Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
Sitakunda fire exposes fragile state system
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the deadly fire at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda has exposed a very fragile state system in Bangladesh.
“No security measures were taken there. I am terrified to think a country that has been said to be a modern one like Singapore, has no minimum security of human life. This government is only making money indulging in stealing in the name of development,” he said.
Also read: Price Hike: BNP asks AL to learn from 1974 famine
The BNP leader was talking to reporters at the local press club in the district.
He said there were insufficient security measures in the container depot. “There’re no safety measures to prevent fire or any other accidents.”
Fakhrul also said the government has even failed to ensure proper treatment for the injured. “The Awami League government has completely failed to build a modern container depot which is really needed for the development of the country.”
A devastating fire that broke out at BM Container Depot in Chattogram’s Sitakunda on Saturday night killed at least 43 people and injured more than 300 others.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued from BNP’s central office in the capital, Fakhrul expressed deep shock and sorrow over the huge loss of lives in the fire.
He said disasters like fires and different accidents are increasing day by day due to the limitless failure of the ‘illegitimate’ government.
“This government has no accountability to people. So no matter how many accidents happen, no matter how many fatalities occur, they keep their eyes closed. People’s lives have no value to them,” the BNP leader said.
He alleged that the ruling party men are involved in every tragic incident in one way or another. “Had the government properly investigated the incidents and put the offenders under trial from the beginning, such incidents would not have happened again and again.”
The BNP leader lamented that so many people were killed in the blast and fire while many other people are fighting for life following the Sitakunda blaze. The government is responsible for this incident. It has also proved once again how failed this government is.”
Also read:BNP holds talks with Kalyan Party to wage greater movement
He also said though the present government talks about development, it has failed to provide security to the people. “So, Awami League can no longer be kept in power. Democracy and the country will be in danger if it can’t be removed from power.”
Fakhrul prayed for the salvation of the departed souls of the victims and conveyed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and demanded immediate medical treatment for the injured.
BNP sits with Ganosanghati Andolan
BNP on Tuesday sat with Ganosanghati Andolan in the city as part of its ongoing dialogue with political parties to forge a strong unity for a greater movement for the "restoration" of democracy.
A BNP delegation, led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir joined the talks around 12:15pm at Ganosanghati Andolan’s Hatirpool central office.
Amid the speculation about the formation of a new political platform, 'Ganatantra Mancha', by seven parties, BNP is holding the talks with one of its probable components Ganosanghati Andolan.
Also read: BNP vows to overcome intimidation, repression: Fakhrul
The other BNP delegation members include its standing committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuk and former MP Zahir Uddin Swapan.
Ganosanghati Andolan’s chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, its executive coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel, political council member Taslima Akhter, party leaders Hasan Maruf Rumi, Bachchu Bhuiyan, Deepak Roy, Shyamoli Shil and Mizanur Rahman, among others, took part in the talks.
On May 24, BNP formally began a dialogue with other opposition parties with the first meeting with Nagorik Oikya aimed at forging unity among opposition political parties.
Also read: AL leaders to leave country bowing heads: Fakhrul
Three days later, the party also sat with the Labour Party, one of the components of the 20-party alliance.
The BNP standing committee decided to hold talks with political parties and finalise an outline of a united movement through the discussions.
BNP denounces govt’s amnesty plan for money launderers
BNP on Sunday described the government’s plan to offer an amnesty for money launderers as a devilish trick to legalise the funds the ruling party leaders siphoned off abroad from Bangladesh.
“They (AL leaders) are looting the assets of the country and siphoning off public money abroad,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a discussion, he said the government is now saying that it will bring back the laundered money by offering an amnesty. “It’s another devilish trick. It means they themselves laundered the money and will now bring it to the country to make it legal.”
By giving the money launders such an amnesty, the BNP leader said the government will create further scope for the ruling party leaders to plunder more public money.
Also read: Election using EVMs won’t be acceptable: Jatiya Party
”This regime can’t be trusted in any way… Awami League can no way be allowed to remain in power anymore,” he said.
He urged BNP leaders and activists to get united and intensify the movement for the restoration of the democracy by ousting the government
BNP orginased the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the 41st death anniversary of party founder Ziaur Rahman
Earlier on Thursday, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said the government plans an amnesty for money launderers to bring back the money they had taken out of the country.
