Bangladesh
Holy Ashura to be observed on Friday
Holy Ashura, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), will be observed in the country on Friday with due religious fervour and solemnity.
On this day in the Hijri year of 61, Hazrat Imam, the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family members and 72 followers embraced the martyrdom in the hands of Yazid’s soldiers at the desert of Karbala to uphold the teachings of the Prophet (SM).
The day is a public holiday.
Different religious organizations have chalked out various programmes on the occasion.
Islamic Foundation arranged a special milad mahfil at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Thursday noon on the occasion.
However, the government has prohibited all kinds of processions including Tajia procession on Ashura this year in view of the coronavirus situation.
All other necessary religious rituals on the occasion of holy Ashura can be performed maintaining health protocols, said a release of the Religious Affairs Ministry on August 17.
In Bangladesh, every year Shia community members observe the day with elaborate programmes including a Tajia procession in Dhaka which starts from Imambara Husaini Dallan in Old Dhaka.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion.
Police have taken special security measures in the capital to facilitate observance of the day.
Barishal mayor among 94 ruling party activists sued over violence
Barishal city corporation mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah has been made the primary accused in two cases filed over violence in the city on Wednesday night.
Upazila Nirbahi officer Munibur Rahman of Barisal Sadar Upazila and Assistant sub-inspector of police Shahjalal Mallick were the plaintiffs in these cases accusing the mayor and his men of obstruction of government work and attempt to murder.
The officer-in charge of Kotwali Model Police Station Nurul Islam, where the two cases were filed confirmed the information to UNB.
Read: Bus services suspended as clash leaves 30 injured
However the specific charges brought against the mayor were not clarified by the OC.
“As many as 94 activists of the ruling party and its affiliate organisations were accused in the cases,” he said.
Meanwhile, police arrested as many as 13 activists of the ruling Awami League and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) from different parts of the city in connection with the attack on the residence of the Sadar Upazila UNO.
Joint general secretary of Barishal Metropolitan unit of the Awami League, Hasan Mahmud Babu, and vice-president of the city unit of BCL Oliullah Oli were among the arrestees, said officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station, Nurul Islam.
The clash broke out between the supporters of the Awami League, BCL and members of Ansar when the former tried to attack the residence of the UNO at Sadar Upazila Complex in Barishal on Wednesday night.
Five people suffered bullet wounds during the clash.
The transport workers, including the supporters of Barishal City Corporation mayor, activists of Chhatra League and Jubo League, blocked the Dhaka-Barishal highway by placing buses in Rupatoli and Nathullabad Bus Terminal areas in the small hours of Wednesday.
Besides, launch services in Barishal also remained suspended as the supporters of the mayor did not allow any passenger vessel to leave the terminal, causing immense sufferings to the commuters.
According to eye-witnesses, the Nagar Bhaban staffers went to the residence of Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Munibur Rahman to lower a banner hanging over the area.
At one stage, the UNO came out and asked the reason, leading to an altercation between him and Swapan Kumar Das, a staffer of the city corporation.
During the altercation, some 25-30 people entered the complex and a scuffle broke out between the Ansar members and the so-called mob over the issue, triggering a clash. At one stage, the Ansar members opened fire on them, leaving five injured.
On information, police rushed to the spot and charged batons to disperse them.
Some 25 people were injured in the clash with the cops.
Shahabuddin Khan, police commissioner of Barishal, said, "A police team rushed to the spot and the attackers threw brick chips targeting the cops, forcing them to retaliate. Three policemen and two Ansar members were injured during the incident.”
They also vandalised a bus in the area in the night.
Three people who sustained bullet injuries—Shahrier Babu, Harun-or-Rashid and Tanvir-- were taken to Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital. Of them, Tanvir was shifted to Dhaka for better treatment.
UNO Munibur Rahman said, “Some 15-20 people identifying themselves as Chattra League members entered the house. Later, some 60-70 people also entered the complex and went up to the first floor of the upazila complex building. They also tried to attack me but the Ansar members saved me."
Mayor Serniabat told the media, "The city corporation staffers went there to perform their duties but the Ansar members attacked them.” He has demanded a probe into the clash.
