News Source: Bhorer Kagoj, Dated: 25th January, 2004
New link: http://www.bhorerkagoj.net/archive/04_01_25/news_0_31.php
News text: Rangamati representative: The Bengali Student Union called
for a half-day strike in Rangamati town on 28th January with demands for
cancellation of the CHT peace accord and equal rights in the field of
education, job and politics. Yesterday, on Saturday, after holding a
demonstration and a mass gathering they have sent out a memorandum to
the Prime Minister listing their eight points demand. Apart from that
they have also declared a peace march against the pre-declared road
blockade program of the JSS on 7, 8, and 9 February. The CHT Bengali
Student Union for the first time has shown their political strength and
capacity by organizing a big demonstration in the town. During this
demonstration the adjacent areas were vibrating with the slogans of their
demands. The procession stopped for a mass meeting in front of the
municipality Town Hall after submitting their memorandum to the Deputy
Commissioner of the district to be forwarded to the Prime Minister. The
meeting was presided by Delowar Hussain, the President, Rangamati
District Unit of the organization and the chief guest of the meeting was
Ayakub Ali, President, Central body of the organization. Mr. Mahammud
Unus, teacher and a member of Chittagong University Academic Council
also made his deliberation in this meeting.
In this gathering demands were raised to cancel the CHT Peace Accord
immediately, to employ the Bengalis in the important posts of CHT
Regional Council, CHT Affairs Ministry, CHT District Councils and
establishment of equal rights in the field of education and job
facilities. Demand was also raised to arrest the responsible persons for
the untoward incident that happened on Friday while making announcement
of the meeting over microphone loud speaker. Among the persons who made
their deliberation in this meeting were, Mahmudul Houssain Nijami,
President of Jatiyatabadi Krishok Dal; Rahul Amin, ex-member of District
Council and Jamshedul Ajam, Shahedul Islam, Atikur Rehaman etc.
Translated from Bangla by Japan CHT Committee