Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma said the present government wants to take the country forward by maintaining communal harmony.
The adviser made the comment on Friday at 11am while addressing a daylong seminar as the chief guest, which was jointly organized by the Buddhist Religion Welfare Trust and the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and held in the hall room of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board in Rangamati district.
The seminar titled "What Needs to Be Done for the Socio-Economic Development of Bangladesh and the Flourishing of Buddhist Culture" focused on measures for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh and the advancement of Buddhist culture in the country.
Supradip said: "The goal of this government is to protect the rights of all communities and build a non-communal country. It has opened all the doors for development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The hill people are lagging behind in the development of the agriculture sector. We want to widely spread the coffee and cashew nut production of the three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts across the country and abroad. If necessary, experts will be brought from the plains to carry out the work."
He also said: "We, the people of the hilly regions, do not want to be left behind anymore. We want to blend in with the mainstream of the country. All concerned should contribute to society. We should think about society, religion, and the state. Our Honorable chief adviser and Army chief have announced their commitment to take the country forward while maintaining communal harmony. Everyone must unite here."
Supradip also emphasized that the potential of Kaptai Lake should be properly utilized.
He compared Kaptai Lake in Rangamati to gold and said it is possible to contribute to the country's economic development by harvesting fish from the water body.
The seminar was chaired by Bhavesh Chakma, vice-chairman of the Buddhist Religion Welfare Trust.
The main discussant was Buddhist theorist Professor Dr Sukomal Barua of Dhaka University.
Former deputy minister of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Moni Swapan Dewan and Mong Circle King Saching Pru Chowdhury were present at the seminar, while Rajib Kanti Barua, trustee of the Buddhist Religion Welfare Trust Board, presented the keynote paper.
Shyamal Mitra Chakma delivered the welcome speech on behalf of the organizing committee.
