Ambassador (Retd.) Supradip Chakma, Advisor to the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, today declared that crime will never be tolerated in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). He stressed that strict legal action will be taken against rapists, perpetrators of violence against women, armed criminals, and extortionists.
The Advisor made these remarks on Sunday during a dialogue held at the Khagrachari Deputy Commissioner’s office. The meeting was convened in response to the recent unrest in the district following the rape of a female student.
Advisor Chakma called for effective measures from the administration and public representatives to prevent future communal conflicts. He emphasized that action must be taken against the actual offenders based strictly on legal grounds, adding, We must never allow intolerance to take root in our society.
Addressing educators, he urged teachers to fulfill their responsibilities and ensure the safety of students within educational institutions. Speaking to parents, he stated, You must correct yourselves, your children, and the society at large. Parents have a leading role in shaping their children’s future.
The Advisor called upon all communities—Bengali and paharee—to work together in harmony, noting, We all aspire to be non-communal. The environment of the Chittagong Hill Tracts must be preserved. Adviser also urged everyone to be vigilant and cooperative for the successful observance of the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja and Prabarana Purnima religious festivals.
Local representatives present at the meeting condemned the incident in Mahajan Para, Khagrachari, and demanded exemplary punishment for the identified perpetrators.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner ABM Iftekharul Islam Khandaker. Attendees included Shefalika Tripura, Chairman of the Khagrachari Hill District Council; Khandaker Mushfiqur Rahman, Private Secretary (Deputy Secretary) to the Advisor; Lt. Colonel Md. Khademul Islam, PSC, Commander of Khagrachari Sadar Zone; Superintendent of Police Arefin Jewel; student leaders; representatives of various communities; journalists; and religious leaders.