Minister allegedly beats PDB engineer

Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Abdul Latif Siddique allegedly beat an engineer of the Power Development Board (PDB) in Tangail’s Kalihati Upazila on Friday.

The minister at his home in the Upazila reportedly beat Deputy Assistant Engineer (Sales and Distribution) Purna Chandra Pal with a stick around 9pm.

Pal, who was injured in the head, received treatment at Kalihati Upazila Health Complex.

Latif Siddique, however, apologised later to him, the engineer told reporters.

File Photo

Upazila PDB Assistant Engineer Md Rafiqul Islam told bdnews24.com that the minister had summoned the Executive Engineer of sales and distribution to discuss the power cuts and electricity-related allegations from the constituency.

Pal had gone to meet Siddique at night instead of the official who was unavailable.

Islam said, “I heard that Purna Chandra Pal kept his hands in his trouser’s pockets while standing in front of the minister. The minister at first scorned him and hit him at one point with a stick.”

As reporters met Pal at his home around 11pm and asked about the incident, he said he had met the minister again after receiving treatment.

The minister apologised to him at the time, he said.

Siddique, who is also a presidium member of the ruling Awami League, was unavailable for comments.