Staff Reporter :
The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has accused Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur of instigating unrest after a contractor he allegedly recommended was not awarded a government project.
In a press release issued by DNCC’s Public Relations Office today (21 May), the city authorities alleged that Nur personally called Additional Chief Engineer Mohammad Arifur Rahman on 18 May, pressuring him to assign a public project to a contractor of Nur’s choice.
“The additional chief engineer explained the legal provisions under the Public Procurement Act and Rules, and clarified that no action can be taken outside the bounds of the law,” the statement read.
“However, Nurul Haque did not accept this explanation and instead threatened to lock the Dhaka North office.”
Following the refusal to meet his demand, Nur allegedly led a protest on 20 May in front of the Dhaka North Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan-2 under the banner of Gono Odhikar Parishad, which, according to DNCC, disrupted the regular services of the city corporation.
Nurul Haque Nur could not be reached for comment on the allegations.
The protest coincided with a 48-hour ultimatum issued by Gono Odhikar Parishad demanding the removal and arrest of Dhaka North Administrator Mohammad Azaz. The party has accused Azaz of past involvement with both the banned political party Hizb ut-Tahrir and the now-banned Awami League.
Speaking at the rally, the party’s Senior Vice President Farooq Hasan alleged, “Until 2018, Azaz was a high-ranking member of Hizb ut-Tahrir. He was arrested multiple times, then later joined the Awami League and engaged in widespread corruption, extortion, and political manipulation.”
Hasan further claimed that Azaz secured his current post as Dhaka North administrator through a “secret deal” with LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan.
Gono Odhikar Parishad has threatened to besiege the residence of the Chief Adviser in Jamuna on 24 May if their demands are not met within the given deadline.
