U.N.O. offices vandalised over alleged irregularities in Family Card recruitment

U.N.O. offices in Natore’s Bagatipara and Lalpur came under protest on Wednesday over alleged irregularities in the recruitment of enumerators and supervisors for the government’s Family Card programme, with the Bagatipara office reportedly vandalised.

In Bagatipara, protesters demanding cancellation of the recruitment results gathered outside the U.N.O.’s office and staged demonstrations. At one point, protesters allegedly kicked the doors and windows of the U.N.O.’s room and broke flower pots.

Members of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal also joined the demonstration. Protesters alleged that the recruitment process had favoured members of the banned Awami League and demanded cancellation of the recruitment test.

The protesters also accused Bagatipara U.N.O. Debashish Basak of facilitating the recruitment of Awami League supporters.

Employees and eyewitnesses said the results of the recruitment test for enumerators and supervisors were published on Tuesday evening. Those who failed the test later gathered at the U.N.O.’s office demanding that the results be cancelled.

Chhatra Dal leader Sohel Rana alleged that some people had secured appointments in exchange for money without taking the recruitment test. He also accused the U.N.O. of making appointments that could undermine the BNP government.

However, Debashish Basak denied the allegations, saying the recruitment process was being conducted transparently. He said the complaints would be discussed with senior officials and necessary action would be taken if required.

The protest also led to allegations of harassment of journalists covering the incident. Tarikul Hasan, Natore correspondent of Star News Television, said Chhatra Dal activists pushed him while he was broadcasting the demonstration live. He said representatives of several media outlets were also harassed.

Sohel Rana denied the allegations of attacks or harassment of journalists.

In Lalpur, protesters also demonstrated outside the U.N.O.’s office and demanded cancellation of the recruitment results and the removal of U.N.O. Barkat Ullah.

Siddiq Ali Mintu, a former joint convener of the Lalpur upazila BNP, accused the U.N.O. of favouring Awami League supporters. Former member secretary of Lalpur BNP Harun-or-Rashid Pappu also alleged irregularities in the recruitment and demanded cancellation of the published results.

Barkat Ullah denied the allegations, saying the recruitment process was being conducted transparently. He said the complaints would be discussed with senior officials and necessary measures would be taken.

Natore Superintendent of Police Shariful Haque said police had received no specific complaints of attacks in the two upazilas.

The protests came a day after similar allegations were raised in Gaibandha’s Fulchhari, where the U.N.O. office was vandalised over alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Family Card enumerators and supervisors. Protesters in Sundarganj also locked the U.N.O. office over the same issue.

SKS