Bangladesh
Hizbut campaigns in BUET to shun western values: Campus sources
A new CCTV footage has emerged showing two youths disseminating what appeared leaflets on BUET campus containing messages of banned militant outfit Hizbut Taharir reportedly asking students to abandon all western values and join crusade against westerners, according to campus sources.
The footage came to light within weeks after a group of students held a press conference following repeated death threats online and over the phone because they became vocal over clandestine activities of these "extremist groups" focused on the campus.
These students held the press conference following an email campaign sent on behalf of Hizbut in several phases, throughout March, where they asked students to take part in the fight to run the country in light of Khilafat and described BCL as the biggest enemy.
Dated February 19, 2024, the nearly 3- minute footage shows both youths with one carrying a bag walked through a narrow alley between rows of classrooms housed in civil engineering building.
Moments later, the duo turned around, with one stayed ahead to keep a tight vigil and the other brought out leaflets from his bag and passed those beneath the classroom doors locked back then, leaving for students to read messages once they appear in classrooms.
These students also asked the respective authorities to investigate how such outfits got hold of email accounts of students.
In addition to email campaign and leaflet distribution video, several students acknowledged that in past they found posters of Hizbut plastered on walls surrounding BUET.
Several students confirmed receiving the email and presence of posters that featured a QR code with messages from Hizbut.
Facebook pages affiliated with lobbyists and lawyers hired by family of Jamaat-e-Islami backed notorious war criminals were found spreading disinformation against those vocal against student front of Jamaat: Islami Chhatra Shibir, according campus sources who wished anonymity.
Actively took part in carrying out genocide in 1971, Shibir, renamed from Chhatara Sangha and reborn in 1977, began acting with a long-term main objective to establish Islamic society countering secular spirit of the country.
Self-style killing mission and cutting tendons of students who they deem rival are reported trademark of Shibir.
The outfit ranked as the third most active no state armed group in the work according to a U.S. based defence think tank IHS Jane’s global Terrorism and Insurgency index.
Earlier, in last June, as many as 24 students of BUET, activists and leaders of shibir were caught while plotting conspiracy against state in a remote haor area.
Local Jamaat leaders back then reportedly confirmed media over allegiance of detainees with Shibir. Even a former central president of Shibir in an interview boasted of having a large network of students on BUET campus.
The active presence of Shibir and other extremists on BUET came to the fore during war crimes trial back in 2013 when two students in a span of five months were brutally attacked reportedly for their stance for war crimes trial and extremist politics.
One student Arif Raihan Dip, hacked on the dormitory by a fellow student who ascribed that vicious ideologue in broad daylight, died of his wounds and another Tonmoy Ahmed, left to die after stabbed brutally by Shibir activists but survived the battle for life, now living with scars of horrific machete attack.
However, on social media an orchestrated attempt was underway to undermine the gravity of the crime by raising some unnecessary questions like why channels that on air the entire video did not add voice over.
A reality check reveals all the six channels that posted the video clearly attributed to the simple fact: cctv footage captures moments of distribution of leaflets in a covert manner.
A senior journalist who worked with a foreign outlet said “attempt to raise question over why so many channels telecast the same footage by multiple channels clearly runs out of fact and a deliberate act that can only help the cause of these extremist groups and the building is located on BUET. Running the same cctv footage is not problematic”.
On a recent post, Tonmoy pointed out “discussion on the activities of these outfits on BUET campus long remained a taboo coupled with a denial mood from respective segments added as advantage to these outfits.
DMP Deputy Commissioner (media and public relations) Faruk Hossain told media “ it is important to get full cooperation from students and teachers over activities of such extremist groups on the campus to ensure no student fall prey to these vicious group’s brainwashing. Unless there is cooperation from all quarters, it is difficult to check such activities”.
Bodies of teenage couple recovered from Gazipur flat
The bodies of a teenage couple were recovered from their rented flat in a high-rise building in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur on Friday, said police.
The deceased were identified as Md Israfil, 17, son of Mafizul Huq of Sherpur’s Jhenaigati upazila and his wife Rokeya Khatun, 15, daughter of Abul Kashem of Iswarganj upazila in Mymensingh.
Rokeya’s elder brother Md Borhand Uddin said his sister got married with Israfil around seven to eight months back without family's consent after developing an affair.
After the marriage, they started to live in a rented flat in Mawna Mulaid area of the upazila. Israfil was a workshop worker while Rokey worked for a readymade garment factory, he said.
