CHT peace accord challenged in HC

The High Court Monday issued rule upon the government to explain why the CHT peace treaty signed with the erstwhile Shanti Bahini leaders in 1997 should not be declared without lawful authority. After a brief hearing on a Public Interest Litigation writ, a two-judge bench headed by Justice Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman issued the order. The court also ordered the authorities not to debar any non-tribal Bangladeshis living in the hill tracts from registering in the voter list until the rule is resolved. Advocate Mohammad Tajul Islam filed and moved the writ petition, challenging the 1997 treaty that had led to the disbanding of the Shanti Bahini to end their protracted bush war for self-rule. Moving the writ Tajul submitted that the CHT peace treaty questioned the integrity and sovereignty of the state. —UNB