Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser  Supradip Chakma spoke at a seminar organized jointly by the Buddhist Religion Welfare Trust and Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs today. Photo : BSS

RANGAMATI, April 25, 2025 (BSS) - Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser 
Supradip Chakma today said the present government wants to take the country 
forward by maintaining communal harmony.

"The goal of this government is to protect the rights of all the communities 
and build a non-communal country. It (government) has opened all the doors 
for development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The hill people are lagging 
behind in the development of the agriculture sector. We want to widely spread 
the coffee and cashew nut production of the three districts of the Chittagong 
Hill Tracts in the country and abroad. If necessary, experts will be brought 
from the plains to do the work," he said.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser said these while addressing as the 
chief guest at a daylong seminar on things to do for the socio-economic 
development of Bangladesh and development of Buddhist culture in the country. 

Organised jointly by Buddhist Religion Welfare Trust and Ministry of 
Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, the seminar was held in the hall room of the 
Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board in Rangamati district.

"We, the people of the hilly regions, do not want to be left behind anymore. 
We want to blend in with the mainstream of the country. All concerned should 
contribute to the society. We should think about society, religion and the 
state. Our honorable Chief Adviser and Army Chief have announced to take the 
country forward maintaining the communal harmony. Everyone has to unite 
here," he added.

Supradeep Chakma also said the potential of Kaptai Lake should be utilized 
properly. He compared Kaptai Lake in Rangamati to gold and said it is 
possible to develop the country economically by harvesting fish from the 
water body.

The seminar was chaired by Bhavesh Chakma, vice-chairman of the Buddhist 
Religion Welfare Trust. The main discussant was Buddhist theorist Professor 
Dr Sukomal Barua of Dhaka University (DU).

Former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Moni 
Swapan Dewan, Mong Circle King Saching Pru Chowdhury were present at the 
seminar while Rajib Kanti Barua, trustee of the Buddhist Religion Welfare 
Trust Board, presented the keynote paper in it.

Shyamal Mitra Chakma delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the organising 
committee at the seminar.