Dec 02, 2011

Chittagong Hill Tracts: 10km-long Human Chain for Peace


On the 14th anniversary of the peace accord signing, the PCJSS dissident group  organized a major mobilization to demand the protection indigenous rights, establishment of good governance and peace in the hills.

Below is an article published by The Daily Star:

The dissident group of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) yesterday [1 December 2011] formed a 10- km-long human chain on Khagrachhari-Rangamati Road demanding full implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord without further delay.

They also demanded constitutional recognition of all ethnic groups as indigenous people and repeal of the clause concerned of the 15th amendment to the constitution.

Hundreds of hill people, carrying banners, placards and festoons, joined the human chain from Dhudukchhara in Panchhari upazila of Khagrachhari district to Manikchhari in Rangamati district to press for their demands, report our Rangamati and Kharachhari correspondents..

Manabendra Narayan Larma (MN Larma) faction of PCJSS organised the programme to mark 14th anniversary of the peace accord signing.

The government has breached its promise to the indigenous people by not taking any initiative to implement the treaty, the leaders of the faction said in the leaflet distributed during the human chain programme.

They urged all ethnic communities to stay united and warned the government of a tougher agitation if their demands were not met soon.

Addressing a press conference at a hotel in Khagrachhari town, leaders of the PCJSS dissident group urged the government to protect the rights of the indigenous people, establish good governance and peace in the hills.

Rupayan Dewan, co-chairperson of the faction, read out a statement at the conference. Another co-chairperson Sudha Sindhu Khisha and member-secretary Tatintra Lal Chakma were present.