Israfil went away from his residence recently following a dispute with his parents, who live in a separate flat of the same building, Borhan said.
Mafizul said they spotted the body of Israfil hanging from a ceiling fan with a scarf while Rokeya’s body was on the bed.
Sreepur police station’s Inspector (investigation) Md Shakhwat Hossain said being informed they recovered the bodies from the house.
The wife seems to have first committed suicide and the husband followed , he said, adding that legal actions would be taken in this regard.
Explore possibility of investing in our hospitals, and facilities: PM Hasina urges Thailand
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday asked Thailand to explore the possibility of investing in hospitals and medical facilities in Bangladesh.
She also sought Thai investments in special economic zones and hi-tech parks of Bangladesh.
“We discussed the possibility of cooperation on training and capacity building for Bangladeshi medical personnel. I also proposed to him to explore the possibility of investing in hospitals and medical facilities in Bangladesh,” she said.
The Bangladesh premier said this at a joint press conference after a bilateral meeting with her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin at Government House (Thai Prime Minister’s Office) here in Bangkok.
Five bilateral documents – an agreement, three memorandums of understanding MoUs) and a Letter of Intent (LOI) – were signed in presence of the two prime ministers following the meeting.
She said Bangladesh attaches great importance to her relations with Thailand as an immediate neighbour. “Our friendship is deeply rooted in our historical, linguistic, and common cultural heritage. The warm and cordial relations between our two countries are ever-growing in multi-faceted areas of cooperation,” she said.
The two leaders discussed in detail the bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. “We see Thailand as a very important and dynamic partner in our engagement with the vibrant economies of Southeast Asia,” said the Bangladesh PM.
On trade cooperation, they discussed at length measures to enhance the current volume of the bilateral trade and agreed to work together to achieve healthy two-way growth.
“I assured the Prime Minister (Thavisin) to take the necessary measures for investment facilitation and ease of doing business in Bangladesh. I proposed to the Thai side to invest in our special economic zones and hi-tech parks and to take one SEZ, exclusively for Thailand,” said Hasina.
Noting that the two sides agreed to commence negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the year 2024, she said the concerned Ministers of Commerce of the two countries have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on the issue.
To facilitate smooth contact between Thai and Bangladeshi officials, Dhaka and Bangkok signed the Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Official Passports, she said adding that the two countries already have an agreement for diplomatic passport holders.
“For Bangladesh, Thailand is a potential partner to engage in energy cooperation. To explore the potential of energy cooperation, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Energy Cooperation was the second instrument signed,” she said.
A third Memorandum of Understanding has been signed on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters.
“To benefit from Thai knowledge, experiences, and best tourism practices, we signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of tourism,” said the premier.
To ensure food security for our people, the two sides explored the possibility of collaboration in the agriculture and food processing sectors, she stated.
Regarding maritime connectivity, she said the two sides discussed the direct shipping line between Ranong Port and Chattogram Port. Bangladesh is following with great interest Thailand’s flagship ‘Landbridge project.'
“I proposed to the Thai side to enhance cooperation among specialized universities between the two countries, especially in agriculture, fisheries, and food processing,” said Hasina.
The two prime ministers also discussed regional cooperation mechanisms under the BIMSTEC framework. Thailand, as the current chair and host of the Summit to be held later this year, will hand over the chairmanship to Bangladesh.
“We firmly believe that BIMSTEC is a key driver of regional economic growth for a total population of 1.8 billion. To achieve a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis, Bangladesh sought the support of Thailand,” she said.
She reiterated the importance of high-level visits between the two countries.
Hasina also invited Prime Minister Thavisin to undertake a return visit to Bangladesh.
Earlier on her arrival at Government House, Sheikh Hasina was received by Thavisin and then she was accorded a warm welcome at the front lawn of Thai Kooh Fah Building.
The Bangladesh PM arrived here on Wednesday on a six-day official visit to Thailand at the invitation of her Thai counterpart.
Wild elephants kill farmer in Sherpur
A 50-year-old farmer was trampled to death by a herd of wild elephants in Nalitabari upazila of Sherpur district on Thursday night, an official said.
The deceased was identified as Omar Ali Mistri, son of Tamij Uddin of bordering Batkuchi village under the upazila.
The farmer came under attack by the wild elephants coming from a nearby jungle while he was guarding off the Boro paddy at night, leaving him killed on the spot, said Rafiqul Islam, Madhutila Range officer of the Forest Department on Friday.
