Bangladesh
6 more arrested over political violence, sabotage: RAB
Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Monday arrested six more people, including BNP leaders and activists, in connection with attacks, sabotage, and violence that took place in different parts of the country.
They were arrested from different parts of the country, said RAB Headquarters Legal and Media Wing Assistant Director ASP Al Amin.
So far, RAB has arrested a total of 826 people in connection with violence and sabotage in different parts of the country, including the attack and sabotage on October 28, he added.
Also read: Fire Service records 8 arson attacks in 24 hours
Meanwhile, 424 RAB patrol teams, including 132 in the capital, have been deployed across the country, in order to prevent violence and vandalism and to maintain the law and order situation.
The elite force is providing security for passenger and goods transport, long-distance public transport, and cargo transport by patrolling in different parts of the country.
In addition, RAB's intelligence surveillance is continuing in important places, including bus stands and railway stations, to prevent any kind of vandalism and violence, added the RAB official.
Also read: 3 parked buses set ablaze in Natore, one partially salvaged by Fire Service
HC stays trial against journo Kajol in a case of illegally entering Bangladesh
The High Court on Monday stayed for six months the trial proceedings of a case filed by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) against journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol for illegally entering Bangladesh.The HC bench of Justice SM Kuddus Zaman and Justice Md Aminul Islam passed the order after hearing a petition seeking cancellation of the case.Advocate Nazmus Shakib stood for journalist Kajol in the court while Deputy Attorney General Sujit Chatterjee Bappi stood for the state.
Read: Nixon Chowdhury appears in court over election code violation chargesLater, Sujit Chatterjee said that the High Court stayed the proceedings of the case for six months.Journalist Kajol went missing on March 11, 2020 from the capital's Chawkbazar area. Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested him from Sadipur field along the Benapole border in Jashore on May 2, 53 days after he went missing from Dhaka.Later, on May 3, 2020, BGB filed a case against journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol under the Illegal Entry Act.
World Bank, ADB support to cope with Rohingya crisis must be grant, not loan: TIB
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) expressed deep concern on Monday about the apparent decision by the Bangladesh government to seek one billion dollars from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to cope with the Rohingya refugee crisis, of which $535 million is in loans, while the remaining $465 million is in grants.
TIB has called upon the government to negotiate with the World Bank and ADB to secure grant instead of loan and urges the international community to ensure fair and equitable sharing of the burden for this persecution-led humanitarian crisis.
Also read: Support desperate Rohingya refugees following Indonesia: UN expert
TIB believes that this is not a fair, wise or sustainable approach to cope with a persecution-driven humanitarian crisis that requires collective international action by ensuring that is not unjust to the host country.
“Bangladesh has already done more than its fair share over the years in hosting and supporting over a million Rohingya refugees who fled persecution in Myanmar. Just because Bangladesh opened its borders to host the persecuted Rohingyas, nothing can justify that it will have to endlessly shoulder additional financial burdens which must be borne by collective efforts of the international community,” it said in a press release.
"We urge the Government to reconsider this move and to engage in dialogue with the international community to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of the costs involved," said Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB.
Also read: Preparations to begin voluntary repatriation of Rohingyas to be continued: FS
Iftekharuzzaman said, "We also call upon the World Bank and the ADB to offer their support as grants, not loans. Supporting Bangladesh’s efforts to manage the enormous challenges caused by the Rohingya crisis is an opportunity for organisations like World Bank and ADB to demonstrate that their mission is not limited to indiscriminate loan business."
TIB is particularly concerned about the trend of decreasing international grants for the displaced Rohingyas, which it sees as a sign that the international community is cowardly shrugging off their responsibility and leaving Bangladesh to bear the brunt of the burden almost all by itself. The recent decline in donor support has resulted in a drastic and highly insensitive reduction in per capita food assistance from $12 to $8 per month.
"The global community, particularly countries with multi-dimensional stakes, interests and leverage in Myanmar, must do more to support Bangladesh in addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis," said Dr. Iftekharuzzaman.
