United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar. After placing the wreath at 9:53am amid heavy rain he stood in solemn silence there for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the martyrs of the War of Liberation in 1971. A smartly turned-out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force presented state salute on the occasion when bugles played the last post. Other advisers of the newly formed interim government, the chiefs of the three services, and high civil and military officials were present. Later, flanked by other advisers, he also placed another wreath there. The chief adviser signed the visitor's book. Nobel laureate and globally acclaimed economist Prof Muhammad Yunus was sworn-in as the chief adviser of the interim government on Thursday night. He took over the responsibility four days after the fall of Awami League government in a student-led mass movement.

Law enforcers detained former general secretary of Chattogram city unit of Chhatra League Nurul Azim Rony from Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport in Dhaka while leaving the country early Friday. Rony is also a member of Youth and Sports Sub Committee of the central Awami League and a close associate of former Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel. Sources at the airport said the immigration police detained him at the airport. He was scheduled to board a plane but his planned destination could not be known. Mosaddek Ali Ibne Mohammad, an assistant coordinator of Chattogram city unit of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, in a Facebook post around 11:30pm on Thursday urged people to detain Rony who allegedly created anarchy in Chattogram during the movement. The post also said "Rony is the main culprit behind the barbaric attack on the students of Chattogram and the most shootings. Try to detain him as he is now at Chattogram airport. ’ On July 16, students called for a rally in the city’s Sholoshahar area. Rony also placed a counter political programme on the same spot. At one stage of the programmes, some miscreants allegedly led by Rony opened fire on the students, leaving several injured.  

Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, two coordinators of anti-Discrimination Student Movement and students of Dhaka University, have taken oath as advisers to the interim government after the fall of Hasina govt in a students-led mass upsurge. Nahid is a student of Dhaka University's Sociology Department of 2016-17 academic session while Asif is a student of the Department of Linguistics of 2017-18 academic year. These two leaders of student movement drew attention when they were picked up during the first round of curfew slapped by the Hasina government to suppress the quota reform movement. Later, Detective Branch (DB) members picked them up along with some other coordinators while they were undergoing treatment at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the capital. Later, the six coordinators of the movement including Nahid and Asif were forced to announce the withdrawal of the anti-discrimination student movement programme in a video message when they were under DB custody. But after being released from there, they again announced the programme of movement and at one stage announced a one-point demand for Hasina’s resignation. The movement turned into mass upsurge with participation of people from all walks of life, forcing Hasina to resign and flee the country. Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud are leaders of a student organization called ‘Ganatantrik Chhatra Shakti’.Nahid is the member secretary of the central committee of the organization while Asif is the convenor of the Dhaka University unit. Asif was the leader of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, the student wing of Gano Odhikar Parishad led by former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque. Last year, some leaders and activists resigned from the Chhatra Odhikar Parishad and formed this organization called Chhatra Shakti.

Police Headquarters on Thursday formed an eight-member committee to implement the set of conditions placed by police officers of various ranks who have been absent without leave before the chief of his force. The committee was formed on the instructions of the newly-appointed Inspector General of Police Md Mainul Islam, when the members of Bangladesh Police from various levels met with him in his office room at the Police Headquarters on Thursday afternoon. Navy provides phone numbers to provide quick assistance for public safety in 4 divisions The members of the committee are Md Nazmul Islam, AIG (Health, Welfare & Pension), Police Headquarters, Md Saiful Islam Santu, Superintendent of Police, Central Police Hospital, Dhaka, Md Jewel Rana, Additional Superintendent of Naval Police, Soumya Shekhar Pal, AC (Force), DMP, Md Zahidul Islam, Inspector (CID), Md Asaduzzaman Jewell, Sergeant, DMP, Md Zahirul Haque, SI, CID and Md Barkat Ullah, Constable, DMP. The committee will discuss with all concerned to provide compensation to the families of the deceased policemen, provide proper treatment to the injured policemen and make recommendations for implementation of their proposals in the shortest possible time. New IGP orders all policemen to join duty within 24 hours At that time, police officials presented their proposals considering the prevailing situation, that has arisen following the fall of the last Awami League-led government, after Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and was airlifted to an Indian airbase. The IGP assured them of taking the necessary steps to implement it at the quickest possible time.

