Dhaka: The nation is set to celebrate the 27th anniversary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord tomorrow. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus have issued separate messages to mark the completion of 27 years since the signing of this historic agreement. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, both the President and the Chief Adviser extended their greetings to all residents of the Chattogram hill districts on this occasion. President Shahabuddin conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to the people of the three hill districts, highlighting the region's rich natural resources and development potential. He noted the distinctiveness of the hill districts, including Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachari, due to the diverse communities' colorful lifestyle, language, agriculture, and culture. The CHT Peace Accord, signed on December 2, 1997, between the National Committee for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and the Chittagong Hill Tracts Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS), ai med at utilizing the development potential of the region and enhancing its socio-economic development. Following the agreement, the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council were established to facilitate the region's progress. President Shahabuddin emphasized the ongoing socio-economic, infrastructural, and cultural development in the CHT region, urging everyone to work collectively for continued progress. He acknowledged the vital role played by the hill region residents in various national movements, including the language movement, the Great War of Liberation, and the democratic movement. Moreover, President Shahabuddin highlighted the interim government's multi-faceted reform plan aimed at building a discrimination-free, corruption-free, and justice-based modern Bangladesh. The successful implementation of this plan is expected to contribute to a discrimination-free hill region and sustainable development activities. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, i n his message, also extended congratulations and best wishes to the people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. He reiterated the importance of the region in national development and noted that reforms involving local people are underway to conserve natural beauty and expand the tourism industry, which is expected to reduce unemployment and enhance living standards. The Chief Adviser stressed the importance of collective efforts to maintain peace, harmony, and progress in the lives of CHT residents and reiterated the interim government's commitment to a discrimination-free Bangladesh. He wished success for the upcoming 'Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord Day-2024'.
