Politics
Six BCL men injured in attack allegedly by JCD in Barishal
At least six activists of Bangladesh Chattra League (BCL) were injured in an attack allegedly by Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP’s) student wing Jatiyatabadi Chattra Dal (JCD) over establishing supremacy on Government Barishal College campus on Thursday night.
Police detained a JCD activist named Nazim Mahmud in this connection.
The injured BCL men are HM Rishad Mahmud, Maruf, Sohan, Anik, Khalil and Evril.
BCL activist Siam alleged that the college unit JCD convener Rafiqul Islam Tipu had long been obstructing them to carry out organisational activities on the campus.
Apart from this, the JCD leader used to intidimate BCL men who attended political programmes, he said.
A group of the JDC men led by Tipu suddenly carried out the attack on them on the campus leaving six injured, the BCL activist said.
Of them, two were stabbed and the rest beaten up, he said, adding that all the injured were admitted to Barishal Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital (BSBMCH).
Dr Shahadat Hossain, a physician at the emergency unit of the hospital, said condition of the two are critical.
Denying the allegation of the attack on the BCL men, the college unit JCD leader Tipu said there had been a dispute between two factions of the BCL over establishing dominance on the campus.
A faction swooped on another group named ‘Abba Group’ sponsored by injured Rishad on Thursday night, he said by claiming that they had no involvement with the incident.
Mehedhi Hasan, an assistant superintendent of police (Kotwali Zone) of Barishal Metropolitan Police, said on information they rushed to the spot and detained a youth with machetes from the spot.
Drives are on to nab others involved in the incident; he said adding that no case has so far been lodged.
BNP hosts iftar for foreign diplomats
BNP hosted an iftar party on Thursday at a hotel in the capital in honour of foreign diplomats posted in Bangladesh.
Ambassadors, high commissioners, mission chiefs, charge d’ affairs and other envoys from different countries attended the iftar.
Before the iftar, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir exchanged pleasantries with the guests at the party.
In a brief address, he said their party chairperson Khaleda Zia used to host an iftar for foreign diplomats during Ramadan every year, but she has now been serving on “fake and false” charges.
He also said their party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman has also been in exile in London facing 'false' charges. “So we‘re observing the holy Ramadan this year with a heavy heart.”
The BNP leader said their party has been carrying out a fight against the current ‘autocratic’ regime for the restoration of democracy.
Read more: Diplomatic double standards: The Bangladesh case
He said their party’s 17 leaders and activists have already sacrificed their lives in the ongoing movement while 35 lakh others have been facing ‘false and fake’ cases.
Fakhrul said several hundred leaders and activists of BNP were the victims of enforced disappearances while over a thousand were killed during the tenure of the current ‘autocratic’ Awami League government for raising the demand for the restoration of democracy.
“At this moment before the iftar, we pray for freedom, democracy, peace and prosperity for the people of the world, especially for the people of Bangladesh,” he said.
A munajat was offered before the iftar seeking divine blessings for the peace and progress of the country and the welfare of its people.
Foreign envoys from 30 countries, including US Ambassador Peter Haas, British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson, Russian ambassador Alexander V. Mantitsky, Pakistani High Commissioner Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Iranian Ambassador Mansour Chavoshi and Deputy High Commissioner of India Binoy George, and the representatives from the UN, European Union and different international bodies, participated in the programme.
Read more: BNP briefs foreign diplomats
Educationists A F M Yusuf Haider, Prof Mahbub Ullah, Prof Borhan Uddin, former Bangladesh Bank governor Salehuddin Ahmed, Manabzamin editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Inqilab editor AMM Bahauddin, BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Abdul Dr Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Selima Rahman and vice-chairmen Abdullah Al Noman, Shahjahan Omar, Hafizuddin Ahmed, Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Abdul Awal Mintoo, M Barkatullah Bulu, Mir Nasir, AZM Zahid Hossain, Ahmed Azam Khan and Netai Roy Chowdhury among others, were present.
