Barishal
Barishal Clash: Hearing on bail plea of 12 accused on Sept 2
Hearing on bail pleas of 12 Awami League men arrested in two cases filed over attacking Barisla Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s residence will be held on September 2.
Senior Metropolitan Magistrate Anisur Rahman announced the date on Sunday after receiving the bail petitions, said advocate Talukdar Md younus, lawyer of the defendants.
Earlier on August 25, nine accused were granted bail in the cases filed by the UNO and police.
Also read: Attack on UNO’s house: Nine people get bail in Barishal
On August 18, Ansar members clashed with a crowd of city corporation workers and AL, BCL activists when they stormed into the UNO’s residence at Sadar Upazila Complex in Barishal in a dispute over removing banners from Upazila Parishad premises.
Five people suffered bullet wounds during the clash. Of them two AL men lost their eye sights later.
Upazila Nirbahi officer Munibur Rahman of Barisal Sadar Upazila and Assistant sub-inspector of police Shahjalal Mallick filed two cases accusing 602 people including Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah of obstruction to government work and attempt to murder.
Also read: Barishal clash: Two cases filed against UNO Munibur Rahman
Twenty one people were arrested in this connection.
Youth found dead at Barishal rehab centre
A 25-year-old youth was found dead under mysterious circumstances at a rehabilitation centre along Nobogram Road in Barishal in the early hours of Friday.
The deceased was identified as Chandan Sakar, 25, son of Chittaranjan Sarkar of the Barapaika area in Agailjhara upazila.
Read: 4 girls attempt suicide at Social Services Dept-run rehab centre
Chandan, a drug addict, was admitted to Holy Care Drug Rehabilitation Center on August 7, according to his family members, who suspect foul play.
Sarwar, a volunteer at Holy Care, said, "I was told around 3.15am that someone had ended his life in the washroom. I rushed there only to find Chandan hanging from the grille of the window with a towel."
On information, police took the body in their custody and sent it to the morgue of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital for an autopsy.
Read:Youth found dead in Thakurgaon
Though, the rehab staff claimed that Chandan had committed suicide, the family suspect he was murdered.
One of his relatives said, "If Chandan had committed suicide, then why did the rehab staff bring the body down before the cops reached the spot."
Meanwhile, other patients at the rehab centre claimed that Sarwar, in charge of the volunteers, often beat them up. Chandan Sarkar was also thrashed around 10.30 on Thursday, they alleged.
Read:Father of Awami League leader found dead in a Barishal house, police suspect murder
Mainul Haque Tamal, manager of Holy Care, said that the body was taken away by police for post-mortem. "We will wait for the police probe."
Shahjalal Mallick, sub-inspector at Kotwali Model Police Station, said the body had bruises. "We will investigate the death," he said.
Attack on UNO’s house: Nine people get bail in Barishal
A Barishal court on Wednesday granted bail to nine accused in two cases filed over the attack on the residence of Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Munibur Rahman on August 18.
Barishal Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Masum Billah passed the order, said Advocate Rafiqul Islam Jhantu, a counsel of the accused.
Earlier, Advocate Rafiqul Islam Jhantu filed a petition seeking bail for 13 accused in the cases.
Those who secured bail are— Iktier Uddin, Salam Manu, Alo Gazi, Momin Uddin Kalu, Kabir Talukdar, Humayun Kabir Hawladar, Ilias Jamir Uddin and Nasir Uddin.
READ: Barishal incident exhibits AL’s criminalisation: BNP
On August 22, a court rejected bail plea of 21 Awami League men arrested in connection with the cases filed over the attack .
A clash broke out between the supporters of the AL, BCL and members and Ansar when the former tried to attack the residence of the UNO at Sadar Upazila Complex in Barishal on August 18.
Five people suffered bullet wounds during the clash. Of them two AL men lost their eyesights later.
Earlier two separate cases were filed in this connection.
READ: Barishal clash: Two cases filed against UNO Munibur Rahman
Upazila Nirbahi officer Munibur Rahman of Barisal Sadar Upazila and Assistant sub-inspector of police Shahjalal Mallick were the plaintiffs in these cases accusing the mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah and his men of obstruction of government work and attempt to murder.
