The ban is however strictly enforced in Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts.

The caretaker government imposed a ban on mobile phone use and business in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) on February 4. But owners of cell phone centers are doing brisk business by using high powered antenna in Bbandaraban.

Most of the officials, businessman and journalist in Banderban are using cell phone. The service providers and even some users are also using antenna. This correspondent during a recent visit to the four upazilas in Banderban found several hundred cell phone service providers in upazila headquarters and even in villages markets.

A owner of a cell phone centre at Banderban market said, "We use mobile phone secretly by managing the administration officials".

Another mobile phone service provider at DC Office Road at Banderban market said most of his consumers are officials and law enforcers.

An engineer at Banderban BTTB office seeking anonymity said, he heard that a good number of call phone centers are operating in different upazilas of the district defying the ban.

"I have no right to take action against illegal traders", he said.

When contacted over telephone Additional District Magistrate Partho Pratim refuted the allegation that officials were allowing cell phone operators to run their business. He said he will investigate the matter and take necessary action.