The 17th anniversary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts peace agreement was observed in the district yesterday amid various types of programmes.
A colourful rally inaugurated by local lawmaker Kujendra Lal Tripura was brought out in the morning from the DC office premises and paraded throughout the streets before ending at the Town hall.
Senior public officials and local ruling party leaders along with the locals joined the rally, after which many cultural programmes were staged.
Marking the occasion, the Bangladesh Army hosted a friendly football match among local teams in the afternoon and a laser show in the evening.
On the contrary, activists of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS-NN Larma faction) brought out a protest procession from Chengi Square area of the district town demanding quick implementation of the long-pending pact. It, however, was later forced to change destination in the face of police action.
Later they held a discussion on Surjosikka Club grounds in Mohajanpara area, where the leaders of the organisation blamed the government for deceiving the indigenous people by the treaty and demanded a full-fledged autonomous facility for these people.
Terming the agreement a black pact, activists of Parbattya Bangali Chhatra Parishd led by its local President Shahajol Islam Sajol brought out demonstration and police obstruction forced it to end in the Mohajanpara area.
The anniversary was also observed in the other eight upazilas of the district with different programmes.
On the second December of 1997, the then Awami League government and the PCJSS signed the treaty to ensure recognition of the rights of the ethnic communities of Chittagong Hill Tracts –Khagrachhari, Bandarban and Rangamati.
