Politics
Information minister urges editors to form public opinion against extremism, anarchy
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday urged editors to shape public opinion against extremism and anarchy.
He said this in a meeting with editors of several national dailies at the Secretariat.
He suggested taking legal action against those responsible for the torture of journalists.
He said that extremism is not accepted in the name of politics.
Editors' Council condemns attacks on journalists
“Over 30 journalists sustained injuries during the recent attack by the BNP, and the nation remains unaware of the gravity, brutality, and cruelty of the attacks," he said.
"It is your responsibility to report on it. Every newspaper should cover the attacks suffered by so many journalists. It got overshadowed amid overall chaos, which is why consistent reporting is necessary," the minister said.
US envoy Peter Haas meets editors
Hasan, also the joint general secretary of Awami League, claimed that there is a deliberate attempt to create a state of chaos and anarchy in the country.
“An anarchic situation was created in the name of the BNP's rally in Dhaka on October 28 and a direct attack on the state unfolded. Attacks on the chief justice's house, hospitals, and judges' complex have never happened before," the minister said.
The culprits behind these attacks on the state have been identified as leaders and members of the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami, the minister said.
US Ambassador Haas clarifies remarks on visa restrictions amid Editors’ Council’s concern
"Labeling it mere politics would be a historical misjudgment,” he said.
“A total of 19 vehicles, including ambulances, were set on fire after they attacked the police hospital in the manner of the Israeli forces," he said.
He criticised the BNP for the arson attack and the killing of a bus helper who was asleep at Demra during the attack.
Shyamal Dutta, editor of the Bhorer Kagoj, and Shahed Mohammad Ali, editor of the Kaler Kantho, condemned the attacks on their colleagues and voiced concerns about the use of extremism in the name of politics in the meeting.
They pledged to continue reporting against such acts.
Obaidul Quader condemns BNP for ‘spreading lies’ against PM
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday strongly condemned and protested the ‘lies’ of BNP targeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a statement.
In the statement, Quader said, “Awami League is determined to establish democracy in the country under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the champion of democracy. The BNP claims itself as a pro-democracy force, but in essence, it is an anti-democratic and anti-state force.”
Also read: Home Minister encourages dialogue amid political tension
“This is why the BNP considers Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina and Awami League as their main enemies. Military dictator Ziaur Rahman established the BNP by destroying the ideals and democratic spirit of our Liberation War," the statement reads.
Also read: Rizvi condemns arrests of Abbas and Alal
"Terrorism has been the main weapon of BNP politics since its inception. Now they have again resorted to terrorism under the guise of a so-called systematic movement,” it reads.
“There is no chance of achieving political perks by making Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina the target of lies. There is no way to deny the achievement and contribution of Sheikh Hasina. We are calling upon the BNP as always, to shun the path of lies, murder-terror-anarchy-sabotage and destructive politics,” the statement adds.
Also read: No one spared from clutches of BNP extremists: Info Minister
Home Minister encourages dialogue amid political tension
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said on Wednesday that he favours peaceful dialogue, not violence.
The minister met with British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke in his office, where he emphasised on the importance of maintaining open channels for communication and finding political solutions through discussion.
SOPs to be signed to bring back undocumented Bangladeshis living in UK: Home Minister
When asked about the current political situation and whether any talks had taken place with the British High Commission, Asaduzzaman said that there have been no significant discussions.
He highlighted the significance of dialogue as the primary means of addressing political issues, in line with the country's constitution. Sarah Cooke agreed with this perspective, acknowledging that dialogue is essential for resolving political problems, he said.
BNP’s central leaders can’t avoid responsibility for Saturday's violence: Home Minister
The minister stressed that there is no alternative to dialogue, and he along with Cooke, emphasised on the importance of using discussions as a platform to find solutions to problems. They both reiterated their commitment to adhering to the constitution's framework for dialogue.
In response to a question about the ongoing blockade, the minister asserted that this has been a longstanding position, saying that the parties in question have consistently rejected dialogue.
BNP leaders can’t deny role in yesterday’s violence that left a policeman dead: Home Minister
He stressed that the BNP is resorting to violence and creating a hostile environment rather than peaceful discussions, which goes against the wishes of the Bangladeshi people.
He further stressed that the United Nations should encourage parties to adhere to the principles of non-violence and dialogue. The minister said that the government is committed to upholding the rule of law and will not tolerate acts of violence.
