C T Online Desk: The Bangladesh government has declared a public holiday in the hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban to mark Chaitra Sankranti, which is the final day of the new year on some calendars.

A notice on Sunday signed by Deputy Secretary of Public Administration Farida Yasmin said a holiday has been declared on Monday as part of the traditional new year celebrations for the hill tribes.

Although a public holiday has been declared for Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year, an additional holiday has been declared in consideration of the festival marked by ethnic minority groups in the three hill districts.

In addition, the day will also be considered an optional holiday for the concerned communities in other districts.

A number of fairs and cultural programmes are being held in the three hill districts as hill tribes celebrate the coming of their traditional new year.

Barshabaran new year celebrations will begin with a lively procession in Khagrachhari on Tuesday.