bangladesh
Govt to buy 11.50 lakh mts Boro rice
The government has decided to procure 11.50 lakh metric tonnes of rice (boiled and non-boiled) and 6.50 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the ongoing Boro season.
Some 10 lakh metric tonnes of boiled rice will be procured at Tk 40 per kg, 1.5 lakh metric tonnes of non-boiled (atap) rice at Tk 39 per kg and 6.50 lakh metric tonnes of paddy at Tk 27 per kg.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder came up with the information while talking to reporters at a virtual programme on Monday.
Read Govt plans to import rice to keep market stable: Ministry
The procurement of boro paddy will start from April 28, rice from May 7 and will continue till August 31.
On April 22, the decisions were made at a virtual meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee, chaired by Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder.
Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Health Minister Zahid Maleque, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim, Enamur Rahman, the state minister for disaster management and relief, among others, attended the meeting through a videoconference.
Read Cabinet purchase body approves import of 50,000MT rice
Last year, the government set a target to procure 6 lakh metric tonnes of paddy and 11 lakh tonnes of rice during boro season.
Brahmanbaria mayhem: Hefazat leader among 10 arrested
Police in a drive arrested ten people including a local leader of Hefazat e-Islam from different parts of the district in the past 24 hours till Monday morning.
The arrests were made in connection with the last month's mayhem carried out Hefazat-e-Islam supporters in the district.
Also Read: B'baria mayhem: 7 more Hefazat men held
The arrests were made after identifying the accused from video footage and images taken during the violence, according to the special branch of district police.
Mufti Zakaria Khan, 43, assistant publicity secretary of district unit Hefazat-e-Islam and also the teacher of Brahmanbaria Jamia Yunisia Madrasha was among the arrestee, said police.
During interrogation, Zakaria said he took part in the violence and arson attack directly following the directives of top Hefazat men of the madrasha.
So far, 55 cases have been filed and 369 people arrested in connection the rampage, the police said.
On March 27, at least five people were killed and around 50 others, including 25 cops, injured in clashes between members of law enforcement agencies and locals during Hefazat’s demonstrations at Nandanpur in Sadar upazila. They had staged the protests against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh.
Also Read: 24 more held over Brahmanbaria mayhem
The next day, during Hefazat’s countrywide dawn-to-dusk hartal protesting police action on their anti-Modi processions in Dhaka, Chattogram and other districts, activists set fire to three buildings, including the land office in Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila.
They had also attacked a Chattogram-bound train at Talshohor Rail Station in Brahmanbaria town.
Besides, the Hefazat supporters also vandalised several private and government establishments, including Zila Parishad building, municipality building, Police Lines, Industrial School, land office,
Alauddin Music Academy, and Foirtala Bus Stand in Sadar upazila.
The supporters had also attacked Brahmanbaria Press Club and confined some journalists to the premises.
Chandpur General Hospital to get oxygen plant
All necessary initiatives have been taken to install a dedicated medical oxygen generation plant at Chandpur General Hospital to meet the increasing demand for life-saving gas amid Covid-19 surge across the district.
The plant, funded by UNICEF, will have the capacity to supply 20 lakh millilitre of oxygen. The project will be implemented by Spectra International, under the direct supervision of the Health Ministry.
Read Indian capital gasps for oxygen - United News of Bangladesh
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni is also providing her assistance and guidance implementing the project, hospital Supervisor Dr Md Habib Ul Karim told UNB.
"At present, we have to bring oxygen cylinders from Cumilla as per the demand. Access time and money is spent in the process. This plant will meet the current demand in the district as well as will keep a reserve for 5/6 months,” said the hospital super.
UNICEF in association with Spectra International will install oxygen plants in 25 districts across the country, he added.
Read Liquid oxygen import from India suspended at Benapole
US Secretary Blinken remembers Xulhaz
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has remembered the role of human rights activist Xulhaz Mannan and his fellow Advocate Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy for their courageous work on behalf of marginalized communities in Bangladesh.
