Politics
TIPS procedure on Khaleda successful: Fakhrul
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is doing fine as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, or TIPS procedure on her was completed successfully at Evercare Hospital, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Friday.
“As you all know, three expert doctors arrived here from abroad. They were able to perform the (TIPS) procedure very successfully yesterday (Thursday) evening,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Fakhrul said Khaleda has now been staying in the CCU of the Hospital.
Also read: US doctors insert TIPS to stop Khaleda’s water accretion, bleeding
“Doctors are talking to her…so far her condition is so good,” the BNP leader said.
Earlier on Thursday evening, the visiting three US specialist doctors conducted the special TIPS procedure on Khaleda, creating new connections between two blood vessels in her liver without any surgery, to stop water accretion in her stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.
The US doctors--Hamid Rabb, Christos Georgiades and James P. A. Hamilton from Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine-- decided to complete the TIPS procedure on Khaleda after assessing her health and medical test reports.
Also read: US doctors visit BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, examine reports
A TIPS is a procedure that involves inserting a stent (tube) to connect the portal veins to adjacent blood vessels that have lower pressure. This relieves the high blood pressure in the portal vein (called portal hypertension) that often occurs in the setting of liver cirrhosis.
On Wednesday, Dr Rabb, and Dr Hamilton reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 7:15 pm. Another physician Georgiades arrived at the airport around 2 a.m. on Thursday.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at the Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since August 9. The 78-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.
On October 9, the BNP chief’s medical board at Evercare Hospital said the former prime minister’s life is at risk because of a lack of proper treatment to stop water accretion in her stomach and chest, internal bleeding and infections caused by her liver cirrhosis problem.
Also read: Two doctors from US arrive to assist in Khaleda Zia’s treatment
US doctors insert TIPS to stop Khaleda’s water accretion, bleeding
The visiting three US specialist doctors on Thursday completed the special transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia’s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.
“The American doctors started the procedure of placing TIPS around 5:30pm at Evercare Hospital. The intervention ended at around 7:30 pm,” a member of Khaleda Zia’s medical board told UNB wishing anonymity.
He said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and some family members of Khaleda were present at the hospital during the TIPS intervention by the doctors.
The physician said Khaleda was kept in the CCU of the hospital after the completion of the TIPS placement procedure.
Read: US doctors visit BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, examine reports
He said the US doctors--Hamid Rabb, Christos Georgiades and James P. A. Hamilton from Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine--went to the hospital around 1:30 pm and had a meeting with the BNP chief’s medical board members.
After assessing Khaleda’s health condition and test reports, they decided to complete the TIPS procedure.
TIPS is a procedure that involves inserting a stent (tube) to connect the portal veins to adjacent blood vessels that have lower pressure. This relieves the pressure of blood flowing through the diseased liver and can help stop bleeding and fluid backup.
A TIPS also relieves the high blood pressure in the portal vein (called portal hypertension) that often occurs in the setting of liver cirrhosis.
Read: Two doctors from US arrive to assist in Khaleda Zia’s treatment
On Wednesday, Dr Hamid Rabb, and Dr James P. A. Hamilton reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 7:15 pm. Another physician Christos Georgiades arrived at the airport around 2 a.m. on Thursday.
The BNP chairperson’s family brought the three doctors---who are experts in various departments such as nephrology, hepatology, international radiology and liver-kidney transplant--from the USA after a discussion with the medical board at the Evercare Hospital.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at the Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since August 9. The 78-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.
On October 9, the BNP chief’s medical board at Evercare Hospital recommended that she be urgently sent to a multidisciplinary centre abroad soon as there were no treatment options available for her in Bangladesh.
Speaking at a press conference at the hospital, the board also said the former prime minister’s life is at risk because of a lack of proper treatment to stop water accretion in her stomach and chest, internal bleeding and infections caused by her liver cirrhosis problem.
1,200 BNP leaders, workers arrested in 3 days ahead of Dhaka rally: Rizvi
BNP on Thursday claimed that around 1,200 of their party’s leaders and activists were arrested in just three days from last Monday, centring its planned October 28th grand rally.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, its senior joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also said 330 opposition leaders and activists were arrested in different parts of the country in the last 24 hours as of Thursday at 8:30pm.
