Ex-environment official reveals Mamun Khaled’s abuse of power

Muhammad Munir Chowdhury, a former director of enforcement at the Department of Environment, on Saturday published a facebook post highlighting the extensive abuse of power by former DGFI chief Mamun Khaled.

The full text of the post is as follows:

I am not very active on Facebook. But today I could not help revealing a truth. It feels like a stab of conscience.

General Mamun Khaled was once a very powerful military officer. At that time, I was the Director of Enforcement at the Department of Environment. I was recovering rivers, canals, hills, and forests from the illegal occupation of many political leaders, ministers, and influential individuals. On one side there was pressure from ministers and influential people, and on the other side there were threats from corporate powers.

Near Dhaka airport, about 250 acres of natural water bodies, land belonging to innocent people, and even a graveyard were being occupied to build a huge housing project of a private real estate company— the entire project was illegal. Seeing the silence of the administration, RAJUK, Department of Environment, and police, the helpless people cried and cursed, apparently making the sky heavy. Numerous complaints were submitted to RAJUK, police, administration, and the Home Minister, but there was no remedy. The RAJUK Chairman told me, “Munir Chowdhury, I am helpless.”

Then I bravely launched an operation. I seized and disabled the equipment and structures of the illegal project. I arrested the chief engineer of the project. By then, pressure came from the then environment minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, and finally threats, pressure, and intimidation came from DGFI chief Mamun Khaled. He sent the colonel staff to the site. An order came to stop the operation. I sent the colonel staff back. Continuing the operation, I stopped the entire project and brought it under my control. I told the hundreds of affected residents, “Do not be afraid, I am with you. This illegal housing project will not be allowed.”

The pressure became even more dangerous.

That colonel staff repeatedly requested that the owner of the real estate company should not be harmed. My reply was that environmental protection and the country’s interest are above all. After that, I fined the company owner Tk50 lakh and forced him to pay the fine. This made the Environment Minister and General Mamun even angrier.

My heart told me, what General Mamun Khaled? What DGFI threats? All power belongs to Allah.

That night an even more frightening incident happened. I used to stay at the Environment Building at night, and from that building I conducted operations across Bangladesh day and night. I had no personal security at all. Even BELA or any environmental organization did not stand beside me in that situation.

Where is General Mamun Khaled today?

When military and civilian bureaucracy cross the limits of their entrusted power, it becomes a Frankenstein — this is a unique example of that.

I would request the government to investigate the corruption of General Mamun Khaled in the implementation of the military housing project “Jalsiri.” Respect and value professionalism, honesty, and merit at all levels of the state machinery. Otherwise, the crisis of governance will remain.

To establish the rule of law, I call upon the young generation of officers — do not fear the blood-red eyes due to fear of ACR devaluation, fear of promotion deprivation, or fear of punitive transfer. These worldly posts, positions, and wealth become fragile and empty one day.

Allegations against Mamun Khaled

On Friday, a Dhaka court granted five-day remand against Lt Gen (retd) Sheikh Mamun Khaled in a July Uprising killing case. The previous night, detectives apprehended him from the Mirpur DOHS area.

He faces numerous allegations including amassing illegal wealth, involving DGFI in political activities, and orchestrating controversial “militant drama” narratives during the over 15-year fascist rule of Awami League.