Collected photo
Khagrachari Correspondent, CHT News
Friday, May 8, 2026
Plans to construct a mosque in the Alutila tourist
area of Khagrachari have sparked concern and debate among local
Indigenous communities. Members of the Tripura community, who make up the
majority population in the area, alleged that the project was initiated without
any consultation with local residents, leading to protests and public
criticism.
The issue quickly spread across social media, drawing
widespread attention and mixed reactions regarding the possible impact of the
construction on the region’s social and cultural environment.
For the Indigenous people of Alutila, the area is more
than just a tourist destination. It carries deep cultural and historical
significance and represents an important part of their identity and heritage.
The Tripura community, in particular, views the area as a symbol of its
ancestral roots and cultural existence. However, residents said the rapid
growth of tourism in recent years has already placed increasing pressure on
their traditional way of life, social structures, and cultural identity.
Local residents stated that Indigenous communities have lived in Alutila for generations and that there are no permanent Muslim Bengali settlements in the immediate area. As Alutila developed into a major tourist destination, the growing number of visitors from across the country gradually increased social and cultural pressure on the local indigenous population. Many residents fear that their distinct identity and traditions are slowly being eroded.
Against this backdrop, many local people see the
mosque construction initiative as a sensitive issue that could further disrupt
the region’s cultural balance. Residents argued that moving forward with the
project without consultation ignored the cultural importance of Alutila and the
concerns of the Indigenous communities living there.
Community leaders said that any decision to construct
religious structures in Indigenous-majority areas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts
should respect the opinions, culture, and sentiments of local indigenous
residents. They warned that excluding local communities from such decisions
could create insecurity, resentment, and tension, potentially affecting social
harmony in the CHT.
Local residents called on the Khagrachari district
administration to avoid making controversial decisions without consulting the
affected communities. They also urged the authorities to take effective steps
to protect the cultural diversity and distinct identity of Indigenous peoples
throughout the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
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