bangladesh
Gulistan blast: One more victim succumbs to injuries, death toll now 24
The death toll from the massive explosion that ripped through a 5-storey building in Gulistan's Siddique Bazar area has risen to 24, with one more victim succumbing to his injuries on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Zahan Sardar Selim, 21, son of Jahangir Sardar of Jatrabari.
Selim had been undergoing treatment at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery with 50% burn injuries. He succumbed to his injuries around 4:40 pm, said Inspector Bachhu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital police camp.
Also Read: Building owners among 3 land in jail over Gulistan blast
Earlier, on March 7, at least 17 people were killed and over 100 were injured in a massive explosion in the 5-storey building near a BRTC bus counter in the capital’s Gulistan area.
A sanitary materials shop on the ground floor of the building, BRAC Bank office on one of the floors and an adjacent 7-storey building were damaged but the building didn't collapse.
Meanwhile, two bodies were recovered from the debris on March 9.
Musa Haider, 45, a victim succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital on the same day, raising the death toll to 20.
Meanwhile, firefighters recovered the body of another victim from the debris on March 9 while two other victims identified as Yeasin Arafat and Mirza Azam succumbed to their injuries at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery on March 9 and March 11, respectively.
Three people, including the owner of the building at Siddique Bazar, were arrested in a case over the blast on Thursday.
A Dhaka court on Thursday put the three arrested people on a three-day remand.
FM calls on global community to raise their voices to ensure safe return of Rohingyas
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the international community, including the British-Bangladeshi Diaspora to raise their voices in ensuring the voluntary, safe and sustainable repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas, temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh, to their homeland in Myanmar at an early date.
He made the call when Nasim Ali OBE, Mayor of Camden of the UK , met the Foreign Minister on Tuesday afternoon at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Minister briefed the Mayor on the remarkable socio-economic progress of Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Also Read: Momen to attend OIC CFM in Mauritania, UN Water Conference in US
Lauding the British-Bangladeshi Diaspora in the UK, both recalled their contributions into British society and economy and for being a vibrant and enterprising living bridge between our two countries over the past five decades.
The Camden’s Mayor suggested for an appropriate event to recognize the high achievers of the British-Bangladesh Diaspora, particularly the elected representatives.
They also discussed Bangladesh-UK cooperation on climate change.
Don’t deviate from principles and ideals: President asks students
President Abdul Hamid on Tuesday asked the students not to deviate from principles and ideals in life.
The President said this during an exchange of views with the students of SSC and equivalent examination-2022 in the afternoon at Bangabhaban.
He invited 45 best students from different parts of the country to Bangabhaban to encourage young students.
Also Read: Find out the reasons why people rush to foreign countries for medical treatment : President Hamid
During an exchange of views at the Cabinet Hall of Bangabhaban, President Hamid said that students should know the true history of the country's great liberation war and should respect those who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Highlighting the development and progress of the country, Hamid hoped that the young students will make themselves qualified to continue this trend of development of the country.
We have taken DSA criticism into consideration: Law Minister
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq said on Tuesday the government will consider updating the Digital Security Act (DSA) if needed.
“We are taking the criticism into consideration. The law was enacted for ensuring digital security, we will hold onto this aim,” he said.
The minister sat in a meeting with the representatives of civil society when the parties discussed this law criticised by many terming it draconian. Many say the DSA is regularly used to harass people.
“We discussed their concerns about the DSA. We will also talk about the Data Protection Act. We will again sit to discuss the laws,” he added.
Both parties agreed to have another meeting on the DSA on March 30.
Read more: Govt to sit with stakeholders on possible changes to DSA: Law Minister
TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said they demanded the abolition of the DSA.
“We pointed out our concerns about the DSA. There is no chance to make the DSA acceptable. The law minister also talked about the misuse of this law. We think this law should be abolished,” he added.
They will discuss the new draft of the Data Protection law in another meeting on April 6.
“We would like to see the new draft positively. The government has given us an opportunity to review the draft. We hope they will consider suggestions,” said Iftekharuzzaman.
