United News of Bangladesh

The death toll from the road crash on the Chattogram-Rangamati road in the Rubber Bagan area under Kawkhali upazila of Rangamati, climbed to six with the death of another person on Saturday. The identity of the deceased could not be known immediately. Earlier in the day, five people were killed and one was injured in a collision between a pickup and a CNG-run auto-rickshaw at Chairman Para Rubber Garden area around 10:30 am. The identities of the deceased could not be confirmed immediately, said Officer-in-Charge of Kawkhali Police Station Saiful Islam Sohag. Zahidul Alam, additional superintendent (Kaptai circle) of Rangamati Police, said three people died on the spot while three others died on way to hospital.

A member of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) was shot dead in an alleged attack by the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS) in Manikchhari upazila of Rangamati early Sunday. The deceased was identified as Nirmol Chakma. Murder case accused shot dead in Khulna Angya Marma, a spokesperson for the UPDF, claimed that armed members of the Jana Sanghati Samiti launched the attack, resulting in Nirmol Chakma’s death in the Kharmapara Teimidung area of Manikchhari. Md Sahed Uddin, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, said he received reports of the UPDF member’s death in the gunfight but could not provide further details.

The lush, picturesque hills of Rangamati’s Naniarchar upazila, famed for producing the delectable 'Honey Queen' pineapples, are overflowing with an abundant harvest this year. Instead of rejoicing, farmers find themselves fighting with an unsettling dilemma—an oversupply of fruit but a dwindling market, leaving their golden bounty to wither away in despair. This season’s early harvest, driven by the application of growth hormones, has flooded the markets with ripened pineapples well ahead of their usual cycle. While these fruits typically grace the markets in the balmy months of May or June, farmers began plucking them as early as January, an unnatural acceleration that now threatens their profitability. A Harvest Turned Sour The picturesque hills of Rangamati are home to two primary varieties of pineapples: the robust Giant Q and the much-coveted Honey Queen. The latter, grown in abundance in Naniarchar, Longadu, Baghaichhari and Barkal, is known for its ambrosial sweetness and tender texture. But this season’s early ripening has thrown farmers into distress. Khamaari Dhala Chan Chhakma, a farmer from Baghaichhari, lamented how the hormone-induced acceleration backfired. "We hoped for prosperity, but instead, we are witnessing our efforts go to waste. The fruits ripened too soon, and now they are rotting in the orchards, with no buyers in sight," he shared with a heavy heart. Abdul Karim, another farmer from Naniarchar, echoed similar sentiments. Following recommendations from the Department of Agriculture, many farmers embraced hormone-based techniques to ensure year-round production. Despite the pineapples’ size and renowned sweetness, the cold weather has dampened their flavour and market demand has plummeted, he said. Pineapple Capital abuzz in peak season A Market in Decline The pineapples, carried in engine boats along the scenic waterways of Rangamati, reach key trading hubs such as Sumataghath, Tablachhari, the Municipal Truck Terminal and Rirjabh, where wholesalers typically snap them up. But this year, the enthusiasm of traders has been replaced with reluctance. Kalam, a trader struggling to cope with the market downturn, voiced his concerns. "We have no choice but to buy directly from the farms at a lower price. The market is not supporting us, and we're feeling the strain too," he admitted. Traders blame the unusually chilly weather for diminishing the pineapples’ natural sweetness, making them less appealing to consumers. Nasim Haider, Deputy Director of the Rangamati District Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), acknowledged the predicament. 50MT mangoes of Satkhira exported to Europe "The hormone treatment was aimed at meeting market demand, but the colder temperatures led to subpar quality, affecting sales," he said. But he remains optimistic, suggesting that as temperatures rise, both the quality and prices of pineapples are likely to improve. A Cry for Cold Storage This year, 1,240 hectares in Naniarchar were dedicated to cultivating Honey Queen pineapples, with an estimated yield of 7,000 tonnes. The agriculture department remains hopeful that the final yield will surpass expectations. Yet, the recurring issue of oversupply and price crashes has reignited calls for a cold storage facility in Rangamati. Farmers have long pleaded for a preservation system to shield their perishable produce from market volatility. “With cold storage, we wouldn’t have to watch our hard-earned harvest rot before our eyes. It would give us control over supply and prices,” said a farmer, his voice tinged with frustration. Naogaon district sets ambitious Tk 2500 crore target for mango sales As the hills of Rangamati continue to bear their golden treasures, farmers await a solution that will allow them to savour the true fruits of their labour. Until then, the bounty of Honey Queen pineapples remains bittersweet.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) paid deep tributes and placed wreaths at the grave of Bir Sreshtho Munshi Abdur Rouf at Burighat in Naniarchar upazila of Rangamati on the occasion of the Victory Day. A floral wreath was placed on behalf of the BGB Director General at the grave of this heroic son of the nation on Monday morning. President Shahabuddin pays tribute to Liberation War martyrs on Victory Day BGB Kaptai Zone Commander Lt Col Mohammad Tanzilur Rahman Bhuiyan, Dayal Krishna Chakma, Bir Sreshtho Munshi Abdur Rouf Foundation Director Yasin Rana Sohel and others were present on the occasion. During the ceremony, an armed salute was given by playing the bugle tune and a prayer was offered seeking peace for the soul of Bir Sreshtho Munshi Abdur Rouf. Later, wreaths were placed on behalf of educational institutions and social organizations. Tributes paid to martyred police members on Victory Day at Rajarbagh Police Lines Later, the BGB’s Rangamati Sector Commander provided financial assistance to Doyal Krishna Chakma in recognition of his role in identifying and burying the remains of Bir Sreshtho Munshi Abdur Rouf at Burighat, Naniarchar.

