21st anniversary of CHT Peace Accord today

Today marks the 21st anniversary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord.

The treaty was signed on December 2, 1997 between the government and the Parbatya Chattogram 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 Jotiridra Bodhipriyo Larma, also known as Santu Larma, signed on behalf of PCJSS.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday issued separate messages marking completion of 21 years of the treaty.

In his message, the president called upon all irrespective of party affiliations to work together to make use of the potentials of hill districts, and for the development of the motherland.

He recalled that the historic treaty was signed between the CHT Affairs National Committee and the PCJSS at the initiative of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ending long-standing conflicts.

 “This is a glaring example of resolving disputes peacefully,” he said.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought cooperation from all for full implementation of the CHT peace treaty.

She congratulated people in the CHT districts and countrymen on the occasion.

The CHT Peace Accord was signed without the mediation of any third party, with a view to stopping bloody conflicts in the CHT, she said.

The 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 her government has been implementing massive development programmes in all sectors, including education, health, electricity, communications, infrastructure and mobile networks in the region.

Initiatives have been taken to resolve land disputes, she said, adding that the CHT is no more a backward locality because of the timely steps taken by the government.