The 24th anniversary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord was observed in the three hilly districts on Thursday.

A colourful rally, arranged by 11 ethnic groups in Bandarbans, was brought out from the local Jila Parishad office premises in the morning, following a discussion on the CHT treaty.

Brigadier General Md Ziaul Haque, Commander of the 69th Infantry Brigade, inaugurated the event in Bandarbans.

Read:CHT Peace Treaty: A chase of an illusion!

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday issued separate messages, marking the completion of 24 years of the treaty.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “We are committed to maintaining peace all over the country, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts region."

Hasina said, “The CHT Peace Accord put an end to the long-running ethnic violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region. The trend of peace and development is established in the underdeveloped hilly areas. The UNESCO Peace Prize commemorates the international recognition of the treaty.”

“I hope we will be able to build a peaceful, happy and sonar Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman through the socio-economic development of the Hill Tracts people with united efforts of all.”  

She sought cooperation from all to fully implement the CHT Peace Accord.

President Abdul Hamid in his message said that the Chittagong Hill Tracts region is rich in natural resources and a place of possibilities.

The Peace Accord is speeding up the socio-economic and cultural development of the Chittagong Hill Tracts region, he said.

Read: Issues in implementing CHT Peace Accord should be identified, resolved: Bir Bahadur

He urged all to work unitedly for the development of the hill region.

On December 2, 1997, Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) signed the peace deal with the then Awami League government, led by Sheikh Hasina, ending more than two decades of tribal insurgency and bloodletting in the country's three hill districts.

Then Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Abul Hasnat Abdullah signed the agreement on behalf of the government and Bodhipriyo Larma (Santu Larma) on behalf of PCJSS.