“On the anniversary of his death, we stand with Xulhaz’s family and friends and honour his commitment to creating a world in which all can live with dignity,” said the US Secretary of State.
Also Read: Xulhaz-Tanoy murder case: Key accused put on 3-day remand
Xulhaz served for nine years as the Protocol Specialist for the US Embassy in Dhaka before joining USAID Bangladesh’s Office of Democracy and Governance.
The US Secretary of State said Xulhaz helped lead programmes to promote human rights.
He said Xulhaz’s selfless dedication to advancing the principles of diversity, acceptance, and inclusion exemplified the best of Bangladesh, as did his generosity of spirit, devotion to family, and dedication to the community.
Also Read: Xulhaz-Tanoy murder: Charges pressed against 8
“Today, we honour his fearless advocacy on behalf of his fellow Bangladeshis and recommit to upholding the dignity and human rights of people around the world,” said the US Secretary of State.
LGBT magazine editor was brutally hacked to death at his Kalabagan home along with his friend Tonoy on April 25, 2016.
Mamunul placed on 7-day fresh remand
A Dhaka court on Monday placed Mamunul Haque, former Joint Secretary General of Hefezat-e-Islam, on a seven-day remand in two separate cases filed with Paltan and Motijheel Police stations.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sadbir Yasir Ahsan Chowdhury placed Mamunul on four-day remand in a case filed with Paltan Police Station in 2013 while three-day remand in a case filed with Motijheel Police Station.
Also Read: Mamunul put on 7-day remand in vandalism case
However, police sought 20-day remand in each of the two cases. Inspector Mohammad Maniruzzaman of Paltan Police Station and Inspector Mohammad Quamrul Islam of Motijheel Police Station made the pleas before the court.
Mamunul produced was produced before the court following the completion of his seven-day remand in a vandalism case filed with Mohammadpur police station in 2020.
On April 18, a joint team of Tejgaon Division police and DMP's Detective Branch arrested Mamunul from Jamia Rahmania Arabia Madrasah in Mohammadpur.
Mamunul, who has been in the limelight due to some recent controversies, was held with a woman he claims to be his second wife from a resort in Sonargaon on April 3.
Later, Hefazat leaders claimed that Mamunul went to the resort with his “second wife” where locals confined and harassed him before calling in the police.
Also Read: 8 jailed in Sylhet for inciting violence over Mamunul's arrest
Govt announces compensation for Banshkhali victims
State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian has announced to compensate Tk 2 lakh to the families of each victim who lost their lives in a clash with police at Banshkhali coal-based power plant.
Besides, the junior minister also announced to provide Tk 50,000 as treatment cost to each of the victims who had sustained injuries in the incident.
She issued a statement in this regard on Monday.
Seven people were killed and 15 others injured in the workers-police clash at the coal-based power plant in Banshkhali on April 17.
In her statement, Monnujan Sufian said “The Banshkhali incident is an unfortunate incident. A family becomes helpless when one of its working members dies. There is a scope to provide financial assistance to the family from the Workers Welfare Fund of the Ministry.”
She also prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and the early recovery of those who were undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Also read: Police firing in Chattogram leaves five workers dead
Earlier, Gonoshasthaya Kendra Trustee Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury demanded Tk 50 lakh compensation for the families of each worker killed in the clash at Alam Group's coal-based power plant in Banshkhali.
Dr Zafarullah placed the demand in front of the media while visiting the families on Sunday.
Along with the compensation, Dr Zafarullah demanded employment for the family members of the victims.
On April 17, five workers lost their lives and more than 30 sustained injuries as police open fired on protesting workers. They were agitating for payment of dues as well as breaks for prayer/iftar during Ramadan.
Later, two more workers succumbed to their injuries at a hospital.
Also read: 2500 sued over Banshkhali incident
Police and district administration, later, formed two separate probe bodies to investigate the matter.
Until now, two cases have been filed in this connection, blaming the workers for the incident. Victims' families did not seek legal recourse.
