Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) Chairman Shantu Larma has opposed the plans to set up medical colleges and universities in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region.
He made his reservations clear at a press conference on the PCJSS demand for the full implementation of the CHT peace accord at Hotel Sunderban in Dhaka.
“These institutions will open the floodgate to outsiders. CHT people are not prepared for this. So such projects should be put on hold until peace accord is fully implemented,” he said.
Instead, he demanded the setting up of para-medical universities and poly-technical institutes in the CHT, and more scholarships and quotas for CHT students in medical colleges and public universities in other parts of the country.
He stressed the need for greater allocation for education in CHT and introduction of more Honours and Masters degree programmes in the three government-run colleges in the three hill districts.
The PCJSS chief also spoke of their 17-point charter of demand at the press briefing.
He demanded suspension of all military operations, the dismantling of security forces camps, and a halt to ‘terror activities’ of anti-peace accord organisation UPDF.
He emphasised rehabilitation of both internal and external jumma refugees and the return of their property occupied forcefully.
Larma also wanted a land commission to resolve land issues of the indigenous people of the plains.
The demands also include immediate elections to CHT districts and regional councils, the withdrawal of the CHT District Council (amended) 2014 Act bill, revoking CHT Development Act 2014 and CHT Development Board among others.
PCJSS secretary Shaktipada Tripura, Bangladesh Indigenous Forum General Secretary Sanjib Drong, Jatiya Adivasi Forum President Rabindranath Soren, Oikya NAP President Pankaj Bhattacharya were also present in the briefing.
Source: Bd news24