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Rioters, saboteurs will not be spared: DB chief Harun
Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Chief Harun-or-Rashid has stated that those who have committed acts of sabotage and killed police officers in the name of the quota movement will not be spared, no matter where they are.
He made this remark at a press conference held at the DB office in the capital on Friday.
The DB chief said that those who have killed police officers, murdered civilians, and conducted sabotage at government installations, including the metro rail, will face legal action. Those who led these activities and financed them or facilitated financial transactions will not be spared, no matter where they are.
Harun mentioned 'those people' conducted house-to-house raids with the aim of demoralizing the police. He stated that many police officers have sacrificed their lives for the people at various times, which is very painful for them. He said the quota movement has cost them three police officers, but it has not broken the morale of the police.
He also commented that the attacks and destruction were carried out in a planned manner to weaken the police.
Describing the incidents as premeditated murders and destruction under the guise of the quota reform movement, he said that BNP-Jamaat has repeatedly tried to unlawfully overthrow democratic governments or render the country ineffective. However, due to the police, they have repeatedly failed, which is why this time they targeted the police, he added.
He stated that these evil forces, the Jamaat-BNP circle, launched attacks in the areas of Shoni Akhra and Rayerbagh during the quota reform movement. They attacked police officers wherever they found them.
Steps to be taken against attackers; genuine students won't be harassed: Hasan
Foreign Minister and Joint General Secretary of Awami League Hasan Mahmud on Friday said that every incident of recent attacks and sabotage will be investigated to deliver justice but the genuine students will not be harassed.
"Those who killed PS of Gazipur ex-mayor Jahangir and police in Dhaka, those who hanged their bodies, threw BCL activists from the six-storey building in Chattogram, burnt public and private properties will not be spared. I have seen the footage of vandalism and arson on BTV. Those who carried out these attacks will not be spared from legal actions," he said.
Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion against anti-state, anti-Liberation, terrorism and anarchy at Jatiya Press Club, Hasan also said that many people were prosecuted after the sabotage in 2013-14, some escaped through the loopholes of the law.
"That won't happen this time. Every attacker will be brought to justice," said the Awami League leader.
Hasan said attacks on the state was ordered by BNP's Tarique Rahman.
The foreign minister said Tarique Rahman's voice has come to the hands of the government.
"If you carry out a big attack, get a big post. Break the curfew, if not, leave the post," Hasan quoted Tarique Rahman as saying.
The foreign minister said another BNP leader urged his partymen to enter the movement and create anarchy.
They are the ones who have given the confessional statement that Tk 5,000 will be given if a BCL worker is killed, and Tk 10,000 if a policeman is killed, Hasan said, posing a question, "Is this any political party? It is an anti-state terrorists organization."
Highlighting the recent sabotage, the foreign minister said Bangladesh Television was established in 1964 but in the last 60 years, BTV has never been attacked.
"Some officials of BTV were killed during the War of Liberation. But there was never an attack on BTV," Hasan said.
He said they vandalised the Disaster Management Directorate where people go during a disaster.
"The pride of Dhaka residents and countrymen - Metro Rail - has been set on fire. Foreign ambassadors, high commissioners' IDs were hacked and false messages were posted," Hasan said.
Regarding the quota in government jobs, Hasan said they have said from the very beginning that it will be resolved through the court.
"Finally it happened. The students got more than what they asked for. If the students had a little patience, BNP-Jamaat would not have got this opportunity. And I firmly believe that no ordinary student can kill people or attack people and state property," Hasan said.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has assured that no student will be harassed.
"But you need to remain careful so that no one can use you for their ill motive and purposes," Hasan said.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Mohibbur Rahman said those who commit terrorism and anarchy are anti-state and anti-liberation.
"The time has come to build a united resistance against them," he said.
Awami League leader MA Karim presided over the discussion.
Former Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Jatiya Press Club President Farida Yasmin, MP, Shahadat Hossain Toyel and Awlad Hossain also spoke.
Find the perpetrators of violence to ensure punishment, urges PM Hasina during visit to ransacked BTV
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday urged the citizens to cooperate with the government to make sure the perpetrators of the recent mayhem are nabbed from every nook and corner of the country to get punishment.
“I would like to call upon the people of the country that they should find out those who were involved in these destructions and cooperate for ensuring their punishment,” she said.
The premier made the call while visiting Bangladesh Television (BTV) Bhaban in the city’s Rampura area to see the extent of damage after it came under attack during the recent student violence.
She inspected different parts of the BTV Bhaban which was set on fire by a mob during the student movement for reformation of quota in public service.
Hasina said BNP and Jamaat terrorists particularly Shibir men, gathering from across the country, carried out these attacks in the capital.
“They carried out these things using the anti-quota movement,” she said.
About BTV, the prime minister said coming to power in 1996 she equipped the state-owned television with the then latest technologies including cameras. After returning to power for the second time in 2009, she modernised the television centre further, said the PM.
“But now the people of Bangla are witnessing the terrible scenes like the infernal devastations committed by Pakistani occupation forces in 1971,” she said.
