Protesters surround government offices in Natore over recruitment irregularities at Family Card census centers
Photo Collected
NATORE — Activists from Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal and Jatiotabadi Jubo Dal staged violent protests in Lalpur and Bagatipara upazilas of Natore on Wednesday, accusing local authorities of corruption in the recruitment of data collectors and supervisors for a family card census.
The demonstrations, which began around 11:00 a.m., resulted in the confinement of both Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) within their respective offices. During the chaos, protesters kicked office doors, vandalized floral displays, and allegedly assaulted several journalists, attempting to seize their mobile phones.
In Bagatipara, a procession led by Upazila Chhatra Dal convener Sohel Rana marched from the Malanchi Railgate area to the Upazila Parishad complex. Protesters blocked the entrance to the UNO’s office on the second floor, leading to a confrontation with administration officials and the press. Journalist Fazlur Rahman reported that his mobile phone was snatched by a protester while he was recording the event.
Sohel Rana denied allegations of violence, instead claiming that the recruitment process was compromised. He alleged that the authorities allowed candidates who did not participate in the examination to pass, rendering the results invalid. Bagatipara UNO Debashish Basak did not respond to multiple requests for comment, while Bagatipara Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Hannan confirmed that officers were deployed to manage the situation.
Simultaneously, in Lalpur, a group of 40 to 50 protesters surrounded the official vehicle of the Lalpur UNO before forcing their way into the office. Local political figures, including former upazila BNP general secretary Harun-or-Rashid and several local union chairmen, joined the protest to demand a review of the recruitment process. Journalists Rashidul Islam and Sajibul Islam reported being physically assaulted and targeted for mobile phone theft by the protesters.
Harun-or-Rashid distanced the BNP leadership from the protest, characterizing it as an organic response from job seekers aggrieved by the alleged irregularities.
As of 4:00 p.m., the protesters remained in the Upazila Parishad hall room, while the Lalpur UNO, Md. Barkat Ullah, remained confined in his office. Personal assistant Masudur Rahman stated that the UNQ had been unable to leave or attend to his midday meal due to the ongoing standoff.
Lalpur Police Station OC Shafiqul Islam stated that authorities were working to resolve the dispute through negotiation, noting that while tensions remained high, the immediate situation had stabilized. Police continue to monitor the premises in both sub-districts.
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