Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, today vehemently criticized BNP-Jamaat for inciting a wave of terrorist and militant activities against citizens of the country. This campaign, she asserts, aims to disrupt the upcoming national election scheduled for January 7, 2024. She accused the BNP-Jamaat of acting on directives from London, asserting that the people of Bangladesh would not tolerate such crimes. Asserting the constitutional right of citizens to vote, Sheikh Hasina declared that no one should obstruct or harm others for exercising their voting rights. Her comments came during interaction with reporters following her visit to Hazrat Shahjalal’s shrine in Sylhet. The Prime Minister emphasized that Bangladesh rejects all forms of militant and terrorist acts. She expressed confidence that the people of Bangladesh would eventually reject those responsible for such actions. PM Hasina visits shrines of sufi saints in Sylhet at start of polls campaign Addressing the recent arson attacks on trains, she issued a stern warning to the perpetrators, emphasizing that such criminal acts would be met with decisive action. Sheikh Hasina criticized the BNP-Jamaat clique’s attempts to derail the election and prevent voter participation but noted the public's overwhelming support for the electoral process. “People are not responding to BNP’s strikes. What will they gain through such destructive activities? Rather, people will hate them ultimately,” she said. Highlighting her party’s past successes, she recounted the Awami League’s election victories in 2009, 2014, and 2018, attributing them to the party’s commitment to meeting the people’s basic needs. “Rest of the needs will be fulfilled Inshallah, if in the January 7 election people of Bangladesh cast their votes for the ‘boat’ symbol, and if we can from the government again. We will ensure a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. And no one will be without an address, home, and land,” she said. Sheikh Hasina also touched on her government’s goal of bringing happiness to the impoverished, in line with the vision of the Father of the Nation, and mentioned the country’s recent elevation to developing nation status. PM Hasina condoles loss of lives in China earthquake Regarding BNP’s decision to abstain from the election, she questioned the necessity of resorting to violent tactics like arson attacks, which she labeled as “terrorist and militant activities.” She condemned the BNP-Jamaat alliance’s history of violence, including recent attacks on civilians, police, and journalists. Emphasizing the democratic process within the Awami League, she stated that the party allows all members to participate in elections, leaving the choice of MPs to the electorate. She emotionally condemned the tragic deaths of a mother and child in yesterday’s arson attack on a train in Dhaka, questioning the morality of such violence. “There is nothing more painful... How can a human being do this to another?” AL upbeat as PM Hasina to launch election campaign from Sylhet Wednesday She reiterated her stance against fear tactics used to disrupt elections, referring to similar unsuccessful attempts in 2013 and 2014.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday (July 20, 2023) said the government has no intention to obstruct the political programmes of BNP-Jamaat, but won’t spare them if they repeat any destructive activity. “We will not obstruct them in doing politics and are not doing so as well. But they won’t get spared if they set fire to rails again or make any damage to the people,” she said, referring to the violence unleashed by the BNP-Jamaat  during the 2013-2015 period. The premier made the warning while opening train movement on the newly constructed 72-km dual-gauge double rail line, which was built under the Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project. Also read: Efforts on to bring home money laundered by BNP leaders: PM Hasina She joined the inaugural function at Laksam in Cumilla through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganabhaban. With the newly constructed 72-km dual-gauge double track, the entire 321-km Dhaka-Chattogram corridor has turned into a double lined one increasing its operational capacity, which will save travelling time by 30 minutes to one hour on this route.  