Global Covid-19 cases approaching 147 million
With the worsening Covid-19 situation, the global cases is nearing 147 million with more than 3.10 million fatalities.
According to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count reached 146,830,782 while the death toll from the virus mounted to 3,106,384.
Also Read: Global Covid-19 cases top 142 million
The US has registered 32,077, 076 cases with 572,200 fatalities.India has been experiencing a devastating Covid-19 situation with a recording of more than 300,000 cases every day.
India’s total tally reached 16,960,172 while the death toll from the virus climbed to 192,311.
The unfolding crisis is most visceral in India’s overwhelmed graveyards and crematoriums, and in heartbreaking images of gasping patients dying on their way to hospitals due to lack of oxygen, reports AP.
Burial grounds in the capital New Delhi are running out of space. Bright, glowing funeral pyres light up the night sky in other badly hit cities.
Brazil's Covid-19 death toll on Sunday reached 390,797 after registering another 1,305 fatalities, the country's ministry of health reported.
Also Read: Global Covid-19 cases top 138 million
According to the ministry, another 32,572 cases were registered, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 14,340,787.
Since the beginning of this year, the country has been facing a new wave of the virus, which has resulted in the collapse of a large part of its healthcare system.
Situation in Bangladesh
After a slight fall for several days, Bangladesh’s daily coronavirus death toll crossed the 100-mark again on Sunday with a sharp fall in new cases.
Fatalities climbed to 11,053 with 101 deaths in the past 24 hours until the morning. The virus also infected 2,922 people, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in a handout.
The daily infection rate rose to 13.33 percent from Saturday’s 13.11 percent while the mortality rate remained static at 1.48 percent.
Bangladesh has so far confirmed 745,322 coronavirus cases.Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.
Vaccination campaign
Bangladesh launched a vaccination drive on February 7 with Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine doses it purchased from the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd.
Bangladesh signed an agreement with Serum for 30 million doses. But a record number of cases in India has made the delivery of the vaccine doses uncertain.
The administering of the first dose will remain suspended from April 26, DGHS said today.DGHS DG Prof ABM Khurshid Alam assured that Bangladesh will get 2.1 million doses of vaccine by the first week of May.
So far, 5,798,880 people have received the first dose and 2,155,296 have got their second jab, according to official figures.
Severe heatwave sweeping over Bangladesh
A severe heatwave is sweeping over the regions of Rajshahi, Jashore, Kushtia and Khulna.
Besides, mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram, Rangpur, Sylhet and Barishal divisions and remaining part of Rajshahi and Khulna divisions and it may continue, said the Met Office in a release issued Monday morning.
Also Read: Mild to moderate heatwave to continue
The Met Office also forecasted that day temperature may rise slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country, it said.
"Rain/Thunder showers is likely at the beginning period and day temperature may fall by (1-4) degrees Celsius over the country," it added.
Highest temperature in 7 years recorded
Bangladesh on Sunday recorded the highest temperature in seven years as it swelters under a severe heatwave.
The country’s maximum temperature was recorded at 40.2 degrees Celsius at Rajshahi, the highest in the country since 2014, and the minimum temperature was recorded jointly at 22.2 degrees Celsius at Netrokona and Sylhet.
Dhaka experienced the hottest day in eight years, with the highest temperature recorded at 39.5 degrees Celsius.
Also Read: Mild to moderate heat wave sweeps over country
In 2014, Chuadanga recorded a temperature of 42 degrees Celsius. In the same year, the maximum temperature in Dhaka also climbed to 40 degrees Celsius.
In the last two decades, the highest temperature in Bangladesh was 42.2 degrees Celsius in Jashore.
Hefazat forms five-member convening committee
Hefazat-e-Islam has formed a five-member convening committee within two hours of the dissolution of its central committee.
The committee was formed early Monday after the embattled Hefazat-e-Islam chief Junayed Babunagari announced to dissolve its central committee which was formed four months ago following the death of long-time leader Allema Ahmed Shafi.
