United News of Bangladesh

Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested three leaders of Awami League and its affiliated organizations in separate drives in the capital. The arrestees are Abdul Matin Master, 52, member secretary of Dhaka South unit of Krishak League, Mostak Fakir alias Bagha, 38, vice-president of Ward No. 71 Jubo League and Haji Alauddin, vice-president of Keraniganj Model Thana unit of Awami League. Sources at DB headquarters said Abdul Matin Master was arrested from Matuail around 11:30pm on Tuesday night, while Alauddin from Chawkbazar around 11:45pm the same night. Mostak Fakir was arrested around 2:40am on Wednesday. DMP's Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Mohammad Talebur Rahman said the arrestees attempted to create unrest in different areas of the capital through sudden street demonstrations. Legal proceedings against them are underway, he said.  

Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunur Haque said the people of Bangladesh won't pardon BNP and Jamaat if the fallen Awami League makes a comeback due to disagreements between the parties. He said this while addressing a mass rally organised by the party at Central Shaheed Minar in Patuakhali on Thursday. Jamaat activist killed in Jamaat-BNP clash in Kushtia Mamunur urged all parties to remain united like the time of the anti-fascist movement that ousted the Awami League on August 5 last. Addressing the importance of Islamic principles to govern the country, he urged the Chief Adviser to hold a fair and neutral election excluding fascist Awami League. Is rift between BNP and Jamaat deepening amid looming election? Chaired by district unit president of the party Maulna Abbas Ali, central and local leaders spoke on the occasion.

A case has been filed against 93 people including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy in connection with attempt to kill a lawyer during mass uprising on August 4. Nupur Akhter, a member of Dhaka Lawyers Association filed the case with Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Sunday. Judge Saifur Rahman of the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court recorded the deposition of the victim. Right on cue, Hasina greets Trump on his ‘resounding victory’ The other accused in the case are— Obaidul Quader, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Hasanul Haque Inu, Anisul Haq, Mohammad A Arafat, Fazle Noor Taposh, Shaikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Sheikh Helal Uddin, Nasrul Hamid Bipu, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Harun-or-Rashid and Biplab Kumar Sarkar. According to the case statement, Nupur Akhtar suffered bullet injuries during the student-led movement in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur on August 4. AL accuses interim govt of pursuing vendetta against the party When she went to receive treatment at a hospital, she received threats from some Awami League criminals, forcing her to be sent back home without receiving any treatment. Later, she underwent a surgery at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital on December 17.

Police have arrested former Dhaka-10 Awami League MP Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin from his residence in Dhaka’s Uttara on Wednesday evening. A team of Uttara West Police Station raided his house in Sector-4 around 6:00 pm and arrested him, said Officer-in-charge (OC) of Uttara Police Station Hafizur Rahman. Shamsul Haque Tuku sent to jail in extortion case Mohiuddin was wanted in a case filed at the police station in connection with Anti-discrimination Student Movement. Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin was elected from Dhaka-10 constituency by-election in 2020. He was the former president of FBCCI and BGMEA.

