Bangladesh
Prioritising high-yielding paddy for haor areas: Minister
The government is prioritising the cultivation of high-yielding paddy as occasional floods threaten the crop in haor areas, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque said Sunday.
“Adequate amount of paddy is collected from haor areas every year which is very essential for food safety but sometimes floods destroy them. We're working to reduce the risks and prioritising cultivation of the high-yielding variety," he said at a Boro paddy collection programme in Shadhor haor of Mithamoin in Kishoreganj.
The government is prioritising paddy varieties that can be harvested 15-20 days earlier than the regular varieties. Combined harvesters and reapers are being provided there urgently considering the shortage of workers, the minister said.
In the haor areas, paddy is cultivated once a year. Production should be boosted, Razzaque said adding that scientists have already invented high yielding paddy BRRI Dhan 89, 92.
Farmers will be provided high-yielding varieties, he said urging their cultivation.
The work of installing regional Rice Research Institutes is underway for further research to invent more paddy species suitable for haor areas, he said.
This year, Boro paddy is being cultivated on 1,66,950 hectares in Kishoreganj. Among them, 1,02,500 hectares are in haor areas.
So far 53 percent and 39 percent paddy from haor and outside have been collected in the district. The government targets to produce 7,11,580 metric tonnes of paddy from here.
Writ filed challenging legality of lockdown
A writ petition was filed with the High Court (HC) on Sunday challenging the legality of the ongoing countrywide lockdown enforced by the government to contain the transmission of Coronavirus.
Supreme Court Advocate Yunus Ali Akand filed the writ petition .
The bench of Justice M. Enayetur Rahim and Justice Sardar Md. Rashed Jahangir may hear the writ petition on Monday.
Yunus Ali Akand said the government can’t halt citizens’ basic rights like people’s movement without imposing a state of emergency.
The ongoing lockdown has violated citizens’ basic right mentioned in section 27, 28, 31, 33, 35 and 36 of the Constitution, he said.
The writ also sought a stay on the lockdown and directive not to enforce any lockdown in the future, he added.
Australian HC observes Anzac Day
Australian High Commission in Dhaka has paid tribute to Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women who died in wars and conflicts marking the 106th Anniversary of Anzac Day,
On 25 April 1915, troops from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed in Gallipoli, Turkey.
That was the first time Australian troops fought together as a nation.
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer on Sunday paid his homage in a private rehearsal service at the High Commission.
Bruer said, “Anzac Day is the day Australians come together in remembrance. But as we continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic, we come together in spirit, instead of in person, to keep the Anzac spirit alive and honour our veterans and service.”
The High Commissioner remembered the brave individuals who have served, and continue to serve, during times of war and peace, including the 30 Australian and New Zealand airmen who died in the Burma campaign during the Second World War, and whose graves are located at the Chittagong and Comilla War cemeteries.
Also read: Australian HC pays tributes to Concert for Bangladesh anniversary
Among the tens of thousands of soldiers from many countries who lost their lives during the eight-month-long campaign were more than 8,000 Australians and 2,700 New Zealanders.
As a descendant of one of the original Anzacs, Mr Bruer said one of the aspects of Anzac Day of which he was most proud was the way it has brought old enemies together.
The High Commissioner said that during the Gallipoli campaign the ANZACs forged a reputation for courage in adversity, dedication to duty and self-sacrifice.
Recognising the difficult circumstances arising from the COVID-19 crisis, the High Commissioner thanked service personnel around the world, who are playing their important part in responding to the pandemic and helping to save lives.
Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Daily deaths shoot past 100; new cases fall dramatically
After a slight fall for several days, Bangladesh’s daily coronavirus death toll crossed the 100-mark again on Sunday with a sharp fall in new cases.
Fatalities climbed to 11,053 with 101 deaths in the past 24 hours until the morning. The virus also infected 2,922 people, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in a handout.
The daily infection rate rose to 13.33 percent from Saturday’s 13.11 percent while the mortality rate remained static at 1.48 percent.
