Khandaker Mosharraf vows to establish Cumilla as new division

Senior BNP leader Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain has pledged that his party will elevate Cumilla to divisional status if the interim government fails to act on the long-standing demand.

Speaking at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club on Monday, the BNP Standing Committee member insisted that the new administrative unit must carry the name “Cumilla Division” and rejected any alternative proposals.

“Cumilla must be made a division on administrative grounds, and the people will not accept any other name,” Mosharraf said, adding that a BNP delegation would soon meet the interim government to press the demand.

He called for the formation of a citizens’ committee to pursue the cause and assured full personal support. “If the interim authority does not implement this, I assure the people that once BNP comes to power, Cumilla Division will be created without delay,” he declared.

The event was organised by Nagarik Parishad Cumilla, Greater Cumilla Samity Dhaka, and Cumilla Samity Dhaka.

Mosharraf also alleged that the previous Awami League government deliberately avoided the issue and attempted to impose alternative names, which he said had already been rejected by residents. “The people of Cumilla are patient, but if ignored, they may take to the Dhaka-Chattogram highway to press their demand,” he warned.

Other speakers included Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) Chief Organiser for the southern region Hasnat Abdullah, Greater Cumilla Samity Dhaka president ABM Shahjahan, Nagarik Parishad Cumilla president Dr Shah Mohammad Selim, Brahmanbaria district BNP president Enamul Haque Babul, former additional secretary Abdul Mannan Elias, and Advocate Abbas Uddin.