In Dinajpur, in distress

The intimidating atmosphere in their areas, disputes with local ruling party men, and on top of this, brutal attacks on two UNOs over the years have given rise to a sense of unease among government officials working in Dinajpur.

The first attack was launched on Nawabganj upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) backin October 2014. The second one was on Ghoraghat UNO in the early hours of September 3.

Local sources say conflicts often arise when UNOs try to prevent misdeeds by ruling Awami League leaders or refuse to entertain undue requests of the party men related to financial scams.

After the Ghoraghat incident, several UNOs and other government officials said they face unexpected pressure from ruling party leaders, which hampers their administrative work. 

A section of ruling party men in the upazilas are involved in tender manipulation, land grabbing, sand lifting, drug peddling and leasing government land for markets, they also mentioned.  

"We have to discharge duties under pressure. If we don't entertain their [AL men's] demands, they misbehave with us and issue threats," said an UNO, seeking anonymity.

The Daily Star talked to at least five UNOs out of 13 in the district. All of them came up with similar comments over the atmosphere in their areas.

Recently, an UNO was transferred within three months of his joining.  However, the transfer order was later cancelled.

Contacted, the UNO declined to talk to the media but sources in the district administration said he used to conduct mobile court drives against illegal sand lifting and that's whysome people wanted him out of the upazila.

About the 2014 attack, sources said the then UNO of Nawabganj Syed Forhat Hossain had a dispute with local AL leaders over appointment of night guards in 39 primary schools.

He strictly wanted to ensure fair recruitment, which made the ruling party men unhappy.

Finally, on October 1, 2014, a group of AL and BCL activists brought out a procession against him and marched to the UNO office.

The UNO tried to hide in the washroom but the party activists dragged him out and beat him mercilessly.

A case, filed against 29 named and 60 to 70 unnamed accused, is still under trial. Most of the accused are local leaders and activists of AL and BCL.

By the end of 2015, police submitted the charge sheet against 35 persons. Almost all of them were released on bail a few days after arrest, said local sources.

Then came the September 3 attack.

Ghoraghat UNO Wahida Khanam and her father suffered severe injuries in a hammer attack by unidentified criminals at her official residence in the Upazila Parishad complex.

Law enforcers later arrested now suspended Jubo League leader Asadul Haq, and painting workers Nabirul Islam and Santu Das. They were placed on seven days' remand each.

Besides, 20 others were detained for interrogation.

Contacted, Devdas Bhattacharya, deputy inspector general for Rangpur Range Police, said they are working hard to find out the attackers.

Both the upazilas -- Nawabganj and Ghoraghat -- are in Dinajpur-6, and Shibli Sadik from AL is the lawmaker of this constituency. He could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts.

Azizul Isman Chowdhury, general secretary of Dinajpur district AL, said he has nothing to say about the attack on Ghoraghat UNO since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself talked about it in parliament.

If there is any involvement of AL leaders and activists in this attack, they must be caught, interrogated, and punished. "It's a matter of image of the party," he said.

Evading a reply to the question about conflicts between the party leaders and UNOs over various issues, the general secretary said if any party member is charge-sheeted, he or she will be expelled from the organisation.

He said more than 15 people have been expelled from the party recently.