Chattogram, August 14:

Abu Taher Chowdhury, a noted social worker, has been elected Secretary General of the Chattogram Citizens Forum, while writer and organiser Md. Kamrul Islam has been appointed Joint Secretary General.

A crucial meeting of the Chattogram Citizens Forum was held on Sunday evening, August 9, 2026. The meeting was chaired virtually from London by Barrister Monowar Hossain, chairman of the organisation and architect of the Chattogram Development Movement.

At the meeting, Barrister Monowar Hossain highlighted the forum’s major activities since its establishment in 2015. He said the Chattogram Citizens Forum has been working continuously to protect the rights of city residents and address various civic problems.

He said the organisation has gained significant importance and public acceptance among the people of Chattogram. He also called upon members to make the forum stronger and more active in order to contribute more effectively to the overall development of Chattogram.

As part of efforts to accelerate the organisation’s activities, Abu Taher Chowdhury was unanimously assigned the responsibility of Secretary General, while writer and organiser Md. Kamrul Islam was appointed Joint Secretary General.

The newly appointed leaders will consult with the chairman and other leaders of the organisation and soon prepare specific proposals for restructuring the committee. They will also finalise detailed action plans to address various problems facing Chattogram.

The meeting discussed several pressing issues, including resolving the city’s waterlogging crisis, expediting visible progress on the construction of a new Kalurghat Bridge, reducing traffic congestion and improving infrastructure.

The forum also decided to raise public awareness on various issues, draw the government’s attention to civic concerns and work to prevent what the participants described as “media terrorism.” Discussions were also held on revising the Chattogram Development Authority’s (CDA) master plan or adopting a new master plan for the city.

To formulate comprehensive proposals, the forum plans to collect opinions and recommendations from Chattogram residents and expatriate Bangladeshis living in different countries. The final proposals will subsequently be submitted to the relevant government authorities and agencies.

Members of the Citizens Forum from both Bangladesh and abroad participated in the meeting and shared their opinions and recommendations on the organisation’s future activities.

Among those who took part in the discussion were Chattogram Citizens Forum Vice Chairman and noted musician Shahriar Khaled; former Deputy Attorney General Advocate Abul Hashem; prominent politician Mitul Dasgupta; and K M Shahidullah, Abdul Kader, Rezaul Karim, Imam Hossain Chowdhury, Mohammad Ishaq, Mansur Alam, Mohammad Nur, Akhtar Hossain, Shahidul Islam, Ilias Ripon, Mohammad Shahriar, Ehsanul Kabir Tito, Ariful Islam Chowdhury, Monzur Ahmed, Mohammad Helal Uddin, Faruk Ahmed, Abdullah Al Mamun and Mujibur Rahman, among others.