Bangladesh
Bangladesh's success now an eyesore for some: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said Bangladesh has become an “eyesore” for some due to its good position strategically, and the real purpose is to try and reap benefits by putting pressure as the issue of human rights is not the real purpose.
“The real purpose is not human rights. The real purpose is not even disappearances or murders. The real purpose is to try whether they can reap some benefits from these pressures,” he said, adding that the government does not want to see a single case of disappearance or any murder.
While talking to reporters after attending a programme in the city, the Foreign Minister said there is no word for enforced disappearance in the country."We don't want to see anyone taken away by force. We want everyone to be gone by the law.”
Also read: Don’t believe wholesale sanctions on Bangladesh warranted: Congressman Meeks
Dr Momen mentioned that Bangladesh is surrounded by some big countries and its access to the sea has become a big concern for them.
He said there had been some accidents in which they did not get proper information and there is no such thing as enforced disappearance in the country. “Sometimes different terrorist groups do this. It happens in all the countries of the world, more or less. We've the least here compared to other countries.”
Responding to a question, Dr Momen said foreigners say that Bangladesh is becoming the tail of China and Bangladesh is falling into the debt trap of China like Sri Lanka.“If you want to get into a debt trap, you’ve to take out a 40 percent loan. Our country's total debt is just over 15 percent or about 16 percent. Still far away,” he said.
He said if they look at the countries and the institutions, they have borrowed the most from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the IMF while the next most borrowed from Japan. “Our borrowing from China is not even close to just over 5 percent.”
Also read: Bangladesh an inspiration for world: Speakers
Dr Momen said some ignorant people say Bangladesh is becoming the tail of China because 80 percent of Bangladesh’s military equipment is bought from China.
“This is a blatant lie. What we purchase, we purchase from all countries. We purchase from everywhere. India also wants to give us. Our military knows what to purchase,” he added.
Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Daily positivity rate rises again, 36 more die
Bangladesh reported 36 more Covid-linked deaths with 8,359 fresh cases in 24 hours till Saturday morning.
The daily positivity rate further rose to 23.83 from Friday’s 22.95 percent after testing 35,074 samples during the period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The daily positivity rate followed a downtrend until Saturday since being recorded at 33.37 per cent on January 28 with 15,440 cases and 20 deaths.
On Friday, Bangladesh reported 30 more Covid-linked deaths with 9,052 fresh cases.
The fresh numbers took the country’s total fatalities to 28,560 while the caseload mounted to 1,853,187.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports 30 more deaths with 9,052 fresh infections
Among the new deceased, 21 were men and 15 women.
Twenty-five of the deaths were reported in Dhaka division while three in Khulna, two each in Chattogram, Rangpur, Mymensingh, and one each in Rajshahi and Sylhet divisions.
Meanwhile, the mortality rate declined to 1.54 percent.
However, the recovery rate remained unchanged at 86.04 percent with the recovery of 7,017 more patients during the 24-hour period.
In January, the country reported 322 Covid-linked deaths and 2,13,294 new cases while 19,112 recovered from the disease, according to the DGHS.
On January 28, Bangladesh logged its earlier highest daily positivity rate at 33.37% reporting 15,440 cases and 20 deaths.
Bangladesh’s total tally of Omicron cases reached 69 with the detection of five more cases till January 23, according to GISAID, a global initiative on sharing all influenza data.
On December 9 last year, Bangladesh again logged zero Covid-related death after nearly three weeks as the pandemic was apparently showing signs of easing.
Also read: EIB provides €250mn to support Covid-19 immunisation in Bangladesh
The country reported this year’s first zero Covid-related death in a single day on November 20 last year along with 178 infections since the pandemic broke out in Bangladesh in March 2020.
Besides, the country registered the highest daily caseload of 16,230 on July 28 last year, while the highest number of daily fatalities was 264 on August 10 last year.
2 Russian employees of Rooppur nuke plant die
Two Russian employees of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at Ishwardi upazila in Pabna died early Saturday.
