The High Court has expressed dissatisfaction as Meem Akhter, a girl of Khulna district, did not get a police job for not having a permanent address although she has topped the merit list in a police recruitment test. 

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman on Tuesday expressed the displeasure when advocate Chanchal Kumar Biswas and advocate Anisur Rahman drew the attention of the apex court about Meem placing reports on her published in various newspapers. 

The HC also asked Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar to inform the court in detail about Meem, her family and recruitment test by Wednesday. 

In its observation, the HC said, “Why shouldn't a candidate get a job for not having a land…it can’t be. The girl has topped the merit list! Every year, some 2,000 people fall prey to river erosion and become landless. Shouldn’t they get jobs for this reason?” 

According to media reports, Meem Akhter, daughter of Rabiul Islam, is a tenant of Babar Ali’s house in Sonadanga area of Khulna.

Rabiul supports his family doing quilt business in a rented shop in Khulna city, and has been living in the area for nearly 32 years with family. 

On October 28, Meem passed the written test and then viva voce and psychological test at Khulna Shiromoni Police Lines for a constable post and stood first under female quota of the district but she did not get the job for not having a permanent address. 

Khulna’s Additional Superintendent of Police Tanvir Ahmed was reported to have informed Meem that she would not get the job for not having any permanent address.

A permanent address of the candidate is needed to get a job in the police department as per the regulation.

Later, different newspapers ran stories on the Meem’s case, sparking huge criticism. 

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner of Mohammad Maniruzzaman Talukdar earlier said: Meem has no permanent residence in Khulna and that’s why she’s ineligible to get a job of police constable.”   

However, he said they have taken an initiative to provide her with a house in Batiaghata upazila under the Prime Minister's Asrayan Project. “Hope, now she’ll get the job.”

Barishal’s Aspia shares the same story  

On December 10, Aspia Islam Kajal, whose recruitment as a police constable is stuck up by a regulation, sought the intervention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Though Aspia successfully went through all tests needed for a trainee constable, she cannot join as her family is landless and has no permanent address.

Kajal's mother Jharna Begum said, "I have raised my daughter with a lot of effort, but she is not getting the job as we are landless here.”

“Now we’re seeking help from the Prime Minister as citizens of the country,” the mother said.

“Give my daughter the job, anyway,” she cried.

Barishal Range DIG SM Akhtaruzzaman also hoped that she might soon get the job if higher authorities intervene.

However, Akhtaruzzaman did not give any official statement on the issue as he was not in-charge of the recruitment. He said the recruits for the post of trainee recruit constables are under the police superintendent of the district.

The DIG later gave a status on his Facebook profile on Thursday (Dec 9) afternoon when the issue of Aspia triggered criticism.

In that post, Akhtaruzzaman mentioned a report regarding Aspia’s problem of not getting a job in the police due to lack of land. He said the issue has gone viral on social media and the tide is on Aspia’s side but those who are aware of the provisions of government service are not able to take her side.

Thanking those who brought up Aspia’s issue on social media, he said he would be very happy if the girl gets the job.

Aspiya said, “I’ve passed every exam on my own merits. But only because we don’t own land can’t I’ve a job. It has been said in the recruitment circular that qualified persons will be appointed. I’ve passed all the exams based on merit. Then why not give me the job?

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She said the prime minister is working to establish a developed Bangladesh. “I don't think it’s right that the deserving people won't have jobs only because of not owning a piece of land. I’m seeking the PM's intervention in the process,” she said.

According to her national identity card (NID) Aspia Islam Kajal, is a resident of Matabbar Bari of Khunna Gobindpur village in Boro Jalia union of Hijla upazila of Barishal district.

According to the locals, Aspia’s father came from Charfason of Bhola district 25-30 years ago and started living in Hijla upazila. He had a business.

Jhantu Bepari, a Union Parishad member of Ward-3 of Boro Jalia union, said, "I’ve known Aspia since her childhood. Her father was an honest man. But 5-6 years ago, he died of a stroke. After that, the family became helpless.”

He said, "Aspia’s father Shafiqul talked to me and decided to buy land in this area to build a house. We even had chosen a land. But all of a sudden, he died."

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Jhantu Bepari said that considering the humanitarian aspect, Aspia should be given the job. “After all, she is a citizen of this country.”

Unemployment in Bangladesh

According to the World Bank, the unemployment rate in Bangladesh increased to 5.30 percent in 2020 from 4.20 percent in 2019.

The unemployment rate is expected to reach 6.00 percent by the end of 2021.

Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered the construction of a house for Aspiya so that she can get a police constable job.