Barguna UNO transferred to cabinet div

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Barguna Sadar Kazi Tariq Salman, who was sued for publishing a portrait of Bangabandhu recently, has been transferred to the cabinet division as senior assistant secretary.

The public administration ministry issued a gazette notification on Monday in this regard.

Salman had printed the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, drawn by a child, on an invitation card.

Tariq was the Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Agailjhara upazila in Barisal at that time.

Later former Awami League leader of Barisal district unit filed the Tk 5-crore defamation case against the UNO on charge of using a 'distorted' portrait of Bangabandhu in the invitation card issued on the occasion of Independence Day.

On July 19, Barisal CMM court sent UNO Tariq to jail after he surrendered before it in compliance with its order and sought bail in the defamation case. He was granted bail hours after he landed in jail.

In the face of severe criticism, ruling Awami League suspended Sazu, who later withdrew the case. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was critical of filing the case against the UNO.

Following the incident the deputy commissioners of Barguna and Barisal were withdrawn on July 24. On July 25, the law ministry sent a proposal to the Supreme Court for transferring Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Barisal Md Ali Hossain who had dealt with the defamation case against Tariq Salman.