Accused in 35 criminal cases
BNP-backed BCC councillors work from underground
Staff Reporter, Barisal
Afraid of being harassed or suspended, at least 13 BNP-backed councillors of Barisal City Corporation (BCC) are continuing their jobs from underground as all they are accused in 35 criminal cases filed by police. They are remaining in contact with the offices from outside the city or even abroad to avoid harassment by the police; though in their absence, the city dwellers are facing problems to a considerable extent in receiving services. The citys development works are also being hampered in various ways without their presence in offices, many remarked.
Five of them, five, including 25 no. ward councillor Ziauddin Sikdar, 7 no. ward councillor Syed Akbar, 9 no. ward councillor Harun-or-Rashid, 18 no. ward councillor Mir AKM Zahudul Kabir and 14 no. ward councillor Salauddin Masum have already been charge shitted in a violence case filed by Kotwali police. These five councillors might be suspended any time, sources said. Administrative officer of BCC Asma Akter Rumi, however, said that the authorities did not officially inform of the cases against the councillors.
On the other hand, Chief Executive Officer of BCC Rangeet Kumar said that there is a possibility to suspend those councillors who are charge shitted in the criminal cases. But we havent known anything detained about the cases against the councillors, he added. Public prosecutor Askar Nurul Haqur said the councillors who have been already charge sheeted in any criminal case have no right to hold their posts. Advocate Afzalul Karim, general secretary of the city Awami League, said it is the duty of BCC to inform the facts of the councillors to the ministry concerned.
After getting the information, the ministry will take steps on its own. BCC authorities sources informed that 1 no. ward councillor Syed Syedul Hasan Mamun was accused in three cases, 7 no. ward councillor Syed Akbar was charge sheeted in two cases, 6 no. ward councillor M D Habibur Rahman was accused in ne case, 8 no. ward councillor Md. Selim Hawladar was accused in two cases, 9 no. ward councillor Harun-Or-Rashid was accused in two cases, charge sheeted in one of them, 18 no. ward councillor Mir AKM Zahidul Kabir was accused in 4 cases, charge sheeted in one, 22 no. ward councillor Md Shahidul Islam was accused in three cases, 24 no. ward councillor Md Firoz Ahmed was accused in 4 cases, 25 no. ward councillor Md Ziauddin Shikder Zia was accused in five, charge sheeted in one, 26 no. ward councillor Farid Uddin Hawladar accused in three cases, 29 no. ward councillor Kazi Monirul Islam accused in two and 30 no. ward councillor Md. Khayerul Mamun was accused in five cases. Eight other BNP-backed councillors are doing their services managing the local AL leaders and workers.
Some councillors who are facing the cases said they were passing their day and night staying outside their houses. They said that police raided their houses several times in a week.
We arent even attending the programme, including EPI, for fear of actions by police, said Councillor Harun-Or-Rashid. Councillor Hasam Mamun said, We the public representatives need to get bail in the cases filed by police. While general public have no complaint against us police brand us criminals, he added.
Kohinoor Begum, councillor (reserved seat) of wards no 7, 8 and 9, and Selina Begum, councillor (reserved seat) of wards no 24, 25 and 26 said that the female councillors were getting allocation of the same amount of fund as the male councillors though they have to render services in three wards while their male counterparts give services in one ward.
In the present situation, they have no time to take breath as service recipients of the three words come directly to them in absence of the counselors.
