Bangladesh
Four arrested over attacking traffic police at Dhaka’s Pragati Sarani
Police arrested four people on charge of attacking traffic police and vandalizing the police box at Dhaka’s Pragati Sarani on Sunday night.
The arrestees were identified as Md. Halim (driver), Hasan Mahadi Ami (helper), Md. Ujjal Miah and Parvez Miah.
Contacted, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bhatara Police Station Asaduzzaman said that an on-duty traffic sergeant signaled a covered van to stop on Pragati Sarani, under Bhatara Police Station, at 9:10 pm on Sunday.
When the vehicle stopped, the traffic sergeant asked the driver Halim to show the documents, but he refused.
The driver kept talking to someone on the mobile phone and then asked the traffic sergeant to talk to the person on the phone. The traffic sergeant refused to speak without documents, and an argument ensued.
At one stage, the driver and his helper along with several others attacked the traffic police on duty and vandalized the traffic police box.
Being informed, police from the Bhatara police station went to the spot and arrested the four people, the OC said.
Several policemen were injured in the incident. Seriously injured policemen were admitted to Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital for advanced treatment.
A case has been registered at Bhatara police station over this incident.
Dr Zafrullah put on life support
Ganashasthaya Kendra founder and freedom fighter Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury has been put on life support at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital on Monday (April 10, 2023) morning.
He was put on life support as his health condition deteriorated, said Ganashasthaya Kendra press adviser Jahangir Alam Mintu in a media release.
Read more: Govt suffers from 'dependency syndrome': Zafrullah
A medical board, led by Professor Brigadier General (Retd) Dr Mamun Mustafi, was formed on Sunday as his physical condition did not improve.
"Zafrullah Chowdhury’s health condition deteriorated around 10:30am on Monday. Later, he was put on life support at the ICU of the hospital,” said Professor Brigadier General (Retd) Dr Mamun Mustafi.
Dr Zafrullah has been suffering from kidney related complications for a long time.
Read More: Zafrullah demands Tk 50 lakh compensation for families of each worker killed in Banshkhali
Graffiti art on Moghbzar flyover pillars to discourage putting up posters
Dhaka’s Moghbazar flyover pillars now boast attractive graffiti art to discourage a menace familiar to all — rampant placement of posters on infrastructures and public spaces in the city.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam said the government wants to create awareness among people to stop putting up posters on the flyover pillars. He said this while inaugurating the graffiti art on pillars of Moghbazar flyover earlier today.
"Looking at the pillars of the flyovers in the city, we see posters everywhere. I want to urge everyone to stop this. Otherwise, we will take legal action. There will be jail terms, there will be fines,” said the DNCC mayor.
“Children living and working on the street need our empathy and support”
Children living on the street in Bangladesh face deprivation, extreme poverty, malnutrition, disease, illiteracy and violence.
Their situation is revealed in detail in the Survey on Street Children 2022, published by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics with support from UNICEF on Monday.
“The emerging reality of the street children is expected to provide inputs towards developing policies and action programmes to combat the situation of street children in the country,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan.
The survey findings are based on first-hand reports from a sample of 7,200 children aged 5-17 years in hotspots in Dhaka and in the country’s eight divisions.
While the report does not contain absolute figures, UNICEF experts fear that the number of children living on the street in Bangladesh could be in the millions.
“The report findings are shocking. They tell us not only of the urgent work ahead, but also that children living and working on the street need our empathy and support,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.
Children in street situations are defined as children who spend the majority of their time on the streets, either living there or for their livelihood, with or without family.
According to the survey, most of these children are boys (82 per cent), and the majority end up on the streets either due to poverty or in search of work.
Approximately 13 per cent are disconnected from their family, and about six per cent are orphans or do not know if their parents are alive.
Sleeping on the street
Nearly one in three of these children (over 30 per cent) live and sleep in public or open spaces without the most basic amenities of life such as a bed to sleep in, a door to close for safety and comfort, or a toilet.
About half of the children surveyed go to sleep with only a jute bag, pieces of carton or plastic, or a thin blanket between themselves and the bare ground.
