Katakhali pourashava mayor Abbas suspended
Mayor Abbas Ali of Katakhali pourashava in Rajshahi’s Paba upazila has been suspended.
A gazette notification signed by deputy secretary Farzana Mannan of local government, rural development and cooperatives ministry was issued on Wednesday night in this regard.
Abbas Ali came to the limelight for his controversial remarks regarding the construction of a mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A case was also filed against Abbas Ali under the Digital Security Act for his remarks.
The gazette notification said as per Section 31(1) of Local Government (Pourashava) Act-2009, the government through a written order can suspend any mayor if any charge sheet is accepted against him in a criminal case, and following this the concerned authority does not think the mayor suitable enough from the administrative point of view.
It also said a case has been filed with Boalia poice station against Abbas Ali under Digital Security Act over a viral video on social media regarding the construction of a mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Following his arrest by the law enforcement agency he remains absent at his workplace. As a result, citizens and the employees and officials at the pourashava are being deprived of the services of the municipality, which has been proved to be inappropriate from the administrative point of view and goes against the interests of the pourashava. That is why suspending him from the mayor post is reasonable. And, that is why he has been suspended.
Earlier, Abbas Ali left the area when a video about controversial remarks regarding the construction of a mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman went viral on social media. Rajshahi City Corporation councillor Abdul Momin filed the lawsuit against him under the Digital Security Act.
Later, a team of Rapid Action Battalion arrested the mayor Abbas Ali from Rajmani Isha Kha hotel in the capital’s Kakrail area early 1 December and handed him over to police.
Showing him arrested in the case, police pleaded for 10-day remand of Abbas Ali. But the court granted 3-day remand. He was sent to jail upon completion of the remand on Thursday.
Abbas Ali was the convener of Katakhali municipality unit of ruling Awami League in Paba upazila of Rajshahi and a member of district Awami League. He was serving as the mayor of the municipality for the second time at a stretch after being elected with boat symbol (electoral symbol of Awami League).
He has already been relieved of Katakhali municipality unit Awami League. The district Awami League has sent a recommendation to the party’s central committee for expelling him from the party.
On 22 November, an audio went viral on social media, Facebook, where Abbas Ali was heard making controversial remarks on a mural of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Abbas Ali admitted that he made the statement and it was his voice in the much circulated audio clip.
Later, on 29 November, the mayor said in Facebook live that he spoke against the construction of the mural at the influence of a teacher of a local madrasah. The mayor said in an apparently emotional voice that he has made a mistake and sought apology.
Abbas Ali also claimed that a certain quarter was hatching conspiracy against him.