United News of Bangladesh

Describing violence an enemy, Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus has said that the people must protect and make Bangladesh a wonderful country for them and for their future generations. “Our youth is ready to give this leadership in creating a new world. Let us not miss the chance by going into any senseless violence.  Violence is our enemy.  Please don’t create more enemies. Be calm and get ready to build the country,” he said in a statement on Wednesday. His statement came a day after Dr Yunus was chosen to lead an interim government following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid a mass upsurge led by students. Yunus congratulated the brave students who took the lead in making their “Second Victory Day” possible and to the people for giving their total support to them. “Let us make the best use of our new victory.  Let us not let this slip away because of our mistakes,” he said. He fervently appealed to everybody to stay calm. “Please refrain from all kinds of violence.” He also appealed to all students, members of all political parties and non-political people to stay calm.  “This is our beautiful country with lots of exciting possibilities. We must protect and make it a wonderful country for us and for our future generations,” he said. “If we take the path of violence everything will be destroyed. Please stay calm. Help those around you to stay calm,” he added. Dr Yunus is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka from Paris on Thursday. “Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka on the Emirates flight (EK-582) from Dubai at 2:10 PM Dhaka time (GMT +6) on Thursday 8 August 2024 subject to flight being on time,” said Lamiya Morshed, Executive Director, Yunus Centre. President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday night decided to form an interim government headed by the globally acclaimed Nobel Peace laureate. The decision came from a lengthy meeting held at Bangabhaban where chiefs of three services, two teachers of Dhaka University and coordinators of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement were present. In the meeting, student representatives proposed an interim government headed by Dr Yunus. President Sahabuddin agreed with their proposal, said Bangabhaban slightly before zero hours.

Bangladesh Air Force (BAF)personnel are working relentlessly to ensure security and uninterrupted flight operations on domestic and international routes from Hazrat Shahjalal international Airport (HISA). The Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) issued a press release in this regard on Wednesday. Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport closed

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Wednesday asked the police to take strict action to control the anarchic situation and looting. He said this when newly appointed Inspector General of Police ( IGP) Mainul Islam went to meet the President at Bangabhaban on Wednesday. Congratulating the new IGP , President Shahabuddin said the role of police is very important in maintaining law and order in the country and ensuring the safety of people's life and property. Parliament will be dissolved as soon as possible according to Constitution: President Mentioning that restoring the law and order in the country is the most important, he said the police should focus on improving the current situation. He also asked all concerned to take necessary steps to ensure that every member of the police force can perform their duties with high morale and courage maintaining the chain of command. Secretaries concerned to the President were also present at the time. President's meeting with stakeholders decides to free Khaleda Zia immediately

Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, who is scheduled to lead the interim government, will arrive in Dhaka soon. “Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka on the Emirates flight (EK-582) from Dubai at 2:10 PM Dhaka time (GMT +6) on Thursday 8 August 2024 subject to flight being on time,” said Lamiya Morshed, Executive Director, Yunus Centre. President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday night decided to form an interim government headed by the globally acclaimed Nobel Peace laureate. The decision came from a lengthy meeting held at Bangabhaban where chiefs of three forces, two teachers of Dhaka University and coordinators of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement were present. In the meeting, student representatives proposed an interim government headed by Dr Yunus. President Sahabuddin agreed with their proposal, said Bangabhaban slightly before zero hours.

