BNP leaders
Nayapaltan clash: 445 BNP activists including Rizvi, Annie sent to jail, 2 get bail
A Dhaka court on Thursday sent 445 BNP leaders and activists to jail in two cases filed over Wednesday’s clash with police that left one person dead and 50 injured.
Party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Publication Secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie were among the top leaders who were sent to jail, pending further legal procedures.
Meanwhile, the court granted bail to BNP’s Dhaka North Convener Aman Ullah Aman and National Executive Committee member Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel.
Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazzal Hossain passed the order after police produced the them before court on Thursday and sought remand for seven days to interrogate them.
Read more: Nayapaltan clash: Over 3000 BNP activists, others sued
Besides, the court placed 23 BNP leaders and activists on a two-day remand.
BNP’s Co-Climate Secretary Mostafizur Rahman Babul, Co-Organizational Secretary Seluzzaman Selim, BNP Dhaka district President Khondokar Abu Ashfaq, BNP leaders Shahjahan, AKM Aminul Islam, Wakil Ahmed , Sajeen Bhuiyan, Sarwar Hossain Sheikh, Saidul Iqbal Mahmud, Mizanur Rahman, Al Amin, Saiful, Shuvo Farazi and Mahmud Hossain Rony, are among the people remanded.
Govt conspires to cross election hurdles by putting BNP leaders in jail: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged the government is plotting to cross the hurdles of the next election easily by promptly jailing senior leaders of their party in ‘false’ cases and making them unfit for polls like its Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Speaking at a huge public rally here, he also equivocally said no election will be held in Bangladesh until Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina steps down by handing over power to a non-party caretaker government.
“This regime has not kept anything unharmed. We don’t now get justice. They file false, fabricated and fictitious cases against us and convict us. Our all senior leaders have been facing 10-60 cases,” the BNP leader said.
Read more: Amid relative ease, BNP’s 8th divisional rally begins in Cumilla
Fakhrul said the government is now trying to hasten the trial process of the ‘false’ cases filed against the BNP leaders. "This means that they (govt) want to easily overcome the hurdles of election by throwing those of us now leading the movement in jail the way our leader Khaleda Zia was jailed by convicting her in false cases.”
He, however, warned that the people will not let the government this time to hold any more lopsided national elections.
As part of BNP’s divisional programme, the party’s Cumilla city unit arranged the rally on Cumilla Town Hall ground.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies joined the rally in Cumilla amid relative ease with no transport strike this time.
Barishal's Bangabandhu Park already a sea of BNP leaders, activists
Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) started arriving in Barishal two days early to join the party's divisional rally on Saturday (5 November).
Defying a two-day long transport ban, thousands of party leaders and activists were seen in Barishal city's Bangabandhu Park on Friday.
Read: Barishal transport strike ahead of BNP rally hits commuters hard
Visiting the park on Friday afternoon, UNB found the place overcrowded as thousands have already arrived there and they are cooking their lunch.
Monir Hossain, former organizing secretary of Khanjapur Union Jubo Dal of Gournadi Upazila of Barisal district said, 500 leaders and activists have come from our upazila to join the rally. Lunch has been arranged for all of them. "We have made all cooking arrangements for two days," he said.
Ready to take bullets, won’t leave the streets: Abbas
BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Monday said their party leaders and activists will rather take bullets in chest, but will not leave the streets until the fall of the current government.
Speaking at a rally in the city’s Segunbagicha area in the capital, he also said their party will come up with a different strategy of movement this time since law enforcers have resorted to firing at their peaceful programmes.
“We’ll reach a situation someday when processions and rallies will be held at every lane and locality of Dhaka, but you (govt) won’t be able to resist it. We’ll see how many police you have and how many activists we have. We won’t spare if anyone tries to shoot us,” the BNP leader said.
Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, alleged that their party has been obstructed from holding rallies by closing roads and traditional venues like Press Club and Paltan.
