Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Sunday that fascists and their collaborators are behind the plot to cause unrest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and disrupt communal harmony.
He specifically mentioned the act of placing a beard on the face of “Asura” (demon) during Durga Puja celebrations. The adviser condemned this act as part of a broader attempt to create division and unrest.
“It has been proven that supporters of fascists are behind this plot to disrupt peace in the CHT and harm communal harmony in the region,” he said after the Core Committee meeting on law and order at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Jahangir also pointed out that the act of dishonoring the Chief Adviser in a neighboring country while making a Durga Puja idol is connected to the larger conspiracy. He praised the collective efforts of the military, law enforcement, and the public, which successfully foiled the plot.
Regarding the reported rape incident in Khagrachhari, the adviser clarified that no evidence of the crime was found, despite the uproar in the CHT. “However, we effectively handled the situation with the cooperation of the Bangladesh Army, law enforcement agencies, and the public,” he added.
Concerning the current situation in CHT, he confirmed that the blockade and Section 144 had been lifted.
Jahangir criticised the fascists and their supporters for attempting to disturb communal peace by placing a beard on Asura’s face at several Puja Mandaps during the festival. “Some fascist intellectuals instigated this, but their conspiracy was unsuccessful,” he said.
He emphasised that this year’s Sharodiya Durga Puja was celebrated peacefully and uninterrupted, much like last year, despite numerous challenges and conspiracies.
Jahangir expressed gratitude to the army, law enforcement, media, and the general public for their role in ensuring a peaceful celebration of Durga Puja.
When asked about the beard incident, Jahangir confirmed that it occurred in 793 Puja Mandaps across the country. “General Diaries (GD) have been filed for each incident, and investigations are ongoing,” he said.