Rizvi condemns arrests of Abbas and Alal
BNP Senior Joint Secretary Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has condemned the arrest of BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas and BNP's Senior Joint Secretary Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal.In a statement on Tuesday Rizvi said, "The ongoing arrest of BNP leaders, including senior members, as part of an elaborate plan to weaken the opposition party before the upcoming national parliamentary elections is a blatant violation of power. Alongside this power hunger, the current government has resorted to violence in a peaceful protest, using law enforcement agencies to shoot at innocent people during the ongoing public movement."
Government resorts to ‘targeted killing’ to suppress opposition movement: Rizvi“To the fascist regime, we say that arresting and subjecting people to various injustices and tortures will not suppress the ongoing public movement. The people have realized that any unpleasant incident is being orchestrated by the Awami League for their political gains,” Rizvi said.“History attests that even the world's most powerful dictators have been defeated by the people. The current Awami regime must, without delay, bow to the people's just movement,” he added.
1,200 BNP leaders, workers arrested in 3 days ahead of Dhaka rally: RizviRizvi called for the immediate release of Mirza Abbas and Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, and he also called for the unconditional release of all party activists at all levels.In addition, he urged everyone to join the call for their release.
BNP’s rally must be held at Nayapaltan: Rizvi
BNP leaders Abbas, Alal arrested
BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas and its joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal were arrested from the capital's Shajahanpur area on Tuesday night.
A team of DB police raided a house in Shajahanpur’s Shahidbagh Mosque lane and arrested them around 8:15pm, said BNP Chairperson media wing member Shamsuddin Didar.
Also read: Arrest warrant issued against BNP leader Mirza Abbas
Law enforcers earlier on Sunday raided the houses of both leaders following serious violence in the city’s Nayapaltan and Kakrail areas on Saturday centring BNP’s grand rally, but they did not find them there.
Abbas and Allal were made accused in a case filed in connection with the killing of a police constable Amirul Islam Parvez.
Also read: Crime scene tape before BNP central office removed
Earlier on Tuesday, a Dhaka court issued an arrest warrant against Mirza Abbas in a graft case filed against him in 2007.
Judge Monjurul Imam of Dhaka's Special Judge Court-6 issued the arrest warrant against him after cancelling his bail in the case.
Also read: Fakhrul denied bail, sent to jail
7 incidents of arson occur Tuesday: Fire Service
At least seven incidents of arson took place across the country on Tuesday during the first day of road, rail and waterway blockade enforced by the BNP and its allies, and the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
Sources at the media cell of Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters said that they got information of seven arson attacks across the country.
Also read: Business leaders concerned over political unrest as blockade costs Tk6500cr a day
Among the fire incidents, one incident occurred in Dhaka City, four in Dhaka Division (Narayanganj, Gazipur), one in Chattogram Division, one in Rajshahi Division (Bogura).
Three passenger buses, one parcel covered van, one pickup van, two commercial product showrooms and one police box were burned,the fire department's media cell said.
Also read: Stray incidents mark first day of blockade with 2 killed; inter-district travel restricted but traffic in cities almost unaffected
A three-day blockade of road, rail and waterways, enforced by BNP and like-minded opposition parties, began on Tuesday to mount pressure on the Awami League government to quit and hold the next election under a non-party, neutral administration.
No one spared from clutches of BNP extremists: Info Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister, Dr Hasan Mahmud, in an interaction with the media on Tuesday evening at the Mintoo Road in the capital, stated no one is being spared from the clutches of BNP extremists
"No one, be it journalists, police, or ordinary citizens, can escape from the clutches of BNP extremists. They have become more terrifying than thieves and dacoits,” he said.
Addressing questions about the BNP's blockade at the media exchange event, the Information Minister said, "When the BNP and Jamaat enforced a nationwide blockade in Bangladesh, we had concerns that the unrest they ignited on January 28 in Dhaka city would spread throughout the country, with their arsonists leading the way. School buses, public transport, ambulances, and regular vehicles, none of them are spared."
No dialogue with a terrorist party like BNP: Information Minister
He emphasized that burning an ordinary citizen's vehicle is equivalent to harming their entire family, as many depend on these vehicles for their livelihoods. "The BNP is not a political party; they are extremist, they are troublemakers. I urge the people of the country to stand up against these troublemakers. We, the government, are committed to bringing them to justice. Wait a little, all these troublemakers will be presented before the law."
Hasan also criticized Amnesty International's South Asia Campaigner, Yasasmin Kaviratne, for transforming into a spokesperson for the BNP. Responding to a question, the Minister stated, "Amnesty International has been instrumental in protecting war criminals, giving voice to terrorists and becoming a political organization long ago. When Israel kills thousands of children and women in Gaza, they remain silent, no longer an organization for human rights but an advocate for political groups. They neither speak nor act; it's all empty talk."
