Politics
Chattogram BNP leader Dr Shahadat freed on bail
BNP Chattogram City unit President Shahadat Hossain was released from jail on bail on Wednesday, one month and 22 days after his arrest.
Shahadat walked out of the Chattogram central Jail around 4:30pm after the bail order reached the jail authorities, said city unit BNP leader Idris Ali.
He said though some BNP leaders and activists went to the jail gate, they could not meet Shahadat there due to the presence of huge law enforcers.
Idris said Shahadat went back home in the port city from the jail gate.
Police had arrested him from the city’s Treatment Hospital on March 29, a day after a clash between BNP leaders and activists and law enforcers in Kazirdewri area.
He was shown arrested in an extortion case filed against him with Chawkbazar Police Station by a former city unit female BNP leader and two other cases filed in connection with the clash.
Shahadat recently obtained bail in the three cases from the High Court.
Tk 50cr ‘misappropriated’ but no guarantee of vaccine: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Tuesday alleged that Tk 50 core has been ‘misappropriated’ in the name of a tripartite agreement over procuring Covid vaccines, but there is no guarantee of having the second dose of the jabs for 14 lakh people.
“Concerns about the second dose of corona vaccine for the country’s 14 lakh people are not diminishing. The second dose of the vaccine is required between 8 and 12 weeks, but the health directorate can’t give assurance of its availability,” he said.
In a statement, the Jatiya Party Chairman also said uncertainty over the corona vaccine is unfortunate as the country has failed in vaccine diplomacy for lack of farsightedness of the authorities concerned.
Also read: GM Quader seeks govt support for local vaccine Bangavax
Stating that vaccine doses have been imported with an aim to make a profit of crores of taka, he said, “That’s why no alternative source for collecting the vaccine has been kept.”
GM Quader said top officials at the Health Ministry are every day frightening people talking about the third, fourth and fifth waves of the deadly virus. “They’re trying to avoid their responsibility by blaming the people for it.”
He said the government still cannot clearly present its preparations to tackle coronavirus before people.
Also read: Take mega projects to improve healthcare system: GM Quader
“The second dose of corona vaccine must be ensured within the specific time as people are worried about it,” the Jatiya Party chief concluded.
The government launched the mass vaccination programme on February 7 with a target of giving three crore doses of AstraZeneca vaccine following an agreement with Serum Institute of India through Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited.
However, the government suspended giving the first dose of the vaccine on April 26 as the Indian government imposed a ban on vaccine export for meeting its local demand.
Also read: People want to know initiatives about vaccine: GM Quader
There are around six lakh second doses of the vaccine in government hands, but over 20 lakh people are left to receive it after taking the first jab.
Fakhrul for unity among professionals to get rid of repression
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that fascism has spread in the country due to divisions among different professional groups, including that of journalists.
“Fascism has spread in the country and its downfall is inevitable. Fascist regimes couldn’t sustain for long in the past and they faced dire consequences at the end,” he said.
The BNP leader said, “Attempts are being made to destroy the main soul of Bangladesh by creating divisions. There’re now divisions among journalists, lawyers, doctors and other professionals. As a result, no one can raise their voice against the fascist government and its repressive acts.”
Talking to reporters at his residence in the district town, Fakhrul warned that people's confidence in the state will diminish due to the government’s ‘repressive’ acts.
The BNP leader urged the people of all walks of life and professions to get united and raise their voice for press freedom and the freedom of journalists.
He said BNP has made many sacrifices in the fight against the current regime as their party’s over 500 leaders and activists have been made disappeared. “We’ve exposed how the government has been in power using the state machinery by participating in elections. There’s no alternative to ousting this regime through a movement together with people.”
About the arrest of Prothom Alo reporter Rozina Islam, the BNP leader said it is a nasty incident and the female journalist was subjected to repression for unveiling corruption in the health sector during the Covid crisis through her investigative reports.
“What happened in the office of the health secretary is disgusting. We don’t have the words to condemn it. I denounce the government for arresting and sending her (Rozina) to jail in a false case. I demand immediate withdrawal of all the false charges brought against her and her release with dignity,” he said.
He also demanded the resignation of Health Minister Zahid Maleque and Health Secretary Abdul Mannan over the incident.
Fakhrul wondered that a senior journalist was detained for more than five hours in a place like the Secretariat and handed over to the police after torturing her mentally and physically. “Such an incident can’t be imagined. This’s not the first case of torture for revealing the truth as many journalists were subjected to repression in the past while many others were imprisoned and killed.”
