United News of Bangladesh

People in Gazipur formed a human chain at Joydebpur Railway Junction to press home their 10-point demand including facilities for railway passengers on Saturday. Leaders from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and Jatiya Party also participated in the human chain and staged a sit-in there expressing solidarity with the locals and anti-discrimination students. They also demanded einstatement of all intercity train stops at Joydebpur Railway Junction. Md Shahiduzzaman, former vice-president of Gazipur Metropolitan unit BNP and president of the Nationalist Lawyers’ Forum, Engineer Shamsul Haque, president of Gazipur Heritage and Development Organization, Siddiqur Rahman Sarkar, a central leader of the Jatiya Party, Taj Uddin Ahmed Taj, a leader of Jamaat’s Business Forum, Professor MA Baten, general secretary of the Heritage and Development group and DUET student leader Rakibul Hasan, among others also spoke at the programme. They said the number of passengers using Joydebpur Station has increased but the station’s daily revenue has dropped from Tk 800,000 to Tk 300,000 over the past three years. They also alleged that there is a plot to privatise the Turag Express train which operates between Gazipur and Dhaka. They also threatened to go for a tougher movement if their demands are not met. Located in the heart of the industrial and densely-populated Gazipur Metropolitan area—Joydebpur Station serves roughly one lakh passengers daily, with commuters traveling to Dhaka and other destinations. As a result of a long-standing movement, the Railway Adviser inaugurated four pairs of trains between Gazipur and Dhaka on December 24 last year. Before the inauguration, the adviser had assured solutions to various issues, including reinstating all train stops at Joydebpur, resumption of monthly ticket services and addressing other concerns. Despite the resumption of monthly ticket services more than two months ago, passengers continue to face various hurdles. Due to poor scheduling, the two newly launched trains have failed to serve passengers effectively. Organisers said a revised timetable based on commuter demand has already been submitted, but no progress has been made on other demands despite repeated discussions with railway officials. The speakers accused corrupt railway officials and contractors of deliberately keeping the new trains idle throughout the day to serve vested interests. They also alleged that intercity trains are still not stopping at Joydebpur despite high passenger demand and claimed there is a conspiracy to hand over the Turag Express to private ownership. In this context, they urged the authorities to swiftly implement their 10-point demand to ensure train service for the nearly one lakh daily commuters passing through Joydebpur Station. The other demands include ensuring all intercity non-stop trains halt at Joydebpur, running all trains on schedule, preventing monthly tickets from being limited to specific trains, managing all Gazipur-bound trains from Joydebpur Station and eliminating corruption from Bangladesh Railway while improving passenger facilities.  

A human chain formed in Sunamganj town on Sunday protested the alleged baton charge by the army personnel on the students of Sunamganj Government Medical College and Hospital during a road blockade programme.Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), a civil society platform for good governance, staged protest at Traffic Point in the afternoon.They also condemned the incident and urged the government to take necessary steps to implement the demand of the students. Nationwide anti-Trump protests spotlight concerns over democracy and civil rightsEarlier, in the day, the students of Sunamganj Medical College and Hospital blocked Sunamganj-Sylhet highway to press home various demands including starting of academic activities and ward facilities, halting vehicular movement on the highway.On information, a team of Bangladesh Army rushed to the spot and requested the students to move away from the road.At one stage, the army personnel charged batons on the protesting students and dispersed them from the road, leaving several students injured, said witnesses.Mezbah Uddin, a Major of Bangladesh Army, said they brought the situation under control.

A human chain has called for the swift provision of assistance to the families of those martyred in the July uprising. Speaking at the human chain organized in front of the National Press Club today, aimed at securing the demands of the injured and families of the martyred front-liners of the July uprising, Nasir Uddin Ahmed, Associate Professor of the English Department at Jagannath University, emphasized the urgency of support for the victims. "During the Liberation War, countless people fought for the country’s independence. However, one family tried to monopolize the fruits of that struggle, but the people did not allow it. After the July Revolution, many claimed to be the vanguard of the movement, but the truth is, no one was the vanguard. The July uprising did not happen in a single day. Therefore, those who claim that the movement happened because of them have no right to make such statements. The movement was led by students, teachers, workers, and ordinary people who stood against the brutalities of the administration," he said. Human chain at DU demands release of innocent BDR members He further stressed the need for immediate assistance to the families of those killed in the uprising and quick medical care for the injured. "Every murder during the July uprising has clear evidence. We urge the interim government to complete the judicial process as soon as possible. Identifying those who died in the movement is not difficult, yet you are not doing it. You are not even taking care of the wounded who are suffering in hospitals. You have forgotten that it is because of the sacrifices of these people that you are in power today." "The time has come to steer the country in the right direction. This requires proper policies and providing comfort to the people. If you fail to provide relief to the people, they will block your smooth path. Therefore, hold elections as soon as possible to establish the people's rights," he said.

