Bangladesh has briefed heads of missions (around 90) based in New Delhi on the recent political scenario and preparations for the next general election in Bangladesh. Mentioning that election is a “festive occasion in Bangladesh as we see it in many democratic countries,” Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen told ambassadors that people of Bangladesh have been eagerly waiting to take part in the democratic process to vote and elect the representatives of their choice. The Election Commission is committed to holding a free and fair election with participation of voters in a festive atmosphere, Masud told the diplomats in Delhi. Bangladesh-India FS-level talks held in New Delhi The foreign secretary briefed the diplomats concurrently accredited to Bangladesh on Friday evening. He was visiting New Delhi in connection with the Foreign Office Consultations between Bangladesh and India, which was held in the Hyderabad House in the afternoon of November 24. In the evening, he briefed the concurrently accredited ambassadors to Bangladesh in a program organized by the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi at the Bangabandhu Hall. Foreign Secretary Masud highlighted the foreign policy priorities and dynamics of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh-India FS-level talks in New Delhi on Friday He also briefed the ambassadors about Bangladesh’s position on various geopolitical contemporary issues. During the briefing, he highlighted the socio-economic development of Bangladesh over the last 15 years under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Masud solicited their support to resolve the Rohingya crisis through ensuring the refugees’ safe and sustainable repatriation to their place of origin in Myanmar for peace and stability of the region and beyond. During the briefing session, the ambassadors were requested for support of their respective governments for Bangladesh’s candidature for the membership of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under category ‘C’ for the term 2024-2025, elections to which be held in London on December 1 this year. Given Bangladesh’s recent socio-economic development, continued stability and growing importance in the regional and global platforms and engagement with the issues of global concern, Foreign Secretary Masud urged the ambassadors to request their respective governments to consider opening diplomatic missions in Dhaka. He assured them of the Bangladesh government’s cooperation and assistance in facilitating the process. The foreign secretary responded to questions raised by the concurrently accredited ambassadors. The foreign secretary is scheduled to return to Dhaka this afternoon. FOC: Bangladesh, India hold comprehensive discussions on trade, security, border issues

The nationwide blockades for the past few days have dealt a severe blow to the business landscape of Bangladesh, leaving wholesale markets desolate and causing a week-long economic slump. The impact has spread over areas like New Market, Chandni Market, Eastern Plaza, Elephant Road, Farmgate, Gulistan Market, Shantinagar, Kakrail, Mouchak Market, Rampura-Badda, Mirpur, Dhanmondi, Gulshan-Banani, and Uttara in Dhaka. Nawabpur, Chawkbazar, Islampur, Babubazar, Shankharibazar, Moulvibazar, and Bangabazar, also witnessed a decline in trade activities. Economy buffeted by political unrest amid declining forex reserves: Analysts Dewan Aminul Islam, President of Dhaka New Market Traders’ Association, said that sales were very low during the blockade. “There are no buyers. Small traders are suffering more. If the blockade continues, then we will be the most affected,” he said. Employees at Olympia Bakeryshop in the Baitul Mukarram area similarly report a decline in sales. They have resorted to a shift toward alternative sales strategies within familiar networks. Sabuj, a tea vendor at Paltan intersection, said his shop faced a significant contraction in sales over the past week. “I make TK10-12,000 per day. Now it’s Tk2-3,000," he said. Uncertainty, tension grip students, parents amid raging political crisis Farooq Hasan, President of BGMEA, told UNB “The sector was already suffering from a shortage of buyers in the international market. Now, due to internal political instability, we have to face a more difficult situation. As a result, not only the export sector will be affected, but the entire economy of the country will be affected.  It will also affect the reserves.” Mohammad Hatem, Executive President of BKMEA, expressed concern over escalating losses among traders. “The internal transportation of goods has been severely impeded. Industrial production witnessed a decline.Export sector is especially vulnerable to the ongoing blockade,” he said. The Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) President, Abdus Salam Murshedi, told UNB that due to the blockade, businesses cannot collect the raw materials stuck at various ports due to the transportation crisis. Mahbubul Alam, president of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), called for a collective reconsideration of the ongoing strike blockade. With economic diversification, transformation, Bangladesh holds potential to achieve more: Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli “Such programs, if prolonged, may lead to a standstill in the wheels of the economy,” he said. On October 29, a hartal was observed across the country called by BNP and other like-minded opposition parties. After the three-day blockade on October 31, the blockade continued on November 5 and 6, and after the two-day blockade, it continued on November 8 and 9 with a one-day break.

Thirteen arson attacks have been reported across Bangladesh from 6 am on Wednesday (November 08, 2023) till 9 am today (November 09, 2023) during the ongoing 48-hour blockade. Read: 21 arson incidents reported in 38 hrs till Monday evening: Fire Service Of these, five arson attacks were reported in Dhaka City Corporation areas, three in Gazipur, one in Khagrachhari, one in Bogura, two in Barishal and Barguna, and one in Noakhali, said Talha Bin Jasim, station officer of Fire Service and Civil Defense's media cell. A total of seven buses, four covered vans, and two trucks were burned during this period. Read: 7 incidents of arson occur Tuesday: Fire Service

The second day of the countrywide 48-hour blockade, called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties, is underway. The ongoing blockade will end at 6 am tomorrow (November 10, 2023). The presence of public transport on Dhaka roads seemed usual despite heightened tension and fear of violence. Guardians were seen rushing their children to respective schools safely as final exams are starting in many educational institutions. Rickshaws are dominating Dhaka streets while a few private vehicles are seen plying the streets. In Chuadanga, leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies brought out a procession in support of the blockade on Chuadanga-Jhenaidah road at Rail Bazar area of the district town in the morning. Blockade: Two vehicles torched in two districts They also hurled brick chips targeting some vehicles passing through the area. Multiple cases of arson violence were reported in places in Dhaka and across the country since Wednesday evening, on the first day of the 48-hour road-rail-waterways blockade. On November 6, BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties announced the latest blockade across the country from Wednesday morning. Another bus set ablaze in Dhaka’s Tantibazar amid blockade The opposition parties gave a day’s break from its action programme on Tuesday as BNP observes November 7 as the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’. The latest spell of agitation was announced on the last day of the opposition’s previous 48-hour nationwide blockade which was marked by incidents of violence, including clashes with police, vandalising and burning vehicles . Bus set on fire in Gazipur amid blockade Earlier last week, the opposition’s three-day countrywide blockade saw clashes and widespread burning and vandalising vehicles, leaving four people — three in Kishoreganj and one in Sylhet — killed and over three dozen vehicles either burned or vandalised.

Police have arrested a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader who allegedly led vandalism and arson attacks on garment factories and other establishments in Gazipur.The arrestee was identified as Ripon Hossain, joint convener of Kaliakoir upazila unit of Chhatra Dal.A press briefing on the development was held at Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner's office earlier today (November 07, 2023). Read: Case filed against 85 BNP leaders, activists over bus burnt in Khulna's RupshaGazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Mahbub Alam said that after going over footage and photos, it was found that several garment factories in Shafipur and Konabari of the district were set on fire and vandalised under Ripon Hossain’s leadership.“Under his leadership, attempts were made to create an unstable environment by committing these crimes to implement the party's agenda in the name of demanding wage hikes for garment workers,” the Gazipur police commissioner said. Read: US says it takes any violence leading up to election in Bangladesh ‘incredibly seriously’A police team arrested Ripon from Dhaka's Hazaribagh area yesterday.The Chhatra Dal leader will be sent to court and police will appeal for 10 days' remand for more details, the police official added.