Politics
JCD leader’s death in B’baria clash: SP, ASP among 8 sued
A case was filed on Wednesday against eight police officials over the death of a Jatiyatabadi Chattra Dal leader in a clash between police and activists of BNP and its associate bodies in Bancharampur upazila of Brahmanbaria.
Md Rahmat Ullah, father of deceased Nayan Miah, filed the case with the court of District Senior Magistrate (Bancharampur) naming eight police officials and eight to ten unnamed ones.
The accused are- Brahmanbaria Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Anisur Rahman, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mozammel Hossain Reza, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bancharampur Police Station Noore Alam, Police Inspector (Investigation) Tarun Kanti Dey, Police Inspector Afzal Hossain Khan, Sub-Inspector (SI) Bikiran Chakma, constables Bishwajit Chandra Das and Shafikul Islam.
Read: 98 JCD activists sued over attack on police in Chapainawabganj
According to the case, the prime accused in the case constables Bishwajit Chandra Das and Shafiqul Islam opened fire on the leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies during the clash over distributing leaflets for the rally in Cumilla at Molla Bari area of the upazila on November 19.
Nayan, vice president of Sonarampur union parishad unit JCD, fell down after being hit by a bullet and several others also sustained injuries in the attack.
He was first rushed to Bancharampur Upazila Health Complex. Later he was shifted to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital where physicians pronounced him dead around 7:30pm.
The court will pass an order examining the case, said plaintiff’s counsel MA Mannan.
Rangpur city polls: AL nominates Adv Hosne Ara Lutfa
Awami League nominated Advocate Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia for Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) election, to be held on December 27.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader announced the name of the nominated candidate through a press release.
Read: Rangpur city polls: JP decides to stick with what works
According to the schedule, candidates can submit their nomination papers to the returning officer and assistant returning officer until November 29. The returning officer will scrutinise the nomination papers on November 29 and December 1. December 8 has been set as the final date for withdrawal of candidature.
The Election Commission also decided to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) and CCTV cameras in the election.
Voting will start at 8:30 am and continue till 4:30 pm without any break.
Read: Election Commission won’t favour any political party: Anisur Rahman
Director General of Election Training Institute Abdul Baten will serve as the returning officer of Rangpur City Election.
A total of 3,93,994 voters will cast their votes at 193 centres to elect the Rangpur mayor, 27 general ward councillors and 11 reserved ward councillors. The last election to Rangpur City Corporation was held on December 21, 2017.
BNP wants rally at Nayapaltan with aim to anarchy: Hasan Mahmud
BNP wants to hold its Dhaka divisional rally at Nayapaltan instead of any other venue or ground in the city as its aim is to create anarchy, said Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday.
“Their (BNP) intention is not good,” he told the reporters after an anti-tobacco advocacy meeting organised by Unnayan Samannoy in the city.
He said the purpose of holding the rally in Nayapaltan is to vandalise vehicles and create anarchy, leading to public suffering.
Read more: BNP should apologize before using Padma Bridge: Hasan Mahmud
The government doesn't want to obstruct any rally, he said. “If the government had wanted, they (BNP) couldn’t have held any of these (previous seven) rallies.”
In fact, it was BNP who obstructed Awami League’s rally by carrying out grenade and bomb attacks, in the process killing many people, said Mahmud.
“We are providing them all the support from the government so that they can hold rally peacefully. And they are holding rallies peacefully,” the minister added.
Regarding the militant issue, Mahmud said BNP is the chief patron and financer of militancy in the country.
“Begum Khaleda Zia had opposed the arrest of militants as there are militant groups in their alliance,” he added.
Read more: Hasan Mahmud to BNP: Don't play with people's lives
“The very recent rise of militancy and Mirza Fakhrrul Islam Alamgir’s statement is interlinked. They want to create instability in the country,” the information minister said.
15 BNP men detained with crude bombs in C’nawabganj, say district police
Police are claiming to have apprehended 15 leaders and activists of the opposition BNP, and recovered 7 crude bombs from their possession while they were holding a ‘clandestine meeting’ on Tuesday night.
