The names of three newly formed unions in Bogura’s Mokamtala and Shibganj upazilas are being changed on the prime minister’s instructions following widespread discussion and criticism.
The formal process to change the names began yesterday (23 June) through day-long public hearings in all three unions, officials said.
The controversy began soon after a gazette was published on 14 June with the new names of the unions.
Allegations were raised that the unions were named in line with the family title and the names of the two sons of Mir Shahe Alam, lawmaker from Bogura’s Shibganj upazila and state minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives.
Criticism intensified as the names matched the ancestral home of Shahe Alam.
Later, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued instructions to change the names.
A letter signed by Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar reached the Bogura deputy commissioner’s office last Saturday (20 June).
After that, Deputy Commissioner Toufiqur Rahman formed three separate committees on changing the names of the three unions.
Accordingly, the public hearing for the Mirbari union was held at Betgari Mirbari Government Primary School.
At the same time, the public hearing for Simanta union was held at the Jagannathpur High School ground in Syedpur, while the hearing for Diganta union was held at the Bharia High School ground.
The public hearing activities were held simultaneously in the three unions from 10am to 4pm for changing the names.
In line with the prime minister’s instructions, importance was given to history, heritage and geographical identity in the renaming process.
Shibganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Hannan, convener of the Mirbari union name change committee, said the unions would be renamed based on the names proposed by locals during the public hearings.
Md Al Mamun, head of the committee on renaming Diganta union and Shibganj Upazila Rural Development Officer, said public hearings had been arranged separately in the mentioned areas.
Although yesterday’s hearing in the Bharia area ended, public hearings will be held again on 25 June in other areas, if required, he said.
The gazette publication process will begin after the convening committees send their reports following the public hearings, the official said.
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