bangladesh
Nayapaltan clash: BNP’s Salam, Annie get 6-month interim bail
The High Court on Monday granted BNP leaders Abdus Salam and Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie six months’ interim bail in a case over the clash between police and the party activists in the capital’s Nayapaltan on December 7 last year.
The HC bench of Justice Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury and Justice Shahed Nuruddin passed the bail order.
The court issued a rule questioning why the BNP leaders should not be granted permanent bail.
Read more: Anti-state plot: SC stays bail of BNP leader Aslam
Senior lawyer Zainul Abedin and lawyer Zahirul Islam Sumon appeared for the two BNP leaders in the court.
On December 7 last year, a Swechchasebak Dal leader was killed and around 50 others were injured in a clash between police and the BNP activists in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office, ahead of its December 10 rally.
Police arrested 470 BNP activists and leaders in connection with the clash and they were sued in two cases filed with Paltan and Motijheel police stations.
BNP's Dhaka Metropolitan South convener Abdus Salam and publication secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie were arrested on the same day following the clash.
Read more: SC upholds bail of Fakhrul and Abbas, no bar to release
A Dhaka court sent 445 BNP leaders and activists including Annie and Salam to jail in two cases filed over the violence and order to give division in jail to the five leaders on the following day.
Party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Chairperson’s Special Assistant Shimul Biswash, Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon, former organizational secretary Fazlul Haque Milon, Co-Organisational Secretary Selimuzzaman, are among others who were sent to jail in the case.
Bangladesh reports 13 more dengue cases
Thirteen more people were hospitalised with dengue in the 24 hours till Monday morning.
Of the new patients, nine were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and four outside it, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read more: Bangladesh reports one more dengue death: 22 new cases
A total of 112 dengue patients, including 47 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, the DGHS has recorded 412 dengue cases, 297 recoveries, and three deaths this year.
The country recorded 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019.
Read more: Bangladesh reports one more dengue death, 10 new cases
Also, the DGHS recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries in the last year.
Militancy dishonouring Islam instead of dignifying it: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon Alem and Olama (Islamic scholars) to instil humanitarian values among people and guide them against terrorism, militancy and drug addiction.
“These are destroying families and the society as well,” she said while virtually inaugurating 50 more model mosques across the country from her official residence Ganabhaban.
She also requested all, particularly the children, not to get involved in militancy, saying, “Militancy is dishonouring Islam instead of dignifying it.”
Sheikh Hasina urged the guardians and teachers of educational institutions to be cautious as children and youths are targeted by militants.
“We can develop our society in a beautiful manner by erasing miseducation, differences, conflicts, terrorism, and militancy through realising the true sense of Islam,” she said.
The prime minister said that through the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres, people would get true knowledge on Islamic values and culture.
This will help in not being misled in the name of religion, alongside contributing immensely to stop terrorism, militancy and repression on women, she added.
Also read; PM Hasina urges affluent section to stand by destitute people
She said that the government has undertaken the projects of constructing model mosques so that no one can mislead people in the name of Islam.
The PM said the model mosques would enhance people’s knowledge of Islam – a religion of peace, fraternity and friendship.
“It would help stop terrorism, militancy and repression on women, with imparting the true knowledge of Islamic values and culture on people,” she said.
Describing the Alem and Olama as the “Orasatul Ambia”, she said people of the country respect the Khatibs and Imams of mosques.
“Make sure that none can mislead people using our religion. You can educate people to refrain from getting involved in social ills that include drug addiction, child marriage, repression of women, food adulteration and corruption through your daily sermons and khutba during Jummah,” she said.
Also read; AL always fulfills election pledges made to the nation: PM Hasina
She said religion cannot be used as a political weapon.
“Our target is to put an end to torture and repression, using religion,” she said.
The PM said Islam ensures free exercise of religions by people of all faiths.
“Irrespective of political identity and opinion, we can build a developed, prosperous and ‘Smart Bangladesh’ – with equal respect to every religion and with the non-communal spirit,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that Awami League has always been a “servant of Islam”, and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stopped racing, gambling and alcohol sales.
She mentioned that Bangabandhu established madrasa board, allocated land for Baitul Mukarram Mosque and Ijtema ground – to uphold Islam.