BDR Welfare Council of Dhaka district has organised a human chain at Dhaka University to press home their various demands including the release of innocent BDR members for their suspected involvement in Pilkhana massacre. The human chain was formed at 11:30 am in front of the Raju Sculpture as part of a nationwide programme. Their other key demands included identifying and ensuring exemplary punishment of those responsible for the brutal killing of 57 army officers and 74 others in Pilkhana massacre, reinstatement of jobs of those BDR members unjustly dismissed through 18 special courts, and restoration of their government benefits such as rations, salary allowances, and promotions. They also demanded removal of Section 2 (e) of the notification to allow the investigation commission to work independently, impartially, and without fear. Coordinator Mahin Sarker stated, "It is unfortunate that even after the 24th uprising, we still have to demand justice for the Pilkhana massacre. We have to stand at Shahbagh.. Their release of BDR members and the trial of the massacre must happen quickly." VAT hike on mobile, internet services sparks protests He announced that a larger gathering will be organised soon and urged all BDR members and their families to attend. Earlier, on January 9, coordinator Mahin Sarker had declared a program for the BDR Welfare Council to organise human chains across the country from the Central Shaheed Minar.

Ganatantra Mancha, an alliance of seven political parties, has announced to form human chains in divisional cities, including Dhaka, on March  11 to press home their 14-point demand, including the resignation of the Awami League government. Rafiqul Islam Babul, the convener of Bhashani Anusari Parishad, announced the fresh programme as part of the ongoing simultaneous movement from a brief rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday. “We announce human chain programme for March 11 to realise our 14-point demand, including protection of voting rights, restoration of democratic rights, the resignation of this government, holding an acceptable election under a non-partisan interim government and reduction of prices of power, gas, and daily essentials,”he said. Also Read: Ganatantra Mancha announces countrywide march on Feb 11 Babul urged the all the partners and organisations of the Ganatantra Mancha to make the fresh programme a success. “Ganatantra Mancha must demonstrate more strength by observing the human chain programme. So, take all out preparations in this regard.” As part of the simultaneous movement, leaders and activists of Ganatantra Mancha gathered in front of the Jatiya Press Club around 11:30am. After the rally there, the leaders and activists of the alliance marched toward Kakrail, to press home their 14-point demand. Apart from Ganatantra Mancha, BNP and its different other opposition parties and organisations are holding a similar programme in all wards under the metropolitan cities across the country.  

Villagers formed a human chain demanding the arrest of livestock thieves in Nageshwari upazila of Kurigram on Friday. The human chain on Matherganj Bazar Road under the upazila lasted an hour in the morning. Villagers of Char Krishnapur organized the unusual human chain to draw the attention of the authorities to rampant thieves in the area targeting farmers' cows and buffaloes. The farmers at the human chain said they were forced to mobilise such a programme after failing to get justice. Read: 'Cattle thief' beaten to death in Noakhali Rather they were subjected to attacks by the thieves when they appealed seeking justice. On behalf of the villagers, farmers Anwar Hossain, Abdul Khalek, Habibur Rahman spoke at the programme.

Residents of the coastal areas of Satkhira formed a human chain in front of the press club on Saturday, demanding supply of pure drinking water in the district. Despite repeated requests, the protesters claimed, the authorities turned a blind eye to the issue. Highlighting the sufferings of the residents, the protesters vowed to intensify their stir if "our demand for clean drinking water in the coastal areas is ignored". Read: Farmers’ suicide ‘for irrigation water’: Human chain demands justice "Women are forced to walk 4-5 kms daily to fetch safe drinking water. Salinity in water is damaging crops in the coastal areas as well," said a protester.   The protest was held under the aegis of NGO ‘Swadesh’.

