Jamalganj assistant commissioner Shanto withdrawn after Facebook posts, attached to Sylhet divisional commissioner’s office

Md Arifur Rahman Shanto, assistant commissioner (land) of Jamalganj upazila in Sunamganj, has been withdrawn and attached to the office of the Sylhet divisional commissioner. The administrative order came after two Facebook posts by him drew widespread attention.

The order was issued in a notification from the Sylhet divisional commissioner’s office on Sunday (October 25). The notification was signed by Md Murshed Iqbal, senior assistant commissioner at that office.

According to the notification, Arifur Rahman Shanto (identity number 19041) had been serving as assistant commissioner (land) at the Jamalganj upazila land office. He has been attached to the Sylhet divisional commissioner’s office, and the notification says the transfer was made in the public interest.

Earlier, on Friday night (October 23), Arifur Rahman Shanto made two consecutive posts on his Facebook account. In one post he wrote, ‘UNO Shilpi Rani Modak will be responsible for my death.’ In the other he wrote, ‘I resign from admin cadre.’

As the two posts spread on social media, discussion and criticism began across the country. The controversy centred mainly on the post naming Jamalganj upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) Shilpi Rani Modak.

Later, in ill health, he was taken first to Sylhet and then to Dhaka for better treatment.

The transfer of the assistant commissioner after such Facebook posts has sparked fresh discussion locally.