So far 22 people have been arrested in this connection.
Barishal incident exhibits AL’s criminalisation: BNP
BNP on Tuesday said the recent attack on the residence of Barishal Sadar Upazila (UNO) has exposed the trivial part of Awami League’s criminalisation across the country.
“The people, no matter which profession they belong to, aren’t safe during this Awami League rule. The Barisal incident is just a small example of Awami League’s criminalisation in the entire country,” said party organising secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also said the last general election was held the night before the voting date on December 30, 2018 with the administration loyal to Awami League. “But now they’re in conflict with each other.”
The BNP leader urged the administration to work neutrally and bring the offenders who belong to Awami League to justice.
Read: Barishal violence: 2 ruling party activists lose eyesight
He alleged that the ruling party leaders are playing the ‘broken’ record of ‘falsehood' against BNP by involving its top leaders with different incidents only to appease Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “Their (AL leaders’) agenda is to spit venom and spread lies against BNP.”
Prince criticised ruling party general secretary Obaidul Quader for his comment that BNP has been carrying on the legacy of the politics of killing, saying the politics of killing in Bangladesh initiated through the murders of Siraj Sikdar, many freedom fighters and opposition activists by Awami League and Rakkhi Bahini after the liberation of the country.
He also alleged that Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has been making ‘false and fabricated’ comments involving Zia with Bangabandhu murder and Khaleda Zia with the August-21 grenade attack incident. “He’s very good at lying.”
Prince voiced concern that Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders Saiful Mahmud Jewel, Sirajul Islam Siraj and Mostafizur Rahman Rumi remained missing since they were picked up by police from the city's Jatrabari area on Monday night.
Field admin, public representatives asked to communicate regularly: Cabinet Secretary
All parties -- the field administration, law enforcement agencies and public representatives-- have been asked to communicate regularly to avoid misundetstanding and untoward incidents as recently seen in Barishal, said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam on Monday.
The directive was issued from the LGRD Ministry and the Cabinet Division, he said while briefing reporters after the weekly Cabinet meeting at the Secretariat.
Read: Barishal clash: Two cases filed against UNO Munibur Rahman
The Cabinet Secretary said the leaders of Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) admitted that they made a mistake by using inappropriate words in their statement over Barishal incident.
He said they sat in a meeting on Sunday where the secretaries and officials differed with the BASA statement saying that such words should not have been used in it.
“Those who were from the Administrative Service Association also agreed with it (the opinion) and said it was actually a mistake,” he said replying to a question.
In response to a separate question, the Cabinet Secretary said such embarrassing incidents mostly happen due to miscommunication. “This is why, an instruction has been given to all at the field level, including administration, law enforcement agencies and public representatives, to interact among themselves regularly,” he said.
Read:Barishal violence: 2 ruling party activists lose eyesight
He said misunderstanding and untoward incidents occur for lack of interaction.
Noting that they do not know what exactly was behind the Barishal incident, he said all parties –mayor, commissioner and law enforcement agency -- were asked to sit in a parley first to solve the problem by finding out as to why such an embarrassing situation occurred.
Barishal attack: 21 people arrested so far
Police have arrested 21 people in connection with the cases filed over the attack on the residence of Barishal Sadar UNO till Saturday noon, said police.
Nurul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, said “So far police have arrested 21 people in connection with the attack on the residence of the UNO and 13 of them were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday while the rest on Saturday from different parts of the city.”
Earlier, on Wednesday, the clash broke out between the supporters of the AL, BCL and members of Ansar when the former tried to attack the residence of the UNO at Sadar Upazila Complex in Barishal Wednesday night.
READ: Barishal clash: AL demands removal of UNO, release of party men
Five people suffered bullet wounds during the clash.
According to witnesses, the city corporation staff went to the residence of UNO Munibur to lower a banner hanging over the area.
At one stage, the UNO came out and enquired about the matter, leading to a verbal altercation between him and Swapan Kumar Das, a city corporation staff.
During this time, some 25-30 people entered the complex, and a scuffle broke out between Ansar and the mob, triggering a clash. At one stage, the Ansar members opened fire on them.
