Bangladesh
Bangladesh balances energy needs with climate, conservation
Fish, rice, mangrove trees and the lush delta wetlands where the massive Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers drain into the Bay of Bengal.
It’s not luxury. But for the farmers and fishermen who live by the world’s largest mangrove forest, it’s more than enough. Now, the environment is at risk.
A power plant will start burning coal near the Sundarbans this year as part of Bangladesh’s plan to meet its energy needs and improve living standards, officials say. Home to 168 million people, Bangladesh is among the most densely populated countries in the world. Once the power plant begins functioning at its full capacity, it will generate 1,320 megawatts of power, as much as Bangladesh’s largest coal power plant generates now.
The developing world needs its people to live better. But fossil fuel-powered economic growth can create environmental problems and make lives worse.
Read more: Power flow set up from Payra plant to Rampal sub-station
HC wants to know steps against those involved in prison guard recruitment scam
The High Court on Wednesday asked the authorities concerned to inform the court within one month about the steps taken against those involved in prison guard recruitment scam across the country.
The HC bench of Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Mohammad Ali passed the order after hearing a writ petition.
The court also asked the committee formed to probe the scam to submit its report. Inspector General of Prison has been asked to execute the order.
READ: HC suspends Tk 1.5 lakh fine against Destiny chairman in money laundering sentence
The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the authorities concerned should not be directed to appoint actual Zahirul Islam as prison guard after removing fake Zahirul Islam, who has been working as a prison guard for the last 18 years through fraudulence.
Advocate Khurshid Alam Khan and Abul Kalam stood for the petitioner while deputy attorney general Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar represented the state.
Zahirul filed a writ petition attaching a report of a newspaper headlined ‘Zahirul, from Kulaura want to get back his job: working as a prison guard for 18 years through fraudulence proved in investigation’.
According to the report, Zahirul Islam Eshu passed the exam for the post of prison guard in 2003. He also faced police verification but finally he didn’t receive the appointment letter.
After 18 years, Zahirul came to know that another person using his identity has been serving the job which was proved during in an investigation.The probe body headed by Sylhet Deputy Inspector General of Prison submitted the probe report recently.
Zahirul wrote a letter to Sylhet Deputy Inspector General of Prison seeking his job back.
Getting no response from him, he filed the writ petition.
The writ also sought issuance of a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why directives should not be given to take legal action against the person who has been is performing the job instead of Zahirul.
READ: ACC moves to sign deals with 8 nations to bring laundered money back
Secretary to the Home Ministry, Inspector General of Prison, Deputy Inspector General of Prison, Senior Jail Supers of Sylhet Central Jail and Brahmanbaria Central Jail and fake Zahirul were made respondents to the rule.
While talking to reporters, Abdullah Al Mahmud, deputy attorney general, said the authorities concerned took the issue seriously and investigated the allegation.
According to the probe committee report, evidences of fraud was found against 88 recruits out of 200 and three people were identified who have been working as prison guards instead of real recruits, he said.
Already administrative actions have been taken against those who were found guilty as doing fraud, he added.
One arrested over Sylhet BNP leader murder
Police have arrested a youth in connection with the murder of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Sylhet's Amberkhana area.
The arrestee is Md Kuti, 24, son of late Nur Miah of Sylhet's Barobazar Gwaipara area, said Azbahar Ali Sheikh, deputy commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police (North) on Wednesday.
However, police did not give details from where Kuti was arrested.
Read: Case filed over Sylhet BNP leader's murder
Earlier, AFM Kamal, former health affairs secretary of Sylhet district unit of BNP, stabbed to death in Barobazar area of Sylhet on Sunday night.
On Tuesday night, a case was filed at Jalalabad police station against 10 named and 4-5 unnamed people following a complaint lodged by victim’s brother Moinul Haque.
Following the death, BNP leaders and activists staged demonstrations on Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital premises on the same night (Sunday).
At that time, several motorcycles were burnt and a private car was vandalised in Rikabibazar area where a clash broke out between some BCL and BNP activists.
Read: 35-yr-old killed over land dispute in Sylhet
Besides, pictures of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were torn during the procession.
Later, police reached the spot and dispersed the protesters.
Besides, 4 people were arrested in connection with the vandalism under section 54, said Mohammad Ali Mahmud, officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sylhet Kotwali Police Station.
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project delayed by Russia-Ukraine War: Yeafesh Osman
Bangladesh's Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman has said that the government is trying to complete the construction work of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project within the stipulated timeframe.
“Due to the Russia-Ukraine war and subsequent dollar crisis, work of the project has been delayed to some extent,” he remarked while briefing reporters after a joint meeting of his ministry with the Power Division on Wednesday (November 09, 2022) at Dhaka’s Bidyut Bhaban.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid was also present at the meeting.
The meeting was convened to discuss the progress of the construction of a power transmission line from the nuclear power plant in Rooppur in Pabna.
Read: Bridge cranes installed at Unit 2 of Rooppur NPP
The 2400 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, with two units, was undertaken in 2010.
