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DHAKA, Feb 14, 2024 (BSS) - Convener of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Treaty Implementation and Monitoring Committee (minister-status) Abul Hasanat Abdullah, MP, today said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government is working tirelessly to implement the 72 clauses of the peace treaty.

"The hills are now safe because of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord . . . The government implemented comprehensive programs for the development of all sectors, including education, health, electricity, infrastructure and mobile network in the region," he said while opening the four-day 'Parbatya Mela (CHT Fair)-2024 on the Sheikh Hasina Chittagong Hill Tract Heritage Conservation and Research Centre premises at Bailey Road here.

Abul Hasanat Abdullah said in line with the CHT treaty, the incumbent Awami League government has formed the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council and three hill district councils for the overall development of the hilly areas.

The government has taken a time-befitting initiative to ensure the development of the region and now the hill districts are not backward places and the people of this region are equal partners in the country's overall progress, he added.

State Minister of CHT Affairs Kujendra Lal Tripura, MP, presided over programme.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Chittagong Hill Tracts Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dipankar Talukdar MP, CHT affairs ministry secretary Md Moshiur Rahman, CHT Development Board Chairman Supradip Chakma, CHT Regional Council Member Gautam Chakma, Rangamati Hill District Parishad Chairman Angsui Pru Chowdhury, among others, also spoke on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, State Minister Kujendra Lal Tripura said the political wisdom, competent leadership and relentless efforts of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina brought an end to the longstanding hilly-Bengali fratricidal bloody conflict in the hilly areas.

"As a result of the CHT peace accord, a tremendous development of the greater hilly region has been achieved in the last 26 years," the state minister added.

Earlier, Abul Hasanat Abdullah as the chief guest inaugurated the function by cutting ribbon, releasing pigeons and flying balloons.

Later he, along with the guests, visited the fair stalls and exchanged views with all relevant people, including, the stall staff.

A total of 97 stalls have been set up at the fair ground. The fair will end on February 17.