CHT accord itself has become a problem, says frustrated Santu Larma

A frustrated Santu Larma has warned of the CHT situation spinning out of control and said the government would have to take the blame since it has not implemented the peace accord.

He signed the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord in 1997 with the Awami League-led government, bringing an end to two decades of bloodshed in the hills region.

Speaking at a programme marking the 17th anniversary of that pact, he demanded a deadline for the accord’s implementation.

Most speakers at Tuesday's discussion were unhappy with the current pace of the accord’s execution.

However, ruling Awami League Presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, promised full implementation but did not specify a timeframe.

"The accord itself has become a problem now," Larma said of the deal, which is supposed to settle issues in the CHT.

Last Saturday, Larma who heads Parbatya Chattagram Janasanghati Samiti (PCJSS) claimed the accord's implementation was "partial and faulty".

The former guerrilla leader also warned of a non-cooperation agitation from May 1 in the hill tracts if the accord was not fully executed by Apr 30 next year.

"We can easily understand where the implementation stands now when a soldier participating in 'Operation Uttaran' is more powerful than the regional council chairman," Larma said.

He believed a time-bound programme was the only way to deliver on the promises.

"I believe the government will come forward to implement the accord as it was signed during its [1996-01] tenure.

"It is a moral responsibility of the Sheikh Hasina-led government," Larma said.

He claimed the very existence of the indigenous people was at stake since the agreement was yet to be implemented.

Sultana Kamal, the co-chair of the International Commission on the CHT affairs, said those impeding full implementation of the accord should be identified and punished.

Deputy Leader of the House Sajeda Chowdhury tried to sound reassuring.

"Implementing the accord is the government's political commitment. There's no option to retract."

Larma hoped the government would understand the situation and take initiatives.

"The situation may spiral out of control if the accord is not executed. You can't blame Santu Larma for it.

"Santu Larma had to announce programmes on behalf of the Janasanghati Samiti which represents the indigenous people.

"I had to speak for the people," he said.

"We signed this agreement to protect our existence and survive. We want its full implementation.

"Only speaking about peace won't bring peace [in the hill tracts] if effective steps were not taken," Larma thundered.