Chhatak (Sunamganj) Correspondent:

Thousands of people took to the streets to protest against the spread of false news against Chhatak Upazila Executive Officer Tariqul Islam of Sunamganj. On Saturday afternoon, the upazila residents formed a human chain under the banner of the upazila residents at Gobindaganj Point on the Sylhet-Sunamganj highway.

They said, our UNO is humane. Since he came, river smuggling, encroachment, and tender rigging have decreased in this upazila. He has become a terror to the unscrupulous syndicate by operating mobile courts on the river every day. Which is a relief for the people of our upazila.

The speakers also said, and getting stuck in that, this group has spread fake news in a media. So that it is convenient for them to gain personal benefits. We protest against such false news and demand legal action against those involved.

It is known that Tariqul Islam joined Chhatak Upazila as the Upazila Nirbahi Officer on November 11 last year. In just 200 working days of assuming his duties, he has filed 240 cases. Which has broken all the records of the past 16 years of the upazila. Mobile court operations are being conducted daily against drugs, illegal sand extraction, violations of the environment law, consumer rights and road transport laws.

Under the courageous leadership of the UNO, 72 drug cases have been filed in the last few months. The same number of criminals have been sentenced through the courts. This has left the drug syndicates looting sand and stones disoriented. In addition, regular operations are being conducted against illegal sand extraction from rivers without lease. So far, 15 cases have been filed. Dredgers, bulkheads, steel boats and 50,000 cubic feet of sand worth about 5 crore taka have been seized.

Fishermen's Association President Nur Islam said, "We have got a people-friendly officer." Recently, he was strict against drug addicts, sand eaters, tender scammers, extortionists on the river road and dishonest vaccine makers. Because of this, he became an eyesore for everyone. As a result, these syndicates have spread false news without finding any alternative. We strongly demand the administration to take legal action against these fascist accomplices.

CNG autorickshaw driver union worker leader Sahab Ali said, we will not let Chhatak upazila be looted. Those who are investing behind this are fascists. We have proof of this. We strongly condemn false propaganda against such a people-friendly official.

Student leader Sadek Ahmed said, we have seen the story of Phatakest on television. But our good fortune is that now we can actually see the character of Phatakest in the activities of our UNO. But some fascist accomplices want to loot our upazila. We will not let that happen.

In addition, the president and secretary of the Fishermen's Association, Shahjahan Mia, general secretary of the Human Healer Association, Asbar Ali, student leaders Ruhul Amin, Zakir Hossain, Tajul Islam, social worker Azim Uddin, leaders of various social organizations and ordinary people of the upazila also spoke at the introduction of student leader Matiur.