Law-&-Order
BGB, BSF agree to cut border killings
Bangladeshi and Indian border guards will patrol vulnerable border points jointly while they will take additional precautionary measures to lower the number of casualties, officials said Thursday.
In a meeting, they also decided to reduce the number of injuries and stop assaulting unarmed citizens.
The decision was taken during a four-day regional border conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) that ended in Kolkata on Wednesday.
The frontier conference between the BGB Regional Commanders (Rangpur and Jessore Region) and Frontier Inspector Generals (South Bengal, North Bengal and Guwahati Frontier) of BSF began on November 13.
Read more: BGB-BSF DG-level border conference begins in Dhaka
Commander of BGB’s North-West region, Rangpur, Brigadier General A B M Nowroj Ehsan had led an 11-member Bangladesh delegation, while BSF South Bengal Frontier Inspector General Dr. Atul Fulzele had led a 12-member Indian delegation in the conference.
During the conference, BSF South Bengal Frontier Inspector General Dr. Atul Fulzele referred to the existing cordial relationship between the two border guarding forces and emphasised on the joint efforts of both forces to implement an effective 'Integrated Border Management Plan (CBMP)'.
Brig Gen Ehsan highlighted the importance of following the Joint India-Bangladesh Guidelines-1975 and effectively implementing the CBMP to resolve the border issues and also cited the role of both the border guarding forces in maintaining peace and order along the border.
Read more: BGB-BSF border conference underway in Jashore
During the conference, both sides agreed that increased joint patrolling by BGB and BSF will prevent smuggling along the border.
They also decided to exchange information between the two forces immediately to take effective action against those involved and apprehended in order to eliminate various types of cross-border crimes, especially smugglings of yaba, phensidyl, various types of drugs, narcotic tablets, gold, arms and cattle.
Home minister in New Delhi to join international conference on terror financing
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan arrived in India's New Delhi Thursday to attend an international ministerial conference on how to deal with terror financing, including legitimate and illegitimate funding routes.
The third ministerial "No Money for Terror" conference, organised by the Indian government in New Delhi on Friday and Saturday, will be attended by representatives of 76 countries to discuss terrorist financing and related issues.
Home ministers of about 20 countries including Russia, France, Australia, Indonesia, and Singapore are expected to participate in the event.
Asaduzzaman is leading a three-member Bangladesh delegation. Other members of the delegation are Public Security Division Joint Secretary Abu Hena Mustafa Zaman and its Senior Information Officer Md Sharif Mahmud Apu.
Read more: “No single nation can address evolving tech-based crimes on its own”
The ministerial conference aims to progress the discussions on combating terrorist financing held by the international community in the previous two Conferences in Paris (2018) and Melbourne (2019).
"It also intends to include discussions on technical, legal, regulatory and cooperation aspects of all facets of terrorism financing. It attempts to also set the pace for other high-level official and political deliberations, focused on countering terrorist financing," the Indian home ministry said.
"Discussions at the conference will focus on global trends in terrorism and terrorist financing, the use of formal and informal channels of funds for terrorism, emerging technologies in the context of terrorist financing and requisite international cooperation to address related challenges," it added.
Read more: IBBL holds workshop on Prevention of Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing
The topic for Bangladesh in the programme is terror financing through money transfer service schemes and hundi networks.
Asaduzzaman is scheduled to return to Dhaka on Sunday.
Japanese ambassador’s remark on police’s role in national polls “uncalled for”: Cops’ associations
Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) and Bangladesh Police Association (BPA) in separate statements on Thursday protested Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki’s comment on police’s role in the national elections.
The two associations also demanded withdrawal of the ambassador’s comment, terming it “baseless and uncalled for”.
President of BPSA, Additional IGP and Chief of Special Branch Md Monirul Islam, and its general secretary Dhaka district SP Md Asaduzzaman; President of BPA, OC of Gulshan Police Station BM Farman Ali, and its general secretary, OC of Jatrabari Police Station, Mazharul Islam signed, their respective statemenrs.
Both the statements say that the attention of BPSA and BPA has been drawn to the “baseless and unwanted” accusations raised by Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki against the police during a question and answer session regarding the 11th National Election during a "Meet the Ambassador" event in the capital on November 14.
Read more: Myanmar situation doesn't allow full-scale Rohingya repatriation now: Japan
The statements say that every member of Bangladesh Police was deeply embarrassed and shocked by his comments. Both BPSA and BPA strongly protested his statement.
In response to a question, the Japanese Ambassador had said, “I heard that (in the last election), police officers filled the ballot boxes the night before… I have not heard of such instances in any other country.”