He also said around 50 journalists have been forced to leave the country in the face of the government’s wrath. “Journalists' writings are being regulated by the Digital Security Act. These’re not isolated incidents. It’s part of a blueprint for destroying a democratic society.”
The BNP leader said they have long been saying that people have lost their rights. “There’s no right of citizens, politicians and journalists. Still, the current government calls it democracy. The key thing in democracy is freedom of expression and the freedom to hold different views.”
He said journalists are being tortured and implicated in false cases for filing reports against the government or its ministers and MPs.
Fakhrul alleged that the government has been using the Digital Security Act as the biggest weapon to gag the media and suppress the journalists.
He said Rozina has been repressed so that no one else dares to write against the government’s corruption and irregularities.
Meanwhile, a Dhaka court sent Rozina, arrested in a case under the Official Secrets Act, to jail after rejecting the police's demand for her five-day remand.
Rozina was arrested for allegedly attempting to illegally “collect sensitive government documents and taking photos of them” from the Secretariat on Monday.
The Prothom Alo journalist has rejected all the allegations. "I was, in fact, harassed at the Secretariat," she claimed immediately after her arrest.
Fakhrul demands Rozina's immediate release
Stating that the arrest and harassment of Prothom Alo's Senior Reporter Rozina Islam is an example of the government's obstruction to revealing the truth and corruption, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday demanded her immediate release.
In a statement, he also demanded the resignation of Health Minister Zahid Maleque and Health Secretary Abdul Mannan as he thinks Rizina was repressed at their behest.
“The government can’t avoid the responsibility of cruel attitude towards journalists in the Health Ministry. Although the health minister and the secretary knew about the incident, they didn’t take any step to rescue Rozina Islam. Instead, she was handed over to the police,” Fakhrul said.
Also Read: Prothom Alo senior reporter Rozina arrested under Official Secrets Act
“This’s not a trivial or isolated incident. This’s just an example of suppression of journalists by the authoritarian ruler and also an example of the government's obstruction to expressing dissenting opinions, uncovering the truth and rampant corruption,” he observed.
The BNP leader said the brave and investigative journalists have been intimidated by the incident so that they can no longer make reports on the government’s ‘corruption, plundering, irregularities and waywardness’. “The government wants to cover up its corruption and misrule by spreading fear and panic.”
He said the country’s people could know about many malpractices and irregularities through many investigative and courageous reports by Rozina. “That's why the government was angry with her and she was kept under its watch.”
As she went to the Health Ministry alone for professional reasons on Monday, the BNP leader said some officials and employees of the ministry unfairly confined her to a room for six hours and tortured her both physically and mentally. “She was arrested later. Such attitude towards a female journalist by the government officials is a shameful and unforgivable crime. We strongly protest and condemn the incident and the arrest of the journalist.”
Also Read: Prothom Alo journo Rozina sent to jail
Fakhrul said the nasty incident has manifested that there is no scope left in Bangladesh for independent journalism and getting information.
He demanded the government release Rozina immediately after withdrawing the false charges brought against her. “Exemplary punishment of those involved in torturing and arresting her must be ensured.”
Fakhrul also demanded an end to the government’s interference in independent journalism and right to information, and repression and suppression of journalists.
Earlier in the day, a Dhaka court sent Rozina, arrested in a case under the Official Secrets Act, to jail after rejecting the podemand of police for her five-day remand.
Rozina was arrested for allegedly attempting to illegally “collect sensitive government documents and taking photos of them” from the Secretariat on Monday.
The Prothom Alo journalist has turned all the allegations. "I was, in fact, harassed at the Secretariat," she claimed immediately after her arrest.
Containing Covid: BNP against giving magistracy power to police
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday opposed the government’s reported move to give police the magistracy power to force people to wear masks as he thinks it may boomerang, causing harassment to common people.
"This government has turned the country into a police state. Police are now being given magistracy power to control the pandemic, which will be a boomerang as we know what the police will do. It’ll only help increase the harassment of common people,” he said.
Also Read: Don't get upset, work for change: Fakhrul
The BNP leader came up with the comment while talking to reporters at his local residence in the district town.
According to media reports, the government is considering giving police the magistracy power by amending the Infectious Diseases (Prevention, Control and Eradication) Act-2018 to force people to mask up in a bid to contain the Covid-19 transmission.
Fakhrul alleged that the government has completely 'failed' to tackle the corona situation. “The mismanagement in dealing with the pandemic the government has exhibited its failure and incompetence.”
