Bangladesh
DSA case against journalist Kajol shifted to Cyber Tribunal
A case filed against photojournalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol under the Digital Security Act (DSA) at Kamrangirchar Police Station was transferred to Dhaka Cyber Tribunal on Sunday.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Debdash Chandra Adhikari passed the order as Kajol stood in the dock. The court took the charges into cognisance and shifted it to the Cyber Tribunal for trial.
Investigation Officer Md Rassel Mollah submitted the chargesheet on March 14.
Also read: Digital Security Act: Charges pressed against Kajol
Jubo Mohila League central leader Sumaiya Chowdhury Bonnya filed the case on March 11 last year accusing Kajol of writing defamatory remarks about various MPs on his Facebook profile.
He was freed from the Dhaka Central Jail on December 25 last year.
On December 17, the High Court granted him bail in two cases filed under the DSA, clearing the way for his release.
Also read: Journalist Kajol freed from jail
On November 24 that year, the journalist secured bail in another case filed against him under the DSA.
The journalist had gone missing on March 10, 2020, a day after Magura-1 MP Saifuzzaman Shikhor filed a case against him and 30 others, including Manab Zamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury.
They were sued under the Digital Security Act for publishing and sharing an article on social media about expelled Jubo Mohila League leader Shamima Noor Papia.
Also, two other cases were filed against Kajol at Kamrangir Char and Hazaribagh police stations under DSA on March 10 and March 11.
On May 3, Kajol was shown detained by Border Guard Bangladesh along the Benapole border after 53-day of his disappearance. He was produced before a Jashore court which sent him to jail.
Also read: Why journalist Kajol should not be granted bail, HC asks
Climate change set to emerge as key point of US-Bangladesh relationship
Experts on international relations have depicted more consistent and deeper engagement between Dhaka and Washington under the Biden Administration, with cooperation in the global fight against climate change presenting the most obvious point of cooperation between the two countries.
They hoped to see the US takes a greater role over the events in Myanmar and address the Rohingya issue, noting that the US needs to do more inside Myanmar with actors on the ground.
Experts from both countries were brought together virtually for a symposium hosted by the Cosmos Foundation to assess the Dhaka-Washington relationship in its present context and identify the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Also read: 'Only 50% youth consider climate change as current problem'
The keynote address at the event was delivered by Michael Kugelman, Deputy Director of the Asia Programme and Senior Associate for South Asia at the Wilson Centre in Washington, DC.
Chairman of Cosmos Foundation Enayetullah Khan delivered the opening remarks at the event, which premiered on Saturday on the Facebook page of Cosmos Foundation, and is now available for viewing at the convenience of viewers.
Renowned scholar-diplomat and adviser on foreign affairs to the last caretaker government Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury chaired the session.
It was the latest instalment in Cosmos Foundation’s flagship ‘Dialogue’ series, in which a high-level expert panel was tasked with tackling pressing issues of the day that has continued through the pandemic.
Former Ambassador Tariq Karim, Distinguished Professor of political science at the Illinois State University Dr Ali Riaz, Bangladeshi-American scientist-turned-politician Dr Nina Ahmad, and former Ambassador Serajul Islam joined as discussants.
Kugelman in his keynote speech offered some thoughts on perceptions of Bangladesh in the US, the current state of US-Bangladesh relations and discussed what to expect for the relationship in the Biden era.
He said there is a scope for the US-Bangladesh relationship to grow in the Biden years and beyond, especially through opportunities for stepped up cooperation on climate change and through Bangladesh’s inclusion in the US Indo Pacific policy.
Also read:Calls for immediate action to tackle climate change
No matter how things ‘shake out’, Kugelman, an increasing presence across mainly Indian-owned media across platforms, said driven in particular by economic cooperation, the relationship between Dhaka and Washington should continue to be cordial and stable on the whole.
Kugelman said Washington knows that Bangladesh is a key “theatre” for Sino-India competition.
