bangladesh
Lighter vessel rams Kalurghat Bridge: 3 crews arrested
River police in Chattogram arrested three crew members of a lighter vessel in connection with Tuesday's collision at Chattogram's Kalurghat Bridge.
They were arrested from the city's Kalurghat area on Thursday afternoon, said Ekram Ullah, officer-in-charge of Chattogrma Sadarghat River Police Station.
The arrestees are quartermaster Ferdous Rahman, 24, driver Yamin Molla, 21, and Shahadat Hossain, 21.
Milton Samaddar put on 3-day remand
Earlier, on April 30, around noon, a lighter vessel named "MV Samuda-1" crashed into the bridge and got stuck there.
Later, Limon Majumdar, senior deputy assistant engineer of the Railway Eastern Bridge Division, filed a case at Chattogram GRP (Railway) Police Station over the incident.
Various parts of the bridge, including under-slung girders, walkways, and railings on spans 9 and 10, were damaged following the incident.
Roadside tea stalls brought under DMP directive to close by 11pm
The Sadarghat OC said the case was filed at the Railway Police Station as the bridge was under the railway division. However, since the lower deck of the bridge is in the river and the damage occurred there, the investigation will be done by the River Police, he added.
No alternative to press freedom to ensure democracy: Speakers
Speakers at a panel discussion in Dhaka on Thursday said there is no alternative to freedom of the press and freedom of expression to ensure democracy.
It is also imperative that the safety and freedom of the press be prioritised to tackle the ongoing environmental crisis and natural disasters, they said.
Marking World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2024, speakers made these remarks at panel discussions organised jointly by UNESCO, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), and Article 19 at MIDAS Centre in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi on Thursday.
The discussions centred on the WPFD theme of this year, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.” There were two separate panel discussions where the panellists talked about issues like the ongoing oppression against journalists and their safety concerns in the context of climate-related issues, freedom of expression and the press, tackling misinformation, and access to information.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, TIB executive director,, said, “In the period from 2022 to 2023, while covering environmental issues, there were 23 attacks on the media, resulting in the torture of 43 journalists.
Between 2016 to 2021 alone, 12 individuals, including environmental rights activists, were killed for protesting against coal-based plants.”
He further stated that those who are legally responsible for protecting the environment are the ones leading the destruction of the environment. Therefore, it is imperative to create an environment where journalists and civil society organisations can play their active roles. But in reality, such space is being shrunk by the use of repressive acts like the Digital Security Act.
Taking part in the “zero-sum political game,” journalists and rights activists are harassed by misusing laws, which ultimately benefits a certain faction. The harassment of media workers and civil society actors has been normalised through this process, he added.
There are additional risks while reporting on land grabbing, water bodies' destruction, or the construction of training centres by taking over protected land. To tackle such challenges, those who are responsible in the government have to respect the commitment to freedom of press and speech enshrined in the constitution, so journalists and activists working on environmental issues do not become the victims of "shoot the messenger".
Speaking at the opening session, Susan Vize, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, said, “Raising public awareness about climate change and other environmental issues in Bangladesh is critical to achieving behavioural change. The media remains the single most influential source of credible public information. WPFD 2024 aims to build the capacity of Bangladesh’s media to ensure accurate and impactful coverage of the current environmental crises.”
Alexandra Berg von Linde, Ambassador to Bangladesh, Sweden Embassy, said, “Public interest is inextricably linked to climate change and environmental degradation. The negative effects of climate change are becoming more visible, affecting people's daily lives. People want to know about the results and effects of negative climate change. Freedom of the media and the ability to report independently on all such matters of public interest are important elements of democracy.”
Responding to a question about the misuse of repressive acts (ICT, DSA and CSA) and the safety concerns of journalists, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad A Arafat said, “We always talk about ensuring freedom of the press. However, in some cases, vested interests exploit this freedom to publish agenda-driven news and disseminate misinformation. Instances of such misinformation regarding Rampal or Adani power plants have been observed. Therefore, alongside ensuring media freedom, accountability must also be ensured.
"If media freedom is misused to spread false information or disinformation, appropriate legal action should be taken. However, I will take necessary steps to ensure the protection of journalists in the country who report on environmental crises or climate issues based on truth and scientific evidence.”