She said even the Pakistani occupation forces didn’t attack the television. But the attackers torched this television and damaged it so badly that nothing was spared from destruction.
“Who are they? Are they the people of this country? Were they born in this country who carried out these attacks with an intention to destroy the country?” she said adding that they also destroyed metro-rail, which is a pride for every Bengali.
Noting that the mobs went to attack water treatment plants, sewerage treatment plants and the garbage trucks of the city corporation, she said they attacked on the installations which serve the people very much. “What mentality do they have?” she added.
Referring to the arson violence unleashed by BNP-Jamaat in 2013, 2014 and 2015, Hasina said some 3,800 transport vehicles were damaged setting fire on theses during the violence.
She said but this time the character of the arson violence is different. “This time they used gunpowder and so, these things were gutted to ashes in a while,” she said.
Citing that Bangladesh is now a role model for development in the world, Hasina said “When we’ve taken Bangladesh to a dignified position, is it (this mayhem) the reward for it (government’s success)? Didn’t they enjoy the benefits from the establishments they torched?”
Heavy rain in northern Japan triggers floods and landslides, forcing hundreds to take shelter
Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued emergency warnings of heavy rain for several municipalities in the Yamagata and Akita prefecture, where warm and humid air was flowing.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged the affected area’s residents to “put safety first” and pay close attention to the latest information from the authorities.
According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, one person went missing in Yuzawa city — in the Akita prefecture — after being hit by a landslide at a road construction site.
Rescue workers in the city evacuated 11 people from the flooded area with the help of a boat.
In the neighboring Yamagata prefecture, more than 10 centimeters (4 inches) of rain fell in the hardest-hit Yuza and Sakata towns within an hour earlier Thursday.
Thousands of residents in the area were advised to take shelter at higher and safer grounds, but it was not immediately known how many people took that advice.
Yamagata Shinkansen bullet train services were partially suspended on Thursday, according to East Japan Railway Company.
The agency predicted up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) of more rainfall in the region through Friday evening, urging residents to remain cautious.
Those involved in arson, vandalism in Fisheries and Livestock Offices to be punished: Minister
Those carried out arson attacks and vandalism in Savar and Rangpur Fisheries and Livestock offices during quota reform protests will be identified and brought under justice, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock M Abdur Rahman said on Thursday.
“Exemplary punishment will also be ensured,” he said.
The minister was talking to journalists in his office at the secretariat on Thursday (July 25).
When asked about damages in the fisheries and livestock sector due to the violence of the last few days, he said that the office of the Ministry of Livestock in Savar was vandalized. Buildings and vehicles were set on fire, officials were beaten. “All in all, there has been a hell of a rampage,” he added.
Regarding the amount of damage, he said, so far we have not been able to estimate the amount of damage. “We will be able to ascertain the amount of losses soon. Besides, our Rangpur office was also burnt,” he stated.
“Strict action will be taken against the perpetrators so that no one dares to do such activities in the future,” said the minister.
Separate cases have already been filed in both places, he said.
LPG sales witnessing boom during unrest
Sales of LPG (liquified petroleum gas) witnessed a boom against the backdrop of the prolonged unrest affecting the country, taking advantage of the fact that prepaid and smart prepaid gas consumers are facing obstacles to recharging their balances.
According to sources in the LPG operators, following chaotic situation centering the student movement, initially the LPG sales were decreased as there was trouble in transportation of the gas.
But after the enforcement of curfew and blackout of the internet across the country, the gas consumers, who use prepaid and smart cards, failed to recharge their cards.
As a result, many gas consumers started using LPG on emergency basis as alternative arrangement to fuel their cooking ovens.
“This has pushed up the demands for LPG across the country and it witnessed huge sales,” said a top official of a leading LPG operating company.
The use of LPG for household cooking has been growing fast in the country.
Currently the country consumes around 1.50 million metric tons of LPG annually, in a leap from around 650,000 MT during 2017.
The LPG market in Bangladesh started growing significantly after a government decision to suspend piped-gas connections to household consumers in 2009.
More than 20 LPG companies are operating in the country and Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) sets the price of LPG for every month.
Dettol, ToguMogu to promote better health for new mothers and children
Dettol, leading household name in Bangladesh, has recently announced its partnership with ToguMogu, the largest Bangladeshi parenting app, to promote better health for new mothers and children.
The signing ceremony took place at Reckitt’s corporate office in Gulshan 1, said a press relese.
This collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of both organizations to provide essential health information, resources, and products to new parents, ensuring a healthier start for families across Bangladesh.
Vishal Gupta, Managing Director of Reckitt Benckiser (Bangladesh) PLC, Salahuddin Ahmed, Senior Marketing Manager and Head of Partnership, Zia Uddin, Director, Supply Chain, Noomaya Jayed, Commercial HR Head, Aritra Banerjee, Finance Director, Md Amin Ul Bashir Alvi, Brand Manager from Reckitt were present at the signing ceremony.
The CEO of ToguMogu Nazmul Arefin along with Arif Md Waliullah Bhuiyan, Director; Tahmina Rahman, VP of Content and Training of ToguMogu were also present in the signing ceremony.
