Bangladesh
Drug peddlers held with 32kg hemp
Members of the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested two alleged drug peddlers in Narayanganj in the early hours of Wednesday.
The arrestees have been identified as Md Kabir Hossain, 23, son of Abdur Rahim of Subarnachar area of Cumilla, and Shri Rajen Debnath, 22, son of Shri Dulu Nath of the same area.
Read: Drug accused ‘dies in police custody’ in city
Some 32kg of banned substance hemp -- fiber of the cannabis plant -- have been seized from the possession of the two, officials said.
Lt Commander Mahmudul Hasan, Deputy Director and Media Officer of RAB-11, said the unit conducted a drive in the Chittagong Road area of Narayanganj, acting on a tip-off, and arrested the duo.
RAB sources said that the two accused used to acquire hemp from the border areas of Cumilla and supply the same to Dhaka, Narayanganj and surrounding areas. They used to travel by ordinary buses.
Read: Cumilla Victoria College campus turns into den of drug dealing, sex workers amid closure due to pandemic
A case has been filed against the two accused under the Narcotics Act at the Siddhirganj police station, the sources added.
3 die in Sirajganj road crash
At least three persons were killed when a speeding truck hit a battery-operated auto-rickshaw on the Dhaka-North Bengal highway in Sirajganj in the early hours of Wednesday.
The deceased were identified as Haider Ali, 55, son of Phulchand, Khoda Baksh, 35, son of Motahar Hossain of Ullapra upazila, and Shahadat Hossain, 50, of Kamarkhand upazila. The victims were all occupants of the three-wheeler.
Read: 2 army personnel killed in Sirajganj road crash
Shahjahan Ali, officer-in-charge of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station, said the Rajshahi-bound truck rammed the auto-rickshaw near Pachalia Bazar in Sirajganj's Ullapara upazila around 5.30 am after its driver lost control of the speeding vehicle.
The impact of the crash was such that the driver of the auto-rickshaw died on the spot. The remaining two, both passengers, later succumbed to their injuries, the OC said.
On information, police recovered the bodies and sent them to the local hospital morgue for post-mortem.
Road accidents in Bangladesh
At least 2,329 people, including 291 women and 381 children, were killed and 4,361 others injured in 2,159 road accidents across the country in the first half of this year, according to a report published in July.
Read: Barguna road crash kills two Chinese and their Bangladeshi interpreter
It says the road accidents occurred on various highways, national, inter-district and regional roads between January 1 and June 30 across the country.
Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF), a platform of journalists, prepared the report based on news items carried by 22 national dailies, 10 regional newspapers and eight online news portals and agencies.
How to Reduce Air Pollution in Bangladesh?
Air pollution is caused by an increased amount of gases and dust other than oxygen in the air. All the animals on earth take in oxygen and emit carbon dioxide during respiration. On the other hand, tress absorbs carbon dioxide and release oxygen. However, trees are declining in the world due to constant population growth and the indiscriminate destruction of green trees. So, we don’t have enough trees that can absorb all the emitted CO2. As a result, the level of CO2 in the air is increasing, and so is air pollution. There are some other reasons too.
Bangladesh is on the top of the list of the countries that have the worst air quality in 2020. So, it becomes highly important to work on reducing the air pollution in the country. What are the ways to bring the fresh air back? Let’s see.
Read: Impact of climate change on crop production in Bangladesh
Reasons behind the Air Pollution in Bangladesh
Vehicles, industry, population growth, and urbanization are some of the top causes of air pollution. Further, there are some other reasons too, many of which are beyond human control. But, most of the air pollution is caused by human beings in Bangladesh. The Ministry of Environment has identified 20 causes for air pollution in Bangladesh.
The main reasons are, Brickfields, road construction, reconstruction and repair, construction and digging of service companies, major development projects (expressways Metrorail), Construction of various installations including multi-storied buildings at government and private level, commercial extraction and collection of sand along roads or highways, transportation of sand, soil, cement, and other construction materials in trucks or lorries in open condition.
