United News of Bangladesh

Former Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Nahid Islam has publicly disclosed his bank transaction details following his resignation from the interim government.   In a Facebook post on Wednesday, he said that he had no bank account before assuming office. He opened an account at Sonali Bank on August 21 last year solely to receive his official remuneration.   According to his statement, a total of Tk 10,06,886 was deposited into the account, while Tk 9,96,188 was withdrawn. He further clarified that he has no other bank accounts apart from this one at Sonali Bank.   Mahfuj Alam appointed Information Adviser as Nahid steps down Nahid Islam also said in his status, “During my tenure as an adviser, there has been no land or flat in my name or any member of my family (wife/mother/father) anywhere in Bangladesh or it has not been purchased by me or my family.”  Additionally, he mentioned that his personal secretary has Tk 36,028 in an account with Islami Bank Bangladesh. Since assuming office, his secretary and the secretary’s immediate family have not purchased any property in the country. Students of July Movement launch ‘Gonotantraik Chhatra Sangsad’ amid protests, clashes   The former adviser further asserted that all financial records of his personal staff and relevant officials are transparent and can be disclosed if necessary. He emphasised that, under the Right to Information Act 2009, any government office in Bangladesh can verify the provided information.  

Information Adviser Mohammad Nahid Islam has indicated that he may step down from his government position to join a new political party if he feels that working directly with people is more important than serving in the government. “There are discussions about forming a new political party. If someone wishes to join, it is not possible by retaining a government role,” Nahid said in an interview with a television channel on Saturday. He said the new party is expected to be formed this month and if it happens, all will know it within a few days. BNP, Jamaat, others start meeting with National Consensus Commission Nahid Islam, a coordinator of anti-Discrimination Student Movement and student of Dhaka University, took oath as an adviser to the interim government on August 9 after the fall of Hasina govt in a mass upsurge on August 5. Nahid, who was a student of Dhaka University's Sociology Department (2016-17 session), was picked along with another adviser, Asif Mahmud, during the first round of curfew slapped by the Hasina government to suppress the quota reform movement. Later, Detective Branch (DB) members picked him along with some other coordinators while he was undergoing treatment at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital. Later, six coordinators of the movement including Nahid were forced to announce the withdrawal of the anti-discrimination student movement programme in a video message when they were under DB custody. BNP’s Rizvi fears for the future of centrist politics But after being released from there, they again announced the programme for a movement and at one stage placed a one-point demand seeking Hasina’s resignation. The movement then turned into mass upsurge with the participation of people from all walks of life, forcing Hasina to resign and flee the country. Nahid Islam was a leader of a student organisation called ‘Ganatantrik Chhatra Shakti’. Nahid was the member secretary of the central committee of the organisation.

India is attempting to further escalate the situation surrounding the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das and related matters, Adviser Nahid Islam said  on Wednesday. In a verified Facebook post, Nahid mentioned that the interim government is actively working to uphold the civil rights of minority communities in Bangladesh. “We respect their legitimate demands and remain committed to resolving the issues through dialogue,” he wrote. “We urge all to recognise the negative impact India’s interference in our internal security is having on the broader situation. Such statements amount to an intrusion by India,” Nahid added. He went on to say, “India is attempting to provoke the situation further. Instead, it should focus on ensuring the security and rights of its own minority communities. We call on India to act responsibly and to refrain from endorsing the false propaganda of the Awami League.” BNP urges Chief Adviser to foster national unity to resolve issues Earlier, on Tuesday, lawyer Saiful Islam was killed amid clashes among police, lawyers, and supporters of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das after a Chattogram court denied him bail in a sedition case. Witnesses said unidentified  people dragged Saiful to Jangal Cinema Lane on the ground floor of the court building, where he was beaten and hacked to death. The unrest erupted when thousands of Chinmoy's followers gathered at the court premises, blocking the prison van carrying him and demanding his immediate release.  

Police have identified two people involved in the killing of delivery man Nahid Hossain during the recent clashes between the students of Dhaka College and New Market shopkeepers. Sharif Mohammad Farukuzzaman, assistant commissioner (New Market Zone) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said after scrutinising a video footage and other evidences police identified two people. Police are trying to arrest those for their suspected involvement in the killing, he said adding “We are also trying to identify other attackers after scrutunising the video footages of the incident.” 20-year-old Nahid Hossain, a delivery man for Dlink courier service, who was severely beaten during New Market clashes, died on April 19. READ: New Market clashes: Another case filed over Mursalin’s death Nahid and another youth were killed and over 30 people, including journalists and students, were injured as students of Dhaka College locked into a series of clashes with shopkeepers of New Market at the Nilkhet intersection on April 19. Meanwhile, more than 1,300 people have been booked in connection with Tuesday’s violent clashes on April 21.