United News of Bangladesh

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Water Resources, on Monday asked concerned authorities to take all measures necessary to free Arial Beel from illegal encroachers. The land that has been occupied in the name of housing has to be recovered, she said while talking to reporters after visiting the Arial Beel. She also directed the deputy commissioner concerned to stop lifting soil with dredgers and ordered to renovate and re-excavate the canals of the beel and demolish illegal brick kilns. “No land grabber will be allowed to enter the Arial Beel and the pond-filling should be stopped,” said adviser Rizwana. Stern action will be taken against those involved in occupying land using political power and the beel, which flows through four upazilas of Srinagar, Sirajdikhan, Dohar and Nawabganj, will be given the highest priority to preserve it by freeing it from encroachment. Issuing a warning, Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works and Industries, who was present there said no housing will be allowed to be built on the beel land and the beel will have to be protected from illegal land grabbers.

Three Directors General (DG) of the Office of the Chief Adviser (formerly Prime Minister's Office) have been made officers on special duty (OSD). The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification to this end on Monday. The Director Generals are (Rank of Joint Secretary) Md Shahidul Islam, Shahida Sultana and Mohammad Asaduzzaman. Besides, Director of Chief Adviser’s Office (Joint Secretary) Gulshan Ara has been attached to the Planning Department, said the notification.

Residential buildings for the families of the martyrs of the anti-discrimination student movement can be built on the expansive plot of Gonobhaban, along with the museum for the movement, according to Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman and former Member of Parliament Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho. In his verified Facebook post on Monday, Partho wrote: “As Gonobhaban consists of around 15 acres of land, residential buildings can also be built there to help the family members of martyrs who were killed during anti-discrimination student movement.” "I think, the injured would have benefited if government jobs were given to them according to merit along with proper medical treatment," he also wrote. “History tells us that we remember those who sacrificed themselves, but do not focus on evaluating. Emotion is good but rehabilitation with emotion is better,” Partho said in his Facebook post.  

The work on creating a comprehensive database of students and citizens injured or killed during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement is in its final stages, according to Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmin S. Murshid. She shared this update during a press conference at the Secretariat on Monday, marking the first month of the interim government’s tenure. “The database, which will detail the number of casualties and injuries, as well as the condition of the affected families, is nearly complete. It will be finalized after verification with information from the Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities. We plan to release this data next month,” Adviser Murshid said. In her remarks, the Adviser highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to support those impacted by the protests. “To aid injured, affected, and potential youth involved in the movement, we are providing free physiotherapy services through 103 disability service and assistance centers. So far, a total of over 75 lakh BDT in services has been provided to 1,628 injured students and citizens through hospital, social service offices, and upazila patient welfare associations. Additionally, nearly 1,000 individuals have received mental health services,” she said. Murshid also announced plans for further support, including cash assistance for severely injured individuals and their families based on their needs. Under the forthcoming “Internship Policy 2023,” 12 students will be offered four-month internships across various divisions and offices under the Ministry of Social Welfare. “Injured students and citizens will receive free wheelchairs and hearing aids. For those with limited mobility, mobile vans will deliver services directly to their homes. The National Social Welfare Council will soon publish a priority list of distinguished youth representatives from 64 districts, giving preference to those involved in the protests,” she added. The government also intends to conduct action research focused on the role of students in the movement and how youth can be further engaged in national service. The findings of this research will be made public in due course. “Through skill development training and micro-loans, we will empower young people to contribute positively to society,” Adviser Murshid said.

Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday reiterated the government’s firm commitment to curbing extortion as part of broader efforts to reduce inflation. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller at the finance ministry office, Dr. Salehuddin emphasized the importance of this initiative. “I have repeatedly urged steps to curb extortion. We have never taken a negative stance on this issue, and we will certainly take action,” Dr. Salehuddin stated, addressing concerns about the impact of extortion on the economy. He highlighted that addressing extortion is not solely an economic or trade-related decision but also involves political considerations and social values. “When one group exits, another inevitably fills the void. It will take some time to address this issue fully,” he noted, acknowledging the complexities involved. Discussing the country’s inflation rate, which stood at 10.49 percent in August, Dr. Salehuddin expressed optimism that the message is getting through to the public as inflation trends downward. He emphasized that managing inflation requires more than just boosting supply; it involves addressing various related factors. He assured that the government is actively working to ensure a steady supply of essential commodities, including soybean oil and rice bran oil, to prevent shortages. “Retail prices are also crucial. My position is that no additional burden should be placed on consumers,” he said. Dr. Salehuddin also pointed to the efforts of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) in enforcing strict market monitoring to stabilize prices. He urged a fair assessment of the government’s measures, noting that price reductions for essential goods will not happen overnight. Reflecting on past inflation trends, Dr. Salehuddin criticized the previous administration for irresponsible money printing, which he claimed had exacerbated inflation. It will take some time to get everything back on track, he remarked. Regarding his meeting with the UNDP, Dr. Salehuddin shared that the organization is not only continuing its support for ongoing projects but is also proposing new initiatives. The UNDP has expressed interest in supporting the government’s reform efforts, particularly in green technology, and in assisting with Bangladesh’s transition as it graduates from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category. In response to a query, Dr. Salehuddin highlighted the importance of technical assistance in implementing reforms, noting that the UNDP has shown a strong commitment to providing such expertise. “They were very responsive and assured us of their continued support,” he said.

