Bangladesh
2 get life term for killing auto-rickshaw driver in Lakshmipur
A Lakshmipur court on Wednesday sentenced two people to life imprisonment in a case over killing an auto-rickshaw driver in 2013.
The lifers are Mohan, son of Moin Uddin of Birahimpur village in Lakshmipur Sadar, and Tareq, son of Abdullah of Rashidpur village. Mohan was tried in absentia.
Read:4 get life term for killing Ruet driver
District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Rahibul Islam handed down the verdict.
The court also fined them Tk 10,000 each, in default, to suffer one year more rigorous imprisonment, said Public Prosecutor (PP) of Lakshmipur Judge Court Jasim Uddin.
According to the case, the convicts killed CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver Mohin at Bijoynagar village in Hamchhadi Union of Lakshmiipur Sadar on July 27 in 2013.
Police recovered the body from roadside.
Read: It’s settled: Life term means 30 yrs imprisonment
On following day, a case was filed at Lakshmipur Sadar Police Station in this regard.
Police investigated the case and submitted a chargesheet against Mohan and Tareq on January 13, 2014.
PM opens Bangladesh House in Maryland, USA
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is now in Washington DC, inaugurated the newly constructed "Bangladesh House" at Maryland in the USA.
She opened the house at 4:30pm on Wednesday (local time), said PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.
Read: PM urges expats to invest in Bangladesh
The Prime Minister earlier planted a fringe tree on the premise of the house.
14 held with drugs worth Tk 12cr in Chattogram
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has claimed to have arrested 14 suspected drug smugglers, 12 of them Rohingya refugees, in the port city of Chattogram and seized Yaba pills worth
Tk 12 crore from their possession.
Read: Narcotics department is to crack down on 3,500 listed drug dealers in Dhaka
The arrestees have been identified as Abul Kalam (27), Abul Foyez (50) and 12 Rohingya refugees -- Manir Hossain, 45, Alam, 41, Rafique, 29, Yeahia, 28, Dil Molammad, 23, Majibur Rahman, 19, Abdul Majid, 28, Tarek, 19, Hossain, 42, Bashir Ahmed, 22, Manjur Alam, 19 and Ekram Ullah of Kutupalong Rohingya camp.
Acting on a tip-off, members of the elite force intercepted a boat off the coast ofChattogram and seized the consignment of 3.96 lakh Yaba pills worth Tk 12 crore on Wednesday, said Lieutenant Colonel MA Yusuf, commanding officer of Rab-7.
Read: 5 drug peddlers held in Dhaka
The 14 men were heading towards Patenga from Cox’s Bazar on the boat when they were arrested, he said, adding that all the smugglers have been handed over to the local police.
Cricketer Nasir, Tamima’s marriage illegal: PBI
The marriage between Bangladesh national team cricketer Nasir Hossain and Tamima Sultana is illegal as she is still wife of businessman Rakib Hasan, said a report of Police Bureau of Investigation(PBI) on Thursday.
PBI investigation officer Mizanur Rahman submitted the report before the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohamamd Jashim.
Read: PBI asked to probe case against cricketer Nasir, his wife
Later the court asked cricketer Nasir , Tamima and Tamima’s mother Sumi Akhter to appear before it on October 31 in a case filed over Tamima’s illegal marriage.
Tamima allegedly got married to cricketer Nasir without divorcing her husband Rakib Hasan.
Advocate Ishrat Zahan, a counsel of the plaintiff, said a petition was filed seeking warrants for the arrest of the three accused.
According to the PBI report, Tamima did not divorce her first husband Rakib and Rakib did not get any divorce notice from her. Rather, Tamima made a fake divorce notice. So, Tamima is still the wife of Rakib, said the report.
As per the law, marrying another person without getting divorced with her husband is a punishable offence and for this reason the marriage of Tamima and Nasir is illegal, it said.
Read: All-rounder Nasir eyes a national team comeback
Besides, the divorce notice which was sent by post to Rakib is not legal, said PBI report.
Earlier on February 24, a Dhaka court directed PBI to investigate the case.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court Judge Md Jashim passed the order after taking the case filed by Rakib into cognizance.
PBI was asked to submit its investigation report by March 30.
Read: Will marriage and divorce face 'Nasir Law' for digital registration?
