Mayors, councillors absent in Dhaka, civic services halted

Following the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5, councillor offices in both Dhaka's north and south city corporations have been severely damaged, with most councillors going into hiding.

Ideal School Road resident Azizur Rahman walked away disappointed from the Ward 4 councillor’s office in Mirpur-13 under Dhaka North City Corporation, or DNCC, after failing to secure a birth certificate.

"I run a shop where I help people fill out various forms, including birth registrations. I submitted several forms here before Aug 5, but since the office has been closed, nothing has been processed," he said.

The nationwide attacks following the government's fall did not spare the councillor offices in Dhaka's two city corporations. With most councillors affiliated with the Awami League, their offices have been vandalised, set on fire, and looted. Documents have been destroyed, and items meant for the underprivileged have been stolen.

Both mayors remain out of sight. DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam confirmed that he is in Dhaka but not attending office.

The whereabouts of Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh remain unknown.

Officials are now grappling with how to proceed with tasks requiring the mayor’s signature.

Despite citizens visiting the councillor offices daily, they are unable to receive services, and there is no assurance of when the situation will return to normal.

Speaking to bdnews24.com, Rabeya Akhter, the secretary of Ward No. 4, said: "On the 6th of August, some people came, vandalised the exterior, and locked the office. All activities are halted. Without the councillor, these tasks can't be done as his signature is required."

The fate of many DNCC councillors, including Panel Mayor Jamal Mostafa, has remained unclear since Aug 5, with no information on when or if they will return.

In Dhaka North, out of 54 general and 18 reserved female councillors, only four are associated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, while the rest are involved with Awami League politics.

In Dhaka South, out of 75 general and 25 reserved female councillors, 10 are linked to BNP, one is independent, and one is involved with the Bangladesh Jatiya Party.

This situation has disrupted the delivery of civic services in the city corporation. In Dhaka North, citizens cannot obtain key documents like inheritance certificates, birth certificates, death certificates, or citizenship attestations from the councillor's office.

However, in Dhaka South, there are no issues with birth and death certificates, as these are provided by the regional offices, which remain operational.

COUNCILLOR'S OFFICE BLOCKED WITH BRICK WALL

Attempts to reach 20 councillors from Dhaka's two city corporations revealed eight had their phones switched off, while 11 did not answer calls.

Only Chitta Ranjan Das, the councillor of Ward No. 5, responded, telling bdnews24.com: "Most DSCC councillors went into hiding around the 5th of August. Some are still in Dhaka, while most have left the city. Offices of almost all councillors, except those from BNP and independents, have been vandalised and set on fire.

"My office was completely destroyed. They took everything, leaving nothing behind – not even a pin. What they couldn't take, they slashed and damaged. They even built a brick wall outside the gate to prevent me from entering."

When asked how operations are continuing, he said: "The councillor's office is responsible for issuing 28 types of certificates, but with the office closed, none can be provided. I'm managing waste disposal and mosquito control activities through phone instructions."

VANDALISM, ARSON, LOOTING HIT DNCC OFFICES

On Aug 5, the councillor’s office of DNCC’s Ward No. 24 in Tejgaon’s Koloni Bazar was vandalised and set ablaze.

Upon visiting the site, the main office was found locked, with the ward secretary's room on the ground floor of the two-storey building completely burnt. All documents were destroyed, and valuable items, including computers, were looted.

The councillor is absent from the area, and the ward secretary has not returned. A mosquito control branch operates in the building, where a worker named Md Nazmul said: "People come every day for various services."

In Pallabi, the Ward No. 5 councillor's office was also vandalised. Air conditioners, computers, laptops, and essential documents, including birth registration records, were looted.

Ward Secretary Md Abdus Samad told bdnews24.com: "They took everything. We've informed the regional office in writing, and the authorities advised us to halt operations temporarily.

“There's nothing left to work with here. At least 50 people come every day and leave without receiving any services."

On the same day, the councillor's office of Ward No. 39 in Badda was also vandalised.

Ward Secretary Nesar Ahmed Russell told bdnews24.com: "They attacked that day and took everything. Even the TCB (Trading Corporation of Bangladesh) rice stock was looted.

"There's nothing left in the office except the surrounding walls. Some birth certificates and other documents were ready, along with 2.5 tonnes of rice allocated for the poor. Those documents were destroyed. The councillor is on the run, and many people call me for services, but it's impossible to provide any under these conditions."

Mir Khairul Alam, DNCC’s chief executive officer, told bdnews24.com: "The regional office was set on fire and vandalised, but it hasn't reached a condition where it can't be used. Operations are ongoing there.

"The new government has just assumed office. They will probably decide on these issues. No one has asked the councillors to leave, but it wouldn’t seem right to ask them to return under these circumstances. They are an elected council, and if they are absent due to any psychological threats, that's a different matter."

WHERE ARE THE MAYORS?

DNCC Mayor Atiqul told bdnews24.com on Monday that he is in Dhaka but is currently not going to the office. He is maintaining constant communication with officials via telephone.

"I am providing instructions for various official tasks over the phone. I am handling the tasks within my scope and want everything to return to normal. I hope the councillors resume their work, so the public is not deprived of services."

Following the call for a non-cooperation movement demanding the government's resignation, a photo of Dhaka South mayor Taposh boarding a plane went viral. It remains unclear whether he left the country that day.

In response to queries about handling documents needing the mayor’s signature, DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Mizanur Rahman said: “I cannot confirm when the mayor will return. Our work has resumed with the advisor (AF Hasan Ariff: Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives) now on board, and we will work with him and the secretary to ensure that tasks proceed smoothly.”

Regarding ongoing operations, he added: "The city's most crucial tasks, waste management and mosquito control, are running at full capacity. Councillors are unable to perform their duties at their usual locations but are trying to provide services from alternative places. Residents can visit our regional executive offices for services."

WHAT IF REPRESENTATIVES DO NOT RETURN

“The government will set a deadline for those who are currently in hiding to return,” local government expert Tofail Ahmed told bdnews24.com on Monday.

“If they do not come back or fail to respond to the letter within that time frame, their posts will be cancelled,” he said.

“After cancellation, the councillors will elect a panel mayor. If this does not happen, new elections will be held or administrators will be appointed.”

AF Hassan Ariff, advisor to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, was contacted to provide the interim government's perspective on this issue, but he did not answer the call.

During a meeting with local government department officials on Sunday, he said administrative responsibilities must be managed according to laws and regulations for future development and welfare.

WASA MD ABSENT

There were no attacks or vandalism at any Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, or DWASA, facilities before or after the government’s fall.

On Aug 5, a group attempted to vandalise the Saidabad Water Treatment Plant but left after WASA officials intervened.

Since Hasina’s resignation and departure from the country, Dhaka WASA Managing Director Taqsem A Khan has been keeping a low profile.

After the fall of the government, a section of WASA officials barred Taqsem and several other senior officials from entering the WASA building.

As a result, they are not coming to the office.

A WASA official, who requested anonymity, said: “MD Sir is in Dhaka. He intended to come to the office on Sunday but faced disruptions from employees protesting outside his room.”

“Officials supporting him have also been threatened. Therefore, he did not come. Our office work is ongoing and not significantly disrupted.”

Attempts to contact Taqsem via mobile phone and WhatsApp for comments were unsuccessful.

[Writing in English by Arshi Fatiha Quazi and Fariha Bristy]