Bangladesh
BCL attacks Chhatra Dal at RU; 2 injured
Two student leaders of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Rajshahi University were injured as the men of Bangladesh Chhatra League of that university allegedly attacked them.
The incident took place on Monday afternoon at the Chhatra Dal's party tent adjacent to the 'Buddhijibi Chattar' of the university.
Among them, Zakir Rezwan, a member of the convening committee of Chhatra Dal and MA Taher Rahman, joint convener, were injured and being treated at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
According to eyewitness sources, the leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal were sitting in their own party tent. Suddenly, Kabiruzzaman Ruhul, president of BCL at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall and Sakhawat Hossain Shakil, vice-president of BCL at Shaheed Suhrawardy Hall, along with some 10 or 12 BCL men attacked them. At that time the leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal could not resist and fled quickly.
READ: BCL activists clash with villagers near CU campus
In this regard, the convener of the university branch Chhatra Dal Sultan Ahmed Rahi said, "When the members of our convening committee entered the campus for some academic works, some of the leaders and activists of BCL attacked our men and left two seriously injured."
"Chhatra League is a terrorist organization. We demand a ban on this organization," Rahi added.
Kabiruzzaman Ruhul, president of BCL at Bangabandhu hall of the university said to UNB, "We heard Chhatra Dal men planning to make the campus unstable and we got them out of the campus."
Shakhawat Hossain Shakil, vice-president of BCL at Shaheed Suhrawardy hall told UNB that they attacked them for trying to cause chaos on the campus.
It is our duty to resist any of the chaotic activities at the campus, that's why we get them out of the campus, Shakil added.
HC directs ACC to identify those involved in money laundering through e-commerce
The High Court (HC) on Monday directed the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to identify the persons who are allegedly involved in the money laundering and determine the amount of the laundered money through e-commerce.
The court also directed the anti-corruption watchdog to identify those responsible for the serious loss of the e-commerce customers.
An HC bench comprising Justice Md. Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order with rule during a hearing taking cognizance of the three petitions in this regard.
Barrister Humaiyun Kabir Pallab, Mohammad Shishir Monir, and Anwarul Islam Badhon filed the writ petitions with the High Court while Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar stood for the state.
Also Read: HC orders disposal of ex-MP Bodi’s graft case in 1 yr
Humaiyun Kabir Pallab told journalists that the court also directed the Ministry of Commerce to collect information about the loss of the consumers of the e-commerce companies. Besides, it also issued a rule on why it should not be declared illegal the inactions by the defendants to fix the responsibility of the financial scam.
Lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir said the financial scam happened due to the inactiveness of the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh Competition Commission, and Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection. The defendants have to answer to the court within four weeks of the rule.
On September 20, 2021, lawyer Anwarul Islam Badhon filed a writ to establish an independent e-commerce regulatory body according to the national digital commerce police mandate to keep the interest of the customers and their rights.
CHT to be brought under railways network
Bangladesh Railways has undertaken a master plan for bringing three hilly districts under the railway network in order to improve the connectivity in the Chittagong Hill Tracts area.
The information was disclosed at the 11th meeting of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry, held with its chairman Md Dabirul Islam in the chair at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Monday.
The meeting discussed development of the railway network and setting up a small airport in the CHT area to develop the tourism industry there.
Besides, other issues related to the CHT area came up for discussion in the meeting.
The meeting was informed that Bangladesh Railways has taken a master plan for introduction of railway communication system in the three CHT districts and the government has a plan to bring the districts under the railway network as per the master plan.
READ: 50 railway stations are getting facelift with modern amenities, says railways minister
The parliamentary committee recommended the ministry to ensure presence of the deputy commissioners of CHT districts in its next meeting to inform the latest status of the lands, which were leased out for individual-level forestation, but not used for forestation yet in the three hilly districts.
The Ministry is recommended to ensure that the concerned Deputy Commissioners are present at the next meeting to inform the committee about the present status of the leased lands of the three hill districts which have been leased for individual afforestation but have not been afforested so far.
The committee also asked the ministries concerned to take steps for bringing 100 percent areas of the hilly districts under the electricity coverage, construction of houses and quarters for the government officers and employees in the three districts and taking planned housing projects.
Committee members Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing, ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, Kujendra Lal Tripura and Basanti Chakma attended the meeting.
The CHT Affairs Secretary, the Housing and Public Works Secretary and the Railways Secretary, among high officials, were present, said a press release.
