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The struggle for Bangladesh's secular soul
As Bangladesh prepared for the largest religious festival of the Hindu community earlier this month, communal violence spread in several parts of the country after news emerged on social media about the alleged desecration of the Quran at a Durga Puja site in Cumilla.
The recent incident and its ripple effects elsewhere have resulted in insecurity, and frustration among Hindus who make up 10 per cent of Bangladesh's population, suggesting that the road to non-communalism and pluralism is still far away for Bangladesh.
Although security was heightened across the country, Bangladesh saw spates of communal violence, which led to at least eight deaths, scores of injuries, and thousands of arrests during the puja celebration.
Money embezzlement: Hefazat central leader Chhalim Ullah sent to jail in Chattogram
A Chattogram court has sent Hefazat-e-Islam central committee’s former joint secretary general Maulana Muhammad Chhalim Ullah to jail in a case of embezzling Tk 5 crore from hundreds of customers of Ehsan Society, a financial institution.
Judge Kamrun Nahar Rumi of the Chattogram Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court on Sunday afternoon denied bail and ordered to send him to jail.
Sheikh Al Jabed, counsel for the plaintiff in the case, said Chhalim Ullah had applied for bail but the court rejected it and sent him to jail.
READ: Charges against Hefazat’s Mamunul in explosive case on Oct 10
According to court sources, Chhalim Ullah, the chief of the Ehsan Society of Nazirhat Municipality in Chattagram’s Fatikchhari, collected almost Tk 5 crore from over 1.5 thousand people in promising huge profits, claiming Ehsan Society as an Islamic Sharia-based interest-free institution.
In September 2018, customer Asaduzzaman filed a case against 11 people including Chhalim Ullah. This year on September 30, the court issued arrest warrants against the accused in this case
Chhalim Ullah and other accused became fugitives after the warrants were issued.
READ: Maulana Muhibullah is Hefazat's new Ameer
Plaintiff Asaduzzaman alleged that Chhalim Ullah despite being a madrasa teacher, owns numerous luxury residential buildings and real estate in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Fatikchhari. Besides, he has huge sums of money in various banks, he added.
Arms dealer moonlighting as bus helper caught by Rab-3
Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested an illegal arms dealer and recovered four one-shooter guns from Tejgaon industrial area of the capital on Saturday.
The alleged arms dealer was identified as Md. Qayyum Mia, 35. He was also a transport helper.
Based on specific intelligence, RAB came to know that Md. Qayyum Mia, moonlighting as a transport helper on a bus plying the Dhaka-Mymensingh route, has been involved in illegal arms trading for a long time. RAB-3 increased its intelligence surveillance and started collecting information about Md. Qayyum Mia.
Read:DMP Commissioner, Rab DG promoted to grade-1 supernumerary positions
Based on secret information, an operational team of the Rab-3 conducted a special operation in Tejgaon Industrial Area on Sunday morning and arrested Qayyum along with four one-shooter guns, said Additional SP Bina Rani Das of Rab-3 battalion headquarters.
During the preliminary interrogation, Qayyum said that he was secretly trading arms with miscreants and terrorists for the purpose of making money under the guise of a helper.
Multiple remands of Pori Moni: 2 magistrates seek unconditional apology to HC
Two Dhaka metropolitan magistrates on Sunday sought unconditional apology to the High Court for placing actress Pori Moni on police remand on multiple occasions in a narcotics case.
The two magistrates also promised to court of being more responsible while passing remand appeals in future.
The bench of justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and ASM Abdul Mobin heard the previously submitted explanations by those magistrates during a hearing today.
The two lower court magistrates seeking apologies are Debabrata Biswas and Atiqul Islam.
The court has set November 25 to pass an order regarding the matter and acquitted the investigation officer in the case Kazi Golam Mostafa from personal appearance in the court.
READ: Court fixes Nov 15 for hearing on chargesheet against Pori Moni
Lawyer Abdul Alim Mia Jewel appeared for the magistrates before the court while ZI Khan Panna appeare for Ain O Shalish Kendra and Mojibur Rahman for Pori Moni. Assistant Attorney General Mizanur Rahman stood for the state.
Pori Moni was arrested on August 4 following a raid by Rab on her Banani residence. A case was filed against her under the Narcotics Control Act the following day.
On August 5, Dhaka metropolitan magistrate Mamunur Rashid remanded Pori Moni for four days for the first time.
On August 10, Dhaka metropolitan magistrate Debabrata Biswas granted a second-time 2-day remand of the actress.
On August 19, for the third time Dhaka metropolitan magistrate Atiqul Islam granted another 1-day in remand for the actress.
Following the High Court's intervention, a Dhaka court finally granted bail to the actress on September 1 and she walked out of jail the following day.
