A Member of Parliament representing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has drawn severe criticism after publicly directing police officers to physically assault staff members of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company over widespread unauthorized gas connections in his constituency.
Azharul Islam Mannan, who represents the Narayanganj-3 seat (encompassing Sonargaon and Siddhirganj), voiced the provocative instructions on Sunday afternoon during a monthly law and order committee meeting inside the Narayanganj District Collectorate conference room. Chaired by District Commissioner Raihan Kabir, the meeting was attended by Narayanganj-5 MP Abul Kalam, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Chairman Mashukul Islam Rajeev, and Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman Munshi, alongside senior district administration and security personnel.
During his address, Mannan expressed deep frustration regarding unchecked illegal gas networks and systemic extortion operating along local river corridors.
Directives Targeting Utility Officers
Zeroing in on state utility management, the lawmaker blamed Titas Gas employees for enabling illegal gas networks across Sonargaon, claiming that approximately 65,000 gas connections in the area operate without legal authorisation.
Mannan alleged that these illicit connections were established during the previous Awami League administration, facilitated by internal graft within Titas Gas. He argued that law enforcement authorities should target utility executives as the primary culprits when filing cases against illegal connections.
“If lawsuits are filed over illegal gas lines, make the officers of Titas Gas the primary accused. Then you will see everything drop significantly.”
— Azharul Islam Mannan, Member of Parliament (Narayanganj-3)
The MP went on to reveal that he had issued explicit instructions to local police stations regarding visiting utility teams. “I have given orders at my local police station to beat up Titas Gas officers first whenever they show up. They are involved in every illegal activity,” Mannan stated before the assembled officials.
Riverway Extortion and BIWTA Allegations
Turning his attention to maritime transport, Mannan levelled strong accusations against BIWTA officials, alleging their active involvement in extortion rings targeting cargo vessels navigating the Meghna River.
He explained that illicit toll collection begins before sand-carrying bulkheads reach main shipping channels. The MP noted that extortionists have modernized their operations by using mobile financial services to collect payments remotely—a scheme he alleged operates with the direct collusion of BIWTA personnel.
While administrative and law enforcement leadership present at the meeting refrained from making immediate public statements regarding the MP’s call for physical violence against civil servants, his comments have raised sharp concerns regarding public conduct, parliamentary ethics, and legal accountability.
