Chittagong Hill Tracts situation very sensitive, claims PCJSS chief Santu Larma

The overall situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts has turned ‘very sensitive’ since the government ‘stalled’ the process of implementing the peace accord, the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) chief Santu Larma has claimed.

In 1997, the then Awami League-led government signed a peace deal with Larma-led, 'Shanti Bahini', an armed group seeking autonomy of the region.

The treaty brought to an end the two-decade long bloody conflict in the turbulent hilly region.

However, a faction of the Shanti Bahini continues to oppose the accord while Larma's PCJSS has been pressing for its full implementation.

Larma spoke at an event in Dhaka on Saturday to mark the 18th anniversary of the accord.

“The issue of the hill tracts is both national and political. The treaty aimed to resolve the issue for the sake of the country. That’s why it’s imperative to implement the pact,” he said.

PCJSS has been alleging that, contrary to the terms of the agreement, army camps have not been removed from the region, the district and regional councils remain at loggerheads, the local administrations are not friendly and the land commission is not effective, among other things.

“The government has totally stalled the process of implementing the peace deal. The overall situation there is very sensitive,” Larma said on Saturday.