International

Implement accord: Chittagong leader

By Haroon Habib

DHAKA MAY 8 . The commander of the now-defunct tribal insurgent faction, Shanti Bahini, and current head of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council (CHTRC), J. B. Larma, has said that the Bangladesh National Party (BNP)-led Government needs to take "immediate steps" to implement the 1997 peace accord.

Expressing his dissatisfaction over "non-implementation" of the treaty's provisions, particularly concerning land, refugee rehabilitation and the authority of the autonomous councils, Mr. Larma told The Hindu, "Non-implementation of the treaty has been causing great difficulties. Moreover, it is the root cause of the deterioration of law and order situation".

The commander, who waged a bush war for regional autonomy for nearly two decades, spoke against a backdrop of fresh violence in the hills that reportedly claimed at least 11 people in April. The new wave of violence, which has left scores of others injured and led many to flee their homes, has cast a shadow over the potential implementation of the accord, which was aimed at restoring peace in the hill regions.

Reports suggest that the current clashes are between two tribal organisations — one that supports the peace treaty and another that opposes it. Mr. Larma agreed, claiming that the clashes were mainly due to the "desperate attitudes" of the anti-accord UPDF, led by Proshi Khisa, and Mr. Larma's own pro-accord Parbatta Hattagram Janasanghati Samity (PCJSS) — both of which are attempting to establish dominance in the hills.

Referring to his recent meeting with the Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, Mr. Larma said: "It was our first meeting. We had good discussions. We have explained our position to the Prime Minister. She assured us that she would like to see peace and development are ensured in the CHT."

But the Chairman, who enjoys the rank of a State Minister in line with the accord, alleged that the army is "still running the CHT affairs".

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