United News of Bangladesh

Reassuring that there is no security threat, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Thursday said that multi-tier security measures have been put in place at the Central Shaheed Minar ahead of 21st February. He said that floral tributes will be organised in three phases, with VVIPs and VIPs laying flowers from 12:01 am to 12:40 am. To avoid inconvenience, the general people have been requested not to arrive during this period. The Palashi Gate near Dhaka University will be opened for public entry at 12:40 am. Addressing a security briefing in Dhaka on Thursday regarding preparations for the observance of International Mother Language Day, Commissioner Sajjat Ali urged visitors to adhere to the designated timings and maintain discipline while paying tribute at the monument. Operation Devil Hunt: 532 arrested across Bangladesh Police personnel will remain on high alert in the area until 2 pm on 21st February. While law enforcement authorities will remain vigilant, visitors are advised to take responsibility for their personal belongings such as mobile phones and wallets. A mobile police unit will be stationed within a one-kilometre radius to respond to any emergencies. The commissioner also dismissed concerns about security risks posed by top criminals on bail, stating that they are not associated with the Shaheed Minar event. Additionally, there is no threat of militant attacks. He emphasised that law and order have significantly improved, with police officers working with heightened morale. To further enhance security, seven designated points around the Shaheed Minar will be barricaded between 8 pm and 9 pm tonight. Meanwhile, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has issued specific route guidelines for the public paying homage at the Central Shaheed Minar on International Mother Language Day. According to a DMP media release, attendees are advised to follow these designated routes. The prescribed entry route for the Shaheed Minar includes Palashi Crossing – Sculpture Crossing – Jagannath Hall Crossing, while the exit route will be via Ramna Crossing – Doel Chattar. Diversions will be enforced at Shahbagh Crossing, Nilkhet Crossing, Shahidullah Hall Crossing, Chankharpul Crossing, Palashi Crossing, and Bakshibazar Crossing to ensure smooth movement and security. Authorities have called on the public to follow these instructions to facilitate an orderly and safe tribute at the Central Shaheed Minar.

Former members of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), who were dismissed following the 2009 mutiny, started an indefinite sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar on Tuesday morning, pressing for a six-point demand, including reinstatement. The protesters, including dismissed BDR personnel and their families, began their demonstrations under the banner of the ‘BDR Welfare Council’ at 9:00 am. As of 4:20 pm, the protest was still ongoing, according to reports from our photographer. They threatened to continue the movement until their demands are met. BDR carnage trial to be held at Dhaka Central Jail, not Alia Madrasa ground: Ministry

In response to a call from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, thousands of students and people from various regions of the country gathered for the 'March for Unity' at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital. Participants arrived in groups from districts such as Rangpur, Patuakhali, Chattogram, Natore, Panchagarh, Sirajganj, and others, starting early in the morning. By 3:00 pm, they were seen marching and chanting slogans, even from the Dhaka Medical College area. The Shaheed Minar premises were filled with slogans including "Delhi or Dhaka," "Struggle, Struggle," "Injustice will drown in the flood of blood," "Action, Action, Direct Action," and "We Demand the Trial of Killer Hasina." Speakers from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement declared, "Our struggle is not over. The bloodstains of the martyrs have not dried yet, and some are trying to rehabilitate autocracy. Whenever we try to free the country from fascism, certain individuals and groups, disguised as intellectuals, oppose us. We will resist them if necessary." Students gather at Shaheed Minar for ‘March for Unity’ in support of July proclamation While volunteers worked to maintain a peaceful atmosphere, some disputes occurred as many people were not allowed to enter. However, the overall situation remained calm. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement had announced that the Proclamation of the July Revolution would be proclaimed at the Shaheed Minar today (Tuesday). But confusion arose when the interim government stated that they would read out the proclamation, leaving uncertainty over whether the event would take place as planned. Earlier, at a press conference held at their office in Banglamotor at 1:45 am on December 30, the movement announced that the 'March for Unity' would take place at the Central Shaheed Minar at 3:00 pm today.