Also read: No non-partisan govt, EC won’t be abolished: Tofail Ahmed
“We won’t keep the streets only in your hands. We’ll surely take over the streets. The leaders of BNP and its student and youth wings have learned how to receive bullets. So, there’s nothing to be worried and we’ll take bullets in our chests, but won’t leave the streets until this regime is ousted,” he warned.
As part of BNP’s plan to hold 16 rallies in the capital in the current month, Shahbagh and Ramna zones of its Dhaka south city unit arranged the programme in protest against the increase in prices of essentials, fuel and transport fares and the killing of three opposition leaders in police firing.
Abbas said police shot dead Swechchasebak Dal leader Abudr Rahim, Chhatra Dal leader Noor-e-Alam in Bhola and Jubo Dal leader Shaon Prodhan in Narayanganj by attacking BNP’s programmes against the price hike in daily essentials.
He said BNP leaders and activists are now being implicated in many ‘false’ cases. “But we won’t give up so easily in the face of firing and cases.”
The BNP leader said the movement was carried out in a traditional process during the anti-Ershad movement in the 90s as there was no police firing at that time.
“Since firing (at our programmes) is going on, we’ll take a different strategy of the movement in a different way. The movement can’t go on always the same way. We’ll definitely take suitable measures based on the evolving situation,” he observed.
Abbas said Shaon, Rahim and Noor-e-Alam sacrificed their lives in the recent movement while many people in the past laid down their lives for the liberation of the country and for the protection of democracy.
Also read: Don’t antagonise people: BNP warns civil servants
“We’re also ready to sacrifice our lives to save the country and its independence and sovereignty. I promise you that I will be there on the frontline of the movement at the right time. But we want to ensure a safe future for our children. We can’t under any circumstances leave behind our new generation in the hands of a hyena-like regime of Awami League,” he said.
Abbas said the prices of essential commodities will not go down as long as the Awami League government is in power. “This regime has made the poor people poorer and those living abroad richer. Aziz Khan of Summit Group, a brother of (AL leader Farooq Khan) is one of the richest persons in Singapore. Many such rich people from a poor country (Bangladesh) are now among the richest men in many countries like Aziz Khan in Singapore.”
Creating rumors now the main task of BNP leaders: AL
Creating rumors is now the main task of BNP leaders, said Bangladesh Awami League in a post on its verified Facebook page.
The comment was posted in response to BNP's recent remarks over the state of country’s forex reserve amid the ongoing austerity measures to deal with global headwinds.
"The party is living on the oxygen of rumours," the Facebook post reads.
Also read: Fuel, forex reserves may run out after power crisis: Fakhrul
The reserve of Bangladesh is now stable at $40 billion while BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the reserve is not more than $16 billion, AL said.
"He (Fakhrul) may have said this to reduce the gap of $40 billion with $2 billion billion during the BNP era. Mirza Fakhrul does politics based on rumors and lies," reads the post.
The AL said any sensible citizen of the country can never support these rumours.
On Friday, Fakhrul said the government has not more than $16 billion in usable forex reserves in the country.
Also read: BNP blames AL’s internal feud for Narail communal violence
“They are turning Bangladesh into a failed state. So, we can’t give Awami League any more time and chance. The more they stay in power, the faster the destruction of the country will accelerate,” the BNP leader said.
BNP leaders, activists being obstructed from distributing flood relief: Tuku
BNP on Monday alleged that while people in the flood-affected northeast region have been crying for food and medicines, the party is being obstructed from carrying out relief efforts by the ruling party and law enforcers.
“The air in the country’s Sylhet, Mymensingh and Rangpur divisions has become heavy with cries of the flood victims, but the government’s assistance for them is extremely inadequate,” said party standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he called upon all to come forward to serve humanity rising above politics at this bad time in the country.
Also read: BNP for permanent solution to recurring floods in Sylhet region
As a party of people, the Tuku said BNP has already stood by the flood-hit people in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Feni, Netrokona and Kurigram.
He bemoaned that the ruling party activists and police have been obstructing the BNP leaders and activists from distributing relief materials among the flood victims.
