Faridpur UNO Removed Over Alleged Pro-Awami League Body Language

Local Correspondent

The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Sadarpur, Faridpur, Al Mamun, was removed from his position after human rights activists claimed his body language indicated support for the Awami League. The activists argued that Al Mamun “believes” the Awami League will return to power. This led to calls for his removal, which were swiftly acted upon.

The controversy began during a meeting on December 11, when senior officials from the Ministry of Public Administration, including Senior Secretary Mohammad Mokhlesur Rahman and Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury from the Public Administration Reform Commission, gathered in Faridpur to discuss public administration reforms. Local leaders of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, as well as representatives of the anti-government movement in July-August, were also present.

During the meeting, Anisur Rahman, a representative of the anti-discrimination group, recalled an event in Sadarpur where Al Mamun had been the chief guest at a memorial for those killed in the anti-government movement. Rahman said that during the event, Al Mamun’s body language suggested he believed that the Awami League would soon return to power.

Upon hearing this, Mohammad Mokhlesur Rahman, the senior secretary, became enraged. He immediately ordered the Faridpur district commissioner, Kamrul Hasan Talukder, to remove Al Mamun from his position. Rahman declared, “The UNO will be withdrawn today, and I will suspend him tomorrow when I return to the ministry.”

When contacted, Al Mamun expressed surprise, saying he had never made such a statement. He denied giving any political remarks and stressed that as a government official, he had no reason to make such comments, especially in the presence of political leaders from BNP and Jamaat. Attempts to reach the district commissioner for comment were unsuccessful.