Token hunger strike by 'cheated' job seekers

Demanding return of deposited money from swindler NGO SIT Foundation, cheated job seekers stage sit-in and observe token hunger strike on the premises of NACTAR in Bogra yesterday. Photo: STAR

A large number of cheated job seekers observed token hunger strike for two hours from 11:00am yesterday demanding punishment of Bogra-based NGO Science and Information Technology (SIT) Foundation Chairman Abdul Mannan Sarker and his accomplices.
During their demonstration in front of National Academy for Computer Training and Research (NACTAR), the aggrieved people demanded refund of their deposited money and due arrear salaries from the SIT Foundation chairman, who is also the director of NACTAR under the Ministry of Education.
Earlier four cases were filled against Abdul Mannan Sarker, his son ASM Rawshan Kabir and their five accomplices for cheating job seekers of a huge amount of money.
The SIT Foundation authorities published several advertisements in regional dailies including the daily Karotoa for recruitment of officials and field level staff in different districts including Naogaon, Bogra, Joypurhat and Gaibandha.
In response to the advertisements, hundreds of men and women submitted applications for the jobs and deposited money from Tk 10,000 to 1,20,000 during the last six months.
According to the cheated job seekers, the NGO collected around Tk 12 crore as deposits from over 4,000 job seekers from different areas in the northern region.
“I deposited Tk 10,000 upon assurance of appointment to the post of field officer for monthly salary of Tk 6,000. I joined the post on January 1 this year. But I am yet to receive any salary,” Dipti Sarker, 30, wife of Kartik Sarker of Banail village of Shibganj upazila in Bogra district, told The Daily Star.
Sadia Afreen, 25, daughter of Salauddin of Koipara village in Bogra Sadar upazila, said she deposited Tk 15,000 for joining the post of operation officer with monthly salary of Tk 8,000 but she is yet to get any salary.
Several job seekers complained that some NACTAR officials also collected huge amount of money from a good number of people assuring them jobs in SIT Foundation.
Abdul Mannan Sarker was not available at his office in Bogra yesterday.
Office sources said he went to the ministry concerned for official purposes.