Roughly 7 per cent of children sleep alone while 17 per cent seek protection and comfort by sleeping in pairs or groups.
One in three (30.4 per cent) incidents of violence reported by children occurred during their night-time sleep.
Shameful abuse and harassment
Alarmingly and shamefully, the most common perpetrators of abuse and harassment against children in street situations are passers-by, with eight in ten children reporting abuse or harassment by pedestrians, UNICEF said.
“I was sad at how horrible people were to us – they threw water at us when we tried to sleep. They called us hurtful names,” says twelve-year-old Hasib who lived on the street before he and his mother came into contact with government social workers who provided guidance and support.
Working to survive
Forced to work to earn a livelihood – mostly in waste collecting, begging, or in tea stalls, factories and workshops – these children are at daily risk of injuries and violence.
A third of the children surveyed reported being injured when working, while half were subjected to violence.
Almost half of the children working were forced to start at the early age of nine. Most of these children are working 30 to 40 hours per week for less than 1,000 Taka or 10 dollars per week.
Illiteracy, illness and isolation
Three in four (71.8 per cent) children in street situations can neither read nor write, leaving them with a lifelong handicap and grim prospects for the future.
Over half the children surveyed reported falling sick within the three months prior to the survey, suffering from fever, coughs, headaches and waterborne diseases.
Most of the children (79 per cent) were unaware of the support they can get through organizations that provide services for children in street situations.
Investing in social workers
UNICEF is working together with the Government of Bangladesh as it invests in more social workers who can help these children to a life away from the streets.
At the same time, UNICEF’s vision is a social worker in every village to protect children from harm and to prevent children from ending up on the streets in the first place.
Prothom Alo is enemy of AL, democracy and people: PM Hasina tells parliament
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday came down heavily on the Prothom Alo saying that the Bengali language daily is the enemy of her ruling Awami League party, democracy and the people of the country.
“The name of the paper is Prothom Alo (first light), but it lives in darkness. Prothom Alo is the enemy of Awami League, democracy and the people of the country,” she told the parliament.
The premier made the remarks, joining the discussion on a motion placed by her in the House, marking the 50 years (Golden Jubilee) of the Bangladesh National Parliament. This was also her valedictory speech in the 22nd session of the current parliament.
She said the newspaper asked a 7-year old child to tell a lie, handing him Tk 10. They recorded his remark –-‘We want freedom of rice, fish and meat’--- and published it.
“I am very sorry to say that they never want the stability to remain in this country,” she said.
Hasina said the newspaper was very glad in 2007 when the emergency was declared and two newspapers got engaged wholeheartedly.
In an obvious reference to Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, she said, “A loan shark was with them (the newspapers). He is very a favourite person of the USA.”
The PM said the USA never raised the question how this person, who was the managing director of Grameen Bank, a statutory firm, got millions of dollars.
“He (Dr Yunus) runs social business in a place like the USA and makes investments at home and abroad. Did they (the USA) ever want to know from where the MD, who used to draw salary from the government, got millions of dollars? They didn’t” she said.
“Now we have to hear words (lesson) from them about corruption and the fight against corruption. And about human rights,” she said.
These people (Dr Yunus and others) tried to destroy democracy in this country and played ducks and drakes with the fate of the people.
The PM criticised the USA saying that the country talks against corruption, but they’ve been advocating for convicted persons in graft charges.
“They want to bring such a government here, scraping democracy, which would have no democratic existence –-- (that means) undemocratic trend,” she said, adding that “some local (so-called) intellectuals who live on selling their intellects obey them.”
She said the USA has been sheltering Bangabandhu’s convicted killer Rashed Chowdhury ignoring requests from Bangladesh on many occasions for deporting him.
Talking about the Article 70 of the Constitution that prevents floor crossing by an MP, the prime minister said this has created the scope for a government to complete its tenure in the country.
“Many people raise objections to Article 70. Those who raise this objection probably lack experience. But this article 70 has helped stability of the government in our country. As a result, the country has been able to witness development,” she said.
She said the Jukta Front government of 1954 did not survive due to floor crossing by elected representatives. Earlier the same game was played in 1946.