House tutor arrested for trying to rape 9-year-old in Feni
Police arrested a man for trying to rape a nine-year-old girl whom he tutored at her home in Parshuram upazila of Feni.
The arrestee was identified as Md Afaz Uddin, 24, imam of a local mosque and son of Abu Bakkar from Mirzanagr union.
On Sunday evening, Afaz went to the victim’s house to teach her Arabic like every day and tried to rape her when her mother went out of sight, said Saiful Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Parshuram police station.
Hearing the girl’s cries her mother rushed to the room and caught him during the crime.
Also Read: Father, son held with firearms in Benapole
The girl’s mother called national emergency service number 999 with the help of neighbors and police members from Parshuram police station detained the accused.
Later a case was filed at Parshuram police station under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act following a complaint from the victim’s mother, said the OC.
On Monday, the accused was sent to jail after police produced him before court.
The victim’s statement has been recorded by Feni Senior Judicial Magistrate Fatema Tuj Johra, said the OC.
Order cancelling Samrat's bail upheld by Appellate Division
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Monday upheld the High Court order that cancelled the bail granted to the expelled Jubo League leader Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat in a graft case.
Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice M Enayetur Rahim passed the order after hearing a petition filed by Samrat seeking a
3stay on the High Court order.
The petition will likely be heard on the regular bench of the Appellate Division on May 30.
Senior Advocate Rokonuddin Mahmud stood for the petitioner while Khurshid Alam Khan, a counsel of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) represented the state.
On May 18, the High Court cancelled the bail granted to Samrat in the graft case.
A two-judge bench of justices Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo passed the order in the wake of a petition by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) challenging the bail order of a lower court on May 11.
The court also asked Samrat to surrender before a lower court within seven days, said deputy attorney general AGM Amin Uddin.
Earlier, on May 16, the ACC filed a petition before the High Court seeking cancellation of the bail of Samrat in the graft case.
READ: HC cancels bail of expelled JL leader Samrat
On May 11, the Dhaka court granted bail to Samrat in the graft case, paving the way for his release from judicial custody.
Judge Al Asad Md Asifuzzaman of Dhaka Special Judge Court-6 passed the order but with riders — Samrat can't leave the country without the permission of the court, has to submit his passport and also his health reports on the designated date.
Earlier, the same court turned down his bail plea in the corruption case filed by the ACC twice -- on April 28 and April 13.
Samrat secured bail in a drugs case on April 11 and in an Arms Act case and a money laundering case on April 10.
The expelled Jubo League leader has been undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital since November 24 last year.
On October 6, 2019, Rab detained Samrat and his associate Enamul Haque Arman from Chauddagram in Cumilla.
Rab raided his Kakrail office later that day. Huge quantities of foreign liquor, pistols, and two hides of kangaroo were seized from his office.
He was later sentenced by a mobile court to six months in prison under the Wildlife Conservation Act.
On October 7, Abdul Khaleque, deputy assistant director of Rab-1 lodged two complaints against Samrat at Ramna police station under the Arms and the Narcotics Act. Arman was also made an accused in the narcotics case.
On November 4, Shekhar Chandra Mallik, a sub-inspector, submitted a chargesheet against Samrat in the Arms Act case.
On November 12, the ACC lodged a complaint against him for acquiring assets worth Tk 2.94 crore beyond his known sources of income.
On September 12, 2020, Rashedur Rahman, sub-inspector of CID, registered a case against him at the Ramna police station for laundering Tk 195 crore to Malaysia and Singapore.
Lastly, on November 26 last year, the investigating officer in the case, Jahangir Alam, submitted a chargesheet in the court.
Denmark, Norway, Sweden celebrate 'NordicWeek,' 50 years of ties with Bangladesh
Three Nordic countries – Denmark, Norway and Sweden – are now celebrating "NordicWeek" while marking the 50 years of their relations with Bangladesh.
On the occasion of 50 years of Nordic-Bangladesh relationship, three Nordic ambassadors in Dhaka – Espen Rikter-Svendsen, Winnie Estrup Petersen and Alex Berg von Linde sent greetings to all.
"We, the Nordics, bring our long-standing experience in balancing social progress, economic growth, and sustainability. We bring our values, knowledge and resources; and be it for green economic transition or the blue economy, we are here with you," says Norwegian Ambassador Espen Rikter-Svendsen.
