Politics
15 BNP men died in police custody 'for lack of care or torture': Rizvi
BNP on Sunday presented a list of its 15 leaders and activists who the party said died in prison before and after last October 28.
Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi provided journalists with the list at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office.
Rizvi claimed 15 BNP leaders and workers perished in prison either without receiving adequate medical care or medication or as a result of torture and persecution during police remand.
He, however, said that the prison authorities gave similar typed interpretations after all the deaths that they died on the way to hospitals. “The fact is that they died in prisons, not in hospitals.”
Those who died in custody as per the party list include Khulna Jubo Dal leader Kamal Hossain Mizan, Satkhira BNP leaders Abdus Sattar, and Mohsin-ul Mulk, Rangpur BNP leader Manowarul Islam, Dhaka south city unit BNP leaders Idris Al, Abul Bashar, and Imtiaz Ahmed, Gazipur BNP leaders Asaduzzaman Khan Hira, and Mohammad Shafiuddin Master, Pabna BNP leader Abul Kalam Azad, Chattogram city unit BNP leader Golamur Rahman Golap, Natore Jubo Dal leader Abul Kalam Azad, Rajshahi Jubo Dal leader Monirul Islam, Naogaon BNP leader Motibul Mandal and Dhaka city unit Sramik Dal leader Fazlur Rahman Kajal.
Rizvi criticised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her comments that those who want to raise questions about the fairness of the 12th general election must clearly show evidence in favour of their assertions.
“Those who commit crimes think of themselves as innocent. You (PM) yourself are the biggest proof of election fraud. Because the secretary of the Election Commission appointed by you himself said that the list of those who would win was given to the DCs.”
He said even the defeated candidates belonging to the ruling party presented information about vote fraud before the nation by holding press conferences.
The BNP leader said the local and international media also depicted various election irregularities and empty polling stations amid the boycott by the country’s people.
He said the country’s people and the international community also know how the government launched an extreme crackdown on the BNP leaders and workers and sent hundreds of opposition leaders and followers to jail for holding a lopsided dummy election.
The BNP leader said even Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud admitted that India kept Awami League in power by extending its support to the party, before addressing Sheikh Hasina: “Prime Minister, you cannot win people's hearts with lies.”
Junior commerce minister 'hopeful' about market conditions of essentials ahead of Ramadan
State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam (Tito) on Sunday issued a warning against hoarders and market manipulation.
He also hoped that the government will be able to ensure adequate supply of food items in the upcoming Ramadan.
“If any hoarding or manipulation is attempted, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.
He said this in response to a question of the Independent MP elected from Habiganj, Syed Sayedul Haque Suman, in Parliament.
The state minister said that the prime minister gave instructions in the first cabinet meeting.
Explore new markets for Bangladesh's export items: PM Hasina tells BGMEA
“We are working through an inter-ministerial committee. The Prime Minister gave instructions yesterday (Saturday) so that there should be no hindrance at the level of transport and in market management,” he said.
He also mentioned that continuous and coordinated monitoring is going on.
“Hope to be able to ensure the supply of food in next Ramadan. If any kind of hoarding or manipulation is attempted, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.
Replying to a supplementary question of ruling party MP elected from Jhenaidah-3 Constituency Md. Salah Uddin Miyaji, Tito said that the Prime Minister has given some guidelines in the first cabinet meeting to control the commodity prices.
“One of them is that a taskforce has been formed in coordination with three ministries: of agriculture, food and fish, and the ministry of commerce.”
He said that a hotline is in operation to monitor the price of each product at the import and production stage through the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection.
“If consumers are cheated or overcharged, we take immediate action. In the future, we are launching a hotline 333 before Ramadan. If any agricultural product is sold at a price higher than the reasonable price, they will take action as soon as they receive the call.”
The Minister said that the government is working to stabilise the market by not only policing the market but also ensuring adequate supply.
“On the occasion of the upcoming Ramadan, the amount of daily essentials required so far has been imported in sufficient quantity and is stocked. There is ample supply of any daily essentials starting from rice. If we can get it down to the consumer level now through fair market management we hope no hoarder will get a chance to manipulate,” he said.
AL business syndicates out to make money hiking commodity prices: BNP
In response to another supplementary question of Awami League MP from Laxmipur Anwer Hossain Khan, the state minister said that the government has communicated with neighbouring country India regarding onion and sugar ahead of the upcoming Ramadan.