Hasina said there will be cameras everywhere and the culprits will be identified and punished properly in case of any destructive activity. Also read: Staying away from corruption can make possible the impossible: PM Hasina tells govt officials Terming BNP and Jamaat the terrorist parties,  Hasina said they know how to destroy but they don’t know how to create anything or serve the people. “They know how to plunder, commit corruption and make self-gains,” she said. The prime minister asked the people of the country to remain alert so that they can stay protected from the hands of terrorist BNP-Jamaat. “We want the country to be protected from their hands,” she said. Also read: Need to transform education system to build Smart Bangladesh: PM Hasina tells educators The PM said that BNP-Jamaat set fire to railways in 29 places during their arson violence unleashed to thwart the 2014 general election. She said many train operations were suspended during the BNP-Jamaat regime, but the AL government took massive steps to improve the sector considering that train journeys are comfortable and cheap for the common people. PM Hasina said her government formed a separate ministry for railways in order to increase allocation to the sector. “In the last 14 and a half years, we constructed 740 km new rail lines, converted 280 km meter-gauge rail tracks into dual-gauge ones, and reinstalled or reconstructed 1,308 km rail lines reinstalled,” she said. Also read: Govt is always with you: PM Hasina tells businesspeople Besides, the AL government constructed 126 new station buildings, reconstructed 223 stations buildings, constructed 732 new railway bridges, reinstalled or reconstructed 774 railway bridges in the time, she added. The PM said her government collected 111 locomotives, 588 passenger carriages and 516 wagons (for carrying goods) since 2009. “We’ve commissioned 143 new trains on different routes,” she said. She said the government is implementing several mega projects in order to enhance the regional and local railway communication and networks. Also read: Reach sewage treatment facilities outside Dhaka too: PM Hasina directs authorities “We’ve taken initiative to collect 46 new broad-gauge locomotives, 460 new broad-gauge passenger carriages, 150 new meter-gauge passenger carriages, 125 new modern luggage vans, 1,310 new wagons,” said the premier. Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan chaired the event from Laksam end, while LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Tazul Islam (local MP from Laksam-Monohorgonj) and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq (local MP from Akhaura-Kashba) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director for Bangladesh Edimon Ginting spoke on the occasion. PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin conducted the function and Railways Secretary Humayun Kabir delivered the welcome speech. Also read: PM Hasina inaugurates South Asia's largest STP in Dhaka's Dasherkandi  

Bangladesh's Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has said that a number of BNP leaders are busy taking secret preparations to run in the election. He came up with the remarks at a rally organized by Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League against the "anti-state conspiracy of BNP-Jamaat" in the capital's Mirpur this afternoon (June 16, 2023). He said many parties will participate in the election. Read: Fakhrul must apologise for derogatory remark on election: Obaidul Quader "There will be no shortage of political parties to join the polls. No matter how BNP conspires, the election will be held in this country," Quader added. Quader said BNP fears losing in the next election. He said that the election of Bangladesh cannot be prevented by anyone's visa policy and sanctions. "We do not interfere with anyone so we do not want interference from any foreign country in our elections. We are going to hold the elections as per law. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will remain the head of the government during the elections," he said. Read: BNP would only say election was fair if AL gets defeated: Quader Quader said the country's people have confidence about the elections and they will not be confused by BNP's statements over elections. "The BNP is now holding a road march after getting imbalanced and this road march will finally turn into a fall march," he said, adding that the BNP has no path. The AL general secretary said BNP has no control over its own party men while its activists became candidates in many city elections ignoring the command of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Read: Participate in election to see whether you even get 10% votes: Information Minister to BNP "Now many of BNP leaders have started running from here and there to participate in the upcoming national elections," he said. Among others, AL joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, organising secretary Afzal Hossain, Dhaka North City AL president Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, general secretary SM Mannan Kochi and Swechchhasebak League president Gazi Mejbaul Hossain Sacchu, spoke at the rally.