READ: Barishal mayor among 94 ruling party activists sued over violence
On information, police rushed to the spot and charged batons to disperse the mob.
Some 25 people were injured in the clashes with the police and Ansar.
Two separate cases were filed in this connection.
Barishal clash: AL demands removal of UNO, release of party men
There was no attack on the official residence of Barishal Sadar upazila UNO Wednesday and posters and banners were being removed as part of routine activity of the city corporation staff, according to Barisal district and metropolitan units of the Awami League (AL).
More than 60 Awami League leaders and activists and city corporation staff were shot as the law enforcers opened fire under the direction of the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) on Wednesday. However, the situation did not require shooting, the AL units said Thursday.
Read:Barishal mayor among 94 ruling party activists sued over violence
The AL leaders said this to the media at Barishal City Corporation Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah's residence in the city while demanding the removal of Barishal Sadar UNO Munibur Rahman and the release of arrested AL activists. However, the mayor was not present at that time.
General Secretary of Barishal district unit AL Talukdar Md Younus said legal actions would be taken over the incident on behalf of the party.
Meanwhile, Barishal City Corporation Mayor Sadiq had been made the primary accused in two cases filed over violence in the city Wednesday night.
UNO Munibur and Sub-Inspector Shahjalal Mallick were the plaintiffs in the cases, accusing the mayor and his men of obstruction of government work and attempt to murder.
"As many as 94 activists of the ruling party and its affiliate organisations were accused in the cases," said Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Model Police Station Nurul Islam.
Read:Public transport services resume in Barishal
Meanwhile, police arrested 13 AL activists and the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) from different parts of the city in connection with the two cases filed over the attack on the residence of the UNO.
The clash broke out between the supporters of the AL, BCL and members of Ansar when the former tried to attack the residence of the UNO at Sadar Upazila Complex in Barishal Wednesday night. Five people suffered bullet wounds during the clash.
According to witnesses, the city corporation staff went to the residence of UNO Munibur to lower a banner hanging over the area.
Read:Barishal: Bus services suspended as clash leaves 30 injured
At one stage, the UNO came out and enquired about the matter, leading to a verbal altercation between him and Swapan Kumar Das, a city corporation staff.
During this time, some 25-30 people entered the complex, and a scuffle broke out between Ansar and the mob, triggering a clash. At one stage, the Ansar members opened fire on them.
On information, police rushed to the spot and charged batons to disperse the mob.
Some 25 people were injured in the clashes with the police and Ansar.
Public transport services resume in Barishal
After nearly six hours, bus and launch services in Barishal resumed on Thursday noon following the intervention of the local administration.
The bus services in Barishal and other parts of the country had remained suspended since morning as transport workers blocked the Dhaka-Barishal highway in protest against Wednesday's clash that left over 30 injured.
Meanwhile, police arrested as many as 13 activists of the ruling Awami League and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) from different parts of the city in connection with the attack on the residence of the Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).
Read:Barishal: Bus services suspended as clash leaves 30 injured
Joint general secretary of Barishal Metropolitan unit of the Awami League, Hasan Mahmud Babu, and vice-president of the city unit of BCL Oliullah Oli were among the arrestees, said officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station, Nurul Islam.
The clash broke out between the supporters of the Awami League, BCL and members of Ansar when the former tried to attack the residence of the UNO at Sadar Upazila Complex in Barishal on Wednesday night.
Of the injured, five people suffered bullet wounds during the clash.
The transport workers, including the supporters of Barishal City Corporation Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah, activists of Chhatra League and Jubo League, blocked the Dhaka-Barishal highway by placing buses in Rupatoli and Nathullabad Bus Terminal areas in the small hours of Wednesday.
Besides, launch services in Barishal also remained suspended as the supporters of the mayor did not allow any passenger vessel to leave the terminal, causing immense sufferings to the commuters.
According to eye-witnesses, the Nagar Bhaban staffers went to the residence of Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Munibur Rahman to lower a banner hanging over the area.
Read: Barishal City Corporation dismisses 12 officials over corruption
At one stage, the UNO came out and asked the reason, leading to an altercation between him and Swapan Kumar Das, a staffer of the city corporation.