Bangladesh has so far confirmed 745,322 coronavirus cases.
Also read: Border with India to remain shut for 14 days: FM
Between April 16 and 19, the country recorded over 100 deaths, breaking all previous records. The country registered 91, 95 and 98 Covid-related deaths on April 20, 21 and 22 respectively.
On April 23 ad 24, the number fell to 88 and 83.
Bangladesh has so far tested 5,345,501 samples, including 21,922 in the last 24 hours.
Bangladesh to suspend administering Covid vaccine 1st dose from Monday
Apparently considering its dwindling stock, the government has decided to suspend administering the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine from Monday (Apr 26).
In a circular on Sunday, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) asked the civil surgeons of all the districts, the chief health officers of all the city corporations, and the upaizla health and family planning officers of all the upazilas to take necessary steps in this regard.
The first dose of the covid vaccination has apparently been suspended amid uncertainty over the availability of vaccine doses from Serum Institute of India as per contract following rapid surge in the virus cases and deaths in neighbouring India.
Also read: Bangladesh to get 21 lakh Covid vaccine doses by early May: DGHS
Bangladesh signed an agreement with the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd for 30 million doses of the vaccine.
Bangladesh has received 7 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine produced by Serum Institute of India through its contract. Bangladesh also received 3.3 million doses of vaccine as a bilateral partnership gift.
Although Foreign Minister AK Momen earlier assured people that there will be adequate doses of the vaccine but a record number of cases in India has made the delivery of the vaccine doses uncertain.
Also read: Covid vaccine: Dhaka agrees on Beijing’s proposal to set up emergency storage facility
In the mid-April, the pandemic has suddenly turned India into a Covid vaccine importer from a mass exporter.
Earlier in the day, DG of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam said Bangladesh will get 21 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccine by the first week of May.
“Most of these vaccine doses will be imported by Beximco Pharmaceuticals,” he told reporters following an online discussion meeting marking World Malaria Day.
Also read: How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?
Among the doses, one lakh are of COVAX while Serum Institute of India will supply the rest, Khurshid Alam said.
Bangladesh to get 21 lakh Covid vaccine doses by early May: DGHS
Bangladesh will get 21 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccine by the first week of May, said DG of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam on Sunday.
“Most of these vaccine doses will be imported by Beximco Pharmaceuticals,” he told reporters following an online discussion meeting marking World Malaria Day.
Among the doses, one lakh are of COVAX while Serum Institute of India will supply the rest, Khurshid Alam said.
Also read: How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?
“We’ll continue administering the first doses of the vaccine alongside completing the second doses,” the DG said, adding, “We’ll also get vaccine/s from China as a gift. The Covid-19 National Technical Advisory Committee will take the decision on how those will be administered.”
He also told the journalists that three of the local pharmaceutical companies have the capacity to produce Covid-19 vaccines.
As the deadly variant of the virus is being spread rapidly across India, a proposal has been sent to the authorities concerned to stop all the communications with the neighbouring country, except the transportation of emergency goods, he said.
Read Around 6,000 Americans contracted Covid after being fully vaccinated, 74 died: CDC
'Strict’ lockdown again if health rules violated: Quader
The government will impose a ‘strict’ lockdown again if health safety rules are not followed everywhere, including the public transport, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader warned on Sunday.
Quader, also the general secretary of Awami League, made the remarks at a regular briefing from his residence in the morning.
“When the public transport will be allowed to resume operation after the lockdown, everyone will have to maintain the social-distancing rules strictly,” said the minister.
Also read: Metro train coaches being moved to depot: Quader
On Saturday, Obaidul Quader said the government was planning to resume public transport services once the current ‘strict lockdown’’ is over.
The government is considering the resumption of public transport services in the interest of people on condition that the health guidelines will be followed properly.
Urging everyone to follow health protocols even if the lockdown is relaxed, Quader said the use of masks and hand sanitisers should be made mandatory.