"This includes providing more humanitarian assistance, working towards a durable solution for the safe and voluntary return of the displaced Rohingya people sheltered in Bangladesh, and holding Myanmar accountable for its crimes against humanity," he added.
Also read: Prolonged presence of Rohingya refugees not an option: Bangladesh tells UN
TIB also calls on the United Nations and its relevant agencies to play a more active role in coordinating the international response to the Rohingya refugee crisis.
Iftekharuzzaman said, "The UN must also work to address the root causes of the crisis behind the ongoing persecution of the Rohingya people in Myanmar. Bangladesh on its part has already been way overburdened by economic, social, environmental and security challenges caused by the crisis caused by genocidal persecution of Rohingyas.”
RU staff found dead in Rajshahi
Police recovered the hanging body of a staff member of Rajshahi University (RU) from his residence on Rajshahi University campus on Monday.The deceased was identified as Rajon Kumar, 45, a sweeper of the Vice-Chancellor Building of the university.Quoting Rakhi Rani, wife of Rajon, Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Rajpara Police Station, said Rajon took loans amounting to Tk 5-6 lakh from different NGOs on limited interest.Already he paid some of the loan money but the lenders used to pressurize him to pay the rest of the loan.The family members of Rajon spotted him hanging from the ceiling of his toilet at 8am and informed police, who recovered the body.Police suspected that Rajon might have committed suicide after failing to pay the installment money.
Road accident leaves grandfather and granddaughter dead in Chattogram
Two motorcycle riders were killed and another woman was injured as a brick loaded truck hit a motorcycle at Nayapara area of Lohagara upazila under Chattogram on Monday afternoon.
Youth killed in Dhaka road crash
The deceased were identified as motorcycle rider Md Iqbal, 57, and his 7-year-old grand-daughter.
Lohagara Fire Service Station in-charge Rabiul Alam confirmed the matter and said a man and his granddaughter died and a woman got injuries from the accident.
Cyclone Midhili: Body of missing youth recovered from Ctg’s Sitakunda
“On information, our team carried out a rescue operation immediately and recovered the bodies. The injured woman was taken to the hospital,” he said.
"Free Cervical Cancer Screening to Prevent Cervical Cancer to Save Lives of At-Risk Population"
A medical camp was held with the aim of cervical cancer screening in collaboration with the Urban Primary Health Care Project of Dhaka Ahsania Mission.
A total of 40 sex workers received cervical cancer screening services from Syedabad DIC in Dhaka at that time.
The program was organized as part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Hazrat Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah (RA) who founded the Ahsaniya Mission.
Assistant Director of Dhaka Ahsania Mission (Health and WASH Sector) Dr. Naila Parveen inaugurated this event on Monday (December 4, 2013).
She said, "Women over 30 years of age, especially female sex workers, are at risk of cervical cancer. Therefore, every woman above the age of 30 and sex workers should undergo cervical cancer screening at least once every 5 years."
"Since cervical cancer can be diagnosed through this screening, it is possible to cure this cancer through treatment if the screening can be done at the right time," she added.
Among others present at the opening ceremony were Urban Primary Health Care Project Manager Mahfida Dina Rubaiah, Clinic Manager Dr. Ishrat Sharmin, and FSW project team leader, Dr. Kamruzzaman Technical Specialist. Jannatul Ferdous Murphy and Quality Assurance Officer, Laila Yasmin.
Vector-borne diseases like dengue rising due to climate change: Zahid Maleque
Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque has attributed the rising prevalence of dengue and other vector-borne diseases to climate change.
He said this while addressing a round table discussion organised by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on the theme ‘Launch of Asian Development Bank-led climate and health initiatives’.
Also read: Dengue: 2 more die; 682 hospitalised in 24hrs
To mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change, Malek urged increased cooperation among developed countries and expanded support for developing nations, according to a press release of the ministry.
"The strong countries of the world cannot avoid responsibility for this climate change and its harmful effects. For this reason, the strong countries of the world should cooperate more to reduce the damage caused by climate change. Expand, enhance cooperation in lagging countries,” he said.
Malek highlighted the challenges faced by Bangladesh's health sector due to climate change, citing the proliferation of vector-borne diseases like dengue.
