Bangladesh
Perform duties properly to enforce Corona directives: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday directed all the authorities concerned to perform their duties properly to ensure the government’s directives are implemented appropriately to battle the fresh wave of the Covid-19 in the country.
“We’ve already issued some directives to check coronavirus. You all will have to pay special attention so that people follow the directives properly,” she said while inaugurating the newly constructed multi-storied head office of the National Security Intelligence (NSI).
The Prime Minister declared the 20-storied head office building open, joining the function virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Also read: Avoid public gatherings, wear masks to fight Covid surge, PM urges all
She said her government is much conscious about keeping the economic activities running, but saving lives of people is the first priority.
Sheikh Hasina said various countries across the world witnessed economic slowdown due to the corona situation, but Bangladesh has been able to keep the economic pace running and its economic growth rate is higher than other South Asian countries. “We’ll have to maintain it (the trend of growth),” she said.
The Prime Minister asked all to raise public awareness so that people follow the health protection rules and guidelines.
“All will have to keep themselves protected and protect others. You all who are in-charge throughout the country will have to perform your duties properly,” she said.
Also read:PM issues directives to tackle Covid-19
Sheikh Hasina asked the NSI to work properly to check militancy, terrorism, drug and corruption in the country as the government announced ‘zero tolerance policy’ against these social menaces.
“You always will have to remain vigilant about these (social menaces) and take proper measures. You’ll have to do whatever necessary for protecting people’ lives and properties, public interest and ensuring peace and security to public life,” she said.
“We want that you, every member of NSI, will perform your duties with honesty and sincerity being imbued with the spirit of patriotism,” she said.
The PM put emphasis on maintaining the continuation of the country’s development adding that now Bangladesh is a developing country thanks to her government’s tireless works since 2009.
“If we want to keep its continuation, we’ll have to maintain peace and order in the country, fight Corona and simultaneously keep up the economic pace,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said though the Corona pandemic may hinder the country’s progress to some extent, Bangladesh will be able to recover from it. “Bangladesh is marching forward and will do so,” she said.
Also read:PM to inaugurate Covid-19 vaccination on Jan 27
Extending her thanks to the NSI members for playing a role in fighting the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic, she asked the NSI members to play more significant role this time.
PM’s Security Affairs Adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique was present at the function moderated by PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus.
NSI Director General Major General TM Jobaer delivered the welcome speech.
On January 17, 2015, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the 20-storied building for the NSI head office.
Hundreds rally in England and Wales over police legislation
Hundreds of people marched Saturday through central London and other cities across England and Wales to protest the British government's plan to hand the police new powers to tackle demonstrations.
Protesters walked past Buckingham Palace towards Parliament Square, just outside the Houses of Parliament. A ring of officers positioned themselves around the statue of wartime prime minister Winston Churchill in Parliament Square. The statue had been defaced during anti-racism protests last year.
Protesters, including many who carried anti-sexism placards and chanted “Women scared everywhere, police and government do not care!” passed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office at 10 Downing Street.
Also read: Anti-tobacco lobby wants stricter measures introduced through legislation
London's Metropolitan Police said the majority of people “have tried to adhere to social distancing" but that a ”small minority" had blocked the road at Parliament Square.
“Officers are on scene engaging and encouraging them to move so we can reopen the roads,” it said.
The protests were taking place over the long Easter holiday weekend, including in the Welsh capital of Cardiff and in the northern England cities of Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle.
The demonstrators were upset at the Conservative government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which is currently going through parliament. Under the terms of the bill, which covers England and Wales, police will be able to ban or shut down protests.
A recent protest against the new legislation in Bristol, southwest England, descended into widespread violence that saw police officers injured, a police station damaged and police vehicles torched.
Separately, 27 police officers were injured during riots in Northern Ireland on Friday evening and eight people were arrested. The reasons behind the unrest were unclear.
Also read: Chinese officials lash out at US over new legislation
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said 15 officers were injured in Belfast after being targeted by a crowd of mainly young people, throwing stones, fireworks, flares, manhole covers and petrol bombs. It said 12 more police were injured in Londonderry after young adults threw stones, bottles, petrol bombs and fireworks.
