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Commoners still crave for benefits

MONIRUL Islam MONU, Bandarban
Common people are yet to reap the benefits of Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Agreement even though 12 years have elapsed after the deal was signed.
Thoi Nue Marma, secretary of a local union parishad, said: "If the benefits of the peace agreement had been distributed equally everybody would have got something but that did not happen."
No positive decision regarding lands in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) has been taken after the peace agreement, he alleged.
He said, after three hill district local government councils had been formed in Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari in 1989. the government stopped to lease out Kitas land. As a result people arc turning into sharecroppers due to crisis ofland.
On the other haitd. thousands of acres of government Kitas land arc being transferred to the non-fanner local gentry in the name of promoting rubber garden, horticulture and tourist zones, Thoi Nue added.
On die occasion of the 12th anniversary of the peace deal he demanded lifting of ban on leasing out government Khas land in CHT. If needed, the government can impose some conditions before a piece of land is leased out. he said.
The peace agreement has created mixed reactions among the politically conscious people.
A high official of Bangladesh Bank and an ethnic preferring anonymity said. "Different UN agencies and donor agencies have made huge investment in the region after the peace agreement It has increased the buying capacity of local people to some extent but it doesn't really help to strengthen people’s economic condition permanently."
Juamlian Amlai, a senior citizen of indigenous Bom ethnic group, pointing to the shanties at Ujanl Para, Madhyam Para and Jadi Para by the bank of the River Shankha said, it would be really meaningful when the outcome of development activities percolates to the lowest rung of the society.
Juamlian said: “Arms from the hill people were taken away in the name of peace agreement but they were given nothing so that they can do something for their survival."
As per the conditions of the peace deal, a separate ministry, CHT Regional Council and Task Force on Refugees were set up with local leaders running those organisations.
Chittagong Area Commander (GOC) was replaced by an elected lawmaker from the CHT as the chairman of CHT Development
Board.
Replying to a question as to how much liberty he has in planning development activities as the chairman of the Cl IT Development Hoard lawmaker Bir Bahadur who enjoys the status of state minister said. "100 percent."
He said. "Instead of big projects we have given much importance to connecting the growth centres with district and u pazila headquarters."
Bir Bahadur claimed that before the peace agreement die headquarters in three CHT districts could not be completely connected with the capital. In last 12 years even die remote areas have been brought under the communica -tions network.
After the peace deal was struck the enrolment in educational institutions in different areas has gone up, the lawmaker said, adding that girls have outpaced the boys in die sector as a result of constant motivation.
CHT Board chairman said the benefits of development do not become visible overnight. But if different indexes are reviewed the signs of positive development can be realised.
Bahadur said, after signing the agreement on December 2, 1997 the Awami League govern -ment was not in power for long. He alleged dial the successive governments, instead of following the conditions of the peace agreement, took anti-people steps to hinder the implementation of the deal.
The ruling Awami League lawmaker said. "Within a few months of assuming power we have revised the Peace Agreement Implementation National Committee. We have also activated the CHT Land Commission. Khagrachhari MP Jatindra Lal Tripura has taken over the charge of the Task Force on Refugees."
"We think we will be able to implement 100 percent of the peace agreement before the tenure of this government is over. This is our government's political good will and election pledge," added Bahadur.