[🇧🇩] Chittagong Hill Tracts----A Victim of Indian Intervention

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UPDF (Democratic) coordinator shot dead in Khagrachhari

The deceased was identified as Nitidatta Chakma, 40, who served as the coordinator of the organisation in Panchhari upazila.

en.prothomalo.com

UPDF (Democratic) coordinator shot dead in Khagrachhari

Correspondent
Khagrachhari
Published: 27 Mar 2026, 14: 54

Nitidatta Chakma

A leader of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) Democratic has been shot dead by unidentified assailants in Panchhari upazila of Khagrachhari. The incident took place around 8:30 am on Friday in the Ultachhari union of the upazila.

The deceased was identified as Nitidatta Chakma, 40, who served as the coordinator of the organisation in Panchhari upazila.

Officer-in-Charge of Panchhari Police Station, Md Ferdous Wahid, said Nitidatta Chakma was shot in the Sutakarmapara area of Ultachhari union in the morning.

Before police could reach the scene, local residents rescued him and took him to Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital, where physicians declared him dead.

UPDF (Democratic) has blamed the UPDF faction led by Prasit Khisa for the killing. However, no leaders or activists of the organisation agreed to speak on record.

The UPDF faction led by Prasit Khisa has denied the allegation. When contacted, one of its spokespersons, Angya Marma, said, “This happened due to internal issues within their own group. Our organisation is in no way involved.​

 

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Diversify livelihoods to ensure sustainable development in CHT

Sustainable development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) requires more than traditional farming alone, said speakers at a roundtable yesterday.

www.thedailystar.net

Diversify livelihoods to ensure sustainable development in CHT

Urge speakers at roundtable by MJF, Prothom Alo

Staff Correspondent

Sustainable development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) requires more than traditional farming alone, said speakers at a roundtable yesterday.

They stressed the need to create diversified livelihood opportunities through tourism, modern agriculture and small-scale industries, while ensuring environmental protection and community participation.

The speakers said stronger infrastructure, access to clean water, women-friendly policies, and greater investment in profitable crops such as coffee and cashew nuts could unlock the region’s economic potential and improve the lives of hill communities.

The observations came at a roundtable titled “Livelihood Patterns, Current Context, and Challenges in the Chittagong Hill Tracts”, held at the Prothom Alo office and jointly organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation and the newspaper with support from the European Union.

Speaking as chief guest, CHT Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan stressed stronger coordination among government agencies to ensure sustainable development in the region.

He said Bangladesh could earn significant foreign revenue by fully exploring the tourism sector and creating a more open environment for investment.

Edwin Koek, first counsellor of the European Union in Bangladesh, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to reducing poverty, tackling inequality and supporting Sustainable Development Goals in the region.

MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said with EU support, Manusher Jonno Foundation and its local partners are implementing an initiative to improve the living conditions of marginalised communities in the hills.

She said the project aims to help nearly 20,000 jhum-dependent families become financially self-reliant by addressing challenges such as harsh environmental conditions, unemployment and water shortages.

She also stressed involving local residents, especially women, in development planning and decision-making.

Meher Nigar Bhuiyan, programme manager for Resilient Livelihoods of the European Union, said infrastructural development, alongside strong government initiatives for improving communication in remote hill areas, access to safe drinking water, and expansion of coffee and cashew cultivation, are essential for long-term progress.

Kajal Talukdar, chairman of the Rangamati Hill District Council, demanded legal recognition of jhum cultivation and transfer of control of Kaptai Lake to the District Council.

Biplab Chakma, head of Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management at UNDP Bangladesh, suggested declaring bamboo an agricultural product, conserving natural forests and formulating a long-term Forest Master Plan.

He also stressed maintaining navigation and water levels in Kaptai Lake to support agricultural marketing and suggested expanding solar power generation to boost the region’s economy.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah, additional director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said modern farming and new technologies could help achieve economic prosperity in the CHT.

Presenting the Partnership for Resilient Livelihoods in the CHT (PRLC) project implemented by MJF, Project Coordinator Nikhil Chakma said local people and women must be included in planning development initiatives in the hills.

He said due to low government allocation, genuine development in the CHT remains constrained.

Chanchu Chakma, member of CHT Regional Council; Biplab Chakma, executive director of Ashika Development Associates; Md Moniruzzaman, deputy director of Rangamati DAE; Julhas Ahmed, Bandarban district livestock officer; Jagaran Chakma, senior journalist at The Daily Star; Shanti Bijoy Chakma, general secretary of the CHT Headman Network; and Kajali Tanchangya, a beneficiary of the PRLC project, also spoke.

The roundtable was moderated by Firoz Choudhury, assistant editor of Prothom Alo.​