Santu Larma says no alternative to movement for full implementation of CHT Peace Accord

STAFF CORRESPONDENT, RANGAMATI

Chittagong Hill Tract Regional Council chairman Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma sees no alternative to launching a movement to fully implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.

“There is no alternative to launching a movement for the full implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, also known as CHT Peace Accord,” said Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, better known as Santu Larma, on Friday, December 23, 2022.

Santu Larma, also the president of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanmhati Samiti (PCJSS), was speaking at a programme organised by Parbatya Chattagram Pahari Chhatra Parishad (Chittagong Hill Tracts Hill Students Council) marking 25 years of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, better known as the CHT Peace Accord.

“For the past 25 years, the Peace Accord has been neglected, ignored, disrespected, and confined to papers. It is not any ordinary accord. The Accord includes safeguards for preserving the existence of the permanent inhabitants of the hill tracts, especially the Jumma people,” Santu Larma said.

“We signed the Accord hoping it would protect the Jumma people’s basic survival… but that did not happen. The implementation of the Accord has been put on the shelf.…. so a new movement is a must for its implementation.”

Former National Human Rights Commission member Nirupa Dewan, poet and litterateur Shishir Chakma, and central president of Pahari Chhatra Parishad Sumon Marma attended the programme as special guests, with the convenor of Pahari Chhatra Parishad, Ziko Chakma, in the chair.