ZCZC
BSS-58
CHT-PEACE-ACCORD
23rd anniversary of CHT Peace Accord tomorrow
DHAKA, Dec 1, 2020 (BSS)-The 23rd anniversary of Chittagong Hill
Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord is tomorrow.
The accord was signed on December 2 in 1997 between the government
and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS) during the
first tenure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ending bloody conflicts
in three hill districts.
The then Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Abul Hasnat Abdullah signed the
agreement on behalf of the government, while Joritindra Bodhipriyo
Larma (Santu Larma) on behalf of PCJSS.
The Khagrachhari Region and the Hill District Council have
undertaken day-long programmes to observe the day in compliance with
proper health rules.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today
issued separate messages marking the completion of 23 years of the
historic agreement.
In his message, President Hamid called upon all irrespective of
party affiliations to work together to make use of the potentials of
hill districts.
He recalled that the historic CHT Peace Accord was signed between
the CHT Affairs National Committee and the PCJSS on December 2, 1997
at the initiative of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ending
long-standing conflicts.
As a sequel to the implementation of CHT accord, the CHT Affairs
Ministry and CHT Regional Council were formed, the head of the state
said.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the countrymen,
specially the people of the three hill districts, on the occasion of
the completion of 23 years of the historic agreement.
The Prime Minister sought cooperation from all for full
implementation of the CHT peace accord.
On December 2 in 1997, the historic CHT Peace Accord was signed
without the mediation of any third party, with a view to stopping
bloody conflicts in the CHT, the premier said.
This peace accord brought an end to the long-term bloody racial
skirmishes in the CHT region and established the trend of peace and
development there, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said achieving the UNESCO Peace Prize is a global
recognition to this accord.
The Prime Minister said the post 1975 undemocratic governments
(after the assassination of Bangabandhu) had created divisions between
the Bangalee and the hill people for their self-interest instead of
maintaining social stability there.
Killings, tortures and injustice, grabbing of lands and wealth and
misuse of the state resources had made the region more unstable, she
added.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has been implementing massive
development programmes in all sectors, including education, health,
electricity, communications, infrastructure and mobile networks in the
region.
The Prime Minister said CHT is no more a backward locality because
of the timely steps taken by the government.
BSS/PR/MSH/SRH/MRU/2229hrs