India
Indian authorities arrest 3 railway officials over the train crash that killed more than 290 people
India’s federal crime agency said Friday (July 07, 2023) it has arrested three railway officials in connection with one of the country’s deadliest train accidents, which killed more than 290 people last month.
The arrested men have been charged with culpable homicide without murder and destruction of evidence, the Central Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. It identified them as two signal engineers and one technician, and said the investigation is ongoing.
Error in signaling system led to train crash that killed 275 people in India, official says
June’s train crash in eastern Odisha state occurred when a packed passenger train was mistakenly diverted onto an adjacent loop line where it rammed into a stationary freight train loaded with iron ore. The collision derailed the passenger train’s coaches onto another track where they struck a passing train that was running in the opposite direction.
The two passenger trains were carrying more than 2,290 people when the collision took place. Nearly 1,000 people were injured.
India’s deadly train crash renews questions over safety as government pushes railway upgrade
After the accident, India’s Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the cause of the crash was related to the signaling system.
India, a country of 1.42 billion people, has one of the world’s most extensive and complicated railways built during the British colonial era: more than 40,000 miles (64,000 kilometers) of tracks, 14,000 passenger trains and 8,000 stations. Spread across the country from the Himalayas in the north to the beaches in the south, it is also a system that is weakened by decades of mismanagement and neglect.
Despite efforts to improve safety, several hundred accidents happen every year, and most such crashes are blamed on human error or outdated signaling equipment.
Indian officials end rescue work for 2 wrecked passenger trains that killed over 300 people
The June crash was India’s deadliest since 1995, when two trains collided near New Delhi, killing 358 people. In 2016, a passenger train slid off the tracks between the cities of Indore and Patna, killing 146 people.
‘Eagerly wait to pack suitcase and travel to this country’: Anupam Roy, Taalpatar Shepai performing in Dhaka today
Popular Indian Bengali singer Anupam Roy and the Taalpatar Shepai band have said that they always love to perform for their Bangladeshi fans, acknowledging the love of their admirers in the country."Whenever my management informs me that I am going to perform in any event here in Bangladesh, it always feels great. I eagerly wait to pack my suitcase and travel to this country. I love to perform here; I love the food," Roy said at a press conference in a Dhaka hotel on Wednesday (July 05, 2023).
Echoing the same, Pritam Das from the popular duo Taalpatar Shepai said they are overwhelmed with the love of their Bangladeshi fans and admirers."We have only performed once in Bangladesh till date; however, we are really excited to come here again as we have been greatly admired by our loving fans in this country. Hopefully we can enthrall them again tomorrow (today)," said Pritam.
Also read: Bangladesh Deputy High Commission Kolkata releases Mujib Year songThe event Pritam referred to is the "Magical Night" concert scheduled to take place at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) hall-4 on Thursday (July 06, 2023).
The event will also feature popular singers-musicians from Bangladesh and West Bengal including Arnob, Meghdol, and Hatirpool Sessions.Organized by Triple Time Communications with an aim to initiate a cultural exchange between the artists of West Bengal, India and Bangladesh, the concert is promising to deliver a majestic, melodic fusion of Bangla songs with this ensemble cast of dynamic artists.
A press conference was organized on Wednesday which was attended by Anupam Roy with the dynamic duo of Pritam Das and Suman Ghosh of Taalpatar Shepai along with the organizers.
Also read: Sandhya Mukhapadya's melodious legacy will live foreverRoy, while answering a question from this correspondent, said, he was grateful to many Bangladeshi artists and moved by the enthralling performances featured in the two seasons of Coke Studio Bangla."Whenever I come here to perform, I have always received tremendous support from many respected Bangladeshi artists. The late-great Ayub Bachchu is one of them; he always admired me from the beginning," said Roy."I remember when I was young like Pritam and Suman, Bachchu bhai and many other legendary musicians — who are also immensely popular in our West Bengal — showered me with love and tremendous guidance. I am so grateful, and I always feel blessed that I got love from both the Bengals," said Roy.When asked which songs he was going to perform at the concert, Roy said: "As musicians and artists we have so many songs but no matter where we go, crowds always demand for some of the most popular tracks. I will definitely try to deliver some of them tomorrow (today)."