Tensions have escalated at Sajek in Rangamati amid ‘exchange of gunfire’ between two rival groups, forcing the authorities to impose travel restriction at the tourist location for Wednesday. Some 500 tourists have been stranded in the area due to the gunfight. Additional District Magistrate of Rangamati Zobaida Akter issued the restriction through a press release on Tuesday night. Protest held outside Indian Mission in Khulna over Agartala attack Local people said the exchange of gunfire started between activists of Jana Sanghati Samity (JSS) and United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) in Sajek and Machalong areas few days back but it intensified on Tuesday. No vehicles with tourists left for Sajek on Tuesday afternoon. Motijoy Tripura, joint general secretary of Sajek Resort Owners Association, said gunfight took place at Shippara under no 7 ward in Sajek and Machalong area , 20 kilometers away from the Sajek valley. 1030 mts rice imported from India thru Benapole in one week Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Khan, deputy commissioner of Rangamati district, said considering the safety of  tourists, the local administration imposed a travel ban for Wednesday. Further decisions will be taken considering the situation.

The government has appointed new deputy commissioners (DCs) in Rangamati and Thakurgaon districts. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification to this end on Wednesday. According to the notification, Ishrat Farzana, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Thakurgaon, has been transferred to Rangamati, while Mohammad Habib Ullah, a deputy secretary in the Finance Division, has been appointed as the new DC of Thakurgaon. The order will be effective soon, the notification added.  

Usually vibrant with tourists during public holidays, the popular tourist destinations in the three hill districts now wear a desolate look after a recent directive by the authorities discouraging people from visiting the region. Tourism businesses in Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari are set to suffer huge losses as all bookings have been cancelled due to the restriction. District administrations asked people not to visit the hill districts from October 8 to31 citing “unavoidable reasons”, including safety concerns and the impact of recent natural disasters. Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Khan said the decision was made to ensure the safety of tourists, with hopes that the situation will normalise by the end of the month. “We have urged tourists not to visit Rangamati during this period. Later, travel can resume as usual,” he said. The travel restriction came at a particularly difficult time for the tourism sector. Hotel and resort operators had received advanced bookings for the Durga Puja holiday, the biggest religious festival of Hindus. Read: Government announces programs to mark World Tourism Day tomorrow However, he is optimistic that easing the restrictions could help the tourism sector recover from this crisis. “We are facing a major crisis,” said Ramzan Ali, a leaseholder at the boat dock operated by the Rangamati Parjatan Corporation. “The scenic Hanging Bridge was submerged due to recent rains and floods, and now we have this travel ban. We don't know how we will survive.” Md. Sultan, manager of Hotel Square Park, echoed similar concerns saying, “All the bookings have been canceled, and our hotels are empty. Normally, we are fully booked at this time of year,” he said. Local tourism associations have expressed deep concern over the economic impact of the travel ban. Ten organizations, including the Rangamati Resort Owners’ Association, the Houseboat Owners’ Association, and the Residential Hotel Owners’ Association, submitted a memorandum to the district administration calling for the government to lift the ban immediately. “We are facing severe uncertainty regarding our livelihoods. The ban sends a highly negative message to tourists and threatens to push the developing tourism sector in these regions to the brink of collapse,” they said in the memorandum. Read more: Sunamganj tourism suffers Tk 50 crore loss amid floods and ongoing situation Ten organizations, including the Rangamati Resort Owners’ Association, the Houseboat Owners’ Association, and the Hotel Owners’ Association, submitted a memorandum to the district administration calling for the government to lift the ban immediately. “We are facing severe uncertainty regarding our livelihoods. The ban sends a highly negative message to tourists and threatens to push the developing tourism sector in these regions to the brink of collapse,” they said in the memorandum. Adviser to Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Supradip Chakma recently said the ban would be lifted soon. “We are in talks with the Home Affairs adviser, and a decision will be announced shortly,” he said.