The deceased are Schukin Pavel,48, mechanical engineer of sub-contractor company Trest Rossem, and Tolmasoff Vassiliev, 59, installer of another company SMU-1.
Both of them were residents of Green City Project, housing project for the Russian officials of the power plant
Police said Pavel fell sick around 3 am and was brought to Ishwardi upazila health Complex where a doctor announced him dead.
Also read: Rooppur NPP Unit-2: Inner containment construction completed
“We suspect he died from excessive alcohol intake,” said Asaduzzaman Officer-in-Charge of Ishwardi police station.
Meanwhile, Tolmasoff collapsed at 2 am while getting down from the stairs on the 14th floor of the building and died on the spot, said a doctor of the employer company.
OC Asaduzzaman said both the bodies will be sent to Russia through the embassy after autopsy.
Also read: DGHS closes 11 private Covid testing booths in Rooppur due to irregularities
Rangamati UP polls: Bar on Sajek tourism on Feb 6,7
Baghaichari upazila administration in Rangamati has restricted tourism at Sajek Valley on February 6 and 7 ahead of the seventh phase Union Parishad elections.
“As Sajek Union Parishad election is set to be held on February 7 all kinds of vehicle movement except those to be used for election purpose will remain suspended in the area and tourist movement will also remain halted. The resort owners' association has been asked to shut the cottages and resorts in Sajek for the two days,” said Shariful Islam, Baghaichari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).
READ: 2 killed in JSS-UPDF gunfight in Rangamati
To avoid any kind of risk and unwanted situation centering the polls the administration has taken the decision, he said.
Jerry Lusai,Generel Secretary of Sajek Cottage Owners' Association, said they have received a notice from the administration in this regard on Friday and directed the owners under the association accordingly.
READ: JSS leader shot dead in Rangamati
Elections are set to be held in some Union Parishads of the three upazilas in Rangamati district on February 7.
EC reconstitution: Search committee formed with justice Obaidul Hasan as chief
A six-member search committee, led by Appellate Division Justice Obaidul Hasan, has been formed to suggest the names of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners.
A gazette in this regard was issued on Saturday.
The other members of the committee are High Court Division Justice SM Kuddus Zaman, the Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh Md Muslim Chowdhury, Chairman of the Public Service Commission Md Sohrab Hossain, former election commissioner Muhammad Sohul Hussain and noted writer Anwara Syed Haque.
The committee will perform responsibility as per the Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Bill 2022.
On January 27, parliament passed the “Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Bill-2022".
READ: Bangladesh one step away to have a law on EC formation
Though the Constitution suggests the appointment of the CEC and other election commissioners under a law, the law was not formulated in the past.
Article 118 (1) of the Constitution states, “There shall be an Election Commission for Bangladesh consisting of 1[the Chief Election Commissioner and not more than four Election Commissioners] and the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (if any) shall, subject to the provisions of any law made in that behalf, be made by the President.”
READ: Report on EC formation Bill placed in parliament
The tenure of the incumbent commission, led by CEC KM Nurul Huda, will expire on February 14.
Don’t believe wholesale sanctions on Bangladesh warranted: Congressman Meeks
US Congressman Gregory W Meeks has said he does not believe wholesale sanctions on Bangladesh are currently warranted as, he thinks, targeted sanctions are useful.
“I believe sanctions can be most useful when they are targeted and don’t believe wholesale sanctions on Bangladesh are currently warranted," said the Congressman in a statement following the designation of the Rapid Action Batallion.
Meeks said he looks forward to working to help address human rights and democracy challenges in Bangladesh ensuring free elections.
READ: No possibility of expansion of sanctions: Shahriar
"I continue to support the strengthening of the US-Bangladesh relationship and look forward to working to help address human rights and democracy challenges in the country, including ensuring that the country’s next elections are free and fair," said Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in a statement on Friday.
However, he said, he strongly supports the Biden Administration’s designation of the Rapid Action Battalion and several of its current and former members under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights and Accountability Act for human rights violations.
