The Parbatya Chattagram Barua Organization organized a human chain and submitted a memorandum in Rangamati, raising the question of whether the government will allocate special funds in the upcoming 2026–2027 national budget for the development of the Barua community living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
The human chain was held at 11:00 AM on June 3 in front of the Rangamati Deputy Commissioner's Office along the Rangamati–Chattogram road. Participants chanted the slogan, “End Discrimination Against the Barua Community,” drawing attention from the public and local administration. Following the demonstration, a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister was submitted through the Deputy Commissioner.
The event was presided over by Engineer Bulbul Chowdhury, President of the Rangamati District Committee of the Parbatya Chattagram Barua Organization. Speakers at the program alleged that the Barua community in the hill region has long been subjected to neglect and discrimination in various sectors. They emphasized that government initiatives are urgently needed to improve their access to education, employment opportunities, and overall socio-economic development.
Among those who addressed the gathering were Venerable Ajitananda Mahathero, Chief Adviser of the Central Committee of the Parbatya Chattagram Barua Organization; Jui Chakma, General Secretary of the Rangamati District Committee of the Revolutionary Workers Party; Advocate Shah Alam, newly elected President of the Rangamati District Bar Association; and Rabi Barua, Vice-President of the Rangamati District Committee of the organization.
The speakers stated that just as the government has undertaken special programs for other disadvantaged and marginalized communities, a separate budget allocation should also be made for the socio-economic advancement of the Barua community in the hill districts.
They urged policymakers to implement the demand through the Office of the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Ethnic Minority Affairs.
The program was moderated by the organization's General Secretary, Apu Barua.
Others present included Pankaj Kusum Barua, Vice-President of the Central Committee; Nayan Bikash Barua, Vice-President of the Rangamati District Committee; Dr. Prakash Chowdhury Barua, Finance Secretary; Temiya Barua, Youth Affairs Secretary; Sagar Barua, President of the Kawkhali Upazila Committee; as well as local leaders Ronti Barua, Sukanta Barua, Sumoy Barua, Babu Barua, Udayan Barua, Sonet Chowdhury, Basu Barua and many others.
Following the human chain, a delegation submitted the memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister to Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi. The Deputy Commissioner received the memorandum and assured the delegation that it would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
Leaders from the central, district, municipal and upazila committees of the organization were also present during the submission.
The demand for a special budget allocation for the Barua community has generated fresh discussion ahead of the announcement of the national budget. Members of the Barua community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts are now closely watching to see how seriously policymakers will consider their appeal.
