DHAKA, Dec 2, 2022 (BSS) - The silver jubilee of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord was observed today amid different programmes.

The accord 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 (JS) Chief Whip Abul Hasnat Abdullah signed the agreement on behalf of the government while Joritindra Bodhipriyo Larma (Santu Larma) on behalf of PCJSS respectively.

The anniversary programme began with paying tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his portrait at Dhanmondi road no 32 at 8.30am.

Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing, CHT Affairs Secretary Mosammat Hamida Begum, Additional Secretaries Satyendra Kumar Sarkar and Md Aminul Islam, Joint Secretaries Aleya Akhter, Md Jahangir Alam and Md Hujur Ali were present on the occasion, among others. 

Marking the anniversary, Sheikh Hasina Parbatya Complex at the Bailey Road in the capital was decorated colorfully. Balloons and 25 pigeons were released on the complex premises.
 
A discussion was held at the complex auditorium. CHT Accord Implementation and Monitoring Committee Convener Abul Hasnat Abdullah, MP, addressed it as the chief guest with Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing in the chair.

Basanti Chakma, MP, and CHT Affairs Secretary Mosammat Hamida Begum addressed the discussion as the special guests. 

Former secretary Naba Bikram Tripura spoke as the chief discussant while Bandarban Zila Parishad member Kanchan Joy Tanchangya and Parbatya Regional Parishad member Goutam Chakma also addressed it.