Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Yusuf Ali Withdrawn on the Night of the Prime Minister's Visit: Viral Airport Video Sparks Discussion

Rajshahi's Divisional Commissioner Yusuf Ali has been withdrawn and attached to the Ministry of Public Administration. A notification signed on Tuesday night by Jeti Pru, a deputy secretary of the ministry, announced the withdrawal. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had visited Rajshahi the same day — and the withdrawal order came that very night.

The notification gave no reason for Yusuf Ali's withdrawal. It stated: 'This order, issued in the public interest, shall take effect today.' In effect, he was stand-released — ordered to leave his post immediately and join the ministry.

News of the divisional commissioner's stand release emerged that night. It was learned that he had been instructed to hand over charge by 11pm. After receiving the notification, Yusuf Ali held a brief meeting with officials at his office that night.

Within the stipulated time, he handed over charge to Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) Rezaul Alam Sarkar. Leaving his post that night, he departed Rajshahi by car; at 11:30pm he crossed the city's Talaimari area. He has since reached Dhaka.

As news of the withdrawal spread, several calls were made to the divisional commissioner's official mobile phone, but no one received them. Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Mohammad Habibur Rahman did answer his phone, but on hearing the question he said he could not hear anything and would talk later, then disconnected the call.

Although the notification gives no official answer to why he was withdrawn, eyewitness sources have described an incident. On Tuesday evening, as the Prime Minister was leaving Rajshahi, Divisional Commissioner Yusuf Ali allegedly behaved in an unrestrained manner at Hazrat Shah Makhdum (R.) Airport, according to eyewitnesses.

A short video clip from that moment has since gone viral on social media. The video shows police and administration officials standing in a line as the Prime Minister bid farewell. The Prime Minister was shaking hands with them. He extended his hand towards the divisional commissioner as well.

At that point, Divisional Commissioner Yusuf Ali stepped forward. While shaking hands, he tried to touch the Prime Minister from behind with his other hand. The Prime Minister stepped back slightly and advised him to stand in line. Many people sharing the video on Facebook have described it as Yusuf Ali's unrestrained behaviour.

On Wednesday morning, Mobassher Ali, convener of the NCP's Rajshahi metropolitan unit, wrote on Facebook: 'The Rajshahi divisional commissioner has been made OSD for trying to hug the Prime Minister by breaking protocol!' His remark has further fuelled discussion about the reason behind the withdrawal.

Several sources at the Rajshahi divisional commissioner's office said Additional Secretary Yusuf Ali had been instructed on Wednesday morning to join the Ministry of Public Administration. In line with that instruction, he set off for Dhaka right after handing over charge at night.

Yusuf Ali's Rajshahi chapter lasted only two months. Earlier, on 19 August, when the then divisional commissioner Dr A N M Bazlur Rashid was withdrawn and attached to the Ministry of Public Administration, Yusuf Ali was appointed the new divisional commissioner of Rajshahi that very day. Two months on, he too has been withdrawn.

The backdrop at that time was also eventful. On 12 August, allegations of protests and vandalism arose in front of the UNO offices in Natore's Lalpur and Bagatipara over the publication of results for recruiting family-card data collectors and supervisors. On 18 August, administrative officers of the two UNO offices filed two separate complaints at the respective police stations, naming BNP leaders and activists as accused. The next day, Lalpur UNO Md Barkat Ullah was transferred to the divisional commissioner's office, while District Commissioner Asma Shahin and Divisional Commissioner Bazlur Rashid were withdrawn.

Thus, within two months, the post of Rajshahi divisional commissioner has seen a withdrawal for the second time. This time the withdrawal came on the night of the Prime Minister's own visit, accompanied by wide discussion over the viral airport video. It remains to be seen who is appointed as Rajshahi's new divisional commissioner and whether the government offers any official explanation regarding Yusuf Ali.