The General Secretary of the Revolutionary Communist League of Bangladesh, Comrade Ikbal Kabir Zahid, has called on the interim government to address the ongoing unrest in the hill regions between indigenous communities and Bengalis.

In a press release, he urged for a swift and just resolution, highlighting the long-standing grievances of the indigenous population regarding land rights and security.

The situation escalated overnight, resulting in four fatalities, over a hundred injuries, and the destruction of indigenous-owned businesses. The unrest has spread to Rangamati, underscoring the urgency for effective government action.

He also mentioned that the military officials have been granted magistracy powers under the Criminal Procedure Code of 1898 for maintaining law and order in the country.

Additionally, two students were beaten to death at Jahangirnagar and Dhaka Universities. Following this incident, the authorities of Dhaka University have banned politics on campus for students, teachers, and staff.

Each of these events contradicts the aspirations of the July mass uprising, said the CPB General Secretary.

He remarked that we know the past fascist government of Sheikh Hasina has politicized all state institutions, including the administration, law enforcement, and judiciary, to maintain its illegal power.

Extrajudicial killings, abductions, murders, and torture during Hasina's regime have overshadowed all historical precedents. It turned the country into a paradise for plundering while consolidating power.

Therefore, reshaping law and order and the administration after Hasina's fall will be a significant challenge. However, the interim government has chosen to grant magistracy powers to the military instead of relying on the people and democratic political parties for solutions—an approach likely to backfire.

The past experiences in this country are not encouraging either. Thus, we believe it is crucial to withdraw the order granting magistracy powers to military officials and to engage with all democratic political parties to involve the public.

He demands the rapid arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the student killings at Jahangirnagar and Dhaka Universities, ensuring exemplary punishment.

At the same time, he strongly urges the interim government to take effective measures for a permanent resolution to the crisis in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

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