‘Landless’ Aspia to receive land, house

Barred from joining as a police constable, despite passing the written, viva, and health tests, due to being "landless", Barishal's Aspia Islam is now set to get her own land and house.

"We have instructed Hijla upazila UNO to hand these over to Aspia's family as soon as possible," Barishal district commissioner Md Jasim Uddin Haider told The Daily Star yesterday evening.

"I received the instructions from Prime Minister Office secretary Md Tofazzal Hossain over phone," the DC said.

This was done according to the prime minister's wish, said Barishal Range DIG SM Aktaruzzaman.

Earlier on November 17, Aspia passed and placed fifth at the police constable recruitment exam held in Barishal. However, despite passing all necessary tests, and obtaining the final reference, she could not secure the job as police investigations found that she has no "permanent address".

On Wednesday, Aspia visited DIG Aktaruzzaman's office. Although the DIG was sympathetic to her plight, he could not assure her that she would get the job.

On Thursday, the issue went viral on social media, after which it came into the notice of the prime minister.

Talking to this newspaper, Aspia said, "The complications arose after the police mentioned in their investigative report found that I don't have a permanent address, rendering me 'landless'. This has created a legal obstacle to my employment."

"It's my dream to join the police. I hope the higher authorities will consider my applications and help me achieve my dream," she said.