“Bangabandhu had taken initiatives to hold Bishwa Ijtema in Bangladesh and incorporate the country as a member of the OIC,” she said.
Following the ideals of the Father of the Nation, she said they have taken various programmes to dignify Islam that includes constructing 564 model mosques at each of the upazilas and districts.
The prime minister said that she has so far opened 100 model mosques across the country while the rest will be opened in phases.
The government is now building three storey model mosques and Islamic cultural centres in every upazila and four storey mosque in every district.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Ministry Md Faridul Haque Khan and its Secretary Kazi Enamul Hassan spoke at the function from the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
Rajshahi, Shariatpur and Chouddagram of Cumilla district sites were also connected to the programme, where the local lawmakers, public representatives, political parties, government officers and common people were present.
A video-documentary on the model mosques and Islamic cultural centres was screened at the function.
Swechchhasebak League leader, 4 others sued over Gulshan shooting
A case has been filed against five people, including a leader of Swechchhasebak League leader, over firing in the capital’s Gulshan area that left two people wounded on Sunday.
The accused are- Abdul Wahid Mintu, vice-president of Dhaka North city unit of Swechchhasebak League, his associates Arif Hossain and Monir Ahmed, and two others -- Shariful and Humayun.
Read more: Pedestrian shot during clash in city’s Gulshan
Aminul Islam, who sustained bullet injuries, filed the case at Gulshan police station on Sunday night, said Shakir Hasan, a sub-inspector (SI) of the police station.
Police arrested Arif Hossain, Mintu and Monir Hossain along with 14 rounds of bullets, two magazines after the incident. Police also recovered seven bullet shells from the spot.
“Efforts are on to arrest two others,” said the SI.
On Sunday afternoon, Arif Hossain locked into an altercation with Alim, an employee of a shop named Alfa Departmental store, over transferring money worth Tk 75,000 through MFS (Mobile Financial Services) near Gulshan DCC Market at Gulshan-1 behind Gloria Jeans café.
Alim claimed that he transferred the money as Arif asked him to send the money but later Arif denied to pay the money.
Alim along with others kept Arif confined to the shop . At one stage, Arif called his brother-in-law Monir Hossain over phone.
Monir along with Abdul Wahid Mintu and three others went to the spot. Mintu opened fire, leaving two people wounded, Abdul Ahad, deputy commissioner of Gulshan division, said.
Read more: Rickshaw-puller shot dead over “trivial matter” in Pabna
Aminul, a private car driver, sustained a bullet in his leg and van puller Abdur Rahim received slight injuries, he said. Aminul was taken to United Hospital.
The gun which Mintu used for firing is licensed, said the police officer.
IMF to support Bangladesh’s aspirations of becoming a higher-income country by 2041: DMD
International Monetary Fund (IMF) has assured of continued support to Bangladesh’s aspirations to become a developed and higher-income country by 2041.
IMF Deputy Managing Director Antoinette Monsio Sayeh made the assurance during a meeting today (January 16, 2023) with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban.
PM’s speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.
“Bangladesh aspires to become a developed, prosperous, and higher-income country by 2041. The IMF will continue to support this aspiration,” the IMF senior official was quoted as saying.
Read more: Bangladesh Bank expects first instalment of $4.5 b IMF loan to arrive by next month: Spokesman
She said the IMF has a long-standing partnership with Bangladesh. “The IMF cherishes this partnership. I have come here to strengthen the partnership further,” Sayeh was quoted.
She said the whole world is facing challenges due to the staggering impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
In this situation, emerging economies like Bangladesh are facing various problems, particularly inflation, price-hike of commodities and pressure on foreign exchange reserves, the IMF deputy managing director said.
The IMF will assist in Bangladesh’s efforts to face these problems, she assured.
Read more: IMF DMD arrives in Dhaka today to finalize $4.5 billion loan
The prime minister said the pace of the country’s progress has slowed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war and resulting sanctions, counter-sanctions.
Bangladesh is also facing difficulties due to price hike of commodities, she said, adding that the government has widened the social safety net and expanded food programmes to support the lower income people.
Sheikh Hasina told the IMF official that her government has undertaken development programmes targeting poverty alleviation and food security.