According to the case statement, Tamima got married to Rakib Hasan on February 26, 2011 and they have an eight year old daughter.
Tamima, a cabin crew of Saudia Airlines, had been staying in Saudi Arabia due to Covid-19 situation since March 10, 2020.
During this time, she contacted her family through mobile phone and social media.
Tamima got married with the cricketer on February 24 while photographs of their marriage went viral on social media which drew the attention of Rakib Hasan.
Pandemic pushes poorest kids into child labour
The Covid-induced disruption to schools -- considered agents of change in Bangladesh -- and a sharp rise in poverty have literally deferred the dreams of millions of children in this country.
Many of these school dropouts have been pushed into child labour in order to support their families, notwithstanding the fact that the practice is illegal in Bangladesh.
A reality check by UNB in the Demra Staff Quarters area of Dhaka revealed the plight of these children, aged between 7 and 11 years. We spotted kids working as vehicle helpers for as low as Tk100-150 daily.
Read: Child labour begins to creep back up after two decades: UN agencies
Bangladesh already emerged as economic powerhouse in Asia: Shahriar
Bangladesh has already emerged as an economic powerhouse in Asia and the international community terms Bangladesh a “development miracle”,State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has said.
The State Minister delivered a lecture on Tuesday on the history and socio-economic development of Bangladesh at an event titled “Meeting the young minds”; organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Mexico City in partnership with the Ibero-American University of the city.
His deliberation was live streamed by the University authority and approximately 2700 students of “IBERO” campuses from three different cities of Mexico namely at Torreon, Tijuana, and Santa Fe, were connected to this event virtually.
He highlighted remarkable success in poverty reduction, food security, women empowerment, and inclusive economic growth under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and shared Bangladesh’s impressive journey towards prosperity.
Read: Wealthier nations should provide more trade access to poorer countries: Shahriar
The State Minister congratulated the students on the 200-year celebration of Mexican independence and mentioned that a military contingent and a cultural team of Bangladesh joined the 200-year celebration of Mexican independence, while a military delegation from Mexico is expected to participate in the victory day celebration of Bangladesh.
He also congratulated the students for pursuing higher studies in this prestigious university.
In order to provide them a brief account on the history of Bangladesh, he elaborated on the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, Bangladesh’s fight against oppression followed by the partition and its long struggle towards independence under the undisputed and charismatic leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Shahriar provided a detailed account with regards to the language movement and the Mother Language Day on 21st February which was later recognized by UNESCO as the International Mother Language Day in 1999.
Referring to the stable economic growth rate over 6% during the past decade and official announcement of its graduation the LDC status to a developing country in the coming years, Bangladesh State Minister then discussed the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the economy of Bangladesh and its resilience against it including the status of procurement and distribution of vaccines by the Government of Bangladesh.
He mentioned that Bangladesh has inoculated 6.1 million people in a day (on 28th September 2021) to celebrate the birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
State Minister Shahriar Alam expressed his deep appreciation to Mexico for extending its consistent support on the Rohingya issue at the multilateral platforms.
He highlighted Bangladesh’s contribution to global peace as one of the leading troop contributing countries.
Bangladesh’s challenges to address the adverse impacts of climate change as well as migration were duly highlighted during his lecture as well as the receipt of the ‘SDG Progress Award’ by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in recognition of Bangladesh’s initiatives to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for all.
With regards to the bilateral relationship with Mexico, State Minister Shahriar Alam said that Bangladesh considers Mexico as a good friend and a trusted partner in the region with whom it shares similar values of multiculturalism, democracy and peaceful coexistence.
Read: Shahriar joins Mexican independence anniversary celebration
China to continue supporting Bangladesh until final win against COVID: Envoy
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Thursday said his country reassures its support to Bangladesh in the fight against the pandemic till the final and full victory.
With Bangladesh endeavoring to become fully developed by its 70th jubilee, and China embarking on a new journey towards its second centennial goal, there are infinite opportunities yet to be explored to uplift the Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to a higher level, he said.
The Ambassador said China will continue standing firmly with Bangladesh on regional and global issues, such as maintaining peace and security, responding to climate change, achieving SDGs, securing free trade and open economy, and developing science and technology of the next generation.