The statements say that Bangladesh Police maintains law and order during the elections and provides security to the polling stations as per the instructions of the Election Commission. The police have no role or activity in the candidate selection process of the voters or in the voting inside the polling stations, it adds.
Read more: Japan wants "strategic" partnership with Bangladesh through practical cooperation
Both BPSA and BPA separately requested to withdraw the said part of his speech. Both associations also expected a more responsible role from the Japanese ambassador while commenting on national issues.
JP: Court clears petition on withdrawal of ban of GM Quader’s party activities
A Dhaka court on Wednesday cleared a petition filed for withdrawal of an embargo on political activities of Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader.
Dhaka Joint District Sessions Judge-1 Masdul Haque passed the order after hearing in this regard.
On Thursday, the hearing on the petition ended while the court fixed Wednesday for delivering its order.
However, the court also fixed November 30 for submitting a written reply and hearing its main lawsuit.
On October 6, several lawyers including Sheikh Sirajul Islam and Kalim Ullah Majumdar stood for GM Quader with a petition to withdraw the ban on his political activities at the court.
In the petition, the lawyers also urged the court to lift the embargo to play his role as Chairman as per constitution of the party.
Dhaka Joint District Sessions Judge court-1 issued a temporary embargo on the political activities of GM Quader after the plaintiff of the case lodged a petition on October 31.
The party-backed lawmaker Mashiur Rahman Ranga filed another case against four people including GM Quader on the same demand at the same court on October 3.
According to the case statement, the party’s founder HM Ershad died on September 14, 2019.
Quader declared himself as chairman of the party through forgery at a council on December 28, 2019 when a writ petition case was pending at the High Court.
Later, Quader as party chairman fired several leaders including Ranga, Gazipur metropolitan unit’s advisor Ataur Rahman Sarkar and Organising Secretary Sabur Sikdar, among others, by exercising his power as per constitution of the party.
Besides, Ranga was also removed from the post of presidium member of the party on September 14 and Advocate Ziaul Hoque Mridha from the party on September 17.
Read more: Jatiya Party removes Ranga as opposition chief whip
In the case, orders were sought to declare all removals from December 28, 2019 to September 17, 2022 and council as illegal while the next council of the party to keep stayed unless the HC writ petition is disposed of.
Read more: Jatiya Party doesn't subscribe to the concept of election under caretaker government: Chunnu
'Hello SB' app brings police services to people's fingertips
Police have brought "Hello SB," an app of its Special Branch (SB), to make it easier for people to get services.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun Wednesday launched the app at SB headquarters in Dhaka to bring police services to people's fingertips.
E-passport, machine readable passport, passport renewal and correction, immigration, dual citizenship, visa issuance and renewal, registration, security clearance, NGO-related information, travel and some other services can be availed through Hello SB.
Also, through this app, any unnecessary delay in passport-related work, misbehaviour and unethical proposals by any SB member and misbehaviour and harassment by immigration officers can be reported.
Read more: Increase supervision to ensure quality service: IGP tells officers
Hello SB can be downloaded from any android mobile phone's play store.
Earlier, the IGP addressed a briefing for the members of SB, the specialised intelligence unit of the police, at SB headquarters.
SB chief Additional IGP Md Monirul Islam presided over the briefing. CID Additional IGP Mohammad Ali Mia, SB DIG (Administration) Md Humayun Kabir also spoke.
Read more: Strategic plan launched to ensure greater gender equality in Bangladesh police force
The IGP said: "SB assists the government by providing advanced intelligence on any issue, including militancy, terrorism, politics, law and order, natural calamities, and celebration of religious festivals. It has an important role in maintaining the stability of the state and law and order in the country.
Another police officer sent on compulsory retirement
Another police officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) has been sent on compulsory retirement.
Public Security Division under the Home Ministry, issued a notification in this regard, signed by its senior secretary Md Aminul Islam Khan on Wednesday.
Read more: 2 Additional DIGs sent on compulsory retirement
According to the notice, Md Ali Hossain Fakir, former commanding officer of Armed Police Battalion-3, has been sent on compulsory retirement according to section 45 of Public Service Act, 2018.
The order will come into effect immediately in public interest, the notification said.
Read more: Three SPs sent on compulsory retirement
Ali Hossain was last attached to Rajshahi Range Police, it added.
Earlier, two police officers of the rank of Additional Deputy Inspector General and three SPs were sent on compulsory retirement on October 31 and October 18 respectively.
Chinese national among 6 jailed in graft case
A Dhaka court on Wednesday sentenced six people including a Chinese national to different jail terms in a case filed over embezzling Tk 2.59 crore.
Judge of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 Iqbal Hossain handed down the judgment.
