Terming Bangladesh Awami League a "fascist" party, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Saturday said the interim government will not tolerate any violence or any attempt to break the public order in the country. "The Awami League in its current form is a fascist party. There is no way this fascist party will be allowed to hold protests in Bangladesh," he said. The Press Secretary said the party has no chance to protest in Bangladesh. If anyone tries to hold meetings, gatherings and processions on the orders of mass murderer and dictator Sheikh Hasina, the law and order forces will deal with it strictly, Alam said in a post from his verified Facebook account. Only 4 advisers in interim govt have NGO background, says CA's press secretary From its verified Facebook post, Bangladesh Awami League urged its activists to come to Shaheed Noor Hossain Chatter -  Zero Point, Gulistan, on November 10, and protest against what they call "misrule”. "Our protest is against the deprivation of the rights of the people of the country; Our protest is against the rise of fundamentalist forces; our protest is against the conspiracy to disrupt the lives of the common people," reads the Facebook post. On November 10, 1987, Noor Hossain, a leader of Awami Jubo League, was killed in police firing while protesting against the then autocratic rule of Gen HM Ershad at the capital's zero point near Gulistan.  

The Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, The International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Commission have released a statement expressing deep concern over the “ongoing violence and attacks on the Indigenous Peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts”. In a joint statement dated October 8, they said that recent deadly attacks by Bengali settlers in the presence of state forces in Khagrachari and Dighinala on September 19, and in Rangamati the next day, had resulted in the deaths of four Indigenous persons (one in Rangamati and three in Khagrachari) and widespread arson attacks on Indigenous houses, businesses, and Buddhist places of worship. They noted that these events were ostensibly sparked by the alleged mob killing of a settler who was attempting to steal a motorbike. The statement goes on to add the incident on October 1, when further violence erupted in Khagrachari after the alleged mob killing of Sohel Rana, an instructor at the Khagrachari Government Technical School and College, following allegations that he raped a 7th-grade Indigenous girl from the school. “Once again, settlers instigated a reign of terror against indigenous communities and their businesses, allegedly in response to the death of Sohel Rana. Witnesses testimony and live-streamed videos on social media show that, despite the local administration imposing restrictions on unlawful assemblies of four or more persons (Section 144, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898) at 3 PM, settlers continued their rampage of destruction until around 7:30 PM, in the presence of security forces,” the statement said. It goes on to describe the role of the security forces as “highly questionable, as they allowed these crimes to continue for several hours.” Pankhayapara, the area that suffered the worst atrocities, is located less than half a kilometre from the Khagrachari Cantonment (Garrison), yet no intervention occurred until later in the evening, the statement said. Read: CHT violence: Probe body visits affected areas in Khagrachhari Citing reports from the ground, the statement said the accused teacher, Sohel Rana, lured one of his teenage indigenous female students to the teacher’s quarters, where he allegedly raped her. The girl’s friends witnessed Rana leading her to his residence and quickly raised the alarm. The Officer-in-Charge of Khagrachari Police Station and five students rescued her, and she later testified to being raped by Rana, and a recent medical test found evidence of rape. Protests erupted, and while Rana was confined to the principal's office, a mob broke in and assaulted him. Rana fled but was injured in a vehicle collision and died at the hospital. It said the police and civil administration officials present failed to protect Rana from the mob. The statement also cites media reports that indicate that the mob’s anger toward Sohel Rana stemmed from his long history of sexual misconduct allegations at various institutions, including an attempted rape charge involving another Indigenous girl student at the same school in Khagrachari. While condemning mob violence as ‘unjustifiable’, the statement  says the incident underscores the “impunity surrounding violence against Indigenous women and girls in the CHT, fueling public outrage”. “Although the government has formed a seven-member investigation committee to examine the causes of the violence in Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Dighinala, we have little