Three hill-based organisations on Friday urged the people of the country to extend their supports in favour of tea garden workers of Habiganj as the government has been rigid on its decision to set up a special economic zone there. The organizations— Greater Chittagong Hill Tracts Students’ Council, Ganatantrik Juba Forum and Hill Women’s Federation— made the call from a solidarity rally in front of the National Press Club. They alleged that the move of the government for setting up the special economic zone, acquiring land of three tea gardens at Habiganj is a part of a profound conspiracy to weaken a marginal community by ousting from their land. They demanded that the workers’ land be settled once and for all in their favour. The organisations also brought out a procession from Teachers Students Center of University of Dhaka to the National Press Club. Presided by PCP member Real Tripura Ganatantrik Juba Forum president Michael Chakma, Hill Women’s Federation president Nirupa Chakma and PCP secretary Bipul Chakma, among others, spoke at the programme. The government is set to acquire 511 acres of land of three tea estates at Chunarughat of Habiganj for constructing a special economic zone.
