Bangladesh
Indigenous woman killed, 7 hurt in Naogaon clash
An indigenous man was killed and seven other people were injured in a clash between two groups of villagers over harvesting paddy at Niamatpur in Naogaon district on Wednesday.
The deceased was identified as Budh Sardar, 60 of Bandoil Bichibari village in the upazila.
Quoting local people, Humayun Kabir, officer-in-charge of Niamatpur Police Station, said there was a longstanding enmity among Budh Sardar and his three brothers with Bangapal, son of Jagolala and Sevin, son of Sachu, over the ownership of 3.56 acres of land in the area.
Recently, Budh Sardar and his siblings cultivated paddy on the disputed land.
On Wednesday evening, when Budh Sardar and others were engaged in harvesting paddy, the supporters of Bangalal and Sevin attacked them, triggering a clash that left eight people including Budh injured.
The injured were taken to a local hospital where Budh succumbed to his injuries around 6 pm.
Three of the injured were taken to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital as their condition was stated to be critical.
On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
Police also arrested two people in this connection.
Another top Hefazat leader arrested
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Thursday arrested another top leader of Hefazat-e-Islam in connection with the vandalism carried out by the outfit's supporters across the country against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit last month.
Acting on a tip-off, a RAB team picked up Khaled Syfullah Ayubi, assistant secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam's central unit, from Singair upazila of Manikganj district in the early hours, sources told UNB.
Also Read: Another top Hefazat leader held in city
On Wednesday, three top Hefazat-e-Islam leaders were arrested from Dhaka's Mohammadpur and Kafrul areas.
They were identified as Mawlana Khurshid Alam Kasemi, nayeb-e-ameer of Khilafat Majlish and vice-president of Hefazat-e-Islam, Maulana Ataullah Amin, assistant general secretary of Hefazat's Dhaka city unit and joint secretary general of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish, and Mufti Sharafat Hossain, joint general secretary of Khilafat Majlish.
Also Read: 2 more top Hefazat leaders held
Iftekharul Islam, additional deputy commissioner (media) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, confirmed the arrests.
On Tuesday, Mawlana Qurban Ali Kasemi, vice-president of Hefazat-e-Islam and joint secretary general of Khilafat Majlish, was also arrested from Dhaka's Basabo.
On April 18, Hefazat's joint secretary general Mamunul Haq was arrested from a Mohammadpur madrasa.
Many top Hefazat leaders have been arrested recently following vandalism and arson carried out by the organisation's supporters across the country against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit last month.
Also Read: Hefazat leader Qurban Ali Kasemi arrested in Dhaka
Other arrested leaders include Hefazat's Dhaka city unit president Junaid Al-Habib, vice-president Maulana Jubair Ahmed; assistant general secretary Jalaluddin Ahmed, assistant publicity secretary Sharifullah and organising secretary Azizul Haque Islamabadi.
Lockdown: Pvt cars rise on Dhaka roads
The movement of private vehicles has increased significantly over the last few days even with the government extending the ongoing lockdown for another week to counter the rising Covid-19 cases.
People who have obtained their movement passes are allowed to commute in their vehicles while those in essential services are exempted from the restrictions, as per the directives of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
On Thursday, rickshaws, which provide last-mile connectivity to the residents, were, however, seen plying on many roads in the capital, including Mirpur Road, Banani and Mohakhali areas.
The garment workers have been allowed to join their workplaces as the government has kept the export-oriented industries open during the lockdown.
Shops and shopping malls, however, remained closed as the government has enforced a stricter lockdown to stem the spread of Covid-19 cases.
Police and RAB members were seen monitoring the movement of vehicles and people after setting up check-posts in different areas of the capital.
Asaduzzaman, a traffic Inspector, said, “The movement of private vehicles and rickshaws have increased in the last few days but we are allowing only those who movement passes to commute."
"Those in emergency services are allowed to move freely," he added.
Also read:Bangladesh put under complete lockdown amid Covid spike
A surge in coronavirus cases prompted the government to go for an eight-day complete lockdown from April 14. The cabinet division issued a notification in this regard on April 12.
Later, following the shattering situation of Covid-19 cases, the government extended the ongoing lockdown by another week from April 22 in an effort to bring the situation under control.
A circular was issued on April 20 extending the ongoing strict lockdown for another week from April 22, aiming to curb the transmission of Covid-19.