Chowdhury Jobayed Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Shibjanj police station, said acting on a tip off, they carried out a drive at a warehouse near the house of local BNP leader Ashraf Chairman in Ranihat area, when they came across the group holding a ‘secret meeting’, without specifying what made it so secret or whether any meeting that isn’t public is secret.
Read more: Six cops among 21 injured as police clash with BNP in Sherpur
Police did however identify the meeting’s agenda as focused on carrying out subversive activities”.
The 15 BNP men were detained with seven crude bombs from the warehouse during the drive, he said.
A process was underway to file a case against the detainees, the OC added.
Read more: JCD leader shot dead in clash with cops over arrest of a BNP leader in Brahmanbaria
BNP to launch one-point movement from Dec 10 rally at Nayapaltan
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday categorically said that their party’s rally in Dhaka will be held at Nayapaltan on December 10 from where they will declare a one-point movement to oust the Awami League government.
“The ruling party leaders say the rally won’t be allowed on December 10. Is it one’s father’s country? The rally will be held on December 10 in this place (Nayapaltan). It’s announced by the people,” he told a protest rally.
As BNP respects the law, Fakhrul said they submitted an application to the authorities concerned seeking permission for holding the rally in a peaceful manner in protest against the price hikes of daily essentials, killing of opposition activists and demanding Khaleda Zia’s unconditional release.
BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units arranged the programme in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office, in protest against the killing of Bancharampur Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Nayon Miah in police firing.
Fakhrul said their party still did not come up with the main announcement, which will be delivered on December 10.
Read more: Economic, political crises push Bangladesh to serious trouble: Fakhrul
"A one-point-movement for the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina government will begin on that day. You (AL) must go and there is no compromise here. So, quit power peacefully,” he said.
The BNP leader said the government could not stop BNP’s seven divisional rallies despite using everything at their disposal to erect various obstacles, as “the people have now woken up”.
He alleged that the government has been recycling the old game of filing false cases against opposition leaders and activists to subdue them.
Stating that cases were filed against 35 lakh opposition leaders and workers, the BNP leader said the government could not suppress them by implicating them in the cases. “The more you’ll file cases, the more we’ll be stronger and people will come up with resistance."
Fakhrul said their party will not let go in vain the blood of seven slain leaders and activists of their party and its associate bodies. “We’ll surely defeat this regime with people’s strength."
Govt in ‘brute’ mode
Referring to the killing of Bancharampur’s Sonarampur Union Parishad unit JCD leader Nayon Miah in police firing, he said the government has claimed the lives of seven youths in the current movement for the restoration of democracy and voting rights of people.
“They (AL) have been playing the most brutal role in the history of the country,” the BNP leader observed.
Slamming Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for his comment that the Bancharampur incident was ‘arranged’ or somehow not genuine, Fakhrul said, “How inhuman and cruel can they become that they can’t even express a little sorrow?”
He said it is Awami League which has been staying in power by force through stage-managed polls. “You don’t have legitimacy. If the constitution of Bangladesh is true, you are not genuine (regime) as you’re not elected one. You stuffed ballot boxes at night what now the foreigners are also saying.”
Read more: BNP dubs militants' escape 'a drama'
Six cops among 21 injured as police clash with BNP in Sherpur
At least 21 people including six police officers, were injured on Tuesday in a clash between the law enforcers and BNP supporters over the protest procession brought out against the death of a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Deal (JCD) leader in Brahmanbaria on Saturday.
Police also detained 16 BNP supporters from the spot following the clash.
The BNP said they brought out the procession from the house of district unit President Mahmudul Hoque Rubel around 3pm protesting the killing of JCD leader Nayon in the firing of police in Bancharampur upazila of the Brahmanbaria on Saturday , as well as the arrest of 15 BNP men from Sreebardi upazila of the district.
The clash erupted when police barred the BNP men from marching toward the party office of the district in Roghunathpur area. The BNP men hurled brickbats targeting the cops protesting the barrier.
Read more: Police–BNP clash in Kishoreganj: 29 including 11 cops hurt
Police retaliated with tearshells and fired shots in the air to bring the situation under control, leaving 21 people including the cops injured.