“And the export of these two products was prohibited, considering Bangladesh as a friendly neighboring country, we hope they will give permission to export onion and sugar before this Ramadan.”
He also mentioned that the foreign minister has visited India. From there he was assured that the process was underway.
“Hopefully we will try to ensure supply by bringing onions from India and alternative sources before the start of Ramadan.”
AL business syndicates out to make money hiking commodity prices: BNP
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged that the ruling party's business syndicates have become more desperate to indulge in looting by increasing commodity prices after the January 7 election.
Speaking at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, he said the country’s people are going through a serious ordeal to cope with the skyrocketing prices of essential items.
BNP announces six-day fresh programme beginning Tuesday
“The syndicates of the ruling party have become more reckless to plunder public money. The prices of daily necessities such as rice, pulses, oil, sugar, vegetables, fish and meat are increasing at an alarming rate,” the BNP leader said.
He also said that no vegetables are now available below Tk 80 to 100 per kg in this peak season for winter vegetables.
The BNP leader also bemoaned that fish and meat have gone beyond the purchasing capacity of the poor and ordinary people.
AL has to pay for Jan 7 election: Farroque
the rising commodity prices, the poor people are now buying pieces of sliced Pangasius fish from the market keeping meat and other fish out of their menu. “I have given an example of what terrible situation the low-income people and middle class are facing now…people are also buying chicken skin and legs to eat.”Rizvi said the government has increased the tariffs on gas, electricity and water several times illegally without considering the public interest.
He said the landlords are increasing the rents of their houses at a geometric rate, leaving the middle class and working people in the lurch.
India wants to see weak democracy in Bangladesh: Rizvi
BNP leader said their party’s one-point movement demanding the resignation of the current government and an election under a non-party neutral government will continue.“The one-point movement is marching towards victory by ensuring the fall of the usurper Awami League government with the unity, determination and heroism of the people. Sheikh Hasina won’t be able to suppress the political awakening that has been created. The victory of the people is certain.”
BNP announces six-day fresh programme beginning Tuesday
BNP on Sunday announced a six-day fresh programme, including mass contact and leaflet distribution, across the country beginning on Tuesday as part of its ongoing movement demanding the cancellation of 12th parliament and a fresh election under a non-partisan government.
Party Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the announcement at a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan central office.
Unidentified man’s body found along Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Cox’s Bazar
As part of the programmes, he said the leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies will carry out mass contact and distribute leaflets in Dhaka and all other metropolitan cities on February 13 and 14 (Tuesday and Wednesday).
A similar programme will also observed in all district towns on February 17 and in all upazilas, thanas, municipalities and unions on February 18 and 19.
Besides, the party will arrange doa mahfil (prayer sessions) after Juma prayers in all mosques across the country on February 16 in memory of Bangladeshis killed recently in firing along Bangladesh and Myanmar borders.
Rizvi said their mass contact and leaflet distribution programmes are also meant to mount pressure on the government to control prices of essential commodities and to release BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Members Mirza Abbas, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and other jailed leaders and activists.
He called upon the party’s leaders and workers at all levels to make their fresh programmes a success by braving all possible obstacles and adversities.
This will be the BNP's third round of street programme after the 12th parliamentary election held on January 7.
5 dead, 2 injured in covered van-autorickshaw collision in Cumilla
Earlier on January 27, BNP observed a black-flag procession programme in all metropolitan cities, including in Dhaka, demanding the cancellation of the 12th parliament and protesting the price hike of essential commodities.
Later, BNP announced to take out processions holding black flags across the country, including in the capital on January 30, the first day the 12th parliament went into session, demanding a fresh election under a non-party government.
However, the police did not allow the BNP to take out processions at seven points in the capital on that day as the party was not permitted to observe the programme on the first day of the new parliament session.
AL has to pay for Jan 7 election: Farroque
BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council Member Zainul Abedin Farroque said on Saturday that the Awami League will have to "pay for ages for holding a "lopsided" election of the 12th Parliament on January 7.
Speaking at a human chain programme, he also urged the ruling party not to underestimate the BNP, as the party could stage a comeback on the streets anytime due to its huge popularity among the people of the country.
BNP, some other political parties lack patriotism: Nanak
“Mr Obaidul Quader, how do you say that BNP will have to pay a lot (for not joining the January 7 polls)? On the contrary, I would like to say you must pay the price. You will have to pay the price for ages because you have formed the government and arranged the election without the participation of the people,” the BNP leader said.
