Alikadam ( Bandarban) Correspondent

Saturday was the 26th anniversary of the signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accords.

On the occasion, the day was celebrated by Alikadam Army Zone (31 Bir), with the cooperation of Alikadam Upazila Parishad and Upazila Administration.

Alikadam Upazila Parishad Chairman Mr. Abul Kalam presided over the event moderated by journalist Hasan Mahmud, Alikadam Army Zone Commander Lt. Col. Shawkatul Monayem PSC was present as the chief guest.

On December 2, 1997, the agreement signed between the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Chittagong Hill Tracts People's Solidarity Association ended two decades of bloody armed conflict in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The members of the Jana Sanhati Samiti returned to normal life after avoiding the armed struggle.

Even though 26 years have passed since the signing of the agreement, peace has not yet returned to the hills. The conflict between the four regional groups in the hills, sometimes hill-Bengali riots, is still staining the green hills with blood. After the agreement, the long-blocked mountainous region was opened to the world. This agreement was implemented with a message of peace. Initially the peacekeepers lay down their arms and return to normal life. The government also announced their amnesty. Temporarily the bloodplay in the hills, the clanging of arms ceases. But over the years, the anti-agreement organization United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) was established.

Then the bloody conflict of two regional groups began in the mountains. The killings of the two organizations are killing each other. In 2001, the kidnapping business started in the hills with the kidnapping of three foreigners. Later in 2007 another regional organization JSS (MN Larma) was formed out of Jan Sanhati Samiti. After that, attempts were made to spread dominance by killing workers and supporters of the three parties.

In the long post-Treaty period, many soldiers, including many high-ranking army officers, lost their lives in bloody clashes in various parts of the three hill districts. Many of the opposition extremists lost their lives.

But in the end of all things, it is hoped that soon, through the full implementation of the terms of the treaty, permanent peace will be established in these mountainous regions. This is what everyone expects in the 26th year of the Mountain Peace Accord.

Lama Upazila Chairman, Mustafa Jamal was present as a special guest in the event. Alikadam Upazila Executive Officer Zaber Md. Swaib. Alikadam Upazila Awami League President, Jamal Uddin MA. Lama Municipal Mayor, Zahirul Islam. Alikadam Upazila Vice Chairman Kofil Uddin B.Sc. Alikadam Upazila Awami League General Secretary Mr. Zharnathwai Marma. Alikadam Sadar UP Chairman, Nashir Uddin BA. Acting UP Chairman Zainal Abedin. Nayapara UP Chairman M. Kofil Uddin. Kurukpata UP Chairman Kratpung Mro. Freedom fighter Abdul Mannan along with headmen and neighborhood traders were present.