CHT Journal

Desk Report: Protesting the killing of journalist Golam Rabbani Nadim,working journalists in Rangamati on Monday formed a ‘Human Chain’ in the town.

In the country, our pressmen are being victimised of harassement and becoming under attack by the political goons due to publish reports of corruption and misdeeds of some political leaders. Many journalists have so far killed by the political thugs in the country. But the government has failed to ensure justice for the victims families and bring those killers into book. So, the trend of attacking on meidamen is alarmingly rising day by day, said speakers.

They said the pressmen would be the prey to the thugs of corrupt politicians if the government immediately does not take initiative to protect the journalists. It’s the demand of the time to ensure the security of lives of the journalists, they said.

Vehemently condemning the killing of Nadim, they demanded fair justice and capital punishment to the killers.

Editor of local daily Giridarpan, AKM Moksud Ahmed, president of Rangamati Press Club, Shakhawat Hossain Rubel, its general secretary Anwar-al-Haque and general secreatry of Rangamati Journalists Network, Fatema Jannat Mumu, spoke among others.

Deskt Report: The Naniachar bridge, the first longest bridge in Chittagong Hill Tracts, was unveiled with a plaque named after artist Chuni Lal Dewan on Sunday in Rangamati.

Local lawmaker Dipanker Talukder unfolded it as the chief guest.

Additional police super (Rangamati circle) Md. Zahedul Islam, executive engineer of Rangamati road division Mahmud Alnoor Salehin and Rangamati Hill District Councils’ member Elipon Chakma were present.

The 500 meters long bridge was constructed by spending Tk 227 crores on the river of Chengi in Naniachar upazila of the district. Engineering Construction Battalion (ECB) 20 of army implemented the works of the bridge.

In 1993, a plan had been chalked out to construct a bridge over the river of Chengi to establish road communication between Rangamati sadar-Nanichar -Longudu-Baghaichhari upazilas.

Later on, road transposts and bridges minister Obaidul Quader while visiting Rangamati announched to construct the bridge on October 31 in 2015.

After completion of construction works of the bridge, it was opened for vehicular movement by the prime minister Sheikh Hasina through video conferencing on January 12 of the immediate past year.

Later, a government notification has published from the road transports and bridges ministry and road and highways dividion to keep the name of the bridge after the named name of artist Chuni Lal Dewan on January 3 this year.

Desk Report: Leaders of Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) and its front organisations on Friday reiterated their demand for fully implementation of the historic Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) accord.

Without full-scale implementation of the deal, bringing an amicable solution toward the problems of CHT region is never possible, they said.

Lamenting, ethnic leaders said that twenty five years have elapsed after signing the accord, but most of the fundamental clauses were not executed. Only 25 provisions out of  75 were executed  so far. As a result, mistrust, disappointment and grave concern has been prevailing among the hilly people both Bengali and jumma communities, they said.

In the name of curbing terrorism in hills, forces of the government implicating in false cases of our PCJSS leaders and workers. Security personnel everyday harassing, torturing and killing our people, claimed leaders.

As part of conspiracy, the government is trying to destroy the PCJSS and jumma people as per it blue print, they blamed.

PCJSS leaders were addressing in a programme organised by Rangamati district unit PCJSS to mark the 25th anniversary of landmark CHT accord held at Samit Roy Stadium in the town.

Ushatan Talukder, vice-president of central PCJSS, addressed the gathering as the chief guest while doctor Gonga manik Chakma, presdient of PCJSS, district unit, chaired the programme.

The rally was also addressed, among others, by president of MN Larma Memorial Foundation, Bijoy Keton Chakma, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, CHT Chapter, Prakriti Ranjan Chakma, general secreatry of Bangladesh Juba Union, Khan Asaduzzaman Masum, vice-president of CHT Headmen Network, advocate Bhabatosh Dewan, organising secretary of CHT Mohila Samity, Moni Chakma, general secretary of Hill Women’s Federation, Shanti Debi Tanchangya, assistant organising secretary of PCJSS, Rangamati unit, Arun Tripura and president of CHT Pahari Chhatra Parishad (PCP), central unit, Sumon Marma.

In his speech, former lawmaker Ushatan Talukder said that the problem in CHT is a political problem. So, it must be solved politically. In this regard, an amicable solution is needed toward this long standing problem.

As  the CHT accord is remained unimplemented, the enthnic people are passing their days amidst insecurity in hills, said Ushatan.

But the government now terming the Santu Larma and his party as a terrorist and extortionist organisation. My point is that if Larma is a terrorist and his party PCJSS is a terrorist organisation, why did the government sign the peace treaty with such an organisation, pointed out Ushatan.