Also read: Half of my listeners Bangladeshi, says evergreen Anjan Dutt
Pritam Das said the same applies for them as well, adding that no matter where they perform — be it West Bengal or in Bangladesh — they always try to deliver the same enthralling performances which made them dearest to their ardent listeners.Anupam Roy, massively popular among Bangladeshi fans for his popular tracks "Amake Amar Moto Thakte Dao," "Bawshonto Eshe Gechhe, "Boba Tunnel' and more, performed for a couple of times in Bangladesh.
Taalpatar Shepai performed for the first time in the concert titled "Let's Vibe with Taalpatar Shepai" back in June this year.The duo gained immense popularity for their melodious, soft rock tracks such as "Ami Shudhu Khujecchi Amay," "Hridoya," "Moddhorate" and a handful of soothing covers of popular Bengali songs.
Read more: 10 Netflix English Originals releasing in August 2023The "Magical Night" concert will welcome the music lovers at ICCB hall-4 today from 5 pm onwards.
US says it would let India speak for its bilateral relations with Bangladesh
National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, has said the US would let the Indian government speak for its bilateral relations with Bangladesh.
“I think we’d let the Indian Government speak for its bilateral relations with Bangladesh… We have already made clear our desire to free and fair elections in Bangladesh,” Kirby said while responding to a question at a briefing on the upcoming state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Diplomatic sources say regional and the global situation will come up for discussion during the Indian Prime Minister’s meeting with US President Joe Biden.
Read: Biden hosting Modi as US sees India as a pivotal force in Asia for decades to come
At the media briefing, Kirby said it is “commonplace and consistent” for President Biden to raise concerns over human rights wherever he goes and whatever leaders he is speaking to.
“Human rights are a foundational element of this administration’s foreign policy, and you can certainly expect that the President will – as he always does and as you can do with friends and partners like Prime Minister Modi in India – raise our concerns about that,” he said.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an official state visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner on June 22, according to the White House.
Read: Success in achieving ‘Sonar Bangla’ and ‘Global Britain’ depend on how Bangladesh and UK choose to cooperate: Shahriar Alam
The visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together, said the US government.
The visit will strengthen the two countries’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific and shared resolve to elevate strategic technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy, and space, White House said.
Read: Momen urges US to import more medicines from Bangladesh
The leaders will discuss ways to further expand educational exchanges and people-to-people ties between India and the US, as well as their work together to confront common challenges from climate change, to workforce development and health security.
Indian Naval ship INS Kiltan arrives at Chattogram
Indian Naval Ship, INS Kiltan arrived at Chattogram on Monday on a three-day goodwill visit as part of the ongoing close cooperation between the Navies of Bangladesh and India.
The ship was given a warm welcome by the Bangladesh Navy.
Naval cooperation between Bangladesh and India is an important pillar of the bilateral defence cooperation, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Also Read: Chandpur to get 300-ft modern naval port in World Bank-backed project
Regular exchange of ship visits has played an important role in strengthening mutual trust and understanding between the two Navies, it said.
INS Kiltan is the third ship of P 28 class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) corvettes, indigenously built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
Also Read: Chinese navy ship pays port call to Philippines in goodwill tour of region
Nur defends war criminals, says govt hanged some ‘innocent’ Jamaat leaders on India’s prescription
Nurul Haque Nur, member secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, has said that the Awami League government executed some “innocent” leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami on “India’s prescription”.
“Jamaat is not legally banned. But it is the Awami League that has executed some innocent leaders of Jamaat, in the name of war crimes trial, prescribed by India,” Nur said.
Also read: Nur defends top aide Tarek’s “offensive remarks” on Hindu religious scripture
Speaking at a Gono Odhikar Parishad rally in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday, he said, “Jamaat has held a rally in Dhaka for the first time in 10 years. Three ministers of Awami League said it was a political decision by the government.”
“I believe Jamaat’s ideology and its politics will not allow it to do anything that benefits the Awami League. But there is no last word when it comes to politics. We do not know Jamaat’s current position. But it is clear from their statements that they will be on the streets,” Nur said.
