Bangladesh
TIB demands withdrawal of RPO Amendment Bill
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has voiced its concerns and called for the withdrawal of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) amendment bill currently under consideration in the National Assembly.
TIB also urged specific measures to reform the legal and institutional framework.
Read: Ensure strict implementation of laws to control plastic pollution: TIB
The organization has stated that if the bill is passed, it will further diminish the authority of the Election Commission.
The proposed amendment would strip the commission of its existing power to cancel ongoing elections in any constituency if there are justified violations of electoral laws, reads a media release.
The Election Commission is set to lose this authority under the revised RPO presented in the National Parliament, it said.
Read:Budget silent on corruption, money laundering: TIB
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, the Executive Director of TIB, stated, "Last October, the commission postponed the by-election for the Gaibandha-5 seat after observing irregularities through CCTV cameras. This amendment affirms the concerns raised by many observers that the ruling party may feel anxious about such actions by the Commission. The change of the term 'election' to 'polling' in the proposed amendment is not merely a linguistic alteration; its implications are far-reaching. If the Commission's powers are curtailed through the passage of this bill, it will deepen the crisis of confidence in the country's ability to conduct free, fair, participatory, and impartial elections."
“Curtailing the Commission's powers to prevent electoral irregularities is undemocratic and unconstitutional. Moreover, the proposed amendment expands opportunities for debtors and defaulters. While the current order requires submission of copies of bank loan and service bill payments seven days prior to the submission of nomination papers, the amendment extends this deadline until the day before the nomination papers are submitted. Given this situation, it is not unreasonable to assert that debtors and defaulters are being incentivized to vote."
Section 91(a) of the current People's Representation Order states, "If the Election Commission determines that due to various malpractices, including the use of force, intimidation, and pressure during the election, it will be unable to ensure a reasonable, fair, and lawful conduct of the election, then any polling station or the entire constituency, as applicable, may suspend election operations, including the taking of votes, at any stage of the election."
Read: TIB condemns Wasa chairman’s removal
The proposed amendment seeks to limit the Commission's power to cancel polling at any stage, including the taking of votes, in any polling station or constituency.
Consequently, if this amendment becomes law, the commission will no longer have the authority to halt elections on a constituency-wide basis when necessary.
Agrani Bank official suspended over assaulting IU teacher
The Agrani Bank authorities suspended one of its officials temporarily on charges of assaulting M Mostafizur Rahman, a professor of Al-Hadith and Islamic Studies department of Islamic University in Kushtia over previous enmity.
Read: IU Students protest attack on teacher, block Kushtia-Jhenaidah highway
The suspended, M Shohel Mahmud, was the principal officer of Kushtia Chaurhash Agrani Bank branch.
A press release, signed by the bank deputy-general manager M Mahbubur Rahman, was issued in this regard on Thursday night.
According to the press release, the students of the Al-Hadith and Islamic Studies department on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the chairman of the bank demanding punishment of Shohel. Later, the bank authorities suspended Shohel Mahmud from his job temporarily for tarnishing the image of the bank by assaulting IU Al-Hadith and Islamic Studies department Professor M Mostafizur Rahman physically who was also the general secretary of the university teachers’ Association.
Read: IU student's MBA, BBA certificates cancelled
Agrani Bank deputy general-manager M Mahbubur Rahman said that they suspended Shohel for violating the bank’s rules and regulations.
On Wednesday morning, Shohel swooped on Mostafiz while the latter was walking on the road over their previous enmity.
Shohel, at one stage, beat up Mostafiz with a bamboo stick of land that left him injured on the spot. Later, other people rescued Mostafiz from the spot and took him to Kushtia General Hospital for treatment.
A group of students of the Al-Hadith and Islamic Studies department staged a demonstration on the campus in Kushtia on Thursday protesting at an attack on the professor.
Read: Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman gets bail in DSA case
The students later blockaded the Kushtia-Jhenaidah highway demanding immediate arrest of Kushtia Chaurhash Agrani Bank official M Shohel Mahmud.
IUTA and the teachers of the Al-Hadith department, in separate protest releases, also demanded immediate punishment of the bank official who carried out an attack on Professor M Mostafizur Rahman.
Rohingya people advocate for assurances of rights and citizenship
The Rohingya people initiated a significant campaign throughout the Cox's Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh on Friday.
Read: Bangladesh must suspend pilot project to return Rohingyas to Myanmar: UN expert
The central goal of this campaign is to communicate their community's strong desire to return to their original homes in Myanmar, underpinned by a need for guaranteed rights and citizenship, said a press release.
They want to stress that these guarantees are essential to their community and serve as a precondition for a secure and swift repatriation process, it reads.
Read: UNHCR to look after Rohingya families waiting for repatriation too
Their entire community stands united in this aspiration and is hopeful for a future where their fundamental rights as citizens are acknowledged and protected.