Locals recovered the body after the elephants left the spot, he added.
Forest officials and local public representatives rushed to the spot after hearing about the attack.
According to locals, they frequently come under attacks by wild elephants especially at night when they guard their croplands in Nalitabari and Jhenaigati upazilas of Sherpur.
Cuet students’ road safety movement postponed, to resume classes
The ongoing road safety movement by Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) students has been postponed following a bilateral meeting between the university administration and the students on Thursday night.
The vehicular movement on busy Chattogram-Rangamati’s Kaptai Road resumed around 11:30pm after the protesting students left it.
Moreover, the students decided to return to their academic activities deferring their movement.
In a statement signed by the university’s Registrar (additional duty) Prof Dr Sheikh Mohammad Humayun Kabir on Thursday night said that a decision will be made in the syndicate meeting to be held on Friday to reconsider the closure of academic activities.
However, the students will be allowed to stay in the dormitories till then, it read.
Earlier on Thursday afternoon, the Cuet was declared closed for an indefinite period as students burst into protests demanding road safety after the deaths of two fellows in a fatal road accident on April 22.
Besides, the male students were asked to vacate dormitories by 5pm on Thursday and the female students by 9am on Friday.
Two Cuet students—Shanto Saha, a 3rd year student and Tawfiq Hasan, a 2nd year student of Civil engineering department, died when a bus of ‘Shah Amanat’ paribahan hit a motorbike on Chattogram-Kaptai road at Zianagar in Rangunia upazila on Monday.
As soon as the news spread, some Cuet students vandalised three buses and set one more on fire on that day.
The students took to the streets boycotting classes and examinations and continued their protests till Wednesday blocking the Chattogram-Kaptai road by setting fire on logs and tyres to press home their 9 point demand for safe road.
They demanded arrest of the bus driver and his assistant and their exemplary punishment.
The other demands include providing compensation to the deceased and bearing the medical expenses of the student injured in the accident, establishment of modern treatment centre with all facilities on the campus, proving ambulances with modern equipment, stopping movement of all local buses including Shah Amanat and AB Travels on the road, examining liscences of the buses and CNG-run auto-rickshaws that ply the road , making the Student Welfare Council under accountable and forming students representative group.
Bus driver Md Tazul Islam was arrested from the Kotwali area of Chattogram city on Wednesday afternoon.
PM Hasina opens bilateral meeting with Thai premier Thavisin
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday morning arrived at Government House (the Thailand Prime Minister’s Office) to join a bilateral meeting with her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin.
The two sides would discuss the bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest, according to Bangladesh officials.
After the talks a number of bilateral documents would be signed in presence of the two prime ministers aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries in some areas.
The two leaders will also have a four-eyes meeting (Tete-a-Tete) for some 15 minutes there.
On her arrival at the Government House at 10:30am, Sheikh Hasina was received by the Thai premier.
She was accorded a warm welcome at the front lawn of Thai Kooh Fah Building there.
The Bangladesh prime minister inspected the guard of honour given by a smartly turned out contingent of the Thai armed forces.
Srettha Thavisin introduced his cabinet members with Sheikh Hasina before she signed the guest book of the Government House.
Hasina also would join an official luncheon there before leaving the Government House.
The Bangladesh PM arrived here on Wednesday on a six-day official visit to Thailand at the invitation of her Thai counterpart.
New Delhi to closely watch China-Bangladesh joint military training: Spokesperson
Commenting on Bangladesh-China joint military training, India has said they "keep a close watch" on all developments that happen in their neighborhood and beyond, which impact their interests - economic and security interests.
Trade through Tamabil land port resumes after 2-day suspension for Indian election
"We take appropriate measures accordingly," Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal told reporters at a briefing on Thursday.
He commented when a journalist said Bangladesh is going to conduct a joint military exercise with China and the Chinese forces are going to be visiting Bangladesh very soon in May for some anti-terror exercise.
The Chinese and Bangladeshi armies will conduct a joint military training, Xinhua reported quoting China's Ministry of National Defense.
Indians vote in the first phase of the world's largest election as Modi seeks a third term
According to the consensus reached between the two sides, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will dispatch a contingent to Bangladesh in early May to participate in the joint training, according to the ministry, said the Chinese news agency.
This joint training, based on United Nations peacekeeping anti-terrorism operations, will involve both sides utilising an integrated training approach.
They will jointly organise exercises such as the rescue of hostages on buses and the clean-up of terrorist camps.