Read:China's Xi leads Martyr's Day ceremony amid patriotism drive
"As the old saying goes, “ Walk alone if you want to go fast, walk together if you want to go far.” Let China and Bangladesh keep our hands joined on the way to our dreams, to a peaceful and prosperous Asia, and to a brilliant shared future of mankind," he said.
Ambassador Li was addressing a webinar in celebration of the 72nd anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China.
Mohib's murder: US, UK envoys express deep shock
US Ambassador Earl R Miller and British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson have expressed deep shock at the alleged murder of leading Rohingya community leader Mohib Ullah.
Mohib (50) was allegedly shot to death at a Rohingya camp in Bangladesh by unknown gunmen on September 29.
Read:Rohingya leader Mohibullah assassinated
"Saddened and disturbed by the murder of Mohammad Mohib Ullah, a courageous champion of the human rights of the Rohingya community," Miller tweeted.
He offered his condolences to Mohib's family and hoped that the perpetrators of the crime are brought to justice.
High Commissioner Dickson said that he was shocked and saddened by the murder of Mohib, the leader of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights.
"A tragic loss to his family, friends and the Rohingya community. My sincerest condolences," he tweeted.
Read: Bangladesh, UK issue collective call for ‘ambitious action’ against climate change
The Embassy of the European Union (EU) also tweeted to say that the "murder" of the Rohingya leader and human rights activist "is a tragic event".
"We extend our condolences to his family. We hope that the authorities succeed in bringing to justice those who committed his killing," the Embassy said.
Quamruzzaman joins Summit Group as advisor
Md Quamruzzaman, former Director of Petrobangla and Managing Director at Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL), has joined Summit Group as advisor.
He was also Managing Director of two other Petrobangla companies.
Read:Summit Group donates Tk 3 crore to PM Relief Fund to fight coronavirus
During his distinguished tenure of 40 years in Petrobangla, he also worked in Gas Transmission Company Ltd (GTCL) and Pashchimanchal Gas Co Ltd (PGCL). Quamruzzaman had led the team that implemented Bangladesh’s first Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) and land-based terminal.
An alumnus of Mechanical Engineering of Buet, he later completed another undergraduate degree from the University of Salford, UK on gas engineering and masters in technology management from University of Stirling, UK.
Read:Summit Group sets up a sculpture park on Gazipur 464 MW power plant’s premises
On his appointment as the advisor of Summit Group, Md Quamruzzaman said, “Summit is a trailblazer in the power and energy sector in Bangladesh. More recently, Summit has prudently signed an agreement with USA’s Commonwealth LNG for one million tonnes per year (MTPA) of LNG off take. I am looking forward to working on clean energy solutions for the nation.”
Raihan custodial death case: Sylhet court accepts chargesheet against 6
A Sylhet court on Thursday accepted the chargesheet filed by police against six people, including suspended sub-inspector Akbar Hossain Bhuiya, in the Raihan Ahmed custodial death case.
Five of the six accused, including Akbar, were produced before Sylhet additional chief metropolitan magistrate Abul Momen this morning.
The court also issued an arrest warrant against the absconding sixth accused -- Abdullah Al Noman, who had allegedly helped Akbar flee the country, said Sylhet Metropolitan Police inspector Pradeep Chandra Das.
Read: Raihan’s death in custody: SI Akbar among six gets charge-sheeted
The other four accused in the case are sub-inspector Hasan Ali, assistant sub-inspector Ahshque Elahi, and constables Harunur Rashid and Titu Chandra Das of the Bandarbazar police outpost. All the accused policemen are currently in judicial custody.
On May 5, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) submitted the chargesheet in the case.
According to the chargesheet, Akbar, constables Harunur Rashid and Titu, and ASI Asheque were directly responsible for Raihan's custodial death.
On October 11 last year, the 34-resident of Akharia in Sylhet city, was allegedly beaten to death in police custody.
His wife Tahmina Akter Tanni filed a complaint at the Kotwali police station the following day, following which an FIR was registered against unidentified people.
Four policemen, including then in-charge of the Bandarbazar police outpost Akbar, were suspended on October 12. The three other policemen were also withdrawn from the outpost the same day.
Later, the case was transferred to the PBI.
Read: Severe wounds caused Raihan’s death, says viscera report