Union Parishad Locked Over Alleged Extortion Demand, Investigation Committee Formed

An allegation has surfaced that the administrative officer of Nijhum Dwip Union Parishad in Hatia, Noakhali, in collusion with local BNP leaders, locked the Union Parishad office, halting its operations due to the non-payment of an alleged extortion demand. This has disrupted local civic services. The Upazila administration has formed a committee to investigate the matter.

On the night of Sunday (July 27), Nijhum Dwip Union Parishad’s Panel Chairman Lovely Begum confirmed the issue.

She stated, “After the fall of the Awami League government, the chairman and members stopped coming to the Parishad. Later, the government assigned me the responsibility of Panel Chairman through a gazette notification. After taking charge, I was running the Parishad’s activities in coordination with all political parties.”

However, she raised allegations of extortion against the recently appointed administrative officer, Harun Ar Rashid Limon. Lovely Begum claimed, “Since joining, Limon, in collusion with a few local BNP leaders, demanded Tk 5 lakh as extortion in the name of allocation. When I refused to pay, on Wednesday, BNP leader Md. Ibrahim, former member Md. Shahed Uddin, Youth League leader Ashraf Uddin, and others barred me from entering the Parishad. When I left the premises that day, they locked the office with Limon’s assistance.”

Hatia Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Alauddin told that, “After learning about the issue, I instructed the administrative officer to reopen the Parishad and resume normal activities. If his involvement is proven, necessary action will be taken. A probe committee has already been formed, and legal action will be taken based on the investigation report.”

She further added, “Since Wednesday, the office doors have remained locked, and all administrative activities have been halted. People are asking me when the office will reopen, but how can I provide services with the office locked?” Efforts to contact the administrative officer, Harun Ar Rashid, for comments were unsuccessful as his mobile number was found to be switched off.

On the other hand, the accused BNP leader Ibrahim and former member Shahed Uddin denied the allegations. They told that Lovely Begum is involved in misappropriation of government funds and other irregularities. They further alleged that she is running the Parishad autocratically and forging signatures to siphon off money.