Dhaka University International Relations Prof Dr CR Abrar, Supreme Court lawyer barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, academic and activist Rezaur Rahman Lenin, rights activist Md Saimum Reza Talukder, and Sharmin Khan, were present, among others.
Myanmar national among 3 held with Crystal meth, Yaba pills in Teknaf
Members of Border Guard (BGB) detained three drug peddlers along with 1.294kg of crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth or ice) and 10,000 of Yaba pills from Teknaf in the early hours of Tuesday.
The detainees are Md. Saker Ali,22, son of Mohammed Hossain of Kutupalong FDMN Camp, Md Jaber,19,son of Abu Siddique Balukhali FDMN Camp and Mohammad Yunus ,23, son of Hashon from Mongdu village of Myanmar.
Also Read: 46 held in anti-drugs drives across Dhaka
According to a media release of BGB, a patrol team of the border guard detained them conducting a drive at Jaliyardwip under Domdomia BOP in Teknaf around 12:35 am.
During the drive, the BGB men seized 1.294kg of crystal meth and 10,000 pcs of Yaba pills from their possession, said the release.
The detainees were handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station.
HC orders Dhaka city corporations to form committees to examine gas, sewerage lines
The High Court on Tuesday asked the two city corporations in Dhaka to form a 7-member committee for each ward to examine the sewerage and gas pipelines to ensure safety of the residents.
The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Ahmed Sohel passed the order after hearing a writ petition.
Chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartipakkha (Rajuk), Managing Director of Titas Gas, Managing Director of Dhaka Wasa, Chief Executive Officer of Dhaka North and South City Corporations have been asked to form the seven-member monitoring committees involving experts from the departments concerned.
The HC also asked the authorities concerned to take necessary measures for repairing if the committees find any fault in the sewerage and gas pipe lines and submit reports after every eight months.
On March 12, a writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking necessary directives in connection with the explosions in Science Laboratory area and Siddique Bazar of Gulishtan that claimed lives of 28 people.
Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, a human rights organization, filed the writ petition.
Senior Advocate Manzill Murshid stood for the petitioner while assistant attorney general Toufique Sazawar represented the state.
Also read: Blast in Science Lab area: Death toll rises to 4
The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain why the inaction of the respondents in taking effective measures to ensure the safety of Dhaka residents and monitoring the establishments on regular basis, should not be declared illegal.
Secretaries to the Housing and Public Works Ministry, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Local Government and Rural Development Ministry, Chairman of Rajuk, Managing Directors of Titas Gas and Dhaka Wasa, Chief Executive Officers of Dhaka North and South city corporations have been made respondents to the rule.
Advocate Manzill Murshid, said “Authorities’ negligence was the main reason behind the explosions in Science Lab and Siddique Bazar areas. The authorities concerned do not check the sewerage and gas pipe lines of hundreds of establishments in Dhaka.”
4 companies forged documents, smuggled Tk 382 crore: Intelligence
The Customs Intelligence has found that four companies have smuggled Tk382 crore out of the country by forging goods export permits, an official said on Tuesday.
The companies did not return their foreign exchange earned from the exported products, Mohammad Fakhrul Alam, Director General of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID), told a news conference in the capital.
According to the CIID, four companies are Sabiha Saiki Fashion, Asia Trading Corporation, Emu Trading Corporation, and Ilham Trading Corporation. These companies have exported various products including t-shirts, tops, ladies' dresses, trousers, baby sets, bags, polo shirts, jackets, pants, and hoodies to the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Singapore, Qatar, UK, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.
The DG said that after receiving complaints involving exports of goods by forging documents evidence of money laundering was found in the investigation.
Also Read: Intelligence agencies working to prevent militants’ rise: Home Minister
Referring to the information found in the investigation, he said that Sabiha Saiki Fashion exported 86 consignments of goods at different times. The exchange value of the products exported by them is Tk18.45 crore. On scrutiny of the documents of the consignments of the goods, it was found that the Export Permits (EXPs) issued by them were in the names of different companies.
A permit cannot be used for more than one export shipment. As a result, these EXPs are not functional. There is no opportunity to bring foreign currency back to the country in a legal way, Alam said.
