Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said vested quarters has been hatching a conspiracy against the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region from the very beginning similar to the conspiracy to destabilise the country’s peace.
The conspirators are not happy with the peaceful environment and continuous development of the country as well as the existing peace, stability and ongoing development in the CTG, he said. Dr Hasan made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of three-day long “Bangabandhu Tour De CHT Mountain Bike Challenge 2020” at Sajek in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati.
With support from the CHT Affairs ministry, the CHT Development Board authority organising the event to mark the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Dr Hasan said during the regimes of Hussain Mohammed Ershad and BNP, the CHT Accord was not don. When Awami League came to power in 1996, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina signed the deal with Santu Larma-led Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) on December 2, 1997.
Currently, the treaty is being implemented under the leadership of PM Hasina. Many ethnic people who left the country due to the then disturbance situation and took shelter in neighbouring India returned in the country after the CHT accord, he added.
Presided over by the Secretary to CHT Affairs ministry Safiqul Ahmmed, Chairman of CHT Refugee Affairs Task Force Kujendra Lal Tripura MP, Dipankar Talukder MP, lawmaker from reserve seat for women Basanti Chakma, Khagrachhari region commander Faizur Rahman, Rangamati Deputy Commissioner AKM Mamunur Rashid, Superintendent of Police Mir Modasser Hossain and Dighinala upazila chairman Abul Kasehm spoke on the occasion.
A total of 100 sport loving people, 45 from three hill districts---Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban, and 55 others from other parts of the country participated in the 300 kilometers long mountain bike competition.
On the opening day, the participants started their competition from Sajek to Rangamati Chinghla Moung Marry Stadium (130kms), on second day, they will keep their challenge from Rangamati to Bandarban Stadium (90kms) and then third day or final day they will run from Bandarban stadium to Thanchi Government High School ground (80kms).
The champion will be given Tk 3 lakhs as prize, first runner up Tk 2 lakhs and third runner up Tk 1 lakhs. There will be also special prizes for the inter-district best performers of the event.