PABNA, May 24 (V7N) – Divisions within the Pabna Palli Bidyut Samity-1 (Chatmohar) were on public display today as two separate programs were held at the association's headquarters, with employees alleging obstruction by the General Manager.

At 10 AM on Saturday, more than two hundred officers and employees of Pabna Palli Bidyut Samity-1 observed a sit-in, expressing solidarity with an ongoing "March to Dhaka" movement by rural electricity employees. Their demands included the implementation of uniform employment rules, withdrawal of cases, and an end to alleged exploitation, discrimination, torture, and oppression by the Rural Electrification Board (REB). They also called for the resignation of the REB chairman and emphasized ensuring uninterrupted power supply and improved customer service.

However, protesting employees alleged that at the outset of their program, the association's General Manager (GM) Abdullah Al Amin Chowdhury attempted to stop them and ordered them to join a counter-program in solidarity with the REB. They claimed that officials and employees are facing punitive action for demanding reforms and are victims of extreme discrimination.

Indeed, concurrently, GM Abdullah Al Amin Chowdhury, along with a smaller group of 15-20 officials and employees, formed a human chain in front of the association's Chatmohar headquarters. This demonstration was held in opposition to the "March to Dhaka" program, reportedly following instructions from the REB.

When asked about obstructing the protesting officers and employees, GM Abdullah Al Amin Chowdhury denied the allegations. "They were not obstructed in any program," he claimed. "They came not to observe the program, but to hang banners. Later, a peaceful solution was reached after discussion." He further asserted that "none of the officers and employees of our association went to Dhaka."

The juxtaposition of these two events highlights the internal tensions within the rural electricity sector, stemming from demands for reform and alleged administrative pressures.

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