Rangamati, Dec 03 (V7N) – A large public gathering was held in Rangamati on Tuesday to mark the 28th anniversary of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord. The rally, organized at the Rangamati Gymnasium ground, saw participation from central and local leaders of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (JSS), elected representatives, educators, civil society members, and hundreds of party activists.
 
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Ganga Manik Chakma, president of JSS Rangamati district, who noted that despite 28 years passing, many crucial provisions of the peace accord remain unimplemented. He highlighted that the Land Commission’s activities are stalled and land-related disputes persist in the hill districts.
 
Ushatan Talukdar, former parliamentarian and vice-president of the JSS central committee, addressing the rally as the chief guest, emphasized that the movement is in favor of the full implementation of the accord, not against the state. He criticized deliberate misinformation being spread regarding the hills and stressed that the demand is for peace and political resolution. He also recalled that over 400 JSS leaders and activists sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the accord, and yet its incomplete implementation continues to be an injustice to the hill communities.
 
Regarding the upcoming national elections, Talukdar stated that JSS will participate once the schedule is announced and urged party workers to unite for victory.
 
Other speakers at the rally included Bijoy Ketan Chakma, president of the MN Larma Memorial Foundation; educator Shishir Chakma; Bhavtosh Dewan, vice-president of the CHT Headman Network; Rumen Chakma, central president of the Hill Students’ Council; and Nagendra Chakma, general secretary of JSS Rangamati district.
 
Participants unanimously stressed that sustainable peace and development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts are only possible with the full implementation of the peace accord. They urged the government to take immediate initiatives to operationalize the pending provisions.
 
The Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord was formally initiated on December 2, 1997, at Khagrachhari Stadium, marked by the surrender of arms by JSS chairman Manabendra Narayan Larma (Santu Larma). The accord aimed to end decades-long armed conflict, ensure regional autonomy, and resolve land disputes in the hill districts.
 
Attendees from various walks of life at the Rangamati rally reiterated that the full implementation of the accord remains the sole path to lasting peace in the CHT region.
 
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