A target was set by the government to complete the construction of the first unit in 2022 and second unit in 2023.
But later the target was reset, and the first unit was to be completed by June 2024 and second unit by June 2025.
Sources involved in the project believe it may miss the new timeline again.
Yeafesh Osman today did not specify any timeframe.
Read: 178 Russians employees of Rooppur Nuclear Power Project leave Bangladesh
“We’re trying to get this done,” he said, adding that both the Science and Technology Ministry and the Power Division will work together in a coordinated manner to complete the project.
About the power transmission line, Nasrul Hamid said the project was also delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.
“Now efforts are being made to expedite the project implementation”, he said.
He said the transmission line crossing the Padma river is a major work which may take another one and a half years to complete.
Read More: Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to get powerful reactors: Rosatom DG
“We hope we can complete the transmission line before completion of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project,” he said.
Without physical activity, Dhaka children growing up like ‘farmed chicken’: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (November 09, 2022) put emphasis on attaining mental strength and self-confidence while training for excellence in sports.
“Mental strength and confidence along with training are of utmost importance. The more you train, the more you will attain excellence,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while addressing a reception programme for Bangladesh women’s national football team who won the SAFF women’s championship 2022 in September. At the event, prize money and financial honorarium were handed to women footballers for bringing the trophy to Bangladesh.
The programme was held at the Shapla Hall of Prime Minister Office (PMO).
Read: Outstanding SAFF performance: PM gives away cheques to Bangladesh women’s football team
Bangladesh women’s team lifted the SAFF championship 2022 by beating four-times finalist and hosts Nepal 3-1 in Kathmandu on September 19 last.
The Prime Minister said that athletes of the country must always remember that as a nation Bangalees have attained a hard-earned victory in the Liberation War.
“We are a victorious nation; we have attained independence through the Liberation War. You must remember this. We won in the war and we will win in sports too. You must have this attitude. Only then success will come,” she said.
Talking about development in sports over the last 14 years, she said, “We are trying to develop the sports sector from the grassroots level. There is a stadium in every district and that stadium will be used for every sport,” she said.
Read: Focusing on sports, cultural activities to create worthy citizens: PM
Talking about mini stadium in every upazila, she said that these stadiums will be used for all kinds of sports, and schools can use the venues for holding their annual sports events.
Sheikh Hasina said that her government has constructed 125 Sheikh Russel mini stadiums in as many upzilas and work to construct 186 more such mini stadium has started in the second phase. In the third phase, 173 Sheikh Russel mini stadiums will be constructed.
She also said that the government will construct indoor stadiums in every district while there will be BKSP in every division for development of the sports sector in the country.
The prime minister said that besides studies, sports, cultural activities and literature are crucial to ensure physical and mental wellbeing of children.
Read: No megaprojects now but no compromise on welfare-oriented ones: PM
She mentioned that during the 1996-2001 tenure, the Awami League government sent players in several countries including Brazil, Portugal and Spain for advanced training.
The PM also said that the government is providing patronage to different-abled athletes as part of the “sports for all” policy.
The Prime Minister observed that children living in Dhaka city are growing up like “farmed chicken”, cooped up in apartments, with little to no physical activity.
She asked parents to pay special attention to their children in this regard and take them to the playgrounds regularly.
Read: PM: Encourage children to take to sports to become good citizens
“Schools must have arrangements for regular sports activities,” she said.
She asked the affluent in the society to come forward and contribute to the development of local sports. “They can at least appoint athletes in their organisations so that their livelihoods are ensured,” she said.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Kazi Md. Salah Uddin, Sabina Khatun and Youth and Sports secretary Mesbah Uddin also spoke at the programme.
A documentary was screened at the reception programme for the SAFF championship winner Bangladesh women’s national football team.
Read More: 5 SAFF champion girls receive grand reception in Khagrachari
Outstanding SAFF performance: PM gives away cheques to Bangladesh women’s football team
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (November 09, 2022) handed over cheques among players, coaches, and officials of the Bangladesh national women's Football team for winning the SAFF Women’s Championship 2022 in September.
She handed over the cheques at a programme held at the Shapla Hall of Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The event was held to accord reception and give away money and financial honorarium to members of the Bangladesh national women's Football team for their outstanding performance in SAFF championship.
Each player got a cheque of Tk 5 lakh while each coach and other officials got Tk 2 lakh each.
Read: Army announces Tk 1 crore reward for SAFF women champions
Bangladesh women’s team lifted the SAFF title 2022 by beating four-times finalist and hosts Nepal 3-1 in Kathmandu on September 19 last.
2 Bangladeshis shot dead in BSF firing along Lalmonirhat border, locals say
Two Bangladeshi nationals were shot dead by members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along Lohakuchi border in Kaliganj upazila of Lalmonirhat district on Wednesday morning, locals say.
The deceased were identified as Waskurni, 32, son of Sanwar Hossain and Aynal Haque, 30, son of Sadek Ali of Mahishtuli village in Aditmari upazila of the district.
