CHITTAGONG. Nov 10: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said peace would be established in the Chittagong Hill Tracts very soon, reports BSS

’Inshallah, a permanent peace will be established very soon in the hill tracts," she said while addressing the regimental commanding officers conference at the East Bengal Regiment Centre (EBRC) conference hall here.

She regretted that while peace was being established in the region after a long bloody clashes, a particular quarter was trying to disrupt it. They are making propaganda and opposing the peace accord." she

Sheikh Hasina said that the previous government had held 13 meetings with the tribal leaders in India to reach an accord on the hill tracts. She said Awaml League had its representation on the committee and it did not oppose the effort. She said there are two opposition members in the present committee and the opposition leaders could know about the treaty from their own party members.

"How can the national independence and sovereignty of the country be at stake if a peace ac cord is signed with the tribal leaders? Does it mean that na tlonal independence and sovereignty will remain intact if there is turmoil, confrontation and clashes? she asked.

The Prime Minister said the details of a peace accord are not

generally made public before the accord is signed.

The Prime Minister urged the commanding officers not to pay heed to any propaganda regarding the peace accord. She said sacrifice made by the soldiers to keep peace in the hill tracts was unparalleled and the nation would never forget it. She firmly said that the accord would be signed within the frames .rk ofthe Constitution and by rotecting country's in-depen nee. integrity and sovereignty.

Sheikh Hasina reiterated that the army would not be Withdrawn from the area

Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Mahbubur Rahman. Principal Staff Officer Maj Gen Mostafizur Rahman and EBRC Commandant Brig Jahangir Kabir also addressed the conference.

Earlier, the Prime Minister addressed the ceremonial parade at the parade ground of the Chittagong cantonment, marking the presentation of national standards to Adarsha Ekush (ideal 21) and the Daring Tigers, two battalions of East Bengal Regiment.

She handed over the national standards, adorned with military decoration, to the Adarsha Ekush' (Ideal 21) and the Daring Tigers as the mark of their services to the nation. She also reviewed the smartly turned out parade and took salute of the Impressive march past.

The Prime Minister also distributed gallantry award Bir Bikram to two army officials and Bir Pratlk' to two officials and 10 Jawans for their bravery and outstanding contributions.

U Col Mozaffar Ahmed and Lt Col Mia Mohammad Zainul Abedin received the Bir Bikram' award.