A seminar on "The compilation of customary rules and uses of the indigenous hill people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts" was held at Rangamati on 15th March, 2002. The inaugural lecture of the seminar was given by Mr. Kurana Moy Chakma, Assistant Attorney General of Bangladesh. Mr. Chakma is the main researcher of the project related to the work of compilation and interpretation of the customary laws of the indigenous hill peoples of Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Mr. Jamil Hossain Chaudhury, general manager of Gramin Trust had presided the seminar. Among other dignitaries present in the seminar were Mr. Arif Khan, Attorney General, Mr. Abdhur Rahaman Khan, Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Jafar Ahmed, District Commissioner, Rangamati district and Mr. J. B. Larma (Santu Larma), chairman of the CHT Regional Council.
The seminar is learnt to be the first seminar on the customary laws of the indigenous hill people of Chittagong Hill Tracts. Though the "CHT peace accord" signed between the government of Bangladesh and the PCJSS, the insurgent group of CHT in 1997, recognized the customary laws of the indigenous people but in action it is yet to be made as a part of the legal provisions in Bangladesh.
Mr. J.B. Larma, the leader of PCJSS and the chairman of the CHT Regional Council
also commented that while compiling the customary laws one should consider the
points so that it becomes relevant to the contemporary indigenous society and
contribute to the process of progressive and democratic development of the people
concerned.