Red Crescent Society 'inactive' as most members wanted by police

Nine out of 11 members of its executive committee are BNP leaders and followers of former party lawmaker Wadud Bhuiyan, now in jail on corruption charges.

The nine Wadud loyalists are now wanted by police for alleged corruption, terrorising people and rival political activists, land grabbing and other charges. They are fleeing after takeover by the present caretaker government.

Even regular meetings of the executive committee are not held for lack of quorum, let alone any activity by the humanitarian organisation, sources said.

Talking to this correspondent, assistant director of the district Red Crescent Society HM Khalilur Rahman said, all its activities have been stalled as decision can not be taken in absence of executive committee members.

"We are in great trouble and need an immediate decision about absentee members", he said.

Khagrachhari District Council Chairman Minindral Tripura said, Red Crescent activities are being greatly hampered. "I have sent a letter to authorities concerned to change the committee", he told this correspondent yesterday.

Only three out of the 11 members turned up for the annual general meeting scheduled early this month. The meeting was not held for lack of quorum, sources said.

The EC members, now on the run include its secretary Wadud Bhuiyan's nephew Daudul Islam Bhuiyan, district BNP organising secretary Mostafizur Rahman Millat, cashier Mohammad Selim, publicity and office secretary Mohammad Nazrul Islam, social welfare secretary Belayet Hossain and Sadar upazila BNP secretary MN Abser.

Moveable property of the six BNP leaders were attached on May 3 following a court order as they did not appear before court in connection with cases.

The BNP leaders 'took over' the Red Crescent society in the district after Wadud Bhuiyan became lawmaker in 2001 election.

"The forcibly drove out previous committee members after the 4-party alliance came to power", the then district secretary of Red Crescent Society, Kongjore Marma said.

"We were elected to the committee but they forcibly drove us out", he said.

"We did not go to court or complain to authorities fearing reprisal", Marma said.