Tuku, the convener of BNP’s relief committee, said people in the flood-hit areas are starving for lack of food and they are suffering from various diseases for lack of treatment and medicines.
“At this time, they (AL activists) are impeding the distribution of relief materials by BNP. They are attacking our preparatory meeting on relief distribution with sticks and firearms, injuring our leaders and workers while police are foiling our programmes,” he said.
The BNP leader said people are venting their anger by saying that they are not getting relief from the government.
Apart from relief, he said people are facing an acute shortage of medicines due to the outbreak of the water-borne disease.
“Skin diseases are now seriously spreading in the flood-hit Haor areas. For lack of medicine, flood victims are applying turmeric and kerosene oil to their bodies. I saw it with my own eyes. It can’t be understood the real scenario without visiting the areas. The situation there is terrible there,” Tuku observed.
He said the government is not giving attention to the sufferings of the flood victims. “The welfare of the people is no longer the goal of this regime. Their focus is on mega projects from where they make a hefty profit.”
Also read: BNP blames govt for fresh spike in Covid cases
The BNP leader claimed that their party leaders and activists have already helped over one lakh flood-hit families with relief materials and in various ways, including moving the victims to flood shelters, providing treatment, medicines, making houses and giving the farmers seeds. “We’ve continued these activities.”
Quader asks BNP to shun undemocratic path, join polls
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday called upon the BNP leaders to return to the path of welfare-based politics shunning the undemocratic way.
He made the call in a statement condemning what he said the BNP general secretary's customary lies and malicious statements published and disseminated in the media.
Also read: Survey of Ctg Metro Rail is underway: Quader
The AL leader said those who had been ousted by a mass movement should not talk about staging a mass upsurge against the government.
In his statement, Quader said that anti-people forces have already been exposed to the nation. "We want to keep the people away from the shadow of this evil force," he said.
He denounced BNP’s claim that its founder Ziaur Rahman introduced so-called multi-party democracy in the country.
Zia, he said, was a military dictator who violated the constitution and destroyed democracy after the assassination of Bangabandhu and his family.
“In addition to politically reviving the anti-liberation and anti-communal forces, Ziaur Rahman made a mockery of the nation by introducing curfew democracy in the name of multi-party democracy,” he said.
He said BNP is still trying to create a so-called multi-party platform with anti-liberation forces, anti-independence political parties and leaders.
The Awami League general secretary also said that this platform of the so-called movement to liberate the corrupt leadership is basically a platform to disrupt democracy and peace and security of the people.
Quader said the government has not detained anyone except in specific cases and the independent judiciary has established the rule of law in the country.
Noting that Bangabandhu’s daughter did not use grenades against grenades as she was determined to establish the rule of law, the AL leader said even Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had given Khaleda Zia, convicted of corruption, the opportunity to receive advanced treatment at her own home.
Also read: Quader: BNP misinterprets PM’s Padma Bridge remarks about Khaleda
He said that the people think that the BNP is trying to create a new platform as per the instructions of the fugitive accused Tareq Rahman, the mastermind of the August 21 grenade attack.
Calling upon the BNP leaders to prepare for participation in the elections Qader said that they would be rejected by the people again as usual if they continue their current politics.
Fakhrul and BNP leaders should quit the party, says Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday asked his BNP counterpart Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to step down from the office for what he said his failure to lead the party in general election.
“You have no achievement to show. So instead of shouting for government’s resignation you better resign,” Quader said in escalating the battle of words with his political opponent.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, was addressing the opening session of Faridpur district Awami League's triennial council this morning.
Also read: Not EVM, BNP’s main focus on polls-time neutral govt: Fakhrul
He further said, “The people think that all top-to-bottom leaders of the BNP including Mirza Fakhrul should resign for failing the movement and elections,"
He reminded the BNP leaders that there was 24-hour load shedding in the country during the party’s rule.
In contrast, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has now ensured cent per cent electrification of the country, Quader said.
The AL leader warned the party members against the “cuckoos of the spring” or fair weather friends inside the party.
He called for identifying those who laundered crores of money abroad using the name of Awami League.
