Bangladesh
Every police member must be trained to fight cybercrime: President tells IGP
President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Sunday directed Bangladesh Police to impart training to its members to boost their skill in combating cybercrime.
"Cybercrime is now on the rise thanks to greater use of information technology (IT). Each police member should be imparted training be able to combat cybercrime, he told Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun when he paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban.
President's press secretary Md. Joynal Abedin said Shahabuddin also asked the country police force become more people-friendly in every activity. "Police members should take care so that their work become more people-friendly,"
He also asked the police to submit investigation report of any case within the shortest possible time considering the public interest.
Lauding the role of police in fighting terrorism and militancy, the president advised the Bangladesh Police to continue the activities sincerely in the days to come.
During the meeting, the IGP apprised the president of the overall development activities of Bangladesh Police.
President's Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salahuddin Islam, Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin and Secretary (Attached) Md Wahidul Islam Khan were present at the meeting.
Govt to provide Tk 33.20 crore incentive to increase Aman production
In an effort to increase the production of Aman paddy, the government has taken a decision to provide Tk 33.20 crore incentive to 4.90 lakh small and marginal farmers across the country, said the Agriculture Ministry.
Under the scheme, a farmer will get five kgs of seeds of high yielding (Ufshi) variety of T-Aman paddy, 10 kgs of DAP and MOP fertilizers free of cost, said a handout of the ministry.
The incentive is being given from the regular budget and rehabilitation assistance and seeds sector of the Agriculture Ministry.
Already an order in this connection has been issued and the distribution of incentives will start soon in the field level.
Dhaka plays pivotal role in bringing peace, stability in conflict zones: Moscow
The Embassy of Russia has heartily congratulated Bangladesh on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers annually observed on May 29 since its establishment in 2002 by a UN GA resolution.
It has been already 35 years since Bangladesh started providing its Armed Forces and Police for peacekeeping operations around the globe.
"Being the largest contributor of troops with more than 7000 uniformed personnel deployed worldwide, Dhaka plays a pivotal role in bringing peace, stability and trust in conflict zones," said the Russian Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday.
Thanks to peacekeepers, it was possible to overcome multiple conflicts and restore stability in dozens of countries that emerged from bloodshed and devastation, the Embassy said.
Also read: Bangladesh to observe UN Peacekeepers Day on Sunday
Russia shares with Bangladesh this international responsibility, having been closely engaged in UN peacekeeping missions.
As a Security Council permanent member, Russia is widely involved in developing mandates for UN peacekeeping operations and gearing up mission members for constructive and respectful interaction with the host state.
"Our country is one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping budget and sends military observers and police officers to operations in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Europe," said the Russian Embassy.
As of March 31, 2023, 79 Russians, including 13 women, are serving in UN peacekeeping missions.
"Similar to our Bangladeshi partners, Russia attaches great importance to training female peacekeepers," said the Embassy.
In particular, the All-Russian Training Centre for Peacekeepers at the Russian Interior Ministry in Domodedovo has introduced UN-certified courses for foreign law enforcement officers, which include a large number of women.
"On this date we also pay tribute to those who, far from their homeland, gave up their lives in the name of the ideals of peace," Russia says.
Last year, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lieutenant Colonel Alexey Mizyura, head of the group of Russian UN military observers, tragically died in the line of duty and will be posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld medal.
Bangladesh has also lost dozens of her brave sons in the selfless feat, and their names have been etched into history, said the Russian Embassy.
END/UNB/MK/FH/1549 Hrs
3-month ban on fishing, tourism in Sundarbans begins on June 1
A three-month ban on fishing and tourism in the Sundarbans will start from June 1 to ensure safe breeding and movement of fish and wild animals.
Movement of all types of vessels including boats, fishing trawlers in the rivers and canals as well as the entry of fishermen and honey collectors will remain suspended from June 1 to August 31.
No local for foreign tourists will be allowed to enter the forest during the period.
According to the Forest Department, 251 species of fish release eggs during this monsoon and so fishing will not allowed in the forest.
Read more: Environment Minister for measures to stop deer hunting in Sundarbans
Besides, the ban will be applicable for safe breeding of 315 species of birds, 35 species of reptiles and 42 types of mammals.
The authorities think the breeding by the fish and different species of animals will be obstructed due to sound of operating water vehicles in the water bodies.
No tourists will be allowed to visit the country’s lone wildlife breeding center ‘Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center’ and 11 other tourist spots.
Hawlader Azad Kabir, in-charge of the breeding center, said ignoring the matter of revenue earning the government took the ban initiative to increase beautification of the forest and ensure safe breeding of fish and animals.
Read more: Tourists can’t carry single-use plastics in Sundarbans: Environment Minister
He said tough action will be taken if the restriction is ignored.
Dengue cases surge: 67 cases reported in a day
Sixty-seven more people were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Sunday morning as the cases keep rising in the country.
