The Bogura district administration on Tuesday held public hearings to gather opinions on proposed new names for three unions in Shibganj and the newly established Mokamtala upazila, following controversy surrounding their current names.
The hearings were organised in response to public criticism over the naming of Mirbari, Simanta and Diganta unions, with local residents, elected representatives, community leaders, journalists and people from various professions taking part in the discussions.
At a hearing held at Jagannathpur High School ground in Mokamtala, participants proposed two alternative names for Simanta Union – Jagannathpur Union and Abhirampur Union. Many attendees expressed support for the proposals through public signatures.
The renaming of Diganta Union also drew competing demands.
Residents proposed Rahbal Union and Pakurtala Union as alternative names.
However, some residents of Rahbal and students from local educational institutions staged a demonstration on the Rangpur highway, alleging that their views had not been adequately reflected in the hearing process. They demanded that the union be renamed Rahbal Union.
Local political and social leaders later intervened and assured protesters that their demands would be conveyed separately to the relevant authorities for consideration.
Meanwhile, a separate public hearing on the proposed renaming of Mirbari Union was held in Betgari.
Participants suggested seven names- Betgari, Aliyar Hat, Ramkandi, Malgari, Gopinathpur, Haripur and Gorna.
Abdul Hannan, the upazila official overseeing the process, said all proposed names would be reviewed and submitted in a report to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, who would then forward the recommendations to the deputy commissioner for further action.
The district administration had earlier formed three separate committees to conduct public consultations on the renaming of the unions. The hearings began at 10am on Tuesday in the respective areas.
According to district administration sources, the administrative boundaries of five unions in Shibganj upazila and eight unions in the newly formed Mokamtala upazila were reorganised on 11 June.
A gazette notification issued on 14 June formally announced the names of the new unions.
The naming of the unions sparked criticism among local residents and political groups, who alleged that the names were linked to the family surname of State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam and the names of his two sons.
Under the gazette, one union in Shibganj was named Mirbari, while two unions in Mokamtala were named Simanta and Diganta.
Following the backlash, the issue reportedly drew the attention of senior government authorities. Subsequently, the district administration initiated steps to rename the unions in line with directives from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Deputy Commissioner Md Toufiqur Rahman said the final names would be selected based on public opinion and reasonable proposals received during the hearings before being sent to the ministry for approval.
