The activities of the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) have come to a standstill as Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury has gone into hiding following the collapse of the Awami League government.
The mayor has not been seen at his office or home for the past nine days, and his mobile phone remains switched off. The CCC officials are uncertain of his whereabouts or when he will return to his duties.
Despite officials attending the office regularly, the absence of the mayor has caused significant disruptions in regular activities of the city corporation.
According to the CCC sources, on August 3, two days before the government’s collapse, there was an attack on the mayor’s residence. After the fall of the government and the escape of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, the mayor also went into hiding.
His close associates have indicated that he is in hiding for "security reasons."
A senior CCC official, seeking anonymity, said, "On the first day after the reopening of the CCC office, only a few numbers of staff showed up. However, from the next day (Wednesday), attendance resumed as usual. There was an attack on the mayor's house. I don’t think the mayor will return until the situation becomes normal."
When asked about the difficulties arising from the mayor’s absence, an official from the engineering department, who also wished to remain anonymous, said, "Without the mayor’s presence, project estimates cannot be signed, the tender process is stalled, and procurement is at a standstill. Urgent work cannot proceed without the mayor’s approval."
CCC Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Muhammad Tauhidul Islam commented, "We haven’t been able to contact the mayor as his mobile is switched off. We hope that once the situation normalises, he will return to the office later this week."
