Much as would have liked the first anniversary of CHT peace accord to pass on a celebrative note, regrettably some discordant voices were heard through the observance programmes of different parties. The redeeming feature though is that the dissent was voiced by the PCJSS on the slow pace of implementation rather than on any content of the peace accord. How much the PCJSS is responsible, for the deceleration of the implementation process is something they would have to reflect on before they put the blame squarely on the government. The anniversary is also the right occasion for the government to do some introspection on its tally of failures.

We cannot implement the peace accord fast and thick without the instruments necessary to do it. The hill district council bills already enacted by the parliament are awaiting minor modifications to accommodate certain views of the PCJSS. Unless we get this over with we cannot hold the hill district council elections which are vital to the formation of a truly representative Regional Council, the apex body envisaged in the peace agreement to implement autonomy in the region which was the core demand of the tribal population. The elected office-bearers of the hill district council are to constitute the electoral college for the RC. A nominated interim RC is only an incidental necessity, all our efforts must now be directed towards completing the legislation, setting a date for the hill district council elections and ultimately putting in place the Regional Council.

Meanwhile we should have the Land Commission to sort out the settlement issues on a permanent footing. Since the peace accord has reaffirmed the land rights of the existing plainland settlers in no unmistakable terms, any attempted re-opening of this settled issue would amount to a breach of the accord.

The process of absorption of the 2000 armed Shantibahini cadres who have returned to normality by surrendering their weapons needs to be completed at the soonest.

It is important in the final analysis that the PCJSS sets the tribal house in order.