She was a trusted confidant of Nasrul Hamid Bipu, former State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources under fascist Sheikh Hasina's government, and the notorious Shahin Ahmed, former Chairman of Keraniganj Upazila Parishad. Leveraging these connections, she amassed significant wealth through a contracting company, despite being a woman. During the Awami League's 16-17 years in power, she established a stronghold in her area, Suvadda. Meanwhile, the controversial Sathi Ali, General Secretary of Suvadda Union No. 2 Ward Awami League and three-time member, wielded influence that reached all the way to the ministry under the regime's dominance.
After the Awami League was ousted during the July Revolution, Sathi Ali, who had opposed the student movement, went into hiding but has since resurfaced, now more powerful. Despite viral images of her suppressing the movement, she smoothly transitioned from Union Parishad member to chairman in an Independent Bangladesh.
Observers condemn Sathi Ali's appointment as chairman, seeing it as a betrayal of the martyrs and those who fought during the July Revolution. Locals have expressed outrage, denouncing her role in suppressing the movement and her involvement in attempted murder cases, calling the appointment a betrayal of the martyrs' sacrifice.
Earlier, on February 11, a notification signed by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Rinat Fowzia, appointed Sathi Ali as the chairman of the village court in Suvadda Union Parishad. According to the administration, in Union Parishads where elected chairmen have been consistently absent, administrators have been appointed in accordance with the Union Parishad Act of 2009. Additionally, under Section 5(2) of the Village Court Act, 2006, Sathi Ali has been appointed as chairman to oversee the operation of the village court.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Keraniganj has protested the appointment of Sathi, a close associate of the autocratic Awami League, as chairman of the village court in the Union Parishad. Representatives of the movement met with Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rinat Fowzia, demanding the cancellation of her appointment.
This issue has sparked outrage among the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and members of the South Keraniganj thana BNP. Even many Awami League leaders in hiding have voiced their discontent, questioning whether it is not discrimination for someone to flee after facing charges while another becomes chairman. They claim that this is ultimately a game of money, with chairmen being appointed in various unions in exchange for substantial sums.
Various party leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens believe that the situation could escalate into any kind of unforeseen incident at any time. In this regard, Ayatullah Saimon Chowdhury, a July Revolution injured, described the Upazila administration's decision as a suicidal one. He said that the matter should have been more thoroughly examined before making such a decision. He also criticized the appointment of Awami League allies, calling it a shameful act of rehabilitating them by giving them positions.
In response to the issue, Imran Hossain, a member of the central publicity cell of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, said, "Did we shed our blood and give our lives during the July Revolution for this? Those who tortured students and the public are now the judges? We strongly condemn and protest the appointment of this village court chairman. We hope the administration will reconsider this flawed decision."
The Officer-in-Charge of South Keraniganj Thana, Md Mazharul Islam, confirmed that two cases have been filed against the newly appointed chairman of the village court. However, no statement has been received from Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rinat Fowzia regarding the matter.
It is worth noting that out of the 12 unions in Keraniganj Upazila, the current elected chairman in Taghoria Union is from the Awami League, panel chairmen are serving in Hazratpur and Taranagar unions, while administrators are overseeing the remaining 9 unions: Konda, Suvadda, Basta, Kalindi, Aganagar, zinzira, Ruhitpur, Sakta, and Kalatia.
The names of the accused, including Sathi Ali, are listed in the First Information Report (FIR).
Translated by ARK/Bd-Pratidin English
