CHT people to enjoy ownership of their land: PM

Urging the people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region to maintain peace and discipline, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today assured that they (people) would enjoy the ownership of their land in the area, reports BSS.

"Development is not possible without maintaining peaceful atmosphere ... so, keeping this in mind, I call upon all to work together to this end," she said.

The premier said the ownership of the land in Chittagong Hill Tracts won't be determined by the laws of British era, rather the people of the area will enjoy the ownership of the land like the people of the other regions of the country.

"We want to establish such a system so that the people of the (Chittagong) Hill Tracts region can enjoy the ownership of their land ... we want to ensure it," she said.

The prime minister said this while opening the 4000th Para Kendra (Village Centre) in Chittagong Hill Tracts through a video conference from Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel here this morning.

The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board and UNICEF jointly organized the inauguration ceremony of the 4000th Para Kendra of Mitingachhari under Kaptai upazila in Rangamati.

PM's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs RAM Ubaidul Muktadir Chowdhury and UNICEF Country Representative Edouard Beigbeder were present at the function as special guests.

State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing presided over the function, while CHT Affairs Secretary Naba Bikram Kishore Tripura delivered the welcome address.

Ministers, PM's advisers, parliament members, diplomats, high civil and military officials and 400 workers of Para Kendra were also present.