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Clouds of doubt hang over Chittagong Hill Tracts talks

By Sabir Mustafa, back from Khagrachhari
Sitting In hfs tin-roofed house In one of the small villages that make up Khagrachharl town, Shaukhln Chakma finds It difficult to be optimistic.
The advent of democracy in Dhaka has reduced the degree of repression on the 'Pahari' people, he says, but "our economic and social backbone are being systematically destroyed, creating conditions for more strife."
The latest round of talks between the government and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samlty (PCJSS) initially raised some hopes In the
hills, but Shaukhln, a leader of the Paharl Gano Parishad, harbours few illusions.
"If this round of talks Is not successful, then there'll have to be a much wider movement, and that can turn out to be quite bloody," he says.
The year is ending with a ceasefire announced In August by the Shantibahinl, armed wing of the PCJSS, still Intact. But the talks are already showing signs of running Into trouble, following the Nov 5 meeting.
Hangsadhoz Chakma, the convenor of the liaison committee which arranged the
meeting, betrays few outward signs of anxiety. He is pleased by the fact that he successfully brought the top leadership of the PCJSS to the negotiating table last month.
Hangsadhoz Is still waiting for the Jana Sanghati Samlty to send a detailed outline of their autonomy plan for the CHT, as requested by the government committee headed by Communications Minister Col OH Ahmed.
The delay worries the old man. and he has all but given up hope of arranging the next meeting before the SAARC Summit gets underway In
Dhaka. He is still hoping the reply wl(l come soon and a date can be arranged before the year is out
'These talks offer the best chance we've had in years to find a solution to the Hill Tracts problem. I'd hate to predict what would happen If they fall," he says.
Hangsadhoz worries that if things "carry on as they have been, then our nations (13 tribes) will cease to exist as cultural entitles by the year 2000."
The prospect of failure haunts everyone In this 2,660 sq kni district with a popula-
tion of 329,923. Like most other Pahari leaders. Shaukhln Chakma too Is sceptical about the government's sincerity in working out a political solution to the crisis.
There Is an effective economic blockade against our people, human rights violations including arbitrary ar rests and torture are continuing, and there is no sign that the government is willing to address our demand for a legislative council and withdrawal of political migrants." he says.
By political migrants, tribal leaders mean all those Bengalees numbering between
three and four lakhs, who were brought to the CHT under government-sponsored migrations since 1974.
The importance of the role of the PCJSS in any settlement Is apparent as serious doubts are raised by tribals as well as a significant section of the Bangalee community, about the usefulness of the Local Government Council Act of 1989, which purported to give limited autonomy to the CHT.
The Local Council option might have gained In public support had the Act been Implemented sincerely and fully
So far. we have not seen much willingness on the part of the government to do that.' says Jyotindralal Tripura, a former leader of the Jana Sanghati Samlty who quit the movement and came back in 1983
Jyotindraiai. who la currently the chief editor of a local weekly paper which la accused by other tribals of being controlled by a government agency, fears that the ceasefire and talks may be a 'tactical move' by the faction-ridden PCJSS to buy time.
But he still sees no hope of an alternative leadership emerging in Khagrachharl which might challenge the Samlty’s Influence.
The Shantlbahlnl has some highly dedicated cadres, but It Is still difficult to say how resolute Shantu Larma, the PCJSS president, will be tn carrying on with the struggle,' he says
Some leaders of the Bengalee community feel that the tribals have much to lose if they persist with their demands and struggle.
Abul Kashem, president of district unit of Bangladesh Nationalist Party says It is "up to the Paharis" to protect their cultural identities through peaceful co-existence with Bangalees If they choose the Cth of conflict, then they risk
Ing everything,' he warns.
Others such as Zahldul Alam, district general secretary of the Awami League, feel that the migrants of '79-83 were brought in without adhering to the rules and settled In a haphazard manner. But he says a total eviction would be impractical.
They have to be re-settled on government khas land, arjd
a new administrative structure will have to be worked out by everyone concerned. Including the PCJSS. The Local Government Council has Called totaBy." Alam says
Alam warns that If the ma ^iic<>urh “* aspirations of the Pahari people. then a more radical regional force may emerge tn the CHT