politics
Govt has link with Hefazat, alleges BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that it is the government, not BNP, that has a link with Hefazat-e-Islam.
“They (govt) have established a reign of terror in the country. Several thousand people have been arrested in the last few days since March 26. Our party workers in Chattogram, Brahmanbaria and Dhaka can’t stay at home at night,” he said.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, the BNP leader said, “Our leaders and workers were arrested by conducting block raids in Keraniganj. If we protest against it, they say we’ve a link with Hefazat. But the fact is that it’s you who has the link with Hefazat. You’ve made an agreement with them (Hefazat) by sitting at a meeting at the house of the Prime Minister.”
Also read: BNP involved in Hefazat violence: Obaidul Quader
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) arranged the virtual discussion on the coronavirus situation.
Fakhrul also said the Prime Minister has clearly said her party has given Hefazat huge money and did many things for the Quami madrasas.
“So, you (AL) have taken the responsibility of Hefazat and you’ve to fulfil the responsibility. You’re deceiving people in carrying out that responsibility. You’ve lost all the confidence of people, and you’ve now started torturing them. You’ve turned this country into a police state,” he observed.
The BNP leader alleged that the government is not giving people and political parties any scope to express their own views.
Also read: BNP demands release of arrested religious leaders
Though the government talks about democracy, he said, it is unwilling to allow anyone to protest or speak against it. “You also don’t want anyone to speak against injustice and identify your mistakes. So, you can no longer be a democratic government.”
Fakhrul alleged the government has failed to tackle the coronavirus situation and ensure vaccine doses for the country’s people. “We don't know whether those who received the first dose of vaccine would get the second dose as there’s a speculation that India is not going to export the vaccine.”
He also criticised the government for depending on a single country for the vaccine instead of collecting it from different sources and countries.
BNP seeks explanation from Abbas over his comment on Ilias Ali
BNP has sought an explanation from its standing committee member Mirza Abbas about his recent statement on the disappearance of party leader Ilias Ali.
A letter from BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reached Mirza Abbas’ Shahjahanpur residence on Thursday afternoon, party sources said.
Talking to UNB, some party senior leaders, wishing anonymity, said the letter was sent as per a directive of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
Contacted, Mirza Abbas said he still did not receive any such letter.
Also read: Abbas claims media distorted his comments on Ilias’ disappearance
Speaking at a discussion programme on Saturday last, Mirza Abbas said he thought neither the government nor the Awami League made Ilias Ali disappear. “But who did it? I want to know this from this government.
He also called upon BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to find out those BNP leaders who engaged in an altercation with Ilias Ali the night before he went missing.
As his remarks sparked various speculation and discontent within the party, BNP high command decided to send a letter to him seeking an explanation.
Abbas on Sunday claimed that some media distorted his remarks about the disappearance of their party leader M Ilias Ali.
Also read: Culture of ‘enforced disappearance’ came with Ilias Ali’s incident: BNP
"It’s been published in a newspaper quoting me that some BNP leaders are responsible for the disappearance of Ilias Ali. Can anyone prove I made such a remark? It’s not possible to prove. I want to make it clear that my statement has been distorted,” he told a press conference at his residence.”
He also alleged that some newspapers wrongly quoted him as saying that the government and Awami League had no involvement in the disappearance of Ilias. “I didn’t make any such comment. My statement has been distorted and twisted. I just rebuked the government and wanted to know where Ilias is.”
BNP organising secretary M Ilias Ali along with his driver Ansar Ali went missing on the midnight of April 17, 2012 in the capital’s Banani area.
Since then, BNP has been blaming the security agencies for the mysterious disappearance, an allegation denied by the government.
Quader to BNP: 'Stop paying lip service amid Covid-19'
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader Wednesday called upon BNP to stop paying "lip service" amid the ongoing pandemic and stand by the people.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the politics of public welfare is now more important.
Also read: BNP involved in Hefazat violence: Obaidul Quader
He came up with the call during a videoconference with the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority Khulna zone officials
However, Quader also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would provide financial assistance of Tk2,500 to about 35 lakh low-income families who have been hit by the pandemic.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: PM allocates Tk 10.50cr for affected poor
Also, 1 lakh farmers, who have been affected by recent natural disasters, will get Tk5,000 each, he added.
