The body of AMA Muhith, former Finance Minister, diplomat, Freedom Fighter and language veteran, reached Sylhet around 10 pm on Saturday where people were waiting to see one of the region's proudest sons for the last time. Later, the body was taken to the city’s Hafiz Complex. His body will be taken to the central Shaheed Minar in Sylhet on Sunday (May 1) at 12 noon where people from all walks of life will pay last respects to Muhith, one of the giants of Bangladesh's political arena whose role stretches through the entire history of independent Bangladesh. His last namaz-e-janaza will be held at 2 pm at Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa ground. After Janaza, he will be buried next to his parents at his family graveyard at Rayanagar in the city. AMA Muhith, one of the country's longest-serving finance ministers, the only one who commanded the economy for 10 consecutive years, and the principal architect of the Awami League's era of development, breathed his last in the wee hours of Saturday. Muhith’s first namaz-e-janaza was held around 10.45 am at Gulshan Azad Mosque in the city on Saturday. Later, his body was taken to Central Shaheed Minar where people from all walks of life paid homage. The second namaz-e-janaza of the Awami League advisory council member was held at Dhaka University central mosque after Zohr prayers on Saturday. Muhith had been keeping unwell for quite some time. In July 2021, he tested positive for Covid-19, but fought that back. Then in March, he was hospitalised again as he became enfeebled in his old age. Also read: Muhith: His footprints traverse the journey of Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who entrusted him with authoring the Awami League's manifesto as the party charted its comeback ahead of the 2008 election, expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Muhith. 

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has deeply mourned the death of former Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith. "May his departed soul rest in peace. Our deepest condolences to the bereaved family," CPD said in a message. Under his leadership as the Finance Minister, CPD said, the economy achieved a number of milestones. "The size of the economy and national budget has also increased during his tenure as the Finance Minister." Read: Architect of AL’s development era Muhith to be laid to rest in Sylhet Sunday A diplomat, freedom fighter, language movement veteran, writer, and a historian, Muhith began his career in 1956 as a civil servant. Muhith authored around 30 books on different subjects, including liberation war, economic development, history, and public administration. For his contribution to the liberation war, Muhith was conferred with Swadhinata Puroskar in 2016. He also actively involved himself in the environment movement and was the founder president of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) established in 2000. Muhith served as the Finance Minister three times since Bangladesh’s independence and placed the national budget for the highest number of times in the history of the country.

Dhaka dwellers at least once a year anticipate all the hassle of  Eid journey through trains to reach their beloved roots, family in different parts across the country . Trains in Bangladesh with all its criticisms are still considered a more convenient transportation system for taking long journeys. After lockdown-enforced muted celebrations for the last two years people this year are more excited and inclined to celebrate the Eid with their beloved families. Read: Commuters suffer in city as local buses carrying holidaymakers Every year the railway authorities prepare especially in advance to handle the extra pressure of homebound people and make their Eid journey safe and smooth. With a few days left before Eid-ul-Fitr, city dwellers were seen hustling with their baggage filled with gifts for families to get their desired train at an abuzz Kamalapur railway station. The UNB photographer caught a glimpse of homebound people happily making all inconveniences seem very minute at Kamalapur railway station as they leave the city for home.