He said Bangladesh Bank will issue a circular in this regard with more information before the national budget is placed in Parliament.
Fakhrul alleged that the current government has obliterated democracy and snatched people’s rights to hang onto power.
"We’re going to different districts outside Dhaka to hold the councils of (our party’s different units) and observing a serious urge among people to get back their rights,” he said.
Accusing the ruling party of carrying out propaganda against Zia, Fakhrul said no one can erase his name from history.
"It matters little if you (AL leaders) call Ziaur Rahman a villain, a Pakistani spy or a military ruler as he is there in the deep hearts of the country’s people. Ziaur Rahman can never be erased from history since it has absorbed him.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the present Awami League government has been taking the country to the brink of destruction by destroying the spirits of the Liberation War.
“There’s is now no democracy, no human rights and no right to vote. People are hit hard by the growing price hikes in essential commodities,” he said.
Also read: AL leaders to leave country bowing heads: Fakhrul
Mosharraf said the government has now become too weak to endure a strong mass wave of people. “We now need to just give a push to this regime…we have to take an oath to remove this government through united efforts and thus ensure that the next election will be held under a neutral government. ”
Not Padma Bridge, massive plundering causes BNP’s heartburn: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said their party is feeling heartburn not for the construction of the Padma Bridge, but for the massive plundering of money from the project.
“The Padma Bridge which was supposed to cost Tk10,000 crore is now being built spending Tk 30,000-40,000 crore. So, we’re feeling heartburn not for the construction of the bridge but for the plundering of thousands of crores of taka from the project,” he said.
Also read: BCL’s attacks on female JCD leaders cowardly: BNP
Speaking at a book launching programme, the BNP leader also alleged that the ruling party leaders are looting people’s hard-earned money and siphoning off it abroad. “This is the cause of our heartburn”
Zia Parishad arranged the programme at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office marking the launching of a new book on late president Ziaur Rahman.
Earlier on Wednesday, Road Transport Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader at a programme said the hearts of the BNP leaders are getting burnt as the much-awaited Padma Bridge is set to be opened to traffic on June 25 next.
Fakhrul said the government has destroyed all the achievements of the nation and imposed a burden of loans on the country’s people.
“They (govt) are now always bragging about Padma Bridge. This bridge is not being constructed with anybody’s paternal property. It is being built with the money taken from the pockets of the country’s people,” he observed.
The BNP secretary general alleged that the ruling party leaders are looting money from all mega projects in many ways.
About the under-construction metro rail project in the capital, he said many stations are being made unnecessarily within a very short distance only to plunder public money. “I’ve never seen so many stations at such close distance for any metro rail in the world. Their (govt’s) goal is to indulge in corruption, plundering and siphoning off Bangladesh’s assets.”
Also read:BNP starts pro-democracy movement dialogue with political parties
Fakhrul said the nation is now facing a crisis of its existence due to misrule, corruption and plundering. “If we can’t overcome it, our democracy, economy, society and future will be destroyed. We won’t be able to protect the existence of the nation and the country if we can’t resist them (govt)."
He urged the young generation to come forward to restore democracy in the country by waging a strong movement. “Let’s unite to remove the current awful, monstrous and fascist regime and establish a pro-people government with the public mandate through a credible election.”
Fakhrul urges people to rise against ‘misrule’ of AL govt
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged the people to wake up to end the ‘misrule’ of the current government.
“We have to get out of the misrule, fascism, injustice and repression that have engulfed entire Bangladesh. We have to wake up and free ourselves,” he said.
Also read: BCL’s attacks on female JCD leaders cowardly: BNP
Fakhrul was speaking at a discussion arranged by Jatiyatabadi Sangskritik Foundation at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 23rd birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
He said Poet Nazrul is now very relevant in the current context of Bangladesh. “I often remember him and his poems. We have to cross the inaccessible mountain and dangerous gigantic desert being imbued with his poems to overcome the current situation in the country.”
The BNP leader slammed the government for what he said its repressive acts and said their party chief Khaleda Zia is now under house arrest while Tarique Rahman is in exile outside the country. “Cases have been filed against 35 lakh pro-democracy people in Bangladesh,” he said.
