BNP
20 BNP men arrested in Chattogram
Police on Thursday arrested at least 20 BNP leaders and activists in Chattogram during a nationwide 48-hour blockade called by the BNP and other like-minded opposition parties.
A press release of the city BNP unit said that during the day-long peaceful protest, 20 leaders and activists were arrested from different areas of the metropolis and the district.
14 BNP leaders, activists detained in Chattogram
BNP leaders and activists in Chattogram took out protest rallies and blocked roads in different parts of the city on Thursday (November 23) demanding the resignation of the government and the cancellation of the announced election schedule.
2 motorcyclists killed in Chattogram road crash
Emdadul Haque Badsha, organising secretary of Chattogram Metropolitan Jubo Dal, is among the arrestees.
He was arrested from in front of Parkview Hospital in Katalganj of the city this evening, Manjur Quader Manjur, officer-in-charge (OC) of CMP's Chawkbazar Police Station, confirmed.
609 shelters ready in Chattogram ahead of cyclone 'Midhili'
Earlier, BNP president Mosharof Hossain Dipati was arrested from Halishahar area of the city.
75 BNP men jailed in 2013 sabotage case
A Dhaka court has sentenced 75 BNP leaders and activists, including former Jubo Dal general secretary SM Jahangir, to two and a half years in jail in a case filed on charges of sabotage in 2013.
The court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Hasibul Haque passed the verdict on Thursday.
Defence lawyer Syed Nazrul Islam confirmed the matter.
BNP, Jamaat, like-minded parties threaten to resist lopsided polls
SM Jahangir, Shahabuddin Sagar and Shah Alam were produced before the court from jail during the pronouncement of the verdict.
The court issued arrest warrants against the other 72 people as they have been absconding.
The other convicts include the leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, Nasim, Apu, Ashraf, Mamun, Aminul, Ehsan, Ripon, Shahadat Hossain, Alamgir, Mokhlesur, Shahidul Islam, Masud, Khorshed Ali, Shafiqul Islam and others.
BNP to enforce another spell of 48-hour blockade from Sunday
The court also acquitted Ashraf and Monir Hossain as they were not found guilty in the case.
Police filed the case with Uttara East Police Station in November 2013. After investigation, the police filed a chargesheet against 77 people.
Earlier on Wednesday, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Saiful Islam sentenced nine people, including former Chhatra Dal president and former swechchhasebak dal general secretary Abdul Qadir Bhuiyan Jewel, to 39 months in jail in a case filed over arson and attack on police.
The judge also imposed a fine of Tk 5,000 on each of them and, in default of which, they will have to serve another four months in jail.
According to the case statement, on November 3, 2013, BNP and Chhatra Shibir leaders and activists set fire to a private car parked on the road during a rally in front of Hotel Plaza on VIP Road in Paltan.
Govt has no influence in Fakhrul's bail denial: Home Minister
When the police tried to douse the fire, the accused attacked them with bricks, iron rods and hockey sticks.
Later, Paltan police filed tje case against in this regard.
Please write against BNP’s arson atrocities, Hasan Mahmud urges journalists
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said the BNP is conducting arson attacks in the name of anti-government movement.
"It is not the work of a political party. Those are activities of terrorist organisations. So, please take the pen and write against their vile activities" the minister said while speaking at a cheque distribution programme of the Journalist Welfare Trust at the Information Bhaban Auditorium in the capital's Kakrail.
Cox’s Bazar Express Train: 115 tickets reserved for Ctg sold within 30 minutes
“On October 28, 32 journalists were beaten and injured during the BNP's rally. Of the injured journalists, more than 20 were from the BNP beat. They were familiar faces to the BNP men, yet they beat them. It has never happened before that so many journalists were injured in one day in Bangladesh,” he said.
The information minister said the BNP-Jamaat killed journalists whenever they were in power. About 14 journalists including Humayun Kabir Balu, Manik Saha, Saiful Islam Mukul and Shamsur Rahman in Jashore and Khulna were killed during the BNP regime, he said.
None will be spared if attempts are made to destabilise rice market: Food Minister
Regarding the BNP’s central office, he said, "It’s not police or any government agency but the BNP leaders who keep their office under lock and leave. BNP leaders have lost the courage of opening their office. How will they do politics?”
“During the BNP's regime, police locked our office, I was there, we broke the lock and entered,” the AL joint secretary said.
Referring that the election will be held on time with the massive participation of the people,Hasan Mahmud said, "Let's move the country forward together. Save the country from this incendiary-anarchy, the government is determined to eliminate the anti-state forces that created this incendiary anarchy.'
Bus set on fire in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar
Regarding the Journalist Welfare Trust, the Information Minister said that this trust is a unique example of how much the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is journalist-friendly. “Today Journalist Welfare Trust has become a place of trust for journalists. “
The minister handed over cheques worth Tk 1,53,50,000 to 186 journalists and their families.
Earlier, the Information Minister inaugurated the new office of the Journalist Welfare Trust on the second floor of the old DFP building at the Information Bhaban complex.
