RANGAMATI, June 26 (V7N) – The Parbatya Chittagong Chhatra Parishad (PCCP) recently organized a farewell reception and distributed educational materials to candidates preparing for the upcoming HSC examinations. The event, held on Wednesday (June 25) afternoon at a club in the College Gate area of Rangamati town, served as a platform for the student organization to voice concerns regarding educational and socio-economic disparities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

The program was chaired by Khalilur Rahman, General Secretary of the PCCP Rangamati District Branch. Speakers at the event included Md. Rabiul Islam, joint general secretary of the PCCP Rangamati District Branch; Ismail Gazi, publicity secretary; Ariful Islam, finance secretary; college branch leader Ashraful Islam; Barkal Upazila Vice-President Mainul Islam; and leaders from various units.

During their speeches, the PCCP leaders asserted that any quota system in the Chittagong Hill Tracts should be distributed equally among all communities. They highlighted what they termed as "discriminatory picture" where the Bengali community, despite living in the remote and challenging conditions of the hills, is allegedly "deprived of quota benefits and is falling extremely behind in education, employment, financial and social status."

The speakers further claimed that, in the context of the CHT, "despite being half the population, Bengalis are becoming neglected, marginalized and second-class citizens in statistical reality." They also alleged that "Even among the tribals, 2/3 of the population is enjoying quota benefits alone." This, they argued, leads to community and ethnic discrimination and prevents a significant number of citizens from becoming qualified human resources for national development.

At the end of the discussion, educational materials were distributed to over a hundred HSC and equivalent examinees.

Population Statistics for Rangamati Hill District (based on 2022 Census data):

According to the 2022 census, the total population of Rangamati Hill District is 647,586.

Indigenous People: There are a total of 372,875 indigenous people in the district, constituting 57.58% of the total population.

Chakma: The largest indigenous group, numbering 276,048, which is 42.63% of the district's total population.

Marma: The second largest indigenous group, numbering 51,403, or 7.94%.

Tanchangya: 27,975 individuals, or 4.32%.

Tripura: 12,300 individuals, or 1.9%.

Khyang: 1,670 individuals, or 0.26%.

Pankhu: 1,398 individuals, or 0.22%.

Other indigenous groups account for a smaller percentage.

Bengali Population: Bengalis constitute 274,723 individuals, which is 42.42% of the district's total population. They are the second largest ethnic group in Rangamati Hill District, nearly as numerous as the Chakma people.

It is important to note that population demographics and discussions around quotas in the Chittagong Hill Tracts are often sensitive issues, with various perspectives on historical context, land rights, and socio-economic development.

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