Rangamati, May 12 (V7N)- Construction work at the Rangamati University of Science and Technology (RU-PRU) is facing severe disruptions due to demands for crores of taka in ransom by regional party terrorists. Armed hill terrorists are reportedly threatening to halt the ongoing construction of academic and administrative buildings.

Several concerned authorities have confirmed that an armed group of tribal terrorists entered the Rangamati RBIP (likely an abbreviation for the campus area) on Sunday morning and stopped the ongoing development work.

This is not an isolated incident. Previously, another armed group had halted the work, which only resumed after a ransom of Tk 1.25 crore was allegedly paid through negotiations with individuals associated with the JSS (Jana Sanghati Samiti). Alarmingly, less than two months later, on Sunday, May 11, 2025, armed men once again stopped the work, reiterating their demand for ransom.

Local sources indicate that the project, titled "Establishment of Rangamati Science and Technology University (2nd Revised)" and overseen by the Bangladesh University Grants Commission, is being jointly implemented by a contracting joint venture named ME-RB in collaboration with the Department of Educational Engineering. This project involves the construction of a three-story academic building and an administrative building, with an estimated total cost of around Tk 25 crore.

The latest disruption occurred at 7:30 am on Sunday when a group of armed terrorists arrived at the main gate of Rabiprobbi. They sent one person inside to instruct the workers to cease all activities. The contractor was reportedly told to contact them or face an armed attack. This threat instilled fear among the workers, leading to an immediate work stoppage, a fact confirmed by the site's security guard, Zephlin Chakma.

Following the incident, Mr. Rakib, the head of the contracting company based in Chittagong, confirmed that he traveled to RU-PRU in Rangamati on Sunday afternoon to meet with the tribal groups for discussions, and work resumed later that afternoon.

Expressing his disappointment, Mr. Rakib stated, "In an independent sovereign country, we are implementing the building construction work at RBIP by paying the necessary VAT and tax and following the proper process. But unfortunately, the municipality near the city is openly collecting extortion from us." He added, "Although we are shocked by such an incident in broad daylight inside one of the highest educational institutions on the hill, we are continuing our work for the sake of our lives." He also appealed to the university administration to ensure the safety of their workers and engineers.

Investigations have revealed that the tribal armed terrorists have their own sources within the university, including relatives of the terrorists among the employees. This network allows them to easily obtain all internal information, enabling them to strategically time and execute their threats to stop work.

In a separate incident, some RU-PRU students allegedly assisted admission seekers during batch examinations via mobile phones. The university authorities have been informed and have discussed the matter within their WhatsApp group, with the Vice-Chancellor reportedly issuing a warning to those involved.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of Rangamati University of Science and Technology and the Project Director of the building construction project are reportedly in constant communication with the military, civilian, and intelligence agencies in Rangamati. They are working collaboratively to ensure the implementation of the ongoing development projects at the university.

Abdul Gafur, the Project Director of the three-story academic building construction project, stated, "We, along with the VC, are already working to implement the development activities of RAB, maintaining continuous communication with the military-civilian administration of Rangamati and intelligence agencies regarding the university's issues."

However, the Rangamati Kotwali Police Station reported that no formal written complaint has been filed with them regarding these incidents.

Rangamati University of Science and Technology, a higher education institution in the hills located near Rangamati city on the Asambasti-Kaptai road within Rangamati Municipality, has reportedly been targeted by tribal armed terrorists multiple times. 1 The armed presence of these groups within an educational institution bustling with hundreds of students and the Vice-Chancellor's workplace raises serious concerns about the safety and security of the university community.

END/BTK/RH/