Human chain demands removal of UNO, probe into 'corruption'

Indigenous people formed a human chain on the premises of Hakimpur upazila parishad under the district yesterday noon demanding removal of the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) for his alleged embezzlement of government funds meant for the development of the local ethnic minority people.

Men, women and children from across the upazila joined the programme organised by Hakimpur Upazila Adivasi Samiti with banners, festoons and placards inscribed with their demands.

The government in last three years allocated at least Tk 41.05 lakh under different projects for the development of the indigenous people in the upazila, but Hakimpur UNO Azaharul Islam allegedly embezzled the fund, Gregory Soren, general secretary of Adivasi Samiti in Hakimpur upazila, said at the programme.

"An official letter was issued early February, mentioning that Azaharul Islam, UNO of Hakimpur in Dinajpur, has been transferred to Bhurungamari of Kurigram. But he is yet to join his new workplace," Gregory said, showing a copy of the letter at the human chain.

The letter signed by the divisional commissioner of Rangpur, was also sent to the deputy commissioners of Dinajpur and Kurigram, he said.

Earlier on January 10, civil society members of Hakimpur upazila at a press conference brought the allegation of corruption and fund embezzlement against UNO Md Azaharul Islam.

"The UNO office received Tk 11.05 lakh in 2012-13, Tk 12 lakh in 2013-14 and Tk 18 lakh in 2015-16 fiscal year for the development of the backward ethnic people in the upazila," said Harun Ur Rashid, president of importers and exporters' group in Hakimpur upazila, reading out the keynote at the press conference.

The UNO spent only 25 percent of the total fund and embezzled the rest, alleged Badal Tigga, president of Hakimpur Upazila Adivasi Samaj Unnayan Samiti.

The UNO, however, refuted the allegation against him, saying that the development project in under progress.