Bangladesh
77th Independence Day of India observed in Dhaka
The Indian High Commission in Bangladesh observed the 77th Independence Day of India on Tuesday at the Chancery premises of the High Commission.
This year, the independence day celebrations marked India’s 76th year of independence, and the celebrations were held with great fervor as part of the ongoing celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma unfurled the national flag and read out excerpts from the president’s address to the nation.
A group of Indian Community members led by IGCC teachers sang the National Anthem and patriotic songs.
The event saw very enthusiastic participation from Indian Community which attended in large numbers.
FBCCI pays tribute to Father of the Nation on national mourning day
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) commemorated National Mourning Day by honoring the legacy of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The New Board of Directors of FBCCI led by President Mahbubul Alam paid tribute on National Mourning Day by placing a Floral wreath on the portrait of Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi Road-32 in the capital.
FBCCI President Mr. Mahbubul Alam urged the businessmen to take the country forward with the spirit of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He came up with the call at the Doa Mahfil offered on the occasion of Bangabandhu’s 48th martyrdom anniversary and National Mourning Day held at the FBCCI on Tuesday afternoon.
He said, “Bangabandhu gave us a sovereign country. We couldn't have grown as prosperous as we are now if Bangabandhu didn't fight for our independence. Today, many of our fellow businessmen hold prominent roles in banking, large corporations, and trade organizations. This success story wouldn't have been possible without our sovereignty'.
President Alam emphasized that businesses should operate with a commitment to the country's advancement, echoing the principles of the liberation war.
"Bangabandhu's legacy gave us independence, and his daughter, Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, bestowed us with economic freedom. Today, our business landscape is expanding significantly, with exports of both conventional and non-conventional goods witnessing substantial growth," added FBCCI President.
FBCCI Senior Vice President Md. Amin Helaly said that the economy of Bangladesh is 470 billion dollars today because of the policies and environment given by the HPM Sheikh Hasina to materialize Bangabandhu's dream.
FBCCI Vice President Joshoda Jibon Deb Nath, Shomi Kaiser, Rashadul Hossain Chowdhury (Ronni), Md. Munir Hossain, Directors, General Body (GB) Members, and others were present at the program. FBCCI also distributed food to three madrasas in the capital marking National Mourning Day.
BNP, Jamaat want sabotage during mournful August: Info Minister
A conspiracy has been hatched under the leadership of BNP-Jamaat around the month of August, the painful month of Bengalee life, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud.
He said this while addressing a discussion organised by the Department of Film and Publication (DFP) on the occasion of the National Mourning Day at Information Bhaban in the Capital’s Kakrail on Tuesday.
Also read: AL workers thwart BNP's attempt to sow chaos: Hasan Mahmud
“Delwar Hossain Sayeedi died of natural causes yesterday. Attempts have been made to create chaos around it since last night. This is part of the sabotage and chaos that BNP and Jamaat have planned across the country throughout the month of August,” he said.
Mentioning that the anti-liberation forces and militant groups become active when the month of August comes, Hasan said, "Bangabandhu was killed on August 15, grenade attack was carried out with the intention of killing Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina on August 21. On August 17, bombs were detonated at 500 places across the country. Bombs were detonated in 63 of the 64 districts” he said.
Also read: AL has no connection with Jamaat: Info Minister
Describing August as the sad month for Bengalee people the minister said, “The greatest Bengalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated in this month. Rabindranath Tagore died in August while national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam also passed away. In August, Khudiram Bose put a rope around his neck on the gallows.”
“When this month of pain comes, anti-Bengalee, anti-cultural, anti-national forces are active. That's why we all need to keep a watchful eye. We need to take our country forward. And to take the country forward, everyone has to work together,” he said.
Also read: Jamaat's statement on resisting upcoming nat'l election came from BNP: Hasan Mahmud
DFP Director General SM Golam Kibria presided over the programme while Director General of Bangladesh Television Jahangir Alam and Chief Information Officer Shahenur Mia addressed the meeting, among others.
1 killed in Jamaat-police clash in Cox’s Bazar
A 60-year-old man was shot to death and 12 others were injured in a clash between police and the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami centering the gayebana janaza of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi in Chakaria upazila of Cox’s Bazar district on Tuesday. Five of the injured suffered bullet wounds.
The deceased was identified as Forkanul Islam, a resident of Chakaria municipality area and son of Abul Fazal.
