Bangladesh
CRAB expresses concern over a series of mugging incident
Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) on Monday expressed its deep concern over several members becoming victims of mugging in the capital and its outskirts recently.
Also read: Prime accused among 4 held over mugging of DU student after abduction
Sirajul Islam, member of the Executive Committee of the CRAB and senior reporter of vernacular daily Jugantor, and Iqbal Hasan Farid, member of CRAB and crime reporter of the same daily, were mugged recently in separate incidents. The muggers snatched away their mobile phones and valuables but no one involved in the incident has yet been arrested by police.
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In a statement on Monday, Mirza Mehdi Tamal and Asaduzzaman Biku, president and general secretary respectively of CRAB, along with the leaders of the executive committee called upon the law enforcement agencies to quickly arrest those involved in the mugging incident. Besides, the leaders requested the police to be more careful for the safety of journalists.
‘Robber’ lynched in Chattogram
A 35-year-old suspected robber was killed in a lynch-mob attack at Hilsia village in Patia upazila on Sunday.
The identity of the deceased could not be known immediately.
Rashedul Islam, officer-in-charge of Patia Police Station, said six people, entered into the house of one person Badal Chowdhury around 2:30 am at the village and looted valuables after keeping the house inmates hostages at gunpoint.
Read: Schoolgirl goes missing as boat sinks in Padma
Hearing screams, local people encircled the house and managed to catch one robber while the others managed to flee the scene.
Later though, they gave him a good thrashing, leaving him dead.
On information, police recovered the body and sent it to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Fatal level crossing: Mother, son killed as train hits human hauler in Faridpur
A 26-year-old woman and her minor son were killed when a train hit a human hauler at Sriramdia in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district on Monday.
The deceased were identified as Lima Begum and her seven-year-old son Imran of Sadardi area in the upazila.
Habil Hossain, officer-in-charge of Nagarkanda Police Station, said the Rajshahi-bound ‘Madhumoti Express’ train from Bhanga crashed into the human hauler amid rain, leaving its two passengers dead.
Read: Farmers in Jamalpur demonstrate after failing to buy fertilizer
The train dragged the three-wheel vehicle for almost a kilometre from the point of impact.
Takdir Hossain, Faridpur Railway Station Master, said the human hauler got stuck on the rail track while trying to cross it during rain.
Farmers in Jamalpur demonstrate after failing to buy fertilizer
Vehicular movement on the Jamalpur-Mymensingh highway remained suspended for half an hour as several hundred farmers staged a demonstration by blocking the road after failing to purchase fertilizers in time in Sadar upazila of Jamalpur on Monday.
The farmers thronged the entrance of a fertilizer shop named M/s Haidar Traders in Nandina from 7am to 9am to purchase fertilizer, within the stipulated window for fertiliser sales at the shop.
But the shop never opened on Monday morning, and when the rally reached the area it halted vehicular movement.
Later, normal traffic resumed around 10am as the farmers cleared the road following assurances from the Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).
Also read: Govt considering diesel subsidy for Boro farmers: Agriculture Minister
Contacted, Haidar Ali, the owner of the shop and approved dealer, said he only got 14 metric tonnes of fertilizer and he was able to keep only 7 MT in his shop at a time.
In the morning, he got frightened seeing the huge number of farmers in front of his shop and fled the scene. He questioned himself: “How could I distribute the meagre amount I had in stock (147 sacks, as he said) among the huge number of farmers?”
Litun Lorence, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said “There is no crisis of fertilizer and the dealers are selling fertilizers as per the government directives."
Also read: Drought dashes dreams of Khulna farmers
This year, 31 hectares of land have been brought under Aman cultivation in Sadar upazila, and 928 MT of fertilizers have been allocated for this area, according to Dilruba Yeasmin, upazila agriculture officer.
Tobacco Control Act: BSOA wants quick approval of proposed amendment
The Bangladesh Supermarket Owners' Association (BSOA) have demanded quick approval of the proposed amendment to the Tobacco Control Act.
Recently the health ministry has prepared a draft for further revision of the Tobacco Control Act 2005.
