Cumilla: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Amir and opposition leader in the parliament, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, today urged the government to declare Cumilla as a division immediately. The opposition leader made this call while addressing a roadside rally during the Dhaka-Chattogram long march by the Jamaat-led 11 party alliances at Paduar Bazar Bishwa road area.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr. Rahman emphasized the longstanding demand of the people of Cumilla for division status, highlighting that the Sylhet division was implemented in 1994, around the same time the demand for Cumilla division was raised. He urged the government to take effective measures to implement the Cumilla division without further delay.
Dr. Rahman also addressed the demand for a Noakhali division, stating that since the call for Cumilla's division status has been pending since 1994, it should take precedence. Additionally, he advocated for a feasibility study for establishing an airport in Cumilla, suggesting that such development could benefit the area.
He pointed out that residents of Cumilla currently need to travel to Chattogram for administrative tasks related to the Export Processing Zone (EPZ). Therefore, the establishment of Cumilla as a division would allow residents to access necessary administrative services locally, he argued.
The long march initiated from the capital is set to visit all divisional headquarters as part of a program to press a six-point demand. The rally was chaired by Cumilla city Jamaat Amir Quazi Din Mohammad and attended by several notable figures, including National Citizen Party convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam MP, Liberal Democratic Party President Dr. Col. (retd) Oli Ahmed Bir-Bikram, and others.