United News of Bangladesh

Jail Killing Day, commemorating November 3, 1975 when four national leaders and heroes of the country's Liberation War were gunned down inside Dhaka Central Jail, will be observed on Sunday (November 3) as it is the second disgraceful incident in the country after the brutal assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members on 15 August 1975. The four assassinated leaders were Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, Captain Mansur Ali and AHM Quamruzzaman. “The Awami League will observe this day with the utmost respect, as it has every year,” the party announced in a statement released on Friday. To commemorate the day on November 3, wreaths will be placed at the graves of Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, Mansur Ali at Banani graveyard. Additionally, AL will pay tribute at the grave of AHM Qamaruzzaman in Rajshahi. In remembrance of our four national leaders and all martyrs of the Liberation War and democratic movements, a special prayer will be offered. AL also urged all leaders, activists, and supporters and its allied organizations, as well as political, social, and cultural organizations across the nation, to participate in discussions and events highlighting the significance of this day. According to the statement, the four leaders sacrificed their lives without hesitation, providing us an inexhaustible source of inspiration in times of national crisis. Their selflessness remains a timeless and exemplary model of devotion to the ideals of the Liberation War and the principles of Bangabandhu. “Their martyrdom fuels our spirit to stand against any force that threatens these ideals,” it added.  

Jatiya Party has postponed its rally in front of its central office in Kakrail tomorrow due to a ban on gatherings imposed by the DMP in the area. The party announced the decision in a statement issued on Friday night, signed by Khandaker Delwar Jalali, JP chief’s press secretary. DMP bans rallies in Dhaka's Kakrail, surrounding areas tomorrow  In the statement, the Jatiya Party said that it will announce further programmes at a later date. “Jatiya Party made this decision respecting the law as Dhaka Metropolitan Police imposed a ban on all meetings, rallies, processions, marches, and demonstrations in Kakrail and surrounding areas on Saturday,” it said in the statement. Earlier on the day the DMP banned all types of public gathering in the capital's Kakrail and surrounding areas hours after Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader said the previously scheduled rally would go ahead as planned tomorrow, despite yesterday’s attack. “We’ll see how far they’ll go to stop us”: GM Quader On Thursday evening, unidentified miscreants set fire to the Jatiya Party (JP) central office in Dhaka's Kakrail area. According to eyewitnesses, a group of individuals—many wearing helmets and armed with sticks—entered the JP office through the main entrance. Chanting slogans, they tore down banners and festoons, vandalized furniture, and then set fire to the building's front and several rooms inside.  

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader today said that the country is in a state of crisis, affirming that his party will continue its protests and scheduled activities despite the recent attack. Addressing a press conference at the party chairman’s office in Dhaka’s Banani, Quader responded to yesterday’s attack on the Jatiya Party central office in Kakrail. “We are ready to sacrifice, and we’ll see how far they’ll go to stop us,” Quader said. He confirmed that a previously scheduled rally would go ahead as planned tomorrow, despite the violent incident. Quader expressed frustration over what he perceived as “divisive tactics”. “Allah is protecting us; we cannot rely on anyone else,” he said. “This division is identical to what was imposed by Sheikh Hasina earlier. Now, numerous individuals face false charges, stifling any opposition,” the JP Chairman said. Referring to the student activists involved in the anti-discrimination movement, Quader remarked, “They believe only their perspective is valid, dismissing all others. They even disrupt judicial proceedings. If someone errs, there are ways to address it, but destruction is not the solution.” Quader reiterated Jatiya Party’s longstanding commitment to democracy and its principles. “We don’t stand for one-day democracy; we stand for lasting democracy. Our vision is a government ‘of the people, by the people, for the people.’ We have always supported the people and will continue to do so,” he said. He further reflected on former Jatiya Party leader Hussein Muhammad Ershad’s legacy. “The people were always with Ershad. Those who say he was removed by a popular movement are mistaken; he stepped down by choice. Since 1991, conspiracies have plagued Ershad and our party.” Commenting on their relationship with the ousted Awami League, Quader rejected the label of being an “ally”, highlighting Jatiya Party’s critiques of Awami League’s governance and corruption over the years. “People say we’re aligned with the Awami League, but we’ve always opposed their policies that go against public interest,” he argued. GM Quader was accompanied at the press conference by Jatiya Party General Secretary Mujibul Haque Chunnu, Additional Secretary General Rezaul Karim, Shamim Haider Patwary.