The DG said the investigation revealed that in addition to Sabiha Saiki Fashion, three other companies have committed similar fraud for exporting products.
“Four companies have committed such fraud in shipments of 1,780 products using the same tactics. Against these shipments, 18,265 tonnes of goods have been exported, the declared value of which is around Tk 382 crores,” Alam added.
Sabiha Saiki Fashion exported Tk 21 crore, Asia Trading Corporation Tk 282 crore, Emu Trading Corporation Tk 62 crore, and Ilham Corporation Tk 17 crore.
Court fixes Mar 20 for delivering judgment in case against Helena Jahangir, 4 others
The High Court on Tuesday fixed March 20 for delivering its judgment in a fraud and extortion case filed against the expelled ruling party leader of a sub-committee, Helena Jahangir, and four others.
Dhaka Additional chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazzal Hossain fixed the date after concluding the arguments from both the state and defense.
The four other accused of the case are Hazera Khatun, general manager of Helena Jahangir's IPTV Joyjatra television, its coordinator Sanaullah Nuri, Chief News Editor Quamruzzaman Arif and Staff Reporter Mahfuzur Rahman.
Abdur Rahman Tuhin, Bhola district correspondent of Joyjatra television filed the case against Helena and four others with Pallabi Police Station on August 2, 2021.
According to the prosecution, Helena Jahangir took Tk 54,000 from Tuhin for appointing him as a district correspondent of the television. After joining the television, he did not get any remuneration for several months. On the other hand, the television authorities took Tk 3,000 for him every month.
On November 21, 2021, inspector Shahinur Islam of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted chargesheet against Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court.
On July 29, 2021, members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested Helena Jahangir, 49, from her residence in the city’s Gulshan-2 area.
The elite force members "seized foreign liquor, illegal walkie-talkie sets, casino equipment and deer skins" from her possession.
Four separate cases were filed against Helena.
The sub-committee removed Helena for her "involvement with the Bangladesh Awami Chakrijibi League," a group which has no official connection with the ruling party.
Tangail bidi workers demand tax, price hike of tobacco products in budget 2023-24
Bidi workers of Tangail district staged a human chain in front of the National Press Club in the capital on Tuesday, demanding increased tax on all types of tobacco products in the upcoming budget for FY 2023-24.
They called on the stakeholders to protect public health and implement the PM’s pledge to make Bangladesh tobacco-free before 2040.
The bidi workers’ leaders in a human chain also demanded alternative employment for the workers to reduce the health damages caused by tobacco.
According to the World Health Organization research on tobacco use in Bangladesh, if the government reforms the existing tax system on tobacco products in the fiscal year 2023-24, cigarette consumption will decrease from 15.1% to 13.92%. About 14 lakh adults will be encouraged to quit smoking and about 10 lakh youth will be discouraged from starting smoking and in the long run, 4 lakh 88 thousand adults and 4 lakh 92 thousand youth will be saved from premature death.
Jatka Conservation Week begins March 31
The National ‘Jatka Conservation Week-2023’ will be observed from March 31 to April 6, aiming to create mass awareness about preserving hilsa fry to boost its production.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Task Force on Hilsa Resource Development at the department of fisheries in the capital on Tuesday.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim presided over the meeting where Secretary of the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Dr. Nahid Rashid, Additional Secretary Abdul Qayyum and Md. Tofazzel Hossain, Chairman of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation Kazi Ashraf Uddin were , among others, present.
Minister SM Rezaul Karim said, “According to a recent global report, Bangladesh is one of the three countries in the world who have done well in fish production during the COVID-19 period. Besides, Bangladesh now in third position in terms of fish production in the world.”
Also Read: Two-month ban on ‘jatka’ catching begins this midnight
The inauguration ceremony of Jatka Conservation Week 2023 will be held in Pirojpur on March 31.
Moreover, Jatka Conservation Week will be observed through various programmes in district and upazila levels. The progrmames included screening of videos and documentaries on Jatka conservation, discussion in radio and television, workshops on Hilsa, holding meetings and seminars, conducting mobile courts and campaign for protection of Jatka.
However, Jatka Conservation Week has been observed every year since 2007 to create mass awareness about preserving hilsa fry .