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Avoid terror and extortion, be united in harmony: Minister


Published : 02 Dec 2022 09:49 PM

Chittagong Hill Tract Affairs Minister Bir Bahadur Ushwe Singh appealed to all the hilly people to avoid terrorism and extortion and bind themselves in harmony for the continued development, peace and progress of the hill region. 

He said that terrorism, extortion and conflict do not bring peace and happiness in the lives of common people.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Hill Peace Agreement on Friday, the minister made the call in a discussion meeting at the auditorium of the Sheikh Hasina Hill Complex on Bailey Road in the capital.

Chittagong Hill Tract Affairs Minister Bir Bahadur Ushwe Singh said that the historical hill peace agreement was signed on December 2, 1997. As a result, a calm atmosphere is created and peace returns to the minds of common people. 

The minister said, the terrorism, extortion and conflict that sometimes happen in the hilly areas will not bring us happiness. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Agreement has been possible without bloodshed in a beautiful environment. As a result, development and creation of employment opportunities for people continues even in the remote areas of the hilly regions. The government is always trying to make the government facilities accessible to the people.

Speaking as the chief guest at the meeting, Abul Hasanat Abdullah MP said that after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, General Ziaur Rahman came to power and did two things first, which was identified as the main reason for the start of armed rebellion in Chittagong Hill Tracts. First, Zia opened the gates of Chittagong Hill Tracts to Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI and resettled Bengalis from various districts of mainland Bangladesh to Chittagong Hill Tracts. The hill community could not accept General Zia's decision in any way. As a result, an inevitable conflict arose between the Paharis and the resettled Bengalis.

Earlier, the 25th anniversary of the Hill Track Peace Accord was celebrated with a colorful festival in the capital. The 25 year anniversary of the Hill Peace Accord started with wreath laying at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu at 32 Dhanmondi. 

Secretary of the Hill Ministry Mosammat Hamida Begum was present as a special guest, additional Secretary of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Satyendra Kumar Sarkar, Additional Secretary Aminul Islam, Joint Secretary Aleya Akhtar, Joint Secretary Jahangir Alam, Joint Secretary Huzur Ali and other officials of the ministry were present.