Presided over by Journalist Welfare Trust Managing Director Subhash Chand, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists President Omar Faruque, Secretary General Dip Azad, Jatiya Press Club president Farida Yesmin, general secretary Shyamal Dutta , among others, were present at the event.
BNP chairperson’s advisor Habibur jailed for 5 months in contempt of court case
The High Court (HC) on Wednesday sentenced BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Advisor Habibur Rahman to five months in jail in a case filed over contempt of court around three years back.
A two-member bench of Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman and Justice Md Bashir Ullah also fined the convict Tk 2, 000.
In the observation, the court said the convict gave wrong messages to people of the country and undermined the judiciary division. In this circumstance the court can’t stay idle keeping its eyes closed. To bury the court is to bury the country.
BNP leader Fakhul's bail plea denied in case over vandalising chief justice's residence
The convicted BNP leader was present in the court during the delivery of the judgment and he acknowledged the allegations brought against him.
Lawyers Fazlur Rahman, Mahbub Uddin Khokan, Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Kamrul Islam Sajal, Syed Mamun Mahbub and Ehsanur Rahman stood for the BNP leader in the court.
Deputy Attorney General KM Masud Rumy represented the state in the court.
Four BNP leaders, activists arrested in Gazipur over police killing on Oct 28
Habibur Rahman, also president of Pabna district unit BNP, abused the then Dhaka Special Judge Court Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman, who delivered judgment against Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust Case in 2018, at a television talk show following the verdict.
Later, a case was filed accusing the BNP leader.
In 2019, the judge was appointed as an HC Justice.
On October 15 this year, the HC asked the BNP leader to explain his remarks about the justice on November 6 and issued a rule asking as to why punitive measures won’t be taken against him.
RAB arrests 3 BNP men on charge of sabotage
As he didn’t appear on that date, on November 8 the HC wanted to know the whereabouts of the BNP leader and ordered the authorities concerned including the inspector general of police (IGP) to produce him by December 7.
On November 21, the Rapid Action Battalion arrested him from Mirpur DOHS area and since then he has been in jail.
Changed position on joining polls after failure in street movement: Ibrahim
Kalyan Party chairman Syed Mohammad Ibrahim on Wednesday said he changed his position on joining the election under the current government after having failed to get success in the street movement.
“We’re not getting success in the movement against the current government…in the definite situation that emerged after October 28 (BNP’s rally), I have to make a decision whether I will remain silent or I will take an alternative approach,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference on the occasion of launching the new political alliance Juktafront, Ibrahim said he said he took the alternative position in a bid to try to raise his voice in Parliament if he gets a chance.
Facing a volley of questions from journalists about his changed position, the Kalyan party chief said it is difficult for the small parties to protect their existence, unlike the major ones. “This is the reality. So, I won’t give any challenge.”
Syed Ibrahim forms Juktafront, announces to join national election
In response to a question, he said their new political alliance wants to sit on the bench of the opposition party in the parliament to speak in favour of the country’s people.
Ibrahim said sincere efforts of all parties, including Awami League and BNP are necessary to remove the errors in the current political system of Bangladesh.
He called upon the major parties and the international communities to arrange political talks in a congenial atmosphere to make a good decision in the interests of the nation.
“I did not say about the failure of BNP in the movement. But after October 28, the political movement has now reached a point where the situation needs to be reassessed…I earlier said I want the caretaker government. But what if the caretaker government is not installed? In reply I said either one should wait or try to participate with what is available. I now gave an opinion to be part of what we have,” Ibrahim explained his present position.
Jatiya Party announces decision to join national election
He said he took the decision to join the election based on the prevailing political situation in the country.
Asked whether he took the decision to quit the one-point movement under any pressure, the Kalyan Party chief parried the question.
Ibrahim hoped that the election will be held in a fair and credible manner. “The government and the Election Commission will make every effort to this end. But it is not possible for me to guarantee it.”
He said they have preparations to nominate candidates in 100 seats. “The candidates of our respective parties will participate in this election with their symbols given by the Election Commission during their registrations.”
In response to another question, Ibrahim said he thinks a non-partisan caretaker government is still necessary to hold a credible election. “But because of the prevailing political situation, the caretaker system is not introduced. So, I had to take this decision (of going to the polls).”
Earlier, he announced the formation of ‘Juktafront’, a new political alliance of three parties registered with the Election Commission.
BNP leader Fakhul's bail plea denied in case over vandalising chief justice's residence
He said the new political platform of the Kalyan Party, a faction of Jatiya Party, led by MA Matin and Bangladesh Muslim League will join the upcoming national election slated for January 7.
With this announcement, Ibrahim left the 12-party alliance that has been carrying out simultaneous movement with BNP and other opposition parties for nearly a year to realise one-point demand that includes the resignation of the current government and holding the next election under a non-party neutral government.