Read Public health issues like air pollution, environment not getting due attention
Adding to these, piles of household and municipal waste on the road and incineration of waste, removal of dirt from drains and dumping on the road, scattering of dust while cleaning the road with the broom uncovered areas along various roads, dirt, and dust of broken parts between sidewalks and road islands.
Further, Harmful emissions from unfit transport, mud on the wheels of various vehicles, burning of garbage of various educational institutions and government colonies, dumping of garbage and dust from various markets, shopping malls, and commercial buildings, dust in polluted areas of Dhaka city, use of sulfur-containing diesel and finally lack of public awareness.
Read: How to stop global warming? How to combat climate change in Bangladesh?
Impact of Air Pollution in Bangladesh
According to the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO), “at least 200,000 people in Bangladesh could die as a result of respiratory diseases and long-term exposure to high concentrations of contaminated air.”
People in urban areas, especially children are facing the harmful effects of air pollution. According to 2020 study, 49% of the children who went to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment from November to February had respiratory problems. Though dust and pollution usually increased in the air of the capital, air pollution-related problems have become common.
In addition to shortness of breath, air pollution can cause stomach problems, lung problems, skin problems, asthma or allergy problems, eye and nose problems, infection, pregnancy problems, and even cancer. However, in the case of children, this pollution has a very serious effect which they may have to carry for the rest of their life.
Read: Climate Change: How Bangladesh is being affected by Global Warming?
Ways to Reduce Air Pollution
The environment of Bangladesh is getting worse day by day. The most valuable element of the environment is air, without which we cannot even think of surviving. And this element is much more damaged due to our unconsciousness. We are all knowingly engaging in activities that increase the amount of air pollution.
The Bangladesh government has already implemented some steps to control air pollution. Such as the government has banned the two-stroke three-wheeled baby taxis. The government has already worked on making the eco-friendly bricks culture. Bangladesh government has announced that, by 2025, the use of environmentally friendly bricks will be increased by 100%.
Read Air pollution causes 7mln premature deaths: UN Chief
Besides these, there are some more steps to follow.
Ban on Older Vehicles
At present, air pollution has become severe in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, and other cities. Black smoke, dust, etc., from vehicles and factories, are responsible for air pollution. Expired cars, in particular, emit so much black smoke that it has been identified as one of the causes of air pollution. The black smoke emitted from these is basically uncut carbon which is emitted in the form of small particles. Many environmentalists have mentioned the presence of lead particles in the air of Dhaka.
Focus on Afforestation
Due to the current urbanization as well as deforestation, the amount of oxygen in the air is decreasing at a huge rate. As a result, the number of pollutants in the air is increasing. To reduce the available carbon dioxide in the air, afforestation is the only solution. Urban areas need more trees to plant.
Read Imported used vehicles worsening air pollution in developing countries: UNEP
Adequate tree planting should be done along river banks, roadsides, various government places, and gardens should be set up in front of government and private buildings. Besides these, as a citizen, we should also do our part by planting trees wherever we can.
Unplanned Garbage Management
At present more than one crore people live in Dhaka city. This huge population is also a cause of air pollution. Urban people tend to throw the garbage anywhere, and the government also doesn’t have any proper management to control garbage and wastages. This wastage spreads a bad smell in the rotting air and creates air pollution. So, the proper authority should take care of this issue to make the air fresh.
Monitoring
To prevent air pollution, the Department of Environment should conduct regular mobile courts and conduct activities on the basis of a specific plan to alleviate the suffering of the people and ensure regular monitoring.
Read New study shows air pollution reduces global health expectancy by 2 years
Raising Public Awareness
Sources of air pollution must be stopped, and public awareness needs to be increased to stop all sources of air pollution. Individuals and organizations responsible for air pollution should be brought under punishment.
Bottom Line
Air pollution is causing multifarious effects on the health of children and adults in Bangladesh. We need to work together to prevent air pollution in Bangladesh by making efforts personally, socially, and legally. To fight against air pollution it is essential to stay aware of its impacts and make others aware of this issue.
