Tensions mount at Ctg Wasa amid protests for MD’s resignation
The incident took place around 12:30pm when a group of protesters, labelled by Wasa employees as "collaborators of Awami League," attempted to storm the MD's office located on the second floor of the building
Tensions escalated at Chattogram Wasa on Tuesday (3 September) as protesters demanding the resignation of Managing Director (MD) AKM Fazlullah confronted the organisation's employees.
The incident took place around 12:30pm when a group of protesters, labelled by Wasa employees as "collaborators of Awami League," attempted to storm the MD's office located on the second floor of the building.
The employees, identifying themselves as members of the Wasa Workers' Union, obstructed the protesters from reaching the MD's office.
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As the situation escalated, chants of "Awami League's agents" and "Chhatra League, Chhatra League" echoed, leading to the protesters being pushed out of the building.
Amid the rising tensions, the army intervened to prevent further conflict.
Both sides - protesters outside the gate and employees inside - continued their demonstrations, with the army working to maintain order.
A team from the army later calmed the situation. Currently, the army is in discussions with both parties.
The protests began on Sunday (1 September) when a group of 20-30 individuals occupied the MD's office, demanding Fazlullah's resignation. However, Fazlullah remained firm, stating that he would not step down without the government's directive. The protesters then issued a 24-hour ultimatum for his resignation.
As the deadline ended without any action from Fazlullah or the government, the people under the banner "Conscious Citizens' Forum" announced a nonstop protest until his resignation.
Today (3 September), under the forum's banner, protesters gathered in front of the Wasa building, reiterating their demand for Fazlullah's immediate resignation.
The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) leaders also joined the protest.
CAB's central vice president, SM Nazer Hossain, said, "The 24-hour ultimatum for the resignation of Chattogram Wasa MD Fazlullah, a loyalist of the autocratic Sheikh Hasina, has ended. Neither did he resign, nor was he removed by the government. In this situation, the conscious citizens of Chattogram declare Fazlullah as unwanted and announce nonstop protests."
AKM Fazlullah, born in 1942, retired as the supervising engineer of Chattogram Wasa in 2000. After the Awami League came to power, he was appointed as chairman of Wasa on a contractual basis on 6 July 2009.
He served as chairman for another year before being appointed as the MD in 2011, following the restructuring of the Wasa board. Since then, he has held the MD position, with his term being extended for the eighth time on 1 November of last year.