READ: No US plan to impose sanctions on Bangladesh: Congressman Meeks
PM shocked at death of Tangail AL leader Badiul Alam
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Badiul Alam Manju, president of Dhanbari unit Awami League under Tangail district.
Sheikh Hasina, also Awami League president, prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
READ: PM mourns death of valiant FF Abul Hashem
Alhaj Badiul Alam Manju breathed his last at 12:30pm on Saturday at a city hospital at the age of 82. He left behind five sons, a daughter and a host of relatives and well- wishers.
Meanwhile, AL general secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader also expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Badiual Alam.
18 trawlers sink in Bay, 3 fishermen go missing
Eighteen trawlers sank in Dublarchar of the Sundarbans and in different parts of the Bay of Bengal during storm on Friday night.
More than 100 fishermen managed to swim ashore or were rescued by other fishermen but three remained missing.
The missing fishermen are Shahin ,40, and Mofizul ,30, of Rampal upazila of Bagerhat and Mizan ,34 of Chakla village of Koyra upazila of Khulna.
Pralad Chandra Roy, in-charge of Dublarchar Forest Camp in the eastern parts of the Sundarbans, said a sudden storm and rain hit the area around 10 pm on Friday.
Ten fishing trawlers sank within 8 kms of Dublar Char and 8 fishing trawlers capsized in different areas of the Bay of Bengal, 45 kms off Dublarchar.
READ: Trawler capsize in Dakatia River: Murder case filed against 6
He also said that a large quantity of dried fish worth Tk 2 crore were damaged during the storm.
Muhammad Belayet Hossain, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Division, said the Forest Department, Coast Guard and local fishermen are conducting search operations for the three missing fishermen.
READ: Trawler capsize in Dakatia River: 4 detained
No rains, cold wave likely in northern districts
Although there is no possibility of rain for now but cold wave is likely to return to northern part of the country, said Met office on Saturday.
“By today rainfall will stop in most parts of the country except in Sylhet,Rangpur and Chattogram divisions where it may continue till evening,” Md Shahinul Islam, Meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorology Department told UNB.
Cold wave may return to northern part of the country while temperature across the country is likely to fall at night and rise at daytime, he said.
READ: People shiver as cold wave persists in Bangladesh
Meanwhile, the maximum rainfall in the country in 24 hours till 6am was recorded in Khulna at 69 millimeters.
The lowest temperature was recorded in Tetulia upazila at 11.1 degree Celsius and highest was in Rangamati at 30 degree Celsius according to BMD weather report.
“ Light to moderate rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Rangpur, Chattogram & Sylhet divisions, “ said BMD in its forecast for next 24 hours commencing 9am on Saturday.
READ: Cold wave grips Bangladesh
Weather may remain mainly dry with partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, it said.
Moderate to thick fog may occur over north-western part and the river basins of the country and light to moderate fog may occur at places elsewhere over the country during mid-night to morning, said the forecast.
Night temperature may fall by (2-4)°C and day temperature may rise by (1-2)°C over the country.
Army drive at UPDF den: Barracks, training centre destroyed in Khagrachhari
Army personnel conducted a drive in a den of United People Democratic Front (UPDF) and demolished its four barracks, two duty posts and a training centre at Jarulchhari in Khagrachhari early Saturday.
Tipped off, some army members of Dighinala zone conducted the drive at 5am.
They destroyed four barracks, two duty posts and a training centre, said Md Zahid Hasan, staff officer of Khagrachhari region of Bangladesh Army.
READ: UPDF man held in Rangamati in Capt Gazi murder case
The UPDF members established a temporary base for training and were harassing locals extorting money and committing other crimes, he said.
Bullets were exchanged between the UPDF men and army men during the drive, he claimed.
Army personnel recovered their training materials and documents from the camp, said the army officer.
READ: 2 killed in JSS-UPDF gunfight in Rangamati