Bangladesh
5 ABT men convicted for militant activities in Lalmonirhat
A Lalmonirhat court on Tuesday sentenced two members of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) to life term imprisonment and three others to 10 years imprisonment.
The lifers are Hasan Ali, 23, and Asmat Ali Laltu, 25, of the district.
The other convicts are-Safiul Alam Saddam, 22, Abu Nayeem, 25, and Ali Hossain, 20.
Lalmonirhat District and Session Judge Mizanur Rahman of Special Tribunal-1 delivered the sentence.
READ: Truck driver killed in Lalmonirhat road crash
The court also fined the five convicts Tk 5,000, in default, to serve in jail for another six months.
Lalmonirhat court police sub-inspector (SI) Musa Alam said a team from Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) -13 of Rangpur detained the five ABT men after conducting a drive at a house in Kaliganj upazila of Lalmonirhat on October 30 in 2018.
During the drive, the Rab members seized foreign pistols, magazines, firing pins, detonators and bullets from the militants' possession.
On the following day, a case was filed at the Kaliganj police station against the detainees.
Cumilla city polls will be free, fair, and acceptable: LGRD Minister
Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam on Tuesday said the upcoming Cumilla City Corporation (CCC) elections will be 'free, fair, neutral, and acceptable to all'.
The Election Commission and the law enforcement agencies are active to hold the CCC elections in a free and peaceful manner, he said.
Tajul said this while briefing journalists after a meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D Hass at his ministry.
He said excitement prevails ahead of participatory polls and it is normal. “However, we don’t want any unwanted situation centering the CCC elections.”
Also Read: LGRD Minister calls for differentiated pricing of water for rich and poor
In response to a question, the minister said the Election Commission is firmly committed to holding the polls in a free, fair, and acceptable manner. The administration and the law enforcers will work under the Election Commission during the polls. The government is also committed to providing all kinds of assistance to the Election Commission.
He also said in the meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States has expressed its interest to work in the development of the city health management of Bangladesh.
Peter D Hass said Bangladesh and the United States are good friends. Both the countries have had economic, social, and commercial relations for a long time.
The United States along with Bangladesh will work to resolve the bilateral and internal problems of the two countries, he added.
5 Indians in lock-up again after BSF refuses to accept them
Five Indian nationals, who were released after serving jail for illegally entering Bangladesh with drugs, were sent back to Kurigram jail again, Kurigram district jail authorities announced Tuesday.
The five Indians are Alam Mia, son of Dudu Mia from Bengal's Cooch Behar district, Md Nuruzzaman, son of Surut Mia from Dhubri district in Assam, Selim Mia, son of Nur Islam from Mainkarchar, Jahangir Alam, son of Amirul Islam, and Maha Alam Sheikh, son of Sanowar Hossain, Md Ismail Hossain, Superintendent of Kurigram jail.
The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) refused to receive them as none of them were able to produce any sort of document at all to prove their citizenship, said Kurigram jail superintendent Md Ismail Hossain.
READ: Kurigram: 5 Indians freed after jail term for illegal entry
The five Indian nationals were sent back to Kurigram jail from Burimari land port in Lalmonirhat district around 2:30 pm, he added.
Advocate SM Abraham Lincoln, convener of Border Victim Rescue Legal Assistance Forum, said the law enforcement agencies detained seven Indian nationals and handed them over to the court on charges of entering Bangladesh illegally with drugs.
Kurigram district jail authorities released the five Indian nationals this morning to hand them over to India's Border Security Force and thus repatriate them.
However, two others -- Akbar Ali and Golzar Ali from Dhubri district -- will have to remain in prison as they didn't receive clearance from the Indian government though their jail term expired on February 1, 2022, said Ismail Hossain.
“Those who were released had to spend an extra six months in jail after serving their sentences, which is a serious violation of human rights," Advocate SM Abraham Lincoln said.
"There are many like them in jails of both the countries. The Indian and Bangladeshi governments should take initiatives to return the inmates immediately after the end of their jail terms,” he added.
Islamic Solidarity Games: 64 athletes will represent Bangladesh in 11 disciplines of sports
Sixty-four athletics will represent Bangladesh in eleven disciplines of sports in the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games to be held in the Turkish city of Konya from August 9-18 this year.
Eleven participating disciplines of sports are : Archery, Athletics, Fencing, Gymnastics, Handball, Karate, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Wrestling and Weightlifting.
READ: Asia Cup Hockey: Bangladesh take on mighty Pakistan on Wednesday
Chef-De Mission of Bangladesh contingent for the games and BOA member Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir and member secretary of BOA training and development committee AK Sarkar today (Tuesday) visited the training camp of Weightlifting, Wrestling and Table Tennis and asked the trainee athletes to work hard for bring laurel for the country.
HC grants three more months for converting to digital set-top boxes
The High Court on Tuesday stayed for three months the notice issued by the Information Ministry asking the authorities concerned to set up digital set-top boxes in Dhaka and Chattogram cities.
The HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order after hearing a writ petition.
The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the notice issued by the government on April 28 asking the authorities concerned to convert the cable network to a digital system should not be declared illegal and declared as contradictory to the constitution.
Secretary to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Director General of BTV and deputy secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry have been asked to respond to their rule within four weeks.
Abul Kawsar Kalpan, a resident of Goran in the capital filed a writ petition challenging the legality of the notice issued without forming any policy.
Advocate Khandaker Mohammad Mushfiqul Huda stood for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar represented the state.