Fire burns a restaurant and hotel in eastern India, killing 6 and injuring 20
This marks the first joint training ever between the Chinese and Bangladeshi armies, the ministry said, noting that such activity is conducive to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two militaries and deepening practical exchanges and cooperation, according to Xinhua.
PM Hasina meets Thai royals in Bangkok
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid a courtesy call on the King and the Queen of the Kingdom of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshan.
The prime minister, who is on an official tour in Thailand, met the king and the queen at Amphorn Satharn Throne Hall in Dusit Palace, according to the PM's press wing.
Settle disputes through dialogue, say 'no' to wars: PM Hasina at UNESCAP meet
During the meeting, they exchanged greetings and discussed various issues related to bilateral matters.
PM Hasina arrived in Thailand on Wednesday on a six-day official visit to at the invitation of her Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin.
In the morning, she attended the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Thailand rolls out red carpet to greet PM Hasina on her six-day official visit
During her visit from April 24 to 29, the Bangladesh premier will hold bilateral talks with PM Thavisin.
Bangladesh and Thailand will sign a number of cooperation documents including a letter of intent on negotiations for a free trade agreement between the two countries.
PM Hasina departs for Thailand on six-day official visit
Bangladesh and Thailand are likely to sign an agreement on visa exemption for official passport holders, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation while two more MoUs on tourism sector cooperation and duty related mutual cooperation to expand the relations.
Bangladesh showcases achievements in skills development at Global Skills Forum
Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury has highlighted Bangladesh's significant advancements in skills development, notably in ensuring accessibility and equity for marginalized groups such as women, indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities.
These endeavours align closely with the government's stated political objectives and developmental priorities.
Nevertheless, the minister stressed the need to bridge the skills mismatch between the high-skills needs of industry and the generally low-skilled labour force, both nationally and more generally.
Speaking at a high-level panel discussion in Geneva, he called upon industry sectors and development partners to take proactive steps in promoting lifelong learning and enhance skills development, especially in emerging industry sectors like pharmaceuticals, ICT, and agro-food processing.
The Global Skills Forum, hosted by the ILO Skills and Employability Branch on April 23 and 24, which had invited constituents and development partners to discuss skills challenges and partnerships in a changing world, featured an exclusive session dedicated to Bangladesh.
The high-level panel, held at ILO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, was attended by Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury, as well as senior representatives from Employers' and Workers’ Organizations and key Development Partners, the European Union and the Government of Canada.
During the session, participants deliberated on Bangladesh's achievements, ongoing challenges, and proposed strategies for advancing the national skills system through targeted strategies and collaborative partnerships.
The essential role of skills and lifelong learning is well-recognised in enhancing the labour force’s employability and productivity, attracting investment and fostering national economic growth, said ILO on Thursday.
Recognising the crucial role of skilled labour in driving higher-value production and economic advancement, the Government of Bangladesh has since 2007 multiplied its investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and skills development, and after one and a half decade the results of these numerous efforts are tangible.
Bangladesh has formulated a National Skills Development Policy and established a unified national qualifications framework to enhance recognition of skills qualifications and upskilling of the workforce. Moreover, the traditional TVET system has evolved into an industry-relevant and skills-focused model.
These transformations reflect the government's commitment to its development vision, complemented by significant financial contributions by development partners and technical expertise provided notably by a.o. the International Labour Organization (ILO).
However, challenges persist in realising the Bangladesh government’s vision for the national skills system.
Srinivas Reddy, Chief of the Skills and Employability Branch at ILO moderated the session, commencing with a video showcasing Bangladesh's main achievements in skills development.
Gilbert F. Houngbo, the Director General of ILO, graced the session with his presence and joined the high-level panel for his intervention.
Houngbo commended the beneficial long-term partnerships between the Government of Bangladesh, the ILO, the EU and Canada, recognizing their mutually reinforcing contributions to Bangladesh’s skills development objectives.
Houngbo underscored the importance of climate change mitigation and adaption through green skills development, as well as promoting social cohesion and employment through ensuring accessibility and inclusivity of the skills development system.
Farooq Ahmed, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation, highlighted the essential role of the private sector in skills development, including the need for more apprenticeships in skills development and job creation, as well as facilitating a seamless transition from education to employment.
He advocated for incentives to encourage businesses to adopt and increase the quantity and quality of apprenticeships models applied and emphasized the comprehensive need for industry-relevant TVET.
