Barlekha-Judi (Moulvibazar) Correspondent: Nahid Ahmed Bablu, Chairman of South Shahbazpur Union Parishad in Barlekha Upazila of Moulvibazar and a member of the Upazila Awami League, has been absent from his workplace for a long time. Even in emergencies, local residents cannot locate him in the area. As a result, citizens seeking services at the Union Parishad are facing severe difficulties. Meanwhile, there are rumors that Chairman Nahid Ahmed Bablu has secretly left for America to avoid arrest.
Previously, in June 2024, he traveled to America in violation of regulations and without permission from the Ministry of Local Government. Upon returning to the country after nearly three months, he resumed his duties and continued to withdraw his salary and allowances, yet, mysteriously, no action was taken against him by the concerned ministry.
According to sources, Nahid Ahmed Bablu has been absent from the South Shahbazpur Union Parishad since March 24. Service seekers visiting the Union Parishad cannot find him, and calls to his mobile phone remain unanswered as it is switched off.
On Sunday, a visit to the Union Parishad revealed crowds of people waiting for various services. Some citizens, needing urgent assistance, reported visiting 10–12 times in the past two months but could not meet the chairman. The panel chairman, UP members, and the secretary of the Union Parishad could not provide any satisfactory information about his whereabouts.
Enam Uddin, one of the affected individuals, stated that he applied online to correct his wife’s birth registration. However, after multiple visits to the Union Parishad, he has been unable to get the correction done due to the chairman’s absence. This has delayed his daughter’s school admission process. Like Enam Uddin, numerous people face harassment and various issues daily as they fail to find the chairman at the Union Parishad.
Panel Chairman Abdul Mannan said that Nahid Ahmed Bablu has been absent from the Union Parishad without informing the council or issuing a resolution since March 24. His phone remains switched off. As the chairman holds the registrar ID for birth registrations, no one else can perform the task, leaving service seekers in severe distress. On April 16, the issue was reported to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).
Attempts to contact UP Chairman Nahid Ahmed Bablu on his personal phone were unsuccessful, as it remained switched off.
Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Aslam Sarwar confirmed that Nahid Ahmed Bablu did not apply for leave. The panel chairman of the Union Parishad notified the matter in writing, reporting his prolonged absence since March 24. The district administration has been informed, and to alleviate public suffering, the senior Upazila Fisheries Officer has been appointed as the registrar.
