Rangamati, Apr 7 (V7N)– The hill town of Rangamati has been gripped by widespread protests, mirroring the rest of the nation, condemning Israel's actions in Gaza and Rafah, Palestine. Following a morning of boycotts of work and classes, a large number of ordinary citizens from various parts of the city converged at Doel Chattar in the afternoon for a significant protest march.

"The hill town of Rangamati, like the rest of the country, has been gripped by protests in protest against Israel's massacres in Gaza and Rafah, Palestine. After the no-work, no-class program on Monday morning, ordinary people from different areas of the city gathered at Doel Chattar in the afternoon to hold a protest march," a local reporter on the scene stated.

At Doel Chattar, protesters voiced strong anti-Israel slogans and criticized the perceived silence of Arab leaders on the issue. Speakers also called for a comprehensive boycott of Israeli products.

"There, the protesters raised various slogans against Israel and its allies. During this, speakers criticized the silence of the leaders of the Arab world and called for a boycott of Israeli products," the reporter added.

Earlier in the day, after Zuhr prayers, multiple protest marches originated from three key areas of the city: Reserve Bazar, Banarupa, and Tabalchhari. These marches then converged at Doel Chattar, located in the heart of Rangamati. The demonstrations saw participation from the general public, various Islamic student organizations, and several Islamic political parties, all expressing solidarity with Palestine.

"Earlier, after the Zuhr prayers, protest marches took out from the city's three main areas - Reserve Bazar, Banarupa, and Tabalchhari - and converged at Doel Chattar, the heart of the city. In addition to the participation of the general public, various Islamic student organizations and various Islamic parties expressed solidarity," a local community leader confirmed.

The rally at Doel Chattar featured addresses from prominent religious figures, including the Khatibs of the Old Bus Station Mosque, Amanatbagh Jame Mosque, and Tabalchhari Central Jame Mosque, as well as the presidents of the National Imam Association Rangamati and the National Ulama Mashayek Parishad, alongside student leaders and other religious scholars.

"The rally was addressed by the Khatib of the Old Bus Station Mosque, M. A. Mustafa Hejazi, the Khatib of the Amanatbagh Jame Mosque, M. Akhtar Hossain Chowdhury, the Khatib of the Tabalchhari Central Jame Mosque, Maulana Shariatullah, the President of the National Imam Association Rangamati, A. B. M. Tofail, the President of the National Ulama Mashayek Parishad, Maulana Abu Hashem, student leader Abdul Ahad and other ulema," an event organizer reported.

Prior to the main rally, a human chain and protest gathering were held in front of the Reserve Bazar Jama'at Mosque, also condemning the alleged massacres. This event was presided over by Alhaj Maulana MA Mustafa Hejazi, the President of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jama'at Rangamati District.

"Earlier in the afternoon, a human chain and rally were held in front of the city's Reserve Bazar Jama'at Mosque in protest of the massacre. The human chain was presided over by Ahle Sunnat Wal Jama'at Rangamati District President Alhaj Maulana MA Mustafa Hejazi," a participant noted.

Reports also indicate that similar protest marches and rallies were organized in various upazilas across the Rangamati district, including Kaukhali, Kaptai, Langadu, Baghaichhari, Naniarchar, and Rajasthali, all protesting the Israeli actions in Gaza and Rafah.

"In addition, protest marches and rallies were organized in different areas of Kaukhali, Kaptai, Langadu, Baghaichhari, Naniarchar and Rajasthali upazilas of the district to protest the Israeli massacre in Gaza and Rafah, Palestine," a district official confirmed.

In a coordinated effort, students from numerous educational institutions in Rangamati boycotted their classes and exams on Monday morning as part of the pre-announced protest program. Many students also held their own protest marches and rallies in front of their respective educational institutions.

"In addition, students of various educational institutions in Rangamati boycotted classes and exams in order to observe the pre-announced program in the morning. In addition, students held protest marches and rallies in front of educational institutions," a student representative stated.

Furthermore, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Rangamati organized a protest march in Rangamati city specifically condemning the alleged "brutal massacre" by Israeli forces in violation of a ceasefire in Gaza. This march was organized by the municipal branch of Jamaat-e-Islami.

"Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Rangamati has held a protest march in Rangamati city to protest the brutal massacre by Israeli forces in violation of the ceasefire in Ganja. The protest march was organized by the municipal Jamaat," a local political observer reported.

The widespread and coordinated nature of these protests underscores the strong public sentiment in Rangamati against the ongoing conflict and in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

END/AMR/RH/