Also read: Police, Jamaat-Shibir activists clash in Ctg over Sayeedi’s 'gayebana janaza'; 30 held
Jabed Mahmud, officer-in-charge of Chakaria Police Station, said the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami brought out a procession after the gayebana janaza of Delwar Hossain Sayeedi in the municipality area after 4 pm.
When the procession reached Baitus Sharaf Road they started vandalising vehicles passing through the area.
At one stage, a chase and counter-chase took place among police and the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, triggering a clash that left one person killed and 12 others injured.
Of the injured five people including the officer-in-charge of Chakaria Police also sustained bullet injuries during the clash.
Also read: War criminal Sayeedi buried in Pirojpur
Mahfuzul Islam, superintendent of Cox’s Bazar police, said the firing incident did not come from police.
Chakaria Upazila Nirbahi Upazila Officer (UNO), JP Dewan, said the Jamaat men offered the gayebana janaza despite no permission to hold it and they carried out the attack on police from the procession. “Legal action will be taken against those involved in the attack,” he said.
The vehicle belongs to OC and some vehicles of government officials were vandalised during the attack.
Also read: Protest around ambulance carrying Sayeedi’s body: Jamaat-Shibir activists set motorbikes on fire in Dhaka's Shahbagh
Earlier, Delwar Hossain Sayeedi passed away while undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on Monday.
Where were foreigners when war criminals came to power: Dipu Moni
Joint Secretary of the Awami League and Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni said that foreigners are vocal about Bangladesh’s contemporary issues, but there was a glaring silence on their part when the war criminals of 1971 came to power.
She said this during an event organised by the district administration of Chandpur on Tuesday (August 15).
Also read: Zia tried to turn Bangladesh into Pakistan: Dipu Moni
“When those responsible for the atrocities of 1971 assumed power and evaded trial, wasn’t it a violation of human rights? Where was foreigner’s concern about democracy then?” she said.
Also read: BNP conspiring to regain power illegally: Dipu Moni
"Even when the ruthless assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his son (Sheikh) Russell occurred in 1975, the cries for justice and human rights were muffled. Similarly, in 1981, when Bangabandhu's daughter sought to pay her respects to her deceased family members, she was barred from entering her own house, wasn’t it a violation of human rights?” she continued.
Also read: Bangladesh needs Sheikh Hasina's govt again and again for continued development: Dipu Moni
"Among the 95,000 soldiers surrendered by Pakistani occupation forces, certain Pakistani army officers bore Bengali names, including one Rakibul Huda,” she said.
"During the BNP-Jamaat bleak period in 2001, the nation was plunged into a state of mourning, marked by heinous acts of rape and gang-rape committed against innocent individuals such as Mahima, Fahima, Purnima, and Latifa. Where was their concern about human rights then?,” she asked.
BGMEA pays rich tributes to Bangabandhu
The leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking his 48th martyrdom anniversary and the National Mourning Day.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan along with the BGMEA Board members paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at the portrait of the great leader in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at the capital's Dhanmondi on August 15.
BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Directors Asif Ibrahim, Tanvir Ahmed, Faisal Samad, and Haroon Ar Rashid were present on the occasion.
The BGMEA leaders showed their deep respect to the memory of the great leader who fought for establishing people's rights and dignity.
Afterwards, they visited the Banani graveyard and offered prayers, seeking forgiveness and peace for Bangabandhu and his family members who were brutally murdered in the dark night of 15 August in 1975.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan recalled the memories of Bangabandhu, saying he dedicated his life to the cause of Bangladesh and its people.
Bangabandhu is a great leader whose vision and sacrifices inspired the nation to achieve freedom and pursue the dream of a Sonar Bangla, Faruque Hassan observed.
Under the prudent and visionary leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has reached a new level of development through achievements in various social and economic indicators, the BGMEA President mentioned.
He expressed firm commitment of the RMG industry to propelling the development of Bangladesh.
War criminal Sayeedi buried in Pirojpur
Convicted war criminal and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi was buried on Tuesday in Pirojpur.
He was buried beside the grave of his elder son on the premises of Sayeedi’s foundation.
Acting Ameer of Jamaat Islami Mujibur Rahman conducted his namaj-e-janaza around 1:10 pm.
Also read: Jamaat not allowed to hold Sayeedi's ‘gayebana janaza’ in Sylhet
Earlier, leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir set at least two motorcycles on fire on the road in front of the BSMMU, and staged a protest around the ambulance carrying Sayeedi’s body.
He died on Monday night while undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
Also read: Police, Jamaat-Shibir activists clash in Ctg over Sayeedi’s 'gayebana janaza'; 30 held
On February 17, 2018, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court sentenced Sayeedi to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of 1971.