BNP leader Fakhul's bail plea denied in case over vandalising chief justice's residence
A Dhaka court today (November 22, 2023) rejected the bail plea of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in a case filed over vandalising the chief justice's residence during his party’s grand rally on October 28.
Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court’s Acting Judge Foysal Atique Bin Quader passed the order after hearing the bail plea placed by Fakhrul's lawyers.
Though there was a schedule to hold the hearing of the bail plea on November 20, the court later deferred it till November 22 after the state counsel had filed a petition seeking time.
Read: Authorities in foreign countries alerted about rumormongers against Bangladesh: Hasan Mahmud
On November 2, Advocate Joynul Abedin filed a petition seeking bail for the BNP leader. The court fixed November 20 for the hearing.
On October 30, a Dhaka metropolitan magistrate sent Fakhrul to jail in the case after the investigating officer produced him before it with a plea to keep him in jail in connection with the case.
The Detective Branch (DB) of police detained Fakhrul from his Gulshan residence on October 29.
Read: Fakhrul’s bail hearing deferred till Nov 22
Nearly 10 hours after his detention, Mirza Fakhrul was shown arrested in the case.
Fakhrul, among 59 leaders and activists of BNP, was accused in the case filed with Ramna Police Station.
US wants to see the election carried out peacefully: State Dept Spokesperson
The United States has reiterated its desire to see a "free and peaceful" election in Bangladesh as the country is heading for the national polls scheduled for January 7, 2024.
"We want to see a free and peaceful election in Bangladesh. We want to see the elections carried out peacefully," US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a regular briefing in Washington on November 21.
Read: Netherlands to support initiative to address negative gender stereotypes, promote gender equality in Bangladesh
He said that has been the US policy, as he has made clear a number of times.
Asked whether the US will condemn the political violence "orchestrated by BNP" in the context of human rights that the US cares about, Miller said, "I think I answered that with my previous answer."
Read: France very much aware of specific climate vulnerabilities of Bangladesh: Ambassador Masdupuy
The Election Commission has already announced the next general election schedule for January 7.
The main opposition party BNP is yet to take any decision to join the polls, while enthusiasm is seen among supporters of Bangladesh Awami League and likeminded parties who are joining the polls.
Police foil miscreants’ attempt to derail train in Narayanganj ahead of blockade
Police foiled a sabotage attempt of miscreants to derail a train in Fatullah on Dhaka-Narayanganj route, ahead of the latest 48-hour road-rail-waterway blockade across Bangladesh called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties.
Mokhlesur Rahman, sub-inspector of Narayanganj Government Railway Police, said miscreants attached a heavy iron plate to the rail line at Kotolerbagh in an attempt to derail the train.
Locals first noticed it and informed police through the national emergency number 999.
562 arrested by RAB on charges of sabotage since Oct 28
On information, police rushed to the spot and removed the iron plate from the rail line.
Police are trying to arrest those involved in the sabotage attempt, he said.
RAB arrests 4, including Sramik Dal leader, from Dhaka's Jatrabari in sabotage case
Khaleda Zia's advisor Habibur Rahman arrested
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s advisor and the party’s Vice Chairman Md Habibur Rahman Habib.
RAB arrested the BNP leader from Dhaka’s Mirpur DOHS area early today (November 21, 2023) in connection with a case filed for contempt of court, RAB-2 Senior Assistant Director (Media) ASP Shihab Karim informed the media.
Read: 562 arrested by RAB on charges of sabotage since Oct 28
He was handed over to Sher-E-Bangla Nagar Police Station this morning for further legal action against him, added the RAB official.
Earlier, the High Court asked Habibur Rahman to appear before the court on November 6 and explain his “derogatory remarks” about a judge of the High Court on social media.
The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil passed the suo moto order.
The court issued a rule seeking explanation as to why punitive action should not be taken against the BNP leader for contempt of court.
Read: RAB arrests 4, including Sramik Dal leader, from Dhaka's Jatrabari in sabotage case
Talking about BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment Habibur said in a video, “I want to take an oath that the day when this government will be not be in power, even if Justice Akhtaruzzaman is alive, he will have to die, even if he dies, the body will be exhumed from the grave.”
48-hour hartal: 16 arson attacks reported till Monday morning
At least sixteen arson attacks were recorded till 9 am on Monday morning during the 48-hour hartal called by BNP, Jammat and some like-minded parties.
14 BNP leaders, activists detained in Chattogram
A total of 16 vehicles were set on fire by miscreants during this time and three of those were set on fire inside Dhaka city, said Talha Bin Zashim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defense Media Cell.
Day 2 of hartal underway with regular traffic on Dhaka streets
Meanwhile, four arson attacks were reported in Dhaka division including Dhaka city, seven in Rajshahi, four in Chattogram, and one in Mymensingh division.
Nine buses, six trucks, one covered van, One CNG-run autorickshaw and three carriages of a train were burnt during this period.
CPB decides not join election under incumbent govt
A total of 144 members of 29 firefighting units worked to douse the fires across the country during this period, added the fire officer.