In Roumari, Kurigram, Hafizur Rahman reportedly falsified his birth records to secure a position in the village police just three years after his alleged marriage, making him only three years older than his son. The incident has sparked widespread criticism in the upazila.
Hafizur Rahman, a resident of Old Jadurchar village, Ward 3, Jadurchar Union in Roumari, has a wife, two sons, and a daughter. Despite having married his children off years ago, he allegedly altered his age in the birth registration with the help of Union Chairman Sarbesh Ali, presenting himself as 29 years old to join the village police.
Investigations reveal that Hafizur was not alone; in August, a syndicate facilitated the recruitment of 19 village police in five unions of the upazila, reportedly charging around four lakh taka per recruit, totaling nearly a crore in transactions. Hafizur joined the police on 28 August using the falsified age.
While his National ID records his birth as 7 May 1985, his new birth certificate states 7 May 1996. His son, Noyon Mia, was born on 1 March 1999, making the father technically only three years older than the son.
Ward member Robiul Haque claimed that such age falsification could only occur through financial transactions. A newly recruited village policeman also reported that Chairman Sarbesh Ali collected three lakh taka from him.
Hafizur Rahman claims he married at age 15 and that the voter ID had the incorrect age. Chairman Sarbesh Ali maintains that the school and birth records were verified before the appointment, denying any financial irregularity.
Roumari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ujjal Kumar Haldar stated that if the allegations of age falsification are proven, a formal investigation will be conducted.
GLIVE/TSN