Govt resorts to ‘extreme’ repression using DSA to gag media: BNP
Voicing deep concern over suing one after another against journalists, including Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, under the Digital Security Act (DSA), BNP on Thursday alleged that the government has been carrying out extreme repression by using the ‘black’ law to gag the media.
In a statement, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam demanded the immediate repeal of the Digital Security Act and the withdrawal of all cases filed against journalists.
After picking up Prothom Alo reporter Samsuzzaman Shams by law enforcers early Wednesday, Fakhrul said a case was filed against the editor of the newspaper, Matiur Rahman, on Wednesday late night under the DSA.
Besides, he said a Jubo League leader filed another case under the DSA against Daily Jugantor's Special Correspondent and ex-general secretary of Crime Reporters’ Association Mahbub Alam Lavllu in Chattogram.
The BNP leader strongly protested and denounced the filing of the cases against the journalists under the DSA on ‘false’ charges.
“Filing of cases one after the other against journalists, including Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, under the DSA a severe blow to the freedom of expression,” he observed.
Read more: Prothom Alo journalist Shams denied bail, sent to jail
Fakhrul alleged that the government has demonstrated that it wants to bury democracy forever by filing a case under the Digital Security Act against Matiur Rahman, one of the country's leading newspaper editors.
By suing journalists under the DSA, he said the government wants to send out a message to the country’s people that the government's activities cannot be criticised and opinions cannot be expressed freely.
“The Awami League government is continuing its terrible misrule in the country by indiscriminately repressing and suppressing the media, the fourth pillar of the state,” the BNP leader said.
He also said the case against Matiur Rahman was undoubtedly filed at the behest of the government.
Fakhrul said the country’s people and the media have got panicked due to the killing and repression of journalists across the country.
BNP denounces detention of Prothom Alo reporter Samsuzzaman
BNP on Wednesday strongly denounced the detention of daily Prothom Alo reporter Samsuzzaman Shams by law enforcers, saying it is a dreadful incident.
Speaking at a press conference, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also warned that the government will only face losses without making political gains by arresting any journalist.
"A journalist of the daily Prothom Alo was taken away from his home by CID early today (Wednesday)... This is an awful incident,” he said.
The BNP leader said Somoy Television aired a feature on Tuesday night that Prothom Alo reporter Samsuzzaman Shams made a report on March 26 to embarrass the government.
“But I don't understand what crime the journalist has committed... I strongly condemn the detention of Shasuzzaman Shams and demand his immediate and unconditional release,” Fakhrul said.
He questioned as to how the journalist committed a crime by presenting the facts.
“It’s being said the independence was denigrated by doing this (report) on March 26. If a person feels hungry on the day of independence, if he feels deprived, and if he gives that comment that what is the benefit of my country becoming independent? What crime has been committed, where is the crime here?”
He said people can raise any question about the benefit of independence when they do not get food to eat, when they are subjected to repression, suppression, and murder. “It doesn’t mean that he is against independence.”
The BNP leader also questioned the justification of the detention of Shasuzzaman for making a report with public opinion.
"This is causing more damage to the government. The government in no way can get any credit or points by harassing a journalist for highlighting the comments of common people. History says that no government, that did this kind of work in Bangladesh, starting from the language movement during the Pakistan era, was spared,” he said.
The press conference was held at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office to inform the media about the decisions of the party standing committee’s virtual meeting held on Tuesday.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in plainclothes picked Shamsuzzama up from his residence in Ambagan area adjacent to Jahangirnagar University around 4:30 am.
Later a Jubo League leader filed a case under the Digital Security Act against Samsuzzaman accusing him of publishing a false and fabricated report in the daily Prothom Alo.
Fakhrul said the government has created divisions among journalists in various ways to gag the media and stop the voice of the media workers.