Political leaders called for calm over the long Easter weekend. Northern Ireland's first minister, Arlene Foster, urged young people “not to get drawn into disorder."
BGMEA election: Voting underway
Voting in the biennial election of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for 2021-23 term is going on at hotel Radisson Blu in Dhaka.
Voters started to cast their vote from 9am at 14 polling booths there that will continue until 7 pm. The voting time was extended by three hours from the usual time every year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of 1853 voters are in Dhaka and 461 in Chattogram. New board will take over on April 20. Five Vice Presidents in Dhaka and two in Chattogram will be elected in the election of the apex trade body.
However, the number of ballots is from 1-35 for Forum candidates and from 36-70 for Sammilita Parishid in the election.
Also read: BGMEA elects new leadership Sunday
Panel leader of Sammilita Parishid and Managing Director of Giant Group Faruque Hassan expressed his hope to win the election saying, “I am committed to the entrepreneurs that I’ll dedicate myself to develop the sector for the next two years. I hope the BGMEA members will give me the chance,” he also said.
He also added that he will accept the results as there is victory and defeat in the election.
“If our panel gets a chance, we will work closely with the government and the European Union to retain duty-free market access in the region up to 2031 after the LDC graduation in 2026 too. It’s possible through apparel diplomacy,” Faruque also added.
Also read: Sreda, BGMEA sign deal for rooftop solar power promotion in RMG sector
On the other hand, another panel leader of Forum and Chairman of Hannan Group ABM Shamsuddin said he believes in work and he will try hard to develop the industry in a sustainable way.
“I hope the members of the apex trade body will cast their valuable votes in favour of me. Lockdown is set to begin again in the country due to rising number of Covid-19 cases and so health safety for labourers is very significant. If our panel is elected, we will prioritise it at first here,” he also added.
Also read: UNDP, BGMEA launch report measuring RMG's impact on SDGs
BGMEA President Dr Rubana Huq said she will finish the unfinished works of the organization if her Forum panel is elected.
Bill placed in JS to ensure welfare of film artistes
The Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Welfare Trust Bill, 2021, was placed in Parliament on Sunday, aiming to ensure welfare of film artistes as well as provide financial support to insolvent and ailing ones.
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud placed the Bill and it was sent to the respective Standing Committee for further scrutiny. The Committee was asked to submit its report within 45 days.
The main objectives of the bill are ensuring welfare of film actors and actress, providing financial support to insolvent and ailing artistes, necessary assistance to the family members in case of death of an artiste, and implementing other programmes to be taken by the trust.
There will be a 13-member board headed by the information minister as its chairman to run the trust.
Also read: Bill placed in JS to raise lower court judges’ pecuniary jurisdiction for trying civil suits
A managing director will be there to act as the executive chief of the trust.
The trust can receive grants and loans for its operation and it will have to take prior permission in this regard.
Global Covid cases hit 130.6 million
More than 130.6 million people have been infected with Covid-19 with 2.8 million fatalities on Sunday, according to data compiled by johns Hopkins University (JHU).
The total case count reached 130,659, 436 while the death tally mounted to 2, 845,012 as of Sunday morning, showed the university data.
The US has recorded 30,671,074 cases and the country’s death toll reached 554,789.
The US has surpassed the grim Covid milestone of 30 million cases on March 25.
Besides, deaths from COVID-19 in Brazil surpassed 330,000 on Saturday after 1,987 new fatalities registered, bringing the country's death toll to 330,193, the Ministry of Health reported.
Besides, 43,515 new cases were registered, bringing the national count to 12,953,597.
Brazil is currently the global epicenter of COVID-19, ranking second in terms of deaths and cases worldwide, after the United States.
India records highest spike in daily Covid-19 cases with 89,129 new cases, bringing the national tally to 12,392,260.
Besides, 714 deaths were registered, taking the death toll to 164,110.Both the number of new cases and deaths are the highest this year so far.
Also read: Global Covid cases top 130 million
Situation in Bangladesh
Amid an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases, Bangladesh recorded 5,683 fresh cases and 58 deaths in the last 24 hours until Saturday.
Bangladesh has so far recorded 630,277 coronavirus cases, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
During the 24-hour period until Saturday morning, 2,364 patients recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 549,775.
Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 last year and confirmed the first death from the virus 10 days later.
Meanwhile, the fatalities rose to 9,213 with the new deaths. The mortality rate fell to 1.46 on Saturday from Friday’s 1.47 percent.
Also read: Global Covid caseload tops 129 million
Govt set to impose ‘lockdown’
On Saturday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the government is set to announce a seven-day lockdown from Monday to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said the decision for a countrywide lockdown for seven days would come within “two to three days”.
In a video message, he said the institutions providing emergency services would be open during the lockdown.
“Industries and factories will remain open too,” he said. “Workers will have to follow health guidelines and work in shifts (during that period).”
Also read: Global Covid cases top 128 million
Govt strengthens protective steps
The daily surge prompted the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to issue an 18-point directive on March 29 to prevent the virus’ transmission.
On the same day, the Health Ministry proposed strict measures like partial lockdowns for some places with higher Covid-19 transmission rates.
Vaccination drive
The government launched a countrywide vaccination campaign on February 7 with doses received from the Serum Institute of India.
Bangladesh inked an agreement with Serum in December last year for 30 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Serum is supposed to supply the doses between January and June this year – 5 million each month.
Jalalabad protesters demand reinstatement of their teachers
Students and alumni of Jalalabad Cantonment Public School and College staged a protest in front of the campus against the removal of two teachers for not abiding by a dress code that extends to regulating facial hair/beards.
The two teachers have been identified as Abdul Halim, of the physics department, and Mujahidul Islam, of the ICT Department.
They were allegedly suspended for keeping beards, and taking class in panjabis.
Also read: India hopes Dhaka will address Hefazat's anti-Modi protests
The protestors withdrew their program at 5 pm following a meeting with the college authorities, who denied suspending the lecturers. Rather, school authorities reminded them of the option to resign, in case of irreconcilable differences - in this case over abiding by the dress code. Ariful Islam Reza, vice-principal of the college, explained as much to the agitated students on Saturday afternoon.
He also mentioned that the news circulating in social media about their suspension was fake. Yet no-one was particularly bothered by the difference. Unsatisfied students continued their protest till evening. To them, the college has discriminated against the individuals on the basis of their religious adherence, and it being the overwhelming majority's faith, Islam, makes it even more unacceptable. To them, it signals a creeping Islamophobia.
Also read: Protest against Modi’s visit: 50 injured as Muslim devotees, cops clash in Dhaka
The demonstrations only ended on condition that the authorities reconsider the entire case, including the demands of protestors.
BGMEA elects new leadership Sunday
The biennial election of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is going to be held on Sunday at the Radisson Blu hotel in Dhaka.
Two panels are contesting the powerful trade body's election this year. Earlier, Shadhinata Parishad merged with the Sammilita Parishad led by Managing Director of Giant Group Faruque Hassan. On the other hand, Chairman of Hannan Group ABM Shamsuddin is leading the Forum panel as its candidate for president. Current BGMEA president Dr Rubana Huq is contesting as a panel member of Forum.
Also read: BGMEA election: Sammilita Parishad announces manifesto
Former Vice President of BGMEA Mohammad Nasir said a total of 14 polling booths have been set up to cast votes from 9am to 7pm - an extra 3 hours over the usual to allow COVID-19 health protocols to be maintained.
“A total of 1853 voters are in Dhaka and 461 in Chattogram. New board will take over on April 20. Five Vice Presidents in Dhaka and two in Chattogram will be elected in the election,” he also said.
Also read: BGMEA Election: Forum candidates pledge to work selflessly for industry
The candidates for each panel are numbered serially on each ballot: 1-35 are the Forum candidates and from 36-70 for Sammilita Parishid in the election.
Multinational military exercise "Shantir Ogroshena" to begin Sunday
Multinational military exercise "Shantir Ogroshena - 2021" (Front Runner of Peace) will begin here on Sunday to commemorate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and mark glorious 50 years of Bangladesh's Independence.
Indian Army contingent comprising of 30 personnel including Officers, JCOs and Jawans of a Battalion from The DOGRA Regiment will participate in the exercise along with contingent of Royal Bhutan Army, Sri Lankan Army and Bangladesh Army.
