UP chairmen in Gazipur allegedly absconding yet retaining posts, locals deprived of services

Several Union Parishad (UP) chairmen in Gazipur district, accused in cases following the July uprising, are reportedly either in jail or absconding.

Despite this, they continue to hold office, leaving locals without access to essential services, according to allegations by residents.

Allegations suggest some chairmen visit their offices briefly to create the appearance of fulfilling their duties, while others operate remotely.

Gazipur district has 39 union parishads across five upazilas. After the interim government took charge, some elected representatives who served under the previous Awami League government were removed from upazila and union parishads.

Administrators were appointed in six union parishads of the district, panel chairmen are functioning in 15, and the remaining 18 are led by previous chairmen who are allegedly continuing their duties despite their absence.

Locals claim these chairmen often perform duties remotely or sporadically, while parishad secretaries manage operations by obtaining their signatures from undisclosed locations.

As a result, locals face significant difficulties in accessing essential services such as birth and death registrations, citizenship certificates, and trade licenses.

The Local Government Division, responsible for overseeing union parishads, collects information on chairmen's attendance in office through village police.

However, locals allege that these village police are loyal to the chairmen, and do not provide the administration with accurate reports.

Hasibur Rahman, additional in-charge of Gazipur Local Government Division, said, "We have no information about criminal cases against the UP chairmen. If the chairmen are absent, we are appointing panel chairmen or administrators."

Investigations reveal that many chairmen, some associated with the Awami League, are accused in cases linked to the July uprising.

For example, Habibur Rahman, chairman of Baria union and former general secretary of Sadar Upazila Awami League, allegedly runs his office from home following his release from jail.

In Kapasia upazila, all 11 UP chairmen face charges related to the uprising.

Among these, panel chairmen manage six unions, an administrator oversees one, and previous chairmen lead the remaining four.

Police confirm that of these four, one chairman is under arrest, one is on bail, and two are absconding but all of them are continuing their duties.

Inspector Mahmudul Hasan of Kapasia Police Station said that charges against these chairmen include attacks during the anti-discrimination movement.

Locals have expressed frustration, questioning how such individuals can continue performing official duties while avoiding legal accountability.  

Md Wahid Hossain, deputy director of the Gazipur Local Government Department, said, "We will verify the information that has been received and take further action."

The situation has led to growing discontent among locals, who feel neglected and harassed due to the lack of effective governance and uninterrupted services.