CHT accord to be implemented in phases: PM

BANDARBAN, Nov 17, 2012 (BSS)- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina here today reassured that her government would implement all clauses of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Agreement in phases to provide a peaceful and prosperous life for the people of the hilly region.

"We want implementation of the CHT accord and our government is fully engaged in the task," she said adding some clauses of the agreement have already been implemented and the remaining ones would be implemented gradually.

The prime minister, who arrived here today on a day-long tour to inaugurate a number of development projects, was addressing a huge public meeting at Rajar Math this afternoon.

Urging hilly people to remain alert against all conspiracies against CHT accord, Sheikh Hasina said a section of people is trying to create provocation and destroy harmony among people.
"You have to remain careful about their ill motive," she said.

Expressing her government's firm commitment to ensure equal
social and religious rights for every people, she said the
constitution has been amended to give the issue legitimacy.

The prime minister said her government has given special allocation for development of the CHT as the government wants overall progress of the people of the underprivileged region.

She said the Awami League had acknowledged the CHT conflict as a political one. So the party took the initiative to resolve the crisis politically without any military intervention.

"Our stride was successful and peace accord has ushered in immense hope in people about development of the naturally enriched region," she said.

With president of Awami League Bandarban district unit Prasanna Kanti Tanchanga in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Communications Minister Obaidul Qader, Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr Afsarul Amin, president of Chittagong City Awami League ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury and general secretary Qazi Enamul Haque Danu, president of Chittagong North district unit Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, MP, Jatindra Lal Tripura, MP and chairman of CHT Development Board Bir Bahadur, MP.

Sheikh Hasina extended her thanks to the people of Bandarban for giving vote to the Awami League candidate in 2008 general election and said, "We have got opportunity to serve you as you have reposed confidence in us".

She said the present government has initiated construction of 28 bridges and 415 kilometers of road in the CHT. Besides, the present government has connected CHT with mobile network.

She said the government has a plan to establish at least one government school and a college in every upazila of CHT to create
educational facilities for children.

The prime minister said the CHT could not attain expected
infrastructural progress as the BNP-Jamaat alliance government
suspended many development works undertaken by Awami League
government during 1996-2001 period.

"They were only successful in making the country a harbour of
terrorists and importing militancy," she added.

Seeking support of the CHT people in future, Sheikh Hasina urged them to strengthen Awami League and its front organizations in the region. "I hope you will not forget 'boat' and always lend your support to us as before," she added.