He said the government's main objective is to hang onto power at any cost and by destroying all the institutions. “But it’s a matter of sorrow when the journalists and noted citizens defend the government’s such activities.”
The BNP leader said most media outlets are only praising the government as they now cannot present the views of the opposition and the dissidents. “But there’s an end of flattering… The history of Bangladesh says that people have never forgiven (political) brokers.”
Fakhrul alleged that the government is trying to create a climate of fear across the country ahead of the election by resorting to extrajudicial killings and picking up people by RAB, DB, and other law enforcement forces.
He also said RAB also sent out a message that they have become activated again by killing Sultana Jasmine, an employee of a Naogaon union land office. “This is an incident of serious human rights violation.”
Fakhrul said it has been proved beyond doubt that Sultana Jasmine died in RAB custody and international rights bodies have demanded an immediate impartial inquiry into the matter.
He said their party standing committee meeting demands that the true information be presented to the public through an impartial investigation immediately.
The BNP leader said they also demanded those responsible for Sultana Jasmine's murder be brought to book.
"Our sanding committee meeting felt that the detention of a woman without any specific case and her subsequent death has once again proved that the law enforcers under this government have been violating human rights indiscriminately," he observed.
Success or failure of a ministry shouldn’t be solely evaluated by road accidents: Obaidul Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said that despite the price hike of essentials around the world, Bangladesh is still in a better position compared to many others.
Quader, also Awami League general secretary, made the remark today during a briefing on current issues at the ministry's meeting room in the Secretariat.
“This rise in prices is not just limited to Bangladesh; it is happening all over the world, including in countries like France and Germany,” he said.
He also said that the government is making sincere efforts to address this problem, and commodity prices have already gone down, with further decease expected.
Quader also mentioned that irregularities and price manipulation are not new issues in Bangladesh and they happen during Ramadan. “But the government is taking action against such practices,” he said.
Read more: Govt's power price hike an 'anti-people' decision: Fakhrul
Regarding criticism that initiatives against syndicates have not yielded result yet, the minister said that if results were not achieved, Bangladesh would not be considered a success by others. He pointed out that despite challenges, Bangladesh has made significant progress and has received praise from world leaders such as the presidents of US, China and Russia.
On another note, Quader said it is not appropriate to evaluate the success or failure of a ministry solely based on road accidents.
When asked about his ability to improve road safety, he responded by drawing attention to the high number of accidents and fatalities that occur in countries such as India and Saudi Arabia.
“Yesterday over 20 people died in a road accident in Saudi Arabia. What are your thoughts on this tragic incident? A blown tyre can cause accidents and lead to such devastating outcome,” he said.
Quader emphasized that accidents are a common occurrence worldwide and cannot overshadow the numerous successful projects implemented during the government's tenure.
Read more: Govt to soon fix prices of 9 daily essentials
He also suggested that incidents of high success of the government may be targeted by critics. Quader went on to discuss the revision of the RPO, final approval of which is pending.
BNP turns down EC's invitation for informal discussion
BNP has turned down the Election Commission’s invitation for an informal discussion as the party policymakers think any meeting with the commission is meaningless since it has no power to resolve the political crisis.
The party, however, thanked the Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal for sending a letter inviting BNP for a discussion.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir disclosed the decision of their standing committee in this regard at a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office on Wednesday.
He said their party standing committee had a virtual meeting on Tuesday and discussed the letter sent by the Chief Election Commissioner to the party Secretary General, inviting BNP for an informal discussion and views-exchange meeting.
“Our standing committee meeting feels that any discussion or dialogue with the Election Commission will not be fruitful and will be meaningless until the main political crisis regarding the election-time government is resolved,” Fakhrul said.
He also said the national elections in 2014 and 2018 have proved that the Election Commission is not independent and it does not have the power to conduct elections in a free, fair, and impartial manner, even if it wants to do so.