Also read: Jamaat holds first rally after a decade, demands polls under caretaker govt
"We need everyone’s support to overthrow this government. So, we are with BNP, Jamaat, Jatiya Party, Charmonai …whoever will be on the streets. We are not in favour of keeping this government in power even for a single week,” he added.
Referring to the recent Barishal city corporation election, Nur said, “You have seen a candidate being beaten up and left in a bloodied state. He is a veteran figure, a respected figure among Muslim scholars. We condemn this attack on him.”
Also read: Awami League's policy unchanged despite allowing Jamaat rally: Home Minister
India, Pakistani coasts on high alert a day before Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to make landfall
The coastal regions of India and Pakistan were on high alert Wednesday with tens of thousands being evacuated a day before Cyclone Biparjoy was expected to make landfall.
The India Meteorological Department said the cyclone was now packing maximum sustained winds of up to 145 kilometers per hour (90 mph). It is projected to make landfall near Jakhau port in the Kutch district of India's Gujarat state on Thursday.
Residents living within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of the coast in Gujarat were evacuated, and those living within 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) may also have to move out, officials have said.
Also Read: India, Pakistan deploy rescuers and plan evacuations ahead of severe cyclone
Four people have been killed so far in incidents related to the cyclone, including three boys who drowned off Mumbai's coast and a woman who was killed due to an accident caused by strong winds in Gujarat. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing to find one more person who drowned in the seas off Mumbai.
Experts say climate change is leading to an increase in cyclones in the Arabian Sea region, making preparations for natural disasters all the more urgent.
At a relief camp for displaced people in the Pakistani village of Gharo in Sindh province, wage laborer Allah Noor, 59, said soldiers came and evacuated them amid a strong windstorm.
Also Read: India, Pakistan brace for severe cyclone, deploy rescuers to coastal regions
In Kutch, where the cyclone was expected to hit land, 57-year-old boat owner and businessman Adam Karim Dhobi said this was the worst storm he'd seen since 1998.
"We have parked our boats in safe places," Dhobi said. "We are praying to God that this cyclone doesn't cause too much damage here."
The Press Trust of India news agency said nearly 40,000 people have been evacuated to relief camps in Gujarat.
Nikhil Mudholkar from the National Disaster Response Force who was overseeing relief operations in Devbhoomi Dwarka district along Gujarat's coast, said they were fully prepared and were now in waiting mode.
Also Read: Heavy rains in northwest Pakistan leave 25 dead, 145 injured
"We have deployed 23 teams and have moved everyone living near the coast to safer grounds," Mudholkar added. "Windspeeds have picked up now and rains have started too."
In Pakistan, despite strong winds and rain, authorities said all people from vulnerable areas have been moved to safer places in the southern districts, including Thatta, Keti Bandar, Sajawal and Badin — regions that only last summer were affected by the devastating floods that displaced thousands.
For many there, it ws a second displacement in less than a year. People packed up as many of their belongings they could into their cars and left — either on their own or under troop escort — heading to relief camps set up inside government buildings and schools.
At the Gharo relief camp, 80-year-old Bayan Bibi said there was no medicine for the sick available at the camp.
On Tuesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif ordered the evacuations from risk areas and asked local authorities to arrange food, shelter and medical facilities for the displaced.
Pakistan's Climate Minister Sherry Rehman urged people not to panic but work with the authorities, promising they would be taken to safer places.
The cyclone has "extensive damaging potential" and is likely to impact Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts the most, India's IMD has said.
Fishing activities have been suspended in both countries until June 16. All ports in the region including the major ports of Kandla and Mundra have been shut. Dozens of trains and flights that were scheduled to ply in this region have been diverted or canceled.
Also Tuesday, India's home minister Amit Shah held an emergency meeting with senior officials to review preparedness and announced a budget of $972 million for disaster management.
A recent study shows that the Arabian Sea has warmed up by almost 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit) since March this year, making conditions favorable for severe cyclones, he said.
"The oceans have become warmer already on account of climate change," Raghu Murtugudde, an Earth system scientist at the University of Maryland said.
