Rangamati, Aug 20 (V7N) — Members of the Parbatya Chattogram Nagorik Parishad (PCNP) formed a human chain protest on Wednesday morning in Rangamati’s Banarupa Bazar area, calling for the reinstatement of mortgage and registration services for market-fund lands in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
 
The demonstration, which began at 11:00 AM, was presided over by PCNP Rangamati District President Mohammad Solaiman. Kazi Mujibur Rahman, the organization’s central chairman, was present as the chief guest. Other speakers included senior vice president Abu Bakar, vice president Kazi Md. Jalowa, general secretary Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, joint secretary Selim Uddin, student leader Alamgir, among others.
 
Speakers alleged that the District Commissioner’s office has suspended the mortgage process for market-fund lands, which are officially under the control of the district councils, thereby depriving landowners of their lawful rights. Although these lands were registered under government rules with official payments of taxes and salami (lease fees), mortgages have not been allowed for over four years, leaving landowners unable to access bank loans or financial services.
 
The protestors also criticized Rangamati Hill District Council Chairman Kajal Talukder for allegedly creating further complications in land registration procedures.
 
Speakers claimed that certain factions are systematically attempting to strip Bengali residents in the CHT of their land and civil rights, calling it part of a long-term plan to displace Bengali communities. They called upon the government to take immediate steps to end this perceived discrimination and restore equality in land ownership and registration processes in the region.
 
The PCNP leadership issued a strong warning that if the government fails to restore mortgage and registration services for market-fund lands immediately, they will launch a more intensified movement in the coming days.
 
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