In a press release date 19 March 2015 signed by assistant information and publicity secretary of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) Sajib Chakma, the PCJSS strongly condemns and protestation over issuance of one-sided order of Mohammad Nasim, Minister of Health & Family Planning to commence the academic schedule of Rangamati Medical College and with that it demands to withdraw such one-sided, anti-CHT Accord and anti-Jumma interest order.
The PCJSS said that the Press Release of Ministry of Health & Family Planning dated 18 March 2015 and signed by the Information Officer, Porikshmit Choudhury came to notice of PCJSS. In the said press release that was issued following the meeting held in the Ministry of Health conference room, it is mentioned, “Minister of Health & Family Planning Mohammad Nasim has ordered to commence the academic schedule of Rangamati Medical College.” In the said press release, it is also mentioned, “It was also decided that one representative from Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti shall be included in the Rangamati Medical College Management Committee.”
It is to be mentioned that PCJSS has been demanding for postponement of initiative of establishing Rangamati Medical College and University of Science & Technology until the proper and fullest implementation of the CHT Accord and until over all headway is accomplished in the education sector in CHT. The opinion of PCJSS mentioned herein above was already made available in written to the Ministry of Health and the government as well. Besides, memorandum with demands for the same was submitted to the government on part of CHT Regional Council and various civil society organizations in the country including CHT. Furthermore, CHT Regional Council representative K S Mong and Ushatan Talukder MP elected from Rangamati parliamentary seat also raised the same demand in the meetings held in the Ministry of Health and Family Planning on 17th and 23rd February 2015. Ushatan Talukder MP also raised same opinion and demanded to postpone the Rangamati Medical College academic schedule for time being and to merge the already-admitted students of Rangamati Medical College with different Medical Colleges of the country. But despite of being as such, the Minister of Health Mohammad Nasim, gave one-sided decision to start with the Rangamati Medical College academic schedule in the meeting.
The peoples of CHT will never accept the one-side decision of the Minister of Health. Hence, PCJSS demands to withdraw such one-sided, anti-CHT Accord and anti-Jumma interest order. Otherwise, the government will have to bear responsibility for any situation arising out centering the issue.
Pahari Chhatra Parishad (Hill Students Council) organised a demonstration in Rangamati town protesting against one-sided order of Health Minister to commence the academic schedule of Rangamati Medical College and withdraw such directive.