Twenty-four more people were arrested in the past 24 hours in connection with the clashes and vandalism by Hefazat-e-Islam activists and supporters in Brahmanbaria last month, police said Friday. The arrests were made from different parts of the district, according to the special branch of district police. So far, 54 cases have been filed and 261 people arrested over the violence, the police said. Also read: 30 more held over clashes in Brahmanbaria On March 27, at least five people were killed and around 50 others, including 25 policemen, injured in clashes between members of the law enforcement agencies and locals during Hefazat's demonstrations at Nandanpur in Sadar upazila. They had staged the protests against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit. The next day, during Hefazat's countrywide dawn-to-dusk general strike, against police action on their anti-Modi processions in Dhaka, the organisation's activists in Chattogram and other districts set three buildings on fire, including the land office in Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila. Also read: Land office, 2 other buildings set on fire in Brahmanbaria, Train attacked They had also attacked a Chattogram-bound train at Talshohor Rail Station in Brahmanbaria town. Also, the Hefazat supporters vandalised several private and government establishments, including the municipality building, Alauddin Music Academy, and Foirtala Bus Stand in Sadar upazila. They had also attacked Brahmanbaria Press Club and confined some journalists to the premises.

India Friday hoped that the Bangladesh government would aptly address the challenges posed by protests spearheaded by Hefazat-e-Islam, an prominent Islamist group, in Chittagong during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the neighbouring country. Modi was in Bangladesh on March 26-27 to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the country's independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. But the Indian PM's visit triggered violent protests in several parts of Bangladesh, leaving at least 12 people dead. In the city of Chittagong, the protests were led by Hefazat-e-Islam. Also read: Hefazat’s day-long hartal ends amid violence, clashes "As far as the violence is concerned, we have always been against fundamentalism and extremism. We are confident that the Bangladesh government will address the challenge,"  Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told the media in Delhi. Even though Hefazat-e-Islam claims to be a “non-political” outfit, the group has gained prominence after the fall of Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh’s largest Islamist political party. Also read: Hefazat activists stage demo in Chattogram; Hartal tomorrow Apparently making it clear that the protests by Hefazat-e-Islam would not cast any shadow on the amicable ties between India and Bangladesh, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: "Modi's visit to Bangladesh had facilitated significant decisions to reinforce the legacy of 1971 and this is in furtherance of India-Bangladesh bilateral cooperation." Ahead of his two-day visit to Dhaka, Modi tweeted: “Our partnership with Bangladesh is an important pillar of our Neighbourhood First policy, and we are committed to further deepen and diversify it. We will continue to support Bangladesh’s remarkable development journey, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s dynamic leadership."

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men Thursday "attacked" a journalist on the Dhaka University campus as he was covering a protest programme – staged against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit. The victim was identified as Abid Hasan Russel, the Dhaka University correspondent of Bangla Tribune. "People of Bangladesh," a citizens' platform, arranged a programme named "Jeyafat" at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) at around 5.30pm. Also read: Modi visit: Protesters clash with cops at Motijheel; 20 injured As the protesters were about the start their programme, some BCL leaders and activists beat them up and snatched their banners, the witnesses said. Abid was at the spot to cover the programme. The BCL men swooped down on Abid as he started recording the video of the BCL attack on protesters. Also read: Anti-Modi protest: Chhatra Odhikar Parishad burns Indian PM's effigy The journalist is now undergoing treatment at Dhaka University Medical Centre. BCL President Al Nahian Khan Joy and General Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee could not be reached for comments till the filing of this report.

