Politics
BNP raises questions over lengthy judicial procedure in Pilkhana mutiny case
BNP on Sunday expressed concern over the prolonged legal proceedings in the Pilkhana mutiny case.A BNP delegation led by its standing comittee member Abdul Moyeen Khan paid homage to the those killed in the mutiny at the Banani Military graveyard in the morning.
Nation commemorates 15th anniversary of Pilkhana carnage "We have heard about the judgment in the Pilkhana carnage case, but what is the status of the judgment? Has there been any appeal in the judgment, and why has the hearing not completed in 15 years? Furthermore, another explosive case was filed in 2011... Why is the trial of the case still lingering?" he said.
“Today, we will say only one thing, every citizen of Bangladesh should get justice through good governance, through law... That's what we expect. ”
On February 25, 2009, several hundred Bangladesh Rifles (now BGB) men staged an armed revolt at the Darbar Hall of the force's Pilkhana headquarters during the three-day "BDR Week".
A total of 74 people, including 57 Army officers, were killed in the massacre beginning on this day.
The mutiny finally ended the following day (Feb 26) with the surrender of firearms, ammunition and grenades through a negotiation between the then government and the BDR rebels.
PM blaming BNP for essentials’ price hike to hide govt’s failures: Rizvi
BNP on Saturday alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina blamed BNP for the hikes in the prices of essential commodities just to mislead the people and hide her government’s failure.
“The syndicate government formed through a dummy election is misleading the people by making strange remarks. The government, which has completely failed to control commodity prices, is now blaming BNP for the increase in the prices of essential items,” said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Speaking at a press briefing, at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, he also said the PM at her Friday’s press conference at Ganabhaban said those who are agitating to overthrow the government have some tricks to increase the commodity prices.
"Her such statements mean that her autocracy has become rotten and perverted. Therefore, Sheikh Hasina has no choice but to utter blatant lies and make untrue, fabricated and baseless comments. All these statements are the manifestation of a disturbed mind... that's why she’s resorting to ridiculous lies,” Rizvi said.
However, he said, the Prime Minister has admitted that commodity prices have gone up limitlessly. "They (govt) have an old habit of shamelessly blaming BNP for their failures, looting, stealing, and misdeeds.”
Since Sheikh Hasina is unable to control the dishonest businessmen as the head of the government, Rizvi said she is spreading false propaganda to blame BNP for her failure to stay in power illegally. “The looter government does not have the minimum competence to control the market.”
The BNP leader said the common people are going through a very tough time to survive amid the skyrocketing prices of all commodities.
He said though the government had issued various threats it could not control the market as the market manipulators are now controlling the Awami League regime.
“The way price of every commodity is increasing, not only the lower-income people but also the middle class ones have become extremely helpless. People are unable to buy necessary daily essential items, including rice, lentils, oil, onion, garlic and chicken. The beef and mutton are now becoming like a distant star in the sky for the poor people,” Rizvi observed.
BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Habibur Rahman Habib is seriously ill, but the jail authorities are not providing him with necessary treatment, he alleged.
"His (Habib’s) condition is serious. He is not being treated in jail and he is not being given proper prescriptions and medicines. He can't even walk,” the BNP leader said.
He called upon the government to take immediate steps to ensure better treatment of ailing Habib since 15 jailed opposition leaders have recently died in custody.
BNP still believes AL's fall 'inevitable': Nazrul Islam Khan
BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Friday expressed high hope that there must be a change in the government through the opposition's ongoing movement for the 'restoration of democracy'.
He also said Awami League cannot talk about the success or failure of BNP's movement, reminding the ruling party that it took 21 years for them to come to power after 1975.
"We want a change in power and believe that it will inevitably happen," the BNP leader said.
He made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting the Gopibagh residence of BNP leader Imtiaz Ahmed Bulbul, who died in a hospital six days after his arrest last year.
Govt's plan to hike electricity, fuel prices 'anti-people', 'cruel': BNP
Bulbul, a leader of Dhaka South City’s 39-number ward unit BNP, died on November 30 after being taken to the hospital due to a heart attack. BNP alleged that Babul died in custody as a result of torture.On November 30, Imtiaz Ahmed Bulbul, an activist from Dhaka, died six days after he was sent to Gazipur prison.
Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said political parties devise their different programmes and strategies as per the demand of time.
