A daylong hartal, enforced by Parbatya Jubo Front, a platform of Pahari Bangali youths demanding the release of three forest officials kidnapped from Langadu on November 6, is going on peacefully in the district today (Thursday).At a press conference in the district town on Tuesday, the organisation of the Pahari Bangali settlers announced the shutdown from 6am to 5pm.Junior School Certificate and Junior Dakhil Certificate examinations will remain outside the purview of the strike.
Most of the motorised vehicles remained off the roads and business establishments remained closed.No long-route buses left the district town.A large number of policemen were kept deployed in the district to fend off any trouble.Meanwhile, a procession was brought out in the town on Wednesday evening in support of the shutdown.Armed criminals abducted the trio from Karikaba of Kattali in Langadu on November 6 when a group of seven forest officers went there to inspect a garden.The victims are assistant forest conservator of Chittagong Hill Tracts North Forest Division Farid Miah, range officer of Langadu Range Rabiul Hossain and forester Bibartan Chakma. -UNB, Rangamati
