Fascist, their cohorts behind conspiracy to unsettle CHT, destroy communal harmony: Home adviser

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

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

He said there was a link between the act of dishonouring the honourable chief adviser in a neighbouring country while making an idol for the Durga Puja.

Jahangir said the collective efforts of all, including 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 in the case that caused a huge uproar in the CHT region.

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

Regarding the present situation in the region, he said the blockade and Section 144 have already been withdrawn from the Chittagong Hill Tracts areas.

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

“Some fascist intellectuals have instigated the matter, but their conspiracy did not succeed,” he said.

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

The Home Adviser thanked all, including the army, law enforcement agencies, media, and common people, for helping to celebrate Durga Puja peacefully.

Replying to a question, Jahangir said incidents of adding a beard to the face of ‘Oshur’ took place at 793 Puja Mandaps across the country. “A General Diary (GD) has been filed for every incident, and investigations are ongoing accordingly.”

Asked about arrests in this connection, the Home Adviser said none have been arrested yet, but some of the perpetrators have already been identified.

Responding to another query about whether there is any link between the act of dishonoring the Holy Quran at North South University and the attempt to ruin communal harmony in the country, he declined to comment, saying that the inquiry into the matter is yet to be completed.