He said their party turned victorious in various movements in the past, including one against the autocratic regime of HM Ershad in 1990. “The 1/ll regime in 2007 wanted to hold an election during the state emergency but failed to do so in the face of obstruction by us. We’re now trying to restore democracy.”
People will turn around to restore rights as Language Movement teaches them not to bow down: Jamiruddin Sircar
The BNP leader said their party also established multi-party democracy eliminating one-party rule Baksal introduced by Awami League. “BNP also established parliamentary democracy ending military autocracy. That's why this BNP will be able to establish democracy and good governance in Bangladesh again in the future."
In response to a question, he said BNP together with many other opposition parties have long been in a simultaneous movement for the restoration of democracy. “They (AL) accuse us of not being able to carry out the movement. BNP is out of power for 17 years... They have been saying since 10-12 years ago that BNP has no strength with a broken back to continue the movement. They (AL) were out of power for 21 years... Were their backs broken or straight at that time?
Nazrul said Awami League has no right to question the movement ability of the BNP when this party took 21 years to return to power.
AL wants to ban opposition parties: Dr Moyeen
Accusing the government of usurping power, he urged it to take step to restore good governance so that the relatives of any persons need not cry about losing their dear ones without any crime. “If someone commits a crime, he/she must be punished. But what is happening now?
The BNP leader described the custodial death of Bulbul as a 'murder incident' and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice.
On behalf of the BNP high command, Nazrul talked to the bereaved relatives of Bulbul and consoled them.
Illegal hoarders are country’s enemy: Food Minister
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said that illegal hoarders are enemies of the country.
He said this while inspecting the ongoing activities of the newly constructed bridge over Shib River in Naogaon's Radhanagar on Friday afternoon.
He alleges that the illegal hoarders are allies of BNP, and they want to oust PM Sheikh Hasina.
"Two days before the election, the traders suddenly increased the price of rice by Tk 8-10. They thought it would take a month to understand if someone else became the food minister. Meetings had to be held in every district to keep the rice market stable," he said.
The food minister also mentioned that anti-hoarding drives had to be conducted.
He also said that the Radhanagar Bridge will play a role in boosting trade and commerce between Rajshahi and Naogaon districts.
BNP to face people's wrath if they announce programmes during Ramadan: Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said the BNP will face the wrath of people if it announces political programmes during the holy month of Ramadan.
"The BNP doesn't have respect for Ramadan or Eid. They are thinking of announcing programmes during Ramadan. We need to see whether they announce programmes for the day when Eid will be celebrated," he said while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
BNP leaders sounding incoherent as they try and save face: Hasan Mahmud
Hasan, also the joint general secretary of Awami League, said that the BNP got collapsed due to their mistakes and election boycott.
"The mistake of boycotting the elections has caused instant downfall of the party," he said, adding that BNP leaders are facing heavy criticism from the BNP workers for that mistake.
No alternative to adequate climate funding for developing countries: Hasan Mahmud in Munich
And they will face consequences from the people if they announce programmes in Ramadan, he added.
PM Hasina centre of attention at Munich Security Conference: Hasan Mahmud
Govt's plan to hike electricity, fuel prices 'anti-people', 'cruel': BNP
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday slammed the government for its plan to increase the prices of electricity and fuel in March, labeling it as 'anti-people, and ‘cruel’.
"The government has planned to increase the prices of electricity and fuel in March which has been reported in different media. The government which has captured power illegally can take such an anti-people and unacceptable decision," he said.
"This decision will be extremely ruthless. The decision ahead of Ramadan means adding salt to injury. Those with moderate and low incomes are already struggling, with 80% of the population not experiencing any rise in their income. People are living in extreme hardship, with some facing hunger and malnutrition. The government's decision to raise the prices of electricity and fuel will push the people into danger," added Rizvi.
People want to establish their rights inspired by the spirit of 21st February: BNP
Rizvi said if the prices of electricity and fuel increase, it will have a negative impact on the common people through a chain reaction. Agriculture, industries, and factories will suffer, he added.
The BNP strongly condemns the plan of hiking prices of electricity and fuel, he said adding that if the government increases the prices the party will announce protest programmes.
Although the present occupying regime show their love for Bengali language and culture, in reality the country is being turned into a center of foreign languages and cultures, said Rizvi.
