Protesters allege political favouritism and violations of recruitment rules, disrupting administrative services for about two hours.
TBS Report
12 October, 2026, 09:00 pm
Last modified: 12 October, 2026, 09:08 pm
National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders and activists locked the gate of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer's (UNO) office in Rajshahi's Godagari, today (12 October), demanding the removal of UNO Israt Jahan over alleged irregularities and political favouritism in fertiliser dealer appointments.
The protesters gathered at the main entrance of the Godagari upazila administrative building around noon, locked the gate and staged a sit-in. The closure disrupted administrative activities for about two hours, inconveniencing officials, employees and people seeking public services.
During the protest, UNO Israt Jahan said action would be taken over the locking of the office gate, adding that the protesters knew whether their actions were lawful.
However, Jahan later claimed that the protesters had remained at the office for no more than five to seven minutes. She said the fertiliser dealer appointments had been decided by the government's central committee responsible for the recruitment, not by her office.
"If they have complaints, they should file them," she said, adding that the protesters had told her they would submit complaints but had not done so yet.
Jahan also alleged that the protesters had come to serve their own interests and gain media attention after remaining out of the news for some time.
Atiqur Rahman, convener of the NCP's Rajshahi metropolitan unit, alleged that the appointments violated the relevant guidelines. He claimed that most of the appointed dealers held positions in different units of the BNP.
The protesters also alleged that some of the appointed dealers did not have shops or warehouses to sell and store fertiliser. They said they would not accept appointments made amid allegations of irregularities and corruption.
Those present at the protest included Godagari upazila NCP convener Ziaur Rahman, Godagari municipality NCP convener Abdur Rahim, member secretary Mofazzal Hossain Anam, Jamaat leader Mahfuz, dealer applicant Ilias Ali and Godagari upazila coordinator of the July uprising, Md Mahfuzur Rahman.