Home Minister
Accidents on waterways in Bangladesh declining: Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday said accidents on waterways are declining in the country because of changes in vessel designs, implementation of necessary measures and stronger monitoring.
“We used to see major accidents during holidays every year. Now such accidents have decreased. But I would not say these have totally gone,” he said while addressing the inauguration of the River Security Week 2021.
He virtually joined the inaugural function, held at the conference room of the Shipping Ministry, as the chief guest. State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury was present as the special guest.
Read: No alternative to jute for protecting the environment: Home Minister
Asaduzzaman said the main reasons behind the fall in waterway accidents are the changes in vessel designs and stronger monitoring in addition to other necessary measures.
He mentioned that the importance of the shipping sector in the graduation of a riverine and coastal country like Bangladesh from a least developed country to a developing one is immense, and put emphasis on consolidation of this achievement.
The minister said one of the major responsibilities of the Shipping Department is to develop an accident-free shipping system. “The department has taken a number of effective measures for the safety of public life and property.”
An online digital database containing vessel survey data, registration reports and all the information related to vessels and sailors in the inland sector of Bangladesh is being maintained, he said.
Woman who was with Hefazat leader Mamunul is not his wife: Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzman Khan Kamal on Sunday said that the woman who was with Hefazat Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque in a Sonargaon resort is not his wife.
The Minister said this while giving a statement under Section 300 in Parliament on Hefazat’s mayhem in Hathhazari, Brahmanbaria and Sonargaon.
He said that Mamunul was staying at a resort in Sonargaon upazila with a woman. "She is not his wife, I will let you know more information after knowing," he said.
Also read: Won’t tolerate anarchy: Home Minister
The Minister said that he does not know why the attack was carried out on the resort by the Hefazat men after broadcasting the incident in the television channels.
"There were some foreigners in the resort, police and BGB men rescued them," he said.
Regarding the Hefazat mayhem in different areas of the country recently, the Home Minister said that definitely there is an objective behind these.
"We are taking steps as per law, no one will be spared," he said.
Won’t tolerate anarchy: Home Minister
The government is going to take a strict stance to prevent all kind of anarchy and secure people’s lives and properties, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said Sunday.
He came up with the warning while talking to reporters at the secretariat.
The warning came after a daylong Hefazat-e-Islam hartal protesting against, what it called “police action” on its ‘anti-Modi’ processions in Dhaka, Chattogram and other districts.
Minister Kamal said some rowdy people and groups, spurred on by religious fanaticism, are destroying public properties in Chattogram, Brahmanbaria and other parts of the country.
“I’m requesting them to stop,” he said, “otherwise, the government will take stern action.”
Also read: Hefazat’s day-long hartal ends amid violence, clashes
He said that the government has noticed some vested groups using orphans and minors to advance their own agenda.
“In some places, small children and orphans were victimised. This is anarchism,” Kamal said.
“We’ve observed them patiently, now we’ll resist them and bring them to book. Their tactics (hartal supporters) show that militants who triggered instability in the past, have joined hands to create sabotage,” he said, adding that no one will be spared.
Responding to a question, the minister said that most of the students who study in madrasas come from poor background. “They’re being used and misled using the name of religion.”
Hefazat announces fresh protest programme
Hardline Islamist group Hefazat also held nationwide demonstrations on Saturday during which clashes with police left at least five people dead in Brahmanbaria.
Also read: Hefazat announces ‘doa mahfil, demonstration’ for Monday
On Friday, four people were killed and at least 15 others were injured in a clash between Hefazat supporters and police at Hathazari in Chattogram.
On the same day, at least 50 people, including several journalists, were injured in a clash between Muslim devotees and police in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area.
Clashes erupted when police barred people from bringing out a procession after Jum’a prayers protesting against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Home Minister pledges to punish those behind Rohingya camp fire
Those involved in the blaze at the Balukhali Rohingya camp in Ukhia upazila of Cox's Bazar would be brought under the law, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said during a brief stopover at a Rohingya camp in Ukhia on Wednesday afternoon.
An investigation committee has been formed. They will investigate and submit a report to the government. If any misconduct or negligence found in the report government will take necessary steps.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Death toll climbs to 11
The minister said the government had no plans to relocate those who had lost their homes in the fire to Bhasanchar.
No Rohingya will be forcibly taken to Bhasanchar. However, Bhasan Char is now a much developed place. If the people, who have lost home by fire, want to go there government must take them there.
Also read: Fire at Rohingya camp caused 'enormous devastation': UNICEF
He mentioned that the first step of the government is to send the Rohingyas back to their country Myanmar. Bangladesh hopes that the world community will play a role in sending the Rohingya back to their Myanmar.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan arrived at the Rohingya camp by helicopter at afternoon. He visited the fire affected Rohingya camps and distributed clothes to the affected. Later he spoke to the affected Rohingyas in Balukhali camp. The minister expressed his sorrow over the blaze and assured assistance to all the victims.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Humanitarian community calls for compassion
On March 22, 11 Rohingyas were killed in a devastating fire at five Rohingya camps in Balukhali of Ukhia upazila. About 10,000 were burned and 45 thousand Rohingyas lost their houses.
Khaleda’s sentence waiver plea at Law Ministry: Home Minister
An application seeking waiver of Khaleda Zia’s punishment and extending the stay on her sentence has been sent to the Law Ministry, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said Thursday.
Mushtaq’s death was natural, says Home Minister
The death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed in prison was a natural one, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday.
Govt to decide on waiving Khaleda’s sentences, relaxing bail conditions: Home Minister
The government will take a decision on waiving sentences and relaxing the bail conditions of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia based on the opinion of the Law Ministry, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday.
Bangladesh Coast Guard to be made stronger: Minister
Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) will be equipped with sophisticated patrol vessels, hovercrafts and other modern vessels to make the force stronger, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday.
Bhasan Char gets police station
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday formally opened the newly-built Bhasan Char Police Station in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali.
Rohingyas with Bangladeshi passports considered as Bangladeshis: Saudi envoy
Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa bin Youssef Al-Duhailan on Sunday said they are considering those Rohingyas as Bangladeshis who have been to Saudi Arabia with Bangladeshi passports.