Rangamati, Nov 15 (V7N) – The Rangamati Bazar Fund Land Rights Protection Committee has demanded that land transfer, mortgage registration, and loan services in the Bazar Fund area be reinstated within the next 48 hours. The committee warned that failure to meet this deadline would result in shutdowns, hartals, blockades, and other tough programs across the district.

The announcement came during a press conference held on Saturday morning at a restaurant in Banarupa, where committee leaders alleged that, despite the absence of any formal government restrictions, loan activities in the Bazar Fund area have remained suspended for the past six years due to unexplained administrative barriers.

Speakers at the event said that prolonged administrative complications surrounding Bazar Fund land in the three hill districts—Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban—have prevented local traders from accessing bank loan facilities. As market plots cannot be mortgaged, small and medium entrepreneurs are suffering severe capital shortages, shrinking business operations, stalling new ventures, and contributing to rising unemployment. Commercial banks operating in the area are also incurring significant financial losses due to the stagnation of business activity.

Committee Convener Advocate Saiful Islam Ponir addressed the press conference, along with Joint Conveners Mujibul Haque Mujib and Abdul Kuddus. Among others present were former DUPROC President Omar Faruk, Rangamati Chamber Director Dil Bahadur, business leaders Zahir Uddin Chowdhury, Jasim Uddin, Reserve Bazar Traders’ Association General Secretary Sirajul Mostafa, and representatives of transport, timber, sawmill, and local traders’ associations.

They alleged that an unofficial restriction has effectively halted all types of bank loans linked to Bazar Fund land for years, severely damaging the local economy. Many traders, unable to secure working capital, have already closed their businesses and left the district.

Speakers noted that in 2017, the then Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati suspended mutation cases related to Bazar Fund land registration for the first time. Although the suspension was lifted after negotiations, registry activities were again halted in 2019 and have remained closed since.

Terming the situation a violation of the constitutional rights of citizens living in Bazar Fund areas, the committee leaders demanded the immediate withdrawal of what they described as an “unwritten administrative embargo.” They reiterated that if activities are not restored within 48 hours, they will enforce strict protest programs across the region.

END/AMR/SMA/