The number of casualties due to extrajudicial killings or gunfights have increased during the month of April this year, while custodial deaths, torture and harassment have increased significantly in the same period.  Besides, incidents of being picked up in the name of law enforcement agencies and the number of deaths in jail custody have also risen, which is extremely concerning. Mass, or mob beatings also increased. It was revealed by Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (Human Rights Culture Foundation, known by the English acronym of their Bangla name, MSF) in its April Human Rights Situation Monitoring Report on Saturday. The MSF prepared the report on the basis of the news published in various national dailies. Moreover, in almost every case, it has been verified by the local human rights defenders. It should be noted here that this report has been prepared on the basis of the events that took place from 1 April to 30 April this year. Read: Women suffer more violence from jobless men staying home: Webinar A comparative analysis of the organisation's data showed that the incidence of violence against women and children, including rape, has increased. Incidents like casualties at the border have not stopped. Besides, the incidents of torture of minorities on various pretexts have been going on.  The MSF is deeply concerned and concerned about the growing number of human rights violations. According to the MSF, there were seven incidents of 'gunfights' in April. Although no casualties were reported in two incidents, one person was killed in an alleged gunfight with river police, while two others were killed in a so called gunbattle with RAB. Six people, including RAB member, were shot and injured, while 13 others were detained in the other incidents. Besides,  three people died in the custody of the law enforcement agencies. One person jumped into the river and died in a police chase. There are also allegations that some members of the police were involved in misconduct, torture and looting, vandalism and a number of other crimes which are undesirable and unacceptable, the report said. The MSF considers the issue of deaths in police custody as unexpected,  on the other hand the allegations against the police are unexpected and in no way acceptable. It is the legal responsibility of the police to ensure the safety of any person. The MSF is urging the police to take legal action against those involved by ensuring an impartial and fair investigation. Five people, including a woman, died in jail custody in April, which is less compared to previous month. Ten prisoners died in custody in March. Prisoners are being deprived of proper treatment due to inadequate treatment in prisons. When the prisoner fell ill, he or she takes to the Medical College Hospital outside the Jail. The MSF believes that in addition to improving the medical system inside prisons, it is urgent to properly investigate deaths in custody. Read: Violence against women on rise: Report One border killing occurred, three Bangladeshi nationals were taken away by the BSF and as always incidents of detainment during illegal entry happened in frontier in April. Violence against women and children, including rape, murder, and domestic violence continue unabated in April like previous months, which are alarming.  According to the data collected by the MSF, there have been 367 incidents of violence against women and children this month, of which 71 were rapes, 14 were gang rapes and two were killed after rape. Among them, 9 disabled children and adolescents have been raped. One on duty journalist was shot dead by terrorist, 12 journalists were interrupted in their duties, injured, two journalists received death threats, six journalists were harassed, one journalist was attacked when he was in professional duties. Terrorists have threatened to kill the journalist including attacking time and vandalizing the house of a journalist in Sitakunda and abusing family members.

Thirty-five thousand people will be able to join the main congregation of Eid-ul Fitr at the National Eidgah in the capital, which is set to return after two years during the pandemic when it remained suspended. Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Nur Taposh said this on Sunday after overseeing the preparation for the congregation at National Eidgah ground located at the High Court premises under the supervision of DSCC. He said, ”We have already made all the preparations so that Dhaka dwellers can join the Eid congregation at National Eidgah again after two years of pandemic. The ground has been decorated with a festive outlook.” Also read: Eid-ul-Fitr prayer: 5 jamaats to be held at Baitul Mukarram The law enforcing agencies are also working to ensure impenetrable safety at the main Eid Jamaat, he added. The main congregation of Eid-ul-Fitr will be held at 8:30am at the National Eidgah on the Eid day. However, the jamaat will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 9am in case of inclement weather. Also read: Eid-ul-Fitr: National Moon sighting committee to meet on Sunday People are also seen joining the main Eid jamaat from the Education Ministry, Fisheries Ministry buildings and Press Club premises on the Eid day.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of organising secretary of Mymensingh Awami League and agriculturist Dr Samiul Alam Liton. Hasina, also the Awami League president,  prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family. Read: PM mourns death of Jamalpur AL leader Sarwar Jahan Dr Samiul Alam Liton breathed his last this evening at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital at the age of 53. He left behind his wife, daughter, son 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 Dr Samiul Alam.

Like every year five Eid jamaats will be held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque from 7 am on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr this year Islamic Foundation, Bangladesh revealed the schedule in a press release on Saturday The first Eid jamaat will be held at 7am, followed by three more at the top of each hour till 10am. The last one will be at 10:45 am. Also read: Eid-ul-Fitr: National Moon sighting committee to meet on Sunday The National Moon Sighting Committee will meet on Sunday evening to fix the date of Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of Muslims. The Islamic Foundation issued a press release on Saturday saying the meeting will be held at the foundation's Baitul Mukarram office after Maghrib prayers for reviewing information on the sighting of Shawwal moon. Also read :Footpath vendors doing brisk business ahead of Eid  

