Some senior government officials disputed a political statement issued by Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) regarding attack on the Barishal Upazila Nirbahi Officer's (UNO) residence recently.
Some secretaries, including divisional commissioners, disputed with the statement issued by the BASA, an organization of government administration officials, regarding the attack and clash on the Barishal Upazila Nirbahi Officer's (UNO) residence, said Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam.
The cabinet secretary made the remarks at a briefing after a cabinet meeting at the secretariat on Monday.
He said that they convened a meeting on Sunday where secretaries and officials differed with some contents of the statement issued by BASA and expressed that such type of conflicting language should not have been used in the statement.
The UNO's house was attacked and clash erupted with police last Wednesday over the issue of removal of wall and hanging posters in Barisal. A case was filed against Barisal Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah as the main accused. Later, counter-complaints were also filed against UNO and the police.
After the attack incident, the administration cadre officials' organisation issued a strong statement. The statement called for legally dealing with political miscreants. They also demanded arrest of Barisal Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah.
There was a mixed reaction in the political arena with the statement of the association. According to the government, the incident in Barisal was a misunderstanding. On the other hand, BNP's statement portrayed the incident as an 'indication of Bangladesh becoming a failed state'. There was a strong reaction among the leaders and supporters of Awami League.
Replying to a query regarding the recent untoward situation in Barishal, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said that all parties -- field administration, law enforcement agencies and public representatives -- were asked to interact regularly to avoid miscommunication and avoid untoward incidents, which recently took place in Barishal.
Mentioning that embarrassing incidents mostly happen due to miscommunication, he said, “This is why, an instruction was sent to all field officials, law enforcement agencies and public representatives to regularly interact among themselves."
He continued saying, “Miscommunication and untoward incidents occurred due to lack of proper interaction.”
"The administration or the law enforcement agencies or the people's representatives - everyone has been told that you should hold regular interactions. Our personal experience is that embarrassing incidents of such miscommunication occur where there is less interaction,” he added.
The cabinet secretary said the leaders of Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) admitted that they made a mistake by using inappropriate words in their statements over the issue.
Anwarul Islam said, “Those who were from BASA also agreed with it (the opinion) and said it was actually a mistake.”
Stating that they don't actually know the exact reason behind the Barishal incident, he said that all parties -- local administration, mayor, commissioner and law enforcement agency -- were asked to meet to solve the problem by finding out the reasons behind this embarrassing incident.
Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah met in a compromise meeting at his home in Barisal on Sunday night at the invitation of the divisional commissioner amid days of tension after a series of cases.
After a two-hour discussion till 11:15 pm, Barisal Metropolitan Awami League President AKM Jahangir told reporters, "The compromise meeting has been fruitful."
He said that the talks were "positive" but did not agree to tell reporters the details of the meeting.
However, a person who was present at the meeting said on condition of anonymity that there was a "positive" discussion on the withdrawal of the case.