He further said jumma people will never do anything that harm the country and its sovereignty. Rather, they will work for the welfare of the country, he said, adding that ethnic people learnt how to struggle and survive from the past and no one conspiracy defeat us by any means.  By killing and torturing on our people, our ongoing movement could not be stopped. Our agitation will continue until full implementation of the landmark CHT accord, he, said,

He urged the government to come forward with political good will to resolve problems in hills as early as possible through full implementation of the accord.

Rangamati Hill District Council authority organised a rally from College gate to the premises of Rangamati Ethnic Cultural Institute to mark the 25th anniversary and held a discussion meeting at the auditorium there.

A concert was jointly organised by RHDC and Rangamati Brigade at Marry Stadium at evening.

Hundreds of devotees offered prayer for peace, prosperity for mankind

Desk Report: Kathin Chibar Dan, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist people, was concluded on Friday at Rangamati Rajban Vihara amid offering prayers for peace, prosperity and religious harmony by hundreds of devotees in the hill town of Rangamati.

Progya Lanker Mohathero, abbot of Rajban Vihara monastery, delivered the sermon from the holy ‘Tripitaka’ in the crowed.

In his sermon, Progya Lanker advised all to refrain from all kind of crimes activity. He said shun the all kind of malice, discrimination and jealousy acts, learn to respect superiors, enlightened and scholar (wise) persons. Then the devotees could be able to lead a happy and properious life in the mundane world, said Progya.

One could get remedy from all sorrows by following the religious norms of Goutam Buddha, he adds.

Senior monk Indragupta Bikkhu, was also delivered sermon in the gathering.

Earlier, chief patrons of the Rajban Viahara Chakma Raja barrister Devasish Roy donated the ‘Kathina Chibar (yellow robe) which made from Jhum cotton within twenty four hours to the monks in the programme

Local lawmaker Dipanker Talukder, chairman of Chittagong Hill Tract Development Board, Nikhil Kumar Chakma, Chairman of Rangamati Hill District Council, Aungsui Prue Chowdhury, deputy commissioner, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, additional police super (sadar circle), Md. Zahidul Islam, Rangamati municipality mayor, Akbar Hossain Chowdhury, were attended, among others.

Nirupa Dewan, former member of National Human Right Council, and vice president of Rajban Vihara Upasak Upasika Parishad, read out a written special prayer on behalf of the committee and devotees.

Thousands of Buddhist people from three hill districts of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari gathered at the venue.Devotees in groups from different areas brought ‘Kalpaturu (offering item)’ at the venue before beginning the main function.

The programme was ended through lighting candles and releasing sky lanterns (Balloons) at the evening (Reproduce of this content/Copy paste is strictly prohibited).

Desk Report, Nov-01: Annual Sports Competition-2022 of Chattagram Hill Tracts Development Board (CHTDB) has begun from today (Tuesday) at its head office in Rangamati.

Nikhil Kumar Chakma, chairman of CHTDB, inaugurated the opening event at 3:00pm as the chief guest while Mohammed Zakir Hossain, president of CHTDB’s employees’ welfare association chaired the programme.

A total of five events including Chess, Ludu, Kerun, Basketball and ping pong will be held in it.

In his speech, Nikhil said the officials and employees are the life of the CHTDB and it’s their hard work that makes the board strong today. Sports are essential to retain their working force, Nikhil said, adding that it will help them to strengthen their minds by participating in this sports competition.

Vice chairman (additional secretary) Mohammed Nurul Alam Chowdhury, member secretary (joint secretary) Iftekher Ahmed, Md. Jasim Uddin (DS), executive engineer Tushit Chakma, assistant engineer Khorshed Alam, Traya Sarkar, account officer Kalyan Moy Chakma, were attended, among others.

Desk Report: The tourist guides as well as drivers can play an important role in boosting up tourism industry in the hilly region by untilising their skills that they acquired from training about how to deal with the tourists.

Md. Aminul Hoque, inspector of tourist police in Bandarban zone, said this while addressing a conclusion programme of a three-day training for local tourist guides and drivers as the chief guest.

The training titled as “Tourism, First Aid and ICT” was jointly organised by Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB), UNDP-Accelerator Lab and Tour Operator Association of Cox’s Bazar held at the hall room of Hotel Hilton in the hill town of Bandarban recently.

In the training, tourist guides and drivers were asked to have adequate and clear idea about the locations of different tourist spots and make them (tourists) understand about the tradition, culture and customs of local people.

Inspector Aminul urged the drivers to shun the attitude of competitiveness while driving tourists-carrying vehicles in the hilly serpentine roads to avoid accident. Good and friendly behaviour with the tourists by the guides and drivers is also important as they (tourists) could get encourage to visit the hilly areas again and agian, said Aminul.

He also urged the tourist guides and drivers to appraise tourists about the governments’ instructions and if necessary, they can take help from tourist police, and give importance and respect to the culture and values of the local ethnic people.