confidence that this committee will bring justice,” the statement goes on to say. It adds: “We have also received testimonies that Army personnel in Rangamati have been checking the cell phones of Indigenous Peoples and deleting footage of the settlers' attacks. If they find any such footage, they beat the Jummo individuals. Additionally, it is deeply concerning that many mainstream Bengalis are siding with the settlers, labeling the Jummo as secessionists and spreading false propaganda on mainstream and social media. Posts and videos filled with lies are being shared widely on social media, inciting nationwide hatred toward the Jummo, which is very alarming. The live videos posted by Jummo during the settlers’ attacks have been reported and removed from Facebook. Several Jummo bloggers and pages that shared videos of the attacks have also been targeted by cyber-attackers and had their accounts hacked.” It called upon Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, “as a Nobel Peace Laureate”, to take the following measures to ensure long-term peace in the CHT: The government should immediately invite the United Nations and mandate holders to conduct an independent investigation into the reasons behind the continued violence against Indigenous Peoples in the CHT, as it did when inviting a UN team to probe the human rights violations that took place between July 1 and August 15, 2024. Read more: Normalcy returning to Khagrachhari Pending such investigations by the UN, the government should establish an independent, impartial, and adequately mandated Commission of Inquiry in accordance with the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956. Such a commission would have all the powers of a civil court, including the authority to summon all concerned officials, enter all concerned premises, and peruse necessary documents, and facilitate criminal proceedings by Courts of Judicial Magistrates. The 7-member committee that the government has formed, headed by an Additional Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong, and including six other low-level civil administration and police officers has none of the powers mentioned above. Moreover, it is of too low a level to be regarded as independent, or neutral or adequately mandated. These committee members’ rank and status are far below that of the senior-most military officials posted in the hill region at region/brigade level, and therefore the committee is almost certain to be unable to summon the concerned officials and look into their conduct. Swift and transparent legal action must be taken against those responsible for the attacks. The government must take decisive steps to end the culture of impunity surrounding violence against Indigenous Peoples in the CHT. We also call for proper justice regarding the alleged mob killings. Ensure the safety of Indigenous women and girls by implementing stronger legal protections and holding perpetrators of gender-based violence accountable. Investigate the role of security forces in allowing violence to continue under Section 144 and hold those responsible accountable for failing to protect the lives and properties of the Jummo. The government should immediately revoke the executive order 'Operation Uttoron,' restoring civilian administration and a democratic environment in the CHT. All temporary military and security camps should be dismantled, with the exception of the six permanent military bases designated in the 1997 CHT Accord. Read more:Day 2 of 72hr blockade underway in Khagrachhari and Rangamati In the CHT, the security forces are composed entirely of personnel from the Bengali community, which often makes it difficult to maintain neutrality during communal clashes. To build trust and restore confidence among Indigenous communities, the government should establish an ethnically diverse police force in the region, incorporating both Indigenous Peoples and ethnic Bengalis, as expressly provided for in the Hill District Councils Acts of 1989 (Acts 19, 20 and 21 of 1989). Implementing this diverse police composition will help prevent discriminatory practices and reduce the risk of perceived or actual bias during conflicts between Indigenous and Bengali groups. We also ask the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Adviser Nahid Islam to ensure that media and social media platforms are not used to spread misinformation and hate speech that incites violence against Indigenous Peoples. Finally, it is clear that settlers continue to pose a significant obstacle to the full implementation of the CHT Accord, the resolution of land disputes, and the achievement of lasting peace in the region. The only viable solution is the dignified relocation of settlers outside the CHT. The government can relocate them outside the CHT while continuing to provide rations, food grains, and other support, as it has done since their relocation to the region.

