Jashore assistant commissioner withdrawn for publicly humiliating elderly men

An assistant commissioner, whose photos of publicly humiliating elderly people triggered outrage among netizens, has been withdrawn, the Ministry of Public Administration has confirmed.

She was withdrawn from Jashore and attached to the divisional commissioner's office in Khulna, Shaikh Yusuf Harun, secretary at the ministry, told The Daily Star today.

In two photos, that have gone viral on social media, Sayeema Hasan, the erstwhile AC (land) in Jashore's Monirampur upazila, is seen taking photos with her mobile phone of elderly men holding their ears.

Yesterday at Chinetola kitchen market in Monirampur, Sayeema humiliated three men – one van puller, one vegetable vendor, and one bicycle rider who came to buy groceries – by making them hold their ears.

The erstwhile AC was trying to ensure through a mobile court that people were practicing social distancing -- enforced to stop the spread of coronavirus. The elderly men and several others were punished in the same way for not wearing masks, our correspondent reports quoting locals.

Sayeema did not give any explanation of her action, when approached by journalists.

The deputy commissioner of Jashore had been directed to investigate the matter and submit report within the shortest possible time, said Secretary Harun.

"Further action will be taken upon getting the report and reopening of office on April 5. Monirampur UNO will apologise to the three men on behalf of the administration and will provide them with masks and financial assistance, if needed," he said.

"The incident is unfortunate and we are looking into it," said Ahsan Ullah Sharif, upazila nirbahi officer of Monirampur.

Mohammad Shafiul Arif, deputy commissioner of Jashore, said, "I have seen the photos. She cannot do this, it is not acceptable. A show-cause letter will be issued to her."