Also read: Dengue death toll crosses 1600-mark
“In addition to natural disasters, various vector-borne diseases are increasing due to climate change. Among them, the increase in Aedes mosquitoes is one of the reasons for the increase in dengue infection rates worldwide. As a result, we have to spend a lot to manage these diseases. Hospital beds are filled with dengue patients. As a result, on the one hand, costs are increasing, on the other hand, more dengue patients are admitted to the hospital, and other patients are deprived of normal services,” he said.
He also mentioned the establishment of a climate-friendly vaccine plant in Bangladesh with the support of the ADB. He urged other development partners to enhance technical and financial cooperation in building climate-resilient health systems.
Also read: Google connects Bangladeshis with trusted information on dengue fever
Petition to stay election schedule: HC fixes Dec 10 for decision
The hearing on the details of the writ petition filed to stay the upcoming 12th National election ended in the High Court on Monday.
The High Court bench led by Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Atabullah, fixed December 10 (Sunday) for passing an order in this regard on Monday.
Advocate Yunus Ali Akanda spoke in favour of the petition in the court, while Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the state. Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy provided assistance on behalf of the state. Barrister Khan Muhammad Shamim Aziz appeared on behalf of the Election Commission.
At a stage during the hearing, Advocate Yunus Ali Akanda, the petitioner's lawyer, stated, "I was a parliamentary candidate in 2018. Voting took place at night. The court asked, whether any case was filed regarding the night voting and was there any evidence or witnesses. At that time, Yunus said, “I am a witness to the night voting along with 18 crore people."
Earlier, theanother election's validity was challenged while the current parliament was in session. Yunus filed the writ petition in the relevant branch of the High Court last Wednesday. The petition included the Chief Election Commissioner, the Election Commission Secretary, the Secretary of the Ministry of Law, and seven others as defendants. The lawyer had sent a legal notice last Tuesday.
The notice highlighted the ongoing political crisis in the country, stating that strikes and blockades are ongoing, making it impossible to conduct fair elections. In addition, candidates have the obligation to submit their tax returns with their nomination papers.
However, the deadline for submitting tax returns is November 30, while, according to the Election Commission, the deadline for submitting nomination papers is also November 30. Therefore, it remains uncertain how candidates will be able to submit their tax returns along with their nomination papers, it said
Due to the impact of strikes and blockades, independent candidates are not prepared to participate in the election. In light of this situation, the Election Commission requested more time to announce details behind the postponed election date, it added.
End/UNB/Corr/MB
Jan 7 National Polls: EC asks to send proposals to transfer OCs by Dec 08
The Election Commission has asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to send its proposals to transfer officers-in-charge (OCs) of all police stations by December 08 in order to conduct the 12th parliamentary elections scheduled for January 7 in a fair manner.
The commission made the directive in a letter sent to the Public Security Division of the Home Ministry on Monday.
In the letter, the EC said it will have to send proposals by December 08 instead of December 05 for phased transfer of the OCs of all police stations.
Read: Jan 7 polls: Aspirants can appeal before EC against RO’s decisions from Tuesday
Earlier, the commission asked the ministry to transfer officers-in-charge of all police stations across the country in phases to hold the upcoming national election fairly.
The EC directed that the OCs who discharged duties at their respective police stations for over six months should be transferred in the first phase.
AL’s International Affairs Secretary Shammi loses candidacy over dual citizenship
The Election Commission (EC) on Monday rejected the nomination paper of Awami League's International Affairs Secretary Dr Shammi Ahmed for Barishal-4 constituency over having dual citizenship.
Barishal Deputy Commissioner Shahidul Islam, who is also the returning officer of the district, made the announcement after the second day's hearing at the district administration conference room on Monday afternoon.
Read: Jan 7 polls: Aspirants can appeal before EC against RO’s decisions from Tuesday
He said according to the Representation of the People Order, 1972, dual citizenship is unacceptable to be a candidate for the post of a Member of Parliament. Awami League candidate Dr Shammi's nomination paper has been cancelled as she has dual citizenship.
The returning officer said 10 aspirants out of 55 lost their candidacy for different reasons.