A total of 743 members of Shantibahini, the military wing of the Parbattya Chatta gram Jana Sanghati Samlty (PCJSS). will lay down their guns at Khagrachhari Stadium on February 10 and 11.
The new schedule has been proposed by Shantibahini field commander' Ushatan Talukder through a letter to Hangsadhajj Chakma. convenor of the Liai son Committee on January 28. our Khagrachhari correspondent Shuvro Jyoti Chakma reports yesterday.
Officials in Dhaka acknowledged the proposed change in programme.
They said two top ranking functionaries from tne PCJSS arrived in Khagrachhari yesterday to coordinate the arms surrender programme with Kalparanjan Chakma. a minister without portfolio.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be present at the arms surrender by the first batch of tribal guerillas at a gala ceremony at the newly built stadium on the outskirt of the Khagrachhari town, marking the beginning of implementation of the peace accord signed with the PCJSS on De-cemlier 2 last year.
PCJSS supremo Jy-
otirindrlyo Bodhipriyo Larina alias Shantu Larma will lead the first group of 400 regulars' and 200 irregulars' on February 10. Of them. 193 will come from Gilachari High School ground. 131 from Gamarichala (Ma-ichari High School). 276 from Dudukchhari. according to Ushatan Talukder.
On the second day. 143 Shantibahini members. 69 from Gilachari High School ground and 74 from Gania-richala. will surrender their arms.
Shantibahini regulars' and irregulars' have already started gathering at the respective places from where they will be transported under heavy security for the surrender ceremony.
According to highly placed sources, the Shantibahini guerillas have started depositing their guns and ammunition. They will only carry guns and other heavy weapons without ammunition at the surrender ceremony.
The ammunition will be handed over to the security forces.
Each Shantibahini cadre will receive Tk 50.000 for their resettlement in civilian life. Those who are 'eligible' will be absorbed in government and other jobs. They will also be provided with security, if asked lor, as per the peace accord.
Top leaders of the Shantibahini will also be provided with security.
Two top leaders of the PCJSS arrived in Khagrachhari yesterday to discuss with officials details about the arms surrender. back up forces and other programmes scheduled for February 10.
Kalparanjan Chakrna will lead the officials for their preparatory meeting at Khagrachhari Stadium with the PCJSS functionaries, Sud-hasindhu Khisa and Raktoutpol Tripura tomorrow (Monday), officials here said.
The PCJSS leaders who are staying at the Khagrachhari Circuit House will coordinate all affairs relating to the arms surrender until February 9.
They were escorted from Dudukchhara. their transit headquarters, in the afternoon under heavy security.
Earlier on January 28. 'field commander' of Shantibahini Ushatan Talukdar, in a letter to Liaison Committee Convenor Hansadhajj Chakma requested security escort' for the top PCJSS leader from Dudukchhara to Khagrachhari.
Ushatan Talukder had also requested for details about the surrender ceremony at Khagrachhari Stadium on February 10. He also sought details on resettlement of the Shantibahini cadres in their homes.
"We are making the requests on these matters so that the PCJSS could give its opinion at the necessary moment." Talukder said.
BSS adds from Khagrachhari: Security measures have been strengthened in the district for the February 10 arms surrender, officials said here yesterday.
The Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachhari told this correspondent that the members of Shantibahini will stay in the "samabesh" camps set up for them from February 8. Later the Shantibahini members will be taken to the transit camp at Khagrachhari sadar under heavy security by the Army and BDR.
The district administration is holding meeting with different departments concerned everyday to ensure coordination in this regard. Minister without portfolio Kalparanjan Chakma is supervising various activities for the February 10 arms sur-