Call to increase CHT parliamentary seats from three to eight

August 26, 2025

PARBATTANEWS ONLINE DESK Civil society groups from the Chittagong Hill Tracts have called on the Election Commission (EC) to raise the number of parliamentary seats in the region from three to eight. On Monday, 25 August, a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner at the EC headquarters in Agargaon. It was handed over […]Continue Reading

Bengalis allege discrimination in new CHT Development Board advisory panel

August 17, 2025

PARBATTA NEWS REPORT The newly formed advisory committee of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Development Board has sparked criticism for excluding representatives from the Bengali community, which makes up more than half of the population in the region. On August 13, the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs issued a letter appointing nine members to […]Continue Reading

Supradip urges forest dept to be more proactive in protecting natural environment

August 2, 2025

NEWS DESK Adviser to the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Supradip Chakma on Saturday called on the Forest Department to adopt a more proactive approach in protecting the country’s natural environment, with special focus on the Chittagong Hill Tracts region. He made the remarks while inaugurating a week-long tree plantation campaign and tree fair […]Continue Reading

PCCP condemns armed extortion attempt at Rangamati university

June 29, 2025

STAFF CORRESPONDENT, RANGAMATI The Parbatya Chattogram Chhatra Parishad (PCCP) has condemned an alleged armed demonstration at Rangamati Science and Technology University by members of a hill-based group. In a statement issued on Friday, PCCSP said seven armed individuals entered the campus late Thursday night and demanded extortion money from workers involved in Continue Reading

PCCP opposes use of ‘Adivasi’ term, warns against divisive policies

June 29, 2025

STAFF CORRESPONDENT, RANGAMATI The Parbatya Chattogram Chhatra Parishad (PCCP) has criticised remarks by Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradeep Chakma supporting the use of the term “Adivasi” for indigenous identity. In a statement issued on Saturday, PCCP said the adviser’s comments, made during a 23 June inter-ministerial meeting, contradict the constitution Continue Reading

PCNP opposes proposed amendment to ethnic cultural institution law

June 29, 2025

STAFF CORRESPONDENT, RANGAMATI The Parbatya Chattogram Nagorik Parishad (PCNP) in Rangamati has urged the government to withdraw a proposed amendment to the Small Ethnic Group Cultural Institution Act, 2010. At a press conference on Saturday, PCNP leaders said the proposed renaming of the institutions as institutes of ethnic diversity would violate the constitution and Continue Reading

Armed group demands extortion at Rangamati university construction site

June 27, 2025

An armed group reportedly entered the campus of Rangamati Science and Technology University on Thursday night, demanding extortion money from ongoing development work at the institution. According to university officials, seven armed individuals entered the main campus around 10:45 pm and approached workers engaged in construction activities. The assailants allegedly Continue Reading

Khudro Nri-gosthi Institutes to be renamed, says Cultural Adviser

June 27, 2025

STAFF REPORTER The government has decided to rename seven cultural institutions across Bangladesh—currently operating under different titles—with the aim of preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the country’s khudro nri-gosthi (small ethnic groups). The new unified name will be Jati Boichitro Institute (Institute of Ethnic Diversity). The decision was confirmed Continue Reading

Love Wins: Marma woman marries Bengali man despite pressure

June 17, 2025

STAFF CORRESPONDENT A young couple in Rangamati’s Kaukhali upazila got married through court despite facing legal trouble, threats, and strong opposition from a regional armed group. Nichungma Marma, 23, from Bardulupara in Kalamati Union, tied the knot with her partner Md Fahim, a Bengali youth from Poyapara area, at the Rangamati court on June 15. […]Continue Reading

Heavy rain and hill runoff flood Rajasthali; crops damaged, livelihoods affected

June 1, 2025

RAJASTHALI CORRESPONDENT Record rainfall over two consecutive days, caused by a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, has led to flooding in several low-lying areas of Rajasthali upazila in Rangamati. The rain, accompanied by hill runoff, has caused widespread hardship for residents, particularly low-income and working-class communities. Several areas of the upazila, Continue Reading