The first panel discussion titled “A Press for the Planet: Free Press and Freedom of Expression in the Context of the Current Global Environmental Crisis” kicked off with the presentations of Shamsuddin Illius, bureau chief of Chattogram, The Business Standard, and Usraat Fahmidah, freelance journalist, regarding the challenges of journalism in environmental issues and training young journalists.
The second panel discussion focused on the safety issues of journalists under the theme of “Media Defence for Crisis Reporting,” where journalists and experts from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka participated.
2nd session of current parliament to continue May 9
The 2nd session of the current parliament that began Thursday will continue till May 9.
The session will start at 5pm on each working day.
The decisions came at the maiden meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the current parliament held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka.
Committee Chair and Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury presided over the meeting.
It also decided that the Speaker may extend or cut the working days of the current session.
Some 38 questions have been placed for the Prime Minister while 902 questions for the other ministers in this session.
A total of 56 call attention notices have been submitted.
Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Opposition Leader GM Quader, Abul Hasnat Abdullah, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Obaidul Quader, Rashed Khan Menon, Anisul Huq, Deputy Opposition Leader Anisul Islam Mahmud, Deputy Speaker M Shamshul Huq Tuku, Dr Dipu Moni, Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury and AKM Rezaul Karim Tansen attended it.
Govt plans to build open jail in Cox's Bazar’s Ukhiya: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Thursday said the government has taken plan to build open jail in Bangladesh like those in the developed countries.
He said this in reply to a query from ruling Awami League MP Mamunur Rashid Kiran elected from Noakhali-3.
The Home Minister said that 160 acres of land has been acquired in Ukhiya Upazila of Cox's Bazar district for the construction of an open jail following the model of Malaysia's Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP).
“The construction of the open jail will start soon,” he said.
In response to the question of Nizam Uddin Hazari, another ruling AL MP from Feni-2, the Home Minister said that 83,577 posts have been increased in the Bangladesh Police in the past three terms of the current government in order to modernise the Bangladesh Police Force.
“Recruitment of manpower to these posts has been ensured through a transparent and corruption-free process,” he said.
The minister said that the process of adding two sophisticated helicopters is underway to prevent criminal activities and conduct operations and transform the Bangladesh Police into a three-dimensional force.
He said that with the aim of making the police a smart force, various types of modern firearms are being given to them.
For example, the home minister said that 7.62 mm rifles are currently being used instead of the previous .303 rifles.
Also, policemen are being supplied with necessary ammunition including 7.62/9 mm pistol, 9 mm SMG, .45 inch SMG, 12 bore shotgun, 38 mm tear gas, gas gun/launcher.
In response to the question of AL MP Mahbubur Rahman from Chattogram-1, the Home Minister said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been equipped with modern weapons, vehicles, aircraft and watercraft.
State-of-the-art weapons including 40 ALCOTAN, 12 ATGW, 132 Sniper Rifles, 3 AAMG, 28 APC Amors have been added to BGB.
The vehicles include 259 ATVs, 10 Riot Control Vehicles (RCV), 40 Armored Personal Carrier (APC), among others.
Three helicopters were also included in BGB.
Among the vessels, there are 87 speed boats, 12 high-speed engine boats, 4 air boats, 1 logistics ship, 5 pontoons, 25 motor launches, 4 petrol boats, 15 rescue boats, and 2 water carrier vessels.
In response to the question of AL MP Morshed Alam from Noakhali-2, the Home Minister said, for the first time in the country, seven grams of black cocaine was recovered by the Department of Narcotics Control on December 11, 2023.
Infant rescued one month after abduction from Gazipur, 2 arrested
After a month-long ordeal, an eight-month-old child named Abdullah Al Noman has been rescued, and two people were arrested by Gazipur police following an abduction case lodged by the child's mother.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Abu Torab Md Shamsur Rahman said this at a press briefing at the headquarters of Gazipur Metropolitan Police on Thursday.
Sumon (40) and his wife Mosha Irin (34) were arrested from Sumon's house in Kurigram with the help of information technology, said the DC.
