation in the hill areas are getting critical, as the peace accord is not implemented.

She said rights to the indigenous people should be recognised in the amendments to the constitution.

Asif Saleh of Drishtipat and editor of the book Naeem Mohaiemen spoke at the function while Shaheen Anam, executive director of MJF, was in the chair.

The book will be available soon at Drik and Omni Book in Dhanmondi, Pathak Shamabesh in Elephant road, Bookworm in Old Airport, UPL Showroom in Bishwa Road, Words n Pages in Gulshan, and Aarong of the city, Bishaud Bangla in Chittagong, and other bookstalls at a price of Tk 350.

Proceeds from the sale will be donated to Moanaghor, a school and orphanage for hill children in Rangamati.

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source: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=152347