Of the new patients, 58 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Two-hundred-nine dengue patients, including 180 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
Also read: Dengue cases surge: 35 patients hospitalised in 24 hrs
So far, the DGHS has recorded 1, 771 dengue cases, 1, 549 recoveries, and 13 deaths this year.
The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Also, it recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.
END/UNB/MAS
Bodies of 2 workers recovered from septic tank in Dhaka
The bodies of two workers were recovered from a septic tank of an under-construction building in Uttarkhan area of the capital on Sunday.
The deceased- Md Samad, 55 and Madhu Miah, 42, were from Gaibandha district.
Md Safiqul Islam, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence Dhaka Zone-3, said the workers got trapped inside the septic tank while opening the shuttering there around 9 am.
Being informed, a team from a nearby fire station rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies from the septic tank, he said adding that the bodies were handed over to police.
The cause of the death of the workers could not be known immediately, he added.
Rohingya Case: OIC Secretary General seeks support from member states
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha has urged the member states to do more and help The Gambia with funds to run the case in the International Court of Justice on Rohingya genocide.
"We call upon all OIC member states to join them in this case and give support to this fund created by OIC. This case is a top priority for us," the OIC Secretary General told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday (May 28, 2023).
He said the Gambia is not a big or rich country but there are lots of efforts from them.
Also read: OIC Secretary General in Dhaka; to meet PM Sunday
Foreign Minister Momen said said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, OIC Secretary General and the President of Gambia sent a joint letter to themember states recently seeking support for the fund created by the OIC.
He said the OIC delegation will visit the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar on Monday.
"They (OIC) have taken a leading role. Tomorrow they will visit the Rohingya camps," Momen said, adding that they discussed the Rohingya crisis and the necessity of unity among the Muslims.
The OIC Secretary General said in fact Bangladesh is a very important country for the OIC member states.
Read more: OIC members must share responsibility for sustainable solution to Rohingya crisis: Momen
"Rohingya is one of the top priority issues for OIC," he said, adding that they discussed the issues to maintain peace stability and development in the member states.
"We are here to convey our thanks for the tremendous efforts done by Bangladesh government. These Rohingya people are suffering. They deserve peace, security and better life," said Hissein Brahim.
During the visit, the OIC Secretary General will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina later this evening.
As the Chancellor of the Islamic University of Technology (IUT), the OIC Secretary General will join the 35th Convocation of the IUT to be held on May 30, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read more: Momen urges PUIC delegation to work for repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
Mother, son among 3 burned to death in Ctg fire
Three people including a woman and her minor son were burned to death and another was critically injured in a fire at a house in Syedpara area of Chattogram port city on Sunday (May 28, 2023).
The deceased are Nur Nahar Begum, 30, her one-year-old son Maruf, and neighbour Md Imam Uddin, 23. Details about them could not be known immediately.
They succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) at noon, Nurul Alam Ashiq, assistant sub inspector at the hospital police outpost, said.
Read more: Fire at building in capital’s Adabar under control
Condition of burned three-year-old Firiya, daughter of Nur Nahar, was stated to be critical, he said.
Ferdous Jahan, officer-in-charge of Bayezid Bostami police station, said the fire originated from a mosquito coil at the shanty of one Tota Miah and it engulfed two other adjacent shanties within a few minutes around 4:30am.
On information, police rushed to the spot and rescued four people and sent them to the hospital, he said.
Read more: Fire in building on SUST campus under control
Chittro Ranjan, chief leader of Agrabad Fire Station, said on information two firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control later.
Fire at building in capital’s Adabar under control
A fire that broke out at a high-rise building in the capital’s Adabar area on Sunday (May 28, 2023) noon was brought under control after around one and a half hours.
Three people including two women were rescued from the building. No casualties were reported till 1:45pm.
Read more: Fire Safety in Apartments: Causes and Prevention
The basement of the eight-storey building on road no.10 in the area caught fire around 12:00pm.
On information, five fire fighting units from several stations rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control around 1:33pm, said Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters media cell.
The cause of the fire could not be known immediately, he added.
Read more: Multi-storey buildings being built ignoring fire safety
Man stabbed to death in Chattogram
A man was on Sunday stabbed to death by unknown miscreants in Chattogram’s Halishahar area, police said.
The incident took place at Nayabazar Bishwa Road intersection around 4am on Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Md Azad (30), son of Md Lavu Ibrahim of Nazir Bari area.
Nurul Alam Ashek, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) police outpost, said Azad was declared dead around 9am after he was brought to the hospital.
His body has been kept in the morgue.
According to witnesses, Azad was severely wounded after he was attacked and stabbed by 7-8 people in the Nayabazar Bishwa Road area. Later he was rescued and taken to CMCH where he succumbed to his wounds.
He reportedly named his alleged attackers before dying, the witnesses said.