Referring to the Bangladesh Chhatra League’s attack on the leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal on the Dhaka University campus on Tuesday, he said, “We still have to see that women are being subjected to extreme torture on the university campus. This is where Nazrul Islam is most relevant.”
Fakhrul urged the young generation to wake up and awaken others to overcome the current situation in the country.
Also read: BNP starts pro-democracy movement dialogue with political parties
He requested the politicians to read Nazrul more to get inspiration for courageously serving the nation without bowing to others. “If we read Nazrul properly and try to realise his messages, then we will be able to know and recognise ourselves.”
Fakhrul also called upon the researchers to carry out more research on the literature of Poet Nazrul.
Padma Bridge not AL’s ancestral property: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the ruling party leaders should not forget the much-awaited Padma Bridge is not an ancestral property of Awami League as it is being constructed with public money.
“Sheikh Hasina is now bragging about constructing the Padma Bridge. We would like to say that Padma Bridge is not yours alone and it is not the ancestral property of Awami League,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader said the Padma Bridge is being built with the money of the country’s people and taxpayers.
BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting what they said was the Prime Minister’s ‘indecent’ comment on Padma Bridge involving Khaleda.
Also read: BNP again seeks PM’s apology for Padma Bridge remark on Khaleda
Hundreds of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies joined the programme.
Fakhrul raised an allegation of widespread corruption in the Padma Bridge project. “People want to know how much money you have taken from people and how much you have spent on constructing the Padma Bridge. They also want to know how much money you have pocketed through corruption.”
He also said people are also eager to know how much money the future generation will have to spend to repay the foreign loan that was taken for the construction of the bridge.
The BNP leader also strongly protested and condemned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina‘s remark about pushing Khaleda Zia into the river from the Padma Bridge.
He also came down hard on the government for what he said was its failure to check the growing prices of daily essentials. “The common people are struggling to cope with the soaring prices of essentials while the backs of our farmers, workers and day-labourers are pushed against the wall. It’s now difficult for them to survive.”
Also read: BNP to revoke DSA, all other ‘repressive’ laws if returns to power: Fakhrul
The BNP leader also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself has kept confined to her residence to avoid the wrath of the country’s people. “You are afraid of people. That's why you don't come in front of people.”
Accusing Awami League of destroying democracy and snatching people’s rights in a planned way, Fakhrul urged the ruling party to step down by handing over power to a non-party neutral government, paving the way for holding a fair and credible election under an impartial election commission.
BNP to revoke DSA, all other ‘repressive’ laws if returns to power: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday categorically said their party, if returns to power, will revoke all ‘repressive’ acts and ordinances, including the Digital Security Act (DSA).
Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with journalists, he also said their party will ensure the implementation of the Wage Board for journalists and media employees and empower the Press Council if their party forms government in the days to come.
“We would like to clearly say that if we form the government, all the repressive acts and ordinances those are obstacles to the independence of the media will be annulled,” the BNP leader said.
BNP arranged the programme titled, ‘Media Control Laws in Annihilating the Media: Bangladesh Perspective’ at the Jatiya Press Club. Former BNP MP and its executive committee member Jahiruddin Swapan presented the keynote paper.
Fakhrul said their party believes that it is not possible to give democracy an international shape without the independence of the media. “BNP has been working towards that goal since the rule of late President Ziaur Rahman.”
Also read: BNP won’t join talks with current EC: Mosharraf
He said the current government has enacted various laws, including the DSA. “These laws are like putting a nail in the coffin of media freedom.”
The BNP leader said regulating the media is probably now one of the biggest problems in the world, especially in Bangladesh. "As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence, we are saddened to see that the media is being completely controlled." Those who want to write freely and express their opinions freely, can't do it now. Moreover, they’re being subjected to different types of repressions and threats and they are facing obstacles to performing their professional duties.”
He alleged that the government has been controlling the fundamental issues of democracy in a planned way one after another since it came to power. In doing so, they have thought the media must be controlled first.”
The BNP leader also said almost every media outlet of print and electric and the social media platforms are controlled by the government's intelligence agencies. “Their surveillance has reached such a level that which journalist is talking to whom or meeting whom or who are meeting an editor are being monitoring by the agencies.”