The PM said she believes and the people of the country also believe that the AL government has been able to change the fate of the people as it has been in power for 14 years in a row.
“Now the difference between villages and cities has reduced…..We are providing civic amenities to every village,” she said.
The premier raised a comparative scenario regarding the socio-economic development in many indicators between 2006 (at the fag-end of BNP-Jamaat regime) and 2022.
She said the per capita income rose to US$ 2,824 in 2022 from only US$ 543 in 2006, while the size of GDP to Tk 4600,000 crore from Tk 415,072 crore, the size of budget to Tk 678,064 crore from Tk 61,000 crore, the size of annual development programme to Tk 227,566 crore from Tk 21,500 crore, the reserve of foreign currencies to US$ 32.63 billion from US$ 0.74 billion, the export income to US$ 52.97 billion from US$ 10.05 billion, the remittance inflow to US$ 21.03 billion from US$ 4.8 billion, the allocation against the social safety sector to Tk 113,576 crore from Tk 2,505 crore, the life expectancy to 73 years from 59 years, the access to drinking water to 98.7 percent from 55 percent, the electricity generation to 25,227 megawatt from 3,882 megawatt, the beneficiary of electricity in the country to 100 percent from 28 percent, the literacy rate to 75.6 percent from 45 percent.
The PM said the economic growth was 5.40 percent in 2006 which rose to 7.50 percent in 2022, the inflation was at 10 percent in 2006 which came down to 5.5 percent in 2019 and 8.57 percent in 2022
She said the poverty rate declined to 20.5 percent in 2022 from 41.51 percent in 2006, the extreme poverty rate to 10 percent from 25.1 percent, the child mortality rate per thousand births to 21 persons from 84, the mother mortality rate per 100 thousand births to 161 from 370.
PM Hasina also highlighted the massive development of Bangladesh in the digital arena.
‘Janatar Hat Bazar’: An initiative to reduce plight of poor amid high inflation
Janatar Hat Bazar, an initiative to sell essential commodities at wholesale prices, has begun in Kurigram with the slogan “selling in retail at wholesale prices”.
The initiative was taken to support the low-income people hit hard by price hike of essentials during Ramadan.
The bazar is located in front of the Muktijoddha Complex building adjacent to the college intersection in the city. ‘Aprotirodhya Kurigram’, a voluntary organization, launched the market on Sunday afternoon.
The primary aim of the organizer is to sell products at wholesale prices.
One liter of soybean oil is being sold for TK180 and 5 liters for TK850. Per kg of lentils costs TK 85, Chola dal TK 82, mung dal TK 88 taka, anchor dal TK 60, chickpea TK 74, salt TK 36, sugar TK 105 taka, 4 eggs TK 36, and rice TK 35–53.
Shafiqul, a rickshaw puller, said he earns only TK 300-400 per day.
He said, "If I buy rice, I can't afford salt, and if I buy salt, you can’t buy rice. Buying fish and meat is like a dream.”
He was surprised to see the low price of rice at only TK 35 in the market.
Akalima Begum also expressed her gratitude, saying, “There are many families who cannot seek relief for self-respect. But this market will provide some comfort to low and middle-income people.
Volunteer Antu Chowdhury said that the Janatar Hat Bazar is open to everyone from all walks of life and aims to provide consumers with relief from the abnormal increase in prices.
The market will be open until the day before Eid and will begin selling beef, as well as vermicelli, spices and veggies.
The bazar began operation with the organization's own financing and subsidies, and it currently employs 30 volunteers, said the organizers.
The market will remain every day from noon to 5 pm.
22nd session of 11th Parliament prorogued
The 22nd session of the 11th Parliament, which was a special session, was prorogued today after five working days.
On the eve of the prorogation, the House unanimously adopted a motion on the occasion of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh National Parliament.
PM Sheikh Hasina, member of parliament from Gopalganj-3 constituency, moved the motion under Section-147 of the Rules of Procedure in the House on the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh National Parliament.
Some 63 lawmakers took part in the discussion that lasted for 10 hours and 23 minutes.
