AL
Ban on public assembly in Bogura to avert possible AL-BNP clash
Authorities at Bogura Sadar Upazila imposed restrictions on public gathering from 2pm to 12am on Friday to ward off any untoward incident as opposition BNP and ruling Awami League announced simultaneous rallies at the same venue.
The restrictions applied under Section 144 of the CrPc have been in force in parts of the upazila during the period, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Samar Kumar Pal said.
He said they took the decision to impose the section to ensure a peaceful situation in the area.
Sources said the ward No 3 of the upazila BNP called for a rally in protest against the price hike of essential commodities and fuel as part of the central programme in Kalitala Bazar at 6pm.
Read: Section 144 imposed in B’baria
Local Awami League and Jubo League also announced another rally in the same venue, raising possibility of clashes.
Sadar Police Station’s Officer-in-charge Selim Reza said they deployed additional cops to avert any violence.
BNP claims 15 injured as AL attacks its rally in Feni
Some 15 leaders and activists of BNP were injured in sporadic attacks by the ruling Awami League (AL) activists on its scheduled programme in Dagonbhuiyan upazila of the district on Tuesday.
Besides, motorcade of the BNP central executive committee Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo came under attack on his way to attend the programme venue.
Sources said the upazila unit BNP organized a rally as part of the central programme in protest against the price hike of essential commodities and other issues at the upazila town on Tuesday.
Read: BNP vice-chairman Mintoo among 354 sued in Feni
Akbar Hossain, president of the unit BNP, alleged that at least five supporters were injured in the attack carried out by Chhatra League and Juba League men when the motorcade led by central leader Awal Mintoo was heading towards the programme venue in Government Iqbal Memorial College area around 4.30pm.
Moreover, some 10 more BNP men sustained injuries in the attacks by the AL men across the upazila since the morning, he claimed.
“AL-men took position in different points of the upazila town and barred our leaders and activists from attending the programme,” he said, adding that establishments belonging to their supporters also came under attack more than once in the last two days.
He condemned the attacks and demanded the perpetrators be brought to justice.
30 hurt as BCL, JL activists swoop on BNP’s protest meeting in Noakhali
At least 30 leaders and activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were injured after Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Jubo League (JL) activists allegedly attacked their protest meeting in Noakhali’s Chatkhil municipality on Friday noon.
According to BNP’s Joint Secretary General Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, they had arranged the meeting in front of Chatkhil Alia Madrassah at 4:00pm to protest against the recent price hike of fuel and daily essentials.
“As soon as the Jumma prayer was over, some BCL and JL men attacked and vandalized the stage along with the chairs set for the program. They also attacked our activists on their way to the meeting and injured 30 of them. As a result, we couldn’t carry out our pre-scheduled program,” said Khokon.
Khokon alleged that police had turned a blind eye to the incident.
Read: 27 held over deadly Noakhali clash
Shihab Uddin Shahin, joint convener of Noakhali District Awami League (AL), denied the allegations, saying that the violence happened due to a clash between two opposing groups of district BNP.
When asked about Khokon’s allegations, Officer In-charge of Chatkhil Police Station Md Gias Uddin also said that nothing like this happened.
Govt can’t evade responsibility for Momen’s comments: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday said the government cannot avoid responsibility for Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen’s recent statement on seeking India’s help to keep Sheikh Hasina in power.
“Such a statement has also embarrassed our neighbouring friendly country India. It also brought into question the sovereignty of the country,” he said.
GM Quader made the remarks while exchanging greetings with the leaders and prominent personalities of the Hindu community on the occasion of Janmashtami at the Jatiya Party Chairman's Banani office.
Earlier at a Janmashtami programme in Chattogram on Thursday, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen reportedly said that he urged the Indian government to back Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina so that she can stay in power.
According to Hindu scriptures, the Jatiya Party chief said, Lord Krishna appeared on this earth to protect the righteous and annihilate the wicked. “But protecting the wicked and suppressing the virtuous is now going on in our country. Not only the minority communities are leaving the country but also the Muslims are now leaving the country being subjected to social, economic and political discrimination. “The honest persons now can’t get jobs and the idealistic persons can’t do business,” he said.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said many people are leaving the country and going to other countries in order to survive: “A reign of corruption has been established in the country. Ideals and justice are being washed away by the tsunami of corruption”
He said the government can take initiatives to formulate the Minority Protection Act and form the Minority Commission.
GM Quader said their party founder HM Ershad ensured equal rights for all religions alongside making Islam the state religion.
