Govt steps in over Bogura union names

The government has taken steps to rename two newly formed unions in Bogura following an instruction from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, amid controversy over allegations that the areas were named after the sons of State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam.

Speaking to the media, Bogura Deputy Commissioner Md Taufiqur Rahman on Thursday said he had received a verbal directive from the prime minister to initiate the renaming process.

However, he noted that no formal written order has yet been received by the district administration.

He added that the administrative process would proceed based on the instruction, while awaiting official documentation.

“A letter may arrive later, but since the instruction has been given, we will begin the process,” he said.

The deputy commissioner further said that fresh public hearings would be held in the affected unions before any final decision is made.

“The respective upazila nirbahi officers will conduct new public hearings. Dates will be fixed again for the unions where name changes are under consideration.

All stakeholders will be invited, and the names emerging from the hearings are likely to be finalised,” he added.

The controversy relates to three newly created unions established through a gazette notification on 11 June following administrative reorganisation in Shibganj and the newly formed Mokamtala upazila.

The restructuring led to the creation of four unions: Mirbari, Shimanto, Diganta and Swarnagram.

Local residents have alleged that Mirbari was named after the minister’s ancestral home, while Shimanto and Diganta correspond to the names of his two sons, Mir Shakrul Alam Shimanto and Mir Saklain Alam Diganta.

The issue has drawn attention as the Local Government (Union Parishad) Act, 2009 prohibits naming a union parishad after any living or deceased individual, family member or political figure.

The matter was also raised in parliament earlier this week, where Shahe Alam denied that the unions were named after his sons.

According to the minister, Shimanto was chosen as the area lies along the boundary of Gabtali and Sonatala upazilas, while Diganta reflects the locality’s distant position near Gaibandha.

He added that although the names match those of his sons, this was coincidental. “Had I intended to name them after my sons, they would have been Mir Shimanto and Mir Diganta.

The word ‘Mir’ is absent,” he said.
Despite his clarification, the issue has continued to attract public attention and has sparked debate both inside and outside parliament.