Chattogram Bureau

State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, MP, stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is consistently working for the welfare of the country and stands firmly beside distressed citizens during any national disaster.

He assured that under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister, relief materials will be delivered to every affected person in Chittagong in a timely manner, ensuring no one is left without assistance.

The State Minister made these remarks while inspecting several flood-hit and landslide-prone areas across Chittagong, Hathazari, and Rangamati, and distributing the Prime Minister’s relief packages among the affected families on Wednesday.

Following urgent instructions from the Prime Minister, Barrister Mir Helal braved adverse weather conditions to travel to Chittagong on Wednesday afternoon. Arriving in the evening, he worked late into the night to personally ensure that emergency aid reached the displaced and affected populations across various urban and rural pockets. After completing the distribution drives, he returned to Dhaka early Thursday morning to attend an important state meeting.

While distributing relief to the affected people in Rangamati on Wednesday night, Barrister Mir Helal addressed journalists' queries, asserting, "This government is elected by the direct votes of the people, not through the dead-of-night voting systems of the past. Immediately after holding a morning meeting with the Prime Minister and receiving her explicit directives, I rushed to be among the helpless people suffering from this hostile natural disaster."

He further disclosed that additional financial grants from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund would be allocated to the local district administration. He emphasized that various government bodies—including the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, the CHT Development Board, the CHT Regional Council, and the three Hill District Councils—are working tirelessly to elevate the living standards of the region's inhabitants. The state minister reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment to ensuring equal rights and balanced development for all 12 ethnic communities, including Bengalis, thereby transforming the Prime Minister’s vision of building a cohesive "Rainbow Nation" into a reality.

During his late-night drive, the State Minister distributed relief packages at the shelter center set up at Loknath Temple in Rangamati district sadar. He also extended his gratitude to the leaders of the district, upazila, and associate bodies for their cooperation in providing humanitarian assistance to over a hundred families affected by heavy rains in the 3rd Ghagra Union of Kaukhali Upazila, Rangamati.

Earlier in the day, Barrister Mir Helal inspected several inundated zones in Chittagong, including Ward No. 3 Azimpur under Hathazari Municipality, the Ichhapur area in Mekhal Union of Hathazari Upazila, the Khillapara area in South Pahartali under Chittagong City Corporation, and the Bottol area in Jalalabad. He handed over aid to the displaced families and conveyed the Prime Minister's message of full state support. Additionally, he inspected a prominent hill fissure at Bank Colony in the Banglabazar area under Bayezid Police Station, urging local residents to remain highly vigilant while promising immediate government intervention.

Expressing deep sorrow over the widespread waterlogging and disruption of life caused by continuous downpours over the past few days, Barrister Mir Helal issued a video message calling for a unified response. He urged the local administration, law enforcement agencies, public representatives, leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliate organizations, and the local youth to work cohesively to protect public life and properties and stand firmly by the affected families.