Politics
Dhaka grappling with worst dengue outbreak due to gross failure of two mayors: BNP
Blaming the gross failure of the mayors of two Dhaka city corporations for the worst dengue outbreak in the capital, BNP on Friday announced a four-point programme to stand by the dengue patients and create public awareness.
Tabith Awal and Ishraq Hossain, the two BNP nominated mayoral candidates in the last elections to the Dhaka north and south city corporations respectively, announced the programmes highlighting the causes of the awful dengue situation in the capital at a press conference at the party’s Nayaplatan central office.
As part of the programmes, they said they will initiate a blood collection drive encouraging the party men to donate blood and encourage others to do that as the blood banks in the city are struggling to meet the demand, and people are crying for blood on social media for the dengue patients.
Besides, the party will also launch an online centralized 'Blood Information Depository' website to connect the needy and the donors and the service will continue as long as the dengue situation persists.
The party will also conduct a public awareness campaign through leaflets and posters at the ward level to eradicate Aedes larvae to get rid of dengue.
Read: Construction to be stopped if dengue larvae found for 3rd time: LGRD minister
Besides, BNP together with the people will put pressure on the authorities concerned to identify Aedes mosquito breeding grounds such as government establishments and under-construction buildings and clean them alongside holding protest rallies with the local people to remove waterlogging at every ward.
“We believe that if we can make the people aware enough without scaring them, it will go a long way in fighting Aedes mosquitoes. In this case, we will conduct awareness-raising activities through online and social media as well as direct public awareness,” said Tabith.
He said seasonal dengue has now become a year-round fear due to the continuous negligence of the two Dhaka city corporations.
“Dengue was under control until 2010-11, but now it has become devastating, thanks to the last few years of misgovernance and negligence. The city has turned into a sanctuary for Aedes mosquitoes. The city of possibilities, with all its citizens full of life, is now in constant fear of death from mosquito bites,” Tabith observed.
He said the city authorities should have formulated a coordinated, effective and long-term plan. “But we didn't see anything of that sort in Dhaka because there were no elected representatives of the people. As a result, the people of Dhaka are still at risk of dengue in 2023.”
The BNP leader also said if the number of cases continues to increase at the current rate during the rainy season, dengue could very quickly become an epidemic. "The current illegal city corporation has put the lives of our youth at risk through negligence and corruption.”
Read: DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam joins anti-dengue campaign in educational institutions
He said the two city corporations of Dhaka must also be held responsible for spreading dengue throughout the country.
Tabith said the city authorities are even talking about fines on the citizens to cover up their own failures. “The speeches of these unelected mayors are full of contradictory words. Citizens are being blamed for hiding their carelessness, failures, and corruption in mosquito control. We condemn this attempt.”
He said the mosquito control programmes of the arbitrary two Dhaka city corporations have been going on unscientifically with ineffective and expired drugs. “Even there were anomalies regarding buying those drugs as they spent people's money without testing their effectiveness. In the case of spraying, there has also been severe mismanagement, show-off programs with untrained workers.”
“However, as representatives of the people and as activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP, we believe it is our duty to always stand by the people with different initiatives,” Tabith said.
Both Tabith and Ishraq demanded the resignation of the two mayors of the Dhaka city corporations for their failure to tackle the dengue situation.
Read more: DSCC opens control room to check dengue
Ishraq, the eldest son of the former mayor of the undivided Dhaka City corporation, Sadeque Hossain Khoka, said the dengue has turned epidemic and terrible in the capital due to the failure of the mayors of two cities in Dhaka. “This situation has been created due to lack of their accountability to the people.”
He said the overall failure to prevent pollution and create effective waste management is one of the reasons for deteriorating the dengue situation to the current level.
Stating that Aedes mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, Ishraq said inadequate waste disposal has led to the rampant spread of Aedes mosquitoes in stagnant water.
He alleged that the two mayors are carrying out some activities arbitrarily to contain the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes completely ignoring expert opinions.
Ishraq alleged that the mayors of the two city corporations have failed to appoint "adequate entomologists in proportion to the size of the cities and their population.
Caretaker govt system will not return to Bangladesh: Law Minister
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Advocate Anisul Huq on Friday reiterated that the caretaker government system won’t come back to Bangladesh.
The Election Commission (EC) will hold the next national elections under the incumbent government, he said.
