United News of Bangladesh

The veteran Bangladeshi journalist, political analyst, writer and former editor of the newsweekly-turned-daily ‘Jai Jai Din’ Shafik Rehman returned home from London, United Kingdom, on Sunday after six years. Returned with his wife Taleya Rahman, the founding executive director of the election watchdog ‘Democracy Watch’, Rehman was received with warm greetings by journalists leaders and admirers at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday afternoon. Also known as a cultural personality who is credited for introducing Valentine's Day in Bangladesh and hosting the popular art show Lal Golap (Red Rose) on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and later on the private television channel Banglavision, Shafik Rehman left Bangladesh back in 2018. The veteran journalist was arrested on April 16, 2016, and sentenced to seven years in prison for ‘conspiring to kidnap and kill’ Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son. After being arrested in that case, Shafik Rehman had to stay in jail for five months in 2016 but he moved to the UK that same year after being released on bail. Speaking to the media at the airport after returning to his motherland, Shafik Rehman said that he wants Sheikh Hasina to stay alive and face judiciary actions. “I am against the death penalty. I don’t want loss of life, I want her to stay alive and that will be her ultimate punishment,” Rehman said. “This is not just a caretaker government but a revolutionary government; but please, no more violence, please love each other. Everyone should get a job and the price of daily commodities should be reduced, Law and order must be maintained, and everyone must love each other in this new era,” he said at the airport.

The Minority Rights Movement (Songkhaloghu Odhikar Andolon), a platform of minority communities, has demanded the formation of a "Minority Commission" to investigate the attacks on Hindu houses and places of worship across the country. A six-member delegation of the platform met Interim Government’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday and placed eight-point demands, including prosecution of attacks on property of minorities and ensuring protection of their communities. Prof Yunus assured them that his government is committed to protecting the human rights of every citizen, including members of religious minorities, said the Press Wing of the Chief Adviser. Prof Yunus said that his government has already taken measures to protect minorities from any attacks and violence. The police force has already returned to control law and order, and the situation has started to normalize across the country. The meeting was attended by Nahid Islam, Adviser to the ministries of Information and Broadcasting, and Posts, Telecom and ICT; and Asif Mahmud, Adviser on Labor and Employment, and Youth and Sports ministries. The two advisers, who led the successful student movement that brought down the 15-year long government with the resignation of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, also assured the Minority Rights Movement that they would try their best to meet all the demands.

Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has ordered the suspension of all bank accounts belonging to former Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Harun-or-Rashid, and his wife, Shireen Akter. The BFIU issued a directive to all banks, instructing them to freeze the couple’s accounts. The suspension extends to transactions related to businesses owned by the couple. Additionally, the BFIU has requested detailed information on the bank accounts of Harun’s immediate family members, including his son, daughter, parents, and siblings. The directive was communicated to the country’s banks and financial institutions on Sunday, effectively halting all transactions linked to Harun and his wife. The letter from the BFIU also included their national identity card numbers and dates of birth. As the head of Dhaka’s Detective Branch (DB) during his tenure as Additional Commissioner of the DMP, Harun-or-Rashid was a controversial figure. He faced widespread criticism, particularly after the DB detained six coordinators of the quota reform movement.

Law enforcers have recovered 748 arms looted in recent times from police stations, police lines, police outposts and other places, till Sunday. Police headquarters shared this information this afternoon. Moreover, a total of 20,195 rounds of bullets, 1,472 tear gas shells, seventy sound grenades have been recovered till date, it said. A large number of arms and ammunition were looted from the police stations and other protected zones after attacking law enforcers before and after August 5. Members of the Bangladesh Army have also been working to recover the looted arms across the country.

Health Services Division has issued a directive aimed at addressing issues related to negligence in medical care. This move follows reports of financial transactions being made by the National Orthopaedic Hospital and Rehabilitation Institute (NITOR) in Dhaka, despite the government's assurance to cover all expenses for those injured in the anti-discrimination student movement. The directive instructed that all involved parties immediately cease any such actions. It also specifies that representatives from pharmaceutical companies or dealers are prohibited from entering hospitals. Additionally, doctors must adhere strictly to their scheduled patient consultations, and no visitors are allowed inside hospitals or patient rooms outside of designated visiting hours. Failure to comply with these regulations will result in severe legal action against the offenders. This directive applies to all hospitals across the country.

