Staff Correspondent: The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has come under fire after the government sent three of its members and one commissioner into retirement and suspended another commissioner. These moves, coupled with ongoing Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigations into several other officials, have triggered fear among those involved in the recent anti-reform protests under the banner of NBR Reform Unity Council.
Protesters claim they withdrew their movement on 29 June following assurances from government and business leaders, only to now face punitive actions. The very mediators-business leaders-who facilitated the truce are reportedly embarrassed by the turn of events.
On Wednesday, NBR members Alomgir Hossain (Income Tax), Hossain Ahmad (Customs Policy & ICT), and Abdur Rouf (VAT Policy), along with Commissioner Shabbir Ahmed of Barishal Tax Zone, were retired under the Public Service Act 2018 (Section 45) for completing 25 years in service. The government framed it as a move in the "public interest." All four will receive retirement benefits as per the rules.
Earlier, on Tuesday night, Zakir Hossain, Acting Commissioner of Chattogram Custom House, was suspended for allegedly disrupting import-export operations by keeping the office closed on 28 and 29 June. The government cited his defiance of official instructions and imposed a temporary suspension with subsistence allowance pending investigation.
Business leaders who brokered the initial peace are now expressing discomfort. Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, President of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI), remarked that while the protest shutdowns had held the nation "hostage," the government had assured no job losses. "We communicated this to officials to encourage them to call off the strike. But now, the exact opposite is happening," he told Samakal. He added that if any wrongdoing had occurred, disciplinary actions could have been taken later, and that the government's disregard for the mediators' role is disheartening.
The movement gained momentum after the government issued an ordinance on 12 May, splitting the NBR into two divisions-Revenue Policy and Revenue Administration. In response, NBR officials began protesting under the NBR Reform Unity Council. The initial phase ended when the Ministry of Finance assured amendments by 31 July. However, a second phase began on 22 June with demands for the NBR chairman's removal, culminating in a total shutdown on 28-29 June, which saw Chattogram's customs office closed and import-export activities come to a halt.
Officials returned to work on 30 June after business leaders mediated a resolution. NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan urged everyone to "forget the past and return to duty." Yet, in the days that followed, punitive actions have mounted.
The ACC has also stepped in. On 29 June, it launched probes against several high-ranking officials, including Member A K M Badiul Alam and Additional Commissioners Hasan Mohammad Tarek Rikabdar, Mirza Ashiq Rana, Monalisa Shahreen Sushmita, and Sadhan Kumar Kundu. Another round of investigations was announced on Thursday against Member Mohammad Alomgir Hossain, Member Lutfur Azim, and several others.
Amid the flurry of disciplinary measures, protest leaders are rattled. Three top officers, speaking anonymously, said they felt betrayed after withdrawing their support in good faith. "We joined the protests under pressure and assurances. Now, we're facing retribution," one officer said, calling on the government to show restraint.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed also voiced concerns. "No one supports halting port operations, but we were told that if the protest ended, the officials would be treated sympathetically. Now, we're ashamed," he said. "The government must consider whether this crushing of morale is wise."
As tensions mount, both the protesters and mediators await signs of moderation from the government, hoping that a path of reconciliation can still be found before the situation deteriorates further.