Two organisations of Bangalee settlers have demanded the immediate cancellation of Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Dispute Settlement Commission Act amendment 2013.
On May 27, the cabinet approved a draft of the legislation to curb the authority of the commission’s chairman. According to the proposed amendment, land in hill tracts 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.
The amendment paves the way to give the indigenous people priority in the recruitment of staff for the land commission.
The Parbottyo Bangalee Chattra Parishad and the Parbottya Chattagram Nagorik Committee presented their demand at the Rangamati press club in the district town yesterday.
Blaming prime ministerial adviser Gowher Rizvi for the amendment, leaders of the organisations said blocking ratification of the amendment was essential to upholding the equal rights of Bangalee settlers, who have been living in the hill tracts for more than three decades.
Leaders of the Bangalee communities said if the new version of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Dispute Resolution Commission (amendment) Act 2013 is implemented, they would be driven out from the hill tracts. The leaders of both organisations threatened to enforce hartal in future if the amendment is not cancelled immediately.
Among those attending the press conference were President of Nagarik Central Committee Alkash Al Mamun Bhuiyan, Organising Secretary of the Committee Sheikh Muhammad Raju, President of Bandarban Unit Nagarik Committee Md Atikur Rahman, President of Rangamati Unit Nurjahan Begam, and President of Bangalee Chhatra Parishad, Rangmati unit Muhammad Ibrahim.
