Chittagong Hill Tract Commission (CHTC) has begun its visit to Khagrachhari to see human rights situation and participatory development in the area.

CHTC Co-Chairman Lord Eric Avebury arrived in the hill town at about 3.00pm yesterday and held discussions with the Regional Commander of the army Brigadier General Kamruzzaman, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, Khagrachhari Hill District Council Chairman Monindra Lal Tripura and CHT Taskforce Chairman Samiron Dewan.

At about 7.00pm, the Commission also met with tribal leaders who alleged that the local Bangalee settlers wanted to grab their lands, orchards and properties under the shelter of the admin -istration.

They said they are always in fear of bloodshed in the area.

Similar allegations were also raised by the civil society leaders of Bangalee people.

They said the tribal people are grabbing the land that the government provided to 384 families at Karallachhari in 1981-82 financial year.

They were gathered in cluster village’in theriame of security biit the indigenous people are ' pow grabbing their lands and orchards.

The Bangalee leaders said the indigenous people are also making propaganda against the government and the army.

Later the Commission met with Khagrachhari Hill District Council Chairman Monindra Lal Tripura and CHT Affairs Taskforce Chairman Samiron Dewan at their offices.

Lord Avebury is expected to meet high-ups of the caretaker government, including chief adviser, army chief, civil society representatives and political leaders.

Other members of the Commission are Sultana Kamal, co-chair of CHTC, Sara Hossain, Swapan Adnan, Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Tom Eskildsen and Chris Emi.