Thousands of workers are grappling with extreme hardship due to the prolonged closure of the country’s largest stone quarries in the border areas of Sylhet, particularly in the regions surrounding Bholaganj, Jaflong, and Bichnakandi. Despite a recent High Court order allowing stone extraction using traditional methods, the quarries remain shuttered, leaving the local workforce in despair. The quarries in Bholaganj, Jaflong, and Bichnakandi have been closed for years under the pretext of environmental preservation. The High Court had intervened, issuing orders in favor of resuming stone extraction through traditional, environmentally-friendly methods. Yet, these orders have largely gone unheeded, and the quarries remain closed for reasons unknown to the workers and local business leaders. Leaders from the business organisations of Gowainghat and Companiganj upazilas have repeatedly appealed to the authorities, presenting the court's directives, but their pleas have been met with inaction. As a result, a vast number of daily wage laborers, dependent on the stone industry, have lost their livelihoods. Every morning, workers in Jaflong, Bichnakandi, Bholaganj, and surrounding areas are seen waiting in vain for work—some sitting with shovels and baskets, others hoping for a chance to be hired for manual labor. These workers, once part of a thriving industry, now face a grim future as their workplaces remain closed. The shutdown of the quarries has not only affected the workers but also the broader local economy. The stone industry was once a major contributor to both local and national revenue. According to local business leaders, if the quarries were reopened, the government could earn substantial revenue, while 3-4 lakh workers from across the country, including those from Sylhet, could regain employment and improve their livelihoods. Many stone traders are also facing financial ruin, having mortgaged their assets to banks to invest in the stone industry. With the quarries closed, they are unable to repay their loans, putting their homes and businesses in jeopardy. Local crushing zones, including those in North Sylhet, are becoming ghost towns as workers and entrepreneurs alike struggle to survive. The situation has become increasingly dire. Workers from Gowainghat, Jaintapur, and Companiganj upazilas, who know no other trade than quarry-related work, are now living in extreme poverty. In response, protests have erupted, with workers and local businesses demanding the immediate reopening of the quarries. Read: Four police officials investigated over Tk 100cr worth of sand, stones looted in Sunamganj Human chain events have been organised, with the workers chanting slogans like "want rice or work," highlighting their urgent need for employment. Hafizur Rahman, president of the Gowainghat Upazila Truck-Pickup, Covered Van Workers Union, said that the reopening of the quarries would not only revive the stone industry but would also improve the lives of thousands of workers and their families.  "If the quarries are opened, the government will generate revenue, and the living standards of the working people will significantly improve," Rahman said. Mohibur Rahman, a stone trader from Bichnakandi, echoed these sentiments, pointing out that the traditional method of stone extraction would allow businesses to recover their losses and enable workers to return to their jobs. Read more: Sylhet: Transport strike threatened on Monday to press for opening of stone quarries "The government needs to allow stone extraction in an environmentally friendly way. This will open the door to employment and livelihoods for many," he added. Minhaj Uddin, a businessman from Jaflong, called the closure a "humanitarian disaster" affecting workers who are now living in extreme conditions. Md. Touhidul Islam, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Gowainghat, said that the Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Department has ordered the local administration to halt all quarrying activities without a valid lease. As a result, Jaflong, Bichnakandi, and Bholaganj quarries, along with their sand extraction areas, remain closed. “Regular drives are being conducted to ensure compliance with the closure order,” he added. However, representatives from civil society in the region are urging the government to act quickly, calling for the urgent reopening of the quarries in light of the ongoing suffering of the workers. Local leaders, business owners, and workers continue to appeal for a solution, with the hope that their livelihoods can be restored and the region's economy revived.

For the third consecutive day, students blocked Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection around 11:45 am today (July 04, 2024), protesting the High Court’s decision to reinstate the quota system in government jobs. Around 11 am, students from various halls of Dhaka University began gathering in front of the Central Library. They then marched through the campus, culminating in a massive rally at Shahbagh intersection. Protest against quota: Students block Shahbagh for 2nd day Some students reported that as they were leaving their halls to join the rally, activists from the Chhatra League at Masterda Surja Sen Hall locked the gate to prevent them from participating. However, the main procession proceeded to Surja Sen Hall, broke the lock, and freed the students to join the protest. Earlier, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the protesters had blocked major highways and intersections in the capital, demanding the cancellation of the quota system. Students block Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection in protest against quota system reinstatement During the rally, protesters declared their determination, saying, if needed, they will shed blood to realize their demand. Earlier today, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the High Court order declaring the cancellation of the freedom fighter quota in government jobs as “illegal.”