A group of around prominent 200 Bangladeshi Americans have said the recent letter from six US congressmen to President Joe Biden – demanding stricter sanctions against the Bangladesh government – contains “false and misleading information.” The claim in the congressmen’s letter, “Since Sheikh Hasina’s rise to power, the Hindu population has been halved,” is categorically false and hides the real reasons behind the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, they said. In particular, the letter ignores the October 2001 post-national election violence unleashed on the Hindu community by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami led coalition, the Bangladeshi Americans said. Also read: State of Christians in Bangladesh: Archbishop Emeritus Patrick D'Rozario rejects 6 US congressmen’s letter to Biden The congressmen’s letter also contains “incorrect information” about the persecution of the Christian population in Bangladesh under the current government, they observed. “We, the undersigned Bangladeshi Americans, request the congressmen to withdraw the false information from the letter,” they said. The wrong information would not only undermine the credibility of the congressmen’s stance on minority rights in Bangladesh but also jeopardize the security and safety of the undersigned Bangladeshi Americans, according to their statement. Also read: 6 congressmen’s letter to Biden a ‘false projection’ of the state of Bangladesh’s minorities, community leaders say Noted Bangladeshi Hindu, Christian and Buddhist leaders have already rejected the claims about the state of minority communities in Bangladesh made in the congressmen’s letter as categorically false. They also indicated that false claims hide the real culprits behind minority persecution in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad leader Rana Dasgupta said that the congressmen’s claim of Hindu population being “halved” under Sheikh Hasina’s rule is a “travesty of truth.” “We understand that the US elected representatives sign many statements. But false information in congressmen’s letter to President Biden is concerning and detrimental to the Bangladeshi minority communities,” wrote the Bangladeshi Americans. Also read: Letters from 6 MEPs and 6 US congressmen: Netizens point out curious similarities, including misspelling Bangladesh PM’s name “We again request the congressmen to withdraw the false and misleading information from the letter for the security, safety, and wellness of the Bangladesh minority and undersigned Bangladeshi Americans who have been actively fighting for minority rights in Bangladesh for decades,” they said. The signatories are: 1. Dr. Nuran Nabi, Councilman, NJ 2. Prof. ABM Nasir, Professor, NC 3. Abu Ahmed Musa, Councilman, MI 4. Rana Hasan Mahmud, Engineer, CA 5. Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, Professor, PA 6. Shikrithy Barua, IT Engineer, NY 7. Abul Khan, State Representative, NH 8. Mahbubul Alam Taiyab, Milborne City Mayor, NH 9. Nurul Hassan, Councilman, Milborne City, NH 10. Dr. Sufian A Khandakar, Scientist 11.Dr. Ashraf Ahmed, Scientist and Writer 12. Dr. Joti Prakash Dutta, Writer, FL 13. Prof. Abu Naser Rajib, CA 14. Morshed Alam, Activist, NY 15. Ahad Ahmed, Engineer, MI 16. Dr. Baman Das Basu, Scientist, MA 17. Safeda Basu, Activist, MA 18. Dr. Khondoker Mansur, Community Leader, NY 19. Dr. Mohshin Patowari, Professor, NY 20. Jamal Uddin Hossain, Cultural Personality, AL 21. Dr. Mohshin Ali, Writer, NY 22. Dastagir Jahangir, Journalist, VA 23. Fahim Reza Noor, Activist, NY 24. Dr. Zeenat Nabi, Scientist, NJ 25. Hassan Ferdous, Columnist & Writer, NY 26. Maj (retd) Manzur Ahmed, Community Leader, NY 27. Dr.Pradip Kar, Scientist,NY 28. Dr. Protap Das, Physician, NY 29. Kowshik Ahmed, Editor, NY 30. Lovlu Ansar, Editor,NY 31. Rafayet Choudhury, Activist, NY 32. Abu Taher, Activist, PA 33. Soud Choudhury, Activist, NY 34. Dr. Mizan R Miah, Professor, IL 35. Dr. Jamil Talukdar, Professor, WI 36. Dr.Shahadat Hossain, Professor, NY 37. Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Professor, NJ 38. Dr. Khandakar Monsur, Scientist, MD 39. Dr. Syed Abu Hasnat, Teacher, MA 40. Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan, Businessman ,GA 41. Tajul Imam, Artist, NY 42. Abdur Rahim Badsha, Businessman, NY 43. Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Scientist 44. Abdul Qader Mia, Community Leader, NY 45. Zakaria Choudhury, Community Leader, NY 46. Bedarul Islam Babla, Commuinity leader, NY 47.Mintu Rahman, Community Leader, GA 48. Nadira Rahman, Community Leader, GA 49. Arefin Babul, Community Leader, GA 50. Dr.Shahab Siddique, Scientist, GA 51. Mohammed Ali Babul, Lawyer, NY 52. Mohammad Mowla, Community Leader, GA 53. Jharna Choudhury, Theater Artist, NY 54. Lutfun Nahar Lata, Artist, NY 55. Dr. Faruk Azam, Physician, NJ 56. Mian Helal, Businessman, NJ 57. Shamsun Nahar Helen, Technologist, NJ 58. Iqbal Yousuf, Community Leader, MA  59. Atiqur Rahman, Community Leader 60. Rumi Kabir, Writer, GA 61. Ali Ahmad Farish, Businessman, MI 62. Rashed Ahmed, Community Leader, NY 63. Sitangshu Guha, Journalist, NY 64. Dr. Dilip Nath, Teacher, NY 65. MA Salam, Community Leader, NJ 66. Fakir Ilias, Poet, NY 67. Mishuk Selim, Poet, NY 68. Khaled Sharifuddin, Poet, NY 69. Abu Sayeed Ratan, Poet, NY 70. Hassan Al Abdullah, Poet, NY 71. Mithun Ahmed, Cultural Activist, NY 72. Minhaj Ahmed, Cultural Activist, NY 73. Shakawat Ali, Community Leader, NY 74. Dr. Abdul Baten, Scientist, NY 75. Dr. Hasan Masud, Teacher, NY 76. Shahid Hasan, Artist, NY 77. Rathindra Nath Roy, Artist, NY 78. Istiaq Rupu, Poet, NY 79. Gopal Sannal, Community Leader,NY 80. Dr. Mahbubur Rahman Tuku, Businessman, NY 81. Dr. Nahid Banu, Scientist, NJ 82. Mahbub Reza Rahim, Community Leader, AZ 83. Dr. Monowar Hossain, Scientist, NJ 84. Golam Faruk Bhuyan, Businessman, NJ 85.  Rehan Reza,Community Leader, KS 86. Dr. Hasan Mamun, Teacher, NJ 87. Zahedul Mahmud Zami, Community Leader, CA 88. Towfik Solaiman Khan, Community Leader, CA 89. Nazrul Alam, Community Leader, CA 90. Saifur Rahman Osmani, Broadcaster, CA 91. Dr.Golam Mostofa, Professor, PA 92. Rabiul Karim Belal, Businessman, PA 93. Dr. Ahsan Choudhury, Engineer, TX 94. Hashmot Mobin, Community Leader, TX 95. Shah Halim, Community Leader, TX 96. Maggie Halim, Community Leader, TX 97. Dr. Anisul Aslam, Physician, CA 98. Mohammad Billah Rana, Businessman, CA 99. Hadi Billah Roba, Businessman, NV 100. Quazi Shahraiar Rahman, Engineer, CA 101. Karimul Haque Chowdhury, Businessman, CA 102. Bashir Ather, Scientist, CA 103. Tapan Mondol, Social Worker, CA 104. Shah Alam, Community Leader, CA  105. Maminul Haque Bachchu, Sr. Community Leader, CA 106. Tasnim Salam Aslam, Engineer, CA 107. Abed Mansur, Community Leader, CA 108. Habib Ahmed Tia, Community Leader, CA 109. Mofazzal Hussain, Community Leader, CA 100. Mohammad Hossain Rana, Community Leader, CA 101. Abul Hasnat Rayhan, Community Leader, CA 102. Asaduzzaman Bachchu, Businessman, MI 103.  Dewan Zamir,Engineer, CA 104. Belal Beg, columnist, NY 105. Nini Wahed, Journalist, NY 106. Dr.Farjahan Rahman Shawon, Professor,NC 107. Dr.Khondoker Mansur, Community Leader, NY 108. Khurshid Anowar Bablu, Community Leader, NY 109. Hassan Al Abdullah, Writer, NY 110. Syed Abu Hasnat, Professor, MA 111. Dr.Delwar Hossain, Professor, AL 112. Iqbal Yusuf, Director, Intl.Sustainable Development 113. Atiqur Rahman, Businessman, FL 114. Hassan Jahangir, Businessman, FL 115. Junaid Akhter,Community Leader, FL 116. Dr. Hemayet Ullah, Professor 117. Dr. Mahbub Pramanik 118. Dr.Purobi Bosu, Writer, FL 119. Farhana Iliyas Tuli, Poet, NY 120. Syed Mamunur Rashid, Poet, NY 121. Swapnil Firoze, Poet, NY 122. Liton Ahmed, Activist, NY 123. Golam Mohiuddin, Musician, GA 124. Nazrul Islam, Community Leader, GA 125.Farque Ahmed, Community Leader, GA 126. Mohin, Community Leader, FA 127. Abul Hassan, Community Leader, GA 128. Ahmadhur Parvez, Community Leader, GA 129. Dr. Mohammed Nasim, Community Leader, GA 130. Mahmud Abbas, Community Leader, GA 131. Mohammad Akbar Khan, Community Leader, GA 132. Reza Karim, Community Leader, GA 133. Ali Hosen, Community Leader, GA 134. Pintu Yusuf, Community Leader, GA 135. Nurul Kabir Nahid, Community Leader, GA 136. Mojammel,Community Leader, GA 137.Moshiur Rahman, Businessman, GA 138. Russel Bhuiyan, Businessman, Ga 139. Arefin Pial, Teacher, GA 140. Mahrufur Bhuiyan, Businessman, GA  141. Borhan Uddin, Community Leader, GA 142. Rashedul Karim, Businessman, GA 143. Bindu Hossen, Singer, GA 144. Rezaul Bari, Activist, NY 145. Abul Bashar Chunnu,Activist,NY 146. Nabendu Dutta,Professor, NY 147. Siraj