Abdullah’s mother, Monira Akhter Ruma, was residing at the house of Muktar Hossain in the Nawjor area under the City Corporation's Basan Police Station. On April 3, in the afternoon, Ruma left Abdullah sleeping on the bed after bathing him, to wash her clothes in the bathroom. Upon returning to the room, she found that her eight-month-old son was missing and searched various places in the vicinity along with neighbours, said the police official.
During the search, it was noticed that Irin, their neighbour in the adjacent room, was absent from her room, and her mobile phone was switched off when dialled, he said.
Following the case filed at the Basan Police Station, an operation was conducted leading to the arrest and rescue, added DC Torab.
The arrestees have been sent to court for further legal proceedings, he said.
JS adopts condolence motion on death Abdul Hyee MP
Parliament on Thursday unanimously adopted a condolence motion expressing profound grief at the death of MP Abdul Hyee and some noted personalities.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion in the House at the first sitting of the 2nd session of the 12th Parliament.
As per the tradition, the day’s business of Parliament was adjourned after the adoption of the condolence over the death of Awami League MP Abdul Hyee, who was elected from Jhenaidah-1 constituency, in order to pay respect to him.
Abdul Hyee, the president of Jhenaidah district Awami League, died at the Bumrungrad Hospital in Thailand on March 16. He was 78.
Before passing the condolence motion, Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a number of MPs took part in an obituary reference on his death.
Hasina in her speech described Abdul Hyee as a brave soul and good organiser as he had made the strong position for Bangladesh Awami League in an adverse area like Jhenaidah.
She said Hyee had been elected time and again from such an adverse place like Jhenaidah, which was once a stronghold for terrorists and outlawed parties.
“He was not only a politician but also a dedicated soul for the development of that area,” she said, adding he had established a women's college in his constituency.
Noting that Hyee was made as the state minister for fisheries and livestock for the 2012-2014 period, the PM said he served his responsibility with utmost sincerity.
Besides, the House expressed deep shock at the death of five former MPs – Shamshul Haque Bhuiyan (Chandpur-4), Abul Hashem (Cumilla-5), Pinu Khan (Women Seat-23), Nazir Hossain (Sunamganj-1) and Mokhlesur Rahman (Rangpur-3).
The parliament also mourned the death of some noted personalities including Ekushey award-winning personality, language veteran, freedom fighter and International Crimes Tribunal’s (ICT) chief prosecutor Gholam Arif Tipu, and Ekushey award-winning veteran journalist and Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and Ekushey award-winning educationist and Awami League advisory council member Pranab Kumar Barua and Freedom fighter and one of designers of Bangladesh National Flag Shib Narayan Das.
A one-minute silence was observed and a munajat offered eternal peace to the departed souls. Independent MP Mohammad Huchamuddin Chowdhury (Sylhet-5) conducted the munajat.
Russia keen to increase number of scholarships for Bangladeshi students
Russia expressed its keenness to increase the number of scholarships for Bangladeshi students for higher education.
Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy expressed this interest in a bilateral meeting with Education Minister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury at the Secretariat on Thursday.
At that time, the Russian Ambassador also expressed eagerness to solve the complexity of the equivalence of degrees obtained in Russian educational institutions and increasing opportunities for cooperation in nuclear engineering education and medical science degrees.
Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Department Soleiman Khan, Additional Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Department (University) Khaleda Akhtar and Third Secretary of Russian Federation Oleg Kozin were also present.
India starts transmitting flood related data on trans-boundary rivers flowing towards Bangladesh
With the start of the current designated monsoon period with effect from May 1, India has started transmitting flood related data of identified stations on trans-boundary rivers flowing towards Bangladesh, through the existing mechanism under Joint Rivers Commission.
Under the aegis of Bangladesh-India Joint Rivers Commission framework, India has been sharing this flood related data such as Water Level, Forecast Level, Discharge and Rainfall of identified Indian stations on trans-boundary rivers such as, Brahmaputra, Barak, Manu, Gumti, Teesta, Jaldhaka, Torsa, Mahananda and Ganga for the purpose of flood forecasting and warning in Bangladesh territory.
This has quite effectively assisted Bangladesh in the stated purpose, according to a note on flood data transmission to Bangladesh, according to a message received here.
