Hartal observed to cancel pourasabha

The hartal was observed at the call of the Committee for Cancellation of Pourasabha. Picketers also tried to stop trains at Akaura rail junction but those moved following police intervention.

Led by the committee leaders, the people also brought out a procession, held a rally and handed over a memorandum to the Upazila Nirbhi Officer (UNO) to press their demand.

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The rally held at the bus stand was addressed by, among others, the committee's president Principal AM Ishak; BNP leaders MN Hannan Khan, MN Hassan Khan and Abul Mansur; secretary of Akhaura Citizens' Committee SM Shahjada Khadem; Jamat-e-Islami leader Billal Hossain and Abul Faroq Bakul.

The speakers said after declaration of Ahaura a pourasabha, people have been compelled to pay additional takes without any civic amenities.

Md Abul Kasem, a resident of the area while talking to this correspondent said he is paying taxes but does not know what more benefit the pourasabha will give him.

Pourasabha Chairman Md Nurul Haque, an Awami League leader, when contacted said some people who were defeated in the pourasabha election are now misleading the people.

All taxes in the pourasabha area have been waived for three years, he claimed.