The 72-hour hartal in the three hill districts called by Parbatya Chattagram Samoadhikar Andolon, a platform of Bangla-speaking settlers in the CHT, protesting the approval to the CHT Land Commission (Amendment) Bill by the cabinet, is progressing peacefully for the third consecutive day Tuesday.
The shutdown in Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban is also meant for forcing the prime minister to sit in a meeting with them for settling long-running land disputes in the region.
In Khagrachhari, all modes of vehicles except CNG-run auto-rickshaws and rickshaws went off the streets. No long-route buses left or enter the district town.
Most of the shops and educational institutions remained closed in the town.
Huge law enforcers were seen patrolling the streets at all the key points in the town to maintain law and order.
Some hartal supporters were seen engaged in picketing in the district town in the morning.
No untoward incident was reported.
Vehicular movement was almost normal in the district town on the third day of the hartal Tuesday, UNB Bandarban correspondent reports.
Most of the shops and business establishments remained open.
Mashiul Alam Humayun, president of the Parbatya Chattagram Samoadhikar Andolon, announced the hartal programme at a press conference at Rangamati press club on Friday.
Humayun warned that they would announce even tougher programmes if the government does not rescind its decision to amend the CHT Land Commission Act as it would against the interests of Bangla-speaking people in the CHT region.