Read more: HC clears way to continue graft case against BNP leader Dulu
Of them, Chairman of The Sinfa Knitters Limited Chinese national Yang Wang Chug and its director Khasru Al Rahman get 13 years imprisonment while its director Mansurul Haque and Golam Mostafa 10 years imprisonment. All of them were tried in absentia.
Besides, then senior vice-president of National Bank Dilkusha branch Abdul Wadud Khan and its executive vice president Shahabuddin were sentenced to six years jail. The court also fined them Tk 50,000 each, in default, to suffer three months more rigorous imprisonment.
On October 26, a court fixed November 16 for delivering judgment in the case.
Read more: HC cancels 2014 acquittal of accused trio in Tk 12cr Sonali Bank graft case
According to the case statement, the convicts, in collusion with each other took loan Tk 2.59 crore from National Bank after submitting a fake document of land against their business company and embezzled the whole money.
A deputy director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case with Motijheel Police Station on January 17, 2017.
On June 24, 2018, police submitted chargesheet against the six people.
4 sentenced to death in Cox’s Bazar in narcotics case
Four people, including a Rohingya man, were sentenced to death in a narcotics case filed for possessing 13 lakh Yaba pills in 2020.
The condemned convicts are—Ayaz, 34, son of Bashir Ahmed of Baluakhali Rohingya camp, Billal, 37, son of Abdul Majid of Cox’s Bazar Sadar upazila, Azimullah, 43, son of Makbul Ahmed and Abul Kalam, 37, son of Foyjul Haque of Khagrachhari district.
Read more: 58 held in anti-narcotics drive in city
Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Ismail handed down the punishment.
The court also fined them Tk 50,000 each.
According to the prosecution, a team of Rab-15 arrested arrested Ayaz and Billal from a fishing boat at Khuruschool Bridge in Cox’s Bazar district town on august 23, 2020.
The elite force also seized 13 lakh Yaba pills, Tk 10900 in cash and the boat.
A case was filed with Cox’s Bazar Sadar Police Station.
Read more: Narcotics department is to crack down on 3,500 listed drug dealers in Dhaka
Later, following the confessional statement of the arrestees, police arrested Azimullah and Abul Kalam.
On June 10, 2021, police submitted chargesheet against them.
Drug, militancy to be uprooted at any cost: Home Minister
Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday reiterated that drugs, militancy and terrorism will be uprooted from the country at any cost.
He made the remark while addressing at an anti-drug, militancy and terrorism rally held at Madrasha Babunagar Government Primary School in Satkania upazila of the district, as the chief guest on Tuesday.
“No drug is produced in our country, we don’t let anybody produce drugs and drives are on against the drugs” he said.
The prisons of the country can accommodate only 40,000 accused while the number of accused can’t be reduced from that anyhow, he said.
Read more: Truth about drug smugglers firing at DGFI officer at Tombru border will be revealed: Home Minister
“A section of people carried out attack on Masjid, Temple and Church, it was found when looked back,” he said.
“We overcame from the killing of priest of Iskan temple, Holey Artisan Bakery”, he said adding that the world got surprised asking what was happening in Bangladesh.
Minister Kamal said “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a devoted soul of Islam and she does noting which goes against Islam, she starts her works with Namaz and recitation of the holy Quran,” he said.
Read more: Need to be tougher on drugs: Home Minister
Local lawmaker Pro Dr Abu Reza Muhammad Nezamuddin Nadwi presided over the programme where local Awami League leaders and high-ups of administration among others were present at the programme.
Sylhet police asks Anjumane Hefazat-e-Islam to postpone their ijtema till after BNP’s rally
Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) on Tuesday asked Anjumane Hefazat-e-Islam, a Qawmi madrasah-based organisation, to postpone their ijtema — slated for November 17-18 - to avoid any conflict with the main opposition BNP’s Sylhet division rally, scheduled for November 19.
Sudip Das, additional deputy commissioner of the SMP, confirmed the matter to UNB on Tuesday night.
He said they asked the ijtema organisers to fix any date after November 19 as the BNP had announced their divisional mass rally earlier.
Anjuman Hefazat-e-Islam called for a two-day Ijtema marking their 77th anniversary on November 17 and 18 in the city.
Despite the police warning though, it has been learned that the little-known Islamist group is determined not to postpone their programme to be held in Paraichak of South Surma upazila.
The organisation’s leaders including its Ameer Mufti Mawlana Muhammad Rashidur Faruk Barnobhi expressed their rigid stance of holding the prescheduled programme at the Truck Terminal of the upazila.
Read more: Ahead of BNP rally, Khulna turns into a city of processions
Md Shamsuddhoa, officer-in-charge of Moghlabazar police station, said they would take a decision in this regard after holding a meeting with high-ups officials.