“Laws are now enacted to completely regulate the media…it hurts me a lot when I see journalists are not able to write and the editors are being threatened in various ways. In fact, the courage of the journalists is being taken away through this,” he observed.
Under such circumstances, Fakhrul said all should raise their voice to restore the press freedom.
He said it will be ensured, if BNP returns to power, that no matter what is published in the media, the aggrieved person or organisation cannot file a case in the court without resolving the issue in the Press Council that will be reconstituted with more power.
Also read: BNP urges govt to drop expensive megaprojects to avert economic crisis
Besides, the BNP leader said their party will take steps for ensuring a fair distribution of advertisements to make the media self-sufficient. “BNP is also thinking of giving financial incentives to the media on the basis of a certain number of circulations and TRPs.”
Stating that the entire nation is now in danger, he said a strong unity of people all walks of life is now necessary to restore democracy in the country and defeat the ‘fascist’ regime.
Fakhrul is confident that there will be a change in power in the country through the next national election, "We are very optimistic as the people of Bangladesh have never been defeated. We’re not excited seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as we’ve always been working to establish democracy.”
Speaking at the programme, Prothom Alo joint editor Sohrab Hassan expressed solidarity with the commitments of BNP to ensure media freedom.
“We can try to be reassured. But our past experiences don’t suggest us to be reassured…No government was newspaper or media-friendly since independence,” he said.
He said politicians have the responsibility alongside the journalists to remove the barriers to the freedom of expression and raise voices against the repressive laws and repression against the journalists.
“We surely want the support of the opposition in removing the obstacles to free press and the freedom of expression. But at the same time, I would like to issue a warning so that the same thing should not happen if they come to power,” the senior journalist said.
He said the Awami League government has enacted a repressive and autocratic law, the Digital Security Act. “I condemn it and demand its withdrawal."
Sohrab recalled that Awami League amended the ICT Act that was enacted during the BNP regime. “Awami League has increased the punishment through the amendment.”
Senior journalists and current and former leaders of pro-BNP factions of BFUJ and DUJ participated in the discussion.
Toll rates for using Padma Bridge ‘too high’: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the toll rates set by the government for crossing the much-awaited Padma Multipurpose Bridge are 'too high'.
The BNP leader made the remarks at a press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office.
Also read: BNP urges govt to drop expensive megaprojects to avert economic crisis
Replying to a question, he said, "We have not fully studied this issue (toll rates). But it seems to me that the fixed rates are too high."
He said the commuters will have to pay a lot more than they have to spend now to go to the southern districts.
Fakhrul also said the toll set by the government to use the Padma Bridge is much more proportionately higher than that of crossing the Jamuna Bridge. “The toll rate is almost two-time higher than that of Jamuna Bridge.”
As his attention was drawn to ruling party leaders’ comment that BNP leaders have to use the Padma Bridge with an apology, he said they want to ignore such reckless remarks.
“Is the bridge made with their (AL leaders') ancestral property? It’s made spending the money of our people. The full money has been taken from the pockets of our people,” the BNP leader observed.
Fakhrul also said the ruling party leaders 'plundered' money by spending Tk30,000 crore for a project worth Tk10,000 crore. “So, all these words do not fit in their mouths.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the government finalised the toll rates for different types of vehicles for crossing the Padma Multipurpose Bridge.
Also read: Rice price rising due to wrong policy despite new crop: BNP
The Bridges Division under Road Transport and Bridges Ministry issued a gazette notification in this regard.
According to the notification, Tk 100 toll has been fixed for motorbikes, Tk 750 for private cars and jeeps, Tk 1200 from a pick-up, Tk 1300 for microbus, Tk 1400 for small buses (with 31 seats), Tk 2000 for middle buses (with 32 seats), Tk 2400 for big-size buses, Tk 1600 for small trucks (5 tonnes), Tk 2100 for middle-size trucks (over 5 tonnes to 8 tonnes), Tk 2800 for middle-size trucks (over 8 tonnes to 11 tonnes), Tk 5500 for big trucks (up to 3 excel) Tk 6000 for trailer trucks (4 excel) and Tk 6,000 plus for trailers (over 4 excel).