Touhidul Islam Toha, managing director and CEO of Millennium Tour and Travels, urged the guides and drivers to utilise their skills that they acquired from training in their working filed.

Expressing hope, Toha said the two districts—Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar will be the most attractive tourist destinations for the tourists in the days to come as the two districts have enormous panoramic beauty of evergreen hills, sea beach, waterfalls and islands.

While expressing his opinion, programme coordinator Tareque Tahmid said that tourist guides and drivers must apply their knowledge that they gathered from the training in their working fields. By using ICT and providing necessary training to the tour guides on first aid, the tourism industry can be expanded in Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar.

He assured that training programme will be continued for the professionals in the tourism sector for the interest of expansion of tourism industry.

A total of 30 tour operators and drivers took part in the three-day training programme and they received certificates.

SHANTIMOY CHAKMA: Myriad allegations have been brought against an engineer who has been serving more than fourteen years at Rangamati Hill District Council (RHDC) after transferring from Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) of Rangamati office on deputation.

Contractors as well as leaders of ruling party Awami League (AL) brought multiple allegations against Abu Zafar Md. Ershadul Haque Mondal, a sub-assistant engineer, for his alleged involvement in unbridle corruption through manipulation of tenders for long time.

Deputy Director of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Rangpur Division filed a graft case against him last year and the case is still remained pending, said sources from Rangpur ACC office.

SM Shafiul Azam, proprietor of Akhi International, sent a written allegation to the secretary of ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), seeking necessary lawful action against Ershadul Haque through an investigation immediately.

The allegations including manipulation of tenders of big development schemes, selling the works of big schemes in exchange of 10-15 percent money (bribe) in advance to his nominated contractors, changing of real estimates and making of frauds estimates, concealing the real estimated costs and showing fictitious schemes, showing additional works during issuing bill to the contractors, monopoly providing of tender awards to his selected contractors and quality of works do not ensure in his sites etc.

Newly enlisted construction farm M/S CM Traders (Chinu Ching Marma) was allegedly awarded with about 20 schemes works in the immediate past single fiscal year by Ershad. The license of the farm was made just in 2019-2020 fiscal year.

Contacted, Mahedi-al-Mahboob, proprietor of the farm, said he got only 10 awards in the immediate past financial year. He also claimed that he got all the awards through legal tender procedures and his license was made many years ago.

In his wrong doings, office assistant of the engineering section Sumanta Chakma was also involved in tender manipulation with Ershadul Haque. Sumanta takes 4 percent bribe for each illegally processed tender work from the contractors and both Ershad and Sumanta were also allegedly engaged in construction works by using licenses of their nominated contractors.

All of these allegations were found true after carrying out an investigation by this correspondent and related documents were collected as well.

It’s alleged that Ershad manipulates tenders of big works through different frauds and techniques. There is a provision as per the public procurement (PPR) regulation 2008 that a tender work above Tk 1 crore must be given in the website of Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU). But he did not do this in every tender process.

In the immediate past fiscal year of 2020-2021, a tender was called under opening tendering method (OTM) on November 2, 2020 where two projects—Tk 2 crore in each scheme as approved estimated costs. In that tender there were four bidders were contested—-Addut Jyoti Chakma, Akhi International, Md. Abu Taher and Liton Majhi (Liton Entreprise). When tender opened the amount of two schemes were fictitiously shown Tk 2, 18,46,427.770 and Tk 2,17,94,087.670. Akhi and Addut were the two first and second lowest bidders in accordance with the government approved estimated costs. But the work orders of two projects had been awarded to Liton Majhi by violating PPR rules, alleged SM Safiul Azam.

Ershad and one of office assistant Sumanta Chakma involved in illegal tender procedures, and Sumanta takes four percent bribe from each illicit tender process, alleged Azam.

The two schemes are Construction of road from Paidongpara to Graveyard Jatrichawni via Torgupara (package no 187) and Balumura to Kamolchari via Kechipara (package no 188).

To hide his misdeeds and corruption, Ershad allegedly formed a fake platform of Bangabandhu Diploma Engineering Parishad where he himself made as president.

There will be found more irregularities and corruption if investigation is carried out from the government side in this regard.

Former president of Bangladesh Chhatra League town committee, several leaders of district unit of Juba League and AL demanded removal of Ershad from RHDC for his wrong doings.

Former district juba league president Md. Zamir Uddin told this correspondent that their party’s stance is always against any kind of corruption, misdeeds and wrong doings. So, we should not indulge anyone no matter who is from our party or an official involved in such deeds.

Ershadul Haque Mondal could not be reach for his comment as his cellular phone was switched off.

In a query, Biral Barua, acting executive engineer of RHDC, said he is a small staff and he did not know anything adding that you all know about the godfather of Ershad. (Reproduced of this content is a punishable offense as per the copywrite.)