Politicians, cultural activists, and ethnic minority leaders yesterday demanded that the government must set a definite roadmap for the effective implementation of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord to eliminate vexations and frustrations of the ethnic minority people.

If the government fails to achieve trust of the CHT people soon, a suspicion and a feeling of deception may rise among them, they told a token hunger strike programme on "Implementation of CHT Accord and Formation of Land Commission in Plain Areas" jointly organised by Parbatya Chattagram Nagorik Committee, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, and CHT Headmen's Network.

The programme was organised under the banner of Jatiya Nagorik Udyog in the city's Central Shaheed Minar to press on the government to implement the CHT deal fully and ensure the land rights of the ethnic minority communities of both hilly and plain regions.

Mujahidul Islam Selim, president of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), said "All the communities fought against the Pakistani occupation forces for independence in 1971. If the government tries to deprive any of them, the spirit of the Liberation War cannot be established."

"Ethnic minorities are not outside of Bangladesh. The government must fulfill their logical demands and take effective measures to implement the peace accord," said eminent cultural personality Ramendu Majumdar, expressing frustrations.

Khushi Kabir, coordinator of Nijera Kori, said the incumbent government signed the deal and they must implement it.

Freedom fighter and eminent theatre personality Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu alleged that a vested quarter in the government machinery is hindering the implementation and urged the prime minister to take necessary steps to fulfill the communities' demand and form separate land commissions for hilly and plain regions.

Sanjib Drong, general secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, said the government must fulfil their demands; otherwise it will create doubts among them regarding the government's sincerity about ensuring their rights.

He also urged politicians and civil society members to stand united for the implementation of the accord signed between PCJSS, an organisation of the ethnic minority communities of the CHT, and the then Awami League-led government on December 2, 1997.

Pankaj Bhattacharya, president of Oikya Nap; Rana Dasgupta, president of Bangladesh Hindu-Buddha-Christian Oikkyo Parishad; and Rabindranath Soren, president of National Adivasi Parishad also spoke.