suspended
Cyber tribunal orders probe against suspended Gazipur mayor under DSA
A cyber tribunal on Monday asked CID police to investigate allegations that recently-suspended mayor of Gazipur Jahangir Alam made derogatory remarks about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangladesh liberation war.
Dhaka Cybder Tribunal Judge Ash-Shams Jaglul Hussein gave CID until January 6 to submit its probe report after Supreme Court lawyer Omar Faruk Asif filed a complaint against Jahangir under Digital Security Act.
This was confirmed by public prosecutor Nazrul Islam Shamim.
Also read: Embattled Gazipur City Mayor Jahangir suspended
Jahangir has already lost his mayoral office besides axed as general secretary of Gazipur city unit of Awami League and expelled from the party for life.
The AL central committee came hard on him after video clips in which he made the controversial comments went viral on social media.
On November 23, another case under DSA was filed against Jahangir in Rajbari.
Also on Sunday, a defamation case was also filed against him with Gazipur Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.
Also read: Decision on legal steps against GCC mayor to be known soon: Tajul
Atiqur Rahman, chairman of International Language Movement council filed the Tk 100-crore case against Jahangir saying that his derogatory remarks have undermined Bangabandhu’s image and the honour of Bangladesh and Bengali nation.
Haircut humiliation: Rabindra University teacher Farhana retains job, suspended for 3 academic years
Rabindra University authorities suspended teacher Farhana Yeasmin Baten from academic and administrative activities for three academic years for trimming the hair of its 14 students.
An office order on the final decision of the university authorities, signed by registrar Sohrab Hossain, was hanged on the notice board on Sunday.
According to the office order, Farhana, an associate professor of Cultural Heritage and Bangladesh Studies Department, has been instructed to refrain from all academic and administrative activities including taking classes and exams, until the end of the academic activities of 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 academic years.
Read:Haircut humiliation: Probe body recommends action against teacher Farhana
Regarding the decision, students, who have been demanding termination of the teacher, said that it would have been better if such a decision had been taken by the Academic Council at the beginning of the movement.
However, the university authorities took such a decision in favor of accused teacher Farhana Yeasmin, the students alleged.
Earlier on September 26, Farhana Yeasmin Baten, also the chair of the Cultural Heritage and Bangladesh Studies Department, was charged with forcibly cutting the hair of 16 students.
The following day, Nazmul Hasan Tuhin, a student, tried to take his own life by consuming sleeping pills, prompting the university students to burst into protests. They also boycotted all the exams and classes on September 28.
Amid the protests, Farhana relinquished her three administrative positions on the same day.
Read: RUB haircut humiliation: Students on indefinite hunger strike demanding termination of accused teacher
Later, a five-member probe body was formed to investigate the incident. The university finally suspended Farhana on September 30.
On October 24, Shamim Hossain, a third-year student of Cultural Heritage and Bangladesh Studies, reportedly attempted to kill himself by swallowing poison demanding termination of Farhana.
Two days later, a probe committee formed by Rabindra University recommended taking action against its teacher Farhana for trimming the hair of its 14 students saying that it has found the ‘proof of her offence’.
4 Health Ministry employees suspended over missing of 17 files
Four employees of the Health Education and Family Welfare Division under the Health Ministry have been suspended in connection with the missing of 17 files from the ministry.
Secretary to the Division Md Ali Nur confirmed the matter to reporters at the secretariat on Tuesday.
The four suspended staffers are computer operators Ayesha Siddika and Josef Sardar of Procurement and Collection Unit-2, office assistant of administration-2 unit Badal Chandra Goshwami and 3, office assistant of administration -3 unit Mintu Mia.
Also read: Missing files: Health Minister calls it “unexpected”
The four-member probe committee formed by the ministry over the incident identified the four staffers.
On October 27, it was revealed that 17 files of the Health Ministry had gone missing from the ministry’s Health, Education and Family Welfare division.
A General Diary (GD) was registered with Shagbagh Police station in connection with the the missing of files the following day.
Also read: Missing Files: 3 more Health Ministry officials taken into custody
MV Shah Amanat: Salvage operation suspended again
The operation to salvage sunken ferry Shah Amanat was suspended once again on the fifth day of the work on Sunday.
So far, eight covered vans, six trucks and five motorcycles were pulled out of water since the ferry careened and sank on Wednesday at Paturia terminal.
READ: 4 km long tailback of vehicles at Daulatdia ferry terminal
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) joint director and in-charge of the rescue operation Fazlur Rahman said further action will be taken as per the decision of the inter-ministerial meeting in Dhaka.
He added that the ministry will decide when the salvage operation will begin again.
However, the salvage vessels ‘Hamza’ and ‘Rustam’ have been kept on standby at the spot. Fire service divers, naval teams and Coast Guard rescue workers are also awaiting further instructions.
Meanwhile, the salvaged vehicles have been handed over to the owners. However, the owners complained that the goods in the truck were not recovered. The owners also demanded compensation.
READ: Paturia ferry accident: Salvage vessel ‘Rustom’ joins rescue operation on day 4
Earlier on Wednesday morning, the MV Shah Amanat capsized near Paturia's fifth ferry terminal while preparing to dock. It was carrying 14 goods-laden trucks and four motorcycles at the time.
On the following day, the shipping ministry and Manikganj deputy commissioner formed two separate committees to investigate the incident.
EPI staff suspended for pushing Covid vaccine at home
Health authorities have suspended a staff (vaccine carrier) of Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in North Matlab upazila in Chandpur district for pushing Covid-19 jabs at receivers’ homes.