Also read: Next polls to be held under AL govt with BNP’s participation: Hanif
Awami League presidium member Kazi Zafar Ullah was present as the chief guest on the occasion.
Quader said that the Awami League must continue in power under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in order to save the country's democracy, liberation spirit and Bangladesh.
He also said that the party should be turned well-organized and smart from now to successfully face the forthcoming national elections.
The council was presided over by Faridpur District Awami League President Advocate Subal Chandra Saha. Organizing Secretary Mirza Azam, SM Kamal Hossain, Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr. Abdus Sobhan Golap and Faridpur District Awami League General Secretary Syed Masud Hossain were also present.
New Market clashes: 14 BNP leaders, activists granted anticipatory bail
The High Court on Tuesday granted six-week anticipatory bail to 14 BNP leaders and activists in a case over clashes between New Market shop keepers and Dhaka College students.
Amir Hossain Alamgir, convener of New Market Thana Jubo Dal, was among the BNP leaders.
The HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Salim passed the order after the accused appeared before the court and sought bail.
Also read:New Market clashes: BNP leader Makbul held
The court also asked the accused to surrender before the concerned judicial court before the six-week bail period expires.
Barrister Kayser Kamal stood for the bail petitioners at the court while Deputy Attorney General Shaheen Ahmed Khan represented the state.
On April 20, police filed two cases-one for attacking police and another under the Explosive Substances Act against around 1,200 people .
Of the two cases, Yeamin Kabir, inspector (investigation) of New Market Police Station lodged an FIR against 24 identified people and 900 unidentified ones.
The main accused in the case, Advocate Makbul Hossain, former president of New Market Thana BNP, has been arrested.
Also read: Police out to hush up its failure, BCL’s involvement in New Market violence: Fakhrul
Two people died and more than 30 people, including journalists and students, were injured as the students of Dhaka College clashed with the shopkeepers of New Market at the Nilkhet intersection from midnight on April 18-19.
Shopkeepers, however, alleged that the students were beaten up as they had refused to foot the bill at an eatery.
Govt filing ‘false’ cases against BNP leaders again: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that the government is again filing ‘false’ cases against oppression leaders and activists.
“As their (govt’s) time is running out fast, they’re trying to file many more cases against us. But it won’t help prevent their fall in the end,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said those who resort to repressive acts, plundering public money can’t stay in power for a long time. “No one could do it in the past in the same way.”
Read: Govt 'indulging again' in acts of enforced disappearance, abduction: BNP
Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal arranged the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), marking its 42nd founding anniversary.
Fakhrul said it is unprecedented that false cases have been filed against 35 lakh BNP leaders and activists.
He said there is no alternative to waging a strong street movement to get rid of the government’s such repressive activities.
The BNP leader said the only way to overcome the country’s current crisis is to force the government to quit immediately and take steps for holding the next general election under a neutral government. “Let's work towards that goal.”
He regretted that the ruling party leaders and activists are indulging in ‘widespread’ corruption ruining the country’s economy and future. “Whenever you will read the newspapers, you will find the news on corruption.”
Referring to a liked telephonic conversation between Law Minister Anisul Huq and the Prime Minster's adviser Salman F Rahman about government projects, the BNP leader demanded a fair investigation in this regard.
He said though the relatives of Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni reportedly plundered Tk 300 crore in the name of land acquisition for Chandpur University of Science and Technology, there is no move in sight to investigate into the allegation.
Read:Search committee activities nothing but a joke: BNP
Citing the report of an international newspaper, Fakhrul said the state minister for power and energy has been doing business in Bangladesh with his own company. “It’s completely illegal."
He said Awami League leaders are buying houses in different countries, including Canada, Singapore and London with their ill-gotten money. “On the one hand, people are in dire situation due to growing price hike in daily necessities, on the other hand, the ruling party leaders are accumulating huge wealth through corruption."
Earlier in the morning, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi along with leaders and workers of Tanti Dal paid homage to party founder Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area, marking the organisation’s founding anniversary.