Read Climate change: 'Children in Bangladesh, 3 other countries at extremely high risk'
Rare yellow turtle rescued in Faridpur
A rare yellow flapshell turtle has been rescued from a canal in the Ambikapur area of Faridpur's Sadar upazila, forest officials have said.
The turtle was spotted by a youth, named Riyad, a resident of Ambikapur village, on Sunday afternoon when he had been fishing in the canal in Biswas Dangi.
Read: Rare 'cheetah cat' found in Chandpur
The turtle was subsequently caught in a fishing net and handed over to the Faridpur forest department. The reptile is currently kept in a reservoir of the forest department at Gangavardi in Faridpur Sadar.
Faridpur Divisional Social Forest Officer Kabir Hossain Patwari said that the turtle is a unique and rare reptile. "It weighs about 1.5 kg and has a diameter of eight inches," he said on Tuesday.
However, Ashikur Rahman Shomi, a student of zoology at Dhaka University, said that it's very much possible that the Sundhi turtle species -- matte and grey in colour -- may have turned yellow due to genetic changes.
Read:Rare fishing cat captured in Chattogram village
The Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Department in Khulna has been informed. The next step will be taken as per their advice, said the forest officer.
Global Covid cases surge past 213 million
With the world still grappling to contain the second wave of the pandemic, the global Covid-19 caseload has now surpassed 213 million.
The total caseload and fatalities stand at 213,098,413 and 4,450,408, respectively, as of Wednesday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
So far, 4,995,430,625 vaccine doses have been administered across the globe.
Read:UNGA: No scope for side events this time due to Covid-19
The US, which is the world's worst-hit country in terms of both cases and deaths, has so far logged 38,053,653 cases, according to JHU, while 630,663 people have lost their lives to Covid to date.
Brazil currently has the world's second-highest pandemic death toll after the United States and the third-largest caseload after the United States and India.
The country has recorded 20,614,866 cases with 575,742 fatalities so far, according to the health ministry.
The third worst-hit country, India's Covid-19 tally rose to 32,474,773 on Tuesday, as 25,467 new cases were registered in the past 24 hours across the country, as per the federal health ministry data.
Read: US regulators give full approval to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
Besides, 354 fatalities due to the pandemic since Monday morning took the total death toll to 435,110.
Situation in Bangladesh
Covid-related cases and fatalities in Bangladesh are seeing a downtrend as both the number of deaths and infections dropped in 24 hours till Tuesday morning, logging 114 deaths and 5,249 new cases.
The country last saw 112 coronavirus- related deaths on June 29 and the upswing in the fatalities reached its peak on August 5 and 10 when 264 deaths were recorded.
The fresh deaths pushed the country’s total fatalities to 25,513 while the cases reached 1,472,964, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read: New Zealand player tests positive for Covid-19 in Dhaka
The fresh cases were detected after testing 34,708 samples in 24 hours, which reduced the daily case positivity rate to 15.12% from Monday’s 15.54%, said the DGHS.
The recovery rate rose to 93.81%, but the case fatality remained unchanged at 1.73% compared to the same period.
So far, the government has managed to vaccinate 6,976,317 people with two doses, and another 17,242,479 with the first dose, said DGHS.
US welcomes NUG's inclusive path forward for Rohingyas
The United States has welcomed the inclusive path forward envisioned by the National Unity Government (NUG) and other pro-democracy groups in Myanmar and their pledge to reform the 1982 citizenship law.
The US also welcomed NUG-pledged other actions intended to protect the rights of Rohingya and members of other ethnic minority groups.
"These steps will be necessary to safeguard the human rights and human dignity of all people in Myanmar, including Rohingya," said Ned Price, the Spokesperson at the US Department of State, in a statement marking the fourth anniversary of the ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State.
Read:Myanmar’s NUG in Exile: Safe, dignified Rohingya repatriation “utmost priority”
The United States said it will continue to partner with the people of Myanmar to support peace and justice, critical humanitarian assistance, a return to the path to democracy, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Four years ago, Myanmar's military launched a horrific "ethnic cleansing" against Rohingya in northern Rakhine State.
The brutality of the military’s atrocities on that day shocked the conscience of the international community.