Read: Japan provides $500,000 to Cyclone-affected Rohingyas, host communities through IOM
10 held over police-Jubo Dal activists clash in Cumilla
Police detained 10 activists of Jubo Dal, a youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, over a clash between police and activists of Jubo Dal in Kandirpara area of Cumilla town.
The clash occurred around 3 pm on Friday.
Read more: Burnt mother succumbs to injuries in DMCH; baby in emergency
Khalilur Rahman Biplob, president of Cumilla South District BNP, said police obstructed the leaders and activists of Jubo Dal when they tried to take out a march protesting the arrest of Abdul Monayem Munna, the central general secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal.
He also alleged that police charged batons at the procession, which left at least 20 Jubo Dal activists injured.
Read: 5 including child burnt as charger fan explodes at house in Narayanganj
Khandaker Ashfakuzzaman, additional superintendent of Cumilla police, said the activists of Jubo Dal threw brickbats at police, triggering a chase and counter-chase.
"We have detained 10 people in connection with the clash," he said.
Read: Protest against load shedding: 10 BNP activists hurt ‘in attack by AL men’ in Pabna
Additional police have been deployed in Kandirpara area to bring the situation under control, added the ASP.
Foreign Minister condoles Serajul Alam Khan's death
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Serajul Alam Khan, one of the main organisers of the Liberation War.
In a condolence message on Friday, the Foreign Minister prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Read more: Serajul Alam Khan dies: Enigmatic personality, influential politician
Serajul Alam Khan breathed his last around 2:30 pm on Friday while undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Widely known as "Dada" and "Dadabhai", Serajul was born on January 6, 1941.
Read more: Dr. Zafrullah the warrior stops, his battles will go on
He was a founding member of Swadhin Bangla Biplobi Parishad alias Nucleus. He founded and led Mujib Bahini (aka BLF) with Tofael Ahmed, Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni, and Abdur Razzaq.
Burnt mother succumbs to injuries in DMCH; baby in emergency
A mother who was burnt with her 6-month-baby by her in-laws pouring kerosene on their bodies on Thursday at Dumki Upazila of Patuakhali district, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Friday afternoon.
Read more: 5 including child burnt as charger fan explodes at house in Narayanganj
The deceased was identified as Halima Akter Mim, 21, wife of Jamal Uddin, resident of Dumki Upazila of Patuakhali district.
Read more: Fruit seller hacked to death by miscreants in Chuadanga
Her 6-month-old baby, Jisan, is undergoing treatment at the emergency department of DMCH.
DMCH Police Outpost In-charge (Inspector) Md Bachchu Mia said that the victim suffered 90 percent burns on her body. The body has been kept in the morgue.
Read more: Probe committee formed over Sylhet road accident that killed 15
Hasan Mahmud urges people to plant trees
Terming June–July a suitable time for planting trees, Information Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud urged everyone to plant at least three trees.
"Trees should be planted wherever there is land. And attempts should be taken to ensure that no one cuts trees unnecessarily," the minister said at the distribution of compensation checks to the beneficiaries of the Forest Department and the families of victims of wild elephant attacks organized by Chittagong South Forest Division at Rangunia Upazila Auditorium on Friday evening.
Dr. Hasan recalled that Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged everyone to plant at least three saplings-- medicinal fruits and wood bearing ones.
Read: Plant trees to shield Bangladesh from climate change: PM Hasina
Dr Hasan said after assuming office, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government took the initiative of co-management for the protection of forests.
After increasing forest resources through the method, the dividends of that money are being distributed among the locals who were involved in the co-management system.
Hasam, also the joint general secretary of Awami League, said cheques for over Tk 95 lakhs are being handed over to 377 tree plantation beneficiaries of the forest department and each gets Tk 25,200.
Read: Protest against tree felling: Police foil bid to lay siege to Nagar Bhaban
"It proves that if you plant a tree, it is converted into money," he added.
"We are people of hilly areas. We are getting these benefits from the government because we protect the forest. 450 more people of Rangunia will get this benefit. So I request everyone to plant as many trees as possible in this July-July month," he added.
Read: In India, mangrove trees make way for booming city of Kochi
Divisional Forest Officer of Chattogram South Forest Division Abdullah-Al-Mamun presided over the function while Chairman of Rangunia Upazila Parishad Swajan Kumar Talukdar and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ataul Gani Osmani, among others, addressed the function as special guests.
Religious leaders shocked at congressmen's letter to Biden
Leaders of various religious communities in Bangladesh expressed shock at the misleading information given by six United States congressmen about the situation of minorities in Bangladesh in a recent letter sent to US President Joe Biden.
In a recent email to U.S. Ambassador Peter Haas, the leaders claimed that the letter of congressmen was biased and distorted history by providing misleading information about reducing the number of minorities.
