Home Ministry
Benapole to allow entries from India on 3 days a week
Stranded Bangladeshi nationals in India can enter the country through Benapole port on 3 days of the week, the days being Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
This directive of the Home Ministry reached Benapole Immigration in the early hours of Saturday.
As a result, no one could enter the country on Saturday through Benapole, confirmed the officer-in charge of Benapole Immigration Ahsan Habib.
Also read: 3,350 Bangladeshis return through Benapole since Apr 26; 17 test Covid positive
“People can enter Bangladesh (both Bangladeshi and Indian) through Benapole Port only on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from now on,” the OC said.
Those looking to enter Bangladesh must carry with them an RT-PCR certificate (with a negative result) and NOC from the Bangladesh High Commission in India, he added.
Also read: Border with India to remain closed for another 14 days: Secretary
Although no-one was allowed to enter on Saturday, 11 Indians and 2 Bangladeshis did go across, carrying the test certificates and NOCs from the Indian High Commissioner.
NID services to be provided from Home Ministry: Minister
All the activities relating to National Identity (NID) cards will be provided from the Home Ministry within the next two months.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AK Mozammel Haque came up with the announcement after a meeting of the cabinet committee on law and order at the Home Ministry on Wednesday.
Read:CEC wants NID services to stay under EC
The minister presided over the meeting.
BNP slams govt over Israel issue
Stating that Israel is a threat to the entire world, BNP on Sunday questioned as to why the Awami League government is trying to develop a relationship with that country by removing the words "except Israel" in the new passport.
“The Home Ministry has decided to remove the word "except Israel" from the new passport. There’s a consensus among our people that Israel is our enemy as they’ve destroyed human rights,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while speaking at a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He said, “Israel is a threat not only to the Middle East but also to the entire world. Why’s the Bangladesh government going to build a loving relationship with Israel?"
Fakhrul said there is a correlation between the government’s move to remove the word “expect Israel” from the passport and Al Jazeera's report that Bangladesh bought a surveillance device or spying equipment originally made by Israel.
“That’s why there’s a fear among the people of the country whether the government is going to make such an agreement again with Israel or whether it's going to do something else. We all know Israel is the best in the world in terms of intelligence,” Fakhrul said.
He said people are observing with deep concern the government’s new move regarding Israel.
About BNP’s position on Israel, he said, “We would like to make it clear BNP has no link with Israel. We’ve an anti-Israel stance. “We’ve always been against Israel. We’re still in the same position.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said there has been no change in Bangladesh's position towards Israel as it still does not recognise Israel.
Talking to UNB, he also said removing the words like valid for travelling “except Israel” in the new passport does not mean that there has been a change in Bangladesh’s position.
Fakhrul alleged that the government has been running the country depending on bureaucracy as it has lost ground beneath its feet for lack of public support.
He also said the government is now letting loose detectives against journalists and creating obstacles to publishing many reports by giving various instructions.
No change in Khaleda’s condition
Fakhrul said he briefed journalists about the BNP chief’s health condition two days back. “There’s no change in her condition. She’s in the same condition as she was two days ago.”
He said Khaleda Zia is being given physiotherapy as part of her treatment.
On Friday, Fakhrul said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s kidneys and heart have been affected by post-Covid complications.
“It’s a matter of little worry that her (Khaleda’s) heart and kidneys have been affected by her post-Covid complications. Doctors are worried about this and they’re trying to figure out how to cure it,” he said.
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup. She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath on May 3.
Though she has already tested negative for the virus, Khaleda is still receiving treatment at the CCU of the hospital for post-Covid complications and other comorbidities.
Law Ministry’s opinion on taking Khaleda abroad sent to Home Ministry
The opinion of the Law Ministry on allowing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad was sent to the Home Ministry on Sunday.
The document of the recommendation of the Law Minister was sent to the Home Ministry around 10 am, said Mohammad Rezaul Karim, public relations officer of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry.
On Wednesday night, Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his Dhanmondi residence and submitted an application seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment.
Also read:Khaleda tests negative for Covid
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia finally tested negative for Covid-19, 27 days after she had been infected with the deadly virus.
“Madam (Khaleda) underwent the Covid test on Saturday and her report came out negative,” the BNP chief’s medical board member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain told UNB early Sunday.
Another physician of her medical board said, “Madam is still being given oxygen support though her overall condition marked a little improvement. Her oxygen level is coming down to 90 percent when there's no oxygen support,” he said.
The physician, wishing anonymity, said though the amount of fluid in her lungs has decreased, It's still being extracted from her lungs which is now a matter of concern.
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup.
She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath on Monday last.
On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there.
Also read:Khaleda’s fitness to go abroad to be assessed once permission given: Doctor
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 11 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
Besides, Khaleda Zia’s jail sentence was suspended as per section 114 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and now it will be examined whether granting her permission to go abroad is possible under the section of the CrPC.