The United States said they will continue to promote justice for victims and accountability for those responsible for atrocities and other human rights abuses.
"To that end, we have imposed visa restrictions and financial sanctions on top military leaders and units, including those linked to serious human rights abuse against Rohingya, and suppression of peaceful protests since the February 1 coup," Price said.
The US said they have also supported the UN fact finding and investigative mechanisms focused on Myanmar; and pressed Myanmar to implement the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures order.
"We recognize the Rohingya has already suffered decades of grave human rights abuses, and that many of those abuses continue today," said the Spokesperson.
Read:4th anniversary of Rohingya exodus arrives with repatriation a far cry
The US remembered the victims and recommitted to pursuing and demanding accountability for those responsible for these atrocities and other human rights abuses, and seeking justice for victims.
The US recognized the need to address the root causes of this violence and hold perpetrators accountable to help prevent such atrocities from recurring.
Today, the same military leaders who perpetrated the February 1 coup are committing "abuses" against pro-democracy activists and members of ethnic and religious communities across the country.
"We have seen the same light infantry brigades that terrorized Rohingya communities in 2017 inflict brutal violence on pro-democracy protestors since the coup," said the Spokesperson.
The coup and the brutality of the military’s subsequent crackdown have exacerbated the already precarious situation for vulnerable people across Myanmar, including Rohingya.
The United States continues to underscore the need for unhindered humanitarian access to all people requiring assistance in Myanmar.
At the launch of the 2021 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis in May, the United States announced nearly $155 million in new assistance to sustain critical efforts to support Rohingya refugees and members of the host communities in Bangladesh and internally displaced Rohingya and other affected people in Myanmar.
Read:Involve locals in Rohingya management: Speakers
The US said their assistance will help meet the immediate needs of over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Bangladesh, including women and children.
This new funding, which includes life-saving Covid assistance, brought US' total humanitarian aid for those affected by the crisis in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and elsewhere in the region, to more than $1.3 billion – including more than $1.1 billion in Bangladesh and more than $238 million in Myanmar – since August 2017.
"We encourage other members of the international community to likewise support peace building and social cohesion work in Rakhine State, and to contribute to the Joint Response Plan," Price said.
Myanmar’s NUG in Exile: Safe, dignified Rohingya repatriation “utmost priority”
The National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar has said it will try its best in seeking justice and accountability for all crimes committed by the military against the Rohingya and all other people of Myanmar across the country throughout their history.
“It is important to bring perpetrators to account in the interest of truth and justice, and because we believe doing so will act as a deterrent against future atrocities,” the NUG said in a statement marking the 4th anniversary of atrocities committed against the Rohingya in August 25, 2017 that falls on Wednesday.
Read: 4th anniversary of Rohingya exodus arrives with repatriation a far cry
The NUG, a government in exile, said voluntary and safe repatriation of Rohingya people in a dignified manner is its “utmost priority” with all basic rights of the Rohingya in place.
They believe that repealing the 1982 Citizenship Law with a new one that bases citizenship in Myanmar or birth anywhere as a child of Myanmar citizen and abolishing the process of issuing National Verification Cards will also contribute to solving problems during the repatriation process.
On this solemn anniversary, the NUG reaffirmed its commitment to the fundamental principles enshrined in the Federal Democratic Charter.
That includes fundamental human rights and human dignity as well as individual rights held by each person regardless of their ethnic origin and collective rights held by ethnic groups, and to the establishment of a Federal Democratic Union in which the violence committed against the Rohingya will never be repeated.
Read: 74 Rohingyas held in Chattogram
4th anniversary of Rohingya exodus arrives with repatriation a far cry
Bangladesh continues to bear the burden of over 1.1 million Rohingyas as no repatriation took place over the last four years amid “lack of initiative” from the Myanmar side and “inadequate steps” by the international community. .
The last exodus began on 25 August 2017, when violence broke out in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, forcing thousands of Rohingyas to seek shelter in Bangladesh.
Most arrived in the first three months of the crisis and the vast majority reaching Bangladesh are women and children, and more than 40 per cent are under age 12, according to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency.