Adviser to Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Supradip Chakma on Tuesday urged the community not to take the law into their own hands in Khagrachhari. He assured that the travel ban for tourists will be lifted soon upon discussion with the Home Affairs Adviser. During a peace rally held at the Dighinala upazila Parishad Community Center of the Khagrachhari, the adviser addressed local officials, including Deputy Commissioner Md. Shahiduzzaman and Superintendent of Police Md. Arefin Jewel. Read: Investigation committee formed over Khagrachhari violence; 2 cases filed He emphasized the need for prompt action following the violent incidents on September 19, expressing frustration over the lack of arrests. Supradip pledged to bring those involved in the violence to justice and urged the community to refrain from vigilantism. He visited the violence-hit Dighinala. Read more: Khagrachhari tense following teacher’s lynching; indefinite Section 144 underway

The Government of Bangladesh has expressed deep concerns over the mob violence on the night of May 17, 2024 in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek. “We have conveyed our concerns to Kyrgyzstan. Our students also came under attack but no one was severely injured,” Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters today (May 19, 2024). He said they are closely monitoring the situation through the Embassy in Uzbekistan, concurrently accredited to the Kyrgyz Republic. Read more: South Asian students, inc Bangladeshis, endure night of horrors in Kyrgyz capital The Embassy is in constant communication with Bangladeshi students who are currently studying in Kyrgyzstan, as well as with Kyrgyz government officials. There are no reports of any serious injury or casualty among Bangladeshi students so far. Mob attack in Kyrgyzstan: Panicked Bangladeshi students want to return home for a few weeks The Embassy has already shared an emergency contact number on its official Facebook page. Through the Embassy in Uzbekistan, the government is coordinating with the relevant authorities of Kyrgyzstan, including the ministries of foreign affairs and internal affairs, to ensure the safety and security of Bangladeshi students. “We are closely and constantly monitoring the developments. We have asked our Ambassador stationed in Tashkent to visit Bishkek soon to inquire about the wellbeing of Bangladeshi students,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. Mob attack in Kyrgyzstan: Pakistan repatriates 140 students from Bishkek

International students from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan have been targeted by violent mobs in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The violence began on the night of May 17, after social media posts alleged that Kyrgyz youths had been beaten by foreign students. The mobs quickly mobilized, targeting specific areas in the city where international students reside. Pleas for Help from Bangladeshi Students Samia Kabir, a Bangladeshi student at the International School of Medicine in Bishkek, reached out to UNB in a state of distress. “We are here, five Bangladeshi girls. We are inside our apartment right now. Some people are gathering in front of our apartment. Please help us,” she pleaded on the evening of May 18. She further added, “We have been asked by the authorities to stay inside. We hear some noises from other apartments nearby…some Pakistanis are likely to be there.” Mustafa, another Bangladeshi student living in an area farther from the capital, commented on the overall situation, noting that the Bangladeshi student population in Kyrgyzstan exceeds 1,000. He mentioned that those outside Bishkek feel relatively safer, but the danger remains, especially in shared hostels where students from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan live together. Read more: South Asian students, inc Bangladeshis, endure night of horrors in Kyrgyz capital Why Kyrgyzstan Attracts Foreign Students Kyrgyzstan has become a preferred destination for students from South Asia seeking quality medical education. According to the Migration Data Portal, in 2021, Kyrgyzstan hosted the highest number of international students among Central Asian countries, with a total of 61,418. The country’s appeal includes a low cost of living, access to subcontinental cuisine, a favorable student-teacher ratio, and no entrance fees, making it an attractive option for medical students from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. The Incident that Sparked the Violence The violence is believed to have been triggered by an incident of harassment involving female students from Egypt. A video showing a brawl between Kyrgyz and Egyptian students, circulated widely on social media on May 13, led to public outrage. The fight was seen as a gross disrespect to the hospitality extended to foreign students. On the night of May 17, many Kyrgyz youths took to the streets, accusing officials of leniency towards the foreign students involved in the incident. Despite police efforts, which included the immediate detention of three students involved in the fight, the unrest escalated.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad A. Arafat has voiced concerns over the actions of police during peaceful demonstrations at various US universities, describing the use of force as “disproportionate” and “inappropriate.” These protests, primarily led by students and faculty members, were organised to support Palestinian rights. “The rallies are mostly being conducted peacefully; there hasn't been any violence, arson, or killing of cops, children, or women, unlike what the BNP-Jamaat arsonists did in Bangladesh,” Arafat stated in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The protests have taken place across numerous prestigious US college campuses, with participants advocating for the freedom of the Palestinian people. Arafat emphasised the peaceful nature of these demonstrations, highlighting the absence of violence and arson, which are often associated with protests elsewhere. Columbia University students vow to continue anti-war protest amid standoff with administrators. “It’s only some students and professors who are protesting against what they believe is wrong. There was no sign of violence or arson,” Arafat reiterated. Despite the peaceful conduct of the protesters, the response by law enforcement has been notably aggressive, according to Arafat. The number of police forces seen to contain the people shows no respect for protests by civilians, he observed. Reflecting on how such situations are handled in Bangladesh, Arafat speculated on the reaction of the US administration to similar circumstances. “I wonder what the US administration would do in the face of BNP-Jamaat violence and arson in the name of the so-called protest that they displayed a few months ago to impede the election and obstruct the democratic process in Bangladesh,” the state minister said. Bangladesh always stands by people of Palestine: Environment Minister Arafat condemned violence, stating, “I strongly believe that there is no place for violence in democracy.” He also shared a distressing account of a university professor who, despite her academic credentials from the University of California, Berkeley, was mistreated by police. “Unlike the BNP-Jamaat terrorists in Bangladesh, she did not seem like an extremist, getting herself indulging in violence or arson,” he explained. The professor was reportedly verbally abused and violently arrested. Arafat concluded by affirming the fundamental democratic rights to assembly and protest, which he argued should be respected universally: “The right to assembly and the right to protest need to be respected in all democracies.” Israel-Hamas war protesters and police clash on Texas campus, Columbia University begins suspensions