Read more: 6 congressmen’s letter to Biden a ‘false projection’ of the state of Bangladesh’s minorities, community leaders say
The letter of congress members claimed that the number of Hindus in Bangladesh has halved after the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina came to power. It also noted that members of the Christian community were also being subjected to similar abuses.
The email sent to Peter Haas said that the congressmen’s letter did not mention at all that the BNP-Jamaat, despite being outside power, tortured minorities in different parts of the country in the past years. The congressmen also did not discuss the persecution of minorities committed during that coalition-led government.
Read more: Exaggeration, inconsistency in Congressmen’s letter: Shahriar Alam
At the same time, the leaders of different religions believe that through this letter, the culture of impunity for the persecution and criminal activities of the minorities during the Jamaat-BNP era is being encouraged.
The leaders of various religious communities in Bangladesh include Cardinal Patrick De Rosario, Bishop Rev. Mankin (President, National Council of Churches), Rev. Martin Adhikari (Retired Principal, College of Christian Theology), Bishop Philip Adhikari (President, Bangladesh Bible Society), Dr. Milton Biswas (Professor and President, Bangla Department, Jagannath University), Prof. Dr. Mihir Kumar Roy (Dean, Faculty of Business Administration, City University Bangladesh) and many others.
Read more: State of Christians in Bangladesh: Archbishop Emeritus Patrick D'Rozario rejects 6 US congressmen’s letter to Biden
Barrister Tapas Kanti Bal sent the email on behalf of all.
Old well at Titas gas field resumes supply of 8 mmcfd gas to national grid
Supply of 8 million cubic feet gas per day (mmcfd) started to come to the national network from an old well at Titas Gas field in Bramhanbaria district on Friday after completion of its recent workover job.
State-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) conducted the workover job at well No-24 of the Titas field.
Read: Gas supply to remain off for 8 hrs in areas adjacent to Dhaka-Aricha highway, Kaliakoir Thursday
Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited (BGFCL), a subsidiary of the state-owned Petrobangla, has been operating the Titas Gas Field, the largest in the country.
BGFCL officials said the well is an abandoned one which was earlier drilled by Chinese company Sinopec in 2016-16 fiscal year.
The Bapex was recently engaged in the field for carrying out the workover job to repair the well for resuming gas production.
Read: BTMA seeks smooth gas-electricity supply and loan moratorium to survive
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has congratulated the state entities for the success.
In his verified Facebook page, he said: “Good news for everyone. Titas well No. 24 under the BGFCL is connected to National Grid to supply 8 mmcf gas per day.
Bangladesh has stepped into another advancement in its own energy capacity building through the relentless efforts of the state-owned entities including the Bapex.
Read: Call for supplying Bhola gas using available cost-effective technology
Bangladesh has achieved the capacity to overcome any crisis under the prudent leadership of mass leader Sheikh Hasina. Keep confidence. We were with you, now with you and will remain with you”.
Italy-Bangladesh Friendship and Cooperation Association launched in Rome
The signing ceremony of the Memorandum and Articles of Italy-Bangladesh Friendship and Cooperation Association took place at the historic Sala (hall room) “Ex Barberia” at the Italian Senate on June 7.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen witnessed the signing event which was attended by, among others, Italian Parliamentarians, eminent citizens, members of ISIA (Italian Institute for Asia), Honorary Consul Generals of Bangladesh in Italy and officers at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Rome.
Md. Shameem Ahsan, Bangladesh ambassador to Italy, Montenegro & Serbia, signed the memorandum as president of the association from the Bangladesh side while Marco Lacarra, member of the Parliamentary Group of Democratic Party of Italy (PD) signed the document as a president from the Italian side.
Read: Bangladesh, Denmark joint action plan for 2023-2028 to be launched soon
Mario Morgoni, president of ISIA assumed the vice president of the Association and Eng.
Domenico Palmieri, secretary general of ISIA, will act as the director of the association.
Masud Bin Momen warmly congratulated the launching of the association and wished for its successful and smooth functioning.
While narrating the impressive development journey of Bangladesh in recent years, he said that the leadership of the association could visit Bangladesh to gain insights and knowledge about the present day Bangladesh which will eventually help chart out its future course of actions to explore new areas of cooperation.
Read: FAO DG lauds PM Hasina’s leadership in ensuring food security in Bangladesh
While sincerely thanking ISIA for their initiative and support, Ambassador Ahsan felt that the launching will go a long way to supplement the government initiative to promote and expand bilateral relations.
Lacarra was deeply appreciative of the remarkable success of Bangladesh and expressed his willingness to work vigorously to strengthen and widen mutual collaboration between Bangladesh and Italy.
It is expected that the association will help the two friendly countries as well as their peoples to come closer and work together in all aspects especially in the field of economy, culture, sports, people to people contacts, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Rome on Friday.
It would also work as a common platform for Bangladesh and Italy at a time when Bangladesh and Italy have just celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
As per statute, the association will be headed by two presidents, one vice president and one director and in total 11 board of members.