Barisal, Barguna DCs withdrawn

Deputy Commissioners of Barisal and Barguna district have been withdrawn from their respective posts over the harassment of former Agaijhara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tariq Salmon.

Ministry of Public Administration took the decision on Monday.

The ministry source said the process of withdrawing was almost completed yesterday but it was announced today after getting consent from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

A five-member committee has been formed to probe into the matter of filing the case against the UNO and sending him to prison.

On June 7, Barisal Unit Awami League Religious Affairs Secretary Obaidullah Saju, now suspended, filed a defamation case against Tariq Salmon in an allegation of publishing ‘distorted’ photo of Bangabandhu on invitation cards of Independence Day.

The UNO, now stationed in Barguna Sadar Upazila, said the photo was painted by a five-grade student in a competition and it was selected from there.

However, Barisal Metropolitan Magistrate refused to give bail to Tariq and ordered to send him to prison. The public servant was kept in a lock-up for two hours until the court granted him bail. It drew huge public criticism.