36-hour strike underway in Rangamati by anti-quota alliance

A 36-hour strike called by the anti-quota alliance is underway in Rangamati, protesting alleged quota discrimination in the recruitment of teachers for the Hill District Council.

The strike began at 6 am on Thursday in the Bonrupa area of the town, with protesters setting tyres on fire and chanting slogans. Demonstrators were also seen placing trees on main roads as a form of protest. Police were deployed in strict measures to prevent any untoward incidents.

Due to the strike, no long-distance buses from Rangamati to Chittagong or Dhaka operated. Traffic on local roads was also halted, forcing residents to walk to offices and courts. Shops and commercial establishments in the town remained closed, and no markets were held.

Following the people’s uprising in July, the Rangamati Hill District Council conducted assistant teacher recruitment under its own law without adhering to the 1% quota set for minority groups by the Ministry of Public Administration. This led to accusations against Chairman Kajol Talukdar of discriminatory practices against Bengali students.

In protest against this quota discrimination, the anti-quota alliance, students, and a committee of aware citizens called for a 36-hour strike. Several Bengali organisations from the Chittagong Hill Tracts have expressed solidarity with the strike.

Khaborwala/TSN