Bangladesh army has requested people to contact the nearest army camp if anyone faces any sabotage activities, violence and death threats. The Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) issued a media release in this regard on Wednesday. It said army remain deployed to ensure safety of public life, property and important government installations considering the current situation. Moreover, people were requested to refrain from misleading the army by providing false information and rumours. They also provided some mobile phone numbers to contact them. Barishal Division Barisal-01769072556, 01769072456, Patuakhali -01769073120, 01769073122, Jhalakathi-01769072108, 01769072122, Pirojpur-01769078298, 01769078308. Chattogram Division Noakhali-01644-466051, 01725-038677, Chandpur-01815-440543, 01568-734976, Feni-01769-335461, 01769-335434, Lakhmipur-01721-821096, 01708762110, Cumilla-01334-616159, 01334-616160, Brahmanbaria, 01769-322491, 01769-332609. Lohagara, Patiya, Chandanaish, Banshkhali and Satkania upazilas of Cox's Bazar and Chattogram districts-01769107231, 01769107232. Chattogram (except Lohagara, Patiya, Chandanaish, Banshkhali and Satkania upazilas)-01769242012, 01769242414. Dhaka Division Madaripur-01769072102, 01769072103, Kishoreganj-01769192382, 01769202366, Tangail-01769212651, 01769210870, Gopalganj-01769-552436, 01769-552448, Rajbari-01769-552514, 01769-552528, Gazipur- 01785349842, 01769092106, Munshiganj-01769082798, 01769082784, Manikganj-01769092540, 01769092542, Narayanganj-01732051858, Narsingdi-01769082766, 01769082778, Shariatpur-01769097660, 01769097655, Faridpur-01769092102, 01742966162. Dhaka Metropolitan Lalbagh, Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Shyamoli, Agargaon, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Elephant Road and Kataban in Dhaka—01769051838 and 01769051839. Gulshan, Baridhara, Banani, Bashundhara, Badda, Rampura, Shahjahanpur, Uttarkhan, Dakshinkhan and Banasree in Dhaka—01769013102 and 01769053154. Mirpur-1 to Mirpur-14, Khilkhet, Uttara and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport-01769024210 and 01769024211. Motijheel, Segunbagicha, Kakrail, Shantinagar, Eskaton, Rajarbagh, Paltan, Gulistan and Old Dhaka—01769092428 and 01769095419 Mymensingh Division Sherpur-01769202516, 01769202524, Netrokona-01769202478, 01769202448, Jamalpur-01769192545, 01769192550, Mymensingh-01769208151 and 01769208165. Khulna Division Bagerhat-01769072514, 01769072536, Kushtia- 01769-552362, 01769-552366, Chuadanga-01769-552380, 01769-552382, Meherpur-01769-552398, 02479921153, Narail-01769-552456, 01769-552457, Magura-01769-554505, 01769-554506, Jhenaidah-01769-552158, 01769-552172, Jashore-01769-552610, 01769-009245, Khulna-01769-552616, 01769-552618, Satkhira-01769-552536 and 01769-552548. Rajshahi Division Rajshahi-01769112386, 01769112388, Chapainawabganj-01769112070, 01769112372, Pabna-01769122478, 01769112480, Sirajganj-01769122462, 0176912226, Natore-01769112446, 01769112448, Naogaon-01769122115, 01769122108, Joypurhat, 01769112634, Bogura-01769112594 and 01769112170. Rangpur Division Rangpur-01769662554, 01769662516, Dinajpur-02589921400, 02589682414, Nilphamari-1769682502, 01769682512, Lalmonirhat-01769682366, 01769682362, Kurigram-01769662534, 01769662536, Thakurgaon- 01769666062, 01769672616, Panchagarh, 01973000662, 01769662661, Gaibandha-01610652525 and 01754585486. Sylhet Division Sylhet-01769177268, 01987833301, Habiganj-01769172596, 01769172616, Sunamganj-01769172420, 01769172430, Moulvibazar, 01769175680 and 01769172400. 

Newly appointed Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Mainul Hasan joined office on Wednesday. He also requested all members of DMP and Dhaka residents to assist in maintaining law and order, Assistant Commissioner (Media) of DMP, Jahangir Kabir, told UNB. Major reshuffle in police, DMP Commissioner Habibur relieved from duty Earlier, in the day, in a major reshuffle in Bangladesh Police, DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman was relieved of duty. A gazette notification, signed by Md Mahabur Rahman Sheikh, deputy security of Public Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs, said the decision to reshuffle was taken following the order from President Mohammed Shahabuddin. Deputy Inspector General of Police Md Mainul Hasan, who was posted at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has replaced DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman who has been attached to the police headquarters as Additional IGP, it reads. Additional IGP AKM Shahidur Rahman has been made Director General (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) after shifting him from police headquarters, it said. Rab DG Barrister Md Harun-Or-Rashid has also been relieved and attached to the police as additional IGP. Earlier on Tuesday night, the government appointed Commandant (traffic and driving school) Md Mainul Islam as the new IGP. New IGP appointed    