Rezwana Saki, Secretary of the Bangladesh Free Trade Union Congress, brought attention to the obstacles encountered by workers striving to acquire advanced skills suitable for the labour market.
She advocated for social dialogue and greater involvement by Workers' Organizations and the need for accelerating the implementation of the Bangladesh National Qualifications Framework in order to facilitate lifelong learning and formal recognition of workers' skills.
Charles Whiteley, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh highlighted the EU's commitment to enhancing the capabilities of the Bangladeshi workforce, not only for domestic employment, but also for international labour markets.
He emphasized the EU’s support for upcoming talent partnerships between Bangladesh and key EU Member States for skilled migration of Bangladeshi workers to the EU through legal migration pathways, as well as plans to support the diversification of the production base of industry sectors through Gateway collaboration.
Thomas Wagner, Ambassador, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the UN and other international organisations in Geneva, affirmed the EU's ongoing support for the modernization of skills systems in partner countries across regions, particularly focusing on enhancing industry-relevant skills provision in the forthcoming years.
Patricia McCullagh, Minister-Counsellor, Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN in Geneva highlighted Canada's recent initiatives funding projects aimed at empowering vulnerable communities through skills training and job creation.
She reiterated Canada's commitment to collaborating with the ILO and Bangladesh to ensure decent work opportunities for millions of Bangladeshi citizens.
All panel representatives commended the Government of Bangladesh, the ILO and Development Partners for their long-term partnership since 2007, yielding significant transformations of the national skills system, and expressed their commitment to continue the beneficial partnerships in the future for the further strengthening of the Bangladesh economic and social development, in line with the Government’s vision.
AFD is Bangladesh's most significant partner: French Ambassador
French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy on Thursday said the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has become the most impressive partner of Bangladesh as its actiivites are swiftest in the country.
A new adaptation based investment project will be endorsed soon by Bangladesh leaders focusing loss and damage, she said while speaking at a function in Dhaka.
The ambassador said her government tries to reverse balance in climate financing on adaption in Bangladesh which is very much mitigation focus.
The French ambassador recalled the French President's recent visit to Bangladesh and said it is an impressive event and has given a new height in the relationship.
AFD Country Director Benoit Chassatte said though the AFD is very new among the development partners but its achievement during the last 10 years significant.
The AFD Group, the French development agency, celebrated its 10 years of successful operation in Bangladesh marking a significant milestone in its journey towards fostering sustainable development and international solidarity.
Since it settled in Bangladesh in 2012, AFD Group has committed over €1.8 billion towards advancing various sectors critical to Bangladesh's growth, contributing to the nation's progress and resilience.
At the end of his 4-year term leading the AFD Dhaka office, AFD Bangladesh Country Director Benoit Chassatte said, “Looking ahead, AFD Group reaffirms its commitment to Bangladesh's development agenda, focused on supporting the nation in fighting climate change impacts and graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status."
He said through strategic objectives, AFD Group continues to finance structural measures, to support climate-friendly institutional governance, to foster social engineering, and to participate in the just and environmental transition.
“Additionally, throughout all of our projects, for which we ensure a comprehensive and participatory approach, we promote gender equality and indirectly create job opportunities,” he said.
AFD investments translate into tangible impacts, with millions gaining access to essential services such as drinking water, electricity, and improved public transport systems, while also benefiting from enhanced working conditions.
“AFD Group's strategic markers in the South Asia region reflect a commitment to diversity and sustainability, with a portfolio exceeding €7 billion dedicated to initiatives spanning urban mobility, clean energy, water and sanitation, sustainable banking, health, biodiversity, financial inclusion, and innovation.
This steadfast commitment underscores AFD Group's dedication to addressing pressing challenges and promoting inclusive growth in Bangladesh,” said Yazid Bensaid, AFD Regional Director for South Asia.
The French ambassador said France has tripled AFD’s commitments, in order to tackle simultaneously poverty reduction and climate resilience.
“As announced by French President during his historical visit to Dhaka last September, AFD’s activities in Bangladesh will remain at a high-intensity, in particular to channel the €1 billion pledge to adaptation under the Pact that will be endorsed this year by both leaders,” she said.
AFD implements France’s policy on international development and solidarity.
Through its financing of NGOs and the public sector, as well as its research and publications, AFD supports and accelerates transitions towards a fairer, more resilient world.
It also provides training in sustainable development (at AFD Campus) and other awareness-raising activities in France.