Leaders of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Jumma Refugee Welfare Association have demanded rehabilitation of the returnee Jumma refugees and internally displaced Jummas in the CHT region.

They have also demanded full implementation of the accord singed in Agartala, capital of the Indian state of Tripura, on March 9 in 1997 between the then Awami League government and the leaders of Jumma refugees.

The demands were raised at a rally at Larma Square ground in Khagrachhari town with association's President Prabhakar Chakma in the chair.

The speakers said Jumma refugees are suffering a lot as most of the important points of the accord have not yet been implemented. They said the government should immediately implement the accord fully to mitigate the sufferings of the Jumma refuges and establish peace in CHT.

They also demanded full implementation of the CHT Peace Accord, removal of Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Dispute Resolution Commission (CHTLDRC) Chairman Justice Khademul Islam Chowdhury, amendment to the controversial clauses of the commission Act 2001 and their recognition as indigenous people in the constitution.

The speakers threatened to launch a tougher agitation

programme if their demand for rehabilitation of Jumma refugees was not met immediately.

The rally was addressed, among others, by Vice-president of Jumma Refugee Welfare Association Ajit Baran Chakma, its General Secretary Santoshita Chakma, Vice-Chairman of Dighinala Upazila Parishad Supriya Chakma and Principal Madhu Mangai Chakma.

Later, a team led by Prabhakar Chakma submitted a memorandum to the prime minister through Khagrachhari deputy commissioner demanding rehabilitation of Jumma refugees and full implementation of the CHT Peace Accord.