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Biplob Rahman
bdnews24.com Senior
Correspondent
Dhaka, Apr 22 (bdnews24.com)—The
caretaker government has taken it upon itself to reactivate the Chittagong
Hill Tracts Land Commission, after a long seven-year lull, Raja Devasish
Roy told bdnews24.com Monday.
Devasish, the chief adviser's special assistant in
charge of CHT affairs, said: "The caretaker government has decided to
take urgent steps to render the commission effective and functional before
it transfers power to an elected government."
The Land Commission headquartered at Khagrachhari—with
two other district offices at Rangamati and Bandarban—will play a crucial
role in resolving the land disputes in the hill tract region, the special
aide said.
On activating the commission as early as possible,
Devasish said the government will review the relevant legislation through
consultations with the CHT Regional Council.
"It will make any required amendments to the
legislation, appoint a commission chairman, and allocate manpower and
funds, as necessary."
"The new commission will have a full-time chairman
and two members. It will undertake trial of land dispute cases in the hills
on a daily basis to dispense justice."
As per the CHT Peace Accord signed on Dec 2, 1997, the
government subsequently constituted a CHT Land Commission in 2001, but it
has remained dormant since its inception due to paucity of manpower, funds
and infrastructure.
Devasish said detailed discussion will be held with the
concerned ministry and division to resolve debates and disputes over such
land-related issues as the leasing of hill lands and resettlement of
Bengalis in case their land allotments are annulled.
No mouza based surveys will be required to
resolve land disputes, the special aide said. "Fresh land surveys will
be undertaken using modern techniques once the bulk of the disputes have
been sorted out."
The government is contemplating headquartering the
commission at Khagrachhari as land disputes have assumed an exacerbated
dimension and volume in this area. "Because of the greater number of
settlers, both local Bengalis and Indians from the north-east," Devasish
pointed out.
"Rangamati and Bandarban, however, will have
district offices of the commission, housing their own investigation
officers to probe land disputes."
Stressing that the commission will ensure and establish
the land rights of both Bengalis and the indigenous communities of the
hills, Devasish said: "The commission will at long last uphold the
hill people's traditions, rites and heritage regarding the land."
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