India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita has said public-private collaboration in maritime transport, waterways, railways, road connections and air cargo operations will increase trade efficiency in the region. “More collaboration between the industry and BIMSTEC countries in science and technology, including in biotechnology, nanotechnology, information and communication technology, space technology applications, agriculture technology, food processing and pharmaceutical technology will be beneficial,” he said while speaking at the CII BIMSTEC Business Summit in New Delhi on Wednesday. BIMSTEC: 5th meeting of Eminent Persons’ Group to be held in Dhaka on July 16-19 Margherita said their heritage, culture and traditions provide for many avenues of increasing tourism potential including via specialized tourist circuits and eco-tourism. “Industry participation would assist in enhancing cultural cooperation through increased participation in the development of Buddhist Tourist Circuit and Temple Tourist Circuit in the BIMSTEC region,” he added. The Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India in association with Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) is hosting the 1st BIMSTEC Business Summit in New Delhi on August 6-8. The first edition of the Business Summit aims to foster greater regional collaboration through robust trade and investment relations among the member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). BIMSTEC SG visits Myanmar; discusses regional cooperation Several Ministers of the BIMSTEC Member States from the ambit of Trade, Commerce and Industry, as well as Energy, along with high-ranking Government officials, policy makers, entrepreneurs and industry associations will participate in the event. The event has brought together more than 300 key stakeholders from across the Bay of Bengal region to facilitate economic collaboration and explore ways ahead in focus areas such as trade facilitation, regional connectivity, energy security, inclusive growth and sustainable development. India attaches great importance to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) which links five countries from South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India and Sri Lanka) and two from South-East Asia (Myanmar and Thailand).  

A group of students under Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and teachers were seen jointly cleaning up roads and areas in Jhenaidah district town. The students of different schools, colleges and universities were seen cleaning the Payra Chattar, Ekattor Chattar, Hamdah, Arappur and other areas of the district town. Some volunteer organisations including Alor Dishari, Bangladesh Red Crescent district unit activists and Scout members were found joining the students. Saiful Arefin, one of the students, said they are cleaning rubbish and waste scattered on the road with brooms and shovels. They also said the program will continue.

The Inter Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR) on Wednesday urged all not to be misguided by rumours being spread through social media over an incident at Savar’s Ashulia. In a press release, the ISPR, said “Aiming to protect the lives and property of all, when a patrol team from the Savar Cantonment reached near Ashulia Police Station, a misunderstanding erupted. Due to this, the deputy commander of the patrol team and an unidentified person were shot by police and some army personnel were injured.” “At one stage the patrol team rushed for the Savar Cantonment with the injured personnel and the police team from the Ashulia Police Station and adjacent areas fired bullets from the opposite direction with a hope to get help from the army. Later, the police were made unarmed after identification,” said the release. As the news spread, some agitated people gathered in front of Dendabor Military Check-post and demanded that the policemen be handed  to them, it said. However, the local people left the place immediately after getting assurance of legal action against the policemen. “The incident was exaggerated through social media, which created confusion among the people,” said the ISPR release. It also requested not to believe the misleading and false information spread through various social media.

Three people were killed in a collision between a passenger bus and a CNG auto-rickshaw in Aminpur Bera Upazila of Pabna on Tuesday night. One of the deceased has been identified as Salvi Islam,23, a student of Rajshahi University and son of Monirul Islam from Bedundia village, Ishwardi Upazila. The identities of the other two deceased were yet to be determined. The victims were all passengers of the auto-rickshaw. According to the police, the auto-rickshaw was going to Kashinathpur from Kazirhat. On the way a bus of Hasan Paribahan from Pabna to Kazirhat hit the autorickshaw near Notun Bazar graveyard around  9:30 pm. The auto-rickshaw overturned and was severely damaged, resulting in the deaths of three people, including a child, on the spot. Two others were injured and have been taken to Bera Upazila Health Complex for treatment. Officer-in-Charge Harun-or-Rashid of Aminpur Police Station confirmed the matter.