Paikgachha Residents Demand Permanent Removal of Suspended UP Chairman

Locals in Lata Union, Paikgachha, held a human chain on Thursday morning demanding the permanent dismissal of the temporarily suspended Union Parishad (UP) Chairman, Kajal Kanti Biswas.

The demonstration took place on the main road in front of the Lata Union Parishad office. Chaired by Lata Union BNP General Secretary Abu Musa Sardar and moderated by Shahidul Islam Khalifa, the event featured speeches from various community members, including retired teacher Nitya Ranjan Biswas, Sushant Mondal, and Akhter Sardar. Speakers criticized the chairman's conduct and urged authorities to finalize his removal to maintain the integrity of the local government.

The controversy stems from the leak of an objectionable video call involving the chairman and a young girl, which sparked widespread public outrage and led to a previous "broom procession" and formal complaints. Following recommendations from the Khulna Deputy Commissioner and the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), the Ministry of Local Government temporarily suspended Biswas in June 2023.

Although he was later reinstated after a three-month suspension, he has reportedly been absent from the council since the political transition on August 5, 2024. The human chain was organized following news that Upazila SFDF Officer GM Zakaria visited the council on Thursday afternoon for an investigation into further allegations of irregularities and corruption.