Allegations Against Khagrachhari Mayor

Probe finds them true as 10 of 12 councillors file 'no confidence'

16 January 2009, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Khagrachhari

Joynal Abedin

Most of the allegations made by 10 of the 12 councillors of Khagrachhari Municipality against Mayor Mohammad Joynal Abedin have been found true. Earlier on November 6 last year, the mayor faced 'No confidence' from the 10 councillors. Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Monindra Kishore Majumder is preparing a report on the allegations, which will be sent to Local Government Ministry soon through Khagrachhari deputy commissioner, sources said. When asked about the matter, ADM Monindra Kishore Majumder told The daily Star, “I have completed investigation and am preparing the report. Most of the charges have been found true.” On November 6 last year, ten councillors expressed 'No confidence' against Khagrachhari Municipality Mayor Mohammad Joynal Abedin and demanded his removal from the post for his rampant corruption. The 'No confidence' letter that was sent to the secretary of Local Government Ministry on the date mentioned at least 25 corruption charges against the mayor for his alleged involvement with rampant corruption, tender manipulation, threatened, attack, misappropriation of government fund, taking bribes and anti-social activities. The letter mentioned that Joynal, once serving as the 'bodyguard' of former BNP lawmaker Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan (now convicted in a case), was elected mayor on November 9, 2004 with the help of Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan. Within a year, he built at least two houses in port city Chittagong and at Shantinagor in Khagrachhari town and misappropriated huge amount of money from development organizations through abuse of power, they said. Joynal Abedin is still facing four criminal cases with Khagrachhari District and Sessions Judge's Court, police said. Municipality Mayor Joynal Abedin, however, termed the allegations as false, baseless and fabricated and said the municipality commissioners 'designed a drama to blackmail him'.