Ashiqur Rahman Chowdhury, Sreemangal:
In Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, deprived general members of the Traders’ Association organized a human chain, submitted a memorandum, and cut a cake to mark the eighth anniversary of alleged constitutional violations and autocracy by the expired committee of the Traders’ Association.
On Thursday (May 8) at noon, under the banner of the deprived general members of the Sreemangal Traders’ Association, an unusual protest program was held at the Sreemangal Choumuhona Square. The banner read slogans such as “Long live autocratic leaders, eternal be despotism” and mentioned the “Eighth Anniversary of Constitutional Violation and Autocracy (2017–2025).”
During the human chain, the deprived general traders said, “We, the general members of the Sreemangal Traders’ Association, have been deprived of the opportunity to directly elect competent representatives through voting for five years. The leaders of the expired committee have yet to provide a clear explanation as to under which clause of the unanimously approved constitution the election was suspended and how they are continuing to operate and fulfill their duties despite their tenure ending years ago. The leaders elected through our votes have continuously delayed holding elections, depriving us of our fundamental constitutional right to vote. For years, we have been conducting various programs to demand the formation of an acceptable committee through voting. Today’s program is part of that effort. Over the years, we have held discussion meetings with traders, human chains, distributed leaflets, and submitted several memorandums to the Upazila Parishad Office, Upazila Executive Officer, and Municipal Administrator’s Office. However, no effective steps have been taken to establish the democratic rights of the association’s members to date. To make the Sreemangal Traders’ Association more dynamic, we, the general members of the association, strongly demand an immediate, fair, and impartial election. We call upon the Upazila Executive Officer and the relevant authorities to take responsible action and provide sincere cooperation in completing all preparations for the association’s election as soon as possible and allowing general members to elect trade leaders through direct voting.”
During the human chain, a cake was cut to celebrate the eighth anniversary of autocracy. Following the human chain, the deprived general members of the Sreemangal Traders’ Association submitted a memorandum to the Upazila Executive Officer’s office. Traders Mohammad Shahin Ahmed, Fakhrul Ahmed, Rafiqul Islam, Shahadat Hossain, Rafi Ahmed, Ripon Mia, and Belal Ahmed, among others, participated in the program.
Mohammad Shahin Ahmed, a member of the Sreemangal Traders’ Association, said, “The committee, supported by the previous autocratic fascist government, has turned a well-organized and strong institution into an ineffective entity. Ignoring the opinions of the general members, the trade leaders have retained their positions for more than five years without holding elections. The last election of the Sreemangal Traders’ Association was held on May 24, 2017, and a three-year term committee was formed. No further elections or committee formation has occurred since then. To make the Sreemangal Traders’ Association more dynamic, the general members of the association demand an immediate, fair, and impartial election according to the amended constitution of 2010.”
When asked about this, ASM Yahya, President of the Sreemangal Traders’ Association, said, “In 2017, a committee was formed for a three-year term through elections. Even though the term has long expired, we could not hold elections, which is truly embarrassing. All the advisors of our Traders’ Association are now in hiding. However, we have communicated with the UNO and submitted documents to the UNO office for the election. We hope to announce the schedule and proceed with the election process very soon.”
Sreemangal Upazila Executive Officer Md. Islam Uddin said, “A few months ago, some members of the Sreemangal Traders’ Association came to me to discuss the matter. The current committee leaders have also contacted me about this. However, no final discussions or decisions have been made yet.” Regarding the memorandum, the UNO said, “I am currently attending an external meeting outside Sreemangal. I have not yet seen today’s memorandum. I will look into the matter after returning to the office.”
