The tug of war between the deputy commissioner (DC) and the Awami League lawmaker in Pabna is a consequence of their longstanding conflict over administrative affairs, especially development work and recruitment.
Golam Faruk Khandaker Prince, a Pabna sadar constituency lawmaker, alleged that the DC was acting against him and the ruling Awami League.
Deputy Commissioner AFM Monjur Kadir, on the contrary, says the lawmaker has been pressurising him to realise “unethical demands”.
Friday's untoward incident in which Jubo League and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists attacked government officials was the latest outburst for the DC's constant denial to entertain the lawmaker's demand, administration sources said.
"The DC is not a good person, and he doesn't work for me or for the party [AL]. He is trying to tarnish my image by spreading propaganda against me," the lawmaker told The Daily Star yesterday.
The DC, however, denied the lawmaker's allegation. "I can't entertain any unlawful demand of the lawmaker. I'll discharge my duty as per the rules," he said.
In Friday's flare-up, more than 100 activists of Jubo League and BCL swooped into two examination centres during a recruitment test of class-III government employees.
The attackers also assaulted senior officers, and vandalised their vehicles.
Following the incident, a section of AL activists supported by the MP organised a press conference against the local administration and formed a human chain demanding removal of the DC.
They, however, later denied holding any press conference or human chain.
The conflict between the two first occurred in April this year centring recruitment of some class-IV employees for the district administration.
Of 12 posts for office bearers, the MP requested to recruit 10 of his men, Awami League and administration sources said, adding that only one of his men got the job.
The DC's stand not to recommend withdrawing a murder case against Pabna sadar upazila Chairman Mosharraf Hossain as per the lawmaker's request was another reason for the conflict, they said.
The chairman is known to be a close associate of the lawmaker.
The two also have had differences over allotment of Test Relief (TR) rice and corrugated iron (CI) sheets meant for the poor people in the district.
The lawmaker demanded some 75 tonnes of TR rice and 65 bundles of CI sheets allocated for the poor, said the DC.
"We can't give him the rice, as it came for municipality." Regarding the CI sheets, he said, "We couldn't give him [the MP] more as we had to distribute them among the affected people."
Recently, the lawmaker requested the DC to remove the principal of Pabna Homeopathy College. The management committee headed by the DC refused to accept his request, further deteriorating the relation between them, sources at the DC office said in return for anonymity.
A number of senior Awami League leaders and general voters in the district are disappointed with the “arrogance and poor performance” of the lawmaker.
They believe the first-time lawmaker will not be able to implement his key election pledges -- to free the town from drug and terrorism.
Several AL leaders have also deserted the MP for his “controversial role” and the conflict with the administration. The MP, also the organising secretary of Pabna district AL, does not communicate with the senior party leaders in making decisions, local leaders said.
"Friday's incident has tarnished the image of the MP and the Awami League at large. The problem must be resolved properly," said advocate Amjad Hossain, a veteran AL leader and former lawmaker of Pabna sadar.
He said the untoward incident occurred as the DC and MP failed to work through coordination. "The prime minister should take the matter seriously on her return from abroad," he added.
Freedom fighter and AL supporter Baby Islam said the party and the MP cannot avoid responsibility in the incident.
Asked about his alleged arrogance, Golam Faruk Prince said he is new in the parliament, and might make some mistakes.
On Friday's incident, he said it occurred due to the non-cooperation of the DC, adding that actions will be taken against those involved.
One week on, police have arrested two of the 31 persons accused in the case filed in this connection. Sources at the DC office said the main accused are moving freely in the city but police cannot find them.
Police yesterday arrested Mamun Haider Rony, former BCL president of Edward College unit, BCL activist Sujon, and Jubo League activists Sarwar Hossain and Abdul Mannan.
Badruddoza, sub-inspector of Pabna Sadar Police Station, said detained Mamun and Sujon are accused in the case while Sarwar and Mannan suspects.
The SI said they arrested the four raiding different places in the town.
Jamil Ahmed, Pabna police superintendent, said they are trying to arrest the other accused.
Meanwhile, the district administration will today sit with the civil society members and other professionals to discuss the incident of the attack on the officials.