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Published : 12 Aug 2025, 07:51 PM
A video showing the Upazila administrator (UNO) of Atpara in Netrokona beating a teenager with a stick has gone viral, prompting public outrage.
Although the incident took place in the final week of March at the Baniyajan Union Parishad hall room, the footage surfaced recently.
One resident has already filed a case against UNO Ruel Sangma over the assault.
On Aug 7, a man identified only as Raihan lodged a complaint with Deputy Commissioner (DC) Banani Biswas, demanding action against the UNO.
The DC said the divisional office had initiated disciplinary proceedings.
According to local accounts and complaint documents, the incident occurred on Mar 24 during the distribution of rice under the VGF programme at the union office. A rush broke out as people scrambled for their allocation. In response to reports of irregularities, UNO Ruel arrived at the scene.
During the commotion, a 17-year-old boy accidentally fell against the UNO, who then struck him multiple times with a stick.
The 20-second video that later went viral shows the UNO beating the teenager inside a crowded office.
Several Ansar and police personnel were present, some of whom attempted to restrain the officer.
The footage also shows the UNO stumbling during the altercation.
The boy was eventually released after his aunt signed a written undertaking.
Out of fear, he and his financially insolvent family initially kept the incident quiet.
Once the video began circulating online, however, the matter drew wider attention.
Recounting the incident, the teenager said: "It was Ramadan. I went to the union office for VGF rice. There was a bamboo barrier in the queue, and during the rush, it was removed. People started pushing. I fell against the UNO. He slapped me and then took me inside.
“He beat me with a stick on my hands and back. I begged for forgiveness at his feet. Later, my aunt secured my release."
His aunt said she had also gone to collect rice that day. Boys and girls were queued separately. After the UNO began hitting her nephew, she approached the officer and pleaded for forgiveness, but he continued the beating.
Efforts to contact UNO Ruel were unsuccessful.
