Trishal UNO withdrawn over slapping incident

Arafat Siddiqui, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Trishal in Mymensingh, who drew widespread criticism for assaulting a worker at a sand quarry, has been withdrawn and attached to the Ministry of Public Administration.

The decision was revealed through a letter issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Thursday evening.

Earlier that afternoon, the UNO expressed regret over the incident. The development came following a meeting held at a hospital owned by local Member of Parliament Mahbubur Rahman, upon the lawmaker's initiative. The meeting was attended by local public representatives, BNP leaders, and other relevant individuals, where the matter was reportedly resolved.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the UNO stated that the incident was wrong and expressed his regret over it.

However, attempts to contact him by phone afterward for further comments went unanswered, and local MP Mahbubur Rahman could not be reached by phone either.

UNO Arafat Siddiqui slapped and assaulted a worker of the sand quarry lessee in the Kalirbazar area of Trishal on Wednesday. A video of the incident subsequently went viral on social media, sparking intense discussion and criticism.

The decision to attach him to the Ministry of Public Administration was announced within just one day of the incident occurring.