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Tarique, associates had ties with ULFA chief Paresh Barua, ex-intel officer tells India Today
Tarique Rahman (acting chairman of BNP), who has been convicted in cases and has been living in London, and his associates including then intelligence officials in Bangladesh held ties with the separatist group United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Commander-in-Chief Paresh Barua, according to a report published today by India Today.
The report quotes Major General Gaganjit Singh, former deputy director general of India’s Defense Intelligence Agency, recalling the 2004 ten-truck arms and ammunition haul in Chattogram. According to Singh, the arms supply was done through the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat alliance.
ULFA and a few other rebel organisations in northeast India were intended to use the large consignment of weapons seized in Chattogram in April 2004, according to Major General Singh.
Sing’s disclosure in the India Today report comes after ULFA commander Anup Chetia in a recent interview said that the weapons were intended for other rebel groups in addition to his group. Chetia was arrested in Dhaka in 1997; he was the general secretary of ULFA at the time.
According to Singh, the architect of the entire conspiracy to get weaponry in order to intensify the separatist campaign in India’s Assam was ULFA Commander-in-Chief Paresh Barua.
“But he was operating in close coordination with DGFI and some NSI officials who had close links with Tarique Rahman and his cronies in what was then referred to as Hawa Bhaban (political office of BNP),” the ex-intel officer said.
The huge consignment of arms were being supplied, taking advantage of the BNP-Jamaat alliance, using Bangladesh “as a sanctuary,” Singh was quoted by India Today.
Bangladesh inks deal with ISA to accelerate development of renewable energy sector
International Solar Alliance (ISA) will provide technical support to Bangladesh to pull in financing to the renewable energy sector.
“We’ll help Bangladesh find a right policy to introduce a right business model for investment in the solar power sector,” said ISA director general Ajay Mathur while addressing a press briefing at Intercontinental Hotel in the city on Thursday.
The ISA is an alliance of 123 signatory countries based on an intergovernmental treaty whose primary objective is to work for efficient consumption of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The remarks came following Bangladesh’s signing of a strategic country partnership agreement with the ISA to accelerate the development of solar energy.
Power secretary Habinur Rahman and DG of ISA Ajay Mathur signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.
The ISA chief informed that the land scarcity and right technological solution have the biggest challenge in achieving a target to the government to generate 40 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2041.
“Options like floating solar could be an ideal solution for Bangladesh… We’ll be working to find innovative ideas,” he said.
Power secretary Habibur Rahman informed that a total of 8 projects were undertaken to implement under the agreement with ISA.
Read more: US joins India-led International Solar Alliance as member country
These include installations of 12 trolley mounted portable solar irrigation systems of about 2Kw capacity, 12c portable solar paddy threshers of about 2kW capacity, 2 rooftop solar projects with capacity of 22 kW, solar cold storage for preservation of agricultural produce, development of rooftop project at Chattagram or any other railway station, installation of floating solar project in Gazipur and Munshiganj.
Conversion of two manually operated sluice gates to floating solar-powered auto sluice gates in two sites under Bangladesh Water Development Board is also included under the agreement.
Jiangbo Ning, deputy country director of the Asian Development Board (ADB) in Bangladesh, who also addressed at the press briefing, said planned to convert 3,000 diesel-powered irrigation pumps into solar-powered one.
Bangladesh reports 5 more dengue cases in 24 hrs
Five more people were hospitalised with dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning.
Of the new patients, three were admitted to hospitals in Dhaka and the rest outside it, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Twenty-two dengue patients, including 12 in the capital, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
So far, the DGHS has recorded 713 dengue cases, 682 recoveries, and nine deaths this year.
Also read: Bangladesh reports 5 more Dengue cases
The country logged 281 dengue deaths in 2022 – the highest on record after 179 deaths recorded in 2019. Also, it recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.
Network disruption: Multiple fiber optics cables snapped, says GP
Grameenphone users have been experiencing network disruptions in several areas since this (February 23, 2023) morning.
Many GP customers posted on social media that they are facing problems while sending SMS and making phone calls.
Also read: GP Star customers to get several benefits at Mitsubishi showroom, Rangs workshop
Contacted, Khairul Basher, Head of Communications, GP, said, “We sincerely apologize for the temporary difficulty in making calls due to multiple fiber optics cables being cut. Our team is prioritizing this issue and working relentlessly to resolve the problem at the earliest.”
“Due to fiber optics cables getting cut during road maintenance work in Gazipur, Tangail and Sirajganj, some of our customers were facing connectivity problems. However, the situation has been brought under control and all the issues are currently resolved,” he said.