Officers, employees of the Palli Bidyut Samity (PBS) have besieged the headquarters of Rural Electrification Board (REB) in Dhaka’s Nikunja area demanding an end to discrimination and implementation of uniform employment rules and regularization of irregular employees through merger. However, through army’s mediation, the demonstrators ended the siege after the REB authorities agreed to meet some of the demands including suspending any move to transfer any of the PBS staff until a report of the Power Division was received on the issue. There are 80 PBSes across the country that are rural electricity cooperatives which run under the administrative control of the REB. Several thousands of workers and employees of the PBS took part in the agitation while the army was deployed to ensure security of the head office. They alleged that they have been subjected to discrimination by the rules of the PBS and REB despite having the same qualifications for the same nature of the jobs. They said they have systematically written to REB multiple times about their demands, but REB, which is the regulator of the PBS, did not heed to their calls. Instead they have been subjected to repression and exploitation. The officers and employees of the PBS are being harassed in various ways including temporary suspension, they alleged. The protestors said that when the students of the country have been united against discrimination and are trying to build a Bangladesh free from dictatorship, corruption and discrimination, the REB continued to exploit and oppress the officers and employees of the PBS. A source said the demonstrators were finally invited to discuss with REB Chairman Ajay Kumar Chakraborty through army mediation and an understanding was made between the two sides and demonstrators left the area by about 4 pm. Despite repeated attempts, REB chairman Ajay Kumar Chakraborty could not be reached for his comments over the issue.

Bangladesh Navy members have been engaged in providing overall security of public life and property, important government installations and controlling the law and order situation. In case of any vandalism, looting and death threats, people are urged to contact the nearest naval camp, according to ISPR. For assistance of Navy Contingent contact the following numbers: For Dhaka division Dhaka Naval Command Duty Officer: 01769702865, Dhaka Naval Command (Operations room): 01769702519, Dhaka Naval Command Staff Officer (Operations): 01769702507, Dhaka Naval Command Chief Staff Officer: 01769702504, Dhaka Cantonment Navy Duty Officer: 01769702603, Shaheen Bagh, Iskaton Duty Officer: 01769702690, Khilkhet Duty Officer: 01769714303, Pagla (Narayanganj) Duty Officer: 01769714331, 01769726410. Chattogram Division Tigerpass: 01769726316, Chittagong Port: 01769726601, Karnaphuli Tunnel: 01769726731, Boat Club: 01769726480, Love Lane: 01769726267, Hatia: 01769762079, Sandwip: 01769722460, Maheshkhali: 01769726281, Saint Martin: 01769724020. Khulna and Barishal divisions Khulna Navy (Operations room): 01769784140, 2. Khulna Navy Duty Officer: 01769781111, 3. Barguna Navy Opsroom: 01769781019, 4. Barguna Navy Duty Officer: 01769781018, 5. Bhola Navy (Operations room): 01769844000, 6. Bhola Navy Duty Officer: 01769796227, 7. Mongla Navy (Operations room): 01783401549, 8. Mongla Navy Duty Officer: 01769784553. Meanwhile, BGB headquarters provides the following numbers to provide quick assistance in case of any trouble or threats in the capital. (01769-600555 and 01889-600555)      

In his first speech after arrival in Dhaka, Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday recalled Begum Rokeya University Student Abu Sayed and said he will remain in the hearts of all in Bangladesh forever. “…Abu Sayed’s image in the heart of every person in Bangladesh. No one will be able to forget it. The incredible courageous youth was standing in front of the guns,” he said in emotion-choked voice while speaking to the media at the airport. Prof Yunus, who is set to take oath as the chief adviser of the interim government at 8:30pm,  said after the death of Abu Sayed, no youth accepted defeat and started marching forward. “They (youths) said how much bullets you would fire. We will not deviate from our pledge to disseminate the message in every houses so that people could know the meaning of the new independence,” he said. He mentioned that the meaning of new independence is the change of the individual, change of opportunity and future of their children.“They must receive what they deserve.” Prof Yunus said the youth folks have to realize that the future of the country is in their hands. “You will build it that way what your heart desire, if you can liberate the country, you can also build it, from you the whole world will learn how the youths (of Bangladesh) can change a country,” he said. He said the old have to be leave. “This is true for the whole world, not only for Bangladesh and use your creativity,” he said. Abu Sayed was the first killed in police firing during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Sayed, a student of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, was shot dead on July 16. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Amir Hossain and Constable Sujan Chandra Roy were suspended and attached to the police lines for their alleged involvement with this killing.

Md Asaduzzaman, a senior advocate of Bangladesh Supreme Court, has been appointed as Attorney General. The Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry issued a notification in this regard on Thursday, said Md Rezaul Karim, public relations officer of the ministry. Supreme Court judicial proceedings suspended until further notice The order will be effective soon.  

