Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Amir and opposition leader in the parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman has urged the government to declare Cumilla as a division immediately. He made this call while addressing a roadside rally during the Dhaka-Chattogram long march by Jamaat-led 11 party alliances at Paduar Bazar Bishwa road area in Cumilla. Rahman highlighted that the people of Cumilla have been demanding the establishment of a division for a long time, similar to the demand that led to the creation of the Sylhet division in 1994.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman emphasized the necessity of taking effective measures to implement the Cumilla division. He pointed out that the demand for a division in Cumilla predates the demand for a Noakhali division, suggesting that Cumilla should be prioritized. The opposition leader also called for a feasibility study to establish an airport in Cumilla, noting that the people of Cumilla currently have to travel to Chattogram for administrative purposes related to the Export Processing Zone (EPZ).
The long march, which started from the capital, is set to visit all divisional headquarters to press for six-point demands. The rally in Cumilla was chaired by Cumilla city Jamaat Amir Quazi Din Mohammad and attended by several prominent political figures, including National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam MP, Liberal Democratic Party President Dr Col. (retd) Oli Ahmed Bir-Bikram, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Amir Allama Mamunul Huq, among others.
The demand for a Cumilla division is rooted in the need for better administrative services and regional development. Establishing a division would allow the people of Cumilla to access necessary administrative services locally, reducing the burden of traveling to Chattogram. This move is expected to enhance governance and facilitate development projects in the region.
The long march by the Jamaat-led alliance aims to bring attention to various demands, including the establishment of new divisions and improvements in regional infrastructure. The participation of multiple political parties underscores the broad support for these demands among the opposition and the general public.
The call for a Cumilla division reflects a broader trend in Bangladesh where regions seek greater administrative autonomy to address local needs more effectively. This movement is part of a larger political discourse on decentralization and regional development in the country.

























