Asking the government to meet its 8-point demand, they also wanted removal of State Minister for Forest and Environment Jafrul Islam Choudhury.

At a press conference yesterday at the office of Rangamati Timber Traders Co-Operative Society (RTTCOS), they also announced a one-hour sit-in programme on the premises of the forest department in the town's Bonorupa area on March 13.

They said the forest department stopped issuing transit pass (TP) four months putting their business and livelihood at stake.

The leaders blamed the state minister for patronising a 'syndicate' run by his son Jahirul Islam Choudhury, owner of Ankhi Enterprise in Chittagong, who imported some 10 to 12 lakh cubic feet logs. By stopping TP they have taken timber traders hostage, and they are now trying to gain huge profit from selling the imported logs at local market.

RTTCOS President Abdul Khalek Saudagor and its former secretary Kazi Md Shahidullah, Upajatya Kath Babosayee and Jote Malik Samity President Avoy Prokash Chakma also spoke at the function.