During the altercation, some 25-30 people entered the complex and a scuffle broke out between the Ansar members and the so-called mob over the issue, triggering a clash. At one stage, the Ansar members opened fire on them, leaving five injured.
On information, police rushed to the spot and charged batons to disperse them.
Some 25 people were injured in the clash with the cops.
Shahabuddin Khan, police commissioner of Barishal, said, "A police team rushed to the spot and the attackers threw brick chips targeting the cops, forcing them to retaliate. Three policemen and two Ansar members were injured during the incident.”
They also vandalised a bus in the area in the night.
Read:Student protest causes traffic disruption in Barishal
Three people who sustained bullet injuries—Shahrier Babu, Harun-or-Rashid and Tanvir-- were taken to Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital. Of them, Tanvir was shifted to Dhaka for better treatment.
UNO Munibur Rahman said, “Some 15-20 people identifying themselves as Chattra League members entered the house. Later, some 60-70 people also entered the complex and went up to the first floor of the upazila complex building. They also tried to attack me but the Ansar members saved me."
Barishal City Corporation Mayor Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah told the media, "The city corporation staffers went there to perform their duties but the Ansar members attacked them.” He has demanded a probe into the clash.
Two-year-old dies choking on chewing gum and lychees
A two year old boy in Barishal died in the most unfortunate of ways Friday, choking on chewing gum and lychees stuck in his airpipe.
The boy was identified as Ramzan and the incident took place at Jayshree village in Shikarpur upazila of Barishal.
Read:Nanny at state-run orphanage suffocated 2-month-old to death: CCTV
Shahadat Sikder, a close relative of the child confirmed the information to UNB.
According to him, Hemayet, the father of the child, took him on an afternoon walk brought chewing gum and lychees for his kid from a nearby shop.
At one stage, the chewing gum got stuck in Ramzan's throat.
Completely unaware of the incident, Hemayet fed Ramzan the lychees, which only deteriorated the situation.
Read: 'Silent Killer' strikes again: Cousins drown in Dinajpur pond
The father understood the gravity of the situation when Ramzan started gasping for air a short time later.
He immediately rushed the child to Upazila Health Complex, but the on duty doctor declared Ramzad dead.
Barishal City Corporation dismisses 12 officials over corruption
Authorities at Barishal City Corporation sacked 12 officials over corruption charges, its public relation officer said Saturday.
The dismissal letters were sent to the officials on Thursday but Chief Executive Officer Sayed Faruque Hossain denied having any detailed information about the action.
Read: 'Red zones' in Barishal remain abuzz
Public relation officer Swapan Kumar Dash confirmed the news to UNB and said a media release will soon be issued in this regard soon.
The dismissed officers are chief health officer Dr Abdul Matin, executive engineer Humayun Kabir, assistant engineer of power division Kazi Monirul Islam, mechanical engineer Komol and Jahirul Islam, chief assessor Md Ajam, PR officer Md Romel, accountant Md Mainuddin, assets officer Mahbubur Rahman Shakil, legal assistant Rafikul Islam, office assistant Abdus Salam and Hayetul Islam.
Read: Corruption case: Former Barishal mayor gets seven-year
The affected officers claimed that no reason for dismissal was mentioned in the letters sent to them.
Abdus Salam, an assistant at accounts department, said the letter he received said three month’s salary has been credited but he didn’t receive any. Moreover his salary for the last 15 month is due with the BCC, he said.
Assistant engineer Kazi Monirul Islam said the suspension was done irregularly bringing false corruption charges against him.
The dismissed twelve officers were posted On Special Duty (OSD) from January 29, 2019.
According to the decision taken at a meeting of the fourth council on August 23, 2020, the twelve officials were dismissed permanently with three month salary paid, according to a letter signed by the chief executive officer of BCC.
Earlier on August 29, 2020, BCC also permanently suspended chief budget and accounting officer Md Moshiur Rahman, trade license superintendent Aziz Shahin, market superintendent Nurul Islam and deputy assistant engineer Abul Kalam Azad over corruption.
With this, 16 staff and officers lost their jobs at Barishal City Corporation for alleged involvement in corruption.