Ruling alliances lawmakers, indigenous peoples’ leaders and rights activists yesterday urged the government to implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts accord in this tenure.
Speaking at the reception programme of Rangamati lawmaker Ushatan Talukder at the Liberation War Museum premises in the capital, the speakers also observed that though the Awami League-led alliance was in power when the accord was signed, it failed to fulfil its promises.
Speaking at the programme, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon of the ruling alliance said the indigenous people’s rights had not been established.
“I hope the government will take necessary steps regarding formation and effectiveness of land commission which is a part of the promises made in the CHT Accord [of 1997],” Menon, chief of Workers Party of Bangladesh, added.
Echoing Menon’s observation, Ushatan Talukder expressed hopes: “This time the government will be in a good sense to implement the CHT Accord and help establish peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.”
“As a lawmaker, I will work for people irrespective of caste, community and religion,” Ushatan added.
Pointing at previous indigenous lawmakers who was elected under the banner of the country’s major political parties, right activists Khushi Kabir said they could not hold on to their voices because of their affiliation with the major political parties. She also expressed hopes that Ushatan would not lose his voice like the other indigenous lawmakers.
Ushatan is the third indigenous leader in the 43-year history of the country, who is elected from the CHT region as a representative of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS). Earlier, Manabendra Narayan Larma, founder of the PCJSS, and Chai Thwai Roaza both won in the 1973 elections as independent candidates.