He also said 16 ‘false cases’ were filed against the BNP leaders and activists during the period.
The BNP leader said the government has intensified the level of its repression ahead of the BNP’s grand rally. “The BNP leaders and activists and the democracy-loving people now can’t stay in their houses in the face of the arrest and repression. It’s an unprecedented and awful situation.”
He said the opposition leaders and activists cannot stay in their houses in an independent country in fear of arrest and harassment by police.
“We’re getting information about arrests from across the country. Those who are coming out of jail on bail are being re-arrested. It’s an anarchic situation,” Rizvi said.
He said people are committed to taking to the streets on October 28 braving all obstacles and repression to get back their democratic rights and restore democracy.
Earlier at a press conference, Rizvi said their party has informed Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) police that it is determined to hold the grand rally at Nayapaltan venue.
"They (DMP) wanted to know whether we would hold the rally at any other alternative venue. We have clearly informed them that our venue will be in front of this party office (Nayapaltan),” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi reiterated that their rally will be held in a peaceful manner.
“Our party’s organisational leaders concerned are working day and night to make this rally a success. We’re carrying campaigns as per the democratic norms to organise the people and bring them to the rally,” he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, DMP sent a letter to BNP seeking various information, including the two names of alternative venues to Nayapaltan, the expected number of people at the rally, its duration, where loud speaks would be installed and whether anyone from other parties would be present or not.
In response, BNP also sent a letter saying it is not possible for the party to arrange the rally at any other venue as they have already completed all preparations to hold it at Nayapaltan.
The party also said 100,000 to 125,000 people may participate in the rally and no leaders and activists from other parties will be there too, at Nayapaltan during the programme.
BNP also informed the DMP that the rally will formally begin at 2pm while the party’s 500 volunteers will be deployed to maintain internal discipline.
Rizvi said they have been repeatedly saying their rally will be held in a peaceful manner, but the government is trying to incite violence.
“They’re issuing the threats of conflict and violence. They announced to carry sticks on the day (Saturday). They (AL leaders) said yesterday (Wednesday) and their general secretary said a few days ago that the consequences will be even more dire than Shapla Chattar. They’re threatening to hit people and to push people to death by hitting,” he said.
Despite that, the BNP leader said they are moving ahead with their plan to hold the rally peacefully following the normal democratic process.
He said the government has been arresting 100-200 BNP leaders and activists every day ahead of the rally though they are not indulging in any unruly and unlawful activities.
GM Quader supports RMG workers’ deamnd for minimum wage of Tk 23,000
Jatiya Party Chairman Ghulam Muhammad (GM) Quader on Thursday expressed his solidarity with the ongoing movement by readymade garment (RMG) workers to fix minimum wage of Tk 23,000 from Tk 8,000.
Claiming the movement to increase the wage as rational, he called upon the authorities to meet the demand by the workers.
GM Quader, also deputy leader from the opposition party, said this in a statement signed by the party’s Press Secretary-2 Khandaker Delowar Jalali.
Read: RMG workers block road in Gazipur demanding salary hike for 3rd consecutive day
The workers, who play a pivotal role in earning foreign currency, have to lead the worst life without humanity, he said.
Addressing the role of the RMG workers in the advancement of the country, the opposition leader said the workers are being subjected to discrimination in the civilised society.
At the outset of the RMG industry, the workers were paid a trivial honourium, later their minimum salary was fixed Tk 5,300 against their demand for Tk 16,000 following a movement in 2013, he said.
Read: RMG workers block road in Gazipur demanding salary hike
Similarly, an amount of Tk 8,000 was assessed as minimum salary during the 2018-movement which was effective from Pohela Boishakh in 2019.
Expressing his solidarity with the movement, GM Quader said it is impossible to lead life with Tk 8,000 in the days of price hikes.
Referring to an outcome of a research conducted by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) that a four-member family needs Tk 22,421 to survive a month, he said, adding that the movement to fix minimum wage of Tk 23,000 will have to be accepted on humanitarian ground.
The Jatiya Party chairman urged all to behave generously with the RMG workers.
Read more: 6 RMG workers dead after bus runs them over on highway in Trishal
Whether conditions favourable or not, election to go ahead: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said that the election will be held even if the environment is not favorable.