“Now, one can argue that Dhaka’s ties to Delhi are warmer and more multifaceted than they are with Beijing, but clearly there’s a competition playing out here,” he said adding that the Biden administration has an opportunity to try to shift the balance away from China and more towards India by stepping up its own engagements with Bangladesh through more maritime cooperation, more investment, more efforts to partner with Bangladesh on trans-regional connectivity projects, such as those within the BIMSTEC rubric.
Ambassador Tariq Karim said how the US addresses its relations with India, in relation to India’s relations with the other neighbours is going to send a key message to everybody.
He said Bangladesh is between a rock and several hard places and specifically in between two major powers - India and China. “It’s strategically placed.”
Also read:The world must support developing countries in tackling ...
The former diplomat said Bangladesh maintains a good relationship with India and China who are competing with each other. “We’re also part of the Indo Pacific and Belt and Road Initiative.”
He said Bangladesh developed its relations with India which is natural while China continues to engage in economic projects apart from defence cooperation.
Tariq Karim said the US will have to chart its course carefully noting that Bangladesh is not an inconsequential country anymore.
Enayetullah Khan said they hope to see that the US take a greater role over the current events in Myanmar and address the Rohingya issue to ensure stability in the region.
Dr Iftekhar said the US will need to be engaged with the smaller global actors as there are issues like climate change and Covid-19 pandemic.
He said Bangladesh’s focus is development and Bangladesh expects support from the US as Bangladesh is set to graduate from the list of Least Developed Countries. “We’ll require market access and we believe positive results will come out.”
Prof Ali Riaz said how the US deals with India has an implication for the Bangladesh-US relationship.
Also read:'No time to waste': A clarion call for action against climate ...
Dr Nina Ahmad recalled the sacrifice of people behind Bangladesh’s emergence as an independent country and how Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman inspired them.
She laid emphasis on investing in the poor, continuing helping the women to play their role effectively and look into labour conditions to help make Bangladesh stronger. “Bangladesh has arrived, now at 50 years, after starting from nothing.”
S Korea gives 95,000 Covid-19 rapid test kits to Bangladesh
South Korea has provided 95,000 Covid-19 rapid test kits to Bangladesh as part of its humanitarian assistance efforts.
The consignment from SD BIOSENSOR, a leading test kit manufacturer in South Korea, was officially received by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) recently, the South Korean Embassy in Dhaka said Sunday.
Also read:S Korea sees brighter ties with Bangladesh with multifarious success stories envoy
The kits, worth $800,000, were since distributed by DGHS to several test centres across the country, including Army Central Medical Hospital, Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Hospital, and Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
DGHS will use the remaining kits in due course.
In view of the latest surge in COVID-19 related deaths and newly confirmed cases in Bangladesh, the embassy said it hoped that the rapid test kits could help the health authorities successfully curb further aggravation of the situation.
Also read: Korea provides $ 1 mn to UNICEF to address humanitarian challenges in Bangladesh
In December 2020, South Korea provided $50 million as soft loan from its Economic Development Cooperation Fund to Bangladesh to financially support the urgent needs incurred by the pandemic.
South Korea will continue to stand by and support Bangladesh throughout the fight against COVID-19, said the embassy.
Also read: South Korea economy shrank in 2020 for 1st time in 22 years
Three killed in Cumilla road crash
Three people were killed as a truck hit a battery-run auto-rickshaw in Palpara area of Cumilla Sadar upazila on Sunday.
The deceased were identified as Helal Mia, 60, Matin Mia, 65, and Abdul Kader, 70.
Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station Md Anwarul Haque said the truck hitthea Mainamati bound auto-rickshaw at 9:30 am, leaving its two passengers dead on the spot and injuring some others.
Later, one of the injured passengers died on the way to a hospital.
Covid-19: Bangladesh records 7,087 cases, the highest-ever daily spike
Bangladesh recorded 7,087 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours until Sunday morning which is the highest number of infections since the pandemic began.
