Probe launched after assault on engineer in Ctg, 4 workers transferred

The Bangladesh Power
Development Board (BPDB) has taken swift action following the alleged assault
of an engineer and the harassment of a female official at the Bidyut Bhaban in
Agrabad, Chattogram.
Four workers accused of
breaching discipline have been transferred out of the district, and the matter
has been referred to PDB's discipline department for investigation.
The incident took place on
Tuesday (9 June) afternoon but came to light yesterday after CCTV footage of
the altercation went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism. The
victims filed a General Diary (GD) with the Double Mooring Police Station
yesterday.
According to PDB sources,
Plant Operator Mohammad Hafizur Rahman has been transferred to Pabna, Lineman
Mohammad Nurunnabi to Bhola, Electrician Mohammad Shafiqul Islam to Sylhet, and
Driver Mohammad Ayub to Dinajpur.
The CCTV footage shows 20-30
workers and leaders of the Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) gathering on the
fifth floor on Tuesday afternoon. Executive Engineer Nilufa Yasmin was in her
office performing official duties when a commotion broke out outside, leading
to a scuffle between officials and labour leaders that later turned into a
physical altercation.
The footage also shows
several officials coming out of nearby offices to defuse the situation, only to
be confronted by agitated workers. At one point, Assistant Engineer Mehedi
Hasan was allegedly dragged from a room and repeatedly punched.
PDB System Analyst Nilufa
Akter said a daily wage-based worker had recently been recruited under a
"no work, no pay" arrangement. She alleged that 30-40 people entered
her office on Tuesday afternoon and created a tense situation over the
recruitment of a daily wage-based worker without consulting CBA leaders.
She alleged that several
workers and CBA activists, led by retired employee Gazi Ayub, entered her
office and behaved inappropriately. When Assistant Engineer Mehedi Hasan tried
to calm the situation, he was allegedly dragged outside and assaulted.
"They grabbed Mehedi
Hasan by the collar, dragged him out and beat him indiscriminately,"
Nilufa Akter said. "Later, when he left the office, he was also threatened
with serious harm, including death threats."
She said the incident was
reported to higher authorities and a GD was filed with Double Mooring Police
Station.
Officer-in-Charge Jamal Uddin
Khan confirmed the GD and said legal action would be taken if the allegations
are found to be true.
Commenting on the incident,
Chief Engineer Kamal Uddin Ahmed said the authorities were concerned and had
referred the matter to the investigation and disciplinary department. He added
that four individuals had been transferred pending the inquiry.
However, Nazrul Islam, joint
general secretary of the central CBA, denied the allegations, saying there was
only a minor disagreement over a recruitment and that no one was harassed or
assaulted. He also alleged that the recruit was an Awami League activist.
