The information minister further noted that reporters' organizations, like Reporters Without Borders and others who provide information for business purposes and trade their reports, seem indifferent to the situation. "All these reports simply suppress our nation; they only serve a purpose if they are published in our media. If not, these reports would cease to exist."
Dhaka’s streets to be under AL’s control on October 28: Info Minister
Regarding Amnesty International, which he accused of being a biased organization, Dr. Hassan Mahmud said, "When Amnesty International gives a report to protect war criminals, to protect an individual, but stays silent when Israel kills thousands of children and women in Gaza, they have transformed into a political organization. They are the ones issuing reports today, but these reports are just a part of the same agenda."
BNP's road march to drown in Jamuna or Buriganga: Info Minister
BNP accuses PM of spreading false narrative on Oct 28
BNP on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of spreading an unstoppable stream of lies at her press conference to hush up what actually happened on October 28 centring BNP’s Nayapaltan grand rally.
“What the prime minister said (on October 28 violence) was an unstoppable stream of lies…I would like to tell the prime minister that videos on all things that happened on October 28 were captured as cameras are now in people’s hands,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Election will be on time, BNP can’t stop it, says PM Hasina at press conference
Speaking at a virtual press briefing, he also said no incident now remains unrecorded, undocumented, or out of sight of people in this age of technology. “You (PM) can tell various lies in police protection, but you won’t be able to cover up the truth.”
The BNP leader said the government will not be able to hush up the truth by resorting to lies, staging dramas and making videos as the true videos are now available in people’s hands: “I would like to also tell the government that all information is now available.”
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He said BNP’s massive rally on Saturday reached near Notre Dame College on the east side while it reached near Shahbagh with a packed crowd up to Kakrail Mosque on the west side.
“So, how did the buses and trucks carrying Awami League activists go there (Kakrail)? The government and its law enforcement agencies did it to create tension and to foil the BNP’s rally by carrying out untoward incidents as per their premeditated plans,” Rizvi said.
Arrest warrant issued against BNP leader Mirza Abbas
He said available videos suggest that some people were vandalising the main gate of the residence of the chief justice and other establishments with police protection. “Didn’t the prime minister know it? There are videos and other evidence of it. You can tell irresistible lies by force, but you won’t be able to hide the truth. All the facts are recorded and the truth is being exposed. So, you have no scope to deny the facts."
He said the government may try to intimidate people by issuing threats and letting loose the law enforcers but it will not be able to scare and silence everyone.
The BNP leader said a video was also found on how the ruling party men used a bus driver to torch a bus in front of the national Eidgah ground in the capital today (Tuesday).
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said BNP has again proved that it is a terrorist party by resorting to violence on October 28.
“BNP-Jamaat clique is terrorists. BNP is a terrorist party, which they proved again,” she said while addressing a press conference arranged at her official residence Ganabhaban to speak about the outcomes of her recent visit to Belgium.
Hasan Sarwardy, who brought so-called ‘adviser to Biden’ Arefy to BNP office, arrested
Detectives on Tuesday arrested the former army personnel, Lieutenant General (Retd) Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy from Savar, on the outskirts of the capital. He was being taken to the DB office, Faruk Hossain, deputy commissioner (DC-media) of the DMP, confirmed the development on Tuesday evening. A team of the DB police led by its chief Harun-or-Rashid conducted a drive in Savar area and arrested him in a case filed with Paltan Police Station.
US Embassy seeks consular access regarding so-called ‘adviser to the US president’ Mian Arefy A person identified as Mahiuddin Shikdar filed the case against Sarwardy on Sunday night, said Faruk Hossain.
On Monday, Mian Zahidul Islam Arefy, who claimed to be an “adviser to US President Joe Biden,” at the DB office said that “Lt General (retired) Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardi brought me to the BNP party office at 3 pm to discuss their programme. They requested me to deliver a speech.”
‘Said what I was asked to say at BNP office’: So-called ‘Biden’s adviser’ Arefy at DB Office
Earlier today, replying to a query Prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a press conference said she asked authorities to find him to be questioned.
Arefy was detained at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Sunday and now being interrogated.
On Saturday, Arefy visited the BNP central office in Naya Paltan and presented himself as an "adviser to US President Biden" when speaking to reporters.
Mian Arefy, so-called ‘adviser to Biden’, detained from Dhaka Airport
Election will be on time, BNP can’t stop it, says PM Hasina at press conference
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said BNP won’t be able to stop the next general election by resorting to violence as they had failed to foil the 2014 and 2018 polls.