BNP’s youth wing Jubo Dal expelled its Lalmonirhat district chapter senior vice president Jahangir Alam Julhas, who was earlier detained over bid to manipulate government tenders, and two others for their involvement in the anti-party disciplines. Moreover, the district unit committee was dissolved, said a party release signed by the central body’s office secretary Minhazul Islam Bhuiyan on Thursday night. The two other expelled leaders are Sadar municipal’s joint convenor (Jubo Dal) Mominul Islam and the ward No-7 organizing secretary Suman Mia. Julhas also held the convenor post of the municipal unit. On Wednesday, tenders were invited by Dr. Abdul Mokaddem, the supervisor of the hospital, in three categories for supplying equipment for the 250-bed Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital. A tender box was set up in front of the hospital's superintendent's office for submissions from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Security was tightened on the hospital premises to prevent any incident during the submission of hospital tenders but the Jubo Dal leader s along with his associates obstructed other bidders from submitting their tenders since the morning in an effort to bypass police security and favor a preferred contractor. During this time, he also assaulted the officials accepting the tenders. Later, army personnel rushed to the spot after receiving a call from one of the bidders and detained him. Later in the evening, he was freed as no one submitted complaints against him with the police stations, triggering severe criticism over the matter online and offline.

Bangladesh Awami League on Thursday alleged that the interim government is pursuing vendetta that lacks inclusivity and fuels cycle of violence and rights abuses centering July August trial process.  In a statement the AL said: “We would reiterate our commitment for a fair trial involving the July-August violence and bring to justice everyone involved in the violence irrespective of political affiliation.” The party of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also accused the interim government of downplaying communal violence by projecting affected minorities as supporters of Awami League and a lack of legal action against perpetrators. The statement came in a Facebook post of the party. It denounced Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus's recent branding of Awami League as a fascist party.  “We would like to remind countrymen that the statement came when hundreds of citizens associated with Awami League are subjected to systematic acts of rights violations including lynching, killing and physical torture......," the statement said. London-based The Financial Times this week carried an interview of Dr Yunus titled as “No place for Sheikh Hasina’s fascist party” where the interim chief asserted in short term there has been no place for the party. AL chief Hasina has been living in India since her downfall in the August 5 student-led mass upsurge.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said their party wants the election to be held promptly, as visible changes in the state are not possible without an elected government. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said conspirators will get the opportunity to render the mass revolution futile and destabilise the country if the election is delayed. “Why do we want an early election? We want it quickly because we think that without an elected government, no one else can represent the people and utilise them,” he explained. He also mentioned that the government has taken steps for various reforms. “These reform proposals need to be taken to parliament and passed there through debate. The public representatives must accept these reform proposals. So, the sooner the election is held, the better it will be for the country,” he said. Fakhrul also said the earlier the elections take place, the quicker the state can be reformed. The BNP leader said the enemies of the nation are setting various traps to seize everything and undermine the revolution. “They'll do it if they find opportunities to do so.” He noted that various groups are raising their demands in different places as part of the plots to destabilise the country. “Why haven’t they done this before? Why are they bringing it up now? They should wait for a government of the people to come.” The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 52nd founding anniversary of the party. Fakhrul said foreign journalists, especially journalists from India, now ask him whether Dr Muhammad Yunus has failed and is unable to run the state. “I tell them there is no question of it. The people of the whole country trust him. He is running the country wonderfully.” He, however, said they get a little worried with the remarks of some advisers. “I hope the advisers who are in government shouldn’t say anything or do anything that can mislead the people.” The BNP leader voiced annoyance over local government advisor Hasan Arif’s comment that the term of the government should be four years. “That's not what he should say. They (the government) have formed commissions that would propose, and then the people will decide if they accept. But if the person sitting in power says that the tenure of the government will be four years, then there is pressure,” he observed.

A four-member BNP delegation is set to travel to China in early November at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The delegation will participate in a programmme scheduled to be held in Beijing from November 7 to 16, said BNP Organising Secretary Anindya Islam Amit. The delegation comprises BNP Vice Chairman Asaduzzaman Ripon, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Organising Secretary Anindya Islam Amit, and Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal Joint Secretary Mahmuda Habiba. A letter signed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said an event titled "Political Party Plus" Cooperation will be held in China’s capital Beijing with representatives from Southeast and South Asian countries. It also said the Communist Party of China has invited BNP and other political leaders from around the world to take part in the event.

