The demonstration demanding the resignation of AKM Fazlullah, the Managing Director (MD) of Chattogram Wasa continued for the 3rd consecutive day on Tuesday.
The protesters besieged the Wasa building in the morning when clashes erupted between the demonstrators and workers supporting the MD. Later army personnel brought the situation under control.
The protest, organised under the banner of Chattogram Anti-Discrimination Citizens' Society, began at 11 am when they chanted slogans demanding the MD's resignation.
Various organisations have been holding demonstrations for the past three days demanding his resignation.
Witnesses said when the demonstrators tried to enter the MD’s office at the Wasa building, they were obstructed by some temporary employees of Wasa, leading to an altercation between the two groups.
Nurul Islam, a temporary worker of Chattogram Wasa, said, "Over the last 15 years under the Awami League government, at least 300 temporary employees have been recruited at Wasa. None of them have been made permanent in the revenue sector. We have demanded that the MD make our jobs permanent."
Protester Abdul Mohin said, "For the past 15 years, all recruitments at Chattogram Wasa have been marred by corruption. Only leaders and activists of the Awami League were hired. The 300 temporary workers should be sacked, and new recruitment should be done to hire qualified people."
SM Nazer Hossain, Vice President of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), who was present with the protesters, said, "There are many allegations of corruption and irregularities against the MD of Chattogram Wasa. He has not been able to complete any project on time. The duration and cost of every project have increased due to corruption. Conscious citizens of Chattogram are staging the protest demanding his resignation. The protests will continue."
Chattogram Wasa MD Fazlullah responded to the allegations, saying, "The protesters are accusing me of irregularities and corruption in projects and of nepotism in hiring. These allegations are completely false. I have not taken a single penny from any project, nor have I employed anyone through nepotism."
Earlier on Monday, the Chattogram Wasa Jatiyatabadi Sramik Karmachari Dal issued an ultimatum to AKM Fazlullah, demanding the fulfilment of four demands. The ultimatum was given after a sit-in protest at the Wasa building.
On Sunday afternoon, another protest demanding the MD’s resignation and the fulfilment of 17 demands was held under the banner of the Chattogram Anti-Discrimination Citizens' Society.
AKM Fazlullah retired as the Supervising Engineer of Chattogram Wasa in 2000. After the Awami League came to power, he was appointed as the chairman of the Chattogram Wasa Board for one year on July 6, 2009. He served another year as Chairman. In 2011, the position of Managing Director was created at Chattogram Wasa, similar to that of Dhaka Wasa, and the Wasa Board was restructured.
Fazlullah, who was the then chairman, was appointed as the MD, and he has held the position for the last 15 years.
