The PCJSS (Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti), a body of indigenous people, held rallies and brought out processions in the district towns demanding full implementation of the accord.

The programmes were held marking the 8th anniversary of signing of the CHT Peace Accord by the then Awami League government with PCJSS in 1997 that ended decades of bush war by indigenous people for self-rule.

In addition to holding rallies, the Somo Odhikar distributed black flags to Bangalees for hoisting those atop houses and shops to protest implementation of the accord, saying it is discriminatory to Bangalees.

Though there was tension in certain areas, no report of clash was received.

A Correspondent reports from Khagrachhgari: PCJSS leaders at a rally held at Larma Square in Mohazon Para in the town said there has been no achievement in the hills from the peace accord in last eight years as the government is not sincere to implement it.

PCJSS activists and indigenous people brought out a procession protesting what they called government's indifference towards full implementation of the peace accord and ensuring rights of the indigenous people.

PCJSS leaders at programmes in the district town bitterly criticised government's 'reluctance' to implementation of the peace accord and urged indigenous people to continue agitation to realise their rights.

A large number of indigenous people from all upazilas attended the rally and procession, chanting anti-government slogans.

PCJSS leader Rosomoy Chakma presided the rally, also addressed by its Assistant Secretary Tatindra Lal Chakma, CHT Regional Council member Roktaut Tripura, refugee leader Brozo Kishor Tripura, Bokul Sadhan Charka, and Nagorik Committee (citizens' committee) leader Hemanta Tripura.

They alleged that events in the last four years proved that the government 'has no intention' to implement the peace and establish peace in the hills.

If this continues, the indigenous people will have no option other than launching tougher agitation to realise their demands, they said.

On the other hand, activists of Somo Odhiker Andolon distributed black flags for hoisting those atop houses and shops in the district town to protest the peace accord.

Some shopkeepers told this correspondent that the flags were supplied by local BNP men, who also threatened them if they do not hoist those.

At a rally held at the Muktangan with BNP lawmaker Wadud Bhuiyan as the chief guest, Somo Odhikar leaders demanded cancellation of the CHT accord.

Speakers at the rally said it is a 'black accord' for the people of Hill Tracts and called for resisting it. The speakers included Mostafizur Rahman Millat, Jainul Abedin, Abu Yusuf Chowdhury and Nurul Abser.

UPDF (United Peoples Democratic Front), another organisation of indigenous people opposing the peace accord, held a discussion meeting and brought out a procession in the town demanding self-rule in the hills. It terms the peace accord a compromise by PCJSS. Security forces patrolled the town streets during the programmes.

Our Rangamati Correspondent reports: Speakers at a rally here yesterday marking the eighth anniversary of signing of the CHT peace accord alleged that the government is instigating anti-accord elements through various ways to co0mplicare the situation in the hills.

"Successive governments does not behave like a friend of the hill peoeple, rather they supported anti-accord elements through vested quarters ", Comrade Khalekuzzaman Ratan told the rally organised by the Committee to Observe the Eighth Anniversary of CHT Accord. It was held in front of Gymnasium in the town.

Presided over by Sukumar Chakma, secretary of Upazatya Samajik Forum, the rally was addressed by, among others, PCJSS leader Usaton Talukder, Chittagong University teacher Dr Hossain Kobir, Nirmolendu Tripura, Mriganko Khisa, Suprova Chakma, Uzzal Chakma and Dhiro Kumar Chakma.

Usaton blamed the past Awami League government for not implementing the accord fully and the present government for violating its vital clauses. "An influential quarter in the coalition government instigates anti-accord elements", Usaton told the rally.

The PCJSS observed the accord signing anniversary as a 'protest day' as there has been a stalemate in its implementation, the speakers said.

Later, a protest procession paraded the main streets of the town.

The Parbattya Chattagram Samo Odhikar Andolan held a rally in front of the municipality and brought out a procession demanding cancellation of the accord claiming that it as 'discriminatory' to Bangalees.

Parbattya Bangalee Chhatra Parishad also held a rally at Bonorupa in the town in the evening against the accord.