Besides, the coronavirus fatalities rose to 9,266 with 53 new deaths during the period. The mortality rate fell to 1.45 on Sunday from Saturday’s 1.46 percent.
Also read: Covid-19 vaccine not a 'silver bullet': WHO
Coronavirus claimed 568 lives in January this year, 281 in February and 638 in March.
The health authorities recorded over 5000 Covid cases on March 29, 30 and 31 and April 3 while over 6000 cases on April 1 and 2 showing an alarming rise in infections.
The infection rate slightly fell to 23.07 percent from 23.15 percent on Saturday.
Bangladesh has so far recorded 637,364 coronavirus cases, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The number of daily cases and infection rate dropped below 5 percent earlier this year but then infections continue to rise again amid people’s reluctance to maintain health safety rules.
Hospitals are struggling to provide treatment to the increasing number of coronavirus patients with their limited resources. The government is increasing the number of beds and Covid-designated hospitals to deal with the situation.
During the 24-hour period until Sunday morning, 2,707 patients recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 552,482.
Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 last year and confirmed the first death from the virus 10 days later.
Will take action against those involved in vandalism: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said punitive legal measures will be taken against those involved in destructive activities using the name of Islam."People won’t accept any anti-Islamic activities in the name of religion. Defamation of Islam for a few people won’t be tolerated. I’ll tell the people of the country to have patience, everyone has to step forward with patience," she said while delivering her winding up speech of the 12th session of the 11th Parliament.Talking about recent activities, vandalism and mayhem of Hefazat-e-Islam, she said that they are destroying the holy religion completely through their destructive and anti-social activities."Many people lost their lives due to their activities. Even on March 26 many people lost their lives [and] for these, they (Hefazat) are solely responsible," she said.Sheikh Hasina alleged that BNP and Jamaat are there behind Hefazat. "Hefazat is not alone, BNP and Jamaat are with them," she said.
Also read: Perform duties properly to enforce Corona directives: PM
‘Which religion do they believe in?’
Talking about the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Independence, she said that many foreign guests came to join the that occasion, but Hefazat declared that they would not allow Narendra Modi to come."Why? This is my question. Today Hefazat is declaring their programmes. Don’t they go to Deoband (India) for higher studies on Islam. After such incident how they will go to Deoband (India) for higher studies?" she said.Showing some pictures of March 26 Hefazat incidents, she said that a rumour was spread by Hefazat that one person was killed in Baitul Mukarram, then from March 26-31, they unleashed destructive activities across the country.BNP-Jamaat's statement in favour of Hefazat on March 27 and 28 were part of anti-state conspiracy. On March 28, Hefazat called countrywide hartal. "On that day, they ransacked and torched AL office, houses of AL activists and various transports," she said.The Prime Minister asked which religion they believe in as they burnt the Holy Quran.
‘Law will take own course’
She asked the Hefazat leaders and activists why they set afire AL and BCL offices and their party leaders houses. "They’re playing with fire, fire can spread from one house to another house, don’t they take this into consideration?" she said adding that people will not tolerate these.Regarding the utmost patience of police and other law enforcement agencies during the mayhem, she said that the government showed its highest patience to avert bigger confrontation as it wanted to celebrate the Golden Jubilee programme properly."Law will take its own course," she said.
Ekushey Book Fair to remain open from 12 to 5pm amid lockdown
The ongoing Amar Ekushey Book Fair will remain open from 12 to 5 pm every day amid the countrywide seven-day lockdown enforced by the government to fight the 2nd wave of Covid-19.
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs issued a notice in this regard on Sunday.
It also instructed the authorities concerned to maintain the health guidelines strictly.
Also read: Boi Mela to be open for 3.5 hours a day due to COVID-19
Earlier the authorities reduced daily the operational hours of the book fair due to recent surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths.
On March 18, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2021.
