Rangamati Student Committee Sparks Protest

A section of excluded activists of the Nationalist Student Party in Rangamati has staged protests demanding the cancellation of the newly announced district committee, alleging irregularities, including the alleged exchange of money for organisational posts.

The controversy erupted shortly after a partial 23-member committee was announced on Saturday night. Almost immediately, dissatisfaction surfaced on social media platforms, with a faction of party workers raising strong objections to the composition of the leadership. Critics claimed that the committee included married individuals, non-students, and persons residing outside Rangamati town, which they argued violated the organisation’s core principles.

Particular anger was directed at the appointment of the general secretary, reportedly brought in from Rajastali Upazila, which demonstrators said ignored active local leadership in the district headquarters.

On Sunday morning, protesting activists brought their grievances to the streets. A procession began from the municipal square in Rangamati town and moved through several main roads before gathering in front of the BNP office in Kathaltali. The protesters later blocked the adjacent roadway by burning tyres and chanting slogans, severely disrupting traffic movement in the area.

Slogans such as “take money if needed, but form a new committee” were heard during the demonstration, reflecting allegations that posts were distributed in exchange for financial benefits and mobile phones.

Several leaders of the newly announced committee were also present during the protests, including vice president Noor Talukder Munna, senior joint general secretary Abdus Shakur Javed, joint secretaries Mokhtar Ahmed and Parvez Hossain Suman, and publicity secretary Abdul Ahad.

Speaking to reporters, vice president Noor Talukder Munna said that the individual appointed from Rajastali did not even recognise the activists of Rangamati town and therefore could not effectively lead the district unit. He added that the decision was unacceptable to a significant portion of the organisation.

Joint general secretary Parvez Hossain Suman alleged that the committee was formed through financial transactions and the exchange of mobile phones. He called for the immediate cancellation of the committee, stressing that only regular and active students should be included to strengthen the organisation.

In response, newly appointed president Oli Ahad defended the formation of the committee, stating that the student organisation is large and diverse, and it is not possible to satisfy everyone. He described the protests as a natural reaction from those who were not included, but urged all members to maintain organisational discipline and trust central leadership decisions.

According to party sources, the last full committee of the district student wing was formed in May 2018, when Faruk Ahmed Sabbir was appointed president and Ali Akbar Suman served as general secretary. The latest developments indicate renewed internal tensions over leadership selection and organisational structure.

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