The BNP leader said their party has long been calling upon the government to involve other political parties, NGOs and social organisations in corona control activities, but the government has not paid heed to it.
He said the main target of the government’s corona prevention activities is to indulge in corruption. “People are suffering because of corruption and plundering by the government.”
The BNP leader said the government could never take any right step to slow down the coronavirus transmission. “Their indifference, ignorance and corruption are the main reasons behind the current corona situation in the country.”
He also said the government enforced lockdown and kept the public transport services suspended during the eid without any proper plan to control the movement of the holidaymakers. “People went to their village homes in many ways facing serious ordeals.”
“Had the public transport services been resumed before the eid, people could have gone to their homes smoothly. Now people are returning to their workplaces the same way. This is the ultimate failure of the government,” the BNP leader observed.
Fakhrul said the government asked people to stay indoors by enforcing the lockdown without taking any step to ensure food for the poor, destitute and the day labourers. “In other countries of the world, the governments sent grants to the low-income people and day-labourers during the lockdown.”
The BNP leader said the government mainly enforced the lockdown to carry out a crackdown on the opposition activists and the dissent.
He said their party urged the government to provide the helpless people with a one-time grant of Tk 15,000 for three months. “There're two crore people in the country who live below the poverty line while about six crore people work in the informal sector. These six crore people have not been brought under stimulus packages. Incentives have been given to garment owners and the owners of industries.”
The BNP leader said their party also proposed giving remittance earners incentives, but the government did not pay heed to it. “Policymakers are saying the government has no specific plan. How’ll people abide by an unplanned lockdown?”
Israeli airstrikes on Palestinians worst example of barbarism: GM Quader
Describing Israeli airstrikes on Palestinians as the worst example of barbarism, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday called upon the United Nations and the global community to come forward to stop it.
“Hundreds of innocent Palestinians are being killed every day in atrocious airstrikes by Israel. Thousands of Palestinians are being seriously injured every day. Palestinian homes are being flattened,” he said.
Also read: Israeli strikes kill 33, topple buildings in Gaza City
GM Quader said even the offices of the international media were not spared from the Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli airstrikes on Palestinians are completely against humanity. “It’s the worst example of barbarism.”
He said a peaceful solution must be ensured in Palestine by forcing Israel to refrain from the attacks through discussions under the leadership of the UN. “The world community, including the United Nations, must come forward to stop Israel's monstrous airstrikes.”
Also read: Israel strike in Gaza destroys building with AP, other media
Since the fighting began between Israel and Hamas on Monday last, at least 181 people have been killed in Gaza, including 52 children and 31 women, with 1,225 injured, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry. Israel says dozens of militants are among the dead.
The flare-up of violence over the last six days came after weeks of increasing Israeli-Palestinian tension in East Jerusalem, which culminated in clashes at a holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews.
No eid joy for BNP over a decade: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said their party leaders and activists have not been able to feel the joy of eid for a decade as they have been subjected to killing, enforced disappearance and other repressive acts.
“Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated today (Friday) through lots of hardship and hard time. On one hand, there’s a dangerous outbreak of Covid and there're serious repressive acts by the fascist government,” he said.
Also Read: It's 'cruel mockery' with the nation, Fakhrul about election
The BNP leader said, “To be honest, we don’t have the joy of eid. Because our leaders and activists have been killed and implicated in false cases. At least our 35 lakh leaders and workers have been made accused (in different cases). Eid never comes to the families of those who are accused of false charges. That’s the reality. "
He made the remarks while talking to reporters after offering fateha at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman on the occasion of eid.
Describing the current government as a very cruel one, the BNP leader said its repression and suppression is indescribable. “We're going through such a situation.”
Fakhrul said they prayed to Allah for protecting people from the grasp of the ‘monstrous’ government “We also sought his help so that we can defeat fascism together with people.”
Stating that their party chairperson Khaleda Zia has been in jail for three years, he said they get inspiration thinking that she's alive. “With this inspiration, we’ll move forward.”
The BNP leader said Khaleda, who have been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, congratulated the country’s people on the occasion of eid.
Also Read: Allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment: Fakhrul
He said the health condition of the BNP chief has been improving, but she's not out of risk. “Physicians are hopeful that she’ll recover soon. She urged the country’s people to pray for her.”
Fakhrul criticised the government for what he said enforcing lockdown without any proper plan. "You’ve seen how people are getting confused because of the wrong policies of the government. Even, five people have already died on the way to their homes.”
He said though the government has kept the services of public transport suspended due to the lockdown, passengers’ movement cannot be stopped. “Such a situation wouldn’t have happened had the lockdown been enforced with proper plans.”