Students of polytechnic institutes staged demonstration on Monday at Satrasta intersection in Tejgaon, triggering traffic gridlock in the adjacent areas.  Some students under the banner of ‘Technical Student Movement’ took to the street around 12 pm carrying placards to press home their 6-point demand. Officer-in-Charge of Tejgaon Industrial Area Police Station Gazi Shamimur Rahman said that vehicular movement came to a halt on both sides of the road due to the blockade. “We are trying to negotiate with the protesters to clear the roads.”

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan has urged all to work together to safeguard the achievements of the movement by students and the masses. The armed forces have always stood by the people, and will continue to do so in the future, he said during a special meeting held at the Bhola Circuit House on Monday. The meeting, which took place at 11 am, brought together key officials, including Barisal Divisional Commissioner Md. Shawkat Ali, Bhola Deputy Commissioner Arifuzzaman, and Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mahiduzzaman. The discussions centered on the current joint operations being conducted to restore order across the country. Admiral Hassan highlighted the Navy's involvement in various security operations, including the recovery of illegal arms, noting that such efforts would continue as long as needed under government directives. "We are providing necessary support to the civilian administration, particularly in activities like recovering illegal weapons, and we will continue to do so as long as it is required," he said. Reflecting on the violent incidents that erupted after August 5, the Navy Chief expressed concern over the nationwide chaos and acts of sabotage. "It is unfortunate that several anarchic and destructive acts have taken place across the country. Some of these incidents involved known criminals, while others appeared to be driven by personal vendettas," he remarked. However, he acknowledged that the situation has gradually improved and that ongoing efforts are helping to curb the violence. He also called on political parties dedicated to serving the public to cooperate with the military and law enforcement agencies. The meeting underscored the importance of collective action to ensure that the benefits of the recent student-mass movement are fully realized. "Everyone must work together to ensure that the positive changes brought about by the people's successful movement benefit the country and its citizens," Admiral Hassan emphasized during his address to the local administration and law enforcement officials. 

The families of eight Bangladeshi expatriates detained in Saudi Arabia have appealed to the Bangladeshi government for immediate intervention to secure their release and allow them to continue their business activities. During a press conference held on Monday at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, relatives of the detained individuals voiced their concerns. M. Nurul Kabir, a family member of one of the detained Bangladeshis, explained that the detention occurred in the aftermath of a student-led movement in Bangladesh, which led to the fall of the autocratic regime on August 5. The movement received widespread support from both within the country and among Bangladeshi expatriates abroad. Kabir said that on August 16, to honor the martyrs of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, expatriates in Saudi Arabia’s Muhayil and Abha organized a prayer meeting and discussion. The event was attended by local Bangladeshi expatriates, but following the gathering, Saudi police detained the event’s organizers. These eight individuals have been held in custody for the past 23 days. The detention of the family breadwinners has plunged their relatives into severe hardship, Kabir said, identifying the detainees as Mohammad Zainal Abedin, Hafiz Rahmatullah, Mohammad Khalilur Rahman, Mohammad Omar Faruk, and Salim Ul Islam from Chattogram, as well as Maulana Yusuf and Mohammad Ashraful Islam from Bandarban. The affected families have made repeated attempts to contact Saudi authorities but have had no success in securing their release. They are now appealing for urgent intervention from the Bangladeshi government, believing it to be the only way to ensure their loved ones’ freedom.

The government on Monday appointed new deputy commissioners (DCs) in  25 districts including Dhaka and Chattogram. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification in this regard on Monday. The other districts where new DCs have been appointed include Gopalganj, Faridpur, Sylhet, Habiganj, Mymensingh, Sherpur, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Magura, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Naogaon, Natore, Pabna, Joypurhat, Cox’s Bazar, Bogura, Noakhali, Chandpur, Gazipur, Cumilla, Moulvibazar and Khulna. Earlier in the last month, the interim government led by Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus also transferred some DCs and made new appointments in a reshuffle in the administration.

Within a span of  eight days, Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel gunned down another Bangladeshi teen and injured two others including the teen’s father along Baliadangi border in Thakurgaon  early Monday, said police. The deceased was identified as Joyanta Kumar Singha, 15, while the injured were Joyanta’s father Mahadev Kumar Singha, and Bangdu Mohammad, of Fakir Bhita village in the upazila. Baliadangi Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Firoz Kabir said one person died and two others sustained bullet injuries in the BSF firing while they were trying to cross the border. The injured are undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, he said, adding that the BSF troops took away the body.    Lt Col Tanjir Ahmed, commandant of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)-50 Battalion in Thakurgaon, said they are in touch with the BSF to bring back the body. On September 1, 13-year-old Shwarna Das, of Juri upazila of Moulvibazar district, was shot dead by the BSF troops. Around 45 hours after the incident, the BSF returned the body to Bangladesh after a flag meeting with the BGB. On Thursday, Bangladesh strongly protested and condemned such ruthless acts and expressed deep concern over the incident. The Government of Bangladesh reminded that such incidents of border killing are undesirable and unwarranted and such actions are in violation of the provisions of the Joint Indo-Bangladesh Guidelines for Border Authorities, 1975. Moreover, the country called upon India to stop repetition of such heinous acts and conduct enquiries into all border killings, identify the responsible persons and bring them to justice.