JCD leader expelled over ‘section 144’ announcement

A Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader in Natore has been expelled from the organisation for announcing over loudspeakers that Section 144 had been imposed to stop a football tournament final.

Lalpur upazila JCD Joint Convener Md Maruf Ali was expelled from all organisational posts, including his primary membership, for violating organisational discipline, according to a press release issued on Tuesday.

The release, signed by Natore district JCD Assistant Office Secretary KF Kamrul Islam, said the decision was taken after Maruf failed to provide a satisfactory response to a show-cause notice and admitted to the allegations against him.

The expulsion was approved by Natore district JCD President Md Kamrul Islam and General Secretary Md Maruf Islam Srijon. The organisation also instructed its leaders and activists at all levels to maintain no political ties with him.

According to local sources, a football tournament final was scheduled to be held in Keshabpur village of Lalpur on 21 August. The tournament has been a local tradition for around 60 years.

Maruf allegedly pressured the organisers to make former Gopalpur municipal BNP convener Nazrul Islam Molam the chief guest and himself a special guest at the prize-giving ceremony. The organisers rejected his demand, saying they would maintain the tradition of inviting respected local elders as guests.

Maruf then reportedly hired a loudspeaker and announced across the village around 11:00 AM on Friday that Section 144 had been imposed at the field and the match would not take place.

The announcement caused confusion and forced the organisers to postpone the final, according to the report. Following an investigation into the incident, the district JCD took organisational action against Maruf.

Maruf said he had always remained loyal to the organisation and accepted its decision in the party’s interest.

SKS