Thousands of students and people from across the country began gathering at the Central Shaheed Minar since morning to participate in the 'March for Unity' programme. The event, organised by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, aims to support the interim government’s initiative to draft a declaration recognising the July uprising based on national consensus. Participants, carrying national flags, were seen gathering near the venue, while organisers made final preparations, including stage arrangements and last-minute sound checks. Groups of people arrived from various parts of the city, chanting slogans such as "Mujibbader Thikana, Ai Banglai Hobena," "Delhi na Dhaka, Dhaka Dhaka," "Shesh Hoini Juddho, Abu Sayed Mughdo," and "Azadi na Golami." CMP issues 13 guidelines for 31st night celebrations in the port city Organisers expressed the hope that the event will draw a crowd of 500,000 people. Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali visited the venue to check the security initiatives and gave the direction to handle the situation with utmost sincerity. Historical Context and Significance Arif Shohel, Member Secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, emphasised the importance of the July Declaration in honouring the sacrifices of martyrs and wounded victims, as well as reflecting the people's aspirations. Speaking about the initiative at a press conference, he said, “The proclamation of July revolution is essential as recognition of the sacrifice of thousands of martyrs and wounded victims, and as a document of people's aspirations.” “Despite various challenges, we, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, took on the responsibility of formulating and declaring this historic document on behalf of the students and people of Bangladesh,” he added. Proclamation of July revolution postponed, 'March for Unity' today Highlighting the public response, he noted, “As a result of our initiative, there has been a spontaneous and positive response among the students and other people of Bangladesh. In this context, at the call of people including students an initiative has been taken from the government to formulate the July Declaration based on national consensus.” He urged people to maintain their enthusiasm and participate actively in the programme, scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm. Government Support and Future Steps Abdul Hannan Masud, Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, expressed optimism about the government’s agreement to the July Declaration, saying, “We have initially achieved victory. The government has given its consent regarding the proclamation of the July revolution. The proclamation will come from our government, but that doesn't mean our gathering will stop.” The press conference announcing the event was also attended by members of the Jatiya Nagarik Committee. Govt to prepare declaration of July uprising: CA’s Press Wing Historical Reflections The declaration is expected to draw parallels to the Proclamation of Independence announced on April 17, 1971, which upheld the principles of equality, human dignity, and social justice. Organisers plan to evaluate significant events from history, including 1947 and 1971, and provide insights into why various movements failed to fulfill their aspirations. With the overwhelming support and participation of the people, the ‘March for Unity’ is set to be a historic event, reinforcing the call for unity and justice in Bangladesh.

Tributes to Pankaj Bhattacharya, veteran politician who died at the age of 83, have been paid for last time at the central Shaheed Minar at 5 pm on Tuesday. His dead body was taken to Shaheed Minar around 4 pm where politicians and activists from different political parties came to pay tribute. People from different walks of life including cultural personalities, politicians, academicians, activists and people from different districts were seen to pay floral tribute to the deceased Pankaj Bhattacharya. Information minister Hasan Mahmud, former Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, politician Dr. Kamal Hossen, Junaid Saqi, Rashed Khan Menon, DU vice Chancellor prof. Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman placed floral tributes among the prominent personalities. Besides hundreds of organisation leaders came to central Shaheed Minar to pay last homage to him. MP Hasan Mahmud said, "Pankaj Bhattacharya was the leader of poor and deprived people of the country. The main theme of his politics is the wellbeing of the people specially the poor people. If he wanted to earn money from politics, he could do it easily and he would have been provided with good posts." "Those who want to do politics from this generation, shall follow his ideal as he is a good example of a politician," he added. After paying floral tribute, DU VC prof. Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman said, "Pankaj Bhattacharya was a leader of mass people who sacrificed his life for the people. He had some extraordinary values, which attracted poor people and for this reason he himself turned into an organisation. " Read more: PM condoles death of Pankaj Bhattacharya "His contribution in the political ground of Bangladesh is unforgettable as he empowered democratic values and tightened the bond of friendship among the people and political organisations," he furthermore said. "His death is undoubtedly an unrecoverable loss in the political ground of Bangladesh," he added.  