The historic May Day will be observed in Bangladesh on Sunday as elsewhere across the world with due respect. May Day, also known as the International Workers' Solidarity Day, commemorates the historic uprising of working people in Chicago, USA at the height of a prolonged fight for an eight-hour workday in the late nineteenth century. The day is a public holiday in Bangladesh. This year, the theme for this historic day in Bangladesh is "Sramik-Malik Ekota, Unnoyoner Nischoyota '' (roughly translated reads: workers-owners unity, assurance of development). Also read: Barapukuria coal mine workers continue demo demanding arrears President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages ahead of the day.President Hamid called upon all development stakeholders to work together to ensure welfare of the country’s workers. “In order to survive in today's competitive world,  workers and employers along with the government will need to be more dedicated to maintaining a good relationship to boost production," said the president. The Prime Minister in her message said, “Our government has taken all possible measures to tackel the Covid situation including distribution of relief among the working people to stand beside them”. She urged all to build happy, rich and Sonar Bangla as dreamt Bangabandhu by working for the welfare of working people and the country's overall development. Newspapers will publish supplements while radio and television channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. Different organizations, political parties chalked out dedicated programmes to observe the day. Also read: Bangladesh bidi workers demand wage hikeOn May 1, 1886, 10 workers were killed when police opened fire on a demonstration in the US city of Chicago near Hay Market demanding an eight-hour working day instead of a 12-hour shift. On the height of agitation, the authorities had to accept the workers' demand and the eight-hour day has been introduced universally.On July 14, 1889, an international workers' rally in Paris declared May 1 as the International Workers’ Solidarity Day in recognition of the Chicago workers' sacrifice and achievement and since 1890, the day has been observed globally as the International Workers’ Solidarity Day. The day has been observed globally as the International Workers’ Solidarity Day since 1890.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Saturday forecast rain or thunder showers in different parts of the country including Dhaka in the next 24 hours commencing 9 am. “Rain/thunder showers accompanied by intense lightning flashes and temporary gusty/squally wind is likely at a few places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions,” said a Met office bulletin. Read: No gas in parts of Dhaka, Savar and southern districts for 48 hrs from 10 pm on May 3 Rain may occur at one or two places over Khulna, Barishal & Chattogram divisions with hails at isolated places, it added. Mild heat waves are sweeping over different parts of the country including Tangail, Gopalgonj, Faridpur, Madaripur, Rangamati, Rajshahi & Pabna. Day temperature may fall slightly and night temperature may remain unchanged over the country.

Sarah Momen, youngest daughter of Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, has described her uncle and former Foreign Minister late AMA Muhith as a human encyclopedia and quote directory.    Sarah Momen shared her story on Muhith on her Facebook wall sharing memories with the Freedom Fighter and language veteran who will be laid to rest at his family graveyard in Sylhet after Zohr prayers on Sunday.   Here is the full story below.  Also read: Muhith: A gifted economist who was a prolific writer! “I love you Chachu. May you Rest in Power. You were a titan among men. The reason our homeland is an economic powerhouse. A human encyclopedia and quote directory. One of the most brilliant people I knew. I was always in awe of how you could point to any of the hundreds of books in your library and recite a quote from memory. I always wished to be like you. There is a lot I could say about your legacy. I’m sure all your accomplishments as Finance Minister will flood the papers, and surely they deserve to be remembered since you’ve done things many only dream of in their lifetimes. But I want to remember you for your grace and the gentleness of your spirit. The man you were behind the cape. The way you’d always greet me with a smile and hold my hand while you spoke to me is imprinted in my mind. A lot of people say Assalam Wailaikum reflexively, but not many truly embody the essence of extending love and peace to another. I am thankful to have learned this example from you. Always so earnestly you’d ask me how I was doing, never asking anything more of me. Never pushing expectations of any kind. Just happy to share a moment with me. In some ways, I felt more seen by you than others in my family. I felt a love and bond that was pure, and unconditional. We weren’t always together or in communication, but there was always a mutual fondness. I’d come to see you in NY, and you’d see me whenever I was in BD. And always there’d be smiles, no judgment. Just hand holding and love. Also read:  Architect of AL’s development era Muhith to be laid to rest in Sylhet Sunday I will always remember your laugh and smile - looking off at Bangla classical music festivals clapping, when being asked about the accomplishments you’re most proud of, when telling a story that delighted you. Your smile lit up a room. And you forever are a light in my heart.”