Read: 2 Bangladeshi youths killed in BSF firing along Lalmonirhat border
Quoting locals, Golam Rasul, officer-in-charge of Kaliganj Police Station, said the BSF members from Koimari Botfor camp opened fire on some Bangladeshi nationals, including Waskurni and Aynal, who went to the border area to bring cattle early in this morning. The duo was dead on the spot.
On information, police went to the spot and legal action will be taken after investigation.
Case filed over Sylhet BNP leader's murder
A case has been filed over the murder of a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader in Sylhet's Amberkhana area on Sunday night.
The case was filed at Jalalabad police station on Tuesday night against 10 named and 4-5 unnamed people including Azizur Rahman Samrat following a complaint lodged by the victim’s brother Moinul Haque, Azbahar Ali Sheikh, deputy commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police (North), confirmed.
However, no one has been arrested so far, the police official said.
Read: Sylhet BNP politician stabbed to death
AFM Kamal, former health affairs secretary of Sylhet district unit of BNP, was killed after miscreants blocked his car and stabbed him in Barobazar area of Sylhet on Sunday night.
Following the death, BNP leaders and activists started a protest march from Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital premises on the same night.
At that time, several motorcycles were burnt and a private car was vandalised in the Rikabibazar area.
Read: 35-yr-old killed over land dispute in Sylhet
Besides, pictures of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were torn during the procession.
When the procession reached the Rikabibazar area, a group of Chhatra League members clashed with them. A chase and counter took place between the two groups.
Later, police reached the spot and dispersed the protesters.
Meanwhile, 4 people have been arrested in connection with the vandalism under section 54, said Mohammad Ali Mahmud, officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sylhet Kotwali Police Station.
Two brothers killed in Gazipur road crash
Two brothers met a tragic end after a covered van ran over the motorbike they were on, in Kaliakair upazila of Gazipur on Tuesday afternoon.
Al Amin, 32, and his younger brother Anik Hossain, 28, of Harinhati village under Kaliakair upazila.
Atikur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Salna Highway police station, said elder brother Amin had bought the motorcycle after returning from Singapore around six months back.
Read more: Four die in horrific road crash in Gazipur
The accident occurred in the afternoon as the covered van ran over the bike while it was taking a U-turn on Kaliakair-Nabinagar Road in Chandra area.
Amin died on the spot, while Anik was rushed to Kaliakair Upazila Health Complex in a critically injured state. He succumbed to his injuries there.
Though the covered van was seized, its driver managed to flee. OC Atikur Rahman said legal action will be taken in this connection.
US only cares for free & fair election, not who wins: Amb. Haas
U.S. Ambassador Peter Haas has sought to assure his hosts that even as it openly engages with various actors in the build up to the next parliamentary elections, it is only the process to deliver a free and fair election that they are interested in – not who wins or loses.
Haas said this while addressing a meeting to exchange views with members of the Editors’ Council, at a city hotel on Tuesday.
The editors engaged with the ambassador about the challenges faced by free and independent media in Bangladesh, not only due to stringent laws such as the Digital Security Act, but also in light of media ownership and how that affects the work of journalists.
The meeting was moderated by the council’s president, Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star. Haas stressed that his country does not favour any one party in Bangladesh over the other, and urged all entities to play their proper role in ensuring free and fair elections.
The ambassador however pointed out that even with all its faults, within the USA there is constant pressure and debate to be transparent regarding violations of rights, in one word accountability, and institutions in place to work on them.
Addressing the economic crisis faced by Bangladesh due to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, Haas stated that no country is better off today than they were before Russia invaded Ukraine, but some countries are impacted more.
He also talked about transforming the foreign aid/ODA slant of the relationship between Dhaka and Washington to bring it in line with Bangladesh’s graduation to a middle income country.
Read more: US Official: Free, fair elections “must include a level playing field for all”
The ambassador said that the US International Development Finance Corporation provides private sector investment in infrastructure, innovation and women’s economic empowerment, but it is governed by some of the same principles as the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), from which Bangladesh was excluded in 2013.
While Bangladesh has made great strides in worker safety since the Rana Plaza incident, the overall labour rights situation continues to be an ‘impediment’ to gaining, or regaining access to these privileges, Haas explained.
He also appreciated Bangladesh’s role in opening its doors to the Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar, even in the absence of any expectation that they could be repatriated in the foreseeable future.
The ambassador was candid in conveying that the US cannot force the Myanmar junta to take the community back with no risk to their lives, even though they need repatriation.
“We need to make sure that they are not in despair, with no hope,” he said.
Read more: Holding fair polls requires equal role from all sides: Ambassador Haas
Besides the moderator, the meeting was also attended by Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, Daily Manabzamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Ajker Patrika Editor Golam Rahman, Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, Daily Ittefaq Editor Tasmima Hossain, Inqilab Editor AMM Bahauddin, Daily Samakal Acting Editor Mozammel Hossain, Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud, Financial Express Editor Shamsul Huq Zahid, Desh Rupantor Acting Editor Mustafa Mamun and Dhaka Tribune Associate Editor Abu Sayeed Asiful Islam.