The minister came up with the remarks while addressing an extended meeting of local Awami League (AL) in Kharera union under Kasba upazila of the district, as the chief guest.
Read: BNP’s demand of caretaker government died in the field: Hasan Mahmud
“BNP-Jamaat is trying to make Bangladesh a failed country, want to kill Sheikh Hasina, they (BNP-Jamaat) don't want to join the elections, rather want to come to power through backdoors with the help of others,” he said.
The law minister thinks that Bangladesh will turn into anarchy once the BNP-Jamaat grabs the power further and the fortune of Bangladesh is uncertain without Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Recalling the role of the BNP-Jamaat post the killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said they (BNP-Jamaat) will have to be tackled with an iron hand.
Read: No scope for reinstating caretaker government in the country: Quader to US Ambassador Haas
Chaired by Kharera union AL President Advocate Abu Abdullah Bhuiyan, Kasba upazila parishad Chairman Advocate Rashedul Kaisar Bhuiyan Jibon, Kasba municipality Mayor MG Hakkani and local UP Chairman Md Monriuzzaman Monir, among others spoke at the event.
Read more: Caretaker government most suitable system for credible polls: Fakhrul
Govt to deal with BNP's atrocities with iron hand: Hasan Mahmud
If BNP tries to destroy the country's peace and order, the government will deal with them wih an iron hand, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said on Friday.
Besides, Awami League along with people will resist them if they (BNP) carry out any violence, the minister told journalists at Kurigram Circuit House before addressing the extended meeting of district unit of AL as the chief guest.
"Parliamentary elections will be held as per the constitution of the country and the incumbent government will perform duties of polls-time government. There is no chance to go beyond the constitution for an inch," he added.
Read: General Election to be held as per constitution: Obaidul Quader
In India, the UK, Australia, Japan, France and Germany in the continental Europe and other democratic countries, existing governments perform duties of polls-time government and in the USA, the existing president doesn't resign before elections of president, Hasan Mahmud mentioned.
Regarding the visit of the EU delegation, the minister said the EU delegation came at the invitation of the Election Commission, not others.
As they came at the EC's invitation, they discussed with the commission, ruling party and opposition party and others and their visit was very much positive one, the minister said.
Read: BNP hasn’t moved away from ‘destructive politics’: Hasan Mahmud
They invited them for holding a free, fair and peaceful election and the EU sent its delegation at the invitation and so, it is a positive one, he said.
Presied by Kurigram district unit AL president Md Zafar Ali, the meeting was moderated by General Secretary Aman Uddin Ahmed Manju.
Read: AL’s secretary-level meeting on Friday
Among others, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Zakir Hossain, AL Joint General Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Central Members Advocate Safura Begum Rumi and Advocate Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia addressed the meeting.
3 BNP bodies set to hold ‘youth rally’ at Suhrawardy Udyan Saturday
Jubo Dal President Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has hoped that Dhaka will turn into a city of youth on Saturday as they are all set to hold a ‘youth rally’ at Suhrawardy Udyan.
He said on Friday that the youth rally to be organised by three BNP associate bodies--Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Swechchasebak Dal—will begin at 2pm at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he said their main objective is to involve the young generation to the street movement for establishing their rights.
Tuku said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the rally as the chief guest.
Read: BNP’s ‘youth rally’ at Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday
He said they met Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq at his Bailey Road office on Thursday night and got verbal permission for the rally. “We hoped they’ll fully cooperate with us.”
The Jubo Dal president said the youth who are deprived of their rights will participate in Saturday's rally. " “Dhaka will become a city of youth tomorrow (Saturday).”
He said they have taken to the streets in favour of more than 4.70 crore new voters who were deprived of their right to the franchise by the current fascist regime and in favour of the youths who are not given government jobs for not being involved with the ruling party’s politics.
“If the country is run this way and the administration is run by inept and talentless people, Bangladesh will become a dysfunctional state. That’s why our young people have to take to the streets together,” Tuku said.
Read: Sajeeb killed in Laxmipur to stop one-point movement: BNP leaders
He said they already held five youth rallies and got a huge response from the young people.
On June 2, three BNP associate bodies announced holding sixth youth rallies in Chattogram, Bogura, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, and Dhaka to drum up the young generation’s support for the ongoing movement to press for holding the next general election under a caretaker government.
Read more: Fair polls not possible without neutral govt as AL has vote-stealing scheme: BNP tells British envoy
General Election to be held as per constitution: Obaidul Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday reiterated that the upcoming general election will be held as per the provision of the constitution.