Under this partnership, Dettol and ToguMogu will work together in hygiene protection during pregnancy, New mom and baby's health and mental wellbeing, Financial planning for the new family, Home and safety for new moms and the child areas.
Vishal Gupta stated, " Our partnership with ToguMogu represents a significant step in ensuring that parents have easy access to reliable information and products that promote a healthy lifestyle. Together, we aim to create a safer, healthier environment for families."
Nazmul Arefin of ToguMogu said, "Working with Dettol is an important step in our mission to help new parents with reliable health information and resources. Together, Dettol and Togu Mogu aim to provide families the knowledge and tools they need for a healthy start for their children."
Together, we can save lives, prevent the heartbreak of drowning: Saima Wazed
Joining the global community in observing World Drowning Prevention Day, dedicated to raising awareness and accelerating action on global drowning prevention, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for South-East Asia Saima Wazed has said they all have a role to play in preventing drowning.
“Together, we can save lives and prevent the heartbreak of drowning,” she said in a message marking the World Drowning Prevention Day.
The World Health Assembly Resolution WHA76.18, passed in 2023, underscores the urgent need for coordinated multi-sectoral action to combat this leading cause of injury-related death and disability worldwide.
This year, under the overarching theme "Anyone can drown, no one should," the World Health Organization has chosen the slogan "Seconds can save a life."
“This highlights the dual nature of drowning: it can occur in a matter of seconds yet taking a brief moment to act—whether by wearing a lifejacket, keeping watch over children while they are near water, checking the weather forecast before boating, or choosing safety over distraction—can prevent a tragedy,” Saima said.
Drowning is a sudden and silent killer, she said, often catching victims and those around them unawares until it is too late. A few seconds may not be enough time to respond. “The power is in prevention.”
Globally, an estimated 236,000 lives are lost to drowning every year—an average of 650 every day, or 26 every hour.
This silent epidemic of preventable deaths excludes drownings related to flood disasters and water transport incidents, thus underreporting the true magnitude of the issue.
“In our South-East Asia Region, the consequences of drowning are particularly devastating. In 2019 alone, drowning claimed 70,034 lives, making it the second-highest contributor to drowning deaths worldwide after the Western Pacific Region,” Saima said.
Most of these tragedies occur within proximity of the home, primarily due to lack of supervision, exposure to hazardous water bodies, lack of awareness and education, as well as poverty, she said.
WHO is finalizing the Global Status Report on Drowning, set to be launched by the end of 2024. This report will provide updated information on the global burden of drowning and will generate key recommendations for impactful actions at global, regional, and national levels.
“It is important to remember that solutions exist. WHO has outlined evidence-based, cost-effective, and scalable measures to prevent drowning and provided detailed guidance for its implementation,” Saima said.
While the application of these measures will vary by context, she said, it is crucial that the global drowning prevention community remains vigilant and coherent in its efforts.
Whether by raising awareness, promoting knowledge of effective solutions, collaborating on prevention plans and policies with local or national governments, volunteering with relevant organizations, or ensuring personal and family safety around water, each of them can make a difference, she said.
“On this World Drowning Prevention Day, let us commit to taking that one crucial moment to act. We invite you to share WHO campaign material on drowning prevention across your networks and participate in national, regional and global events, such as the upcoming WHO Global World Drowning Prevention Day Webinar,” Saima said.
No decision yet over resuming train services: Railway DG
No decision has been taken yet on when the train services will resume, Director General of Bangladesh Railway Sardar Shahadat Ali said on Thursday.
“No decision has been taken yet on the movement of trains. It's not about running the trains, it's about safety. Decision will be taken after analyzing the overall situation and consultation with the ministers, secretaries and all concerned,” he told UNB.
Short-distance passenger trains were supposed to run from today, but considering the people’s safety, the decision was changed and the train movement remained suspended.
155 foreign students leave Sylhet amid ongoing unrest
Due to the ongoing situation in the country, 155 foreign students have left Sylhet and gone back to their respective countries.
Among them are students from India and Nepal. It has been reported that they started returning to their countries since Saturday. Among them, 152 students left through Tamabil land port and three students left via Osmani International Airport.
Among them are 61 students from Jalalabad Ragib Rabeya Medical College, 77 students from Sylhet Women's Medical College, and 17 foreign students from Parkview Medical College.
Sources informed that every year many students come to Sylhet from India and Nepal to study in medical colleges. They enroll in various medical colleges in Sylhet to complete the MBBS course. Due to the ongoing quota protest and subsequent clashes between police and members of various political parties, the foreign students became alarmed. As a result, they expressed their desire to return to their countries temporarily.
Manas Kumar Mustafi, second secretary (Press, Information, Culture, and Education) of the Indian Assistant High Commission in Sylhet, informed the media that arrangements were made for 17 Nepali students along with Indian students studying in Sylhet's medical colleges to return to their countries through India.
He mentioned that among those who returned to their countries, there were 49 Indian and 12 Nepali students from Jalalabad Ragib Rabeya Medical College, 77 Indian students from Sylhet Women's Medical College, and 10 Indian and 7 Nepali students from Parkview Medical College.