Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her desire for inclusive housing development in Bangladesh, emphasizing that not only the wealthy should live in flats but also rickshaw pullers, daily labourers, and ordinary working people.  She shared these views today (11 May, 2024) while speaking at the 61st convention of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) held at its premises in Dhaka. The Prime Minister highlighted ongoing government initiatives aimed at providing flats for slum dwellers and low-income groups, including those traditionally marginalized such as sweepers, Harijans, and Dalits.  She mentioned that construction projects had already commenced to enable these communities to live healthy, dignified lives affordably. None can isolate me from people: PM Hasina tells JS Highlighting construction of houses for the landless and homeless under the Ashrayan project, the Prime Minister said that 334 upazilas of 21 districts have been declared free of landless and homeless families.  “Not even a single family in Bangladesh will be landless or homeless, that is our goal,” she said. The Prime Minister also spoke about leveraging the intellectual power of the people to build the nation and underscored the importance of embracing modern technologies, such as satellites and nuclear power, to avoid being left behind.  “It doesn't matter what this or that group says. My concern is whether people of my country are doing well, whether they are improving, whether their fate is changing,” the PM said. Prices have increased, but rural people are in better shape: PM Hasina In her speech, Sheikh Hasina reflected on the development achievements of her administration over the past 15 years, including significant increases in per capita income and the purchasing power of grassroots populations.  The Prime Minister affirmed her government's continued dedication to improving the lives of all Bangladeshis and advancing the country’s development agenda.

A 65-year-old rickshaw puller was killed as a speeding pickup van hit his vehicle in the capital's Kakrail Monday night, police said. Tajul Islam was from Baliakandi upazila of Rajbari and used to live in the Rampura TV Station area in Dhaka. Md Romen Miah, a sub-inspector (SI) of Ramna Police Station, said the accident occurred around 8.45pm when the pickup van crashed into the rickshaw in front of Judges Complex in Kakrail, leaving Tajul critically injured. The 65-year-old was declared dead after being rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) at 9:15pm. The body has been kept at the DMCH morgue for autopsy, the SI said. Read more: 2 killed, 4 hurt in Natore road crashes              

A battery-run auto rickshaw driver was killed being hit by an anonymous vehicle in Asad gate area of Mohammadpur in the city Saturday. Then deceased was identified as Monir Sheikh, 40, hailing from Tongi Bari upazila of Gopalganj district, said Abdur Rashid, Sub Inspector of Mohammadpur police station Also read: Two killed in Noakhali accidents The accident occurred early in the morning and his body was found lying in front of Nabil Paribahan bus counter on Mirpur road near Asad Gate, he said. “Efforts are on to identify the vehicle and the driver that is responsible for the accident. The body has been sent for autopsy,” said the SI. Also read: Two killed, 15 hurt in Bagerhat bus accident

A 55-year-old rickshaw puller was killed when a truck knocked him down at Bashabo in the city early Thursday, said police. The deceased was identified as Halim Bepari, son of Momin Bepari of Madaripur upazila. He was a resident of Kadamtala area. Read:Taskforce on road crashes wants ban on movement of inter-district motorcycles Faruk Hossain, sub-inspector of Sabujbagh Police Station, said the accident occurred around 4 am when the truck hit the battery-run auto-rickshaw, leaving him critically injured. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries around 8 pm.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Wednesday awarded a prize to the rickshaw puller, who phoned the national hotline 999 to save a housewife from the clutches of rapists on July 18, for his courage and awareness in the port city. Krishna Pada Roy, newly appointed commissioner of the CMP, was awarded the prize for the outstanding job of the rickshaw puller identified as Md Abdul Hannan, 32. CMP Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Ameer Jafar and Deputy Commissioner (North) Mokhlesur Rahman and among others were present during the prize ceremony. Mentionable, a 23-year-old housewife was returning to her Sholoshahar’s residence by a rickshaw after attending a wedding ceremony in the GEC area around 1:00 am on July 18. A group of three youths interrupted the rickshaw in front of one ‘Sadia’s Kitchen’ and took her to a makeshift tea stall where six culprits violated her in phases. Though the rickshaw puller was asked to leave the spot and not to share it with anyone, he informed another rickshaw puller after going a few yards. The second rickshaw puller phoned the national hotline 999 seeking help in this connection. Responding to the call, a team of law enforcement agencies from nearby Khulshi police station rushed to the spot and rescued the victim. Moreover, police arrested three of the culprits from the spot. Also read: Auto-rickshaw driver stabbed by muggers in Dhaka's Khilgaon dies

A rickshaw puller was killed when a CNG-run auto-rickshaw hit his rickshaw in the capital’s Elephant Road area  early Sunday. The deceased was identified as Samiul,26, son of Sonahar of Jamalpur district. Read: Three bikers killed in Bagerhat road crash The accident occurred around 3:40 am when auto-rickshaw hit the rickshaw in front of Kabab House in the area, leaving Samiul injured. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) where doctors declared him dead, said inspector Bachchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH police camp.

Police have recovered two bodies from Hatirjheel and Mugda area in the city. The body of Md Mehebullah Tousif, 21-year-old student, was found hanging from a ceiling at a five-story building at Mohanagar project in Hatirjheel around 11 pm on Tuesday. Read:Off-duty constable’s hanging body recovered from Magura playground Son of Md Mezbah Uddin of Patuakhali district Tousif was preparing for admission into a Jagannath University in Dhaka. Md Nazrul Islam, sub-inspector of Hatirjheel Police Station, said Tousif came to Dhaka a week ago to get himself admitted into Jagannath University. He said the reason behind the suspected suicide will be known after autopsy. Also on Tuesday, the body of rickshaw puller Md Masum was found in a tin-shed house in Manda of Mugda. Read: Medical student’s hanging body found in Dhaka Sub-Inspector (SI) of Mugda Police Station Ali Ahmed said the body was hanging from the ceiling with a scarf tied around the neck. The bodies were sent to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital morgue for autopsies.

Several vehicles belonging to the Sylhet City Corporation were vandalised Wednesday afternoon as rickshaw pullers clashed with the municipality staff in front of Nagar Bhaban (City Hall). A group of rickshaw pullers were demonstrating in front of Nagar Bhaban demanding the authorities return their battery-powered, or electric rickshaws, that had been seized during an SCC drive. Read: Six Sylhet markets closed as earthquake precaution According to witnesses, SCC staff closed the main gate of Nagar Bhaban as agitated rickshaw pullers attempted to get inside.

A rickshaw puller set an example of honesty by returning Tk 20 lakh to its owner after finding it in Satmatha area of the town on Friday.