Ahemd Sohag, Community Leader, NY 148. Shyamal Chakraborti, Community Leader, NY 149. Pranobondhu Chakraborti, Engineer, NY 150. Mohammad Fazlul Haque, Community Leader, NY 151. Parimal Karmakar, Community Leader, NY 152. Jhorna Chowhdury, Artist, NY 153. Syed Rashid Ahmed Karmani, Businessman, NY 154. Ruksana Karmani, NY 155. Farque Ahmed, Businessman, NY 156. Dilara Ahmed, Activist, NY 157. Touqid Chowdhury, Activist, NY 158. Saniyet Ahmed Chowdhury, Engineer, NY 159. Toujiat Chowdhury, PhD student, NY 160. Alim Khan Akash, Businessman, NY 161. Sabita Das, Activist, NY 162.Abul Bhashar Bhuiyan,NY 163. Shareb Ahmed,NY 164.Rontu Lal Das,NY 165. Harun Chowdhury, VA 166. Santosh Barua, Poet, VA 167. Nupur Chowdhury, VA 168. Gourab Golpo, Artist, VA 169. Nasrin Ahmed Munna, Artist, VA 170. Dr.Monowar Hossain, Scientist, NJ 171. Nahid Chowdhury, Businessman, NJ 172. Mir Chowdhury, Community Leader, NJ 173. Rafiqul Islam, Businessman, CA 174. Tasnim Salam Aslam ,CA 175. Mizanul Kabir, P.O., CA 176. Abul Hasnat Rayhan, Community Leader, CA 177. Asaduzzaman Bacchu, Community Leader, CA 178. Masud Chowdhury, Community Leader, CA 179. Mohammed Hossain Rana, Businessman, CA 180. Ruhul Amin, Businessman, MI 181. Abdul Muhit Mukta, Businessman, MI 182. Mohoshin Uddin Tipu, Businessman, MI 183. Md. Sirajuddin Tipu, Community Leader, MI 184. Dr.Adnan Morshed, Professor, WA 185. Dr.Atiar Rahman, FDA statistics, VA 186. Dr. Sadek Chowdhury, VS  187. Alauddin Ahmed, Community Leader, VA 188. Dr.Zahed Chowdhury, Software Engineer, VA 189. Nizamuddin Ahmed, CEO, Huge Network, VA 190. Saleh Ahmed,Activist, VA 191. Swapnik Khan,Activist,TX 192. Redwan Chowdhury, Community Leader, D.C. Read more: China says PM Hasina's remarks against sanctions reflect a ‘large part of int'l community's mind’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said that those who were involved in the killings of hundreds of Bangladesh Air Force members through illegal court martial in 1977 are getting punishment for their crimes. Punishment is also being meted out to the perpetrators of arson violence and terrorism carried out in the name of movement launched by BNP and Jamaat during 2013-15, she said. “Those who were involved in injustice got punishment, getting punishment and will get punishment,” she said at an event at her official residence Ganobhavan. The prime minister was talking to the family members of Bangladesh Air Force personnel who had been sentenced to death through illegal court martial in 1977 during the regime of then military ruler General Ziaur Rahman. Also Read: 2002 attack on Hasina's motorcade: 4 get life imprisonment, 44 others 7 years’ jail Victims and relatives of arson terrorism by BNP-Jamaat nexus in 2013, 2014 and 2015 were also present there. Hasina said that she is empathetic to the family members of the victims as she and her younger sister lost father, mother, brothers, sister-in-laws and other family members in a day on August 15 in 1975 when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated. She said Bangabandhu endured life-long sufferings for Bangladesh and its people. “My only aim is to ensure that people of this country remain in good shape,” she said. She regretted that arson terrorism and fire incidents at market places are taking place causing immense miseries to the innocent people at a time the country is moving towards economic prosperity. “Those who are doing this are incurring hatred of the whole nation. I think that Allah will also not tolerate this,” she said. She said that BNP-Jamaat’s activities had been as barbaric as was done by Pakistani military.  “Ziaur Rahman used to write the verdict of capital punishment while smiling,” she said. She said that after that Zia’s wife and then their sons resorted to arson terrorism as they do not want any good for the country and its people. She mentioned that she can understand the pain of the family members and relatives of the victims. “I am always beside you, I share your pain,” she said. Nurunnahar Begum, wife of victim Sargent Delwar Hossain, and Maksuda Parvin, daughter of Sargent Morshedul Alam, also spoke at the programme. A heart-rending situation prevailed while the relatives spoke. A visibly moved PM consoled them with motherly affection. Victim of arson terrorism Sub Inspector Moqbul Hossain and Mohammad Salauddin Bhuiyan expressed their feelings in the programme. Two separate documentaries on these subjects were also screened at the programme. The prime minister presented Eid gifts to the victims and relatives.    