The High Court (HC) today (January 14, 2024) ordered the authorities concerned to recruit 285 people with disabilities on the basis of quota in government primary schools in upazilas of the country. The court also ordered to complete the recruitment process within 90 days. An HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zeenat Haque passed the order after hearing a petition in this regard. Advocate Mohammad Siddique Ullah Miah stood for the petitioners in the court while Deputy Attorney General Amit Das Gupta represented the state. Read more: Prime Minister's Gold Medalist returns awards for education in disgust over corrupt teacher recruitment process at RU Calling the HC order an exemplary verdict, Advocate Siddique Ullah expressed hope that the authorities concerned will execute the order soon. A total of 245 candidates with disabilities submitted a writ petition with the HC challenging the legality of not recruiting them despite a quota. Secretaries to the ministries of Primary and Mass Education and Public Administration, and director general of the Directorate of Primary Education were made respondents to the rule. Last year, the government recruited 37,574 people for primary schools as assistant teachers. On January 17 of the same year, the HC ordered to reserve posts for 114 people with disabilities in government primary schools in upazilas across the country. Read more: Mohibul becomes minister of education Moreover, the HC issued a rule asking to explain as to why people with disabilities won’t be recruited under the quota. On December 11 last year, the final hearing of the petition ended but the court set January 14 this year for delivering the verdict.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court today stayed the High Court order that had asked the authorities concerned to give stall allotment to Adarsha Prokashoni to participate in the month-long Ekushey Boi Mela on condition. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique passed the order after hearing a petition. With the latest order, Adarsha Prokashoni will not be allowed to participate in the book fair. Also read: HC asks Bangla Academy for stall allotment to Adarsha Prokashoni on condition Advocate Anik R Haque stood for Adarsha Prokashoni while Senior Advocate Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented Bangla Academy. On February 8, the HC bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir passed an order asking the authorities concerned to give stall allotment to Adarsha Prokashoni to participate in the month-long Ekushey Book Fair on condition. Counsel Anik said the court asked the Bangla Academy to give the stall allotment on condition that it cannot keep three books —‘Bangalir Mediocrity’r Sandhane’ by Faham Abdus Salam, ‘Unnoyan Bibhram’ by Zia Hasan and ‘Oprotiroddho Unnoyane Obhaboniyo Kothamala’ by Foyez Ahmad Taiyeb. Read More: Tracing the Roots of Ekushey Boi Mela Later, Bangla Academy filed a petition challenging the HC order. On Monday (February 13), the Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice M Enayetur Rahim set February 15 for hearing on the petition. Advocate Anik said that though the books were not blacklisted or banned, the participation of the publishing house was restricted involving the books. Read More: Boi Mela, Pahela Falgun & Valentine's: Visitors around DU campus spoilt for choice   The writers of 600 books, which were published from the Adarsha Prokashoni, will be deprived of taking part in the month-long fair, he said. Owner Mahabubur Rahman filed a petition with the HC seeking intervention after authorities disclosed the names of the participating publishing houses except Adarsha Prokashoni on January 12.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Sunday (January 15, 2023) upheld the High Court order granting bail to Sonia Akter Smrity, a Mahila Dal leader of Rajbari, in a case filed over posting "offensive" content on Facebook against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Hasan Foyez Siddiqui passed the order withdrawing the stay order of the Chamber Court. Senior Advocate AJ Mohammad Ali, Barrister Kayser Kamal and Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal appeared in the court for Smriti. Additional Attorney General Sheikh Mohammad Morshed represented the state. Read more: Defaming PM: Chamber Judge stays bail to Rajbari Mahila Dal leader Now there is no bar to the release of the Mahila Dal leader, Barrister Kayser Kamal said. Smrity, wife of Md Khokon Mia of No 3 Beradanga area of Rajbari Sadar, is a member of Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal’s Rajbari district unit. On November 2 last year, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division, M Enayetur Rahim, stayed the bail order granted by the High Court till November 7. The High Court granted interim bail to Smrity in the case on November 1. Read more: Rajbari Mohila Dal member arrested under DSA for 'comment on PM' Police arrested Smrity on October 4 in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA) for posting offensive status on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Facebook. Arefin Chowdhury, member secretary of Rajbari district Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, lodged an FIR against her. On October 5, Judge Kaisun Nahar Surma of Rajbari No 1 Judicial Magistrate Court rejected Smrity’s bail plea and ordered to send her to jail. On October 26, Rajbari Sessions Judge Court also denied bail to Smrity which prompted her to seek bail from the HC. Read More: Fardin's death: Bushra finally granted bail In her bail plea, Smrity requested the HC to consider her as a woman and a mother of two children. According to the FIR, the accused BNP activist made "insulting remarks" about PM Sheikh Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, from her personal Facebook account in two separate statuses on August 31 and September 28.

