BNP Youth Leader Suspended Over Guard Allegations

In Madaripur, all positions held by Faruk Hossain Bapari, the district convenor of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) youth wing, have been suspended following allegations that he organised a guard around the residence and business establishments of banned Awami League leader Shahjahan Khan and his brothers.

The suspension was confirmed in a press release on Tuesday, 23 December, signed by Minhajul Islam Bhuiya, co-secretary of the BNP Jubo Dal central executive committee. Faruk Hossain had earlier received a three-day show-cause notice on Sunday, 21 December.

According to the press release, “All positions of Faruk Hossain Bapari at every level of the Madaripur district Jubo Dal, including his primary membership, are hereby suspended.” The decision has already been implemented by the central executive committee president, Abdul Monayem Munna, and general secretary, Mohammad Nurul Islam Nayon.

Local sources reported that on Saturday, 20 December, a protest march and symbolic funeral were held in Madaripur to protest the killing of Osman Hadi. Prior to this, calls had circulated on social media urging the encirclement of Shahjahan Khan’s residence and his brothers’ business establishments, raising public concern.

To maintain control over the situation, it is alleged that from morning until afternoon on Saturday, at least fifty Jubo Dal activists, under Faruk Hossain’s leadership, were stationed around Shahjahan Khan’s ten-storey building near Chanmari Mosque, as well as his brothers’ four houses, a residential hotel, a restaurant, and a petrol pump. Images of the guards circulated widely on social media, prompting criticism and drawing the attention of the central Jubo Dal authorities, who subsequently issued the show-cause notice and, after reviewing his explanation, suspended his positions.

Meanwhile, Shahjahan Khan and his son Asibur Rahman Asib Khan remain in custody. Despite most family members being absconding, their transportation services, hotel, petrol pump, and other businesses in Madaripur continue to operate.

Responding to his suspension, Faruk Hossain Bapari denied the allegations, stating that “false and fabricated information has been spread against me.” He asserted that none of his associates were present near Shahjahan Khan’s residence and described the guard claims as baseless. He also said he had not received any formal confirmation regarding his suspension.

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