The BSOA leaders were speaking at a joint discussion with Dhaka Ahsania Mission Sunday in Dhaka, according to a media statement.
BSOA Chief Advisor and Founder President Niaz Rahim said the government has set a target to make the country tobacco-free by 2040.
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"We hope the amended law will be passed soon and the government's vision will be implemented."
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Bangladesh Lead Policy Advisor Md Mostafizur Rahman said the current Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act 2005 completely prohibits the advertising and promotion of tobacco products.
However, the existing law does not specifically prohibit the display of tobacco products at the point of sales, he added. "Tobacco companies are mainly advertising and promoting tobacco products through the exhibition of their products at the sales centres."
So, the health ministry recently formulated a draft for further revision of the Tobacco Control Act, Mostafizur said.
Let’s see what she achieves this time, Fakhrul about PM’s India tour
Stating that the outcomes of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s previous India tours were disappointing for the nation, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they want to see what she achieves this time during her four-day visit.
Speaking at a discussion, he said, "My journalist brothers sent me a note to talk about the Prime Minister's visit to India. I don't want to talk about this as our previous experience was very bitter and disappointing,” he said.
During the PM’s every trip to India, Fakhrul said, people always hoped that the prime minister would achieve something for the country. “Every time we saw with great disappointment that she only gave (India many things) but did not bring anything (for the country from there).”
He said BNP will give reaction to the PM’s visit by seeing the outcomes. “Let her (Prime Minister) visit first and return home. Let's see what she achieves and then I will comment on it.”
M Saifur Rahman Smriti Parshad organised the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) marking the 13th death anniversary of former finance minister and BNP standing committee member M Saifur Rahman.
Earlier in the morning, Hasina went to New Delhi on a four-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
During her visit, the PM is scheduled to hold bilateral talks and a one-to-one meeting with Modi at the Hyderabad House on Tuesday.
Read: BNP demands probe into illegal use of Chinese Rifle by N’ganj police
Fakhrul recalled Saifur Rahman’s outstanding contributions to the country’s economy and development and said Bangladesh has lost a very competent and successful finance minister through his demise.
Mentioning that the nation is going to through a very difficult time, he said had Saifur been alive at this time, he would have undoubtedly helped the country overcome the crisis with his political wisdom. ”He also would have been able to reveal the true face of this regime which has created a hype of false development revolution.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Saifur Rahman had not hesitated to do what was necessary for ensuring the sustainable development of the country and strengthening the economy.
He said Saifur had taken various effective steps like the introduction of VAT to build a stable economy of the country.
The BNP leader said the Awami League government has been getting benefits from the economic reforms carried out by Saifur and thus it is indulging in widespread plundering. “The way this regime is looting public money using the steps taken by him, he (Saifur) would have fought against it if he were alive.”
On September 5, 2009, Saifur died in a road accident on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway at the age of 77.
Born at Baharmardan village in Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila on October 6, 1932, Saifur was with BNP since its inception as an adviser to late president Ziaur Rahman. He went on to serve in Zia’s cabinet as the first commerce minister and then the finance minister.
PM Hasina greets new UK Tory leader Lizz Truss
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday congratulated the newly elected Conservative Party leader, Elizabeth Truss, who is set to be the prime minister of the United Kingdom.
Hasina, now on a four-day visit in India, said: ‘Your appointment is a testimony to the trust and confidence of the British people in your leadership to take your country to newer heights of progress and prosperity.’
She reiterated that Bangladesh and the UK enjoy historic relations deeply rooted in “our shared values of democracy, secularism, and tolerance.”
She expressed great satisfaction that the robust cooperation in trade, investment, and sustainable development between Dhaka and London will further grow over time.
Also read: Liz Truss new leader of Conservative Party, set to be UK PM
"On top of everything, the more vibrant Bangladesh-British Diaspora in the UK serves as the common treasure for developing the two countries,” Hasina said in her message.
She said that 2022 is the most significant year as Bangladesh and the UK, two Commonwealth nations celebrate 50 years of their friendship.
Hasina said she looks forward to working closely with Elizabeth Truss to further strengthen long-standing political, economic and strategic partnerships.