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday asked the authorities concerned to investigate whether opposition BNP and Jamaat, who had unleashed a campaign of terror and arson attacks during 2013-14, are involved in the recent fire incidents in the country. “It should be investigated whether they (BNP-Jamaat) are taking a different path by causing incidents like fire and cripple the economy,” she said. The prime minister said this while speaking at the Awami League Local Government Nomination Board meeting held at her official residence Ganabhaban. Her call came even as another massive fire broke out in Dhaka's New Super Market gutting scores of shops early Saturday. Also read: Intelligence agencies urged to probe if sabotage is behind frequent fire incidents: Fire Service DG Hasina, also the president of Awami League, asked to investigate whether the fire incidents in various markets were conspiracy or sabotage to hurt the economy. She asked to increase surveillance in important markets across the country. “Everyone should be more aware. Everyone has to make arrangements on their own initiative to guard (their establishments). All efforts by the government will continue,” she said. She also said that unwanted crowds must not be allowed to gather during the fire fighters' battle to control the blaze and strict action will be taken in case of any obstruction regarding this matter. The PM said that when the first fire incident occurred it was thought to be an accident. “But after the couple of other fire incidents at the same time of the first one… the fire incidents are taking place after 6am. Surveillance should be increased and other markets have to remain alert,” she said. She also mentioned that it has been noticed that when the fire service comes they face obstacles by some people. “Why will they face obstacles and while they tried to douse the fire some people with sticks and blunt instruments attacked the fire fighters. Who are these people?, " she wondered. She said that a careful study of the four recent fire incidents at shopping malls in the city suggests these have been either planned or manipulated. “We know that some political parties are there to wage movement after Eid, cripple the economy and oust the government. Yes, you can oust the government, but what are the faults of these common people and businessmen,” she asked. She said that businesspeople have been the worst sufferers as fire incidents hit them at a time when they looked for brisk business. “This will not be spared easily, and we have increased our surveillance in this matter,” she said. She also urged the people to remain alert. Recalling the arson terrorism by the BNP-Jamaat clique in the recent past, she suspected that they might resort to another path aimed at hurting the economy. "It should be properly investigated," she asserted. “In the past they burnt the common people and now wonder whether they have taken a different path to cripple the economy. We have to unearth this mystery,” she said. She requested all to remain alert regarding BNP-Jamaat’s change of strategy of taking to arson terrorism in another form. “We have to keep this under watch,” she added.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud today said that the recent attacks on the Ahmadiyya community in Panchagarh were similar to 2013, 2014 and 2015 anarchies carried out by BNP-Jamaat, and that the recent attacks were “monitored from Dhaka and London.” “They had planned to create a mess in the whole country by spreading rumours and carrying out violence in Panchagarh,” the minister said while visiting the areas where the attacks took place in Ahmednagar under Boda upazila of Panchagarh district. "We have come here on behalf of Awami League to see the mindless violence that was carried out on the Ahmadiyya community on March 2, 3 and 4. There were provocations before the heinous attacks similar to those of 2013, 2014 and 2015,” added the minister. He said the attacks were carried out after organised incitements. “The attacks were carried out as part of a grand plan of those who want to fish in muddy waters and want to create instability in Bangladesh.” He said everyone knows who operates ‘Basher Kella’ on social media platforms. Provocations were spread from the page, and from the pages of BNP leaders Rumin Farhana and former lawmaker Harun-or-Rashid, he claimed. Most attackers were BNP-Jamaat supporters though they used another banner, said Hasan. He said the attackers set fire to Morshed Mia's home, the general secretary of AL Ward-9 unit under Dhakkamar union. He added that attacks were carried out on police boxes and the home of Jubo League municipality unit vice president Shahin Alam. The minister said the terrorists had tried to launch attacks on DC and SP offices while they torched the vehicle of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). He said that Islam never allows attacks on anyone in the name of religion and the Prophet (PBUH) never endorsed burning people’s houses like this. "Those who carry out acts of violence against others in the name of Islam are enemies of Islam," said Hasan. Hasan Mahmud urged all to resist the enemies, saying the government is determined to ensure exemplary punishment for the attackers. Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan, AL Organising Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, AL Panchagarh district unit general secretary Anowar Sadat, deputy commissioner (DC) Md Jahurul Islam and police superintendent SM Sirajul Huda, among others, were present. Later, the minister joined a peace rally in front of AL Panchagarh district unit office.  