The Appellate Division this morning (January 08, 2023) upheld the High Court order granting bail to BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Mirza Abbas in a case filed over the clash between police and the party activists at Nayapaltan on December 7 last year. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Hasan Foyez Siddiqui passed the order disposing of the state’s petition challenging the HC order. The court also ordered to dispose of the High Court rule on a maintenance ground. Read more: State files petition challenging HC bail to Fakhrul, Abbas On January 4, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Jahangir Hossain fixed today (Sunday) for the hearing of the petition at the full-bench of the Appellate Division. The petition was filed on the same day with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court seeking stay on the High Court order granting bail to the two BNP leaders in the case. The High Court granted six months' bail to Mirza Fakhrul and Mirza Abbas, in the case on January 3. The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain why the two BNP leaders should not be granted permanent bail. Read more: Nayapaltan clash: Fakhrul, Abbas get 6-month HC bail On December 21 last year, Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judge Asaduzzaman rejected the BNP leaders’ bail petitions for the fourth time. On December 9, a team of Detective Branch (DB) of police picked up Fakhrul and Abbas from their homes in separate raids in the capital. Later, they were shown arrested in a case over the clash between police and the party activists in the capital’s Nayapaltan. A Dhaka court sent them to jail rejecting their bail pleas. Read More: With or without BNP, election to be held on time: Razzaque

The Appellate Division on Monday ruled that the two children of Bangladesh-born US citizen Imran Sharif and Japanese mother Nakano Erico will stay with their mother till January 23. A three-member full bench of the Appellate Division, headed by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, passed the order following a petition filed by Erico challenging a High Court order. The court said their father Imran Sharif, can visit his daughters between 9am and 9pm every day during this period. Read: SC: 2 Japan-born girls to stay with Japanese mother for 2 days Advocate Ahsanul Karim and Advocate Shishir Monir appeared for Erico while Lawyer Fawzia Karim Firoze for Imran Sharif. On November 21, the HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman ruled that the Japan-born daughters of Imran and Erico will stay with their father. However, the mother can exclusively meet the daughters, aged 11 and 10, three times a year for 10 days at a time and Imran, the father, will bear her travel and accommodation expenses, said the court. If Erico wants to meet her children beyond the court-prescribed time she has to do it at her own expenses, the court said. Imran was also instructed to allow the children to talk to their mother on video calls twice a month on holidays. Following the writ petition, the High Court also ordered Imran to give Tk 10 lakh to Erico for the expenses she incurred to travel to Dhaka and stay here for seven days. The concerned social service officer was directed to continue monitoring the development regarding the children and submit a report to the Registrar of the High Court on the issue of children every three months. However, the high court rejected the writ petition filed by Imran seeking order to produce their third and youngest daughter, who is in Japan. After 12 years of marriage, on January 18, Erico, a physician, appealed for divorce from Engineer Imran Sharif over marital dispute. On January 28, 2021 she also filed a case with a Tokyo family court for custody of their three children. Read: HC allows two girls to stay with Bangladeshi father in custodial battle with Japanese mother But on February 21, Imran returned to Bangladesh with the first two girls fom Japan. After that a Japanese court passed a verdict giving the children under their mother’s custody. On August 19, Erico filed a writ petition before the High Court here seeking custody of the two girls.

Consumers will have to pay a higher price of Tk 226 to buy a 12-kg container of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from today (Sunday) as the energy regulator has raised the price to Tk 1,259 from the existing Tk 1,033. In the same ratio, the prices of other quantity containers of LPG will go up while the auto gas will be selling at Tk 58.65 instead of the existing rate of Tk 55.27 per litre. Announcing the new price order, chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Abdul Jalil said of the enhanced Tk 226, the commission has increased Tk 59 as an overall cost adjustment while the remaining enhancement in the cost was done because of the increased price of Saudi CP. Read:Appeal for LPG price hike: decision on Sunday “Following our public hearing, we’ve reset some of the components in the local value of LPG considering the demands of the private sector operators,” he told reporters while announcing the new price of the fuel at the BERC meeting room on Sunday. Internationally, the Saudi contract price (CP) witnessed a huge hike as each metric ton of LPG was sold at $797 in October while it was $665 in September last, he added. The other members of the BERC were present on the occasion.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Sunday upheld the High Court order asking the authorities  concerned to shut down all illegal brick kilns in Chattogram.

The High Court on Thursday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the government to file a report by Feb 28 next year on money launderers and steps taken against them.