The district unit’s BNP President Mahmudul Hoque Rubel condemned the attack. He claimed that some 100 BNP men were injured in the attack by the cops without any provocation.
Bachhir Ahmed Badal, office-in-charge of Sadar police station, rejected the BNP’s claims and said that the BNP men swooped on them without any instigation.
Read more: BNP-police clash in Chandpur: Over 500 sued, 22 arrested
“We detained 16 BNP men from the spot, lobbed tearshell and fired shots in the fire to bring the situation under control,” the OC said, adding that the situation was now under their control.
Economic, political crises push Bangladesh to serious trouble: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said Bangladesh is on the brink of collapse hit by both the economic and political crisis.
“The country almost reached the ditch. There is economic crisis on one side and the political crisis on the other. It’s a critical moment,” he said.
The BNP leader warned that the country’s existence will be at stake if these crises are not resolved immediately.”
He made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting former MP Rumna Mahmud, wife of BNP standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, at her residence in the city’s Asad Gate area.
Read: Power tariff hike to deepen public suffering further: BNP
On November 18, Rumana was injured in an attack reportedly by the ruling party cadres in Sirajganj while she was distributing leaflets to drum up support for BNP’s divisional rally in Rajshahi.
Fakhrul hoped that good sense will prevail upon the government to take steps for holding a credible election by handing over power to an interim caretaker government in the country, putting aside terror and repressive activities.
In response to a question, he said, Awami League has put the country into such a deep crisis that it will not be possible to overcome if the election is not held properly and the public representatives are not elected properly. “How the country will run if credible elections are not held?”
The BNP leader said the neighbouring countries like India, Nepal, and Pakistan have many problems, but they are holding inclusive and acceptable elections and their political parties have confidence in their electoral systems and processes.
Read: Business in tatters due to plunder, money laundering: Fakhrul
“There is an election atmosphere even in Pakistan. Unfortunately, we couldn't do that. Awami League has created this crisis to perpetuate power,” Fakhrul bemoaned.
He accused the government of establishing a reign of terror across the country to hang on to power. "Awami League can’t sustain in power without resorting to terrorism. They can’t tolerate their opponents and they want to eliminate their opponents through terror acts. They cannot rule without terror and- this is their old habit.”
About the militant snatching incident in the capital, the BNP leader said it has exposed the 'state of Awami League’s weak governance.
“We see thieves, thefts, hooliganism, and clashes everywhere. They (police) are doing so many things and they shot a day labourer. But how did the militants disappear in front of them (police).”
BNP dubs militants' escape 'a drama'
The opposition BNP on Monday voiced doubts over whether the escape from police custody staged by two convicted militants was genuine, or a drama staged by the government to perpetuate power.
"What a lame excuse that the convicted militants were snatched using (pepper spray). How could it be that the militants were brought by a single police member? It’s an impossible matter,” said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he also said, “So, a question has arisen in the public mind whether that militant drama is being staged again so that they (govt) can hang onto power some more time.”
Read: Business in tatters due to plunder, money laundering: Fakhrul
The BNP leader also hoped that the government would stay away from such an evil plot.
Fakhrul said police can shoot dead opposition leaders and activists in their peaceful programmes, but they cannot do anything when the militants escape.
He alleged that the government also tried to play a game in the name of ‘arson violence' earlier, but it did not get support from the media.
"The law enforcers have been talking about militants for some days and they have now made (two militants) disappear. These militants were involved in the murder of Avijit, who was a US citizen. There is no scope to take the matter lightly,” Fakhrul said.
Earlier on Sunday, two convicted militants escaped from police custody near Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in the capital.
December 10 rally to be held at Nayapaltan
Fakhrul said their party’s last divisional rally, in Dhaka on December 10, would be held in front of their party’s Nayapaltan central office.
He said their party submitted a letter to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police authority last week seeking permission to arrange the programme at Nayapaltan.
The BNP leader said the government will no longer create barriers to BNP’s rallies if even minimum sense prevails upon it.