Read More: Grameenphone introduces mobile data plan feature
University student killed in Jatrabari road crash
A student of a private university was killed and another injured when a bus rammed a motorbike near Kajla Bhanga Bridge in Jatrabari area of the city on Thursday.
The deceased was identified as Omar Faruk Palak, 20, son of Mominul Haque of Chattogram district and a BBA first year student of Bangladesh Islamic University.
The motorbike skidded off the road after a bus of ‘Asian City’ hit it around 9:30 am, leaving motorcyclist Omar and his friend Jewel Rana injured, said inspector Bachhu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), said.
Also read: Road accidents leave 3, including 2 siblings, dead in Bogura
Later, they were taken to DMCH where doctors declared Omar dead around 10:30 am.
Police sent the body of Omar to the hospital morgue.
Dry weather likely in most parts of the country
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy skies across the country in 24 hours, starting from 9 am today, said Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
According to the regular weather bulletin, "Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy skies over the country, with chances of rain or thunder showers at one or two places over Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and the districts of Kishoregonj and Brahmanbaria."
Light to moderate fog may occur at places over the river basins of the country during early morning, it said.
Night temperature may fall slightly and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country, it added.
Also read: Dry weather likely in 24hrs
The lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 16.5 degrees Celsius in Tetulia and the highest temperature was recorded at 35.3 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi, Chuadanga districts and Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia district.
A trough of westerly low lies over West Bengal and adjoining areas. Seasonal low lies over South Bay.
Latest episode of ‘Let’s talk’ on RU campus discusses women’s safety, opportunities for youths
A new episode of Young Bangla’s ongoing interactive session “Let’s Talk” where university students and youths from different walks of life get a chance to speak to policymakers – to lend out their concerns and aspirations centering the social safety net schemes amid global headwinds – is set to be streamed on Facebook this Friday at 9 pm.
The participants and panelists discussed students’ participation, combating drug addiction, ways of improving interdepartmental coordination, meeting consumer demands, competency to deal with the pandemic in the future, women’s safety in public places, road safety, roles and responsibilities of the ministry of public administration, coordination between different local government agencies and many more.
Held on February 15, 2023, Young Bangla organized its 43rd episode of “Let’s Talk”, tilted ‘Social Safety and Security’, at the University of Rajshahi – bringing in a diverse group of policymakers, experts and students.
In addition to Young Bangla, the country’s largest youth platform, a number of private television channels will also stream the 30-minute event.
At the event, policymakers, experts, students and others youths of Rajshahi had an interactive discussion and idea-sharing session. The session focused on contemporary issues, especially on the government initiatives to ensure social safety and security.
Read more: CRI's 'Let's Talk': Speakers back govt initiatives to shore up energy security
Farhad Hossain MP, State Minister for Public Administration; Khadizatul Anwar MP; Professor Dr. Golam Shabbir Sattar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Rajshahi; and Dr Sakia Haque, Joy Bangla Youth Award winner 2018 and Founder of Travelettes of Bangladesh, participated as panelists on this “Let’s Talk” event. More than 250 students from the University of Rajshahi, Varendra University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi College, and others took part in the event and directly discussed, asked questions, and shared their opinion with the panelists.
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said, “It is our job to deliver all government services ensuring public safety through efficient public administration.
“We strive to develop our officials in such a way that they have a service-minded attitude. So that they can serve everyone equally and better,” he said.
He also added that the government wants the youths to come forward with their talents and skills to build a smart Bangladesh.
“They should take the opportunities to avail government facilities and services, i.e., getting government funds, loans, and training and prove themselves in the competitive market,” he said.
“We are committed to ensuring law and order for safety, including zero-tolerance against terrorism and violence against women. We have taken several steps to protect women’s rights and empower them, including legal support for victims of violence, and skills training and financial support for women’s economic empowerment.”
In response to a question relating to ongoing inflation due to the pandemic and different international conflicts, he added that Bangladesh is doing better than many countries and is on the development track.
He added that the prime minister emphasizes on food security to deal with inflation. “We have sufficient fertilizer, seeds, and pesticides. Positive thinking, approach and activities can help us to overcome such challenges and to create a smart Bangladesh.”
Khadizatul Anwar MP said, “Reporting is important to prevent intimate personal violence. The government can only act against such crimes when it receives reports. Women must break the silence and raise their voices against intimate personal violence.”