The operations of international special flights and banking activities will continue while other restrictions will remain in force till 28 April midnight.
"The lockdown will remain in force from April 22 to 28 with the same restrictions imposed in the previous week. It’ll be a tougher one,” State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said on April 19.
Also read:Fresh lockdown from Apr 22: State Minister
As coronavirus cases continued to rise alarmingly since mid-March, the government imposed an apparently loose nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain its spread. Later a stricter lockdown was declared from April 14 to 21.
Covid-19 situation
Bangladesh registered 95 more Covid-related deaths in 24 hours till Wednesday that pushed up the total number of fatalities to 10,683.
Besides, 4,280 people were found infected during the period after testing of 28,408 samples, the Directorate General of Health Services said in a handout.
On April 19, the country broke all the previous records of Covid-19 deaths registering 112 fatalities.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.
Health authorities have so far confirmed 732,060 cases. Among them, 635,183 people -- 86.77 percent of all patients -- have recovered.
Power plant clash: One more victim dies in Chattogram hospital
Another worker, who sustained bullet injuries to his abdomen during the clash at a power plant in Banshkhali upazila on April 17, died at Chittagong Medical College and Hospital on Wednesday night, raising the death toll to 6.
The deceased was identified as 23-year-old Shimul Ahmed, son of Abdul Malek of Srimangal in Moulvibazar district.
Also Read: 4 workers killed in 'police firing' in Chattogram
Zahirul Haque Bhuiya, in-charge of Chittagong Medical College and Hospital police outpost, said Shimul sustained bullet injuries to his abdomen and was undergoing treatment at the ICU of the hospital since April 17. "He succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday evening," he said.
His body has been kept at the mortuary of the hospital, said Zahirul.
Two cases have been filed against over 2,500 people in connection with April 17's clash between workers and police at the coal-based power plant of the S Alam Group in Banshkhali over payment of dues, which left five people dead and 25 others injured on that day.
Also Read: 2500 sued over Banshkhali incident
Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand presents credentials
Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Mohammed Abdul Hye has presented his letter of credence to Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn at the Ambara Villa, Dusit palace in Bangkok.
While receiving the credentials, the King welcomed the Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand.
He recalled his fond memories of visiting Bangladesh twice and mentioned the warmth and hospitable nature of the people of Bangladeshi.
The Ambassador conveyed warm regards from the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh and conveyed the invitation on behalf of the President to visit Bangladesh.
Also read: Abdul Hye new Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand
The King of Thailand appreciated the Bangladesh Ambassador as he is familiar to Thailand due to his earlier stint in the Kingdom from 2004-2007.
The King wished Abdul Hye the success in his assignment.
Following the presentation of the credentials, a reception was hosted by the King in honour of the new Ambassadors on Tuesday.
The event was broadcast at the national media of Thailand with due importance.
Panchagarh man held for killing mother
Police arrested a man from Panchagarh's Atwari Wednesday for "killing" his 70-year-old mother over a family dispute.
Jatin Chandra Baman, 32, repeatedly hit his mother Jatri Bewa with a sharp weapon over a family quarrel on April 2, Atwari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Izar Uddin said.
Also read: Housewife murdered, family destroyed by wrath of loan shark
The elderly woman died on April 20 while undergoing treatment and Jatin, son of Ramesh Chandra Baman, took to his heels after that, he added.
The next day, the accused's eldest brother, Bhabesh Chandra Barman filed a murder case against him with Atwari Police Station, the OC said. "The law enforcers arrested Jatin from his father-in-law's house in the Radhanagar union in the early hours of Wednesday and the court sent him to jail."
Also read: Man to die for killing JaPa leader in Khulna
2 more top Hefazat leaders held
Two more top Hefazat-e-Islam leaders were arrested from Dhaka's Mohammadpur on Wednesday.
Mawlana Khurshid Alam Kasemi, nayeb-e-ameer of Khilafat Majlish and vice-president of Hefazat-e-Islam, was arrested in the evening.
Maulana Ataullah Amin, assistant general secretary of Hefazat's Dhaka city unit and joint secretary general of Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish, was held in the early hours of the day.
Also read: Another top Hefazat leader held in city
Also, Mufti Sharafat Hossain, joint general secretary of Khilafat Majlish, was arrested from Kafrul on the same day at 5pm.
