Demand for resignation mounts over Hill Tracts advisor’s communal remarks; effigy burned

Local Correspondent

Protesters have demanded the resignation of Supradip Chakma, advisor to the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, over alleged communal comments and irregularities in allocation of funds and food grains. A group of conscious students and citizens burned his effigy on Saturday.

The protest began with a rally at Banarupa in the district town at noon on Saturday, following a procession from Rangamati Municipality premises. Protesters burned the effigy near the CNG auto-rickshaw stand on the main road.

Speakers at the rally accused Chakma of nepotism and communal bias in recent allocations of cash and rice, alleging Bengalis were deprived while fake projects were used to divert resources. They demanded cancellation of allocations and Chakma’s resignation.

The protest was chaired by Md. Alamgir Hossain, president of Rangamati unit of Parbatya Chattagram Students’ Parishad. Other speakers included Kamal Uddin of Conscious Citizens’ Forum and student leaders.

Meanwhile, some leaders of Bengali organizations claimed the corruption allegations were being covered up through staged dramas, though none agreed to speak publicly.

The controversy stems from cash and rice distributions made on March 24, 25 and 27 across three hill districts, with allegations of irregularities and favoritism in allocations.