“Apart from this, Awami League will not allow anyone's conspiratorial ambitions to be implemented,” he told a meeting at the party's central office on Bangabandhu Avenue this morning.
Also read: BNP's condition for participating in election ‘unconstitutional’: Quader
Quader, also the road, transports and bridges minister said, “BNP's only demand is Sheikh Hasina’s resignation which is a gross violation of the Constitution. We cannot violate the Constitution.”
Quader asserted that the opposion group consists of communal forces, which are friends of both Pakistan and Afghanistan, and are patrons of militancy.
"Should we surrender to the activities of these conspirators? Should we sacrifice the soil of this country, Bangabandhu's leadership, independence, Sheikh Hasina's leadership, political victory and development journey?" Quader asked.
Also read: Foreigners came and left but BNP’s hopes not fulfilled: Quader
The Awami League general secretary said the BNP is engaged in killing AL members across the country.
“Awami League leaders and activists are being killed. And BNP is habitually misleading the nation with baseless information,” Quader said.
“The violence that is taking place in many parts of the country is highly well-planned. BNP, the mastermind of political evil forces, is trying to attract the attention of foreigners by making isolated incidents. They are conspiring to sabotage the election.”
Regarding the attack on Ashraful Alom, popularly known as “Hero Alom” during the Dhaka-17 by-election in Gulshan, Quader said whoever the candidate is, the government is looking at him as a candidate.
Also read: Not a victory march, it’s a defeat march: Quader on BNP’s program
“So far 10 people have been arrested in connection with the incident. The government has taken action," he said.
Awami League Presidium Members Matia Chowdhury, Mofazzal Hossain Maya, Kazi Zafarullah, Abdur Razzaque, Kamrul Islam, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretary Afzal Hossain, Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Swapan, Office Secretary Biplab Barua, Publicity and Publication Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Engineer Abdus Sabur among others were present at the meeting.
Also read: BNP failed to garner foreign support: Quader
Jubo League to hold rally in Dhaka on Friday to protest muder of its Narail activist
Bangladesh Awami Jubo League will organise a procession and rally in Dhaka on Friday protesting the killing of its activist in Narail's Kalia upazila of Khulna division.
The organisation will hold the procession in front of Party Office of Awami League in city’s Gulistan area in the afternoon.
Also read: Jubo League activist hacked to death in Khulna
The activist of Awami Jubo League was stabbed to death by miscreants in Narail's Kalia upazila of Khulna division on Thursday evening.
The deceased was identified as Azad Sheikh, 30. He was an activist of Perulia union Jubo League and elder brother of the union Jubo League President Sazzat Sheikh.
Eyewitnesses said that leaders and activists participated in a procession under the leadership of Kobirul Hoque Mukti , lawmaker from Narail-1 constituency, in the Jubo League's ' rally ‘Tarunner Joyjatra Samabesh’ held in Khulna on Thursday afternoon.
Also read: Jubo League activist hacked to death in Dhaka’s Shahjahanpur: Police
When he and another Jubo League activist Jony Sardar were returning home a group of armed miscreants attacked them, leaving Azad dead on the spot. However, Jony suffered minor injuries.
SK.Tasmim Alam, officer-in-charge of Kalia police station, said the body was recovered and sent to the morgue of Khulna Medical College Hospital for post-mortem.
“Efforts are on to identify the cause of the murder and arrest the culprits”, added the OC.
Also read: Narail MP grieves Jubo League activist’s murder, condemns BNP-Jamaat
Kobirul Hoque Mukti, Member of Parliament of Narail-1 Constituency, Sofikur Rahman Palash, President of Khulna Metropolitan Jubo League and General Secretary Sheikh Shahajalal Hossain Sujan visited Khulna Medical College Hospital.
They condemned the murder and demanded immediate arrest of the accused.
Narail MP grieves Jubo League activist’s murder, condemns BNP-Jamaat
Appalled by the gruesome murder of a Jubo League activist, Narail lawmaker Kabirul Haque Mukti has condemned BNP-Jamaat over the killing.
The Narail-1 MP called for justice in a post from his verified Facebook profile, over the death of Azad Sheikh, elder brother of Peroli union unit Jubo League president.
