Steps to settle land dispute irk Bangalis in CHT

They have also threatened to go to the court as they deem the recently-approved draft of the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission (amendment) Bill controversial and discriminatory. The indigenous leaders and activists, however, welcomed the commission’s notice published on September 8 seeking complaints as they think the move will help the genuine owners get back their lands. After the cabinet approved the draft bill on August 1, it was gazetted on August 8. The commission held its first meeting on September 4 amid a daylong shutdown observed by five Bangali groups – comprising members from all parties – in the three hill districts demanding repeal of the law. At the meeting, commission Chairman Anwar-ul Haque said that they would work for all the people in the CHT – both locals and settlers. Later, the commission issued a notice seeking applications from the residents to settle the land ownership disputes. The applications should reach the commission within 45 days. The much-debated commission was set up in 1999, two years after the landmark peace accord was signed between the government and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samity (PCJSS) to end a decade-long conflict. But until now, it could not solve any of the 4,408 complaints due to complications in the law. “We cannot welcome the Land Commission decision. This law is disputed; it aims at evicting the Bangalis from the hill tracts. Moreover, the commission chairman is not neutral. “We will declare protest programmes whenever the chairman visits the region,” said Md Abdul Majid, senior vice-president of Parbatya Bangali Chhatra Parishad – one of the five agitating groups. Md Abdul Aziz Akanda, president of Parbatya Bangali Dolpoti Parishad, said that the steps to settle the land disputes would not bring anything good for the Bangalis as the commission does not have any member from the Bangali communities. “We will take legal action against the government move,” he said. Former member of Khagrachhari District Council Animesh Chakma terms the publication of the notice landmark for the hill people. “The land disputes can be solved if the government works sincerely,” he added. “We hope that the commission will take measures so that those lost their lands and had to take shelter in India can return to their own land,” said Chaithoai Marma, coordinator of Khagrachhari unit of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum.