Salahuddin Ahmed urges vigilance against ‘conspiracies’ over CHT

NAZRUL ISLAM BASHIR, STAFF REPORTER

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has called for heightened vigilance to prevent what he described as national or international conspiracies involving the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

Speaking at a roundtable in Dhaka on Saturday (9 August), Ahmed expressed concern over recent incidents, including those involving the Kuki Chin community, and urged members of the armed forces, security agencies, academics, journalists and researchers to remain alert.

The discussion, titled “In the Context of Bangladesh: Indigenous Peoples, Small Ethnic Groups and National Security Concerns”, was organised by the CHT Research Foundation at the CIRDAP auditorium. The event was chaired by the foundation’s chairman, Mehadi Hassan Palash.

Ahmed said there may be various factors behind the Kuki Chin incidents, including possible plans involving parts of Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar, as well as interests of “global powers” in the region. “We must remain alert so that such plans cannot succeed,” he said.

The BNP leader stated that all ethnic groups, tribes, and sub-tribes should identify as Bangladeshi to strengthen national unity. “If we believe in a united Bangladesh, the same constitution, and the preservation of independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, we must all hold our constitutional rights as citizens,” he said.

Referring to political divisions since independence, Ahmed said the nation had been split into pro- and anti-independence camps for political purposes, and that the “spirit of the Liberation War” had been used for political gain. He said all citizens had supported independence, even if not all took part in the armed struggle, and argued against dividing people based on past positions.

Ahmed linked the goals of the 2024 mass uprising to building “a state and society based on equality, human dignity, and social justice,” leading to economic progress. He said the BNP had presented a 31-point reform plan aimed at repairing state structures and implementing democratic reforms in the constitution and institutions.

He also noted that ethnic groups are not confined to the CHT, citing the Khasi, Garo, Santal, and others in northern border areas. He called for extending constitutional and special provisions—such as reserved quotas in jobs and education—to these communities as well.

“Unity under the common identity of Bangladeshi nationality will be the main strength to advance the nation,” Ahmed said, adding that “fallen fascist forces” posed a national security threat and “had no roots in Bangladeshi politics.”

The keynote paper was presented by security analyst Maj Gen (retd) Dr Md Nayeem Ashfaque Chowdhury.

BNP Chairperson’s defence adviser Maj Gen (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar; Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Shahjahan Chowdhury; Chairman of Osmani Centre for Peace and Security Studies Lt Gen (retd) Dr Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman; BNP Media Cell chairman Prof Dr Alamgir Mohammad Mowdud; Manarat University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Abdur Rob; Jahangirnagar University Prof Dr Mohammad Abdul Latif Masum; Dhaka University Prof Dr Sukomal Barua; Jahangirnagar University Prof Dr Sufi Mustafizur Rahman; AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju; Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran; A-Am Janata Party General Secretary Md Tarek Rahman; Chittagong University Prof Dr Kazi Mohammad Borkot Ali; Rajshahi University Prof Dr Mohammad Tarek Fazal; Director of the International Mother Language Institute Prof Dr Muhammad Asaduzzaman; defence analyst Brig Gen (retd) Dr Abdullah Al Yusuf; former Khagrachhari Hill District Council chairman Babu Ruithi Karbari; engineer Ching Mong Shak; and student leader Paishikhyi Marma, among others, spoke. 

Senior political leaders from various parties, academics, retired military officers, international relations and security analysts, and media representatives also took part in the event.

Parbattanews Executive Editor Sayed Ibn Rahmat delivered the welcome address, and Parbattanews Senior Reporter Nazrul Islam Bashir recited from the Holy Qur’an.