“They must seek help from the government to stop such violence as the government has introduced several initiatives to protect women from such heinous crimes. Women can also talk to family and friends and seek support to prevent this. Women leaders and celebrities can speak up about this issue and share their experiences to raise awareness among general people.” She added that youths should come forward to ensure social safety and security.
Dhaka’s air quality still ‘unhealthy’ this morning
Dhaka's air quality continued to be in the 'unhealthy' zone this morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 161 at 8:55am this morning, the capital of Bangladesh ranked eighth in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Pakistan’s Lahore, India’s Delhi and Thailand’s Chiang Mai occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 196, 177 and 166, respectively.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Also read: No improvement in Dhaka's air quality, still 'unhealthy' this morning
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Alleged BCL torture: Victim escorted to IU campus to testify
A fresher of Finance and Banking department of Islamic University in Kushtia allegedly tortured by the university unit Bangladesh Chhatra League was brought to campus for the third time under tight security on Wednesday to testify before probe committees as per the High Court directive.
The victim came to campus with her father 10 days after she had been tortured and intimidated by IU unit BCL vice-president Shanjida Chowdhury Ontora and other activists of the student wing at Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall of the university on the night of February 12.
A university car of IU proctorial body carrying the student arrived on the campus at around 12:30pm. She was taken directly to the Deshratna Sheikh Hasina Hall to testify in front of the inquiry committees appointed by the hall authorities and the university from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
The accused, IU BCL unit vice-president Shanjida Chowdhury Ontora, her cohorts Tabassum, Israt Jahan Mim, Halima Khatun Urmi and Maobiya, also faced the probe bodies.
Also Read: Islamic University: Victim of BCL torture returns to campus
IU proctor Professor M Shahadat Hossain Azad said that additional police personnel were deployed on the campus for the security of the victim.
The victim, however, left the campus after her meeting with the probe committees, said the proctor.
Talking to journalists, the victim said that she would come to the campus whenever the probe bodies would ask her to meet them.
She wanted punishment for the accused who tortured and intimidated her inhumanly, she added.
Ataur Rahman, father of the victim, said that he enrolled his daughter only for study at the university, but he felt agony when he heard that his daughter was tortured by a group of the IU BCL unit activists led by its vice-president Ontora.
He also demanded immediate punishment of the accused involved in the incident after proper investigation.
The accused made no comment when approached.
Accused BCL leader Ontara and activist Tabassum left the hall following the High Court order on Thursday.
The victim met the inquiry committee formed by Kushtia district administration on Monday.
On February 12 night, a group of BCL activists led by Ontora and her associates went to the victim’s room and reportedly assaulted and tortured her.
Ontora, at one stage, forced the victim to get undressed and took video of the incident on her mobile phone.
The BCL leader also threatened that she would make the video viral on social media if the victim disclosed the matter to anyone, according to the complainant.
The victim lodged a written complaint with the university administration, including the university proctor, student adviser and the hall provost, demanding punishment of those involved in the incident on February 14.
A writ petition was also filed by Gazi Mohammad Mohsin, an alumnus of the university and a lawyer, with the High Court on Thursday.
The HC on the same day ordered the accused to leave the hall and the university administration to look into the matter seriously, and submit a report in this regard within the next 10 days.
It also asked the deputy commissioner of Kushtia to form a three-member probe body to further investigate into the incident, and submit a report within the next seven days.
Chhatra Odhikar Parishad seeks ‘justice’ for alleged BCL attack
The leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad on Wednesday demanded justice from the Dhaka University authority for alleged attack on them by the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the ruling Awami League.
Demanding justice, the Parishad leaders and activists submitted a complaint to the Dhaka University proctor.
Earlier the activists of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad entered the campus with a procession, which was led by its central president Bin Yamin Molla who was injured in the attack.
Molla threatened to commit suicide by setting his own body on fire in front of DU proctor office if the university authority do not take any action against the responsible within a week.
According to the complaint, the BCL leaders and activists attacked the Parishad activists as they attempted to celebrate their 6th founding anniversary at the TSC. The Parishad leaders claimed at least 25 of their followers were injured in the BCL attack.
Yamin Molla and its general secretary Ariful Islam were seriously injured, the group claimed. In the complaint, the Parishad said up to 100 BCL leaders and activists were involved in the attack.
DU proctor prof. AKM Golam Rabbani said that he received the complaint.
“I will forward it to the higher authorities of the University,” he said.
He also called on all the student organisations to cooperate in maintaining the congenial environment and to avoid the politics of any provocation.