Santu Larma warns of 'unrest' if CHT peace accord is not fully implemented

Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) President Jyotirindra Bodhiprya Larma has accused the government of 'cheating and treachery' over the Chittagong Hill Tracts peace accord.

The PCJSS leader, better known as Santu Larma, has warned that the government may have to face unrest in the hill tracts if it does not fully execute the deal.

At a discussion in Dhaka to mark the 19th anniversary of the accord, Larma said, "Now I won't believe that all the articles of the accord will be executed even if the prime minister says so."

"Because there were many incidents of cheating, treachery in past 19 years," he said.

He also announced they will continue PCJSS' noncooperation movement for full implementation of the peace accord.

"We will work to press for our demand. If the government uses the language of arms to suppress us, then I don't believe the condition in the Chittagong Hill Tracts will remain same," Larma said.

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

The treaty ended two decades of bush war in the hill region.

The government claims 48 of the 72 articles in the accord have been fully implemented while 15 have been executed partially.

But the PCJSS accuses the government of 'lying'. The organisation says only 25 articles have been implemented.

Among others, CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim and Sharif Nurul Ambia, president of a JaSoD faction, spoke at the discussion.