"We want to hold the election as an organizer. The expectation was there from the beginning, but the environment has not yet become favorable for elections. But that doesn't mean I won't hold the poll."
EC solicits international observers for 12th parliamentary elections
The CEC made this comment at a workshop titled “Twelfth national general elections: role of media, expectations of the Nation” with media editors at the election building.
Awal said that the Election Commission wants the political environment to become favorable. EC is sincere in solving any crisis.
Calling on the political parties to solve the problem and said that the political parties may have their own strategy. “We will not interfere in it,” he added.
Election won’t stop for any political party: Quader
Almost everyone questioned the CEC's statement about the environment not being conducive. Editors say this is contradictory. Because on the one hand preparations are being made for the election, on the other hand such statements have been made. This creates fear among the parties.
In this context CEC said “I can type myself. Therefore, there may be some mistakes. What I said there, I said very sincerely. I have been seeing obstacles since the first day I took charge.”
He said their field is not very smooth. That is why they had appealed to make the election environment more favorable.
People anxious whether next election would be 'acceptable': GM Quader
The CEC also said that the language may have gone wrong. I can still say personally, the atmosphere is not entirely favorable. “But it does not mean that I will not arrange for the voting. I will continue to sail the boat no matter whether the environment is in my favour or not.”
Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Ahsan Habib Khan, Begum Rasheda Sultana, Md. Alamgir along with senior EC officials, editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam, editor of Bangladesh Pratidin Naem Nizam, editor of Dainik Jugantor Saiful Alam, chief news editor of ATN Bangla J.E. Mamun, Channel I Chief News Editor Zahid Nawaz Khan, News24 TV Executive Editor Rahul Raha and Channel 24 TV Executive Director Talat Mahmood were present.
No Ansar law enactment without insignia
The Ansar Battalion Bill, 2023, would not be passed without a primary emphasis on the recommendations and statement from the police force, said Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq.
Looking forward to all taking part in election: Law Minister
He said this while talking to reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday.
When asked about whether the Ansar will be granted the authority to make arrests, he responded, "The Home Minister has unequivocally said no such authority will be given to the Ansar."
“The concerns raised regarding this law are currently under scrutiny, and the legislation will be enacted with a primary emphasis on the recommendations and input from the police force," he said.
Law Ministry releases updated 'Bangladesh Code' with 47 sections
The Ansar Battalion Bill, 2023 was placed in Parliament on Monday by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan with a provision for bestowing greater powers to Ansar battalion members- including authority to arrest offenders, frisk detainees, and seize goods.
The bill was sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the home ministry for further examination.
Law and order situation in Bangladesh remains peaceful: EC Secretary
The law minister said all the concerns related to the law’s provisions will be addressed by the standing committee.
US doctors visit BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, examine reports
Three specialist doctors who came from the United States visited BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and assessed her health condition and reports at Evercare Hospital on Thursday.
The US doctors--Hamid Rabb, Christos Georgiades and James P. A. Hamilton from Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine--went to the hospital around 1:30 pm and had a meeting with the BNP chief’s medical board members, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
Quoting Khaleda’s personal physician Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, he also said the three physicians also reviewed various medical test reports of the BNP chief and visited her at her cabin.
Sayrul said the US doctors discussed with the medical board about Khaleda’s next course of treatment.
On Wednesday, Dr Hamid Rabb, and Dr. James P. A. Hamilton reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 7:15 pm. Another physician Christos Georgiades arrived at the airport around 2 a.m. on Thursday.
BNP chairperson’s family brought the three doctors---who are experts in various departments such as nephrology, hepatology, international radiology and liver-kidney transplant--from the USA after a discussion with the medical board at the Evercare Hospital. They manage patients with Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or liver cirrhosis.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at the Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since August 9.
The 78-year-old former prime minister has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.
On October 9, the BNP chief’s medical board at Evercare Hospital recommended that she be urgently sent to a multidisciplinary centre abroad soon as there are now no treatment options available for her in Bangladesh.
Speaking at a press conference at the hospital, the board also said the former prime minister’s life is at risk because of a lack of proper treatment to stop water accretion in her stomach and chest, internal bleeding and infections caused by her liver cirrhosis problem.