He also urged the ruling party men and high-income groups to stand by the low-income groups and people who need help amid the pandemic.
JaPa accuses govt of harassing opponents
Jatiya Party on Wednesday accused the government of harassing its leaders and activists in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon over the vandalism at Royal Resort.
In a statement, party chairman GM Quader and General Secretary Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu said neither Jatiya Party nor its any leaders and activists were nvolved in the attack on the Royal Resort in Sonargaon on April 3 following the detention of Hefazat-e-Islam leader Mamunul Haque with a woman.
However, they said Jatiya Party’s Sonargaon Upazila unit President and Shambhupura Union Parishad Chairman Abdur Rauf and Sonargaon Municipal Jatiya Party Vice President and Municipality Councilor Farooque Ahmed were arrested by implicating them in "false" cases. “Besides, at least 35 more of our leaders and activists are being harassed in the false cases."
Also read: Jamaat and Japa leaders detained in Narayanganj
The Jatiya Party top leaders demanded the government immediately release Rauf and Farooque and stop the harassment of their leaders and workers.
They alleged that Jatiya Party leaders and activists could not stay at home during this holy month of Ramadan amid coronavirus pandemic as police are raiding their houses every night.
GM Quader and Bablu also said family members of the Jatiya Party leaders and activists have become worried over the continuous police raids.
Also read: Killing of Chattogram workers unacceptable: GM Quader
They demanded the government ensure that no innocent person who had no involvement in the resort attack incident is unnecessarily arrested or harassed.
Hefazat-e-Islam's Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque was detained with a woman he claims as his second wife at Royal Resort in Sonargaon on April 3.
Hours later, a group of leaders and supporters of Hefazat and some locals attacked the resort and snatched Mamunul.
BNP involved in Hefazat violence: Obaidul Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has said that everyone knows today that BNP is directly and indirectly involved in Hefazat violence.
He said that the recent violence in Hefazat-e-Islam was not only due to its patronage but also to the BNP.
Obaidul Quader made these remarks in an exchange of views with officials of Rajshahi Road Zone, BRTC, BRTA this morning.
He joined the meeting virtually from his official residence.
Mentioning that no one was arrested for any party or Alem Ulama, the General Secretary of Awami League said that those who were directly involved in the violence, attacked and set fire to the infrastructure, were arrested after watching the video.
Also read: Hefazat violence in Brahmanbaria: 60 held, two more cases filed
Obaidul Quader, in response to the BNP leaders saying that the government is isolated from the people, said that the BNP said this out of remorse for its continuous failure for the last thirteen years.
Mentioning that the BNP has been calling for a movement for more than a decade, Obaidul Quader said that their failure to organise a movement, and also their shameless collapse in national and local elections and by-elections proves who is isolated from the people.
He said that the party which has been following the undemocratic path since its birth has today become the peddler of democracy and is giving advice to the country and the nation.
Mentioning yes-no vote without ballot box and curfew at night, Obaidul Quader said BNP's democracy means voterless election on February 15, by-election in Magura, Dhaka-10 constituency and preparation of 13 million fake voters.
Also read: AL victim of political plots: Obaidul Quader
Recalling Sheikh Hasina's struggle for democracy, Obaidul Quader said that the present government is very sincere in overcoming obstacles and institutionalizing democracy.
Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader directed the concerned authorities to make BRTA acceptable to the customers and said that although the harassment in this organization has decreased as compared to the past, there are complaints in some areas and they should be stopped.
He also instructed the concerned to take forward the construction work before the monsoon.
BNP demands release of arrested religious leaders
Voicing concern over the recent arrest of the religious leaders and alem-ulema in ‘false’ cases, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday demanded their immediate release.
"I earlier said the government launched a crackdown taking advantage of the lockdown over the last few days. It’s arresting BNP leaders and activists, religious leaders and alem-ulema indiscriminately,” he said.
Also read:Media being regulated with various laws: Fakhrul
Speaking at a virtual press conference, the BNP leader said it is regrettable that the respected alem-ulema and religious leaders are being arrested and many ‘false’ cases are being filed against them. "I call for the immediate release of the alem-ulema and withdrawal of all these cases.”