Bangladesh shares borders with Myanmar and thinks stability in Myanmar is critically important in finding a durable solution for the Rohingyas who are victims of atrocity crimes.
In June this year, Bangladesh expressed “deep disappointment” over a new resolution on Myanmar at the United Nations General Assembly as "it has failed to recommend actions” on repatriation of the Rohingyas and failed to adequately reflect on the crisis.
READ: Involve locals in Rohingya management: Speakers
The resolution did not include any recommendations or actions on the issue of repatriation of the Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar. Neither does it recognize or stress the need for creating a conducive environment in Rakhine for the safe, sustainable and dignified return.
The resolution also lacks determination to address root causes of the Rohingya crisis through collective means.
Bangladesh Coast Guard gets new DG
Rear Admiral Ashraful Hoq Chowdhury has been appointed as the 13th Bangladesh Coast Guard DG according to a notification of the Deputation-1 under Ministry of Public Administration.
Lt. Commander Amirul Haque, media officer at the Bangladesh Coast Guard headquarters, briefed the reporters in this regard on Tuesday afternoon.
READ: Bangladesh Coast Guard seizes 30,000 yaba pills in Teknaf
Ashraful Hoq Chowdhury was commissioned on 1 January 1988 in the Executive Branch of the Bangladesh Navy. Later, he gathered vast experience while working at the sea and through various trainings held at home and abroad.
Besides, Ashraful Hoq Chowdhury has successfully served in various important agencies of the Inter-Services.
READ: Bangladesh Coast Guard to be made stronger: Minister
He was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on 8 February 2021 and before his appointment as the DG he was in-charge of the Khulna Naval Area.
Sinha murder case trial: Court records testimonial statements for 2nd day
On the second day of recording statements of the witnesses in the Maj. (retd) Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan murder case trial, the second witness, Sifat gave testimonial statement before a Cox’s Bazar court Tuesday.
The court was adjourned at 8pm and on Wednesday it will continue recording statement of Sifat and defense lawyers will cross-question him, said public prosecutor advocate Faridul Alam.
Recording statement of the second witness started in the afternoon after plaintiff Sharmin Shahria’s statement was cross-questioned by three defense lawyers including the lawyers of accused suspended OC Pradeep and Inspector Liakat Ali.
On Monday, the trial proceedings of the sensational murder case began with recording the testimonial statement of Sinha’s sister and plaintiff of the case Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous. Thirteen lawyers representing the defendants questioned her.
READ: Sinha murder: Defence lawyers allegedly obstruct trial
After completing the recording the statement of Sharmin, the court today was supposed to record statements of other five witnesses but due to shortage of time it couldn’t, said public prosecutor Faridul Alam.
All the 15 accused in the case were presented before the court during the trial today.
On July 31 last year, Sinha was shot dead at the Shamlapur police check-post in Baharchhara Union of Cox's Bazar while returning to town after filming for a documentary.
On August 5, Sinha's sister, Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous, filed a case with Teknaf Senior Judicial Magistrate Court accusing nine members of law enforcement agencies of being involved in the killing, including Pradeep Kumar Das and Baharchhara police outpost inspector Liakat Ali.
On December 13, 2020, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) submitted a charge sheet against 15 people, including police source Ayaz and three APBn members, in connection with the case filed over Sinha's murder at a checkpost manned by APBn, where officers of the Teknaf police station intercepted Sinha's car.
All of the 15 accused of the charge sheet are currently in jail. Of them 12 have given confessional statement before court except OC Pradeep Kumar Das, constable Sagar Dev and Rubel Sharma.
READ: HC refuses bail to another 3 accused in Sinha murder case
Other accused of the case are- Inspector of Baharchara Police outpost Liakat Ali, sub-inspectors Nandolal Rakkhit and Tutul, assistant sub-inspector Liton Mia; constables Shafanur Karim, Kamal Hossain, Abdullah AL Mamun, , Md Rajib and Md Abdullah, ASI of APBN Md Shahjahan and Nurul Amin, Md Nizamuddin and Ayaz Uddin.