Also read: Nat’l committee for stopping Ekushey Book Fair as Covid cases surge
This year’s fair was dedicated to the memories of the martyrs of 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh. The main theme of the 2021 fair is “Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golden Jubilee of Independence”.
Amid an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases, Bangladesh recorded 7,087 fresh cases and 53 deaths in the last 24 hours until Sunday morning.
Also read: Restriction on gatherings, quarantine rule among PMO’s 18-point directive to contain Covid surge
Awami League MP Aslamul Haq dies
Aslamul Haq, the Awami League MP from the Dhaka-14 constituency, died at a hospital in the capital on Sunday. He was 61.
He breathed his last around noon.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and sorrow at the demise of the ruling party MP.
She prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
Also read: Sylhet MP Mahmud Us Samad dies of Covid-19
Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin expressed deep shock over the death of the MP.
Aslamul won the 9th parliamentary polls on an AL ticket. He served as a member of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism in Parliament. On January 5, 2014, he was re-elected as an MP in the 10th national election.
He was last elected MP from AL in the 11th Parliamentary Election in 2018. He was a member of the House Committee on Parliament and the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
50 Years of Friendship: Bangladesh Mission, ICCR jointly host cultural prog in Delhi
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) have organised a dance performance marking the Mujib Borsho and celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India.
Bangladesh High Commission and ICCR jointly organised the cultural programme at the Sushma Swaraj Bhavan auditorium on Saturday evening.
High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Muhammad Imran and Director General of ICCR Dinesh K Patnaik spoke on a pleasant cultural evening.
The High Commissioner said that in the last 50 years, Bangladesh-India relations have always shown utmost sincerity of the question of friendship.
Also read: Bangladesh reached unique height in last 50 years: Indian Minister
"Our two countries have historical and cultural ties. The people of Bangladesh are forever indebted to the government of India as well as of the people of the country for their role in the great freedom fight," he said.
The envoy said on the golden jubilee of independence, Bangladesh has been graduated to the list of developing countries under the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Now a days the development of Bangladesh is appreciated all over the world, he said.
He said the per capita income and purchasing power of the people of Bangladesh has increased a lot. Many Bangladeshis come to visit India, they shop here and many students come to study.
ICCR Director General Dinesh K Patnaik said that at 50 years of Independence of Bangladesh, India is remembering the great architect of Bangladesh's Independence Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with deep gratitude.
He also lauded the sincere roll of the people of two countries in strengthening the India-Bangladesh Friendship.
The cultural ties between the two countries are also part of our heritage.
Also read: Bangladeshi boy wins global art contest by ICCR
He said in the last 50 years, it has been proved that the friendship between the two countries will continue to grow stronger.
The cultural programme was on the theme of the great independence of Bangladesh, the culture and the beautiful nature of Bangladesh and heroic struggle of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by Shristi Cultural organization.
Also read: India will always stand by Bangladesh: Modi
US-Bangladesh Business Council to be launched April 6
US Chamber of Commerce will virtually launch US-Bangladesh Business Council on Tuesday to strengthen the trade, commerce and investment relations between the two countries.
Senior Official for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment of the U.S. Department of State Ambassador Marcia Bernicat and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller will discuss the strategic and commercial outlook of Bangladesh and the US in the 21st century.
Also read: Dhaka-Washington ties to get stronger under Biden Administration: Ambassador Miller
Leaders from the government and private sector of both countries will talk on the future of the US-Bangladesh economic partnership.
With a rapidly-growing middle class, skilled workforce, and resilient economy, Bangladesh presents an unparalleled opportunity for investment and business partnerships, said the US Embassy in Dhaka.
Also read: US-Bangladesh relations: A little less pious talk, please
The country’s investments in human capital and physical and digital infrastructure are poised to transform the country over the next decade, it said
With the launch of the U.S.-Bangladesh Business Council, the Chamber is demonstrating its continued commitment to fostering bilateral business ties and creating an expanded platform for business advocacy, said the host country.
Also read: Promoting respect for rights a global effort, says US