Also read: Quader to BNP: 'Stop paying lip service amid Covid-19'
On March 31, the government raised the fares of all buses, including inter-district ones, by 60 per cent as the vehicles are allowed to carry only half the passengers of the total seats of a bus to ensure social distancing amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
SC upholds HC bail to Irfan Salim
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Sunday upheld the High Court order that granted bail to Irfan Selim in a case filed over assaulting a Navy officer last year.
A virtual bench led by the Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order after rejecting the petition filed by the state.
Advocate Abdul Baset Majumdar and Advocate Syed Ahmed Raza stood for Irfan while Additional Attorney General Sheikh Mohammad Morshed represented the state.
Advocate Syed Ahmed Raza, said “Five cases have been filed against Irfan in this connection. Of these, Irfan got acquitted from two cases in lower court while he secured bail in two other cases from the lower court and now the Appellate Division also upheld the High Court order in the last case.”
So that, there is no bar to release him, he added.
On April 22, the Appellate Division of Supreme Court fixed April 25 for hearing the petition filed by the state challenging bail of Irfan Selim in the Navy officer assault case.
On March 18, the High Court granted him bail which was later stayed for four weeks by the chamber judge on March 28.
Also read: Irfan Salim, bodyguard put on fresh remand
On April 8, Irfan filed a petition challenging the stay order.
According to the case statement, a private car hit Bangladesh Navy’s Lieutenant Wasif Ahmed Khan’s motorcycle near Labaid Hospital at Dhanmondi on October 25, 2020 when he and his wife were returning to their Mohammadpur residence from Nilkhet.
Later, some people, including Irfan, came out of the car and physically assaulted Wasif and verbally abused his wife.
The Navy officer filed a case at Dhanmondi Police Station, naming four people including Irfan. The three other accused are AB Siddique Dipu, 45, Md Zahid, 35, and Md Mizanur Rahman, 30. All of them are behind bars now.
On October 26, 2020, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) detained Irfan from his father’s Devdas Lane residence in Old Dhaka. Two firearms, 38 walkie-talkies and liquor were seized from his house during the drive.
He was suspended from the post of councillor the next day. He has been facing four more cases.
He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for keeping walkie-talkies illegally and another six months for possessing illegal liquor on October 26, 2020 by a mobile court led by Rab.
Pandemic in Bangladesh: Shops, malls reopen doors
The number of private vehicles, rickshaws and auto-rickshaws marked a significant rise on the roads in the capital on Sunday as the government allowed shops and shopping malls to reopen their doors to shoppers on a limited scale.
The pressure of vehicles on the city streets was reported from areas like Mirpur, Gabtoli, Shyamoli, Uttara and Mohakhali amid the lockdown, which has been extended by another week to deal with the worsening Covid-19 situation.
In a circular on Friday, the government allowed the shops and shopping malls to remain open from 10 am to 5 pm from Sunday, prompting many people to return to the capital city.
People were seen entering the capital on foot through Babu Bazar, Amin Bazar Bridge and Tongi Bridge areas.
Although the movement of rickshaws on the main roads were relatively lower in the morning than the other days, those were found moving in backstreets.
However, no public transport and other city services were seen on the city streets.
The owners and workers of shops, markets and shopping malls were seen busy reopening their doors since 9 am.
Read Extension of lockdown causing anxiety among low income earners
While talking to UNB at Rajlaxmi in Uttara, traffic inspector Akhter Hossain said: “The pressure of vehicles is increasing. But such pressure was not there during the last few days since the enforcement of the strict lockdown on April 14. This is happening following the government’s decision to allow shops and shopping malls to reopen.”
However, the movement of rickshaws was comparatively thinner than the other days, he added.
Another traffic inspector, Asaduzzaman, said: “There has been huge traffic in Mohakhali area since morning and our colleagues (fellow police officers) were asking the public for movement pass at designated check posts.”
Strict lockdown in place since April 14
A surge in coronavirus cases prompted the government to go for an eight-day complete lockdown from April 14. The cabinet division issued a notification in this regard on April 12.
Later, following the shattering situation of Covid-19 cases, the government extended the ongoing lockdown by another week from April 22 to bring the situation under control.
