Party demands action against armed groups, lower prices and constitutional reforms

Desk Report: Khelafat Majlis has called for the immediate reinstatement of army camps in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), saying stronger security measures are necessary to ensure public safety and prevent further violence in the region.

The party made the demand at its quarterly central executive meeting, expressing deep concern over recent tensions in Khagrachhari and Rangamati, including incidents affecting tourists visiting Sajek, a popular tourist destination in the hills.

According to the party leaders, nearly 3,000 tourists had been stranded in Sajek amid escalating tensions and clashes involving armed groups in the hills over the past several days.

They alleged that when security personnel moved to rescue the stranded tourists on Thursday, armed assailants attacked members of the Army and police, leaving at least nine people, including security personnel, injured.

The party strongly condemned the incident and called for immediate action against armed groups operating in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. It also urged the authorities to restore security and reinstate army camps to protect residents and visitors.

The allegations and casualty figures could not be independently verified from the information provided by the party.

The meeting also expressed anger over the abnormal increases in fuel oil, cylinder gas and essential commodity prices, calling on the government to bring prices within the purchasing capacity of ordinary people.

Party leaders said rising living costs were placing additional pressure on households and urged the authorities to take immediate measures to ease the burden on consumers.

The demand comes amid public concerns over the affordability of everyday necessities, including household energy and food items.

On constitutional matters, Khelafat Majlis accused the government of undermining what it described as the clear public mandate expressed in the recent referendum and the spirit of the July mass uprising.

The party alleged that the government was attempting to preserve the controversial 1972 Constitution through a unilateral constitutional amendment committee.

Rejecting what it described as a one-sided initiative, the party called for the formation of a Constitution Reform Council comprising all political parties represented in parliament.

It urged the government to implement a comprehensive constitutional framework in accordance with the referendum results, arguing that the reform process should reflect the people`s mandate and the aspirations associated with the July uprising.

The meeting did not provide further details on the proposed council`s structure or the specific constitutional provisions it wants to change.

The quarterly central executive meeting was held at 3:00pm at the party`s central office in Paltan, Dhaka, with Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad in the chair. Secretary-General Dr Ahmad Abdul Qader conducted the meeting.

Among those present were Naib-e-Ameers Maulana Sakhawat Hossain, Maulana Ahmad Ali Qasemi and Professor Abdullah Farid, along with Professor Sirajul Haque and Joint Secretaries-General Advocate Jahangir Hossain, Muhammad Muntasir Ali, ABM Sirajul Mamun and Dr Mostafizur Rahman Faisal.

Other central leaders and office-bearers representing the party`s organisational, financial, social welfare, education, training, cultural, information, labour, youth and agricultural affairs departments also attended.

The meeting discussed security in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the rising cost of living and constitutional reform, placing these issues at the centre of the party`s demands to the government.