After years of being denied promotions, Secretariat officials and employees affiliated with BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have begun mobilizing following the fall of the Awami League-led government. They demand immediate promotions, citing prolonged discrimination under the previous administration. On Wednesday, officials supporting BNP-Jamaat, deprived of promotions for years, gathered at the Secretariat. Similar gatherings occurred on Tuesday, where the disgruntled employees held meetings. The Ministry of Public Administration’s library hosted these gatherings, with around 200 current and retired officials in attendance. During the decade and a half rule of the Awami League government, many officials and employees with differing political views were denied promotions, they said. Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, these officials have started to voice their grievances. Meetings held on Tuesday and Wednesday saw significant participation from promotion-deprived officials. Anonymously speaking to UNB, several officials expressed their frustrations: “Despite our qualifications, we were denied promotions simply because of our political affiliations.” One official noted, “In the last term, the Awami League government promoted officials to deputy secretary, joint secretary, additional secretary, and secretary positions, but anyone with BNP-Jamaat ties was excluded.” Another official highlighted systemic bias, saying, “Since coming to power in 2009, the Awami League government sidelined BNP-Jamaat identified officials from significant roles, often making them OSDs (Officers on Special Duty) and blocking their promotions.” Visits to the Secretariat on Tuesday and Wednesday confirmed the presence of BNP-Jamaat affiliated officials gathering at various departments, including the Ministry of Public Administration and the Cabinet Division. The usually bustling ministerial rooms were notably empty, with nameplates removed and a tense atmosphere prevailing. Security was tight, with army personnel on duty, replacing the usual police presence. Many Awami League-affiliated officials were absent, while BNP supporters distributed sweets and organized discussions. At 12 pm on Wednesday, about 100 promotion-deprived employees convened in the Ministry of Public Administration’s library, creating a list of those denied promotions. They attempted to meet Joint Secretary (Administration) Ripon Chakma, chanting slogans when they couldn’t find him. A.B.M. Al Amin, the leader of the promotion-deprived employees, told UNB, “We demand our promotions be granted today. During the Awami League government, many who joined later were promoted before us, pushing us down the seniority list. We have faced discrimination for too long.”  

There have been reports of robbery in different  areas of the capital, including Mohammadpur, Basila Metro Housing, Shekhertek, Jigatala, HazariBagh, Shonir Akhra, Mirpur, Uttara, as well as in Gazipur and Tongi College Road areas from midnight on Wednesday until 3 am today. In the Pallabi area of Mirpur, 17 people were detained while attempting to commit robbery, according to social media posts by locals. They were handed over to the army. In the Mohammadpur area, five people were detained with weapons by local residents and later handed over to the army. Additionally, a few people were also detained by local residents in the Uttara area. Some residents from the area said that most of the robbers were rag-pickers and young men. They believe these robbers are being supplied with weapons and money to execute their plans, and that the simultaneous robberies across the country are meant to create widespread panic. A man named Sumi said that robbers had entered Basila Metro Housing and City Housing. During the robbery, they took cash and gold from several houses at gunpoint. After the army arrived, the robbers re-entered City Housing but could not enter any houses there. Local residents managed to catch two of them before the rest fled. Marina Mitu, a resident of Mirpur, said, "Around 200-300 robbers entered our UCB area at about 9 pm. They started attacking randomly as soon as they entered. Two children playing on the street were seriously injured. Later, we, the residents, chased them, positioned ourselves at all exit gates, and managed to detain many of them, handing them over to the army. Initially, they confessed that they were doing this robbery for a local influential Awami League leader in exchange for money. They are residents of the Kalshi Bihari Camp. However, the situation normalized around 3 am." Residents reported that upon hearing about the robbers in their area, people announced alerts in mosques. Following this, many people took to the streets and chased the robbers. Nasimul Gani Khan said, "They initially admitted that they are mainly Biharis from Millat Camp who are not political activists. Nevertheless, they conducted the attack after receiving money from a local influential Awami League leader." No Awami League leader could be reached via phone for comment on this allegation. Piyal Sarkar from Sector 11 in Uttara reported on Facebook Live that there were robbers in his area. The robbers were trying to rob every house and they were calling various army numbers for help, but all lines were busy, he said. Many people called their relatives for assistance and urged everyone in the vicinity to come out onto the streets. Shah Alam, a resident of Uttara Sector 11, used Facebook Live to inform everyone about the robbery in the area and requested assistance. "We have announced the robbery situation through loudspeakers. This incident happened on Road 5 in Sector 11 around 3:30 am." Reports indicate that robberies were committed in Mirpur 12, Pallabi, Basila, Mohammadpur, Uttara. Following these reports, residents in various areas of the capital have formed anti-robbery committees and are distributing phone numbers to provide quick assistance.