CHT commission concludes tour of hill district

sources- http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=49620

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Commission during its two-day visit to Khagrachhari and Baghaichhari heard allegations and counter allegations from indigenous people and settlers.

The commission started its visit from Karallachhari of Mohalchhari upazila in Khagrachhari on August 7 and ended its tour at Babupara in the same upazila yesterday.

The commission observed the human rights situation, democratic rights situation and participation of the locals in development activities in the CHT areas. It has also observed how the CHT Peace Treaty of 1997 is being implemented.

The commission divided into two teams visited different areas yesterday. One team led by Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission Co-chairman Lord Avebury visited Bagaihat around 10:30am while the other team led by Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission Co-chairman Sultana Kamal visited Duitilla and Charmail areas in Baghaichhari. Both teams talked to indigenous people, settlers and government officials in the areas.

The indigenous people told the commission that the settlers are grabbing their lands, orchards and properties at Duitilla, Charmail, Bagaihat and Sajek under the protection of the administration. The settlers harass their young daughters everywhere, they alleged. They also demanded withdrawal of security forces from CHT. Indigenous leaders said they want a peaceful environment.

The settlers, however, told the commission that the indigenous people were grabbing their land which the government provided them at Karallachhari in Mohalchhari upazila, Duitilla, Charmail and Bagaihat in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati. The settlers said criminal activists have risen in the hilly areas and JSS and UPDF are responsible for many instances of abduction, killing and extortion. They demanded the presence of more security personnel in their areas.

The commission would officially disclose its findings in a press conference which will be held in Dhaka within the next two weeks.

Lord Avebury went to Khagrachhari Thursday and held discussions with regional commander Brig Gen Kamruzzaman PSC, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahdat Hossen, Khagrachhari Hill District Council (KHDC) Chairman Monindra Lal Tripura and CHT Taskforce Chairman Samiron Dewan.

Victoria Tauli Corpus from the Philippines, Sara Hossain, Shapan Adnan, M Zafar Iqbal, Tom Eskildsen, representative of Jumma Net Japan, and Chris Erni, representative of IWGIA, were among the teams.