He also accused the Awami League government of creating a political crisis in the country by usurping power and snatching the voting rights of people. “You must be responsible for the stain you have put on the history of Bangladesh by destroying democracy. So, you will have to pay for it."
Border Tension: BNP says Bangladesh now in the jaws of crossfire
Farroque, also a former opposition chief whip in parliament, said constant firing is going on along the border while people's lives and livelihoods are at stake amid the growing hikes in essential commodities, and the economic backbone of the country is being broken as the Awami government has been staying in power without the support of the people.
He also said the time is very near for the Awami League to face the people for the stigma the party has put on the history of Bangladesh.
Border becomes endangered due to unpopular govt's passive role: BNP
Ziaur Rahman Samaj Kalyan Forum organised the human chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and other parties' jailed leaders and workers.
Farroque alleged that the government foiled BNP’s grand rally in the capital on October 28 and subsequently arrested the senior BNP leaders, including Fakhrul, as part of its 'planned conspiracy' for holding the one-sided election.
He called upon the government to step down and take steps to hold a fair and credible election under a neutral government. “Otherwise, when the people's anger erupts, you will face a situation more dangerous than Sri Lanka."
Farroque said their party will be there on the streets with the people until the restoration of democracy and all the lost rights.
Quader anxious to restore party unity ahead of important AL meeting
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday said Bangladesh follows the true form of democracy.
He said this at a press briefing at the Awami League president's office in Dhanmondi in the capital on Friday.
Describing the democracy practised in Pakistan and Bangladesh as 'worlds apart', Obaidul Quader said, “We follow the true form of democracy. Even though the opposition parties did not join the election, it was fair. We acknowledge that our democracy is not flawless, and even the Western nations, often portrayed as exemplars of democracy, have imperfections as well.”
Regarding the special extended meeting of the Awami League on Saturday, he said that strong unity of the party is needed to implement the election manifesto.
“Independent candidates have been chosen for strategic reasons. In the election, 62 people were elected. But they also belong to the Awami League. Many are also Awami League’s posted leaders. There have also been some misunderstandings, disagreements, and conflicts among themselves in the elections. Strong unity is needed in the party to implement the election manifesto by ending this violence, and internal strife within the party,” he said.
He also said BNP will have to pay for its mistake of not joining the 12th general election for a long time.
About BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, he said the government does not want anyone to be detained without trial.
About BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia's treatment abroad, the minister said, “Let the family apply. How the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law make recommendations can then be told.”
India wants to see weak democracy in Bangladesh: Rizvi
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday alleged that India wants fragile democracy in Bangladesh since it has extended support to last month's election which was rejected by the people and the most democratic countries.
“The foreign minister said (Thursday) that India has supported the election (held on January 7) to maintain the continuity of democracy," he said.
Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi questioned whether India wants plastic democracy in its neighbouring countries.
Bangladeshi citizens in extreme insecurity along Myanmar border: Rizvi
He claimed that it was recognised by the entire world that the stage-managed and rigged 12th parliamentary election in Bangladesh was rejected and boycotted by the country’s people.
“If that election is fair... if that election helps maintain the continuation of democracy and if India supports that election as per the assertion of the foreign minister, then we have to think that India wants a steel-like strong democracy in its own country, but it wants a plastic democracy in Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said.
Rizvi said, the government is loudly saying which countries are congratulating them and supporting the election. “It has manifested that they’re an isolated government without public support.
Khaleda undergoes health checkups at Evercare, returns home
He also said the ministers of the government are bragging about the support of other countries out of their fear of losing power as people boycotted the last polls.
The BNP leader said the current Awami League government is unable to protect the independence and sovereignty of the country as it was not formed with public support. “It is now visible. In the age of technology, every person is now watching how the mortar shells are coming (from Myanmar), killing the people of Bangladesh. But the government is silent. It even can’t give a statement (protesting the border incidents)."
He said the government could not set an example of keeping the independence and sovereignty of the country intact through diplomatic efforts and lodging strong protests. "It has proved once again that the world doesn’t care about a government which lacks public support."
Rizvi alleged that BNP leaders and workers are being subjected to various repression and harassment in jails.
Khaleda taken to Evercare Hospital for health check-ups
“The country's jails are overcrowded with BNP leaders and activists and the jails are accommodating inmates several times more than their capacity. Prison cells have been turned into suffocating concentration camps,” he observed.