On June 29, 2010, Sayeedi was arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiments. Later, on August 2 of the same year, he was arrested in a case of crimes against humanity.
Also read: War criminal Delwar Hossain Sayeedi dies at BSMMU
Jamaat not allowed to hold Sayeedi's ‘gayebana janaza’ in Sylhet
Police in Sylhet refused to allow Jamaat-e-Islami to hold a 'gayebana janaza’ for war criminal Delwar Hossain Sayeedi who died in Dhaka on Monday night.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.
Also read: Police, Jamaat-Shibir activists clash in Ctg over Sayeedi’s 'gayebana janaza'; 30 held
Jamaat activists clashed with police in Dhaka, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and other places over Sayeedi's ‘gayebana janaza’. Many were injured. But police did not allow the funeral prayers to be held anywhere.
In this situation, Jamaat-e-Islami arranged the funeral of Delawar Hossain Sayeedi at Alia Madrasa ground in Sylhet city on Tuesday afternoon.
Also read: Protest around ambulance carrying Sayeedi’s body: Jamaat-Shibir activists set motorbikes on fire in Dhaka's Shahbagh
Earlier Jamaat-e-Islami's Sylhet Metropolitan unit Ameer Mohammad Fakhrul Islam said that a gayebana janaza will be held at Alia Madrasa ground after Zohr prayers on Wednesday.
Regarding police permission, he said, "Police permission is not required for funerals.”
Deputy Commissioner (North) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police Azbahar Ali Sheikh said, "We have not yet given permission to Jamaat to perform gayebana janaza. There is a fear of chaos or violence centring the funeral. We will take a decision on this after taking everything into consideration.”
Also read: War criminal Delwar Hossain Sayeedi dies at BSMMU
Sayeedi, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in a case of crimes against humanity, died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) around 8:40pm on Monday.
He was buried next to Baitul Hamd Jame Mosque on the premises of Sayeedi Foundation on bypass road in Pirojpur city at 3:30pm on Tuesday.
Dengue: 10 patients die; 1,984 hospitalised in 24hrs
Ten more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, raising the fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 426 this year.
During the period, 1,984 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, DGHS said.
Of the new patients, 731 were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside the capital--indicating a worsening situation across the country, according to DGHS.
A total of 9,117 dengue patients, including 4,010 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, the DGHS has recorded 89,875 dengue cases and 80,332 recoveries this year.
Meanwhile, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) urged swift action as dengue cases surge in Bangladesh.
“The higher incidence of dengue is taking place in the context of an unusual episodic amount of rainfall, combined with high temperatures and high humidity, which have resulted in an increased mosquito population throughout Bangladesh,” WHO said.
Police, Jamaat-Shibir activists clash in Ctg over Sayeedi’s 'gayebana janaza'; 30 held
Scores were injured including police officials after clashes broke out between Jamaat-Shibir activists and police in Chattogram over the gayebana janaza (funeral prayers in absentia) of convicted war criminal and Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Sayeedi.
Police detained 30 activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami from the scene during the melee.
The violence broke out in front of Kazir Dewri and Almas cinema hall on Tuesday afternoon.
Also read: Protest around ambulance carrying Sayeedi’s body: Jamaat-Shibir activists set motorbikes on fire in Dhaka's Shahbagh
Later, it spread to different parts of the city including Kazir Dewri Mor, Wasar Mor, GEC Mor and Lalkhan Bazar.
According to witnesses, the leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami were preparing to offer gayebana janaza for Sayeedi at Jamiyatul Falah Mosque ground in Wasa Mor area of the city.
When the law enforcers blocked the main gate of Jamiyatul Falah in an attempt to foil the janaza, an argument broke out subsequently turning into a chase-counter chase between the police and Jamaat-Shibir activists.
Also read: Ghaibana janaza for Sayeedi won't be permitted in Dhaka: DMP chief
Witnesses said police had to lob teargas canisters to disperse the crowd.
Jahidul Kabir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station, said jamaat-shibir leaders and activists started gathering around Jamiyatul Falah Mosque since afternoon without permission for the funeral prayers.
“From there they attacked the police. However, we brought the situation under control immediately as we were prepared. Several police officers were injured. Things are normal now.”
Also read: BNP mourns death of Sayeedi
Kotwali police arrested more than 30 leaders and activists of Jamaat-Shibir from the spot, said OC Jahidul.
The convicted war criminal Delwar Hossain Sayeedi died on Monday night while undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).