Khaleda’s condition still critical: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the condition of their party Chairperson Khaleda Zia is still critical due to post-Covid complications and her comorbidities.
"She (Khaleda) is still in critical condition though she can now breathe without oxygen support,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul said Khaleda’s pressure, body temperature and saturation level are now in good shape. “But some parameters of her condition are in a dangerous condition. She has kidney problems and that's the real problem. She has heart problems and the doctors are still very worried about it.”
He expressed gratitude to the Evercare Hospital authorities as they are providing science services and treatment to Khaleda.
But the BNP leader said this hospital has some limitation and it does not have adequate facilities to ensure advanced treatment to Khaleda for her various health complications. “That’s why her family sought permission to take her abroad.”
Also read: Khaleda ‘improving’, not out of ‘danger’ yet: Doctor
“The condition of our leader was very critical when her family applied to take her abroad. Even the doctors were worried and they also gave a report that the treatment facilities at their hospital are not adequate to tackle a critical patient like her. That's why they thought it would be better if she can go aboard for the treatment,” Fakhrul said.
He said the government had also showed a positive attitude initially and created an impression among people that it would give her permission instead of doing politics with a sick person. “But unfortunately, they changed their tone suddenly and turned down the application. But the logic they showed is completely unacceptable. It’s also a lame excuse.”
Fakhrul said the government has said there is no instance of sending any convicted person abroad. “It’s a wrong explanation and they did it to mislead people.”
He said JSD president ASM Abdur Rob had been in jail in 1979, but then-President Ziaur Rahman freed him as per section 401 of the CrPC, and he was sent to Germany for treatment.
Also read: ‘Vindictive politics’ behind govt’s negative decision on Khaleda: BNP
The BNP leader also said late Awami League leader Mohammad Nasim was convicted in a case in 2008, but he was sent abroad for treatment.
Without mentioning their names, Fakhrul said the death-row convicts and brothers of a highly influential government official were sent abroad exonerating their sentences under section 401. “So, why’re you showing all these lame arguments in the case of Khaleda Zia? You could have said right away that you would not give her permission.”
The BNP leader said Prime Minister’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had a big heart as he used to show generosity towards his political opponents.
“You don't have that big heart like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He had given all facilities to many of his political opponents. He released them from jail and helped them. Had you had such generosity, you would have released Khaleda Zia long ago and allowed her to do politics,” he observed.
The BNP leader said the government has manifested its inhuman and disgusting attitude by turning down the application of Khaleda’s family seeking permission to take her abroad. “We strongly condemn it.”
Also read: Maintain decency while commenting on Khaleda: Fakhrul to ministers
He alleged that the ruling party leaders are making indecent and unacceptable remarks about the ailing BNP chairperson. “I again request them to exercise restraint and shun making such comments on her. Don’t think you’ll be spared all time for making reckless comments. Everything is being noted and people will come up with a befitting reply in time.”
Earlier on Sunday, the government turned down the application of Khaleda Zia’s family seeking permission to send her abroad for advance treatment, saying there is no scope for a convicted person to avail of such a scope.
On May 5, Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his Dhanmondi residence and submitted the application to take Khaleda abroad for treatment.
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup. She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath on May 3.
On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there.
Also read: Govt turns down family’s application to send Khaleda abroad
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive.
On May 8, Khaleda Zia tested negative for Covid-19, 27 days after she had been infected with the deadly virus.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
Eid-ul-Fitr: BNP greets PM Hasina
BNP top leaders on Tuesday sent Eid greeting cards to Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir sent two separate eid cards to the Prime Minister.
They also greeted Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader sending cards.
A BNP delegation, led by its assistant organising secretary Abdus Salam Azad, handed over the cards to Awami League leader Ali Hossain at the party president’s Dhanmondi office around 11:30am
Besides, the party sent eid cards to Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh President Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain, LPD president Oli Ahmed, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, JSD president ASM Abdur Rob, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader, CPB president Mujahidul Islam Selim, Krishak Sramik Janata League President Abdul Kader Siddique, Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and some other top leaders and different political parties.
Covid-19 crisis: PM Hasina reiterates firm solidarity with India
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated firm solidarity with India in a letter addressed to her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
She conveyed condolences and prayers for victims of this unprecedented devastation taking place in India due to Covid-19 pandemic, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Also Read:As cases grow, India’s vaccination campaign falters
The Prime Minister pledged to combat the pandemic together with all-out support from Bangladesh.