FROM PAGE 2

When asked what kind of candidate they want in the upcoming election, local residents said they had largely accepted the need to give up land for development projects. However, they are unwilling to completely abandon their birthplace. Their main demand is for the government to establish a planned township in the area so that affected families can continue living there despite land acquisition.

Ward No. 3 member Jomir Uddin said the government had taken over land, leaving many residents unemployed. He said the primary demands of local people are employment opportunities and assured housing.

From an economic standpoint, the Cox’s Bazar–2 seat (Moheshkhali and Kutubdia) is considered one of the most important constituencies. The island-based constituency in the Bay of Bengal is viewed as a future economic hub, which is why heavyweight candidates traditionally contest elections here.

There are 3.88 lakh voters in Moheshkhali and Kutubdia region, as per EC data

In the 13th parliamentary election, four candidates are in the race. However, local voters say the main contest will be between BNP-nominated candidate Alamgir Mohammad Mahfullah Farid, a two-time former lawmaker contesting with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol, and Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General and former MP Hamidur Rahman Azad, contesting with the “Scales” symbol.

Both candidates are actively campaigning door to door. Hamidur Rahman Azad, a resident of Kutubdia, has been staying in the Matarbari area of Moheshkhali since Monday to conduct campaign activities. He has been meeting voters, shaking hands and exchanging greetings.

At around 11:30am on Tuesday, Azad arrived in the Nasir’s Dail area of Dhalghata with two convoys. Jamaat leaders and supporters gathered in large numbers, chanting slogans in favour of the Scales symbol. He greeted familiar voters in the local market, embraced supporters, and urged them to work for his victory. Later, he entered residential areas along a narrow coastal road, visiting homes and speaking with women voters to seek support.

At a street rally at Matarbari on the same day, Azad said that if the Moheshkhali Master Plan is implemented, South Chattogram will emerge as one of the country’s most important commercial hubs.

He said, “The Moheshkhali Master Plan is not just an infrastructure project; it is a blueprint for Bangladesh’s economic transformation. If implemented, it will significantly boost employment generation, industrialisation, power production, port-centric trade and international investment in the Maheshkhali–Kutubdia area.”

Dr Hamidur Rahman Azad further said that the launch of the Matarbari deep seaport would open a new horizon for the country’s import and export sector. He added that through ensuring energy security, establishing special economic zones and industrial parks, and developing improved connectivity, the region would make a major contribution to the national economy.

At the event, he alleged that certain opportunistic syndicates have been formed to deprive local people of jobs. He assured that if elected, such irregularities would be stopped and employment would be ensured for locals on the basis of priority and merit.

Meanwhile, BNP candidate Alamgir Farid is also campaigning intensively, visiting different localities with his supporters. He has been meeting voters, exchanging greetings and seeking votes in favour of the Sheaf of Paddy symbol.

About the upcoming development projects, Alamgir said once they become operational, local people would benefit economically. “... after the deep seaport becomes functional, local youths would be provided with jobs there.”

Speaking against the projects, Moheshkhali Rokkha Andolon Organiser Abdul Mannan Rana said, “Moheshkhali is not just an island; it is one of Bangladesh’s most resource-rich natural regions. Nearly five lakh people here depend on agriculture, fisheries, salt production and betel leaf cultivation for their lives and livelihoods. If the government’s Moheshkhali Integrated Development Authority project is implemented, it will bring a devastating impact on this traditional and nature-based way of life.”

He said that under the project, there is a plan to acquire more than 34,000 acres of land from the region. “Around 12,000 acres have already been acquired, where several development projects are currently underway.”

He added that in areas where development projects are ongoing, most of the land is salt fields, and so far about 200 families had been relocated from these areas.

Rana warned that if the project is implemented, nearly two lakh people could be displaced within the next 10 years.