BNP resolute to have Oct. 28 rally at iconic Nayapaltan
BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday said the party has informed Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) police it intends to hold their October 28 grand rally at their traditional Nayapaltan venue, and accused the government of fueling violence centring a peaceful political programme.
"They (DMP) wanted to know whether we would hold the rally at any other alternative venue. We have clearly informed them that our venue will be in front of this party office (Nayapaltan),” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi reiterated that their rally will be held in a peaceful manner.
“Our party’s organisational leaders concerned are working day and night to make this rally a success. We’re carrying campaigns as per the democratic norms to organise the people and bring them to the rally,” he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, DMP sent a letter to BNP seeking various information, including the two names of alternative venues to Nayapaltan, the expected number at rally, its duration, where loud speaks would be installed and whether anyone from other parties would be present or not.
In response, BNP also sent a letter saying it is not possible for the party to arrange the rally at any other venue as they have already completed all preparations to hold it at Nayapaltan.
The party also said 100,000 to 125,000 people may participate in the rally and no leaders and activists from other parties will be there too, at Nayapaltan during the programme.
BNP also informed the DMP that the rally will formally begin at 2pm while the party’s 500 volunteers will be deployed to maintain internal discipline.
Rizvi said they have been repeatedly saying their rally will be held in a peaceful manner, but the government is trying to incite violence.
“They’re issuing the threats of conflict and violence. They announced to carry sticks on the day (Saturday). They (AL leaders) said yesterday (Wednesday) and their general secretary said a few days ago that the consequences will be direr than Shapla Chattar. They’re threatening to hit people and to push people to death by hitting,” he said.
Despite that, the BNP leader said they are moving ahead with their plan to hold the rally peacefully following the normal democratic process.
He said the government has been arresting 100-200 BNP leaders and activists every day ahead of the rally though they are not indulging in any unruly and unlawful activities.
Invitation to Global Gateway Forum demonstrates world leaders are with Sheikh Hasina: Info Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being invited to the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, two months before the general election, demonstrates that world leaders stand with her.
Dhaka’s streets to be under AL’s control on October 28: Info Minister
The minister made the remarks while talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Global Gateway Forum conference in Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday afternoon, local time.
"Leaders of different countries and global organizations have appreciated the development and progress of Bangladesh under the leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in every meeting,” said Hasan Mahmud, also the joint general secretary of Awami League.
“Sheikh Hasina was the ‘focus’of the plenary session of the Global Gateway Forum. The international media has also repeatedly reached out to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Hasan told reporters.
BNP's road march to drown in Jamuna or Buriganga: Info Minister
The information minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave the “most touching and thematic speech” at the plenary session.
Referring to the significance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being invited to the global event two months ahead of the national election, the info minister said, “This invitation is a testimony to the fact that world leaders are with the prime minister.”
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and PM's Principal Secretary Tofazzal Hossain Miah were present during the press briefing.
Perpetrators of August 15 need to be punished to honour Sheikh Russel: Info Minister
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currently attending the Global Gateway Forum, organised by the European Commission in Brussels, along with other heads of states and governments and representatives of the private sector, civil society, finance institutions and international organizations from the European Union and around the world.
BNP openly threatening with violence: Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said that BNP is openly threatening with violence.
“Awami League wants peace. However, if our peace rally is attacked, AL leaders and activists will not sit idle. AL is committed to protecting the lives and property of the people,” he said while addressing a press briefing to discuss the inauguration of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel in Chattogram.
Also read: BNP fighting to destroy democracy, not protect it: Quade
“We will not go to BNP’s program to attack them. But if our rally is attacked, we will resist and retaliate,” said the AL leader.
“We want free and fair elections. We want peace during elections. We want peace in the pre-election period too. The government will not allow unrest,” he added.
Also read: BNP’s wish won’t be fulfilled by threatening to occupy and block roads: Quader
“Why should we provoke? There’s no need for us to provoke anyone. We want to run the country peacefully,” Quader also said.
“We are not aware of foreign pressure. We will conduct our elections. As friendly countries, they can monitor whether the election is fair or not,” the AL general secretary said.
Also read: Sheikh Hasina is the only leader minorities can count on: Quader