Three generations of human rights violation victims – under the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami governments – brought out a rally in Dhaka today to highlight the ordeals faced by the families. The focus of the rally was to provide a wholesome perspective on phases of human rights violations in Bangladesh to address the “one-sided narrative that gives the impression that the current government is responsible for all human rights violations in the country.” It is unfortunate that many global organizations like UN agencies and Western powers often buy into this narrative peddled by certain groups with vested interest, the rally organisers were of the view. “BNP-Jamaat and their international allies make much of the few cases of human rights violations during the present government. Conveniently, they overlook the long history of unthinkable human rights violations during the BNP-Jamaat regime. Their unwillingness to even listen to the other victims says all there is to say. What about the three million Bengalis killed and quarter million women raped during the Liberation War? UN has not yet recognized the 1971 atrocities as genocide,” Tarana Halim, president of Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, said from the rally. Families of those killed during the largescale atrocities perpetrated by Pakistan army and their local collaborators during the Liberation War were in the rally. Other participants included families of senior Awami League leaders – killed after the brutal assassination of the Father of the Nation in 1975 – and victims of extra-judicial killings and hangings by the first military regime headed by General Ziaur Rahman, founder of BNP.

The BNP-Jamaat attempted to cause major chaos in Dhaka in the name of a mass procession, but they were thwarted by the resoluteness of AL leaders and activists, according to Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud. The AL leader made the remarks while speaking with reporters at his Chattogram residence on Saturday. “Nevertheless, Jamaat-e-Islami, the BNP's main ally, attacked police officers. They failed due to the police force's patience,” he said. “Actually, on December 10, BNP realized that the majority of people are not on their side. They have been disappointed since then. That is why they are attempting to cause mayhem. Their politics is entirely based on deceit,” he went on. He also said that the BNP has adopted the policy of bootlicking foreigners and expects officials from various states or embassies to speak on their behalf. That didn't help either, added the minister. Hasan Mahmud said the BNP’s politics revolves around causing chaos. “That will not be tolerated by the people of the country”. Read more: Simultaneous Movement: 33 opposition parties set to take out mass processions in city He also stated that BNP set cars on fire on December 10th and will do so again if given the chance. Mentioning that he dealt with the sabotage of BNP in 2013–15, he also said, “We know what BNP wants to do and how much they can do. We also know how to handle it."   The BNP and 32 other like-minded opposition parties staged a procession of showdowns Friday in different parts of the capital, by way of the first joint programme in what is being billed as a collective movement to take down the incumbent government and set the stage for free and fair elections. They also separately announced sit-in programmes across the country on January 11 as their next course of action, to press home their 10-point demand, including the resignation of the current government and formation of a polls-time caretaker government.   Read more: Simultaneous Movement: Ganatantra Mancha brings out mass procession in Dhaka BNP brought out a massive procession from in front of the party’s Nayapaltan area. It ended at Moghbazar after parading different roads through Bijoynagar, Kakrail, Shantinagar and Malibagh intersections.

Prime Minister's ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has shared the video "Everything under the heel of Hawa Bhaban through syndicate" to depict BNP-Jamaat's "corruption from 2001 to 2006." During the rule of BNP-Jamaat between 2001 and 2006, all construction projects, such as roads, bridges, culverts, and government buildings, doomed by bribery and corruption, remained incomplete and defective, Joy wrote from his verified Facebook account. Also read: Joy depicts graft in power sector during BNP's last tenure "Through this video, I tried to demonstrate how Hawa Bhaban used to distribute all government projects through syndicates and how the close associates of Tarique (Rahman) turned tycoons overnight through corruption," he mentioned. Joy also wrote: "You will hear straight from the horse's mouth. People will testify to that syndicate business of BNP-Jamaat that they fell victim to. I will convey, phase by phase, the facts and figures about the misrule of the BNP-Jamaat ally." Also read: Joy shares video report on ‘BNP’s money laundering’