Read: DMP to decide venue for BNP's Dec 10 rally: Home Minister
He alleged that 96 cases were filed against BNP leaders and workers across the country between August 22 to September 11 last making 4,412 people identified accused and 10, 664 unidentified ones.
Besides, Fakhrul said 445 opposition leaders and activists were arrested during the same period.
He also alleged that the government is filing false cases against BNP leaders and activists and arresting them, getting scared of a wave of people attending the party’s divisional rallies.
The BNP leader also said the government has started implicating BNP leaders and activists in different cases and conducting raids on the houses of the opposition leaders as part of its plan to prevent a massive gathering on December 10.
Power tariff hike to deepen public suffering further: BNP
BNP denounced the government’s decision to increase the power tariff and warned that it is just like slaying the slain amid the skyrocketing prices of daily essentials.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also asked the government to back off from the decision.
"The price of electricity has been increased again. It's just to slay the slain," he said.
The BNP leader said the power tariff has been raised at a time when the prices of essential items, including rice and pulses, are increasing and inflation is increasing at an extreme level.
“The prices of power, gas and water were increased. They have made the life of common people miserable by increasing the power price further. We strongly condemn this decision,” he said.
Read: Bulk power tariff hike won’t affect retail consumers right now: Nasrul Hamid
Fakhrul said people will come with strong resistance against the government if it does not withdraw the decision.
Earlier in the day, the government raised the bulk power tariff by 19.92 percent with effect from December 2022.
Chairman of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Md Abdul Jalil announced the decision to raise the tariff disposing of the review appeal of the state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
Fakhrul said the decision to hike the power price is an anti-people one. “This unelected regime has become mass enemies by taking a position against people.”
He alleged that the government is finding it impossible to deal with the economic situation it has created by indulging in corruption in every sector. “They are now inflicting suffering on people as they are desperate to get loans from the IMF.”
The BNP leader said it could have been much easier for the government to deal with the economic crisis had they taken steps earlier to reduce corruption and siphoning off a huge amount of money abroad.
Business in tatters due to plunder, money laundering: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said businesspeople are going through a very tough time due to the economic crisis, mainly caused by widespread plundering and siphoning off money abroad.
“Every big businessman is now saying one thing that they’re facing a very bad time and their businesses and factories are shutting down. They are also now in a situation that they even don’t have money to pay the wages of their workers,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said the government has been blaming the Russia-Ukraine war for the economic crisis. “Maybe there are some reasons behind it. But TK86 lakh crores were laundered in the last 10 years, including Tk,78,000 crores in the last one year. Can the economy of a country exist where people belonging to the ruling party indulges in widespread plundering and money laundering?”
Uttar Banga Chhatra forum and Bangladesh Chhatra Forum jointly arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s 58th birthday.
Fakhrul said the businesses now need incentives and facilities from the central bank at this time to overcome the situation.
Read: Successful divisional rallies show people turning around: Mirza Fakhrul
“But the banks are refusing to open new LCs due to dollar shortage while huge money from the reserves was plundered earlier. The common people, including the rickshaw pullers and hawkers now say this government is a thief," he said.
The BNP leader said people have woken up to get rid of the current situation and oust the government. “A struggle has already begun as people have taken to the streets. I’m getting encouraged in this old age from our every rally to wage another Liberation War to defeat the current regime.”
Govt must pay price for taking 7 lives:
Fakhrul alleged that police shot dead Bancharampur’s Sonarampur Union Parishad unit JCD leader Nayon Miah on Saturday without any provocation and reason. What kind of a country it is. You have to face trial in the people’s court.”
He said their party’s seven leaders and activists, including Nayon Miah, were killed in their ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy and people’s voting rights. “We lost our seven warriors and you (govt) must pay a heavy price for it.”
Read: BNP’s ideology stands poles apart from Jamaat, it sees India as a special friend, says Mirza Fakhrul in an exclusive interview with UNB
Fakhrul also asked the government to quit power safely before time runs out. “Otherwise, the turbulent mass wave that has already been created will sweep you away like a tsunami.”
Accusing the government of implicating the BNP leaders and activists in false cases, he urged the judiciary to ensure justice.