Read: Public transport services resume in Barishal
After nearly six hours, bus and launch services in Barishal resumed on Thursday noon following the intervention of the local administration.
The bus services in Barishal and other parts of the country had remained suspended since morning as transport workers blocked the Dhaka-Barishal highway in protest against Wednesday's clash that left over 30 injured.
Deputy Commissioner Jasim Uddin Haider of Barishal hinted that ten platoons of the Border Guards Bangladesh would be deployed in the city to prevent further deterioration of law and order.
He also added that ten executive magistrates may also arrive in Barishal from surrounding districts to help the local authorities to maintain law and order.
Involve locals in Rohingya management: Speakers
A network of 50 local and national NGOs has demanded effective participation of local government bodies, especially the Union Parishads of Cox's Bazar in dealing with the Rohingya refugees living in the district.
The call came on Thursday at a virtual seminar organised by the Cox’s Bazar CSO NGO Forum on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day.
Speakers at the seminar said that involvement of local organizations and people's representatives is essential in formulating programmes to help the Rohingyas.
Also read: 1st phase of vaccination drive for Rohingyas ends in Cox's Bazar
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Co-Chair and Executive Director of COAST Foundation, and Abu Murshed Chowdhury, Co-Chair and Executive Director of PHALS moderated the seminar titled ‘World Humanitarian Day: Localization and Local Government.’
Local government expert Dr. Tofail Ahmed, Hnila Union Parishad Chairman Rashed Mahmud Ali, Palangkhali Union Parishad Panel Chairman Nurul Absar, Hnila Union Parishad Member Morzina Akter, Rajapalang Union Parishad Member Helal Uddin, Executive Director of YPSA Md. Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of Jago Nari Sangstha Sheuli Sharma also spoke at the meeting.
The keynote presentation of the seminar was presented by Md.Mujibul Haque Munir of COAST Foundation.
Mujibul mentioned that when the Rohingyas took shelter in Cox's Bazar, the local people's representatives, especially the local union council chairmen and members, stood by them along with the local people. Being closest to the people, they understand the needs of the people best. Therefore, the participation of local government and local people's representatives is essential in all areas of Rohingya crisis management.
Also read: Rohingya children must be educated in their own language: FM
Dr. Tofail said that Union Parishads can play a direct and strong role in any disaster or humanitarian crisis, but we still have some structural weaknesses in the Union Parishads. Some changes in the national policy framework are needed to overcome this weakness. With the help of policy, the local body can play an effective and sustainable role in any disaster.
Hnila Union Parishad member Morzina Akhter said local representatives can play an active role in management of the refugees.
Palangkhali Union Parishad panel chairman Nurul Absar said, a Joint Need Assessment to be conducted with the participation of local people's representatives before taking any action.
Rashed Mahmud Ali, chairman of Hnila Union Parishad, said that, Rohingya management can only be appropriate and effective if everyone works together.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said, effective localization of humanitarian and development assistance to Rohingya management must be ensured.
Salam Talukder's 22nd death anniv Friday
The 22nd death anniversary of former BNP secretary general Barrister Abdus Salam Talukder will be observed on Friday.
Local BNP and Barrister Abdus Salam Talukder Smrity Sangsad have chalked out various programmes, including virtual discussion and milad mahfil, to observe the day with due respect.
Abdus Salam Talukder Smrity Sangsad will arrange a virtual discussion at 3pm marking the day. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and party senior leaders will join the programme
Also read: Govt keeping media busy with ‘dramas to hide failures’: BNP
Local BNP and Abdus Salam’s family members will arrange doa and milad mahfil in different areas of Jamalpur, including Sharishabari, and cooked food will be distributed among the destitute.
BNP issued a message recalling its former secretary general's outstanding contributions to making the party a stronger political organisation.
In the message, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "We pay our deep respect to his departed soul on his death anniversary."
He said Salam Talukder had played a significant role in the anti-Ershad movement in the 80s and in establishing democracy and people’s rights in Bangladesh.
Also read: BNP attributes Covid disaster to govt’s overreliance on bureaucrats
On August 20, 1999, Salam Talukder died on the way to Singapore for medical treatment.
Salam Talukder was elected MP from Sharishabari of Jamalpur in 1979 and 1991.
