Chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council Jyotirindriyo Bodhipriyo Larma says he does not think that whoever forms the next government will alter the CHT peace agreement although the present government failed to fully implement it.
"It has been signed by the government. The party in power has failed to fully implement it. It will have to bear the responsibility for the failure. Similarly, if another party comes to power winning the next elections, they will have to bear the same responsibility if they too fail to implement it", Larma said.
His was asked to comment on the future political scenario vis-a-vis the state of the agreement he signed with the government on December 2, 1997, ending decades of insurgency for self-rule in 14.200 sq km CHT region.
"The agreement is the outcome of our struggle", Larma told The Daily Star in an interview on Monday at the Dhaka office of the Regional Council (RC). "Shahashak Gohsthi (the ruling group) did not give the rights as a gift. We had to earn it through move-
ment and we shall continue our struggle for its full implementation".
He complained that there is a conspiracy to undo the agreement. "The land Commission for the CHT is yet to be set up fully to start the vital survey for land ownership. It is not the question of land being taken away. It is the question of existence of a nationality. A similar situation is being faced in the plains and else where by Santals. Rakhaines, Oraos, Khasias and Garos".
Larma said Adibashi Adhikar Forum (AAF) has been formed for betterprotection of their rights.
A 15-member convening committee of the AAF was formed last week with Larma as its convenor.
Larma said the AAF aims at safeguarding rights of the ethnic minorities in the country in the face of "onslaught by extreme nationalism, fundamentalism and imperialism".
But he would not name anyone to explain the forces which he classified as Shahshak Goshthi, using (he left euphemism for rulingclass.
The former guerilla chief said the AAF would hold a national convention soon to consolidate the "small peoples" rights.
He also hinted that it would participate activi ty in the forthcoming national elections.
"We would certainly have a role in the next elections", he said without elaborating, apparently basing his calculations on the ‘swing votes’ of ethnic people. According to Sanjib Drong. Member-Secretary of the AAI. such votes will determine the outcome of election in 15/ 20 parllamei .aryconstituencies.
But I arma blew hot on the situation in his furl. "We would resist the polls" if elections in the three (111 constituencies are not held on the basis of a separate voter list as per (he peace agreement, providing voting right only to "permanent residents", he said.
Reminded that the demand lor a separate voter list in ( HI lor national elections has been rejected by the I lection Commission, he said he stands by his demand. It will be resisted if the government resorts to repressive measures'.
He explained that the Jana Sanghat i.Samity (JSS), of which he is the chief, would work as a separate
entity" to resolve the CUT problems. Ihe AAI will focus on ethnic people's issues nationally and locally, he said.
On the background ol formation ol AAI; ku ma said the recent killings of Alfred Soren in Naogaon and Gidita Rhema in Madhupur. forcible marriage of her sister and conversion of her faith and grabbing of their property prompted the "helpless small nationalities" to organise themselves.
He also alleged that (he plan to evict (he Khasla people from (heir betel leave gloves and orchards in the name of setting up an Eco-Park in Madhabkundu is part ol a move to "eliminate" them.
"We have decided to organise ourselves under (he banner of AAI to fight such oppression", he said.
I Ie also blasted (he local administration for its non-action in preventing deforestation in ( Ilf and vowed to protect the environment there for survival of the ethnic minorities.
On (he government's plans to add (vvo more units to the Kaptai
Hydel Power Station with Japanese assistance, he said this will result in water-logging, Hash Hoods and loss of farms.
He demanded that the (Kaptai) lake management committee be reconstituted with (he RCChairman or (he Hill District Council Chairman as its head to protect the lake's eco-system. The committee is now headed by the Divisional ( ommissionerof('hittagong.
Lirina answered a number ol other questions relating to his trouble with the renegades from ISSwho formed the United Peoples Democratic front (UPDF) and law and order in CUT. But he refused to comment on the recent kidnapping ol three foreigners in Cl 11
The UPDF is backed by (he authorities to weaken his organisation, he claimed. They (I J PDF members) have killed 26 JSS members since signingof (he peace at ( ord, he said adding that UPDF is nothing hut a group indulging crimes. I Ie declined to accept (he UPDF as a political entity.