Sylhet Bureau 

A joint convener of the BNP’s Madhyanagar Upazila unit in Sunamganj is facing removal from his party post over allegations of forcibly taking control of a houseboat in Tanguar Haor using political influence.

The accused is Mominul Haque Benu, who serves as the Joint Convener of the Madhyanagar Upazila BNP and is also the brother of the late Sabuj Mia, former president of the same unit.

Benu has been accused of illegally occupying a tourist-carrying houseboat in Tanguar Haor. 

On Tuesday (15 July), the Sunamganj District BNP issued a show-cause notice signed by district convener and former MP Kalim Uddin Ahmed Milon, and member with signatory authority Advocate Md. Abdul Haque, asking Benu to explain his actions.

According to the notice, Mominul Haque Benu has been implicated in the illegal occupation of a tourist houseboat at Tanguar Haor, which has reportedly tarnished the party’s image. The owners of the houseboat have filed a written complaint with the BNP central committee. In the interest of maintaining party discipline, Benu’s position has been temporarily suspended. He has been asked to submit a written explanation within 48 hours as to why further organizational action should not be taken against him.

The notice was also forwarded to Professor Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, a member of the BNP’s National Standing Committee and Sylhet divisional team leader; G.K. Gaus, Central Executive Committee Member and Divisional Organizing Secretary; and Miftah Siddiqui, Assistant Organizing Secretary.

The affected tourism entrepreneur stated that the houseboat was previously managed by a local caretaker from Madhyanagar and later handed over to someone else. According to the entrepreneur, Mominul Haque Benu had been attempting to seize the boat for some time. Recently, using the help of Madhyanagar police, the individual responsible for managing the boat was allegedly summoned to the police station, and pressure was applied to hand over control of the boat. The next day, Benu reportedly took possession of the houseboat by force, changed its name, and began operating it himself.

When contacted, Mominul Haque Benu confirmed receiving the show-cause notice and claimed, “I was merely overseeing the houseboat temporarily—it was under my custody. The issue is now being resolved as I return the boat.”

When asked about the incident, OC of Madhyanagar Police Station, Munibur Rahman said, this incident occurred before I took charge of the station. No one has informed me about the seizure of a houseboat.