Police today arrested a local leader of BNP from Birampur upazila of Dinajpur district in connection with a case filed over attempt to set fire to a rail track. The arrestee was identified as Haidar Ali, joint secretary of Birampur unit of BNP. Subrata Kumar, officer-in-charge of Birampur Police Station, said police arrested Haider from the upazila in the morning. Earlier, a case was filed against eight identified people and several unidentified people in connection with the attempt to set fire to a rail track last night. Read: Rail track bolts stolen from Kurigram-Rangpur railway line  Haidar was the prime accused in the case. He was handed over to Railway Police after primary interrogation. “Police are trying to arrest the other accused in the case,” said the OC. ATM Nurul Islam, in-charge of Parbatipur Railway Station, said miscreants are trying to destroy lives and property through sabotage activities on railways but their attempt was foiled due to strict surveillance by police. Last night, law enforcers foiled miscreants’ attempt to set fire to a rail track in Birampur upazila of Dinajpur district. Read: Two motorcyclists killed in Sylhet road crash  Mia Ranjan, sub-inspector of Birampur Police Station, said a group of people set fire to the slipper of rail tracks near No 2 Litchi Bagan in Birampur municipality area between 8 pm and 9 pm. Noticing smoke, police and Ansar members rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze. They also managed to halt the Khulna-bound Shimanto Express train, which was scheduled to go through the area, a few yards away, saving lives and property.  

Helper of a truck suffered burn injuries from a petrol bomb attack in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon area on Tuesday (November 28, 2023) night.  Md Saimon, 20, is currently undergoing treatment at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.  Miscreants hurled a petrol bomb at the truck at Singlabo area, said Sheikh Billal Hossain, additional superintendent of police in Narayanganj. Bus set on fire in Gazipur during 24-hour blockade Police are working to identify the arsonist, he said.  The tiles-carrying truck was on its way to Sirajganj from Sonargaon’s  Meghnaghat area through the Asian Highway.  Car torched, bombs exploded at the house of Feni BNP leader The truck driver managed to get down quickly, and several parts of the truck were burnt.  Locals rescued the helper and rushed him to hospital. On information, police rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire with the help of locals.  Crude bombs explode near Sitakunda AL leader’s house

Miscreants set a stationary bus on fire in Mohadevpur upazila of Naogaon district on Sunday (November 26, 2023) night during the ongoing 48-hour blockade called by the BNP and some like-minded parties. Locals said miscreants set the bus of ‘Rahi Travels’ on fire around 11:30 pm. Being informed, a firefighting unit from Mohadevpur station rushed to the spot and doused the flame, said the fire station’s team leader Ashraful Rahman, adding that 50 percent of the bus got burnt. Read more: Dialogue possible with political parties, not arsonists: Hasan Mahmud Mozaffar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Mohadevpur Police Station, said they arrested two BNP workers in this connection. The arrestees are Sujauzzaman Raju, 55, president of Ward No.1 under Mohadevpur union the upazila and local activist Ataur Rahaman Ata, he said. Legal actions will be taken in this regard, the OC added. Read more: No way to compromise with arsonists: PM Hasina

Police foiled a sabotage attempt of miscreants to derail a train in Fatullah on Dhaka-Narayanganj route, ahead of the latest 48-hour road-rail-waterway blockade across Bangladesh called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties. Mokhlesur Rahman, sub-inspector of Narayanganj Government Railway Police, said miscreants attached a heavy iron plate to the rail line at Kotolerbagh in an attempt to derail the train. Locals first noticed it and informed police through the national emergency number 999. 562 arrested by RAB on charges of sabotage since Oct 28 On information, police rushed to the spot and removed the iron plate from the rail line. Police are trying to arrest those involved in the sabotage attempt, he said. RAB arrests 4, including Sramik Dal leader, from Dhaka's Jatrabari in sabotage case