On Wednesday night, Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his Dhanmondi residence and submitted an application seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment.
Also read:Law Ministry’s opinion on taking Khaleda abroad soon: Anisul
On August 27 last year, the government extended her release for six more months and it was extended again for six months on March 15 last.
On February 8, 2018, Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Central Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The High Court later doubled her jail term.
Khaleda was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Her party claims both the cases are politically motivated.
Law Ministry’s opinion on taking Khaleda abroad soon: Anisul
Law Minister Anisul Haq on Thursday said the opinion of his ministry on allowing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad will be sent to the Home Ministry soon.
“Her (Khaleda’s) application was brought to me in the evening. Our opinion will be sent to the Home Ministry soon,” he said while talking to reporters from his official residence.
Earlier, Khaleda Zia’s jail sentence was suspended as per section 114 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and now it will be examined whether granting her permission to go abroad is possible under the section of the CrPC.
On Wednesday night, Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his Dhanmondi residence and submitted an application seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment.
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup.
Also read: Allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment: Fakhrul
She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with the shortness of breath around 4pm on Monday. Her breathing problem later eased.
Ailing Khaleda’s family seeks permission to send her abroad
The family of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital, filed an application to Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday night seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment.
Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander met the minister at his Dhanmondi residence around 8:30pm and submitted the application to him, Sharif Mahmud, public relations officer of the Home Ministry, told UNB.
Quoting the minister, he said the application will be sent to the Law Ministry for assessing the legal aspects.
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup.
She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with breath complications around 4pm on Monday. Her breathing problem later eased.
Also read: No change in Khaleda’s health condition: Doctor
On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there.
A personal physician of the BNP chief, wishing anonymity, said Khaleda’s condition did not improve much though she has been kept at the CCU.
He said fluids were removed from her lungs while her oxygen saturation level has been fluctuating without oxygen support.
The doctor also said the BNP chief’s blood sugar is also not under control.
Under the circumstances, he said, the 10-member medical board recommended sending Khaleda aboard for advanced treatment after assessing her all reports of the medical tests on Wednesday evening.
Also read: Khaleda shifted to CCU with breathing problem: Doctor
Later, her family members decided to send an application to the Home Minister for sending her aboard.
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir went to the Evercare Hospital in the evening and enquired about Khaleda’s health condition from her doctors.
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
She was released from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) the same day, and she has been staying at her Gulshan house since then.
Also read: Khaleda Zia infected with Covid-19
On August 27 last year, the government extended her release for six more months and it was extended again for six months on March 15 last.
On February 8, 2018, Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Central Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The High Court later doubled her jail term.
Khaleda was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Her party claims both the cases are politically motivated.
7 SPs promoted to Additional DIG
Seven senior police officers in the rank of Superintendent of Police (SPs) have been given promotion to the position of Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) on Sunday.
Public Security Division under the Home Ministry has already issued a notification signed by bits deputy Secretary (Police-Section-1) Dhononjoy Kumar Das on Sunday.
According to the Notification, the newly promoted officials are—SP of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Md Syful Islam, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Sayed Nurul Islam, DC of the DMP Md Anisur Rahman, DC of the DMP Biplob Bojoy Talukder, DC of the DMP Md Harun ur Rashid, SP of the Special Branch (SB) Md Moniruzzaman and AIG of the Police Headquarters Shiekh Rafiqul Islam.
Meanwhile, the Public Security Division of the Home ministry also promoted 105 police officers in the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) to the position of Additional SP.
A notification, signed by the DS (Police Section-1) Dhononjoy Kumar Das was also issued on the same day.
BGB troops deployed across country
Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed at different parts of the country, including the capital, for assisting the civil administration.
Lieutenant Colonel Faizur Rahman, director (operation) of BGB, said BGB troops were deployed on Saturday as per an order of the Home Ministry to assist the civil administration.
Earlier, on Friday, a clash involving Hefazat supporters and police left four people dead and at least 15 others injured at Hathazari in Chattogram on Friday.
Also Read: No shortage of drugs, gold and guns in BGB's February haul; over 200 arrested
The clash took place when police opened fire after a group of protestors attacked Hathazari thana compound and land office, and set fire to a vehicle.
Meanwhile, in Dhaka, at least 50 people, including several journalists, were injured in a clash between Muslim devotees and police in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area on Friday afternoon.
The clashes broke out when police barred people from bringing out a procession after Jum’a prayers protesting the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Khaleda’s sentences could be suspended for another 6 months: Law Ministry
The Ministry of Law has recommended the extension of stay on the sentences of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for another six months in two graft cases.
Protest against DSA: Police bar students from marching towards Home Ministry
Police on Monday foiled the bid of leaders and activists of some left-leaning student bodies to lay a siege the Home Ministry to press home their various demands, including abolition of the Digital Security Act.