“They won’t be able to stop the election in such a way (through unleashing violence). They couldn’t stop the elections in 2013 and 2018. This time too they won’t be able to do so. Inshallah, the election will be held in time,” she said.
The premier said this while addressing a press conference arranged at her official residence Ganabhaban to speak about the outcomes of her recent visit to Belgium.
Also read: ‘Is Biden holding dialogue with Trump?’
She said those who burn buses will be identified, arrested and punished. “I think the hands they use to set a bus on fire should be burned immediately. If so, they will get a lesson or else not,” she said replying to a question from a journalist.
The PM hoped that the BNP would stop the violence. “If they don’t stop, they will face the consequences for it,” she said, adding that these things won’t be allowed to go without punishment.
In reply to another question, Sheikh Hasina said BNP has again proved that it is a terrorist party by resorting to violence on October 28 last.
Also read: PM Hasina describes as successful her visit to Belgium for Global Gateway Forum
“BNP-Jamaat jote is terrorists. BNP is a terrorist party, which they proved again,” she said, adding that a Canadian court earlier called them so several times.
BNP started regaining public trust and confidence gradually as they were carrying out political programmes in healthy manners (in the recent days), she said, adding that the government didn’t hinder their programmes.
“But they would get nothing other than public indignation after the October 28 incident,” she said strongly condemning the attacks on police and journalists by BNP men on that day.
The prime minister said their (BNP) habit wouldn’t change no matter how much good behavior the government does with them.
Also read: Haas meets CEC, hopes all sides will engage in dialogue without preconditions
“I think they don’t want an election rather they want to create an abnormal situation,” she said.
Hasina, also the Awami League president, said their character is to create sufferings of the people.
“BNP is a terrorist organisation. I think now we should give the terrorists a lesson which they deserve . So, we’ll do it,” she said.
The PM returned home on October 27 last, wrapping up her three-day official visit to Belgium where she attended the "Global Gateway Forum 2023" held on October 25-26 in Brussels at the invitation of the European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen.
No dialogue with BNP: PM
In reply to a question, the prime minister ruled out dialogue with the BNP ahead of the next general election saying the people of Bangladesh don’t want it as well.
“What meeting or talks can be held with the killers who can kill the people in such a way (brutally) and destroy our all development activities,” she said when her attention was drawn that US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas urged all to sit for talks without preconditions.
“Let him (Peter Haas) have dinners and talks,” she said.
She said the people of Bangladesh won’t want dialogue with these killers as well. “Rather the people of Bangladesh now hate them, BNP and Jamaat, for their terrorist activities. They’ve lost what they earned (through peaceful programmes),” she added.
The PM said she will go for dialogue with the opposition if the US President Joe Biden does the same with former president and 2024 US presidential candidate Donald Trump.
“Is (US President) Biden holding dialogue with Mr Trump? If Biden sits with Trump for dialogue, then I will hold the dialogue (with opposition),” she said.
The prime minister criticized the international organization of journalists for remaining silent over the attack on 40-45 journalists by BNP men on October 28 last.
No change in cabinet during election: PM
About the election-time government, the prime minister said the full cabinet will do only routine works during the next election.
“We’ll follow the system that was followed in 2018,” she said, adding that the ministers will do only the routine work after the announcement of the election schedule as per the RPO.
She said the ministers can’t enjoy the government’s facilities after the announcement of the election schedule and the submission of nomination papers as per the RPO. “They will have to seek votes just as a candidate,” she said.
She said Bangladesh will follow the election-time system that is followed by Australia, Canada, India and England.
The prime minister asked the garment workers to refrain from violence while negotiation continues over re-fixing their minimum wages.
She said her government on three occasions raised the minimum wages to Tk 8,300 from only Tk 1,600 in just 14 years.
Hasina expressed dissatisfaction as the workers suddenly took to the streets and engaged in violence and arson attacks on factories when discussion continued over raising the minimum wages from the December next.
Noting that it’s very unfortunate that two lives were already lost there, she asked them to refrain from such activities as they will finally suffer due to the destruction in their workplaces.
About the price-hike of essentials, Hasina said she has already directed to take action against the commodity hoarders, not the retailers.
She said the commodity prices are raised artificially. The hoarders don’t want to reduce the prices, though the commodities start getting rotten, she added.
“So, I asked for action against the hoarders, not for going to (retail) shops. I’ve already issued this directive which is being done so that the commodities can’t be hoarded,” she added.
At the event, a video was screened on the mayhem unleashed by BNP-Jamaat on October 28 and 29 last throughout the country.