Another study, in 2021, found that the frequency, duration and intensity of cyclones in the Arabian Sea had increased significantly between 1982 and 2019, he said.
Cyclone Tauktae in 2021 was the last severe cyclone that made landfall in the same region. It claimed 174 lives, a relatively low figure thanks to extensive preparations ahead of the cyclone.
In 1998, a cyclone that hit Gujarat state claimed more than 1,000 lives and caused excessive damage. A cyclone that hit Sindh province and the city of Karachi in 1965 killed more than 10,000 people.
At least 9 killed in ethnic clashes in India's northeast, where 100 have died in month of violence
Rival ethnic groups fired at each other in fresh violence in India's remote northeast that left at least nine people dead and some injured, officials said Wednesday.
Security forces rushed to Khamenlok village in Manipur state's Kangpokpi district after clashes broke out Tuesday night between the Kuki and Meitei communities, said L. Sushindro, a state government minister.
Also Read: India, Pakistan deploy rescuers and plan evacuations ahead of severe cyclone
Police found nine bodies early Wednesday, a police officer said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to reporters.
Three people have been reported missing, the officer said.
At least 100 people have been killed in severe ethnic clashes in Manipur state since May 3, and thousands of homes have been burned and shops and businesses vandalized.
Also Read: India, Pakistan brace for severe cyclone, deploy rescuers to coastal regions
Authorities have moved nearly 40,000 people from troubled areas to safer places.
India's Home Minister Amit Shah visited the state early this month and met community leaders to restore peace.
The violence started last month after protests by more than 50,000 Kukis and members of other predominantly Christian tribal communities in Churachandpur and adjoining districts in Manipur state.
Also Read: FM visiting India to attend G20 development ministers' meeting
They oppose the majority Meitei Hindu community's demand for a special status that would give them benefits including the right to farm on forest land, cheap bank loans, and health and educational facilities, as well as a specified quota of government jobs.
Minority hill community leaders say the Meitei community is comparatively well-off and that granting them more privileges would be unfair.
The Meiteis say employment quotas and other benefits for tribespeople would be protected.
Two-thirds of the state's 2.5 million people live in a valley that comprises roughly 10% of the state's total area. The Meiteis are Hindus while rival groups, including the Kuki and other tribes, are mostly Christian and mainly live in the surrounding hill districts. Ethnic Muslims constitute about 8% of the state population.
FM visiting India to attend G20 development ministers' meeting
Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen is visiting India at the invitation of his Indian counterpart, Dr S Jaishankar.
He will attend the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting under the G20 Indian Presidency which will end on June 13 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Dr Momen is expected to make interventions in different sessions of DMM on June 12, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Union Minister of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar will chair the meeting.
Read: Bangladesh, UN to work closely to achieve SDGs
The Varanasi Development Ministers’ Meeting takes place amidst mounting developmental challenges that have been further aggravated by economic slowdown, debt distress, impacts of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, growing poverty and inequality, food and energy insecurity, cost-of-living crisis, global supply-chain disruptions, and geo-political conflicts and tensions.
The G20 Development Ministerial meeting will be an opportunity to collectively agree on actions for accelerating achievement of the SDGs and foster synergies between the development, environment and climate agendas while avoiding costly trade-offs that hold back progress for the developing countries, according to MEA.
The meeting follows the Voice of the Global South Summit that was hosted by India in January 2023, and the decisions taken at the Varanasi meeting will also contribute to the United Nations SDG Summit which will take place in September in New York.
Read: Awami League's policy unchanged despite allowing Jamaat rally: Home Minister
The meeting will consist of two main sessions, one on "Multilateralism: Collective Actions for Accelerating Progress towards SDGs” and another on "Green Development: A LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) Approach”.
The Development Ministers’ Meeting was preceded by the fourth and final Development Working Group (DWG) Meeting, which was held in Delhi from June 6-9.
The DWG, while building on the crucial work done by previous G20 presidencies, has carried forward its mandate of enhancing G20's contribution to accelerating progress towards SDGs and strengthening G20 long-term vision in this regard including by strengthening G20 efforts towards fostering sustainable, inclusive and resilient economic growth.