Hundreds of students and teachers from different educational institutions in Savar formed a human chain at Savar Bus Stand area demanding capital punishment of the killer of college teacher Utpal on Thursday. Later, a delegation of teachers submitted a memorandum to Savar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mazharul Islam with several demands including capital punishment of suspected killer Jitu. Mazharul said that security has been beefed up at schools and colleges in Savar after the incident. Also read: Farmers’ suicide ‘for irrigation water’: Human chain demands justice Jitu beat up Utpal indiscriminately with a cricket stump on Saturday, leaving the latter critically injured. Utpal died at Savar Enam Medical College Hospital the next day while undergoing treatment. The deceased’s family logged a complaint with Ashulia police station against Jitu. Jitu’s family fled the area after filing of the case. A team of Rab-1 arrested Jitu from Gazipur’s Sreepur and his father was arrested from Kushtia’s Kumarkhali on Wednesday. Also read: Freedom fighters human chain demanding expulsion of Quader Mirza

A human chain was held in Nilphamari town on Saturday protesting the death of two indigenous famers by suicide ‘for not getting irrigation water’ in Rajshahi’s Godagari upazila. Jatiya Krishak Samiti formed the human chain at Chowrangi intersection of the district town in the afternoon. District Workers’ Party president Tapan Kumar Roy said two indigenous farmers-Adinath Marandi and Rabi Marandi- recently committed suicide in Godagari upazila of Rajshahi as they didn’t get supply of irrigation water. Shakhawat Hossain, irrigation pump operator of  Barendra Multipurpose Irrigation Project in that area, did not supply them with water and that’s why they killed themselves, he said. “We want the government takes necessary action to ensure exemplary punishment of those responsible for their death,” he said. Also read: 2 farmers’ suicide for irrigation water: Agriculture secy vows strict action District Workers’ Party General Secretary Abed Ali and Krishak Samiti member Bulu Roy also spoke. On Mar 24 afternoon, Rabi with his brother Abhinath Marandi, 30, took poison in front of Shakhawat Hossain , operator of a deep tube well operated under Barenda Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA). Also read: Govt panel to probe Rajshahi farmers' suicides They took the decision out of anger as Shakhawat was not giving them a serial number for a long time to get irrigation water supplied to their field in Iswarpur while their seedlings were drying out, alleged the family. Abhinath Marandi died around 9 pm after reaching home while Rabi died at 8pm on the following day while undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), said Brigadier General Shamim Yazdani, director of RMCH.

Officials and employees of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday organised a human chain to protest the firing of its deputy assistant director Sharif Uddin. ]The human chain was held in front of the ACC office  at noon. Earlier, they submitted a memorandum to the ACC secretary Mahbub Hossain. The ACC yesterday sacked officer Sharif with immediate effect for his alleged involvement in various irregularities including torturing a CIP businessman in Cox's Bazar by implicating him in a false case.  Syed Nazrul Islam, a deputy director of the ACC, who took part in the human chain, told reporters that his colleague was removed in action under section 54 (2) yesterday. He said the Sharif has been unfairly removed.  "We are going through a number of problems while conducting investigation. Hopefully our commissioners will look into our problems rationally," he said. Read: Disclose 10 final names: Shujan to Search Committee He further added that a criminal procedure based on Invisibility and Inquiry cannot be rushed. Many unfair things happen to officers and employees, including lack of security. Mentioning the clause as unconstitutional and under-trial issue, the officials and employees also demanded cancellation of removal order from Sharif. They also said that they worked to bring the corrupt under the law, regardless of who they are, to implement the vision and mission of the Commission. The office order of the ACC said that Sharif Uddin would be removed from his post as per the rule 54 (2) of the ACC (staff) rules, 2008. He will get 90 days salary and other benefits. Earlier on 16 June last year, the ACC Director Monirul Islam vide an office order transferred 21 officials including Sharif Uddin to Patuakhali from Chattogram. Sharif Uddin was much criticized for his wrongdoings and irregularities during the anti-corruption drive in Chattogram in 2020-21.