BNP on Thursday chalked out a 10-day programme to observe what it calls ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ marking the ‘civil-military uprising’ on November 7, 1975. The party said it will observe the day this time extensively to highlight the day’s significance and true history to the younger generation. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies. As part of the programmes, he said their party flag will be hoisted atop all offices of the party across the country on the morning of November 7 while BNP senior leaders will place wreaths and offer fateha at the grave of late president and party founder Ziaur Rahman at 10:00am. The party will also arrange a discussion meeting on November 6, marking the day. The venue for the programme will be announced later. Shift focus on polls from other issues: Fakhrul to govt BNP will also take out a rally on November from in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office at 4pm on November 8 (Friday). He said they chose to schedule the programme on a weekly holiday to avoid public inconvenience. Fakhrul said similar rallies will be brought out in every divisions of the country. He said the BNP’s cultural wing Jasas will  arrange a cultural programme at the Central Shaheed Minar at 6pm on November 7.  Besides, BNP’s associate bodies and all units will hold various programmes, including discussions, cultural programmes, essay competitions, photo exhibitions and publishing supplements in newspapers, across the country to mark the day with due respect. Amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians on November 7, 1975 jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka cantonment, paving the path for Zia to come to power.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday called upon the interim government to shift its focus on holding a participatory and credible national election from any other issue, as per the desire of people. Speaking at a discussion, he also urged Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus to remain alert so that people’s affection and respect for him are not diminished. “We need to give the government time and hope they will use it wisely.  Focus on the election without paying attention to other issues,” the BNP leader said addressing the government. He also said there is no alternative to holding a fair, neutral, inclusive and acceptable election to ensure the country's survival and progress. Because the greatest challenge we face now is to establish a democratic state. The BNP leader expressed hope that the government would arrange for an acceptable election within a reasonable timeframe, allowing the people to establish their parliament through their votes. "This is what the people want," he said. The National People's Party (NPP) organised the programme at Dhaka Reporter’s Unity (DRU) to mark its 17th founding anniversary. Fakhrul said the interim government has formed a search committee for the constitution of the Election Commission. “We expected that they (govt) would consult political parties before forming it, although we do not think this is a major issue, as we hope the committee will fulfill its responsibilities properly,” he said. The BNP leader hoped that the new election will arrange the election promptly. He noted that since the recently resigned Election Commission, led by Kazi Habibul Awal, arranged the election in three months, the new Commission should be able to do the same, saying that "it is certainly possible if there is the will to make it happen." The BNP leader said they believe this government has no political agenda, as its head has clearly indicated that he has no political ambitions. “I want to say to Dr Muhammad Yunus that you are highly respected worldwide, and the people of Bangladesh deeply love and respect you. They want that to continue. My request is that you stay vigilant to ensure your position is not undermined,” he said. Fakhrul said the nation is facing a critical time, pointing out that the struggle for democracy continues amid various plots. He warned that the state would be in great danger if any imprudent actions were taken or mistakes were made out of mere emotion, as many efforts are being made to threaten the nation’s existence. "We must remember these words.” He observed that everyone must remain vigilant, as the fascists are still active. “Merely changing an individual cannot alter the entire structure of fascism.” He said the youth have brought change to the country through a bloody struggle and immense sacrifices. “It’s also their responsibility to maintain it... we have to resolve many problems that we have. Stating that the interim government is a non-political one, the BNP leader said it has come forward to help the nation. “But politicians have to resolve the problems, and no problem can be solved without politicians.” Fakhrul thanked the government for forming several commissions for state reform. “We hope the government will take the reports from the reform commissions, present them to the people, and take it forward. I want to make one thing clear: all reforms must be ratified by the people and accepted by them.” He warned that reforms will never be sustainable without people's participation, emphasizing that success cannot be achieved by imposing reforms from above. “Ayub Khan tried, Ershad tried, but it was not possible. Nothing can be done that conflicts with our country and the culture of the people.”  

Followed by major public universities including Dhaka, Chittagong and Rajshahi, Jamaat e-Islami’s student wing Chhatra Shibir made public its Jahangirnagar University (JU) committee through issuing a joint statement on Tuesday night. The statement came roughly 35 years after the university authority had banned the Shibir at the 124th syndicate meeting on August 15 in 1989. The statement, signed by its publicity secretary Abduallah Al Mamun Saki, introduced Harunur Rashid (Rafi) and Mohibur Rahman (Muhib) as president and general secretary respectively of the university unit. Of them, Harunur is the 46th batch student of Archaeology department while Mohibur Rahman holds next batch in Bengla department. Both are the resident students of Shaheed Salam-Barkat Hall. In the statement, they emphasised the need for a healthy political atmosphere on campus, ensuring co-existence of political parties. The Shibir leaders expressed their commitment to fostering a democratic culture of healthy politics on campus, inspired by the spirit of the August 5 student uprising. They pledged to prevent any form of occupation, extortion or drug proliferation in the residential halls. Moreover, the Shibir pledged to create an educational-friendly environment, research-oriented educational systems, healthy cultural atmosphere and safe environment for women. They called for a return to a healthy political atmosphere centered around student councils.