Cultural programmes, exhibitions and excursions have also been organized to provide the delegates a glimpse into the rich culture and traditions of Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world.
Read more: With G20 event, India seeks to project normalcy in disputed Kashmir
A total of 200 delegates are expected to attend the meeting.
Transmission from Adani’s Gadda power plant to national grid resumes
Transmission from Adani’s Gadda Power Plant, in the Indian state of Jharkhand, to Bangladesh's national grid resumed at 3:43 am (early hour) on Thursday (June 8, 2023).
According to official sources, the transmission line from Godda power plant tripped at 2:46 pm on Wednesday (June 7, 2023), worsening the already severe load shedding situation across the country.
According to officials of the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), the operation of the Godda power plant was first resumed at 11 pm on Wednesday night through sending auxiliary power from Bangladesh, and then after a series of technical checks in the system, power transmission to Bangladesh's national grid resumed.
Read more: Adani's Godda plant commissioned with issues over coal tariff unresolved
“Power supply from Adani's (Godda) plant became normal at 3:43 am on Thursday,” Badruddoza Sumon, spokesman of PGCB, told UNB.
India's Adani Group set up the 1,600 MW capacity coal-fired power plant at Godda to exclusively supply electricity to Bangladesh. Its 800 MW unit started commercial operation in March while the second unit is now on test run -- generating 50-100 MW every day.
Read more: Adani Power starts commercial electricity supply to Bangladesh keeping tariff issue unsettled
Meanwhile, officials of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) said that excessive load shedding across the country continues with lower power supply.
The official data from National Load Dispatch Centre shows that the country experienced a load shedding of 2961 MW at 1 am, 2976 MW at 2 am, 2939 MW at 3 am, 2819 MW at 4 pm, 2606 MW at 5 am, and 2463 MW at 6 am when power supply was between 11,700 MW and 11,300 MW against demand between 14,800 MW and 13,900 MW.
Read more: Test transmission of power supply from Adani plant to Bangladesh's national grid starts
BPDB officials said there is a projection that the country’s highest demand will be 15,200 while the highest generation will be 12,200, leaving a shortage of nearly 3000 MW.
It is a widespread allegation that people in rural areas have to experience much more frequent power cuts than in urban areas, especially in the capital Dhaka and other major cities. People living in some rural areas say they experience load shedding for over 12 hours a day.
Read more: The Tk 700 crore per month hole in the deal with Adani Power
Indian onions start arriving through land ports as import resumes
Onions from India have started arriving in Bangladesh through land ports on the border as the government announced resumption of onion import after over two months of restriction.
The agriculture ministry took the decision to allow importing onions on Sunday (June 4, 2023) considering the unusual price hike.
Two trucks loaded with 40 metric tonnes of Indian onions entered through Hili land port in Dinajpur at 5:45 pm today (June 6, 2023).
Read more: Govt to allow onion import from Monday: Agriculture Ministry
Shahidul Islam, an importer, said, “There has been a shortage of imported onions in the country since mid-March. As a result, the price of local onions skyrocketed in both retail and wholesale markets after Eid-ul-Fitr.”
“In this situation, importers have been demanding that the government allow them to import onions from India, to keep the price stable. Keeping the traders and consumers in mind, the Ministry of Agriculture has given permission to import onions from India on Sunday,” he said.
Although the imported onions are yet to reach the market, prices have already started to go down as the news broke.
Read more: Proper preservation of onions to end instability, crisis: Agriculture Minister
Moinul Haque, a retail trader at Hili Bazar, said onions were being sold at Tk 80 per kg this evening – Tk 5 less compared to this morning.
“We may see a fall in onion prices in the coming days,” he said.
Meanwhile, 57 onion-carrying trucks from India have entered the country through Sonamasjid land port in Chapainawabganj.
Prabhat Kumar Singh, assistant commissioner of customs at Sonamasjid land port, said the trucks carrying 1,097 metric tonnes of onions have entered Bangladesh.
Read more: Govt aiming to become self-sufficient in onions: Agriculture Minister
“Trucks are allowed to enter the port only after receiving IP approved documents,” he said.
The government stopped importing onions from India from March 16 this year to ensure fair prices for onions produced by local farmers.