On August 29, one Ain-o-Salish Kendra lawyer filed a petition before the High Court seeking an order on the legality of taking Pori Moni in multiple remands in the case defying an earlier order of the Supreme Court.
READ: Two magistrates get another week to explain Pori Moni’s multiple remands
On September 2, the High Court asked the two lower court judges to explain why they had accepted the police request to remand the actress for multiple times in the narcotics case.
On September 15, the High Court expressed dissatisfaction over the explanations submitted by the two judges.
MV Shah Amanat: Salvage operation suspended again
The operation to salvage sunken ferry Shah Amanat was suspended once again on the fifth day of the work on Sunday.
So far, eight covered vans, six trucks and five motorcycles were pulled out of water since the ferry careened and sank on Wednesday at Paturia terminal.
READ: 4 km long tailback of vehicles at Daulatdia ferry terminal
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) joint director and in-charge of the rescue operation Fazlur Rahman said further action will be taken as per the decision of the inter-ministerial meeting in Dhaka.
He added that the ministry will decide when the salvage operation will begin again.
However, the salvage vessels ‘Hamza’ and ‘Rustam’ have been kept on standby at the spot. Fire service divers, naval teams and Coast Guard rescue workers are also awaiting further instructions.
Meanwhile, the salvaged vehicles have been handed over to the owners. However, the owners complained that the goods in the truck were not recovered. The owners also demanded compensation.
READ: Paturia ferry accident: Salvage vessel ‘Rustom’ joins rescue operation on day 4
Earlier on Wednesday morning, the MV Shah Amanat capsized near Paturia's fifth ferry terminal while preparing to dock. It was carrying 14 goods-laden trucks and four motorcycles at the time.
On the following day, the shipping ministry and Manikganj deputy commissioner formed two separate committees to investigate the incident.
Covid-19: Bangladesh reports fall in death, rise in case number
Bangladesh logged six more Covid-linked deaths and another 211 cases of infections in 24 hours till Sunday morning.
The country reported eight deaths caused by the deadly virus and 166 cases on Saturday.
However, the daily-case positivity rate declined to 1.22 per cent from Saturday’s 1.25 per cent.
The fresh cases were detected after testing 17,226 samples, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
With the fresh numbers, the Covid-19 fatalities reached 27,868 while the caseload climbed to 1,569,539, according to the DGHS.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh registers 8 more deaths, 166 fresh cases
Among the deceased, two were men and four were women.
However, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.78 per cent.
Also, the recovery rate increased to 97.70 per cent with the recovery of 276 more patients during the period.
Mass vaccination
Bangladesh on Thursday launched the second phase of its special nationwide mass vaccination drive, aiming to vaccinate 80 lakh people with the second shot in a day.
The 9am-3pm vaccination drive was part of the special campaign that was first unveiled on September 27 to mark Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 75th birthday.
On September 28, the first phase of the special nationwide mass vaccination drive was launched.
However, that target to inoculate 80 lakh people was not met in a single day. Across eight divisions, 66,25,123 people were vaccinated, "which is a record number of jabs inoculated in Bangladesh in a single day", the DGHS said.
Besides, 80,93,236 people were vaccinated with the first dose under this campaign, which spilled over to September 29.
Bangladesh on August 7 kicked off its mass vaccination drive to inoculate some 35 lakh people in six days.
Also read: Bangladesh reports 6 more Covid deaths, 294 fresh cases
Vaccinating school students
A new campaign to vaccinate school students, aged 12-17, against Covid-19 will kick off at 12 centers in Dhaka on November 1.
Some 40,000 students will be vaccinated every day under the campaign, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque while talking to reporters after the cabinet meeting on Thursday.
No doubt govt behind communal violence: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that there is no doubt that the government incited the recent communal violence to make political gains.
“Let there be no doubt the government carried out the communal incidents through its agents. Awami League tried to make political gains with it,” he said.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion, the BNP leader also said there was surely a political motive behind the communal violence centring Durga Puja. “Those who have been illegally staying in power by force did it to perpetuate their power and win the game in the name of the next election.”
Nari O Shishu Odhikar Forum, a platform of BNP, arranged the programme on communal violence at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).
Read: Now ‘extreme anarchy’ everywhere: Fakhrul
Fakhrul said their party’s two committees formed over the communal attacks visited the violence-hit areas and carried out an investigation into the incidents. “We’ve no doubt that the government is solely responsible for the violence.”
He also said the government carried out communal incidents to shift the blame on BNP and thus divert people’s attention to a different direction from the ongoing movement on different issues.
The BNP leader said a ‘mentally imbalanced’ man was used in a planned way to keep the holy Quran at a puja mandap in Cumilla and then Muslims were provoked to indulge in violence by circulating that Islam was attacked and ruined. “Police also opened fire in Hajiganj of Chandpur. So, it’s clear that the government incited the violence.”
