Rangamati, Nov 20 (V7N) – Several civil groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts have enforced a 36-hour shutdown in Rangamati, protesting alleged quota discrimination and irregularities in the Rangamati Hill District Council’s recruitment process. The shutdown began at 6 a.m. on Thursday and is set to continue until Friday evening. It was announced by the Anti-Quota Alliance, general students, and local civic groups following growing tensions over the council’s recruitment decisions.

Picketing was reported across multiple upazilas, leading to a complete suspension of road and waterways transport. CNG-run auto-rickshaws, long-distance buses, and launch operations came to a standstill, causing significant disruption for commuters. Although picketers were active in key locations—including College Gate, Bhedbhedi, Tabalchhari, Doel Chattar, Banarupa, and the District Commissioner’s office—authorities confirmed no major clashes had taken place.

Protesters demanded the suspension of Friday’s scheduled written examination for assistant teacher recruitment in government primary schools, along with the abolition of the small ethnic community quota. Organizers said emergency services such as hospitals, ambulances, fire services, and pharmacies were exempt from the shutdown, and that students taking National University exams or schoolchildren would not be obstructed.

Nazim Uddin, a member of the Rangamati Launch Owners Association, confirmed that launch services were halted due to the shutdown and would resume once conditions return to normal. Police officials stated that the overall situation remains stable and that law enforcement agencies are maintaining heightened readiness.

Tensions escalated on November 17 when demonstrators attempted to submit a memorandum protesting recruitment discrimination. Interim Council Chairman Kajol Talukder allegedly refused to accept the memorandum, behaved discourteously, and stated that he would follow the council’s own laws rather than ministerial directives. This triggered widespread outrage, prompting organizers to call for a 36-hour shutdown.

The Hill District Councils oversee administrative functions of 28 government departments in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, including the primary education department. Recruitment preparations for assistant teachers were being carried out under the council’s supervision. According to council sources, a circular was issued in 2022 for 462 vacant assistant teacher posts, followed by a second circular on August 27, 2025. Almost 7,000 applicants submitted applications across the two rounds, intensifying public demands for transparency.

Amid mounting public pressure, the Hill District Council has now suspended the November 21 recruitment examination. Chairman Kajol Talukder announced the decision in a video message from his office on Thursday afternoon. He said the exam had already been postponed several times and was finally rescheduled for November 21 with full preparations completed. However, considering the shutdown, anticipated transport disruptions, and potential security challenges, the council decided—after discussions with law enforcement and relevant authorities—to postpone the exam once again.

Chairman Talukder expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to candidates, parents, and all concerned. He said the decision was necessary to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the examination.

Earlier, anti-discrimination activists had staged multiple demonstrations, including submitting memorandums and locking the council gate, demanding that recruitment be conducted with 93 percent merit-based evaluation in line with government policy. The chairman’s refusal to comply with ministerial instructions and his alleged disrespectful behavior intensified public anger, leading to Thursday’s widespread shutdown.

Sources inside the council said that internal tensions were also rising, with several council members advising the chairman to delay the exam. There were indications that a no-confidence proposal could be raised if he failed to respond to public concerns. Law enforcement and government agencies reportedly warned the council about potential deterioration of the situation.

Responding to the widespread unrest and the growing demand from the public, the council officially suspended the November 21 examination, as confirmed in the chairman’s video statement.

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