Amendment to BERC Act 2003 and Speedy Power and Energy Supply (Special) Act 2010 will remain suspended for temporary basis. Dr M Fauzul Kabir Khan, the newly appointed advisor of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges and Ministry of Railway informed this on Sunday after his maiden meeting with the ministry officials. He said BERC’s recent amendment that allows the government to arbitrarily raise power and gas prices will remain suspended for now. It means the government will not frequently raise power and gas prices using that clause of the BERC Law. He also said that the ministry also took a decision to suspend all projects which are in the process of being awarded under the Speedy Power and Energy Supply (Special) Act 2010. For now no further project will be processed under this law, he told reporters after the meeting. This government has taken office with the expectation of the government and it will always remain watchful to the public expectations and perceptions, he said. The council of advisors will take a final decision on the two law later, he added.    

Rangpur, Aug 18 (UNB)- A case has been filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and top leaders of Awami League including its general secretary Obaidul Quader and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal over the killing of a student in Rangpur during the student movement. The case was filed with Rangpur Kotwali Cognisance Court by the victim's father Abdur Rahman on Sunday. A total of 40 people including former ministers and members of Rangpur district and city Awami League, Shwechchhasebak League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League were accused in the case. Besides, 300 unidentified individuals have been made accused in the case. The accused include former law minister Anisul Huq, former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud, and former textiles and jute minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak. Among others, Former DIG of Rangpur Range Abdul Baten, former commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Additional Police Commissioner of Rangpur Uttam Pal, ADC (Crime) Utpal Kumar Roy, ADC (DB) Nur Islam Patwary, Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-charge Montashir Billah, Rangpur Metropolitan Awami League Convener Delwar Hossain, Joint Conveners Abul Kashem, Rangpur District Awami League Convener Shadat Hossain Bakul, Joint Convener Majed Ali Babul, Rangpur District Bar Association President Abdul Malek, General Secretary Abdul Haque Pramanik, Rangpur metropolitan Awami League former President Safiur Rahman, and General Secretary Tushar Kanti Mandal have been named in the case. Abdullah Al Tahir, a student of Bangladesh Institute of Glass and Ceramics, was shot dead on July 19 during a clash between students, police, and Awami League activists in front of the City Bazaar in Rangpur.

Adviser of Ministry of Labour and Employment Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan called on all departments under the ministry to actively engage in their responsibilities and ensure no activities remain stagnant. “Ensure that no activities are left in a state of inertia,” Asif said during a meeting with ministry and departmental officials this morning (Aug 18) at the Secretariat. Asif acknowledged the many opportunities for work within the Ministry of Labour and Employment, but also recognised the existing obstacles and challenges. He expressed hope that during the current crisis, effective initiatives could be taken for the benefit of the country and its people, and urged the officials for their utmost cooperation in implementing these measures. The meeting began with a welcome address to the adviser by ministry officials. Following that, the ministry’s vision, mission, and activities were presented, and he was briefed on ongoing development projects. Md. Mahbub Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and senior officials from the ministry and its affiliated departments were present at the time. Among others.  

Bangladesh is set to construct its first-ever Sports Institute, focusing on high performance and overall success in sports. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, aims to enhance athletes' physical and mental capabilities, improve sports strategies and leadership skills, and achieve national pride through comprehensive development. The announcement was made today during a media briefing at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, where Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan outlined the plans and objectives for the new institute. Asif emphasized that the sports institute will collaborate with renowned national and international sports organizations to provide specialized sports services and infrastructure. The goal is to develop internationally competitive athletes and achieve high results on the global stage, he said. He noted that countries like the UK, USA, China, and France have achieved remarkable success in sports through a fusion of sports and science, and Bangladesh aims to reach similar heights through the establishment of the institute. Asif also highlighted that experts from both within and outside the country will be involved in ensuring the quality of services and achieving the desired outcomes. The Ministry of Youth and Sports is committed to implementing this project as quickly as possible, envisioning it as a "Centre of Excellence" for the country's sports community. During the Q&A session, he addressed ongoing efforts by the Ministry to overcome current challenges and maintain a conducive environment and activities across all sectors of sports.  

The government has promoted 201 officials from the post of deputy secretary to joint secretary. A notification in this regard was issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Sunday.