The suspended staff is Mohammad Jakir Mia, 40, upazila health and family planning officer Nusrat Jahan Mithen told UNB.
READ: Sirajganj UP chairman suspended on graft charge
The staff was accused of pushing Covid jabs to people at their homes in Moradon and Thakurchar villages on August 19 and 22 respectively in exchange of money defying the rules of the health department, she said.
As per the directive of Civil Surgeon Dr M Shakawatullah a 3-member probe committee was formed with medical officer of the upazila health complex Dr Mainul Islam Monas as the convener. The committee found his involvement in the irregularities in its investigation.
READ: BIWTC officer suspended for not wearing mask
Sirajganj UP chairman suspended on graft charge
A union parishad chairman in Sirajganj has been suspended for allegedly taking money from people on the pretext of giving them houses under the Ashrayan project in Tarash upazila.
Tarash UNO Mezbaul Karim told UNB on Friday that TM Abdullah Baki, chairman of Saguna UP-3 in Sirajganj, was issued the suspension letter on August 18.
Read:Patuakhali child marriage: case filed against UP chairman and five others
According to the letter, the action was initiated taken against the UP chairman under Section 34 (4)(b) of the Local Government (Union Parishad) Act, 2009.
The letter was signed by the deputy secretary of the UP-1 branch of the local government department, Abu Jafar Ripon.
However, when contacted, Abdullah said that he was yet to receive the suspension letter.
Ferry services on Shimulia-Banglabazar route suspended for bad weather
Ferry services on Shimulia-Banglabazar route were suspended on Thursday noon due to stormy weather.
Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, Assistant General Manager of Bangladesh Inland and Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Shimulia Ferry Ghat, said the ferries on the route were operating with risk due to strong current in the Padma river since morning.
Read:Ferry hits Padma Bridge pillar: BIWTC forms probe committee
Around noon, the authorities suspended the ferry services due to strong current in the river.
Some 600 vehicles were seen waiting on the both sides for crossing the river, he said.
Besides, several hundred people from southern and eastern parts of the country were also seen waiting on the ferry ghats to cross the river.
Read:Maritime ports asked to hoist cautionary signal 3
The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist local cautionary number three as the well marked low over southwestern part of Bangladesh and adjoining area now lies over western part of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal.
“Under its influence, deep convection is taking place and a steep pressure gradient lies over North Bay and adjoining areas,” said a Met office bulletin.
Read: Ferry-launch suspended from Friday morning
Squally weather may affect the maritime ports, North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, it said.
All boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.
Trade through Hili land port to remain suspended for 6 days
Export-import activities between Bangladesh and India through the Hili land port will remain suspended for six days from Monday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of Muslims.
Read:No trade activities at Panchagarh border from July 12-30
Abdur Rahman Liton, general secretary of Hili land port C&F Agents association, said the authorities concerned of the port, export-import groups and C&F Agents association took the decision after a joint meeting in this regard, he said.
“All activities of the port will resume from July 25,” he added.
HC suspends demotion of WASA’s Executive Engineer
The High Court on Sunday suspended for a month an order of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) on demotion of its Executive Engineer Md Mozammel Haque on charge of providing information to the media.
A special bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim passed the order during a hearing on a writ petition filed by Barrister SS Arefin Junnun.
Read:HC directs to prioritize jabs for students going abroad
Mozammel received the demotion order through a letter signed by Managing Director of Dhaka WASA Taqsem A Khan on July 4. He challenged the demotion in a petition filed before the High Court.
His lawyer Arefin argued that as the managing director is currently on a leave he can’t sign any official letter.
In 2017, three national dailies published reports on Dhaka city’s drainage system, canals and water logging during the months of July and August including comments from Mozammel, who was at that time responsible for Dhaka’s drainage circle.
Read: HC bans shops and restaurants in Hatirjheel recreation area
Later authorities formed a probe committee in this regard, claiming Mozammel’s comments have tarnished the image of Dhaka WASA.
On December 21, 2020, Investigative officer Administrative engineer Ruhul Amin submitted the probe report finding engineer Mozameel guilty.
On January 8 this year secretary of WASA issued a show cause notice to Mozammel saying that it goes against the job regulations-2010 of WASA if any official talk to the media on the activity of the organisation.
Read:HC asks police investigators: Explain allegation of forced murder confession from a minor
The notice reminded Mozammel that his comments have undermined the authority’s image and it is considered as misconduct and punishable crime.
Mozammel’s reply to the notice was considered unsatisfactory to the authority and a divisional case was filed against him, followed by the demotion order.
Domestic flights suspended from July 8
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has suspended all types of domestic flights due to extended Covid lockdown.
Following the government guidance and instruction, the fights would remain suspended from July 8 to July 14, said a media release Monday.
READ: Domestic flights to operate for international passengers only
However, medevac, humanitarian, relief flights (in coordination with local police/authority by
the operator) and cargo flights would remain out of the purview of this restriction.
For those flights, standard disinfection, sanitization and social distancing procedures for passenger, crew, equipment and aircraft should be strictly maintained, the release also said.
READ: Stringent lockdown: Biman's domestic flights suspended till July 7
Bangladesh entered a seven-day lockdown, from July 1, to tackle the rising tide of Covid-19 infections and fatalities.
The country Monday extended the ongoing stringent lockdown to July 14 midnight.
READ: Domestic flights resume Wednesday