Functions at Nagar Bhaban resume

Functions at Nagar Bhaban, the headquarters of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), resumed on Monday after it was locked for 40 consecutive days.

However, DSCC Administrator Shahajan Mia and some engineers were not present, while their office rooms were locked.

During a visit to Nagar Bhaban, the FE found officials and employees of different sections entering Nagar Bhaban.

Supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain started a sit-in at Nagar Bhaban on May 14 that continued until June 22, demanding that Ishraque should be sworn in as DSCC mayor. Rendering services to city dwellers were halted during the demonstration.

An official told the FE that officials and employees of different sections attended their workplaces. Some officials, however, were absent from work. Besides, some emergency sections are providing services at a slow pace. Service-seekers gathered at different sections for getting birth, death and inheritance certificates. Some of them expressed the hope that rendering full-scale services will begin within the next couple of days.

Talking to the FE, security personnel at the main gate of Nagar Bhaban said that they unlocked the main gate following the directives of high-ups. Requesting anonymity, a high-ranking official of Nagar Bhaban told the FE that the movement waged by Ishraque's supporters did not end. He said that they have become soft considering the woes of the city dwellers.

Other 10 regional offices of DSCC functioned normally on Monday. However, engineers at regional offices did not come to their offices.

On March 27, the Dhaka Electoral Tribunal annulled the mayoral election results that declared Awami League leader Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh as mayor of DSCC. The tribunal declared BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as mayor.

The Election Commission also issued a gazette notification on April 27 declaring Ishraque Hossain as mayor of DSCC. But Ishraque Hossain couldn't take the oath of office as initiative was not taken by the authorities concerned, prompting Ishraque's supporters to stage protests at Nagar Bhaban.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com