A local political activist faces accusations of dismantling a vital public iron bridge without official authorization, leaving hundreds of residents across four villages stranded in Rajapur, Jhalakathi. The removal of the structure, carried out without arranging any alternative crossing, has severed daily communication and caused widespread hardship for the local community.
The incident occurred on Friday, 21 August, in the North Tarabunia area of Saturia Union. Residents caught Mamun Akon, general secretary of the Saturia Union Sechchhasebak Dal, removing iron beams and structural components from the old bridge over the Edbar Canal. The structure served as the primary transit point for school and college students, elderly citizens, and daily commuters connecting nearby villages.
Although the aged bridge had suffered partial damage to its concrete slabs in recent years, local residents had maintained makeshift wooden planks to cross safely. It remained the sole effective link across the canal. Confronted by angry locals while secretly stripping the metal beams, Akon claimed he acted with verbal permission from Union Parishad Chairman Syed Mainul Haider Nipu and female ward member Firoza Khanam to deposit the materials at the council office, citing his role in local social work.
However, Chairman Syed Mainul Haider Nipu firmly refuted Akon’s statements, clarifying that no such permission was granted. Nipu noted that removing public infrastructure requires an official council resolution, administrative clearance, and prior arrangement of a alternative crossing for pedestrians. He added that Akon possessed no legal authority to remove municipal property.
Following local complaints, officials from the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) arrived at the scene, catalogued the dismantled materials, and placed them in the custody of the local village police. Rajapur Upazila LGED Engineer S M Ziaul Haq confirmed that no prior permission had been sought or issued for the removal. Rajapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rifat Ara Mouri stated that an investigation is underway, assuring that strict legal action will follow if the allegations are validated.
Leaders of the Rajapur Upazila Sechchhasebak Dal also distanced the organisation from the action, describing it as an individual act and promising disciplinary measures if guilt is established. Meanwhile, affected villagers have appealed for urgent intervention from the local administration and LGED authorities to either restore the bridge or erect an immediate temporary bypass to restore normal movement.
