36-Hour Strike in Rangamati Over Alleged Quota Discrimination in Teacher Recruitment

A 36-hour strike called by the Anti-Quota Alliance is currently underway in Rangamati, protesting alleged quota discrimination in the Hill District Council’s teacher recruitment process. The strike began at 6:00 am on Thursday in the Bonrupa area, where protesters burned tyres, raised slogans, and blocked main roads using trees. Police maintained a strong presence to prevent untoward incidents.

The strike has caused widespread disruption. No long-distance buses from Rangamati to Chattogram or Dhaka were able to depart, and vehicle movement on internal roads was halted. Residents were forced to walk to offices and courts, while shops and commercial establishments remained closed, and local markets did not operate.

The protests stem from the July uprising, after which the Ministry of Public Administration did not implement the 1% quota reserved for minority communities. As a result, the Rangamati Hill District Council conducted its own recruitment examination for assistant teachers under local laws. This led to allegations of discriminatory practices against Bengali students by Council Chairman Kajol Talukder.

In response, the Anti-Quota Alliance, alongside students and civil society committees, organised the 36-hour strike to demand fair and equal opportunities in teacher recruitment. Various Bengali organisations across the Chattogram Hill Tracts have expressed solidarity with the movement.

The strike highlights ongoing tensions over quota implementation and ethnic representation in employment within the Chattogram Hill Tracts. Authorities have urged protesters to maintain order, while local communities watch closely as the situation develops.