NBR officials barred from entering office; security forces deployed

A significant deployment of army, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Coast Guard, and Ansar personnel surrounded the Revenue Bhaban this morning (26 June) as officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) continued protesting, demanding the removal of chairman Abdur Rahman Khan.

Law enforcement officials barred the protesting staff from entering the office premises on Thursday.

The protests, organized under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Parishad, involve a sit-in and pen-down strike inside the NBR Bhaban, with staff citing alleged irregularities and mismanagement by the chairman.

Despite a circular from the Finance Ministry on 25 June urging staff to return to work and promising resolution through dialogue, the protesters said they received no official communication and refused to participate in talks. They have announced a “March to NBR” on 28 June and warned of a complete shutdown if their demands are unmet.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) had earlier banned gatherings in and around the NBR Bhaban starting 21 June.

Today’s sit-in and pen-down strike, held from 12 pm to 5 pm despite the ban, was met with a blockade by police and army personnel.

“We are not being allowed to enter the NBR building; we are now positioned outside,” said Hasan Muhammad Tareq Rikabder, Additional Commissioner and president of the NBR Reform Unity Parishad.