The BNP leader alleged that over-enthusiastic officials are oppressing the jailed BNP leaders and workers by depriving them of all the facilities they deserve as per the jail code.
Khaleda undergoes health checkups at Evercare, returns home
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia underwent health checkups at Evercare Hospital in the capital on Thursday.
She arrived at the hospital from her Gulshan residence around 6:48pm and stayed there for nearly five hours, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
Khaleda taken to Evercare Hospital for health check-ups
He said that the BNP chairperson underwent several tests at the hospital as per the advice of her medical board.
Later, the BNP chief left the hospital and reached her residence around 12:15 am, he said.
Khaleda Zia scheduled for a health check-up this afternoon
Khaleda's personal physician, AZM Zahid Hossain, said the medical board formed earlier, led by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, advised her to go for the health checkup at the hospital.
"She underwent various necessary medical tests at the hospital,” he said.
Khaleda returns home from Evercare Hospital after over 5 months
Zahid said the medical board will decide the next course of her treatment after assessing the reports.
On January 11, the BNP chief returned home from Evercare Hospital after receiving treatment for various health complications for over five months.
Since then, she has been receiving treatment at her Gulshan residence under the medical board that was formed earlier at the Evercare Hospital.
On August 9 last year, she was admitted to the hospital as she fell sick.
The 78-year-old former prime minister has long been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and issues related to kidney, lung, heart, and eye.
On October 26, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia’s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.
Khaleda’s doctors have been recommending sending her abroad since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021.
The BNP chief’s family also sought permission from the government on different occasions, but the Law Minister said Khaleda has no scope to go abroad for treatment as she was released on conditions suspending her sentence in corruption cases.
Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder.
Bangladesh strengthens its position along Myanmar border: Obaidul Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Thursday that the government has strengthened its position along the border to the tension created by the internal conflict in Myanmar.
“We aren’t in favour of opening the border and we won’t not allow this opportunity to anyone. Bangladesh will write to the United Nations through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about its concern over the Myanmar conflict,” he said.
Quader, also Awami League (AL) general secretary, said this at a press briefing at the AL central office on the Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on Thursday afternoon.
"Those who fled to Bangladesh were members of their border guards and army while the Myanmar ambassador was summoned and they would take them back and must be taken back. There is no alternative to not taking them back," he said.
“We can’t keep the fear alive across our border. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working and will write to the United Nations. Myanmar also has border with India. Our foreign minister is currently in India. Important discussions including the Myanmar border issue have already taken place with India.”
Addressing the current situation of the opposition BNP, he said that the BNP has lost its mind as US President Joe Biden has talked about working together with Bangladesh.
“UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has given the message. The French president also sent a message. Now all hope of the BNP is over. They thought foreign friends would stand by (them). Their hopes are completely gone,” he claimed.
Regarding Rohingyas’ stay in Bangladesh and their infiltration, he said that the BNP first allowed Rohingyas to come when they were in power. "Have they forgotten their past history?"
‘’What our leader Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has done, everyone including the United Nations has praised,’’ he said.
Regarding the distribution and submission of AL nomination forms for women reserved seats in the 12th Parliament, the party general secretary said a total of 1,549 nomination forms were sold in the last three days.
The party's income has been Tk 7 crore 74.50 lakh. A meeting of the party's parliamentary nomination board will be held on February 14 with party President Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Khaleda taken to Evercare Hospital for health check-ups
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was taken to Evercare Hospital in the capital on Thursday evening for health check-ups.
She arrived at the hospital from her Gulshan residence around 6:48pm, said her media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
He said the BNP chairperson will undergo several tests at the hospital as per the advice of her medical board.
Sayrul said the medical board will decide whether she needs to be hospitalised further after observing her health condition and assessing the test reports.
On January 11, the BNP chief returned home from Evercare Hospital after receiving treatment for various health complications for over five months.
Since then, she has been receiving treatment at her Gulshan residence under the medical board that was formed earlier at the Evercare Hospital.
On August 9 last year, she was admitted to the hospital as she fell sick.
The 78-year-old former prime minister has long been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and issues related to kidney, lung, heart, and eye.
On October 26, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia’s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.
Khaleda’s doctors have been recommending sending her abroad since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021.
The BNP chief’s family also sought permission from the government on different occasions, but the Law Minister said Khaleda has no scope to go abroad for treatment as she was released on conditions suspending her sentence in corruption cases.
Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder.
Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. That has since been extended multiple times to keep her out of jail.