A circular was issued on April 20 extending the ongoing strict lockdown for another week from April 22, aiming to curb the transmission of Covid-19.
Also read: Govt issues circular extending lockdown until April 28
As coronavirus cases continued to rise alarmingly since mid-March, the government imposed a loose nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain its spread. Later, a stricter lockdown was declared from April 14 to 21.
Reopening shops and shopping malls
On April 23, the Cabinet Division issued a notice allowing shops and shopping malls to operate from April 25 (10am-5pm) on the condition that they would maintain proper safety protocols.
The shops and malls are permitted to reopen from April 25 subject to maintaining proper safety protocols, says the notice signed by Deputy Secretary Md Rezaul Islam.
Shops and shopping malls were shut from April 5 with a spurt in covid cases and deaths.
But the shopkeepers and traders waged street protests demanding the reopening of businesses. They argued that they had suffered massive losses last year during the lockdown.
Eid-ul-Fitr is generally the busiest time for businesses but last year’s Eid was celebrated amid the covid outbreak. Businesses had suffered huge losses.
Public transport to resume
On Saturday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the government is working on a plan to allow the public transport to resume operations once the current lockdown is over.
On March 29, the government raised the fares of all buses, including inter-district ones, by 60% as the vehicles are allowed to carry only half passengers of the total seats to ensure social distancing amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Covid-19 situation
Bangladesh recorded 83 more Covid-related deaths in 24 hours until Saturday morning, raising the total fatalities to 10,952.
Coronavirus fatalities crossed 10,000 on April 15 and the death tally came close to 11,000 within 10 days as the country finds it hard to deal with the pandemic.
Global Covid-19 cases top 146 million
More than 146 people have been found infected with Covid-19 globally with 3.09 million fatalities on Sunday, according to the Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
The total case count reached at 146, 091,986 while the death toll from the virus climbed to 3,096, 579 as of Sunday.
The US has now surpassed 32 million confirmed cases of Covid-19, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.
Coronavirus cases nationwide reached 32,044,976 on Sunday. Covid-19 related deaths now total more than 571,922.
Brazil registered 3,076 more Covid-19-related deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing its death toll to 389,492, the country's Ministry of Health reported on Saturday.
According to the ministry, another 71,137 new cases were registered, bringing the country's caseload to 14,308,215.
Brazil is currently ranked second in the world in the number of deaths from Covid-19, surpassed only by the United States, and third in the world in the number of cases, behind the United States and India.
Also read: Covid situation in Bangladesh unlikely to improve before June: Experts
India has logged 16,610,481 cases while the death toll from the virus mounted to 189, 544.
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh recorded 83 more Covid-related deaths in 24 hours until Saturday morning, raising the total fatalities to 10,952.
Bangladesh’s coronavirus fatalities crossed 10,000 on April 15 and the death tally reached near 11,000 within 10 days as the country finds it hard to deal with the pandemic.
With the latest figure, the mortality rate rose to 1.48 percent from Friday’s 1.47 percent, the Directorate General of Health Services said in a handout.
Also read: India records world's highest single-day spike in Covid cases
Besides, 2,697 new cases were detected during the period after examining 20,571 samples.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.
With the news cases, the total caseload reached 742,400 while the total number of recoveries is 653,151, including 5477 in the last 24 hours.
The surge in Covid infections prompted the government to go for a lockdown from early April but it turned out to be lax and loose. From April 11, the government imposed a ‘stricter lockdown’ and later extended it up to April 28.
On Friday, the government allowed shopping malls to reopen from April 25.
Vaccination campaign
Launched on February 7, a vaccination drive is underway across Bangladesh with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
Bangladesh signed an agreement with the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd for 30 million doses of the vaccine. But a record number of cases in India has made the delivery of the vaccine doses uncertain.
On Thursday, Foreign Minister AK Momen assured people that there will be adequate doses of the vaccine.
So far, 5,778,686 people have received the first dose and 1,967,975 have got their second jab, according to official figures.