He said huge money is being siphoned off abroad from Bangladesh every year through corruption. “Corruption is rampant in every sector due to lack of accountability. If anyone criticises corruption, the government considers him/her as conspiratorial and anti-state element.”
Read: Momen comments: AL expects PM to formally look into it
The Jatiya Party chief said criticism must be tolerated and accountability must be ensured to govern the country properly.
GM Quader said the government used to dismiss it as a ridiculous matter when the issue of extrajudicial killings is raised. “As a result, we are known to the world as a state of liars.”
Stating that the electoral system of the country has collapsed, he said people need to have the scope to elect their representatives by exercising voting rights in elections.”
Momen comments: AL expects PM to formally look into it
Awami League Presidium Member Abdur Rahman on Saturday hoped that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would look into her cabinet member Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen's recent remarks.
"Surely, we expect that the Prime Minister will formally look into the matter as he (Momen) is a minister and a member of her cabinet," he told reporters, adding that they are also talking informally with the foreign minister after his recent comments.
While talking to reporters at Dhanmondi 32, the AL leader said they request the foreign minister to refrain from making any remarks that mischievous people might look to take advantage of. He hoped that the foreign minister would be careful.
Rahman said the foreign minister can explain better what he said. "But I can clearly say it is not the party's statement if you take into consideration the media reports quoting foreign minister Momen."
He said India is a tested friend of Bangladesh and recalled the great contribution of the country and its people during the War of Liberation in 1971. "We can never forget their contributions."
Read: Momen once again clarifies the controversy over his “heaven” remark
The AL leader said his party does not believe in dependence on foreign powers to come to power and stay in power. "We depend on the people of the country."
Foreign minister Momen on Friday explained that he told the Indian government that Bangladesh would be happy if India helps Bangladesh in maintaining stability, noting that Sheikh Hasina wants stability and communal harmony in the country.
"So, stability is the most important. We want stability in this region, too. We don't want any instability. If we can do this, it will be meaningful in this Golden Chapter of our relations," he told reporters explaining what he wanted to say in Chattogram at a programme on Thursday night.
Momen said he conveyed that there are some bad people in both countries – Bangladesh and India – who make instigative remarks and they instigate to turn minor things into big ones.
"Both the governments have a responsibility to stop this. If we can do that, there will be communal harmony and there will be no uncertainty," he added.
Momen said Bangladesh gets stability when PM Hasina remains there (in power) and the development journey remains uninterrupted when there is stability.
The foreign minister said he referred to what the Assam chief minister told him and he (Momen) exactly conveyed that to the Indian government.
"Going to India, I said your (Assam) chief minister thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her zero tolerance policy and her announcement that Bangladesh cannot be a hub for terrorists," Momen said.
He said there are no terrorist activities in Assam and surrounding areas and they are seeing growing development with increased investment in Assam and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's efforts were credited.
"I conveyed to the Indian government that your chief minister said there is stability as Sheikh Hasina is there. It benefits both sides," Momen added.
AL set to observe 18th anniversary of August 21 grenade attack on Sunday
The ruling Awami League, its front and associate bodies will observe the eighteenth anniversary of August 21 grenade attacks.
The grenade attack on an Awami League (AL) anti-terrorism rally in the capital was carried out on August 21, 2004 during the BNP-Jamaat coalition government on Bangabandhu Avenue.
They have chalked out elaborate programmes across the country, maintaining health guidelines in wake of the COVID-19 situation.
According to Press release, a discussion will be held at 10:30 am to recall the victims of the dreadful in memory of those killed in the August 21 grenade attacks.
Also read: 17th anniversary of Grenade Attack on AL rally beckons
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over it.
Earlier, wreath will be placed at the altar build for the 21 August martyrs in front of the Awami League central office at Bangabandhu Avenue tomorrow.
General Secretary of Awami League and Minister of Road Transport Obaidul Quader called upon the leaders, workers, supporters and well-wishers of Awami League and its allies and fraternal organizations at all levels to observe the Grenade Attack Day on August 21 with due dignity along with the countrymen following the health rules.
24 people including the then Women Affairs Secretary of Awami League and wife of late President Zillur Rahman were killed and over 500 others injured in the attack and many of them became crippled for life.
Also read: Nation remembers Aug 21 grenade attack victims
Those were killed in the grenade attack are- the then opposition leader's personal security guard Lance Corporal (retd) Mahbubur Rashid, Abul Kalam Azad, Rezina Begum, Nasir Uddin Sardar, Atique Sarkar, Abdul Kuddus Patwari, Aminul Islam Moazzem, Belal Hossain, Mamun Mridha, Ratan Shikdar, Liton Munshi, Hasina Mamtaz Reena, Sufia Begum, Rafiqul Islam (Ada Chacha), Mostaque Ahmed Sentu, Md Hanif, Abul Kashem, Zahed Ali, Momen Ali, M Shamsuddin and Ishaque Miah.