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on May 11 said the much-hyped Padma Bridge will be inaugurated in June and preparations are going on for its opening.
Rice price rising due to wrong policy despite new crop: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the rice price is going up even during the full Boro harvesting season due to the government’s wrong policy and a foul play of the ruling party.
Speaking at a press conference, he also said the current government has not taken any initiative to develop the country’s agriculture sector and improve the lot of farmers.
Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal arranged the press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office following a visit of its leaders to the flood-affected areas.
Also read:Bangladesh heading towards acute crisis: BNP warns
“The rice price is not supposed to rise during this full harvesting season. It’s the time when the price should come down as the Boro harvesting has begun. But the price of every variety of rice has gone up. That means there are some problems in total planning,” Fakhrul said.
He also said the government has given the charge of different ministries to such people who are directly involved in that business. “The person who is involved in the food trade has been given the charge of the Food Ministry. As a result, business is becoming more important than serving people.”
The BNP leader said the big farmers and rice traders are stockpiling paddy to sell it after some days at higher prices. “Because the price of paddy will increase and their profit will also rise in the days to come. This is their (ruling party’s trick."
Fakhrul, who served as BNP government’s state minister for agriculture, said the AL government does not have a well-thought-out plan for the development of agriculture and farmers.
“Marginal farmers now pull rickshaws and vans while many middle farmers are giving up farming as agriculture is now an unprofitable job, decreasing the cultivation of food grains,” he observed.
The BNP leader said the present government undertakes only those works where they have their own profit and commission of crores of taka. “That is why they do not build permanent dams in the haor areas.”
Referring to the recent flood in the haor regions, he said flooding is a very old problem there due to the onrush of water from upstream. “If protection can be given ……by constructing dams or building reservoirs this problem will be resolved. It will also help farmers grow two-three crops in a year. It’s unfortunate that no such programme or plan has been taken up so far."
Also read: Publish the list of Money launderers, BNP asks govt
The BNP leader also alleged that the ruling party men indulged in massive corruption in the name of dam construction in the haor region.
“Some dams have been constructed in the haor area but those are so fragile and weak that they can't hold the pressure of water for twenty-four hours,” he observed.
Citing the reports of various research institutes and the observations of local public representatives, Fakhrul said crops worth about Tk1,000 crore have been destroyed this year as huge areas in Sunamganj went under water due to the embankment collapse.
On behalf of the Krishak Dal, he placed an eight-point demand, including constructing permanent dams with cement blocks in haor, providing affected farmers with the interest-free loans, wavering interest on loans, and suspending loan installments until normalcy returns, introducing crop insurance in haor area and bringing those involved in dam construction corruption to justice.
BNP denies misquoting German envoy
BNP on Thursday denounced German Ambassador in Dhaka Achim Troster’s assertion that he was misquoted on democracy and human rights in Bangladesh after his meeting with the party’s leaders last month.
“He (the ambassador) did not say it correctly. Our leader (Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury) who spoke after that meeting didn’t say anything quoting the German Ambassador,” said party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Also read: German envoy “unhappy” over BNP misquoting him on democracy & human rights in Bangladesh
The ambassador, Fakhrul maintained, mistook it as misquoting him what Amir Khosru said in general terms about their meeting with the envoy.
Fakhrul made the remarks while talking to reporters after paying homage to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave, along with the leaders of the new partial committee of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD).
Earlier on Wednesday, the German envoy expressed his displeasure over what he said BNP misquoted him on democracy and human rights in Bangladesh.
“I read that I had uttered concerns about the human rights situation and democracy in the country. This is not true. I was unhappy about this (misquoting),” he said while responding to a question at "DCAB Talk" hosted by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at Jatiya Press Club.
Also read: New Market Clashes: BNP questions ‘police inaction’
Earlier on March 17, the ambassador and his deputy had a closed-door’ meeting with Mirza Fakhrul and Amir Khosru at BNP Chairperson's Gulshan office.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Amir Khosru, a BNP standing committee member said, "We’ve discussed different matters relating to our bilateral relations, democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Bangladesh.
Asked what the German envoy said about Bangladesh’s democracy and human rights, Khosru said they are concerned about it.