Also read: Multinational military exercise "Shantir Ogroshena" to begin Apr 4
The theme of the exercise (April 4-12) is - Robust Peace Keeping Operations, according to Indian Ministry of Defence.
Military observers from USA, UK, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Singapore will also be in attendance throughout the exercise.
Also read: Bangladesh-India joint military exercise ends in Tangail
An Indian Air Force AN-32 airlifted a 30-member Contingent of the Dogra Regiment of the Indian Army to Dhaka on Saturday.
Hefazat activists' show of force frees leader Mamunul from police custody
Supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam’s Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque went on the rampage in Narayanganj and vandalised a resort in Sonargaon where he was detained with a woman he claimed as his second wife.
Mahanagar Hefazat’s secretary Ferdausur Rahman said Mamunul went to the resort with his second wife where the local Chatra League and Jubo League leaders confined and harassed him, before calling in the police on Saturday.
The woman detained with him is his second wife as claimed by Mamunul Haque, said Ferdausur Rahman.
Narayanganj’s Hefazat’s leaders are looking into the matter visiting the scene, he said.
Also read: Hefazat's Mamunul detained with woman from resort
Later, in the evening madrasa teachers and students gathered in front of the resort and started chanting slogans for freeing Mamunul Haque.
At one point they broke down the main gate of the resort and started a massive rampage entering the property.
As the situation was getting out of hand, police released Mamunul Haque to the demonstrating madrasa folks.
Yet they continued the vandalism at the resort until police released Mamunul Hauque’s wife too around 8 pm.
Also read: Hathazari Hefazat-police clash: 2,500 accused in 7 cases
The resort authority claimed they incurred a crore worth of losses in the destruction.
Mamunul Hauque calmed down the agitated demonstrators by declaring legal actions against the involved AL and Jubo League leaders and left the scene with his wife.
The saga of destruction continued yet after as the protestors blocked Dhaka-Chittagong highway vandalized and set fire to local AL office and Jubo League Leader’s vehicle.
Narayanganj Police Superintendent Md Jayedul Haque said, police reached the scene being informed of locals confining Maulana Mamunul Haque with a woman in the room of that resort.
Also read: Hefazat attack instigators won’t be spread: IGP
As Mamunul Haque claimed the woman was his wife, police safely evacuated him from the resort and kept them under custody.
Sonargaon police station’s inspector (Investigation), Tobidur Rahman at evening confirmed Mamunul Haque being safe in Police’s custody. .
Meanwhile Maulana Mamunul Haque threatened to file case against the journalists who were trying to take photograph and video footage of him.
Homebound people flock at launch and bus terminals dreading ‘lockdown’
Homebound people have started swarming into cities' launch and bus terminals as the announcement of countrywide lockdown came on Saturday.
On Saturday morning, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the government is set to announce a seven-day lockdown from Monday to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Since the declaration, people are dreading the suspension of all public transportation across the country and crowding at the bus and launch terminals.
Railways Minister MD Nurul Islam Sujan said passenger train services will remain suspended across the country during the countrywide lockdown period.
Joynal Abedin, joint director for Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) told UNB no announcement of suspending launch services has been made.
Also read: Govt to enforce 7-day lockdown from Monday: Quader
Yet dreading the upcoming suspension number of homebound people at the terminals has increased from this afternoon, said BIWTA’s joint director.
Sales manager of Hanif Paribahan bus service’s Kallyanpur counter, Nahid Hasan said bus counters were already packed with passengers as the bus owners were carrying 50 percent less passengers according to the Government’s order from Wednesday.
As the declaration of lockdown came today the crowd of passengers increased more, he said.
Unique bus service’s Gabtali counter man Sulaiman said, passengers are frightened about being stuck hence they are flocking at the ticket counters to leave the city within a day or two.
Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh
Amid an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases, Bangladesh recorded 5,683 fresh cases and 58 deaths in the last 24 hours until Saturday.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 5,638 cases, 58 more deaths
The infection rate slightly fell to 23.15 percent from 23.28 percent on Friday when the country recorded 6,830 cases, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic.
Bangladesh has so far recorded 630,277 coronavirus cases, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
During the 24-hour period until Saturday morning, 2,364 patients recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 549,775.
Meanwhile, the fatalities rose to 9,213 with the new deaths.