Also read: Jubo League activist hacked to death in Khulna
"Clad in a Jubo League shirt, now soaked in a pool of blood. BNP-Jamaat terrorists took his life. Lying lifeless is my Jubo League activist. Today BNP-Jamaat sent a message of their intent of terrorism through this mindless murder," reads the Narail-1 MP’s post.
Eyewitnesses said that leaders and activists participated in the Jubo League rally, ‘Tarunner Joyjatra Samabesh’, under the leadership of Kobirul Hoque Mukti on Thursday afternoon.
Also read: Jubo League activist hacked to death in Dhaka’s Shahjahanpur: Police
When Azad Sheikh and another Jubo League activist Jony Sardar were returning home in the evening, a group of armed miscreants attacked them, leaving Azad dead on the spot.
Also read: Students form human chain condemning BNP’s march for ‘exploding cocktails’ in front of Yakubia Girls High School in Bogura
Nur and his supporters try to break into locked office space, building owner says rent due for almost 17 months
Nurul Haque Nur, who leads one faction of Gono Odhikar Parishad, and his supporters allegedly broke the gate to their office space that had been locked by the building’s owner. The owner of the building says he has repeatedly asked them to pay monthly rent “due for almost 17 months.”
Meanwhile a video of Nur tearing down his own panjabi while his supporters were trying to break the gate has gone viral on social media.
Also read: Nur defends top aide Tarek’s “offensive remarks” on Hindu religious scripture
In response to “not paying the rent for months,” the owner of Zaman Tower locked the party office early yesterday.
Nur and his supporters took to social media in the morning and said, “Our office has been locked and important documents have been seized.”
As the day went on, Nur led a group to the office gate and were seen trying to break the locked collapsible gate.
Also read: Reza Kibria threatens to sue Nur, two others
In a video that has now gone viral, Nur can be seen tearing his own panjabi and later went to a hospital.
“Despite my repeated requests to pay the rent, Nur and his supporters refused to comply for months,” building owner Miah Mosiuzzaman said in a video interview.
“They did not pay the electricity bills either, and I decided to cut off the connection. Nur had threatened me with dire consequences,” he added.
Also read: Palestinian Ambassador says Nur met with Israel's Mossad 3 times
“As he kept threatening me, I started getting worried that Nur and his followers might take over the space by force and claim ownership,” the building owner said.
Jubo League activist hacked to death in Khulna
An activist of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League was stabbed to death by miscreants in Narail's Kalia upazila of Khulna division on Thursday evening.
The deceased was identified as Azad Sheikh,30. He was an activist of Perulia union Jubo League and elder brother of the union Jubo League President Sazzat Sheikh.
Read: Bangladeshi national killed in ‘BSF firing’ in Sylhet
Eyewitnesses said that leaders and activists participated in a procession under the leadership of Kobirul Hoque Mukti , lawmaker from Narail-1 constituency, in the Jubo League's ' rally ‘Tarunner Joyjatra Samabesh’ held in Khulna on Thursday afternoon.
When he and another Jubo League activist Jony Sardar were returning home this evening, a group of armed miscreants attacked them, leaving Azad dead on the spot. However, Jony suffered minor injuries.
SK.Tasmim Alam, officer-in-charge of Kalia police station, said the body was recovered and sent to the morgue of Khulna Medical College Hospital for post-mortem.
Read: Youth killed, 50 injured in AL-BNP clash in Laxmipur
“Efforts are on to identify the cause of the murder and arrest the culprits”, added the OC.
Kobirul Hoque Mukti, Member of Parliament of Narail-1 Constituency, Sofikur Rahman Palash, President of Khulna Metropolitan Jubo League and General Secretary Sheikh Shahajalal Hossain Sujan visited Khulna Medical College Hospital.
They condemned the murder and demanded immediate arrest of the accused.
Jamaat not allowed to hold rally in Sylhet on Friday
Jamaat-e-Islami has not been given permission to hold a public rally in Sylhet city on Friday.
The rally has not been allowed due to the fear of violence, Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Elias Sharif told journalists on Thursday.
Read: Govt won't let BNP-Jamaat to carry out destructive activities again: PM Hasina
He said police received Jamaat's application and scrutinised it and decided not to permit them to hold the rally.
On July 16, the Sylhet city unit of Jamaat applied to the Sylhet Metropolitan Police, seeking permission to hold the rally at the Registry Ground in the city on Friday (July 21).
REad:Jamaat seeks police permission to hold rally in Chattogram on July 22