“The evidences are everywhere in Bangladesh. Today, when you turn on the television you see Hindi drama, Hindi cinema. Indian films are being screened in the movie halls. What are they for?"
BNP chairperson's advisory council member Zainul Abedin Farroque was, among others, present at the press briefing.
BNP leader Alal walks out of jail
BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal has been freed from Gazipur's Kashimpur jail after more than three and a half months.
He walked out of the prison on Wednesday afternoon, a source in the BNP said.
Alal got released after securing bail from the High Court.
After the release, BNP leaders and activists welcomed him with flowers in front of the prison gate.
At that time, Alal said he has become physically sick and will consult a doctor soon.
He also said that the movement to establish democracy, voting rights and the rule of law under the leadership of party acting chairman Tarique Rahman would continue.
Ailing BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf returns home from Singapore
BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain returned home from Singapore early Wednesday after receiving treatment for a brain haemorrhage.
He landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 1am.
Ailing BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf to be taken to Singapore again Sunday
"Alhamdulillah, my father is now better than before. He received treatment at the National University Hospital in Singapore," said his younger son Barrister Khandaker Maruf Hossain.
Doctors advised him to take 4-6 months of full bed rest and abstain from any kind of public gathering during this time as he underwent brain surgery, he added.
BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf in ICU
Maruf sought doa from countrymen and party leaders for his father's speedy recovery.
According to the family member, Mosharraf underwent a successful brain surgery at the Singapore National University Hospital on January 27.
BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf returns home from Singapore after treatment
Earlier on January 21, the 76-year-old former health minister went to Singapore for advanced treatment on the advice of the doctors of the Evercare Hospital.
Mosharraf was admitted to the Evercare Hospital in the capital on June 18 last year after a stroke.
People want to establish their rights inspired by the spirit of 21st February: BNP
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Wednesday paid homage to the 1952 Language Movement martyrs, marking Amar Ekushey, the Language Martyrs Day, and the International Mother Language Day.
The party leaders and workers, led by its senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, reached the Central Shaheed Minar around 10:47 am after waiting for a long time and placed a wreath at its altar.
The leaders and activists of the party gathered in front of Balaka Cinema Hall at Nilkhet at 7am wearing black badges. Later, they first offered fateha at the graves of Language Movement martyrs at Azimpur Graveyard and then went to the Central Shaheed Minar.
Talking to reporters there, Rizvi said BNP leaders and activists are taking to the streets to restore democracy, braving all repressive acts.
“The people of the country want to speak with a loud voice without any fear and they want to establish their rights inspired by the spirit of 21st February. We’re taking a vow on this day to do that following the path showed by the language martyrs,” he said.
In response to a question, Rizvi said their one-point movement has not stopped. “The movement is going on. Our movement will continue until our desired goal is achieved.”
He said they will continue the one-point movement until the fall of the current government and restoration of democracy through a fair and credible election.
“Our leaders and workers are not disappointed. They are invigorated since they are fighting for a truth and justice,” the BNP leader said.
Rizvi alleged that the current Awami League government has snatched all the rights of people, including the freedom of expression, like the Pakistani occupation forces.
“Awami League has introduced an absolute monarchy in Bangladesh,” he said.
BNP leaders sounding incoherent as they try and save face: Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said that two of the freed BNP leaders, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, are sounding increasingly incoherent as they try and put forward various narratives to justify their own position and save face.
"They are talking in such a way because BNP's anti-election conspiracies failed, and the whole world has expressed interest to work with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government," the foreign minister said.
He said this while addressing the inaugural session of the biennial general meeting of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) at the National Press Club in the capital on Tuesday.
Hasan said BNP leaders, having boycotted the election, are now questionable to the party activists. On the other hand the present Awami League government is much stronger than any previous government.
“Countries and organisations, including India, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, have congratulated the government elected for coming to power fifth time, including the fourth time in a row, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after the January 7 election,” said the AL leader. "Those who hatched conspiracies over the election, tried to foil the election, have now become silent, their faces have become pale, they do not know what to do now.”
The PM's former media adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, BFUJ president Omar Faruque, JPC president Farida Yasmin, general secretary Shyamal Dutta and BFUJ acting secretary general Sheikh Mamunur Rashid, among others, addressed the function with Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) president Sohel Haider Chowdhury in the chair.