Iftekharul Islam, additional deputy commissioner (media) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests.
Also read: Hefazat leader Qurban Ali Kasemi arrested in Dhaka
On Tuesday, Mawlana Qurban Ali Kasemi, vice-president of Hefazat-e-Islam and joint secretary general of Khilafat Majlish, was also arrested from Dhaka's Basabo.
On April 18, Hefazat's Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haq was arrested from a Mohammadpur madrasa.
Also read: Hefazat leader Mamunul Haq finally arrested
Many top Hefazat leaders have been arrested recently following vandalism and arson carried out by the organisation's supporters across the country against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit last month.
Other arrested leaders include Hefazat's Dhaka city unit President Junaid Al-Habib, Vice-President Maulana Jubair Ahmed; Assistant General Secretary Jalaluddin Ahmed, Assistant Publicity Secretary Sharifullah and Organising Secretary Azizul Haque Islamabadi.
Action against 3 cops after businessman killed in Gaibandha
Two police officers have been suspended and another was asked to show cause in connection with the kidnapping and death of a businessman in Gaibandha.
On Tuesday evening, OC Mojibur Rahman and SI Musharraf of Gaibandha Police Station were given suspension notice from the police headquarter upon investigation report.
OC Mahfuzur Rahman of the same police station was issued a show cause notice.
Shoe trader Hasan Ali on March 5 was abducted by local money lender and district Awami League deputy office secretary Masud Rana.
On April 10, Hasan Ali was found dead in the toilet of Masud’s house.
Before his death Hasan told his relatives in a text message that Masood Rana had abducted, tortured him and took false bonds from him in the presence of the police.
On the basis of the text message, police that day arrested Masud Rana and recovered Hasan’s body.
The deceased’s wife Bithi Begum, filed a case against Masud Rana and footwear traders Rumen Haque and Khalilur Rahman Babu.
She also brought charges of negligence of duty against two police officers in the case.
Immediately after the incident, people of Gaibandha demanded justice for Hasan Ali's murder.
Leaders and activists of political parties, businesses and socio-cultural organizations continued various programs in protest of the murder.
Masud Rana was suspended from his party post.
On 11 April, SI Muhammad Touhidul Islam formed an investigation committee with ASI Rahat Gawhari as convener, ASI (Headquarters) Abul Khair and Inspector (D-1) Abdul Latif as members.
The investigation report was submitted on 20 April (Tuesday).
First coaches of metro train reach Dhaka
The first coaches of metro trains arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited and former secretary MAN Siddique, confirmed the matter in the evening.
Two out of the six coaches of the train reached the newly constructed jetty of DMTCL near the Turag River in Dhaka at around 5:00pm, he said.
The coaches will be unloaded at 8 am on Thursday.
Also read: Padma Bridge, Metro Rail opening to public within June 2022: Quader
Amid the lockdown situation the work of Bangladesh’s first metro-rail is underway following the health protocols, Siddique said.
Dhaka Metro Rail is an approved Mass Rapid Transit system under construction in the capital which is the busiest city of the country.
Once the 20.1-kilometre metro rail with 16 stations goes into operation, it is expected to transport around 60,000 passengers every hour.
Also read: Special police unit to ensure metro rail security: PM
Metro-rail route-6 project consists of 16 elevated stations each of 180m long and 20.1 km of electricity powered light rail tracks.
Construction of the project began on 26 June 2016 with an inauguration ceremony presided over by the reigning Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
PM to highlight challenges, efforts on climate front at Leaders' Summit on Climate
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will deliver her speech virtually at the "Leaders Summit on Climate" on Thursday highlighting the climate-related challenges Bangladesh faces and the efforts it is undertaking.
Prime Minister Hasina, also President of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), will address the inaugural session of the Summit titled "Raising Our Climate Ambition" with other global leaders, an official told UNB.
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will open the inaugural session of the two-day Summit at 6pm (Bangladesh Time).
This session will underscore the urgent need for the world’s major economies to strengthen their climate ambition by the time of COP 26 to keep the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach.
It will provide an opportunity for leaders to announce new steps to strengthen climate ambition.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will also join.
Also read: FM: Bangladesh’s points to be on agenda of Biden's Climate Summit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Russian President Vladimir Puti, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are among participants invited by the US President.
The second session will be on "Investing in Climate Solutions."