Fulchhari UNO Office vandalised during protest over recruitment of data collrctors for Family Card
Md Ashikur Rahman, Sadullapur (Gaibandha)
The office of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) in Fulchhari, Gaibandha, was vandalised on Tuesday afternoon by job seekers and political activists alleging widespread irregularities and corruption in the recruitment of data collectors and supervisors for the family card census.
Witnesses said demonstrators gathered on the premises of the upazila building around 1:00 pm as part of a pre-announced protest. The group brought out a procession demanding the immediate cancellation of the newly published recruitment results.
At one stage of the demonstration, several protesters stormed the second floor of the upazila building and ransacked the UNO’s official chamber.
Eyewitnesses reported that the angry crowd smashed office chairs, tables, flower pots, and window glass. Police officers deployed at the scene attempted to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control, but were initially unable to prevent the destruction.
Local sources stated that leaders and activists associated with the local Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal—the youth and student wings of the BNP—led the agitation.
Confirming the incident, Fulchhari UNO Mostafizur Rahman said a group of agitated youths entered his chamber in the afternoon and carried out the vandalism.
Addressing the allegations of recruitment fraud, the UNO refuted claims of wrongdoing. "I am not aware of any irregularities or corruption in the recruitment process for the family card personnel. No formal complaints were brought to our attention prior to this.
Meanwhile, Joynal Abedin Joy, convener of the Fulchhari Upazila unit of Chhatra Dal, admitted to participating in a peaceful demonstration but denied any involvement in the destruction of public property.
"Most of the recruitment results published by the UNO office favoured candidates linked to fascists," Joy claimed. "We organised a peaceful rally to express our grievance, joined by activists from BNP affiliate bodies.
Local authorities stated that administrative reviews and inquiries into the incident are underway.