Also read: Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss to be named as UK's new prime minister
Educational institutions are free to decide on student politics: Dipu Moni
Education Minister Dipu Moni on Monday said the educational institutions will decide whether to allow or not student politics on the campus.
“The outcome of banning student politics in educational institutions is not usually good. This should also be considered,” she said.
The minister was talking to reporters after attending a meeting on law and order situation during SSC and equivalent exams in the capital.
Being involved in politics is a matter of an individual’s fundamental rights, said Dipu.
Also read: Momen not accompanying PM in India: Dipu Moni questions media’s use of “dropped”
“It is between a political party and an educational institute, what rule they made and what understanding they have regarding student politics. The education ministry does not decide nor intervene in these matters,” said the minister.
“People have different opinions regarding allowing student politics in educational institutions but there is no alternative to political consciousness if we hope for a democratic society” Dipu added.
Politics is a healthy and positive thing and this positivity has to be maintained during party politics in educational institutions, she said.
On August 13, former students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) arranged a rally in its premises ahead of National Mourning Day under the banner of Bangladesh Chhatra league (BCL).
Also read: SSC exams this year will start from 11am, duration 2 hours: Dipu Moni
This raised a storm of debate as political activities in BUET campus has officially remained banned since the murder of student Abrar Fahad in 2019, by some then-leaders of BCl at Sher-e-Bangla Hall of the university.
Dengue death toll rises to 26 as three more die
Three more Dengue patients died in 24 hours till Monday morning, raising this year’s death toll from the mosquito-borne disease to 26.
During this period, 208 more people were hospitalised with the viral fever as cases have continued to increase in Bangladesh, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: Dengue death toll rises to 23 as another dies; 245 new patients hospitalised
The latest deaths were reported from Dhaka, Cox's Bazar and Barishal divisions. With the new numbers, the dengue death toll from Cox’s Bazar stood at 14 while it raised to 11 in Dhaka.
Of the new patients, 157 were admitted to the hospitals of Dhaka and 51 outside it, DGHS said.
A total of 806 dengue patients, including 674 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
On June 21, the DGHS reported the first death of the season from the viral disease.
This year, the directorate has recorded 7,113 dengue cases and 6,281 recoveries so far.
Fear of fresh flooding grips Sylhet as rivers swell again
Rivers in the northeastern district of Sylhet swelled following three days of heavy rains in the region and upstream in India, raising fear of another round of flooding this year.
Incessant rains since early Saturday sent many parts Sylhet city to go under knee-deep water. Vast areas of the city have been hit by acute waterlogging. Water has also entered households and shops, causing immense sufferings to people living in low-lying areas.
Locals complained that waterlogging happened due to poor drainage system in the city.
“A downpour for a couple of hours inundates most of the city areas due to incomplete drainage works. Besides, rainwater can’t pass as local influential people have filled up almost all the water bodies,” said Kawsar Mia, a city resident.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC), water level is rising fast in rivers flowing through Sylhet and Sunamganj. A temporary flooding is likely to affect these two districts within this week. However, the losses will be minimal as no crop is currently being cultivated in the division’s Haor areas.
Read: Sylhet flood situation improves as rivers recede
“The current bout of rain will continue till September 6, while another round may drench Sylhet division next week,” said Saeed Ahmad Chowdhury, a senior meteorologist at Sylhet Meteorological Center.
Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, an executive engineer of FFWC, said that another round of flooding is on the horizon.
“Heavy rain is ongoing upstream. As a result, floodwater will continue inundating the Teesta basin and Sylhet division for most of this week. But the increased level of water won’t last long,” Arif said.
According to forecast by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), seasonal air will cause rain in Sylhet division for the next few days. Besides, a forecast from Bangladesh Water Development Board (WDB) has said that water level in almost all the rivers of the country will rise due to excessive rain in the upstream.
In June, a record-level flooding inundated almost 80 percent area of Sylhet division. The deluge that ravaged the region from June to August claimed more than 80 lives and forced many to flee their flooded homes and take shelter on highways and buildings in whatever little dry places were left.