The government will fully implement the 1997 peace treaty on Chittagong Hill Tracts to keep its promise, State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing said on Tuesday. His remarks came when European Ambassador in Dhaka William Hana met him at his Secretariat office. The treaty, signed by the then-government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has ended years of armed conflict between government forces and Shanti Bahini rebels. Terming the land management as a key problem in the hilly region Bir Bahadur said the cabinet has approved the Chittagong Land Disposal Commission Bill-2001 aimed at resolving the disputes. Under the peace treaty, most of the government offices located in CHT has been brought under the jurisdiction of Zila Parishad and the remaining issues will be implemented soon, he said. He said steps have been taken to increase capacity of Chittagong Zila Parishad. – UNB