He also urged the government to free the BNP leaders and activists arrested in many ‘false’ cases.
Fakhrul accused the government of hurting the sentiment of devoted Muslims in Bangladesh by arresting the alem-ulema in the month of Ramadan. “Religious people in the country won’t accept insulting and harassing the religious leaders in this way.”
He said BNP has no political link with Hefazat-e-Islam as it is completely a religious organisation, not a political party.
The BNP leader alleged that the government was behind the incidents that happened on March 26 last over the protest of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh. “The government itself created such a situation in a planned way so that those incidents happen.”
Also read:Govt celebrating Golden Jubilee without people: Fakhrul
He said the demonstration at Baitul Mukarram on the Independence Day was peaceful initially, but the situation turned volatile later due to the role of police and the attack by ruling party men.
Fakhrul said the violent incidents took place in Chattogram and Brahmanbaria later as a sequel to Baitul the Mukarram one.
He said the government has been trying to implicate BNP leaders and activists in the violent incidents to hide facts. "We want to clearly say that BNP was never involved in those incidents. We only registered our protests through a demonstration programme when innocent people were killed for no reason.”
Fakhrul also said the government has stigmatised the Golden Jubilee of independence by shedding the blood of the people of Bangladesh.
He said Awami League has become a politically bankrupt party getting isolated from people. “Now they’ve to do politics depending on the state machinery and law enforcers.”
49th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Krishak League today
Bangladesh Krishak League, an associate body or ruling Awami League, is celebrating its 49th founding anniversary on Monday.
Krishak League President Sameer Chandra Chand and General Secretary Umme Kulsum Smriti palced wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at 10 am at Dhanmondi-32.
Earlier, Krishak League leaders hoisted the national flag in front of the Awami League central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital at 9:30 am .
They also distributed masks, hand sanitizers and other corona preventive items in Dhanmondi area to mark the founding anniversary of the organization.
President of the organization Sameer Chandra Chand and General Secretary Umme Kulsum Smriti distributed the masks in the presence of leaders and workers of different levels of Krishak League.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman founded Bangladesh Krishak League on April 19 in 1972 with the slogan of “Save the farmers, save the country”.
Abdur Rob Serniabat was the founding president of Krishak League who was one of the martyrs of August 15, 1975 carnage.
Abbas claims media distorted his comments on Ilias’ disappearance
BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas on Sunday claimed that some media distorted his remarks about the disappearance of their party leader M Ilias Ali.
"It’s been published in a newspaper quoting me that some BNP leaders are responsible for the disappearance of Ilias Ali. Can anyone prove I made such a remark? It’s not possible to prove. I want to make it clear that my statement has been distorted,” he said.
Abbas came up with the allegation at a press conference at his Shahjahanpur residence as different media ran reports that he hinted about some BNP leaders’ involvement in Ilias Ali’s missing nine years back.
He also alleged that some newspapers wrongly quoted him as saying that the government and Awami League had no involvement in the disappearance of Ilias. “I didn’t make any such comment. “My statement has been distorted and twisted. I just rebuked the government and wanted to know where Ilias is.”
Also read: Culture of ‘enforced disappearance’ came with Ilias Ali’s incident: BNP
Abbas said it is not possible for him to make a comment involving BNP leaders with such an incident being party standing committee member. “Is it possible for me to blow my own bomb on my own head? There is a distortion.”
The BNP leader said he naively made some comments about Ilias’ disappearance at a virtual discussion, but journalists misrepresented those as per their whims. “I don’t know the reason behind it.”
He alleged that some journalists went to Ilias Ali's house in the morning and tried to harass his wife by asking various questions. “They just charged her. Why is this happening after so many years?”
Abbas also questioned the intention of the journalists as they are suddenly focusing on Ilias issue while the newspapers did not give importance to the news of his disappearance over the last nine years.
Also read: BNP launches virtual meetings with senior leaders
Requesting journalists to present the truth about his statement before the nation, the BNP leader said he and his party will not take the responsibility for the distorted and misrepresented reports of media about Ilias Ali’s disappearance quoting him.
BNP organising secretary M Ilias Ali along with his driver Ansar Ali went missing on the midnight of April 17, 2012 in the capital’s Banani area. Since then, BNP has been blaming the security agencies for the mysterious disappearance, an allegation denied by the government.
