Baghaichhari (Rangamati) Correspondent:

Like every year, this year too, the Saudi Arabian government has sent sacrificial lamb meat to Bangladesh as a gift. Although there are instructions to distribute this meat among the poor, helpless, orphanages and madrasas of the country, serious irregularities and complaints have been raised about its proper distribution in Baghaichhari Upazila of Rangamati. The question has arisen - did those for whom this meat was allocated actually receive it, or was it divided by the controversial press club and distributed within the Upazila Parishad itself?

Md. Jihad, office assistant cum computer operator of the Baghaichhari Upazila Project Implementation Officer's office, said that according to the prescribed list, the meat is distributed among orphanages, madrasas and helpless families. He said, "Yesterday (October 29th), we gave one carton to each union parishad and instructed the people on the list to distribute the meat among the madrasas and the needy."

He also said that a total of 22 cartons of lamb meat were transported by car from Rangamati district to Baghaichhari. But before reaching the Upazila Parishad, a cartoon disappeared on the way. It is known that 1 cartoon or about 7-8 packets of meat have been given to the Baghaichhari Press Club from that allocation. The matter was confirmed by talking to the Press Club President Abdul Mabud (Bijoy TV Correspondent), Treasurer Mohiuddin (Bangladesh Betar, Rangamati). The meat of the Press Club was received by General Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain from the Upazila Parishad. However, despite attempts to contact him, he did not answer the phone. But according to a different source, 2 cartoons of meat have been distributed to the Baghaichhari Press Club.

On the other hand, out of the total 8 Union Parishads of Baghaichhari, Chairman of Marishya Union Apon Chakma, Chairman of Khedarmara Union Biltu Chakma and Chairman of Sarwatoli Union Atul Bihari Chakma said that each of their unions has been given one cartoon. That is, a total of 8 cartoons of meat have been distributed at the union level.

Besides, there are about 10-12 orphanages and madrasas in Baghaichhari Upazila. Talking to some orphanage authorities, it was learned that each of them received 2 packets of meat. Accordingly, a total of 20-24 packets or approximately 3 cartons of lamb meat have been distributed to all the orphanages.

According to the Upazila Parishad office sources, a total of 22 cartons of lamb meat were allocated for Baghaichhari. Each carton contains 8 packets, each packet contains about 3 kg, and each carton contains about 25 kg of meat. That is, the entire allocation should contain about 550 kg of meat.

According to the calculations, the press club received 1 carton,
the union parishads received 8 cartons, the orphanages and madrasas received 3 cartons, and 1 carton disappeared on the way. In total, information about 12 cartons of meat has been received, while no trace of the remaining 10 cartons of lamb meat has been found. However, the authorities have not provided any exact information about who took the 1 carton that disappeared on the way. Now the question has arisen - "Where did the remaining 10 cartons of lamb meat go?"

When Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Amena Marjan was contacted this morning (October 30) to inquire about this matter, she did not make any direct comment and asked to contact Upazila Project Implementation Officer Suptashree Sahar (PIO). Later, when she went to her office, the Project Implementation Officer was not available. She could not be contacted despite multiple calls.

Meanwhile, when the incident was published on social media, there was a huge reaction. Syed Md. Yasin Nur commented, “I express my hatred for those who did this. If necessary, I will be by your side.”

Moktar Hossain Sohel wrote, “How many innocent people have been killed, the PIO will have to be held accountable.”

Rezaul Karim said, “Some local leaders have eaten the flesh of the most helpless people in the country. Now it seems that they are the real poor of the country.”

And Khorshed CHT commented, “Dumba meat has played a very effective role in exposing the character behind the beautiful face of the authorities.” Another user named Habib Al Hasan commented, "Oh my god, how much more do we have to hear?"

Some local journalists expressed their anger and said, "It is immoral and shameful to distribute meat that is due to orphans and the poor in the name of the press club. If someone takes personal advantage in the name of journalism, it tarnishes the image of the entire journalistic community."

Socially conscious circles say that the former UNO Shirin Akhter was transferred from here due to various irregularities and corruption. The people had confidence and faith in the current Upazila Nirbahi Officer Amena Marjan that she would work for the people with honesty and integrity. But the people are shocked by the incident of distributing the lamb meat that is due to orphans and the poor. They said that the image of the administration has been questioned through such an unwanted incident. Therefore, it is important to immediately conduct a proper investigation into this matter and take administrative action against those responsible.