Civil society members talk CHT issues with local leaders, officials

Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari
Source from-http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=21175

Civil society leaders from Dhaka left for Rangaamti after a two-day visit to Khagrachhari during which they talked to leaders of indigenous and Bangalee communities and high officials on different issues in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

Alleged violation of human rights, CHT peace agreement, settlement of both indigenous and Bangalee people, special quotas for indigenous people, alleged unequal representation of Bangalees in jobs in offices and in different regional bodies were discussed during their visit, sources in the team told this correspondent yesterday.

Vice President of Sammilita Samajik Andolon Pankaj Battachariya led the team.

It included columnist Sayed Abul Moksud, cultural personality Kamal Lohani, former Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University Dr. Rashidi Mahbub, secretary general of Bangladesh Solidarity Movement Belal Ahmed, Dhaka University teacher Sourab Sikder and journalists Nazrul Islam Mithu, Kabita Papri and Anwar Kabir.

They visited different areas and talked to at least 100 indigenous leaders representing Union Parishads, Headmen (village chief), Karbari (mouza chief), religious leaders and leaders of Somo Adhiker Andolon, Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity, United People Democratic Front (UPDF).

The team also held meetings with Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahdat Hossen, district council chairman Monindra Lal Tripura, Mong Circle chief Raja Paihaprue Chowdhury, urging them to take steps to maintain communal harmony in the hills.

The team leadrer said they have gathered views of all communities on different issues.

After the CHT visit, the team will hold a grand roundtable conference in Dhaka on the issues, to be participated by eminent personalities and make suggestions to the government to resolve those.