ACC investigates SBAC bank chairman for graft
The Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday decided to investigate Chairman of South Bengal Agriculture and Commerce Bank Ltd SM Amjad Hassan for allegedly embezzling money from the bank.
Deputy Director (Public Relations) of ACC Muhammad Arif Sadeq
told UNB that the Commission has decided to investigate allegation of corruption and irregularities in sanctioning the loan to unverified organisations.
Also read: ACC books five in Khulna on charge of embezzling Tk 18 crore 50 lakh
According to ACC, the chairman of the bank embezzled huge amount of money of the depositors by opening various companies at home and abroad using the Khulna and Katakhali branches of the bank under the guise of import-export and loan.
The ACC has decided to investigate allegations of committing offenses under Section 2 (s) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2012, including embezzling large sums of money from depositors.
Also read: ACC interrogates alleged accomplices of PK Halder at FFIL
Bangladesh seeks Russian investment in Ishwardi Airport
Bangladesh has invited Russia to invest in Ishwardi Airport to make it functional.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam discussed the issue when newly appointed Ambassador of Russia to Bangladesh Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy met with him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thursday.
Bangladesh is firmly committed to taking bilateral relations with Russia to a higher level, the state minister said.
Also, he recalled the contributions of Russia during the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.
The Russian ambassador said his country wants to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations with Bangladesh.
He also shared his country's commitment to expanding relations between the two countries.
The state minister mentioned that Bangladesh and Russia share the same view in various regional and international forums including in the UN to ensure global peace and security.
During the Second World War, the British government set up the Ishwardi Airport and in 1962 PIA operated the first passenger flight, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
After the independence of Bangladesh, Biman Bangladesh Airlines ran regular flights to and from Dhaka till 1989.
In 2013 United airways resumed their flights to Dhaka, but flights to the airport were suspended in 2014, CAAB says.
Religious fanatics never to be allowed in politics: Dr Razzaque
Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Thursday said the religious fanatics would never be allowed to raise their heads in the soil of this country and spread its influence in politics.
“The religious fanatics would be uprooted, no matter how deep their roots are. They will be resisted at any cost,” he said while addressing a discussion here.
The discussion and doa-mahfil was arranged at BARC auditorium in the city’s Farmgate area marking the 46th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Mourning Day 2021.
The Agriculture Minister said had Bangabandhu survived he would be a world great leader for the emancipation of people, he said.
The voice of Bangabandhu would be the most vocal protesting the enemies of the humanity, those who carry out heinous killings and those who believe in militancy and create militants across the world, he said.
Dr Razzaque said Bangabandhu wanted overall development of the country through an agricultural revolution. Bangabandhu laid the foundation of the country’s ongoing development.
In the continuation of the foundation laid by Bangabandhu for the development of agriculture, Bangladesh gained excellent success in the agriculture sector under the leadership of his worthy daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said.
The minister asked all including agriculturists and scientists to work sincerely for accelerating this success further.
Deep respect was paid to the Father of the Nation and his family’s other martyred members, who were assassinated brutally on August 15, 1975, and prayers was offered seeking salvation of their souls.
Agriculture Senior Secretary Md Mesbahul Islam presided over the programme, while additional secretary Dr Md Abdur Rouf delivered the welcome speech, said a PID handout.
13 Bangladeshis rescued in Mediterranean return home
Thirteen Bangladeshis, rescued in the Mediterranean Sea on their way to Italy, returned to Dhaka Thursday from Tunisia.
All of them, who were victims of human trafficking, came back home on a Turkish Airlines at 1:15pm , Brac Migration Programme head Shariful Hasan said.
They are now under the care of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport authority and being provided with emergency support, including food and water.
Among the 13 returnees, nine are from Shariatpur, two from Madaripur, and one each from Chandpur and Cumilla districts.
Also read: BSF handovers to BGB 5 Bangladeshis held in Fulbari border
Earlier this year they went to Dubai with visit visas and then moved to Libya and finally to Tunisia. Next, they crossed the Mediterranean through Tunisia and headed towards Italy.
On July 1, another 17 Bangladeshis victims and on March 24 seven returned home.
Bangladesh now tops the list of source countries whose nationals have tried to cross into Europe through the dangerous voyage across the Mediterranean Sea.
