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Sirajganj, July 14, 2025 – Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami have been operating their activities from a government building in Ullapara Upazila, Sirajganj, after affixing their party’s signboard, according to local sources.
For the past two to three months, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders have been using an abandoned single-story government building, previously belonging to the Cotton Development Board, located in Ullapara Upazila headquarters. Locals report that while the office displays a signboard for the Ullapara Municipality Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ward No. 5, leaders and activists from across the upazila regularly gather there.
Adjacent to the building are several other government offices, including the Ullapara Sadr Union Parishad office. However, no one from these offices was willing to comment on the matter.
Shariful Islam, an administrative officer at the Ullapara Sadr Union Parishad, said, “The building had been abandoned for a long time. Recently, after cleaning and renovations, Jamaat-e-Islami put up their signboard and started using it. I don’t know anything beyond that.”
Professor Shahjahan Ali, the Amir of Ullapara Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami, stated, “The building had been abandoned for 15-20 years. About two to three months ago, two rooms were renovated, and our Ward No. 5 leaders and activists started using it. We discussed with officials from nearby government offices before taking it over for use. If the government needs the building for official purposes, we will vacate it. Our activists are using an abandoned building, so calling it an occupation is not appropriate.”
Ullapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abu Saleh Mohammad Hasnat said, “I was not aware of this matter. I will look into it promptly and take necessary action.”
Mostafa Kamal, Chief Cotton Development Officer at the Cotton Development Board’s Bogura Regional Office, explained, “The building in Ullapara once housed the Cotton Development Board’s office. However, as cotton production ceased in the upazila, the office’s activities were discontinued long ago. As per regulations, the upazila administration is now responsible for overseeing the building.”
