Indigenous leaders and Bangali settlers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) have had mixed reactions to the Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Dispute Resolution Commission (Amendment) Act 2013, which was approved by the cabinet on Monday.
Indigenous leaders thanked the cabinet for “finally” amending some of the contentious sections of the bill, and hopes it will help resolve outstanding land disputes.
Leaders of the Bangali community, on the other hand, said it is “controversial”, and if it is implemented they fear being driven out of the CHT.
On June 3 the cabinet approved the draft of the amended bill aiming to make the commission more active and effective.
The amended bill states land in the area illegally occupied as well as land where refugees have been rehabilitated as per the CHT Peace Accord, will come under the jurisdiction of the commission, with the members authorised to settle disputes over land.
As the bill stood, while provisions existed for unanimous decisions to settle disputes, but in the absence of unanimous results, the chairman of the commission could give the final decision.
The amendment paved the way to give the indigenous people priority in the recruitment of staff for the commission.
The amendment to the act will most likely get the go ahead in the ongoing budget session of parliament.
Nomita Chakma, president of the Khagrachhari District Adivasi Coalition, welcomed the amendment saying it would end many longstanding differences and help establish peace permanently in the hill tracts.
General Secretary of CHT Refugee Welfare Association Santushito Chakma Bakul said indigenous people would have been happier with the draft amendment had the government fully followed CHT Regional Council’s recommendations.
However, convener of Khagrachhari District Parbattya Bangali Chhatra Parishad (PBCP) Abdul Mojid said the settlers would lose their land and government control in the CHT would also be lost if the amendment is approved.
Mayor Md Rafiqul Alam of Khagrachhari municipality said the government decision would not have positive consequences if Bengali settlers’ interests were overlooked.
Khagrachhari MP Jatindra Lal Tripura however said the government takes into consideration everyone’s interests.
To the settler community leaders the MP said: “Do not misguide and instigate people without knowing the details of the amendment.”
Everyone is equal in the eyes of the Awami League-led government said the MP, and assured everyone: “We are working to establish peace and communal harmony in the CHT.”