The number of Bangladeshis reaching Europe through the illegal route was 3,332 till July 26 of this year, which is the highest among the 47,425 refugees and migrants reaching Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus and Malta, mostly through sea routes in the same period.
Many of them have become victims of either trafficking or smuggling into several countries – Libya, Tunisia, Malta, Bosnia and Herzegovina even amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Untold numbers have perished of course.
UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, recorded 937 deaths in just the first six months of this year in the Mediterranean, many of them Bangladeshis.
Also read: 10 Bangladeshis who illegally entered India, return via Benapole
At least 60,000 Bangladeshis have entered Europe irregularly since 2009, according to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, also known as Frontex.
Also, Covid-19-induced worsening poverty situation can be linked with people's desperation to take risky journeys, crossing the Mediterranean Sea and land routes to reach Europe.
However, the central Mediterranean route has emerged as the key transit point for Bangladeshis seeking irregular migration to Europe, according to Frontex.
Meanwhile, Covid-19 has increased the risk of trafficking not only for potential migrants who are looking for better opportunities in Europe. Recent trends also suggest that traffickers are using social media platforms to lure potential victims of human trafficking.
Around 4,510 irregular Bangladeshi nationals entered Italy, Malta, Spain or Greece in 2020 through sea and by land, according to the International Organization for Migration Displacement Tracking Matrix.
At least 17 Bangladeshi migrants drowned in a shipwreck off Tunisia as they tried to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe, the Tunisian Red Crescent said in July.
On July 8, the Tunisia navy rescued 49 undocumented Bangladeshi migrants from the Mediterranean.
On July 3, at least 43 migrants, including Bangladeshis, went missing while 84 were rescued after a boat heading towards Europe drowned off the coast of Tunisia.
Several migrant boats sank recently while trying to reach Europe as more people are now trying to make the dangerous voyage across the Mediterranean to the continent amid warmer summer weather.
Between May 18 and June 24 this year, Tunisian naval authorities rescued over 700 Bangladeshis, shipwrecked in the Mediterranean on their way to Europe from Libya.
They were part of at least 3,332 Bangladeshis who have so far been either rescued or detained on their way to the continent this year.
World’s smallest cow ‘Rani’ passes away in Savar
The world’s smallest cow ‘Rani’ died on Thursday due to ‘excessive gas accumulated in its stomach’.Sajedul Islam, livestock ooficer of Savar confirmed the death to UNB.“The cow fell ill two days ago.It was taken to Savar upazila health center at around 11 am today and the on duty doctor declared it dead at 12 pm,” he said.The dwarf cow of the Boxer Bhutti breed, grew up in a farm at Charigram of Savar, near the capital Dhaka.The cow stood just 51cm (20in) high, and weighed 28kg (62Ib).It was waiting to be recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's smallest cow.The cow turned into a celebrity since it;s news first broke on the newspapers back in July and hundreds of visitors had been flocking to the farm to catch a sight of it.The title for the world's smallest cow has been held officially by Manikyam, in neighbouring India, which measures 61.1cm from the hoof to the withers.
Dengue: Death toll stands at 31 with 1 more death in 24 hrs
Dengue claimed another life in the past 24 hours raising the death toll to 31, said a report of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Thursday.
A total of 270 new patients were admitted to different hospitals during the period, it said.
Among the new patients, 240 were admitted to government and private hospitals in Dhaka while the remaining 30 cases were reported from outside the division, according to DGHS.
Of the deceased so far, 27 died in Dhaka division, two in Chattogram, one in Khulna and one in Rajshahi.
Also read: DGHS worried over dengue situation
The country has been seeing over 200 dengue patients per day for the last 19 days since August 1.
The dengue outbreak has become a cause of major concern as the country is battling the deadlier Delta variant of coronavirus with its limited health care facilities for the last few months.
Some 1,238 patients diagnosed with dengue fever are receiving treatment in the country as of Thursday morning, according to DGHS.
Most of the cases have been reported in the capital so far, said the health authorities.
Of them, 1,145 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital while the rest were listed outside Dhaka.
Also read: BGMEA calls for raising social awareness to prevent Dengue
Some 7,251 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue since January, and 5,982 of them have been released after they recovered from the disease.