BNP supporters in Rangamati protest Dipen Dewan resignation, demand reinstatement

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Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Rangamati staged a protest and road blockade on Monday to demand the rejection of Dipen Dewan’s resignation from his position as the Minister of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs.

The demonstration, which took place outside the BNP district office at Kathaltali, saw party activists occupy local thoroughfares. Protesters chanted slogans rejecting the resignation, characterizing the move as a calculated conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the region. The blockade brought local traffic to a temporary standstill before law enforcement arrived to manage the situation.

Saiful Islam Bhutto, vice president of the Rangamati district BNP, addressed the gathering, arguing that Dewan’s departure undermines efforts to foster unity among the diverse ethnic and Bengali communities of the Hill Tracts. Bhutto further alleged that internal party elements had misled the Prime Minister regarding Dewan’s tenure, suggesting that the resignation was a manufactured crisis rather than a genuine administrative issue.

Challenging the official reasoning behind the resignation, speakers at the rally dismissed claims of poor health. Sajamang Marma, a senior vice president of the Kaukhali Upazila BNP, asserted that Dewan remains both physically and mentally capable of fulfilling his ministerial duties. According to Marma, the resignation was coerced by remnants of the previous administration seeking to maintain influence following the political shifts of August 5.

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The protesters have issued a formal appeal to the Prime Minister, urging her to reject the resignation and reinstate Dewan. The speakers emphasized that Dewan’s leadership is essential for maintaining communal harmony and driving development across the hill districts.

Local authorities maintained a presence at the site to oversee the proceedings. Sub-inspector Mainuddin of the Kotwali Police Station reported that while the protest caused significant disruption, the overall situation remained peaceful as police worked to restore the flow of traffic.