United News of Bangladesh

Leaders and activists of Gono Odhikar Parishad staged protest rallies across the country on Saturday, condemning the recent attack on the party that left its president, Nurul Haque Nur, seriously injured. The demonstrators demanded justice and called for the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible for the assault. In Shariatpur, the protest march began at 4:30pm from the Central Shaheed Minar square, moved through the main roads, and concluded at the Chowrangi intersection in the district town. There, party leaders and activists staged a sit-in protest. A rally followed, chaired by Dr. Shahjalal Saju, president of the district unit of Gono Odhikar Parishad. Several central and local leaders addressed the gathering. Imran Al Nazir, coordinator of the Shariatpur Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, was also present. In Narail, a protest procession started around 12 noon from the Press Club premises and returned to the same location after marching through the main roads of the town.

A group of unidentified people reportedly linked to the Gono Odhikar Parishad, attacked the Jatiya Party's central office in Dhaka’s Kakrail area and set it on fire on Saturday evening. Confirming the attack, police said they successfully brought the situation under control. In a statement, Khandaker Delwar Jalali, Press Secretary to the Jatiya Party Chairman (with the rank of Joint Secretary General), said terrorists set fire to the Jatiya Party's central office in the capital's Kakrail area, burning books from the party’s library, important documents, and furniture on the ground floor. He added that a group of 20 to 30 attackers carried out the arson after party leaders and activists had left the premises following an event. Law enforcement officials brought the situation under control by using batons, water cannons, and sound grenades to disperse the attackers. According to the statement, this was not the first such attempt. On Friday, the same group reportedly tried to set fire to the office through a series of attacks and torch processions. However, they were unsuccessful due to resistance from party members and prompt action by law enforcement. Earlier on Saturday, at 3:30 pm, Jatiya Party Secretary General Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary held a meeting with leaders and activists from the Mymensingh division. At 4:30 pm, he addressed questions from journalists at the party’s central office auditorium. Following the conclusion of the event, law enforcement officers advised party members to vacate the office for security reasons, which they complied with. Shortly after, the attackers arrived and set fire to the building.

BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Saturday said the people of the country will not accept any attack on Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur. “Nurul Haque Nur’s position on the streets is clear. The people of this country cannot and will not accept such an attack on him,” he said while talking to reporters after visiting Nur at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Moyeen, a BNP Standing Committee member, strongly condemned the attack and called for an immediate investigation into the incident. He visited Nur in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of DMCH and spoke with doctors about his condition. Earlier in the morning, BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam also visited Nur and confirmed that a medical board had been set up for his treatment. DMCH Director Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman said Nur’s condition is now stable. “He has suffered an injury above his eye and a minor brain haemorrhage. He was brought to the hospital at night, where doctors first examined him at the casualty department. Later, he was shifted to the ICU,” he told reporters. The director also said a six-member medical board was formed on Friday night to oversee Nur’s treatment. “His current condition is stable, but we cannot say he is out of danger until at least 48 hours have passed. We hope the bleeding in his brain will heal with medication,” he said. According to the hospital authorities, the medical board includes specialists from anaesthesia, casualty, ENT, neurosurgery and ophthalmology departments. Nur is now under the care of Dr Zahid Raihan, a neurosurgeon at the hospital. On Friday evening, clashes broke out between leaders and activists of Jatiya Party and Gono Odhikar Parishad when a procession from the latter passed by the Jatiya Party office in Kakrail. Gono Odhikar Parishad claimed that several of their activists, including Nur, were injured when law enforcement officers charged batons during the incident.

Strongly condemning the attack on Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur and the violence in Kakrail, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has urged the government to launch a proper investigation into the violent incidents. “I wish Nur a quick recovery and urge the government for a lawful investigation into the incident,” he said in a post on his verified Facebook page on Saturday. Tarique said the BNP greatly condemned the attack on Nur and the violent incidents that unfolded in Kakrail. He said the country is now passing through an extremely delicate period of democratic transition, where the first step is holding a national election. Nur receives head injury, nose bone fractured: DMCH director “Collectively, we must ensure that destabilising incidents, such as what happened today, do not spread over and push us off this path towards democracy,” the BNP leader said. He said pro-democracy stakeholders, which include the BNP and its allies, must exercise restraint and tolerance. Tarique said the true spirit of last year’s mass uprising must prevail if the country is to break free from the shackles of mob rule and ongoing instability. “If we are to take Bangladesh forward, we should maintain vigilance against mob culture, uphold the rule of law, and build a peaceful and stable country,” he observed. “Only through empowering the people in a democratic pathway and ensuring justice, equality and dignity for all, can we succeed as a united nation,” the BNP leader added.

Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) Secretary Rashed Khan on Friday night alleged that members of the Bangladesh Army and police jointly attacked their party leaders and activists while they were preparing for a scheduled press conference in front of the party office. Rashed said GOP President Nurul Haque Nur’s condition is critical. “I don’t know whether he will survive. His nose and eyes have been seriously injured,” he added. Additionally, he claimed that more than 100 GOP leaders and activists were also injured in the attack. “I am astonished that the Army and police carried out an attack on leaders and activists of a registered political party. This is really unfortunate,” Rashed said with frustration. Nur hospitalised after clash between GOP and JaPa activists Earlier, Nur had been hospitalized following the attack. A video shared on Nur’s official Facebook page showed him being carried on a stretcher, bleeding and visibly injured, as he was rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Around 6:30pm, a series of clashes occurred between GOP and Jatiya Party activists in front of the Jatiya Party’s central office in the Kakrail.

Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the National Citizen Party’s northern region, has said there is no scope to view the attack on Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur as an  everyday event.  In an immediate reaction posted on his official Facebook page on Friday, Sarjis alleged that the brutal and bloody attack carried out by members of the Army and police on Nurul Haque Nur was not an ordinary one. He wrote that the Army never takes a step without orders from higher authorities and demanded that the Army Chief clarify under whose command Nur was injured. Sarjis also questioned whether elements within the Army were on a mission to protect the Jatiya Party by targeting the convener of another party.   He further called for strict action against “pro-Awami League agents” who he claimed still remain within the police. “Both the Army and police know Nurul Haque Nur very well. Yet, he was deliberately targeted and bloodied. Those who are trying to play a dark game from behind the scenes will have their dark hands broken,” Sarjis warned.

Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur has been hospitalised after a clash between activists of his party and Jatiya Party in front of his party office on Friday night. A video shared on Nur's official Facebook page shows him being carried on a stretcher, visibly injured and bleeding, as he is rushed to a hospital. A series of clashes broke out in front of the Jatiya Party’s central office in the capital’s Kakrail area on Friday evening, as rival groups engaged in brick-throwing and chase-and-counter-chase. According to Jatiya Party (JaPa) activists, members of the Gono Odhikar Parishad attacked them during a procession. However, leaders from Gono Odhikar Parishad claimed that it was JaPa supporters who first threw bricks and provoked the violence. Despite differences, parties must be united on question of AL: Nur Following the clashes, a large number of law enforcement personnel, including police and army, rushed to the scene to bring the situation under control. One of the activists from Gono Odhikar Parishad demanded a ban on the Jatiya Party’s activities, accusing it of collaborating with the fascist Awami League to sustain its rule.

BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Friday said their party will eradicate the culture of enforced disappearances if the party returns to power with people’s mandate in the upcoming national election. Speaking at a discussion meeting organised by 'Mayer Dak' at the Bangla Academy auditorium to mark International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. Salahuddin said, “If people give us their mandate, everything necessary will be done to prevent enforced disappearances – from enacting laws to ensuring their implementation. We are waiting for that Bangladesh where no one will fall victim to enforced disappearance.” The BNP leader alleged that the country has long endured “a horrific situation” under an authoritarian regime.  “Those who turned Bangladesh into a fiefdom through killings still show no remorse. Far from admitting their crimes, they brand others as culprits,” he said. On the election roadmap, he warned against attempts to divide opposition forces. “The people have struggled and shed blood for 16 years to restore their right to vote. Now that a path has been created, let us not scatter thorns along it." Recalling his own ordeal after being picked up in 2015, Salahuddin said he had been confined in a small, suffocating cell for 61 days.  “I am fortunate to be alive today. Otherwise, I too would have been just a photograph like many of my colleagues who never returned,” he said. National polls to take place on schedule, says BNP leader Fakhrul He described how he was kept in a filthy five-by-ten-foot room with no ventilation, often blindfolded, and at times told he might be moved to another place without the certainty of survival.  “I prayed to Allah that if I die there, my body be returned to my family. I did not see Allah with my eyes, but I felt His presence,” he added. BNP leader Fazlur Rahman suspended for three months Salahuddin mentioned with relief that no new families of victims had joined this year’s commemoration. “They hope future politicians will ensure that no one ever has to attend such an event again. That is why we continue our struggle,” he said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said that the upcoming national elections will be held as scheduled, despite growing uncertainty and frustration among citizens. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of a book titled ‘Roktoakto July’ at Jatiya Press Club, he reassured the public that elections cannot be halted or delayed. “People are increasingly confused, asking whether elections will take place at all,” he said. “A sense of doubt and frustration has spread. But I have always said — elections will be held.” He warned that if polls were postponed or cancelled, the nation would suffer immensely and the risk of fascism returning would only increase. He urged that only a free, fair and impartial election could pave the way for restoring democratic governance. Stressing the importance of restoring democracy in the country, Fakhrul said BNP has historically been at the forefront of political reform in Bangladesh and party’s founder Ziaur Rahman ended one-party rule and introduced multi-party democracy. BNP happy with EC’s election roadmap, says Fakhrul He guaranteed press freedom, judicial independence and opened the door to a free-market economy. It was under BNP’s initiatives that reforms were achieved. Rejecting accusations against his party, Fakhrul urged party activists to maintain discipline and unity. “Do not give anyone the opportunity to say that BNP is doing something wrong. Many of you act as though we are already in power — but we are not. There are conspiracies and obstacles that must be overcome through honesty, unity and by working for the people.” He recalled the mass movement of July-August, noting that it was not only students who protested but also workers, farmers, professionals and women who joined in. “That is why it became possible to uproot fascism during that period,” he said. Fakhrul called on party members to reflect deeply on their responsibilities, saying that, “Think about how to take the country forward, how to purify our intentions, and how to serve the people. People are yearning for change — and they expect that change from the BNP. If we are to deliver it, we must stand before them with honesty and dedication.” Rizvi warns of ‘dangerous conspiracy’, hopes for free polls before Ramadan BNP leaders Mahdi Amin, adviser to acting chairman Tarique Rahman, and poet Abdul Hai Shikder were also present at the event. On the book, Fakhrul said few works have documented the bloody events of July-August, compared to the extensive literature on the 1952 Language Movement. He praised author Syeda Fatema Salam for attempting to fill this gap, lamenting that government institutions, particularly the Ministry of Culture, had failed to highlight the period adequately.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia underwent health checkups at Evercare Hospital in the capital on Thursday night. She went to the hospital from her Gulshan residence around 8pm and stayed there for nearly three hours, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He said the BNP chairperson underwent several tests at the hospital as per the advice of her medical board. Later, the BNP chief left the hospital and reached her residence around 11:430pm, he said. Khaleda's personal physician, AZM Zahid Hossain, said the medical board formed earlier, led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, advised her to go for the health regular checkup at the hospital. "She underwent various necessary medical tests at the hospital,” he said. Zahid said the medical board will decide the next course of her treatment. Khaleda last visited Evercare Hospital on June 18 for a routine medical examination. She returned to Bangladesh on 6 May after receiving advanced medical treatment in London, where she stayed for four months. During her stay, she was treated by specialist doctors at the London Clinic. Since returning to Dhaka, Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment under the supervision of a medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder of Evercare Hospital. The medical team has been providing her with regular medical support at her home. The former Prime Minister flew to London on 8 January this year for better treatment. She spent 17 days in the London Clinic and later continued treatment at her son Tarique Rahman’s residence, under the supervision of renowned specialists Professor Patrick Kennedy and Professor Jennifer Cross. After completing her treatment, she went back to Dhaka on 6 May. The 80-year-old former Prime Minister has been suffering from various health complications for several years, including liver, kidney, and heart-related issues. She has largely stayed out of the public eye in recent months, with her health remaining a matter of concern.