<i>Jubo Dal trying to keep BNP alive in Khagrachhari </i>
District unit president quits, most other bigwigs in jail or on the run
Nakkhatra Lal Dev Barman, Wadud Bhuiyan and Sanu Mong Marma
BNP rank and file in Khagrachhari is gripped with frustration as most of its front ranking leaders are either in jail or on the run to evade arrest for alleged corruption. Some leaders of its youth front Jubo Dal are trying to keep the party alive, party sources said. After allowing indoor politics, BNP office in the town was opened by Jubo Dal president Abdus Salam and secretary Saidul Islam Babul on May 17. But few party men visit the office, party sources said. Activities of district BNP is virtually stopped after arrest of its secretary former lawmaker Wadud Bhuiyan on February 4 by joint forces. District BNP organising secretary Mostafizur Rahman Millat was arrested on March 10 and its press secretary Nazrul Islam on March 8. There are four cases against each of them. They were however released from jail on bail on Monday. After their arrest, district BNP president Rajib Roy resigned on March 24. Earlier, during his tenure, Wadus Bhuiyan suspended several key party men from their posts without any approval from the party high command, allegedly for protesting his corruption and irregularities, the sources said. They are district BNP vice-president Nakkhatra Lal Deva Barmon, organising secretary Mohammad Nuruzzaman, Sdar upazila president Mohammad Rafiq, Panchhari upazila president Amin Sharif, Mohalchhari upazila president Anup Mohazon, Matiranga upazila president Nashir Ahmed Chowdhury and Dighinala upazila president Zafar Ahmed. Wadud Bhuiyan then formed a new committee allegedly without approval of the central committee. Most of the new office bearers appointed by him are now on the run since Wadud Bhuyian's arrest. They are district BNP president Abu Yusuf Chowdhury, youth affairs secretary Mohammad Belal Hossen alias Baitta Belal, Sadar upazila BNP president MN Abser and Sechchasebok Dal president Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman alias Garbaka Mahfuz. Joint secretary of district BNP Joynal Abedin, known earlier as body guard of Wadud, faces four cases for crimes and corruption. Joynal was suspended from the post of Khagrachhari municipality chairman on January 12 for alleged corruption and irregularities but was reinstated on a of Supreme Court order. Joynal is also known for patronising the Somo Adhikar Andolon, an organisation of Bangalees. Jubo Dal president M Abdus Salam, vice-president Sanu Mong Marma, secretary Saidul Islam Babul and joint secretary Abdur Rob Raja are trying to keep party activities alive in the district, party men said. Talking to this correspondent, Saidul Islam said, “We are working to unite BNP men under the leadership party chief Khaleda Zia as most of front ranking BNP leaders are either in jail or hiding”. He admitted that frustration has gripped party men in Khagrachhari.
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