Rangpur Bureau

At a law and order committee meeting in Rangpur, MP Mahbubur Rahman Belal sternly reprimanded officials, accusing the administration of disregarding the Warrant of Precedence, failing to value opposition MPs, excluding MPs' representatives from various committees, engaging in unprecedented irregularities regarding fertilizer dealerships, and pandering to a specific political party.

The meeting took place on Sunday morning at 10:30 AM in the Rangpur District Administration conference room. Presided over by the Deputy Commissioner,  the meeting was attended by top district officials—including representatives from the metropolitan and district police—alongside MPs Mahbubur Rahman Belal (Rangpur-3), Raihan Siraji (Rangpur-1), Golam Rabbani (Rangpur-5), and Nurul Amin (Rangpur-6).

Addressing the DC and other officials, MP Belal said, "You are not giving MPs any importance. Why? Why? What do you think of yourselves? Did you descend from the heavens? Did you come from Mars? We are sons of this soil. The people voted for us. Why don't you give us due regard? Don't provoke the public. We will block the roads. I, Mahbubur Rahman Belal, am a son of this soil. I know—and you know—what status the Warrant of Precedence accords to an MP. I didn't create the Order of Precedence; the State did. So, you should honor the MPs and uphold their rights. Let me be clear: you form committees as you please, hold meetings as you please, and make decisions as you please—all while dangling empty promises before us. We aren't that foolish."

Addressing the DC further, MP Belal added, "Let me state this again for your information: I received 178,000 votes. Why did these people vote for me? To cut grass? Just to put on a show?" "Is it just about showing up at meetings to eat? That is not the case. I am here to speak for them and look after their interests. Where was I able to protect those interests here? Many experienced businessmen applied for a fertilizer dealership and met all the criteria, yet one of them didn't get it. Who did? A specific individual based solely on party affiliation—someone with no experience, no warehouse, and no financial solvency. How did he get it, then? What was his credential? He belongs to the ruling party. Is that any way to do things? It is truly unfortunate and shameful."

Addressing the Deputy Commissioner , MP Belal further stated, "I am stating this clearly—and I repeat it to the DC—that there must be a representative of the MP on all these committees. 

Addressing the DC and other officials, MP Belal said, "Let me be clear: neither the police nor the RAB—nor anyone else—has the capacity to handle the public. I am stating this plainly. The public is no longer naive; they do not fear the police or the RAB when it comes to realizing their legitimate demands. Do not force us to lay siege to the police station or the DC's office. I am saying this clearly. I am a gentleman, but do not force me to act otherwise. Are you acting as touts?"

Noting that the administration is pandering to a specific party, MP Belal said, "We are watching this charade. You are pandering to one party—just how much fawning will you do? You are kowtowing to those who have no foundation and do not respect the people's mandate." "The people have delivered their verdict through the ballot box, yet that is being disregarded. I apologize for speaking this way, but I was compelled to do so. You will see me taking this stance moving forward. Let me reiterate: I, Mahbubur Rahman Belal, am a son of this soil; my entire lineage belongs to this land."

Regarding corruption in the appointment of dealers, MP Belal stated, "You have seen in the newspapers that three members of the same family received dealerships—sons, daughters, in-laws, and siblings-in-law. I do not recall such an incident ever happening before. There is intense public resentment regarding this matter. I do not know how far this discontent will escalate. As a public representative, I am unable to provide a satisfactory answer to the people."

Expressing frustration over the absence of the City Corporation Administrator and the Police Commissioner at the meeting, MP Belal said, "My point is that the schedule for this law-and-order committee meeting should be revised. Representatives from the City Corporation administration must be present here. If the Administrator cannot attend for any reason, a representative should be sent in his place."

Issuing directives to ensure a peaceful Puja celebration—including the installation of CCTV cameras—the MP said, "Puja is approaching, and there is a risk of disturbances. Please take measures to prevent anyone from causing trouble. I urge the Detective Branch (DB) to place potential troublemakers under surveillance beforehand. Ensure that no one gets the opportunity to create chaos during the festival. We stand with you. Install CCTV cameras at all Puja pavilions and keep a close watch on the miscreants and ill-intentioned individuals on your lists who are capable of such acts."

Besides,  MP Belal addressed various other issues, including the renovation of the city's Shyama Sundari Canal, traffic congestion relief, halting sand extraction, intensifying anti-drug drives, and relocating the Dhaka coach stand outside the city limits.

 In her remarks , DC Israt Jahan said, "Driven by emotion, we have said a great deal in such a significant forum. However, I feel that all our members need to be a bit more careful in their choice of words."