Protesters demand withdrawal of Khulna DC within 24 hours

A human chain was organised in Khulna demanding the withdrawal of the newly appointed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Saiful Islam, accusing him of being directly involved with the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) as a cadre when he was a student. 

The protestors issued a 24-hour ultimatum for his removal, warning of a blockade of the DC's office if their demand is not met.

The human chain took place in front of the Khulna deputy commissioner's office this afternoon (23 September). 

The event was presided over by Md Rashidul Islam, with advocate Mahfuzur Rahman Mofiz moderating. Citizens, journalists, social and cultural activists, and development workers of Khulna participated in the protest.

Speakers at the protest also alleged that Mohammad Saiful Islam was an active associate and cadre of former BCL president Bahadur Bepari from 1998 to 2002. 

They further claimed that, as a government officer, he was involved in widespread corruption while serving as the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) in Moulvibazar. The speakers also accused him of maintaining close ties with Indian intelligence agencies while stationed in India. 

"Wherever he has served, Saiful Islam functioned as a loyal cadre for the Awami League, implementing their political agenda," said one of the speakers. 

"He has played an active role in reshuffling the field administration to suppress the current student uprising against the Sheikh Hasina government."

The speakers also demanded that Saiful Islam be removed immediately from the post of Khulna deputy commissioner and district magistrate and be held accountable for his alleged involvement in human rights abuses.

When contacted, responding to the allegations, Khulna DC Mohammad Saiful Islam dismissed them as false. 

"The accusations they are making are baseless. The list of DCs was finalised after multiple levels of scrutiny. They are claiming that I am an agent of the Kolkata High Commission, which is not true. I was the first secretary at the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata," he said.

Addressing the claims of being a former BCL leader, he said, "During my university days, I worked for a newspaper named 'Ajker Kagoj'. Because of this, I had good relations with both Bahadur Bepari and Monir Hossain, the then-president of Jatiyatabadi Chatra Dal. If I were affiliated with any political party, I would have held an organisational position back then."

On 9 September, Mohammad Saiful Islam, deputy secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, was appointed as the Khulna Deputy Commissioner. He replaced Khondokar Yasir Arefin, who was transferred on 20 August.