Those who suffered serious splinter injuries included Sheikh Hasina, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Suranjit Sengupta, Obaidul Quader, Advocate Sahara Khatun, Mohammad Hanif, Prof Abu Sayeed, and AFM Bahauddin Nasim.
AL's strength drawn from the people: Info Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Friday said their party is not dependent on any foreign force, rather the people of Bangladesh are the key source of the Awami League's strength.
"We have good relations with all countries and India is our true friend".
The Minister made these remarks while addressing a discussion meeting on 'Bangabandhu Assassination: Politics of Post-75 Bangladesh' marking the 47th Martyrdom Anniversary and National Mourning Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Hall of Chittagong Press Club on Friday evening.
Recalling August 15, Hasan, also AL joint general secretary said, 'Imam Hussain was slaughtered in Karbala but no women and children were killed there.
On August 15, 1975, 10-year-old child Sheikh Russell, four-year-old Sukanto Babu, and 11-year-old Baby Serniabat were killed. Even pregnant Begum Arzoo Moni did not escape the killers.
“A crime against humanity was indeed committed that day,” added the minister.
Read: Moscow reaffirms its commitment to strengthen cooperation with Dhaka
Now, it is our responsibility to unmask the conspirators involved in the August 15 massacre including Ziaur Rahman and his family members, who are the most beneficiaries of this massacre.
“They are still continuing their conspiracies as the country heading towards another national election”, he added.
M A Salam, president of Chattogram North District Awami League presided over the meeting while Joint General Secretary Debashish Palit moderated the meeting.
General Secretary Sheikh Mohammad Ataur Rahman, Vice President Hero Freedom Fighter Professor Mohammad Moinuddin, Abul Kalam Azad, ATM Payrul Islam, Mohiuddin Ahmed Rashed, Swajan Kumar Talukder, among others, spoke.
Momen's India remarks have no link with AL: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said the Awami League has never requested India to provide the party with support to stay in power.
"The Awami League has never requested India to provide support to us to stay in power and no one has been given responsibility by Sheikh Hasina to say it. This may be one's personal opinion," he said.
Also read: I told India to help maintain stability in Bangladesh, Momen clarifies
He said this after inaugurating the central Janmashtami procession at Palashi intersection in the capital on Friday.
He commented that Bangladesh has no hostile relationship with India, and the country had been harmed by its hostility with India in the past
He also said that there were no communal attacks except for a few isolated incidents after Hasina's government came to power.
Also read: Requested India to help Bangladesh maintain stability, harmony: Momen
Those who attacked the Hindu community were miscreants,he added.
AL-BNP clash leaves 20 injured in Feni
At least 20 people were injured on Monday in a sporadic clash between activists of the ruling Awami League (AL) and opposition BNP during a protest rally of BNP in the trunk road area of the town on Friday.
The injured are undergoing treatment at a local hospital, said Nizam Uddin, officer-in-charge of Feni Model Police Station.
According to the locals, BNP leaders and activists hold a procession in the town protesting the price hike of daily commodities including oil, gas, fertilizers and the murder of Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim and Chhatra Dal president Noor-e Alam in Bhola. When the procession reached the trunk road of the town, Chhatra League and Juba League activists attacked.
Read: AL won't let BNP set the stage for another August 15: Hasan
The clash ensued around 3:30 pm when BNP activists counterattacked.
Several chases and counter chases took place between the parties that left at least 20 people injured, added the OC.
Police fired 15 rounds of gunshots and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.
AL won't let BNP set the stage for another August 15: Hasan
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud Friday said BNP is trying to set the stage for another "August 15," when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members were assassinated in 1975.
"Also, they want to brand Bangladesh as a terrorist country in the world. But the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) will never let these things happen," he added.
Read: Hasan Mahmud dismisses Ganatantra Mancha as out-of-touch, insignificant
Hasan, also AL joint general secretary, was addressing a meeting in Mohanpur upazila of Rajshahi.
Thursday, at a meeting in Rajshahi city, the AL leader said the ruling party will take control of the streets in September and keep it occupied until the national polls.
"At a public rally in Dhaka's Nayapaltan, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (Thursday) said they will have to take control of the streets," the minister said.
"In reply, I would tell my party leaders and activists: August is a month of mourning, which we are observing through different programmes. When the mourning ends, we will occupy the streets in September," he added.