Sylhet Divisional Nationalist Sanghati Sammilani in Dhaka arranged a virtual discussion on Saturday demanding the trace of Ilias Ali.
Also read: BNP for 'all-party committee' to stop Covid surge
Speaking at the programme, Mirza Abbas said he thought neither the government nor the Awami League made Ilias Ali disappeared. “But who did it? I want to know this from this government.
He also called upon BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to find out those BNP leaders who had engaged in an altercation with Ilias Ali the night before he went missing.
Killing of Chattogram workers unacceptable: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday said the killing of five workers of a power plant in police firing in Banshkhali upazila of Chattogram in the month of Ramadan is not acceptable.
In a statement, he demanded the formation of a judicial probe committee to look into the incident and ensure proper legal action against the real offenders responsible for the clash and killing.
Referring to media reports, GM Quader said the workers were protesting against the payment of arrears and fixing of working hours considering the time for iftar, sehri and tarabi during Ramadan.
Also read: Police firing in Chattogram leaves five workers dead
“It’s essential to find out why and under what circumstances the police had to open fire on the protesting workers. Such killings during the holy month of Ramadan cannot be accepted,” he said.
The Jatiya Party chairman said reasonable compensation should be given to those killed and injured in the clash.
He also called upon the authorities concerned to ensure proper treatment of the injured.
GM Quader prayed for the salvation of the departed souls and convoyed his sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Also read: Now Bangladesh ‘cannot be called a democratic country’: GM Quader
On Saturday, five workers of an under-construction coal-fired power plant were killed and at least 25 others injured during a clash with police over the payment of their dues in Banshkhali upazila of Chattogram.
Culture of ‘enforced disappearance’ came with Ilias Ali’s incident: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged that the Awami League government has ‘introduced the culture of enforced disappearance’ in Bangladesh politics by making their party leader Ilias Ali missing nine years ago.
“Those who speak in favour of Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty and the country’s independent existence are being consciously and systematically annihilated, disappeared or detained,” he said.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, the BNP leader said, “The incident of enforced disappearance has begun in the politics of Bangladesh with Ilias Ali’s one as the first attempt to weaken the nationalist force.”
Sylhet Divisional Nationalist Sanghati Sammilani in Dhaka arranged the discussion demanding that BNP leader Ilias Ali be traced who was reportedly made disappeared nine years back.
Also read: BNP launches virtual meetings with senior leaders
BNP organising secretary M Ilias Ali along with his driver Ansar Ali went missing on the midnight of April 17, 2012 from the capital’s Banani area. Since then, BNP has been blaming the security agencies for the mysterious disappearance, an allegation denied by the government.
Fakhrul said they are still hopeful about the return of Ilias Ali. “We'll never give up our hope as we know that Elias Ali will come back to us. We also believe that our other boys who have gone missing will return among us.”
He said they are trying to bring a change in the government in a democratic manner enduring immense repressions to free the nation from misrule and protect the country’s independence and sovereignty. “We believe our young generation will undoubtedly be able to turn Bangladesh into a free and successful independent Bangladesh.”
The BNP leader said a brave leader like Ilias Ali is needed to protect the interest of the country and its people and over the current awful situation.
Also read: Coronavirus situation alarming, says BNP
He said Bangladesh is now under the grip of two monsters—the current government and the coronavirus.
Fakhrul said the Awami League government has been trying to protect the interests of other countries sacrificing Bangladesh’s ones just to hang onto power.
Under the circumstances, he said, they are trying to overhaul their party and strengthen its organisational capacity to establish people’s rights and restore democracy in the country.
Fakhrul said it is a great achievement of BNP that none of its leader and activist left the party though they have been subjected to serious repressive acts for over a decade.
Also read: BNP for 'all-party committee' to stop Covid surge
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said the enforced disappearance of Ilias Ali is a clear proof that Bangladesh's independent sovereignty is going to be ruined.
He thinks neither the Bangladesh government nor the Awami League made Ilias Ali disappeared. “But who did it? I want to know this from this government…I would like to say those who have done it don’t want to see Bangladesh as an independent country.”