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said BNP made false allegations over what happened while placing their floral wreath at Shaheed Minar along with anti-liberation forces and the persons who were against the language. He made this comment in response to questions from journalists over Mirza Fakhrul's complaint at the meeting room of his ministry at the Secretariat in the capital. Read more: Ansar al-Islam threatens to bomb Amar Ekushey Boi Mela "It is a false allegation. Last year, we placed wreaths after them (BNP) and it took over three and a half hours. And this year, we stood in silence for 30 seconds after paying tributes and then left. BNP started late when the Shaheed Minar was crowded. No one obstructed them," Hasan Mahmud said. In fact, "BNP doesn't have the spirit of Amar Ekushey or the Liberation War. They talk about 21st February and the spirit of the Liberation War but they do politics with the anti-liberation forces who tried to do so-called Islamization of the language by introducing Bengali writing in Arabic alphabet and banned Rabindranath's songs in East Bengal," he said. Read more: BNP pays homage to Language Movement martyrs Replying to another query over Begum Khaleda Zia, Hasan Mahmud said if any person is convicted for more than two years, he or she cannot take part in the election as per the law of the country. As she was sentenced for more than two years. So, there is no question of her participation in the election, he added. In addition, the government has given her conditional permission to stay home considering her health and age. As per the condition, she can not do politics, he added. Read more: Khaleda has no chance to do politics as convict: Quader Earlier, the minister unveiled covers of five books at the meeting room and congratulated the writers. The books are 'Bangabandhur Jiban and Shilpa Bhabna' written by Sowmithra Dev, 'Sheikh Hasina ekti Kaljoyee Upakkhyan' and 'Sheikh Rehana ek Dipto Shikha' written by Shamima Sultana, Swapno Loker Nadi and 'HIV-Aids Risk and 'Gender Relation: Women Sex Worker in Bangladesh' written by deputy secretary of the information ministry Dr Sheikh Muslima Moon.

A city Chattra League leader was injured at the Shaheed Minar allegedly by a central  BCL leader while paying homage to language heroes on Monday, witnesses said  The injured Ehsanul Haque Yasir is the former secretary of relief and disaster management of Dhaka city(south) BCL and accused Benzir Hossain Nishi is the  central joint-general secretary of central Chhatra League committee. Read: 8 hurt in BCL infighting in Ctg over offering flowers at Shaheed Minar Benazir has been accused of hurting Ehsanul while he was going to place flowers at the Central Shaheed Minar to pay homage to language martyrs. The incident took place in the early hours of Monday at the central Shaheed Minar.  However, Benazir Hossain Nishi has denied the allegation. Ehsanul Haque Yasir received first aid treatment at Dhaka medical college hospital.   Earlier in the morning, while placing wreaths on behalf of the hall branches of Dhaka University Chhatra League, a fight broke out among some members armed with bamboo sticks, witnesses said.   Read: DU student accuses a BCL activist of slapping him Chhatra League leaders and activists created chaos in front of the altar.  At that time the leaders and workers of Jagannath Hall and Shahidullah Hall were staying there.  At that time, they were seen running towards each other with bamboo sticks used for carrying banners.  Also on Monday Chhatra League leaders and activists clashed in front of the entrance of the altar of Shaheed Minar, according to witnesses.

The High Court (HC) on Sunday inquired about the steps taken to implement the court’s more than 10-year old directive to ensure the sanctity of the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital.

A route map for going to the Central Shaheed Minar on February 21 to pay respect to language martyrs has been finalised by Dhaka University's Central Coordination Committee.

This will be an Amar Ekushey unlike anything Bangladesh has seen. No more than five persons will be allowed to pay tributes to language martyrs on this Feb 21 under a single banner as the country fights to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.