Chief advisor of the convening committee is Allama Muhibullah Babunagri, Amir Junayed Babunagari and its secretary general Allama Nurul Islam. Two other members of the new committees are—Salauddin Nanupuri and Prof Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury.
Enamul Hasan Faruki, personal assistant to the former amir, confirmed the matter.
The convening committee will soon announce its full committee, he added.
Earlier on Sunday night, Hefazat-e-Islam chief Junayed Babunagari announced the dissolution of the organisation's central committee.
Speaking in a video message from Chattogram's Hathazari Madrasa, Hefazat's spiritual headquarters, Babunagari said, "Considering the overall situation of the country, the central committee has been dissolved following the advice of some of its key members."
Also read: Hefazat central committee dissolved
The video was posted on Babunagari's (unverified) Facebook page around 11pm. It quickly spread through various pages affiliated with the conservative Islamic movement, and has met with no objection.
The short video message lasted less than 90 seconds, and Babunagari, who rose to the post following the death of long-time leader Allema Ahmed Shafi last September, could be heard being prompted by someone off camera throughout.
Nineteen top Hefazat leaders have been arrested so far over the protests and violence orchestrated by the organisation's supporters and activists across the country against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit.
At least 77 cases have been filed against Hefazat leaders and activists from across the country over clashes and vandalism. More than 69,000 people have been accused of the incidents.
Also Read: Hefazat leader Qurban Ali Kasemi arrested in Dhaka
Babungari has announced the dissolution of the Qawmi madrasa-based organisation's central committee when its leaders, activists and supporters are being arrested in different places of the country including Dhaka every day.
Earlier in the day, the government-recognised board Al-Hayatul Ulaya Lil-Jami'atil Qawmia said students and teachers of Qawmi madrasas will remain out of political activities.
The board under which students sit for Dawra-e-Hadith – Qawmi madrasas' highest level of the exam – made the decision at a meeting in the capital's Jatrabari.
On April 19, Babungari asked for the unconditional release of all "Ulema-Mashaikh" and Hefazat leaders, including the party's Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque and Organising Secretary Azizul Haque Islamabadi in another video message.
The Hefazat chief said they had no programme either at Hathazari or at Brahmanbaria against Modi's visit on March 26.
Although there is no proof that Hefazat has any links to political parties, the organisation's leaders; students and Islamic scholars are being arrested indiscriminately, Babunagari said.
"What kind of oppression is this? A country cannot be run in this way," he added.
"Hefazat does not bring any political party to power or force anyone to step down. We aim to establish the agenda of Muhammad (PBUH)," he said.
Although Hefazat emerged as a non-political organisation in 2010, it turned into a political one after the death of its former amir Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi. Gradually, leaders of different political parties joined the Hefazat committee.
Textiles lobby at work to secure govt handouts based on 2nd wave
The powerful textile industry associations have already started urging the government to provide incentives to them again, for payment of wages and bonuses to their workers on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) jointly sent a letter to the Minister of Finance in this regard on Saturday.
Freshly-elected BGMEA President Faruk Hasan, BTMA President Mohammad Ali Khokon and BKMEA President AKM Selim Osman MP signed the letter.
According to the letter, the industry requested the government to provide loans on easy terms like 2020 to assist them in paying pay salaries, allowances, and bonuses to their workers for April, May, and June 2021.
They mentioned in the letter that they are struggling with their finances which has made it difficult for them to pay their workers properly following the second wave of the Covid-19 across the world.
They also added that the garment sector's future is now at stake in the midst of a financial crisis due to the cancellation and suspension of orders and delayed payments. Although there have been no reports of cancellations of orders by buyers in the West - where vaccination has led to their economies now gradually opening up, almost the exact opposite of the situation 12 months ago - the letter also requested the government to provide the industry with incentives again in April, May and June like the previous year.
Although up to $3 billion-worth of orders faced cancellations at the 2020 height (Apr-Jun) of the pandemic, around 90% of these orders were reinstated by October, according to the last BGMEA president Rubana Huq.