Also Read: Nordic countries’ assistance to Bangladesh to continue: envoys
"On climate action, multilateralism, democracy and human rights, gender equality and inclusive growth – let us continue to join forces. Here's to fifty years and beyond!"
Rains likely to lash Bangladesh
The weather department has predicted showers in the eight divisions of Bangladesh in the next 24 hours.
"Rain or thundershowers with lightning flashes and temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Rajshahi and Chattogram divisions and at one or two places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Sylhet divisions," the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said Monday.
A mild heatwave is sweeping over Rajshahi, Khulna and Jashore and it may continue and spread.
Also Read: Rain damages 412 hectares of croplands in Kurigram: DAE
The highest temperature today was recorded at 36.6 degrees Celsius in Jashore, while the minimum temperature was 21.8 degrees in Tetulia.
The maximum rainfall was recorded at 55mm in Chattogram in the last 24 hours till 6pm Monday.
Day temperature may remain nearly unchanged and night temperature may rise slightly, the BMD said.
Bangladesh, Switzerland discuss celebration of 50 years of ties in Davos
Bangladesh has discussed important bilateral issues with Switzerland, including the celebration of 50 years of bilateral ties between the countries, in Davos.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam had bilateral talks with Livia Leu, state secretary at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, on the margins of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monday.
Also Read: Cosmos Dialogue on Bangladesh-Switzerland relations to be premiered Wednesday
Bangladesh and Switzerland established diplomatic ties in 1972 and have been strengthening and broadening the relations since then.
10 workers injured in Gazipur factory fire
At least 10 workers sustained burn injuries as a fire broke out in a readymade garment factory in Gazipur's Kaliakair Monday.
The blaze started at Nur Group's Rayan Textile in Chandra just one week after another fire accident at the same factory.
The fire originated at a fabric warehouse on the 4th floor of the factory and spread like a wildfire, Gazipur Fire Service Deputy Assistant Director Md Abdul Hamid said.
Five firefighting units from Joydebpur, Kaliakair, and Kashimpur responded, and could get the blaze under control after one and a half hours.
READ: Fire at Gazipur pharma factory
"A few workers got injured while trying to douse the flames. They were sent to Kaliakair Upazila Health Complex," Abdul Hamid said.
"The extent of damage from the fire could not be confirmed immediately. Also, the reasons for the fire mishap could not be known," he added.
Possible security threats likely to complicate Rohingya crisis: Experts
The future of the Rohingya crisis, with the bleak possibility of Rohingya resettlement and the likely emergence of several security threats, might further complicate the situation, experts have said.
They said the Rohingya crisis, one of the greatest human catastrophes of the 21st century, is getting more complicated since the takeover by the Myanmar military junta.
The Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS)-Dhaka Tribune Roundtable "Revisiting the Rohingya Crisis: What Lies Ahead?" was held Sunday evening at a city hotel.
Several diplomats, scholars, security experts, and youth representatives from various disciplines joined the discussion.
Shafqat Munir, research fellow at BIPSS, highlighted the contemporary situation and noted that Bangladesh has to ramp up its approaches on all frontiers to resolve the issue, which is becoming more entrenched and prolonged.
READ: PM seeks more international support to ensure Rohingya repatriation
Asif Munier, a national expert on migration and displacement, emphasised the major dimension of the crisis.
He dissected the regional and global political dynamics and the underlying pragmatism and interest-driven approach behind it.
Asif highlighted the three categories of the Rohingya influx throughout the years.
He talked about the vulnerabilities that the Rohingya youths face in terms of being exposed to radicalisation and different violent militant outfits.
Air Vice Marshal Mahmud Hussain (retired), vice-chancellor of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University, illustrated the key thematic concepts, including the wider geopolitical ramifications of the issue and the reaction it will induce from various actors across the region and abroad.
He also highlighted how Bangladesh might want to consider reinventing its foreign policy approaches.
Mahmud then said: "Military powers are lenient if you speak in their language – military language. In Myanmar, the military is the state. We have to get the right states onboard."
He talked about the necessity to draw the attention of major players like the US and underline the importance of solving this issue to preserve and promote the Indo-Pacific strategy in the upcoming days.
Shafqat emphasised the necessity of a pragmatic yet humanitarian approach.
He also highlighted the necessity to develop Bangladesh's capability and ensure the strengthening of its institutions.
Bangladesh should develop an early warning mechanism to better understand situations like these, and take preemptive actions to either prevent or alleviate the consequences, Shafqat added.