“It was decided in our meeting that BNP is unable to accept the Election Commission’s proposal (for informal talks) because there is no possibility of resolving the main political problem in such discussion and views exchange with the Commission,” Fakhrul said.
On March 23, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal sent a demi-official letter to Fakhrul inviting the BNP to a views-exchange meeting to discuss the issues relating to the next national election.
The current EC had talks with political parties in two phases since its formation last year, but BNP and its alliance partners did not participate in the dialogues with the Commission.
Replying to a question, Fakhrul said they will not send any letter to the EC conveying their party decision. “I am informing him (CEC about our decision) through this press conference. I hope you he would accept our opinion."
EC Powerless In response to another question, Fakhrul said there is no point in sitting with the EC which has no power to resolve the problem of my country and its people.
“He (CEC) is not a mailbox that we would send a letter to him for giving it to the government. It is absolutely a matter of government. Since the government has a two-thirds majority in the parliament, it can do this, nobody else can take this decision,” the BNP leader said.
BNP can sit with govt on election-time govt issueFakhrul said they are repeatedly saying that establishing the election-time government is a matter of political decision.
He said the EC cannot take a decision on the caretaker government as the constitution needs to be amended for it.
“So it has to be discussed and the government has to come forward to this end. We don’t have interest in discussing anything other than this matter (polls-time govt)," the BNP leader said.
He also said their party will consider if the government gives any proposal for talks on the caretaker government issue. “There’ll be no talks except the issue of polls-time neutral government.
Govt's 'pampering' leads law enforcers to murder one after another: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the members of the law enforcement agencies have been carrying out 'one murder after another due to pampering by the government'.
“A simple woman who was working and raising her son in Naogaon was picked up and brutally tortured and killed (by RAB). Now they are denying it,” he said.
Speaking at an iftar party, the BNP leader also said the law enforcers are indulging in extrajudicial killings by obeying the illegal orders of the current regime which is not elected by the people.
“Even after the US sanctions on RAB, the government did not take any action against the officials (of RAB). So, they’re pampered to carry out such murder one after another,” Fakhrul observed.
He also alleged that the incumbent ‘usurper’ Awami League government has been suppressing the country’s people by resorting to various forms of repression, killing and enforced disappearance for over a decade to materialise its dream of establishing 'one-party Baksal rule'.
Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal organised the iftar party at the Ladies Club in the city’s Eskaton Area.
Sultana Jasmine, a union-level land employee in Naogaon, died in RAB custody on March 24. RAB claimed that Sultana Jesmin was picked up for interrogation on charges of fraudulence, but she fell ill and died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
Fakhrul said their party’s 17 leaders and activists sacrificed their lives on the streets during their current movement for the restoration of democracy, people’s voting and all other democratic rights that have been lost.
Besides, he said 35 lakh people associated with BNP have been implicated in ‘false’ cases while around 600 people were made to disappear and several thousand others were killed by the current government. “This’s a monstrous regime and we must remove it immediately,” Fakhrul said.
The BNP leader said the country’s people and the political parties are now united to oust the Awami League government through a strong simultaneous movement.
Read more: US sanctions on RAB made BNP fearless in anti-government protests: Fakhrul
“We believe that through a united movement of the people, this monstrous fascist government will be removed and a government of the people will be established in the country,” he said.
BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, vice chairmen Abdullah Al Noman, Barkatullah Bulu, Ahmed Azam Khan, AZM Zahid Hossain, chairperson’s adviser Abdus Salam and Nagorik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna, among others, joined the programme.
Private practice in public hospital amount to destroying health sector: Khandaker Mosharraf
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Tuesday alleged that the government’s decision to allow private practice in public hospitals is tantamount to destroying the health sector.
“Already the health care services in the government hospitals are in crisis. Amid such a situation, the scope for private practice from 3pm to 6pm by paying fees is tantamount to destroying the health system,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, Mosharraf, a former health minister, also alleged that the government has taken the move to make the pockets of the pro-ruling party physicians heavier.
