Mr. Prasanna Kanti Tanchangya is no more with us. Late Prasanna Kanti Tanchangya was a veteran politician of Bandarban and the former president of the district Awami League. In September 2025, he was under treatment at Imperial Hospital in Chittagong for Hepatitis B. On the night of September 24, his blood pressure dropped, and doctors quickly took him to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He passed away the next morning, September 25, 2025, at 6:32 a.m., at the age of 71.
Childhood
Prasanna Kanti Tanchangya was born on November 16, 1953, in the Tinkonia area of Farua Union, Bilaichhari Upazila, Rangamati. He had four brothers and four sisters. His father, Satkamal Tanchangya, was the headman in Farua, and his mother was Fuleshwari Tanchangya. After losing their home due to the Kaptai Dam construction, the family relocated to Reisha, Bandarban, where Satkamal established Satkamal Tanchangya Para, later known as Satkamalpara.
Founding Member of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti
From a young age, he aspired to achieve the independence, as well as the political and economic liberation, of the Jumma nation. In his youth, Prasanna Kanti Tanchangya became active in politics and joined the Jana Samhati Samiti, marking the beginning of his political activities.
Following the establishment of Shanti Bahini, he joined the armed guerrilla organization as a founding member of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti, which aimed to pursue independence for the Chittagong Hill Tracts and was known by the nickname Captain Durjoy.
Founding President of BTKS
In 1989, Prasanna Kanti Tanchangya founded the Bangladesh Tanchangya Kalyan Sangstha (BATAKS). Under his leadership, the Tanchangya Community secured rights and recognition in both the Rangamati and Bandarban District Councils.
Guerrilla Life for the rights of the Jumma people
After the formation of guerrilla armies, internal divisions soon developed. Manabendra Narayan Larma led the Larma Group, while Preeti Kumar Chakma led the Priti Group, which Prasanna Kanti Tanchangya joined. Over the next decade, internal conflict escalated until May 1985, when the Priti Group surrendered at Rangamati Stadium with 233 members. The group was then dissolved.
Political Career
After the Priti Group’s surrender in 1985, Prasanna Kanti Tanchangya laid down arms and returned to mainstream politics, joining the Awami League. In the following years, he went on to serve as the president of the Awami League in the district.
Continuing his leadership in politics, in 1989, Prasanna Kanti Tanchangya was elected as a member of the Bandarban Hill District Local Government Council (now the Hill District Council) through direct elections. Subsequently, in 1991, he served as the Information and Research Secretary of the District Awami League and later as its president from 1998 to 2014. He was the first among the Tanchangya community to engage in a political career at the District Level in Bangladesh.
Throughout his career, Prasanna Kanti Tanchangya made significant contributions to Bandarban’s political and social life. He was regarded by many as a guardian—sincere, straightforward, and caring. Prasanna Kanti Tanchangya was a vibrant political figure. I never saw him abuse anyone or create political division by giving bad advice. He never tried to create a grouping. He is our role model, whose memory will never be forgotten.
In March 1996, terrorists shot him in front of his house, leaving him paralyzed and wheelchair-bound. Relatives allege Shanti Bahini members planned the attack. In 1998, he was attacked at home again.
Following internal disagreements within local Awami League politics, Prasanna Kanti Tanchangya ran as an independent candidate for Member of Parliament from the 300th Bandarban Constituency of the National Parliament in 2014. As a result, he was expelled from the Awami League that year.
Family Life
His eldest son Emil Tanchangya confirmed the news. Prasanna Kanti Tanchangya had three sons: Mikon Tanchangya, who works at the Bangladesh Embassy in South Korea, a middle son who is a businessman, and a youngest son who is a Buddhist monk.
Socio-religious participation
After 2014, he withdrew from active politics. He was not just a political leader; he was a genuine friend of the common people, a supporter of the marginalized people of society, and a beacon of inspiration for the young generation. He was involved in various social and religious activities. He actively supported Dhamma activities in accordance with his understanding of the Dhamma.
Composer of songs
He composed many Tongchangya songs about Buddhism and Tanchangya culture.
Final rite
After his passing, his body will be taken to his New Gulshan residence in Bandarban, then to his village, Satkamalpara, for his funeral on Sunday, 27th September 2025, at 2:00 pm. His death cast a deep shadow over Bandarban’s political, social, and cultural spheres. Locals see his loss as irreplaceable for the district.
