Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP) and Hill Women’s Federation (HWF) have urged the government not to set up a medical college and a Technology University in Rangamati before fully implementing the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace treaty.
The organisation claimed the government’s motive behind establishing the universities in Rangamati is a conspiracy to grab the lands of the indigenous people in the name of better study opportunities.
They said, according to hill tracts treaty the government must negotiate with the representatives of the indigenous communities before making any decision regarding Hill-tract districts. But the government, defying the hill tracts treaty, has planned to set up two universities in Rangamati.
They made the demands at a protest rally held at Raju Memorial Sculpture (TSC adjacent area) of Dhaka University Campus on Friday. Prior to holding the rally, the leaders and activists of the organisations brought out a procession inside the campus premises. They also urged all to participate in a pre-announced blockade in Rangamati today to press for their demand.
The speakers at the rally criticised the government for not taking steps to implement the hill tracts treaty, and not punishing Bengali settlers who attack indigenous people. They urged the government to ensure security of the indigenous people in the hills and take immediate steps to resettle the Bangalee settlers in other areas of the country.
Speaking at the Rally, Jmason Amly, Dhaka city unit president of PCP, alleged that the government had taken initiatives to set up of a medical college and a science and technology university without consultation with CHT Regional Council (CHTRC).
“Land of the Jumma people in the region is being grabbed while the government is showing an attitude of aggression towards the indigenous people in the name of development” he said.