Earlier, President Md Abdul Hamid addressed the House on the occasion of the parliament’s golden jubilee. On April 7, 1973, the first parliament had gone into its maiden sitting in independent Bangladesh.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury read out the prorogation of the President at 2:23pm.
A total of 20 questions were received for the Prime Minister. The session received 449 questions for different ministries.
Bamboo bridge means of communication for 10,000 people of some Shariatpur villages
Senerchar in Zajira upazila of Shariatpur district is a union near the Padma Bridge. Despite that, a bamboo bridge is the means of communication for 10,000 people from seven villages of this union.
The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) started the construction of a bridge to alleviate the sufferings of the people who use the bamboo bridge daily.
Although the deadline for the construction of the bridge ended six months ago, only a few pillars are visible. Locals claimed that the construction work of the bridge has been stopped for two years.
Farmers, traders, students and general public face commute woes due to lack of a stable infrastructure. They demanded completion of the construction work of the bridge soon.
According to LGED sources, a contractor named Hamim International was appointed in 2020 to build a 95-meter-long bridge at a construction cost of Tk 12 crore. According to the order, the bridge was supposed to be handed over in 2022.
The contractor stopped the construction work of the bridge during the pandemic period after building only five pillars. LGED has written several letters to the contractor. Yet, the work on the bridge has not seen progress.
However, Zajira upazila engineer claimed that the work will be started soon.
According to locals, a bamboo bridge is the means of communication with Chhoto Krishnanagar Akon Kandi, West Senerchar Hawlader Kandi, Purba Senerchar Madbar Kandi, West Senerchar Dhali Kandi, Dagu Dhali Kandi, Rabaj Ali Sikder Kandi and Hashemdi Munshi Kandi.
The previous bridge was used by 6,000 people, including students, farmers carrying crops, and traders carrying goods. The bridge was demolished in 2020 for the construction of the new bridge.
Habibur Rahman, proprietor of the contractor Hamim International, could not be contacted for comments as he is in Madaripur.
Zajira Upazila Engineer Emon Mollah said, "I am working as the project manager of the bridge. The work for the construction of the bridge stopped before I joined. The contractor was sent letters several times. Work on the bridge will start soon, the contractor has assured.”
Nafiz Alam, who appeared in DW documentary, arrested from Dhaka’s Bashundhara
Police on Sunday (April 09, 2023) night arrested Nafiz Mohammad Alam, who was interviewed in a recent Deutsche Welle (DW) documentary on RAB, from his home in Bashundhara residential area of Dhaka.
Officer-in-charge of Bhatara Police Station Asaduzzaman told UNB that police arrested Nafiz in a case filed under the pornography act.
Tipped off, a team of Bhatara police carried out a raid at Nafiz's residence in G block of Bashundhara Housing on Sunday evening.
Read More: DW documentary: US hopes Bangladesh will examine allegations against RAB
Foreign alcohol, one laptop, one motorcycle and a mobile phone were seized during the raid.
Sub-inspector Riyad Ahmed of Bhatara Police Station filed a case against Nafiz with the police station under the Narcotics Control Act, said the OC.
He also said Nafiz was accused in three cases and there was an arrest warrant against him filed with the police station under the pornography act.
Read More: Death in Custody: RAB quizzes Jasmine's son and brother-in-law
Replying to a question, the OC said that Nafiz has been produced before a Dhaka court.
Man killed in sleep by brother in Manikganj
A man was killed, allegedly by his younger brother, in Singaire upazila of Manikganj on Sunday.
The deceased Abu Raihan, 27, was son of Shahjahan Fakir and a resident of Vakum Fakirpara village of Joymontop union.
According to family members, Roman, 24, the younger brother, slit Raihan's throat while he was asleep around 12 am.
Family members rescued and rushed Raihan to upazila health complex where the duty doctor declared him dead.
Roman might have killed his brother over family dispute and fled immediately, said Syed Mizanur Islam, officer-in-charge of Singair police station.
The body was sent to the morgue of Manikganj General Hospital for an autopsy, said the OC.