Bangladesh’s public administration witnessed major turmoil and disruptions in its operations after the fall of the Awami League government in August and the chaos is not over yet as inter-cadre conflict intensified at the end of the year. Issues surrounding promotions, postings, and the appointment of deputy commissioners (DCs) and others who were reportedly deprived under the previous regime remained in discussion in the last four months and many decisions sparked controversy. The latest controversy arose following the recommendations of the Public Administration Reform Commission which has fueled significant discontent among various cadres of the civil service. Although the commission was initially formed to simplify public services it has now become entangled in disputes among officials’ own interest. On Sunday, administrative cadre officers expressed anger over the reform commission’s proposals and several hundred officers staged rare demonstrations outside the Ministry of Public Administration in protest. Education sector may get increased allocation in FY 25-26 The Inter-Cadre Disparity Resolution Council, representing 25 other cadres, has announced plans for demonstrations, including pen-down strikes, human chains, and rallies. The draft proposal recommends allocating 50% of deputy secretary positions to officials from the administration cadre and the remaining 50% to other cadres. Currently, 75% of these positions are reserved for the administration cadre and 25% for others. Chaos under the interim government The interim government, which took office on August 8 following the ouster of the Awami League government through an uprising, has yet to restore administrative discipline. Instances of disorder, such as frequent cancellation of transfer orders and inconsistencies in postings  reflect the lack of coordination. Bangladesh must boost investment to avoid economic crisis: Analysts The interim government canceled the contractual appointments made during the tenure of the previous government. Later this government appointed secretaries on a contractual basis in 14 ministries. Over the past four and a half months, the Ministry of Public Administration had to withdraw several significant transfer orders. They appointed secretaries on a contractual basis only to later cancel those appointments. Similarly, deputy commissioner (DC) appointments were made but had to be withdrawn following criticism. Slackened administrative activities Administrative activities have slowed significantly due to ongoing disruptions. Talking to UNB, officials from various ministries said normalcy may take longer to achieve under the current circumstances. BNP conveys a strong message against any ‘puppet party’ Mass promotions raise questions According to the Ministry of Public Administration, 537 officers got promoted in the past four months including 23 secretaries, 17 to grade-1, 135 made additional secretaries, 228 joint secretaries, and 134 deputy secretaries. Now questions have arisen regarding these promotion criteria, with allegations of favoritism and inclusion of officials facing graft allegations. Fear of arrest and uncertainty Fear of arrests gripped many as 12 high-ranking officials including former secretaries were arrested in the past four months. Cases have been filed against several others, further deepening tension among civil servants. Vacant secretary posts hamper activities Four critical ministries and divisions remain without secretaries -the Local Government Division, Rural Development and Cooperatives Division, Cultural Affairs Ministry, and Bridge Division which is hampering operations and their activities. The reform committee has also recommended promoting 764 previously ‘deprived’ officials to various ranks including 119 to secretary positions.

Police have arrested former lawmaker Barrister Sayedul Haque Suman from Mirpur. Officials said Sumon was arrested late Monday night by members from Mirpur Model Police Station. He has been taken to Pallabi Police Station as there was no proper facility to keep an accused in Mirpur Police Station which was damaged in an arson attack during the recent mass upsurge. Nazrul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Pallabi Police Station confirmed the matter. According to the OC, Suman was arrested for his alleged involvement in the killing of a student during the July-August anti-discrimination student movement. Man arrested for offensive post about Quran on Facebook  Before the arrest Barrister Suman said on his verified Facebook account, "I am going with the police. See you in court. Pray for me, everyone." Suman was elected as an independent candidate in controversial January 7 polls from Habiganj-4 constituency.

The Awami League on Wednesday accused the interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, of attempting to erase the history of Bangladesh’s creation by “pressing the reset button.” In a statement posted on its verified Facebook page, the party claimed that the government had cancelled eight national days, including the March 7, which commemorates Bangabandhu’s historic speech that united the Bengali nation during the Liberation War. “They cancelled the National Day of Mourning on August 15, as their actions reflect the ideology of Bangabandhu’s killers,” the party further alleged. AL condemns move to cancel 8 significant national days The Awami League also condemned the cancellation of March 17, which is celebrated as the birthday of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation, and National Children’s Day. The party accused the interim government of not recognizing Sheikh Mujib as the Father of the Nation. Additionally, the party claimed that the Constitution Day of November 4, which embodies the aspirations of the Liberation War, had been scrapped by the interim government. “They even demolished murals and sculptures of Bangabandhu on August 5 because of his role in leading Bangladesh to independence,” the statement added. The Awami League strongly condemned the interim government’s actions, calling them an “audacity” and declaring that the people of Bangladesh are united in their opposition to these “illegal activities.”