Expressing happiness that his first foreign tour after the onset of Covid-19 would be to Bangladesh, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said that New Delhi is committed to deepening and diversifying its ties with Dhaka. "Our partnership with Bangladesh is an important pillar of our Neighbourhood First policy, and we are committed to further deepen and diversify it," Modi tweeted on the eve of his two-day state visit to Dhaka. "We will continue to support Bangladesh's remarkable development journey, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic leadership," the Indian PM stressed. Modi will visit Bangladesh on March 26-27 to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the country's independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Indian PM is also slated to visit Bangabandhu's birthplace. Also read: Modi lauds Bangladesh’s remarkable growth under Hasina's leadership  "I am happy that my first foreign visit after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic will be to our friendly neighbouring country, with which India shares deep cultural, linguistic and people-to-people ties," Modi said in a pre-departure statement released by the Indian government. "I will be having substantive discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following our very productive virtual meeting in December last year. I also look forward to my meeting with His Excellency President Abdul Hamid, and to interactions with other Bangladeshi dignitaries," he said. Describing Bangabandhu as one of the tallest leaders of the last century, the Indian PM said, "I look forward to my participation at the National Day celebrations tomorrow, which will also commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman." "Bangabandhu was one of the tallest leaders of the last century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions. I look forward to visiting Bangabandhu’s Samadhi in Tungipara to pay my respects to his memory," he added. Also read: Delhi to bolster defence ties with Dhaka during Modi's visit Indian Foreign Ministry Wednesday said that Delhi and Dhaka will strengthen bilateral defence and security ties and "are also likely to ink a number of pacts during Prime Minister Modi's visit". “Both sides will be signing a range of agreements during Modi's visit. These agreements will be covering a number of areas of our cooperation -- disaster management, oceanography and trade," Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told the media Wednesday. "A number of new announcements -- bolstering cooperation in areas ranging from health, railway connectivity, border development and start-ups -- are also expected to be made," he had said. Talks on bolstering defence and security cooperation between the two countries are also on the agenda of Modi's meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to the top Indian diplomat.  Also read: Modi to bring 12 lakh more vaccine doses as gift for Bangladesh "Security and defence is an important part of our cooperation with Bangladesh. We have in recent years signed an agreement on defence cooperation with Bangladesh and undertaken joint military, training and capacity building exercises on a regular basis," Shringla had said. India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-kilometre-long international border, the fifth-longest land border in the world. Both countries also share historical, civilisation and cultural ties.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his Bangladesh visit will be an occasion to convey appreciation for Bangladesh’s remarkable economic and developmental strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership. His visit will also be an occasion to commit India’s abiding support for these achievements.  "My visit will not only be an occasion to convey appreciation for Bangladesh’s remarkable economic and developmental strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership, but also to commit India’s abiding support for these achievements," Modi said adding that he will also express India’s support and solidarity for Bangladesh's fight against Covid-19. In a pre-departure statement, Modi said he will be having "substantive discussions" with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following their very productive virtual meeting in December last year. Also read: India committed to deepening ties with Bangladesh: Modi Modi is scheduled to arrive here on Friday morning on a two-day state visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.   "I am happy that my first foreign visit after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic will be to our friendly neighbouring country, with which India shares deep cultural, linguistic and people-to-people ties," he said. The Indian Prime Minister said he looks forward to his participation at the National Day celebrations on Friday, which will also commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.   "Bangabandhu was one of the tallest leaders of the last century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions," he said.  Also read: Modi to bring 12 lakh more vaccine doses as gift for Bangladesh Modi said he looks forward to visiting Bangabandhu’s Samadhi in Tungipara to pay my respects to his memory. He will be offering prayers to Goddess Kali at the ancient Jashoreshwari Kali Temple, one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in the Puranic tradition, according to the Press Information Bureau of India. "I am particularly looking forward to my interaction with representatives of the Matua community at Orakandi, from where Sri Sri Harichandra Thakur ji disseminated his pious message," Modi said. He will meet President Abdul Hamid, and will have interactions with other Bangladeshi dignitaries. The Indian Prime Minister said Bangabandhu's vision continues to light the Bangladesh-India friendship. "I had the privilege of honouring his memory during my previous Bangladesh visit," he said. Also read: Delhi to bolster defence ties with Dhaka during Modi's visit Modi said he will again pay homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, alongside Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during the ongoing Mujib Borsho celebrations. Earlier, he said Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights and freedom, and is a hero to Indians as well. He also said the legacy and inspiration of Bangabandhu has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and deep-rooted, and that the path shown by Bangabandhu has laid a strong foundation for the partnership, progress and prosperity of both countries over the last decade.

Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad Wednesday burned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's effigy at Dhaka University campus protesting his upcoming visit to join the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's Independence. The student body brought out a black flag procession from the Central Shaheed Minar at around 4:30pm and paraded different roads of the campus. The procession ended at the TSC area. Speaking at the rally, leaders and activists of the organisation labelled Modi as a "communal terrorist" and said a "terrorist" cannot join Bangladesh's Golden Jubilee celebration. They also protested Tuesday's attack that Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men carried out on anti-Modi protesters at the campus and demanded immediate arrest of the attackers. Also read: 25 injured as BCL swoop on anti-Modi protesters Chhatra Odhikar Parishad DU unit General Secretary Akram Hossain led the protest programme. Bin Yeamin Molla, former Chhatra Odhikar Parishad Dhaka University unit president, said: "India helped us during our Liberation War of 1971. We are grateful to them but we cannot welcome a 'terrorist' like Modi in our great Golden Jubilee celebration." "We cannot welcome a communal individual like him and will resist him by any means." Calling on the BCL to stop violence, Yeamin said, "If you do not put an end to using force, students will not accept you anymore." Also read: Will resist anti-Modi protesters: DU BCL president Akhter Hossain, DU unit president of the organisation and also former Dhaka University Central Students' Union leader said, "The people of Bangladeshi do not want Modi here. But the ruling party Awami League is desperate to have him in our Golden Jubilee celebration to cling on to state power." "India is not behaving like a friendly country to us. Bangladesh citizens are being killed every day on the border. India has power and influence over us everywhere." On Tuesday, at least 20 anti-Modi protesters from different left-leaning student bodies and five photojournalists got injured as some BCL men swooped down on a rally that was protesting Modi's visit to Bangladesh ahead of March 26.

India and Bangladesh will strengthen bilateral defence and security ties and are also likely to ink a number of pacts during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day state visit to Dhaka, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. Modi will visit Bangladesh on March 26-27 to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the country's independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Indian PM is also slated to visit Gopalganj’s Tungipara area, Bangabandhu's birthplace. “Both sides will be signing a range of agreements during Modi's visit. These agreements will be covering a number of areas of our cooperation -- disaster management, oceanography and trade," Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told the media in New Delhi. Also read: Modi due Friday as main attraction of 10-Day celebration "A number of new announcements -- bolstering cooperation in areas ranging from health, railway connectivity, border development and start-ups -- are also expected to be made," he added. Talks on bolstering defence and security cooperation between the two countries are also on the agenda of Modi's meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to the top Indian diplomat. Also read: Bangabandhu's vision lights Dhaka-Delhi friendship: Modi "Security and defence is an important part of our cooperation with Bangladesh. We have in recent years signed an agreement on defence cooperation with Bangladesh and undertaken joint military, training and capacity building exercises on a regular basis," Shringla said. "It is a regular practice for chiefs of our armed forces to visit Bangladesh. We have excellent defence cooperation between our countries. As we go along, we will continue to add more and more depth and momentum to that relationship,” the Indian Foreign Secretary added. Also read: Modi's visit to highlight priority attached to Bangladesh: South Block On bilateral relations, Shringla said, "Ties between the two countries have no parallel. Indian soldiers had fought and were killed alongside Bangladeshis for independence." India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-kilometre-long international border, the fifth-longest land border in the world. Both countries also share historical, civilisation and cultural ties.

Bangladesh Chhatra League’s (BCL) Dhaka university unit President Sanjit Chandra Das on Thursday said the student organisation would resist anti-Modi protests on the campus.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Bangladesh on March 26-27 focusing on three mega events.