Fascist, their cohorts behind conspiracy to unsettle CHT: Home Adviser

Adviser to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Lt. Gen. (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has said the fascists and their cohorts are behind the conspiracy to create unrest in the CHT region and ruin communal harmony by adding a beard on the face of ‘Oshur’ (demon) during Durga Puja celebrations. 

“It has already been proved that the patronage of the cohorts of fascists behind the conspiracy to unsettle the CHT region and destroy the communal harmony there,” he said after emerging from the Core Committee meeting on law and order at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday.

He said there was a link between dishonouring the honourable Chief Adviser in a neighbouring country while making an idol of the Durga Puja. 

Jahangir said the collective efforts of all, including the military personnel, law enforcement agencies and support from the common people, have successfully foiled the plot.

Referring to the reported rape incident in Khagrachhari, the adviser said no evidence of rape was found, which caused a huge uproar in the CHT region. 

“But, we have faced the situation in a beautiful manner with cooperation from the Bangladesh Army, law enforcement agencies and the common people,” he added. 

On the present situation in the region, he said the blockade and Section 144 have already been withdrawn from the Chittagong Hill Tracks (CHT) areas.

He alleged that the fascists and their cohorts had been trying to destroy the communal harmony and resort to violence by adding a beard on the face of ‘Oshur’ (demon) at some Puja Mandaps during the festival. 

“Some fascist intellectuals have instigated the matter. But their conspiracy did not get any success,” he said.

The Sharodiyo Durga Puja was celebrated in a safe, peaceful, festive and unhindered manner like the previous year by confronting all odds and conspiracy, he observed.

The Home Adviser thanked all, including the army, law-enforcing agencies, media and common people, to help celebrate the Durga Puja in such a peaceful manner.

Replying to a question, Jahangir said the incidents of adding a beard on the face of ‘Oshur’ took place at 793 Puja Mandaps across the country. “GD (General Diary) was filed in every incident, and an investigation is going on accordingly.”

Asked about arrest in these connections, the Home Adviser said none has been arrested yet, but some of the perpetrators have already been identified.

Responding to another query about whether there is any link between dishonouring the Holy Quran at the North South University and the attempt to ruin communal harmony in the country, he declined to make a comment in this regard, saying that the enquiry into the matter is yet to be completed.