He said two Chhatra League leaders--Saikat Mandal and Md Robiul Islam--led the arson attacks on Hindu houses in Rangpur in the presence of police.
Fakhrul said the leaders of Awami League and its associate bodies were involved in all communal incidents under the rule of the current government. “But none was punished and brought under trial. They (AL) want to use communal incidents as their weapons to resist and suppress those who have been in a movement to restore democracy and people’s voting rights.”
He said the country has been facing political instability and violence since 2012 as the government annulled the caretaker government system to cement its power.
“We would like to clearly say that no election can be held in a fair and credible manner under Awami League. Lack of democracy is the main cause behind all the problems in Bangladesh. We must restore democracy. Or else, we won’t get rid of the crisis,” the BNP leader said.
Read:Govt out to clear election field: Fakhrul
He said the country’s majority of people now want a change in power. “But the youths should come forward first to bring that change. The political parties must play their role, but the youths will have to work as the vanguard of the political forces.”
He said those who are destroying communal harmony in Bangladesh are working very cleverly to obliterate democracy and keep a party in power permanently. “So, we must have a goal to establish a pro-people government through a credible and acceptable election.”
Stating that their party has been on a movement to restore democracy, he said they are confident about the success as the people of this country never got defeated in the past.
“We believe we’ll be able to reach our target of building a democratic society and state through our movement and struggle by uniting people. We’ll surely turn victorious,” he added.
Steps taken for smooth transition into new economic environment: Munshi
The government has taken proactive steps to prepare the country for the graduation from LDC and smooth transition into a new economic environment, said Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Sunday.
He said Bangladesh has made impressive socio-economic progress and urged all to overcome the upcoming trade-related challenges meeting the demand for skilled trade professionals.
Tipu Munshi came with the remarks while addressing an MoU signing ceremony between Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institution (BFTI) and BRAC University for Conducting Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) on International Trade in the capital.
Also read: Bangladesh needs concerted efforts to avail new GSP plus in EU: Tipu Munshi
The minister said he believes that collaboration between BFTI and BRAC University would ensure quality education and contribute to building skilled manpower in the area of international trade and business in Bangladesh.
Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh hoped that BFTI would play its role as a centre of excellence on trade and commerce.
He said the proposed BFTI’s Postgraduate diploma (PGD) will provide trade professionals with practical efficiency of international trade and business.
Also read: Economy faces challeges of revenue shortfall and defaulting bank loans: Document
Dr Md Jafar Uddin, former commerce secretary and now CEO of BFTI, Dr Vincent Chang, Vice-Chancellor, BRAC University, Tamara Hasan Abed, Chairperson, Board of Trustees of the university, AHM Ahsan, Vice-Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau, additional secretaries of commerce ministry Maleka Khairunnesa (Admin Wing), Md Hafizur Rahman, (Export Wing), Md Hafizur Rahman (WTO Cell), Md Monsur Alam, (Administration Wing), Bablu Kumar Saha, Director General of Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection, Sheikh Shoebul Alam, Registrar of Office of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms and Brigadier General Md Ariful Hassan, Chairman, TCB, among others, joined the event.
Dengue: 146 more hospitalised in 24 hours
Bangladesh reported hospitalisation of 146 new patients with dengue fever in 24 hours till Sunday morning.
With no fresh death reported, the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease this year remained at 91, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read: Dengue claims 2 more lives, 152 more hospitalized
Of them 84 people died in Dhaka division alone, two each in Chattogram and Khulna divisions and one each in Rajshahi, Barishal and Mymensingh divisions.
Among the new patients, 104 were undergoing treatment at hospitals in Dhaka while the remaining 42 cases were reported from outside the division.
Some 762 patients diagnosed with dengue are receiving treatment in the country as of Sunday.
Of them, 611 patients are receiving treatment at different hospitals in the capital while the remaining 151 were listed outside Dhaka.
Read: Dengue: 1 more dies, 184 patients hospitalized
Since January, some 23,655 patients have been admitted to different hospitals with dengue in the country. So far, 22,802 dengue patients have left hospitals after recovery, said DGHS.
In September, the country recorded the highest number of 7,841 dengue cases of the current year with 22 deaths.
Woman beaten to death in city over land dispute
A 50-year-old woman was beaten to death and a man was injured over a land dispute in Boro Berait area of North Badda on Sunday, her family said.
The deceased was identified as Rubina Begum, wife of Sharif Hossain of the city's North Badda.
Read: Man beaten to death in Laxmipur
Rubina’s son said Sahibul, his two sons Badshah and Faisal along with few others beat Rubina Begum with a rod when she resisted them from occupying her land in Boro Berait area, leaving her seriously injured.
Later, she was rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in a critical condition where the doctor declared her dead on arrival.
Md. Bachchu Mia, police inspector of DMCH police camp said the body has been kept in the DMCH morgue for an autopsy.