PABNA, Sep 01 (V7N) — Leaders of the Pabna district unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have accused Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS) Pabna district convener Khaled Hossain Parag of creating fear and panic among the public, abusing his position, tarnishing the image of the government and behaving improperly with party leaders and activists.

The BNP leaders said they submitted a written application to the Prime Minister on Sunday, August 30, seeking necessary action over the allegations. Parag is also reportedly serving as the Prime Minister’s personal photographer.

The allegations were raised at a press conference organised by the Pabna district BNP at the Pabna Press Club auditorium at noon on Monday.

District BNP Joint Convener Nur Mohammad Masum Boga spoke on behalf of the party leaders at the press conference. Other senior leaders present included Joint Conveners Abdus Samad Khan Montu, Abu Obaida Sheikh Tuhin, Mahmudunnabi Swapan and Mosabbir Hossain Sanju, as well as Sadar Upazila BNP Convener AKM Musa and Member Secretary Rehanul Islam Bulbul.

According to the written complaint distributed to journalists, BNP leaders have been observing with concern that Parag has allegedly been threatening some businesspeople in Pabna through Facebook for some time.

The complaint further alleged that accusations of extortion against Parag have been circulated through various Facebook accounts. BNP leaders claimed that these allegations have repeatedly put them in a difficult position when responding to questions from members of the public.

The complaint also stated that whenever district BNP leaders attempted to discuss the allegations with Parag or resolve the matter through dialogue, he allegedly became agitated and behaved improperly with several party leaders.

The BNP leaders said they did not want the alleged actions of an individual to damage the reputation of the party or the Prime Minister in the eyes of the public. They therefore urged the Prime Minister to take the matter seriously and initiate necessary action against Parag.

The written complaint was signed by seven senior district BNP leaders, including District BNP Convener Habibur Rahman Habib and Member Secretary Advocate Maksudur Rahman Khandaker.

Asked about the allegations, Parag dismissed the BNP leaders' claims.

"You can write whatever you want. I don't have time to think about what they said or did. I don't give their statements any importance. Write whatever you want," he said.

Earlier, on August 2, a human chain and memorandum submission programme was held in Pabna under the banner of the Conscious Citizens' Society. Participants raised allegations against Parag, including extortion, land grabbing and threatening journalists.

The allegations against Parag have not been independently verified.

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