Staff Reporter :
Hundreds of officials from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) staged a demonstration at the tax administration office on Wednesday, demanding the resignation of NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem.
The protesting officials also called for criminal charges to be filed against Muneem for allegedly harassing Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, who is set to lead the interim government.
During the demonstration, the protesters outlined their nine-point demands. They urged the authorities to appoint individuals from the customs or income tax cadres as NBR chief, rather than those from the administrative cadre. The agitation, which began around noon, saw officials from the VAT, Customs, and Income Tax wings participating. Some protesters vandalised the offices of high-ranking board officials. It was reported that Chairman Muneem was not present at the office during the protest.
Md Neyamul Islam, First Secretary of Customs, accused Muneem of using divisive tactics and establishing a ‘reign of terror’ by appointing his close allies from the administration cadre to key positions, including First Secretary.
“The previous government exploited the chairman to file a false case against Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus,” Islam claimed.
Other officials echoed similar sentiments and burnt a poster of Muneem during the protest.
The officials have announced plans to hold a press conference on Thursday to formally present their demands.