A protest rally and public gathering were held in Rangamati alleging that “misleading and false information” about the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) was presented at a recent United Nations forum.

The demonstration followed discussions at the 25th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, where participants reportedly raised concerns about the situation in the CHT.

On Friday (April 24), participants brought out a procession after Jummah prayers from the Kathaltali area, which marched through the town and concluded with a brief rally in Banarupa.

Speakers at the rally included leaders of the Parbatya Chattogram Nagorik Parishad, among them central general secretary Md. Habib Azam, district president Tajul Islam Taj, and organizing secretary Humayun Kabir, along with representatives from several local organizations.

Addressing the gathering, speakers alleged that the portrayal of the CHT situation at the UN forum was “inaccurate and politically motivated" and claimed it had undermined Bangladesh’s international image. They further stated that whenever a stable environment prevails in the hill region, certain groups attempt to create instability.

The speakers also brought allegations against Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma and his organization, the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti, accusing them of maintaining influence in the region through illegal arms and extortion.

They additionally claimed that the issue of “indigenous identity” is being used as a tool to push for the separation of the CHT from Bangladesh and pledged to resist such efforts.

The rally concluded with a call for legal action against those allegedly spreading “false narratives” about the country, the government, and the Chattogram Hill Tracts.

BOB Post