A view exchange meeting on implementation of CHT with all the concerned parties was held at CHT Development Board conference hall on 28 January 2015 at the initiative undertaken by Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts.
In the meeting, it was resolved that as per the 13-point amendment proposal adopted by the CHT Accord Implementation Committee meeting held on 20 January 2015, the Amendment Bill of CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act 2001 would be placed in the current winter session of the Parliament. Besides, advancement on implementation of CHT Accord was also discussed in the meeting. It is also learnt through the concerned source that the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere.
The meeting was presided over by Bir Bahadur Ushwe Shing, State Minister of Ministry of CHT Affairs. Dr. Gowhar Rizvi, External Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister was present as the chief guest of the meeting. Dignitaries present in the meeting were?
1. Mr. Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council Chairman and President of PCJSS;
2. Mr. Jyotindra Lal Tripura, Chairman of Task Force on India-returnee Jumma Refugees and Internally Displaced Refugees;
3. Justice(rtd.) Anowar-ul-Haque, newly appointed Chairman of CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission;
4. Mr. Ushatan Talukder, MP of no. 299 Rangamati Constituency;
5. Mr. Kujendra Lal Tripura, MP of 298 Khagrachari Constituency;
6. Msferoza Begum Chinu, MP of reserved seat;
7. Mr. Nikhil Kumar Chakma, Chairman of Rangamati Hill District Council;
8. Mr. Chathoai Marma,Chairman of Khagrachari District Council;
9. Representative from Bandarban Hill District Council;
10. Barrister Devasish Roy, Chakma Circle Chief and
11. Chaching Prue Chowdhury, Mong Circle Chief.
Besides, Secretary of MoCHTA Mr. Naba Bikram Kishore Tripura, Senior Secretary of Ministry of Land, secretary of Land & Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, Chittagong Divisional Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioners of the three hill districts were also present in the meeting.
In the meeting, while discoursing on implementation of CHT Accord and the present situation, CHTRC chairman and PCJSS president Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma raised the background of signing the CHT Accord in brief and pointed out that it is due to being not proper implementation of CHT Accord in the meanwhile, there prevails a situation quite unstable, restless and lacking of security in CHT.
He said that mere bringing an amendment to the contravening sections of CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act 2001 will not serve the purpose; alongside, initiative for implementation of other concerned issues will also have to be undertaken. From among these, transfer of the Land & Land Management subject to HDCs through issuing an administrative order, transfer of the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission from the Ministry of Lands to Ministry of CHT Affairs, formulation of the responsibilities and powers of Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police in consistent with the CHT Regional Council Act and three Hill District Council Actsenacted as per with the CHT Accord, amendment of the other laws applicable to CHT, etc. He also opined that before placing the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Commission Act 2001 bill to the Parliament, it shall have to be sent to the CHT Regional Council.
Mr. J. B. Larma further said, `We had entered upon the CHT Accord with immeasurable hopes and dreams and in an atmosphere overwhelmed with joy. But even after 17 years, for non-implementation of the Accord, the atmosphere as such is no more. …. CHT is now being ruled under colonial manner.’ He continued saying that the Jumma peoples of CHT have the right to live with equal rights of a citizen. But the Jumma peoples are assessed and viewed with a difference ? he added. While concluding, he expressed his hope that the CHT Land Dispute Resolution Act would soon be amended as per the recommendations adapted by CHT Accord Implementation Committee.
Dr. Gowher Rizvi, during his contribution to the meeting said, ‘The meeting of CHT Accord Implementation Committee was held on 20 January 2015 and we were in agreement. I hope the implementation work of the Accord will advance ahead. The Land Commission Act will be raised in the current session and the work to that direction is underway.’ He also informed the meeting that the government is committed to implement the Accord.
Chakma Circle Chief Barrister Devasish Roy in his deliverance said, ‘Decision on CHT Land Dispute Resolution Act 2001 was taken in this manner for many times. But the Act was not amended.’ He expressed his hope of concerted effort undertaken through the meeting but with that, in light of the earlier experience, he expressed his fear on implementation of amendment as per the decision taken in the said meeting.
The Secretary of Law & Parliamentary Affairs Ministry and the senior Secretary of Ministry of Lands informed the meeting that they would pace their best foot forward to get the Amendment Bill of CHT Land Commission Act passed in the current winter session of the House as soon as possible.
Bir Bahadur Ushwe Shing, State Minister, CHT Affairs Ministry affirmed that active role on part of the Ministry would be continued in the case of implementing the CHT Accord.