He said, "You have seen a circular regarding allowing the private practice of public hospital doctors in their respective workplaces after 3pm from March 30. Politicisation is here too as such an exceptional step has been taken to create additional opportunities for the ruling party doctors.”
The BNP leader thinks this move will not bring anything good and welfare to the patients. “The common people now won’t get any service in the public hospitals and they will be forced to visit doctors providing fees after 3pm.”
Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB), a platform of pro-BNP physicians, arranged the discussion titled “The Falling Health System even after 52 Years of Independence” at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 53rd Independence Day.
Earlier on Monday, Health and family welfare minister Zahid Maleque said the private practice of the public hospital physicians after 3pm will run primarily only in 10 district hospitals and 20 upazila health complexes across the country from Thursday (Mar 30).
The government has also fixed Tk 500 as consultation fee for professors, Tk 400 for associate professors, Tk 300 for assistant professors and Tk 200 for MBBS doctors.
Mosharraf, also a standing committee member of BNP, said the current government from top to bottom has been plunged into corruption. “A group of ruling party leaders are spreading corruption to be richer. That's why research shows that the rate of inequality between the rich and the poor in Bangladesh is the highest in the world.”
He said a quarter of business people, and those in administration and police are taking advantage of the current corrupt system in the country for making money. “So, now the private practice arrangement has been taken to give additional opportunities to the ruling party-supported doctors. It won’t benefit the people."
The BNP leader said the government has destroyed all the institutions and all sectors through politicisation, corruption and plundering.
“The backs of the country’s people have been pushed against the wall. They (people) think this government can't fix anything and can't resolve any problem. Those who killed democracy can’t restore democracy. Those who ruined the economy can’t repair it. Those who destroyed the health system can’t reform the health system accordingly,” he observed.
Mosharraf urged the people from all walks of life to get united to create a mass upsurge to establish a pro-people government by ousting the current regime.
Jatiyo Party's student wing Jatiyo Chatra Samaj launches official website
The Jatiyo Chatra Samaj (JCS), the student wing of Jatiyo Party (JaPa), Monday launched its website to attract young politicians and enhance their political knowledge.
This platform provides an easier and more engaging way for young political enthusiasts to learn about JaPa and its youth wing.
The website is also an "ideal platform" for young politicians seeking to gain insight into the political process and includes a link to the Politics Matters e-learning platform, which enables leaders to improve their political skills at their own pace.
The launch ceremony, which took place in Dhaka, brought together 151 newly elected executive members from both the grassroots and central levels of the JCS.
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader, JCS President Md Al-Mamun, and Dana L Olds, chief of the Strengthening Political Landscape (SPL) project at Democracy International, also attended the event.
The USAID-funded SPL project supported the JCS in developing the website.
The JCS appointed a contact person and team to manage the website, initiate the online campaign, organise training for newly recruited members, and establish an online application process to approve membership applications as part of its membership recruitment program.
'AL looking to cling to power by creating climate of fear': Fakhrul
BNP on Monday alleged the Awami League-led government is looking to cling to power by creating a climate of fear in the country, as they hosted an iftar party for the professionals and eminent personalities of the country.
The programme was held at Ladies Club in the city’s Eskaton area.
Before the iftar, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir exchanged greetings with the invited guests.
In a brief address before the iftar, Fakhrul said their party chairperson Khaleda Zia used to host an iftar for the professionals during Ramadan every year. “But it’s our misfortune that she could not join the programme as she has been kept under house arrest through conviction in false cases.”
He said people are not being able to pass the holy month of Ramadan with ease due to the exorbitant prices of daily essentials. “There is an extreme disorder in the country and people do not feel safe anymore while the government has snatched our all rights.”
The BNP leaders said a female employee of the Naogaon union parishad land office died in RAB custody 36 hours after she was picked up by the elite force.