She said Bangladesh is bringing fallow lands under cultivation to boost food production.
Read more: IMF’s DMD due in Dhaka on Jan 14 to finalise $4.5bn loan deal
Lower-income people are suffering due to high inflation even in many developed countries, she added.
‘SEEKING IMF ASSISTANCE NOT AS BAILOUT, BUT AS PRE-EMPTIVE MEASURE’
The PM said Bangladesh has sought assistance from the IMF as a pre-emptive measure. “We have sought assistance from the IMF not as a bailout, but as a pre-emptive measure.”
The IMF deputy managing director praised the socio-economic transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She said Bangladesh has been maintaining some 6 percent GDP growth over the last decade.
Read More: IMF loan is like a character certificate: PM’s advisor Mashiur
Besides, women empowerment, girls’ education, community clinics and ICT came up for discussion during the meeting.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, PM’s International Relation Affairs Adviser Professor Dr. Gowher Rizvi, Principal Secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder, Senior Finance Secretary Fatima Yasmin and IMF Resident Representative in Dhaka Jayendu De were present at the meeting.
At the meeting, the IMF delegation handed over two photographs to the prime minister, which were taken when Bangladesh signed the IMF’s Articles of Agreement on August 17, 1972 to obtain its membership.
Read More: IMF acknowledges Bangladesh’s outstanding socioeconomic progress: Finance Minister
US will condemn violence – from opposition or govt security forces in Bangladesh: Donald Lu
US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu has emphasised the government and the opposition “working together peacefully” to ensure the freedom of assembly as Bangladesh moves towards the next national election.
“We as Americans, we will condemn violence when we see it – if it is on the part of the opposition, or it is on the part of government security forces. At the same time, we are going to focus on whether there is any intimidation during the election… we will say this publicly,” he told Channel 24 in an interview before wrapping up his visit on Sunday (January 15, 2023).
Lu referred to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s commitment to a fair election and said US also wants a free and fair election without “violence and intimidation.”
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday conveyed to the United States that they, as a government, want a “free, fair, transparent and credible” election and there should be no doubt about that.
Read more: Civil society voices crucial to upholding people’s right to freedom, dignity in every country: US
Lu also expressed US’ commitment to upholding democracy and human rights. “We will speak when we see problems and when we can offer suggestions. We will stand up for freedom of speech, freedom of expression. And we look forward to working very closely with our partners here in Bangladesh,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Responding to a question, the US Assistant Secretary told Channel 24 that they did not designate more individuals from the Rab to face individual sanctions. “We did not do that because we recognize the progress being made by the government and by the Rab itself.”
Talking to reporters at MoFA, Lu said they had “quite a good discussion” about the Rab. “If you have seen the statement this week by the Human Rights Watch, they recognised and we recognised tremendous progress in the area of reducing extrajudicial killings by the Rab,” he said.
On the security of diplomats, Lu said they take the security of Bangladeshi diplomats in the US very seriously.
Read more: Lu pledges US administration's continuous support, cooperation for all future efforts
“We spend a lot of time making sure that they are safe. We expect the same treatment from Bangladesh,” he said, adding that he was given assurance from every meeting he attended during his Bangladesh visit.
The United States has also said civil society voices in every country are crucial to upholding people’s right to freedom and dignity.
Assistant Secretary Donald Lu and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas hosted a dinner on Sunday night and listened to the work of human rights advocates in Bangladesh.
Lu left Dhaka early Monday (2 am), wrapping up his quick visit with a series of meetings.
Read more: Donald Lu: Issues of participatory polls, CHT discussed over lunch at FSA
Cold wave sweeps five districts
A mild cold wave is sweeping Dinajpur, Sayedpur, Panchagarh, Nilphamari and Moulivibazar districts and it may spread, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said Monday morning.
Temperature between 8 to 10 degrees Celsius is considered a mild cold wave, 6 to 8 degrees Celsius a moderate cold wave and less than 6 degrees Celsius a severe cold wave.
Read more: Mild cold wave sweeping parts of Bangladesh
Besides, moderate to thick fog may occur over the river basins and adjoining area and light to moderate fog may occur elsewhere over the country during midnight to morning, it said in a bulletin.
Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country.
Read more: Mild cold wave likely in Bangladesh this week
Night temperature may fall slightly and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country, it added.
PM inaugurates 50 more model mosques to disseminate the essence of Islam
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated 50 model mosques along with Islamic cultural centres, in the second phase.
She inaugurated the mosques — located in different parts of the country — joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.
Read more: PM Hasina urges affluent section to stand by destitute people
According to ministry information, the mosques and Islamic cultural centres are located at Bhanga upazila and Nagarkanda in Faridpur; Kapasia in Gazipur; Sadar upazila in Gopalganj; Sadar upazila, Katiadi in Kishoreganj; Gior upazila, Saturia in Manikganj; Sadar upazila, Monohardi in Narsingdi; Goalanda upazila in Rajbari; District headquarters, Bhedarganj upazila in Shariatpur; Dhunot upazila, Nondigram in Bogra; Niamatpur upazila in Naogaon; Baraigram upazila in Natore; Sadar upazila in Chapainawabganj; Bhangura and Sujanagar upazila in Pabna; Kazipur in Sirajganj; Rajshahi City Corporation; Gangachara and Kaunia in Rangpur; Sadar upazila in Thakurgaon; Sadar upazila in Sherpur; District headquarters in Pirojpur; Sadar upazila and Kasba in Brahmanbaria; Sadar upazila and Manikchari in Khagrachhari; Chandina and Chauddagram in Comilla; Rupsha in Khulna; Khoksa and Bheramara in Kushtia; District headquarters and Gangni in Meherpur; Debhata in Satkhira; Gowainghat in Sylhet; District headquarters and Jagannathpur in Sunamganj; and Chunarughat in Habiganj district.
These model mosques include separate places for ablution and prayers, and are air-conditioned.
Besides, there will be registration and training arrangements for Hajj pilgrims, Imam training centre, research centre and Islamic library, corner for people with special needs, place for burial ritual, car parking facility, hifzakhana, pre-primary education and Quran learning arrangement, conference room for Islamic cultural activities and Islamic dawat, Islamic books sales centre, boarding facility for local and foreign guests along with the mosques.
Earlier, on June 10, 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the first phase of 50 model mosques, out of total 564, simultaneously across the country, aimed at preaching the true messages of Islam and to eliminate religious misconceptions.
Read more: AL always fulfills election pledges made to the nation: PM Hasina
The purpose of the project is enhancing Islamic brotherhood and its values as well as disseminating the essence of Islam against extremism and militancy.
Under category A, some 69 four-storey mosques with the elevator facility and a floor space of 2,360.09 square metres each are being constructed in 64 districts and city corporation areas.
Under category B, 475 mosques are being built with a floor space of 1680.14 square metres each, while 16 mosques under C category in coastal areas will have a floor space of 2,052.12 square metres each.
Civil society voices crucial to upholding people’s right to freedom, dignity in every country: US
The United States has said civil society voices in every country are crucial to upholding people’s right to freedom and dignity.
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas hosted a dinner on Sunday night listened to the work of human rights advocates in Bangladesh.
Lu left Dhaka early Monday (2am) wrapping up his quick visit with a series of meetings.
Read more: Lu pledges US administration's continuous support, cooperation for all future efforts
3 motorcyclists die in bus-motorbike collision in Gaibandha
Three motorcyclists were killed and two pedestrians injured as their motorcycle collided with a bus on Dhaka-Rangpur highway in Palashbari upazila of Gaibandha district Monday morning.
The deceased were identified as motorcyclist Bidyut, 28, and his pillion riders Subhash, 27, and Sumon, 27, of the district.
Read more: Bangladesh 88th among 183 countries in road accident death rate: Minister
Masud Rana, officer-in-charge (OC) of Palashbari police station, said the Nilphamari-bound bus of ‘Al Baraka Paribahan’ crashed into the motorcycle coming from the opposite direction around 8am, leaving Bidyut dead on spot.
The two pillion riders succumbed to their injuries at Palashbari Upazila Health Complex while two pedestrians were undergoing treatment there, the OC added.
Read more: 3 motorcyclists dead in Jhenaidah road crashes
Police couldn’t seize the killer truck, he added.