The arrangement of flood data transmission has been periodically reviewed and revised in the past as per the request of Bangladesh and presently, the data of the identified Indian stations is being transmitted to Bangladesh on a continuous basis during the designated flood period.
Earlier, the designated period of flood data transmission was from 1st May to 15th October, which was extended upto 31st October in the year 2022 to accommodate the flood situations arising out of delayed retreating monsoon.
Last year, a WhatsApp group of concerned officers of Bangladesh and India, engaged in the flood forecasting and warning activities, was also set up for seamless and timely data transmission, and this messaging group has also been re-activated on May 1, 2024.
Miton himself made fake death certificates: DB
Milton Samaddar, founder of charity organization ‘Child and Old Age Care’, used to bury bodies at night, without death certificate, said Harun-or-Rashid, Additional Commissioner and Chief of Detective Chief.
“He used make death certificate using fake seals of city corporation and bury bodies at night illegally,” he said.
“We’ll interrogate him in this regard,” said the DB chief while speaking at a press briefing held at DMP Media Centre on Thursday.
Two more people are waiting at different police stations to file case against him, he added.
Replying to a question, the DB chief said after the completion of the remand of Milton, his wife will be interrogated. “If anyone files case against his wife, she will be arrested too.”
Meanwhile, a Dhaka court placed Milton on a three-day remand in a case over alleged death certificate forgery.
Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazzal Hossain passed the order when sub-inspector of Mirpur zonal team Mirpur and also investigating officer of the case, Mohammad Kamal Hossain produced him before the court with a seven-day remand prayer.
Mohammad Kamal Pasha, sub-inspector of DB of Mirpur division, filed three cases with Mirpur Police Station on Thursday morning.
M Rakib, filed a case against Milton with Mirpur Model Police Station under Human Trafficking Act, said officer-in-charge of the police Station Munshi Sabbir Ahmed.
Besides, Matiur Rahman Mallik, a resident of Mallim Para in Mirpur, filed another case against Milton on charge of physically assault and murder attempt.
PM Hasina remains dedicated to strengthening robust ties with UK : Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains dedicated to strengthening their robust trade, investment, aviation, climate, defence, security, and migration cooperation with the UK and taking it to the next level in her current term.
Hasan thanked UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for emphasizing his commitment to enhancing the economic and security partnership between Bangladesh and the UK in his congratulatory letter to Prime Minister Hasina after the national election on January 7 this year.
The foreign minister also called upon the UK government to collaborate with Bangladesh to establish a "peaceful and conflict-free" world and to put an end to the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, according to a message received from London.
FM for healthier food habits, consumption of locally produced agricultural products
During his speech as the guest of honour at a high-profile diplomatic reception hosted by Bangladesh High Commission, London to celebrate the 54th Independence and National Day of Bangladesh, the foreign minister emphasised the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in conflict zones worldwide, including Gaza and Ukraine.
He stressed that stopping the killing of innocent people is crucial to restoring normalcy and establishing peace.
Speaker of the UK’s Parliament Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP was the chief guest at the event where Leader of the House of Commons Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP, UK FCDO Minister for Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations Lord Tariq Ahmad, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed MP, and Chairman of All-party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh Rushanara Ali MP spoke as special guests.
FM highlights govt efforts to ensure gender equality, women’s empowerment
International Affairs Adviser to tPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina Dr Gawher Rizvi, former Foreign Minister and Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs AK Abdul Momen, MP and State Minister for Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury MP attended the reception held on May 1.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem delivered welcome remarks at the reception held at the historic Churchill Room of Queen Elizabeth II sited in a magnificent setting centring the British Parliament.
In his speech, FM Hasan paid profound homage to Bangladesh's Founding Father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the 3 million martyrs, and the valiant freedom fighters of the 1971 War of Liberation.
He expressed his gratitude to the UK government, its citizens, and the British-Bangladeshi diaspora for their support during Bangladesh's War of Liberation, and pledged to elevate Bangladesh-UK historical relations to new heights under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He paid tribute to British Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath, who warmly welcomed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib as the President of independent Bangladesh at No 10 Downing Street on 8 January 1972.
The minister also paid tribute to the then opposition Leader and two-time British Prime Minister Sir Harold Wilson, who welcomed Bangabandhu in London and later mourned his brutal assassination on 15 August 1975.