The Rangamati District Administration has issued a directive discouraging tourists from visiting Sajek Valley starting October 4 until further notice, due to ongoing concerns regarding law and order in the region. In a letter signed by Rangamati Additional District Magistrate Md Saiful Islam, the administration emphasized the need to prioritize the safety of tourists, citing the overall security situation in Sajek and its surrounding areas of Baghaichhari upazila. This decision comes in light of recent unrest in Khagrachhari and Rangamati, which has raised significant safety concerns. Read: Tourists discouraged from visiting Sajek till Sept 30 Earlier, the administration had already extended the travel discouragement period for tourists from September 28 to September 30, and again from October 1 to October 3. The situation has become increasingly critical, with reports indicating that around 1,500 tourists and 500 drivers and staff were recently stranded in Sajek Valley due to a blockade prompted by local unrest. This disruption has resulted in significant challenges, including shortages of essential supplies like drinking water, gas, and food. In response to these difficulties, resort owners have been offering discounts of up to 75% to accommodate stranded tourists. However, considering the prevailing circumstances, the administration has determined that discouraging further travel to Sajek is a necessary precaution. Read more: 1400 tourists stranded in Sajek return to Khagrachhari with army’s help Tourists are urged to stay updated on the situation and consider alternate destinations for their travel plans until the administration provides further guidance. The Rangamati district administration said it will ensure the safety and security of all visitors.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Bangladesh today (November 28, 2023) signed a $90 million loan agreement to develop infrastructure and systems that will provide clean drinking water and sanitation services in Bandarban, Lama, and Rangamati towns in the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) region. Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Edimon Ginting, Country Director, ADB, signed the loan agreement on behalf of Bangladesh and ADB, respectively, at a ceremony at ERD in Dhaka. “We are pleased to support the government in pursuing inclusive and climate-resilient development by providing clean drinking water and sanitation services and improving solid waste management in the lagging Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) region,” said ADB Country Director Ginting. Read more: Latest ADB report predicts a better year for Bangladesh in FY2024 “The improved services will reduce the risks of water-borne diseases, enhance health and economic opportunities, and benefit women who spend considerable productive time daily collecting water and managing wastes,” he said. The Chattogram Hill Tracts Inclusive and Resilient Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project will develop water treatment plants with a total capacity of 44 million liters per day in Bandarban, Lama, and Rangamati towns, as well as 24 km of transmission line and 340 km of new water distribution network to connect to households. In Bandarban and Lama, the project will also modernize sanitation and solid waste management systems through rehabilitated public toilets and the provision of vehicles to safely de-sludge fecal sludge and collect solid waste integrated with a geographic information system, and equip household waste bins with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to track waste collection. The project will also develop two integrated waste management facilities to treat and manage fecal sludge and solid waste, said the regional development bank. To maximize impact and sustainability, a community awareness and behavior change campaign on water, sanitation, hygiene, climate resilience, and solid waste management will be conducted. The campaign will target 100,000 people, with at least 60 percent participation from women and the vulnerable population. Around 300 staff (at least 90 percent of the eligible women staff) of the Department of Public Health Engineering, hill district councils, and municipalities will be trained on climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable water supply, sanitation, and solid waste management service delivery. The project will also enhance the readiness for implementation of future investments in water supply and sanitation for 31 towns by preparing feasibility studies, detailed designs, and bidding documents following approaches that promote disaster and climate resilience as well as gender equity and social inclusion. Read more: In another first, PM Hasina opens Ctg-Cox's Bazar railway line

After a month and half of staying closed following inundation, the iconic hanging bridge on Kaptai Lake, known as a “symbol of Rangamati”, has opened to tourists and visitors. The local administration withdrew the ban on tourist movement on the bridge on Friday (October 20, 2023) after the water receded. Several lakh tourists from across the country and abroad come to Rangamati every year and the hanging bridge is a must-see attraction. During monsoon, the district administration restricts the movement of tourists on Kaptai Lake hanging bridge due to inundation every year. Water transports banned in Kaptai Lake On September 3, the local administration suspended movement on the bridge in Rangamati as it went under water following a rise in water level in the lake due to heavy rain. Water level rises in Kaptai lake after heavy rains; power generation increased