Awami League greeted people of the country on the occasion of Sharadio Durga Puja. In its verified Facebook post on Thursday, Awami League said, “It is our belief that communal harmony will be reawakened in Bangladesh by breaking through the darkness.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday (July 07, 2024) dismissed the movement against the quota system in the government jobs as irrational saying it's sub-judice. “I don’t think there is any rationality for what is being done today in the name of movement by wasting the study time,” she said.  The premier said this when the central leaders of Jubo Mohila League paid a courtesy call on her at Ganabhaban on the occasion of its 22nd founding anniversary. Jubo Mohila League, an associate body of the ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL), was founded on July 6, 2002. Referring to the recent judgment of the High Court against the abolishment of the quota system in the government jobs, Hasina said the it's not right to wage a movement against the judgment of the High Court and it is a sub-judice matter. “If the High Court delivers judgment on an issue, it (any change) will have to come again from the High Court,” she said. PM Hasina calls for enhanced trade and investment between Bangladesh and Spain The PM said the government earlier abolished the quota system (in 2018) but different districts, remote areas and even women have been deprived of getting jobs in the last few years. A large number of girls who used to get jobs due to the quota system in the past, did not get any opportunity in the past few years, she added. Criticising the girls who are participating in the anti-quota movement, she said “Here I’ve a question. It needs to find the calculation that how many of them (girls) who earlier joined the movement (in 2018) sat for the PSC examination and how many of them passed,” she said. The girls should prove first that a greater  number of them qualified the examinations, said the prime minister. Talking about the universal pension scheme, she said the government introduced it for all in accordance with Awami League’s  electoral manifesto. The PM asked all politicians including the members of the Jubo Mohila League to join the universal pension scheme for their safe old age life.  “If they join, they would not need to depend on others and they wouldn’t be a burden for their sons and daughters in their old age” she said. AL President Sheikh Hasina said Jubo Mohila League has been struggling for establishing the rights of the country’s people from the very beginning of its foundation.  “The people voted for the Awami League consecutively after 2008. So, we came to power time and again. We’ve been able to elevate Bangladesh to a higher position in every sector, including women empowerment,” she said. Govt modernised curriculum to flourish talents of students: PM Hasina She said Khaleda Zia was ousted from power on two occasions by the people for vote-rigging.  “Khaleda Zia said with pride that she came to power through a voterless election held on February 15, 1996. But the people of Bangladesh ousted the thieves of votes.   Within only one and half months — March 30, 1996, she had been forced to step down,” she added. The PM said BNP again were ousted (in 2006) from power as the people didn’t accept their conspiracy to rig vote and the election (January 22, 2007 election) was spoiled.    The AL president asked the members of Jubo Mohila League to raise the misrules of the BNP regimes before the people as well as to play a more active role so that their misrules can not return again in the country. Read more: Anti-quota movement: Students block Dhaka-Barishal Highway causing 5km tailback

A Dhaka court on Monday (April 29, 2024) framed charges against 33 accused in case over the killing of Awami League leader Zahidul Islam Tipu and a female college student in Shahjahanpur area around two years back. The trial in the case began formally through framing the charges. Dhaka Special Judge Court-Judge Ali Hossain passed the order after rejecting an appeal for excluding the names of the accused from the charges.   The court also set May 21 to record testimony of the witnesses in the case, public prosecutor Md Rafik Uddin said. On April 25, a hearing on the appeal for exclusion of the accused was held while the court set April 29 for framing the charges against the accused. 3 of a gang arrested for manipulating stock market: DB Dhaka Metropolitan South unit Organizing Secretary of Awami League Golam Ashraf Talukder, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) ward councillor and Awami League leader Maruf Ahmed Mansur, expelled president of ward No 10 Jubo League Maruf Reza Sagor, Motijheel Thana unit of Jatiya Party leader Juber Alam Khan Robin, former convenor of Habibullah Bahar College unit Chhatra League Sohel Shahriar, former general secretary of Motijheel Thana unit of Chhatra League Khairul Islam Matbor and former president of ward No-11 unit of Jubo League Kamruzzaman Babu, Sumon Shikder Musa, Masum Muhammad Akash were among the accused. On the night of March 24, Tipu, who was on a microbus, and Samia Afrin Priti, a 22-year-old college student, who was returning home on a cycle rickshaw were killed in firing in front of Islami Bank Hospital at Shahjahanpur in Dhaka. Tipu was a former general secretary of the AL Motijheel committee and Priti was a student of Begum Badrunnesa Government College. Tipu’s driver was also injured in the firing. They were all stuck in a traffic jam in the area when a biker wearing a helmet and a mask appeared from nowhere and fired at them. HC wants to know the number of Rohingya voters in Cox’s Bazar The next day, a case was filed against unidentified people over the double murder. On June 5 last year, the investigation office of the case submitted a charge sheet against 33 people.