“Bangabandhu’s shared values of democracy, secularism and progressive aspirations with these stalwart British leaders and his special love and affection for his British Bangladeshi compatriots set the foundation of today’s Bangladesh-UK friendship”, he said.
The minister termed the UK as a true friend of Bangladesh and hoped that Bangladesh-UK friendship would continue to thrive, as they are an important partner in ensuring peace, prosperity, and security in the Bay of Bengal and a free, open, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
He also emphasized the importance of the UK's support in the early repatriation of 1.2 million Rohingyas back to their ancestral home in Myanmar.
In his speech, he highlighted the sustained economic growth of Bangladesh over the past one and a half decades under the globally acclaimed dynamic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who has leapfrogged Bangladesh from 41st to the world’s 34th largest economy- just over the past decade.
Today, the world has its eyes on Bangladesh, which is set to become the 9th largest consumer market by 2030, and a tech-based ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041.
The minister commended the Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK for launching the 'Bangabandhu-Edward Heath Friendship Award' and the 'Bangabandhu-Harold Wilson Friendship Award.'
Speaker of the UK's Parliament Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP in his speech paid tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and recalled the contribution of the British-Bangladeshis to the War of Liberation in 1971.
He reaffirmed that the UK would remain a steadfast partner of Bangladesh efforts towards a developed country.
Penny Mordaunt MP commended Bangladesh's recent progress and assured that the UK would collaborate with Bangladesh to build a better and prosperous future. He also praised the significant role of the British-Bangladeshi diaspora for their contribution to the UK’s economy and society.
Lord Tariq Ahmad lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for upholding the values and spirit of Bangabandhu in creating a self-sustaining, inclusive, and secular Bangladesh, which is now one of the world's most rapidly growing economies.
He said that Sheikh Hasina is a leader who showed the world the magnanimity of humanity by hosting over a million of Rohingya displaced from the country Myanmar.
Lord Tariq also praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her efforts in upholding the values and ideals of Bangabandhu, which has resulted in a self-sustaining, inclusive, and secular Bangladesh.
He also highlighted Bangladesh's rapid economic growth, which has made it one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
Lord Ahmad further acknowledged Sheikh Hasina's compassionate leadership in providing refuge to over a million Rohingya people who were displaced from Myanmar.
Paying deep homage to the Father of the Nation and 1971 martyrs, High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem said: “Bangabandhu founded Bangladesh on democratic, secular, and progressive values. Now, as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina relentlessly strides to realise Bangabandhu's vision of a prosperous Bangladesh, the UK remains a crucial partner in achieving this goal”.
The high commissioner thanked Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his congratulatory message to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following January election, and also recalled the bilateral meeting of the two Premiers where they agreed to take Bangladesh-UK relations to new heights towards a sustainable, greener and more prosperous future.
She also thanked the UK Government for its continued support to the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh, and urged the UK to take stronger diplomatic leadership for the return of the Rohingyas to their ancestral home in Myanmar.
In her speech, the envoy thanking the Foreign Minister Lord David Cameron for his congratulatory message to Bangladesh Foreign Minister, also highlighted the significant collaborations between Bangladesh and the UK in various fields including in trade, investment, climate, aviation, and defence, and said that the first-ever home office dialogue between the two countries would be held later this month.
The Foreign Minister along with the UK’s Speaker, High Commissioner and distinguished guests unveiled the exclusive “Mujib and Britain’ publication by Bangladesh High Commission, London and handed over the Bangabandhu-Edward Heath Friendship Award’ and the ‘Bangabandhu-Harold Wilson Award’ to two great friends of Bangladesh Lord Marland and Lord Swaraj Paul respectively to honour their extraordinary contributions in promoting Bangladesh-UK Friendship.
The event's highlights included an Exhibition on Bangabandhu, a colourful cultural performance by British-Bangladeshi prominent performers; and a traditional Bangladeshi Saree exhibition.
It was attended by the vibrant presence of a distinguished selection of guests including UK parliament members, UK government officials, eminent British Politicians, high commissioners and ambassadors, senior representatives from Commonwealth and International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and representatives from the diplomatic missions in London, think tanks, members of the media, academia as well as members of the Bangladesh community in the UK.