On February 1, the government has taken up a plan to set up set-top boxes following a discussion with the representatives of the Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO).
READ: HC orders arrest of two AB Bank officials
On April 28, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry issued a notice imposing three decisions including to convert the cable network activities to digital form within May 31, to advertise about set-top box to raise awareness among people through government and private TV channels and the cable operators should sent necessary inputs to the ministry for the formation of the guideline.
On November 4, last year, the Information and Broadcast Ministry issued a notice informing that the TV cable network will be brought under digital system by November 30 in Dhaka and Chattogram cities.
Later, Shahed Kausar, a resident of Khilgaon filed a writ petition challenging the notice. The Court later stayed the effectiveness of the notice.
Six robbers held in city
Sleuths of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch claimed to have busted a gang of robbers, with the arrest of its six members on Monday.
The arrestees have been identified as Md. Sujan Hawladar,32, Md. Rabiul Awal Robi ,19, Md. Babu Jewel ,22, Md. Rony, 19, Md. Ekram Ali, 33 and Md. Ibrahim Mizhi 20.
Farrukh Hossain, deputy commissioner (media) of DMP said the detectives conducted a special drive at the city’s Mohammadpur area and nabbed them as they were planning to commit a robbery in the area.
During the drive, the law enforcers also recovered a gun, a CNG and some local weapons from their possession, he added.
READ: Rab arrests 2 BCL leaders
During the preliminary interrogation, the detainees confessed their involvement in the robberies in Dhamrai, South Keraniganj and Munshiganj.
A case was filed with Mohammadpur police in this connection.
FBCCI seeks loan moratorium till December
The Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce (FBCCI), apex body of traders, has sought special loan moratorium facility till December this year.
The FBCCI president Md. Jasim Uddin sought this benefit due to the global economic downfall for Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.
He told reporters after a special meeting with Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday (May 31).
Jasim Uddin said, "We have requested the Governor of the Central Bank to set up a special fund for long term loans in the banks, which is very important for business.”
Moreover, FBCCI sought more remittance incentives. A remittance fighter who sends remittances from outside the country is encouraged when he gets some opportunities, even though he is being offered benefits including CIP.
READ: FBCCI chief condoles Muhith's demise
After the meeting, Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Sirajul Islam said, "We will consider the issues of FBCCI."
However, no decision is going to be announced now.
“The FBCCI has requested for an increase in remittance incentives, but Bangladesh Bank will not take any decision in this regard alone. This matter is related to the government,” he added.
HC orders arrest of two AB Bank officials
The High Court on Tuesday has directed the authorities concerned to arrest two officials of AB Bank within 24 hours for not complying with the court order.
The two officials are AVP Aminul Islam of the bank’s head office and Satkhira branch manager.
An HC bench comprising Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman and Justice AKM Zahirul Hoque passed the order.
Gulshan police station in Dhaka and Satkhira sadar police station have been ordered to arrest the duo and produce them before the court on June 5.
Lawyer Earul Islam stood for the writ petitioner while deputy attorney general Wais Al Haruni represented the state.
READ: HC grants anticipatory bail to four pro-BNP lawyers
According to the case statement, Safiur Rahman, owner of Safi Enterprise in Satkhira, had taken a loan from the AB Bank Satkhira branch.
After several months, he wanted a bank statement from the branch over the loan. But the bank refused him to give the statement. He later filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking its directive to provide the statement.
Leather sector can hit $12 bn in export earnings by 2030: Speakers
Speakers at a webinar on Tuesday stressed the need to work by integrating all concerned stakeholders to ensure compliance in the leather sector.
They said the Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Environment, and Forests and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment are involved for compliance and wellbeing of the leather sector.
They also proposed forming a Leather Sector Development Authority to ensure development and smooth supervision of this sector as it is possible to earn around $10 billion to $12 billion in export from this sector by 2030.
They urged this at a webinar titled “An Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 on Tanneries” organized jointly by Asia Foundation (AF), Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF).
Citing lack of compliance as the major problem of this sector, the speakers also noted that due to noncompliance, the exporters are getting lesser price of their products while the just price of leather products is also not being ensured in the local market.
Zakia Sultana, Secretary, Ministry of Industries, attended the event as the chief guest. Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industries, Kazi Sakhawat Hossain spoke as special guest.
READ: Leather sector export takes a heat as ‘tanneries relocated to Savar’
Managing Director of Apex Footwear Ltd Syed Nasim Manzur, Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA) Mizanur Rahman, and Executive Director, Bangladesh Labour Foundation AKM Ashraf Uddin attended the webinar as discussants.
Country Representative of the Asia Foundation, Kazi Faisal Bin Seraj, delivered the welcome remarks while executive director of RAPID Dr. Abu Eusuf presented the keynote paper.
ERF President Sharmeen Rinvy chaired the event while ERF General Secretary SM Rashidul Islam moderated it.
College teacher’s wrist severed in Kushtia
Miscreants severed the wrist of a teacher of Bashgram Alauddin Ahmed Degree College in Kushita district following previous enmity on Tuesday, said police.
Quamruzzaman Talukdar, officer-in-charge of Kumarkhali Police Station, said the miscreants, numbering 10-15, waylaid Tofazzel Biswas, son of Bala Biswas of Shalghar Madhua area, when he reached at Bongshitola New Bridge and attacked him at 2:30 pm.
READ: 2 sentenced to life for murder in Kushtia
They stabbed him indiscriminately and cut off the wrist of his right hand.
He was taken to Kushtia General Hospital.
Drive is on to arrest the attackers, he added.