United News of Bangladesh

India on Friday trashed the remarks made by Bangladesh Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury blaming New Delhi for recent violence, calling those allegations 'false and baseless'. “We categorically reject these false and baseless allegations," said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while responding to a question during the weekly media briefing. He said the interim government, which is unable to maintain law and order in the country, has a tendency of routinely trying to shifting the blame elsewhere. The MEA Spokesperson urged Bangladesh to 'introspect and conduct serious investigations' into the actions of local extremists committing violence, arson and land grab against minority communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Bangladesh, India emotionally linked by shared sacrifices: Verma Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday alleged that the current unrest in Khagrachhari was being instigated by India or fascist elements. “All necessary measures have been taken to ensure the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja, but a vested quarter is trying to disrupt the festival,” he said.

BNP senior leader Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Tuesday alleged that a conspiracy is underway to delay the national election by deteriorating the law and order situation in a planned way. “There is a clear conspiracy… if the law and order situation can be worsened, it is likely to benefit certain quarters,” he said. The BNP leader made the remark while talking to journalists in front of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh after visiting the venue ahead of the professionals’ planned programme there on July 21, marking the first anniversary of the July mass uprising. He, however, expressed the hope that the election would be held in time foiling all evil efforts. Dr Zahid, a member of BNP’s standing committee, said, “The way the Chief Adviser and the Election Commission are moving forward, we hope that they will fulfill their commitments to hold the election by mid-February.” Referring to the recent brutal murder of a scrap trader in the old part of the capital, he said BNP does not support or condone any kind of wrongdoing or injustice. The BNP leader said their party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in a press conference on Monday, clearly said that crime is crime, and the party does not justify any wrongdoing. Fakhrul alleges political plot to derail election using Mitford murder He said it is not right to politicise a crime or try to highlight or downplay it in order to blame any party. The BNP leader said unfair activities and injustice must always be treated negatively. “No conscious person belonging to any political party can ever support injustice and wrongdoing. I personally don’t believe that.” Dr Zahid also criticised those who made indecent remarks against BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. “We are followers of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. Under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, the people of Bangladesh are yearning for democracy. We don’t want to be part of any conspiracy,” he said. He urged political leaders and workers to remain patient, speak the truth clearly, and refrain from using double standards. Dr Zahid said BNP never supports or encourages injustice and wrongdoing, and always demands justice. “BNP does not support mob violence.” When asked to respond to comments from a Jamaat-e-Islami leader who claimed people have showed BNP a ‘red card’ after the Mitford incident, he said, “I won’t directly respond to them. I believe those who make such comments often do so out of ignorance. I question their political understanding and experience. People will decide who gets the ‘red card’ or the ‘green card’.” BNP forms probe body over Mitford murder; suspects political motive He also rejected National Citizen Party Convenor Nahid Islam’s allegation that BNP is becoming a ‘protector of Mujibism’. “I saw the news from Jhalakathi. Everyone can see who is doing the rehabilitation (of Awami League) and who is not.”

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Monday that the overall law and order situation across the country, including the capital, remained satisfactory during Eid-ul-Azha, except for a few isolated incidents. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after visiting Jatrabari Police Station. “The law and order and security situation during Eid-ul-Azha was satisfactory. Except for a few isolated incidents, no major untoward events were reported in the capital or elsewhere,” he said. As part of his routine inspections to ensure public safety during Eid and the post-Eid holidays, the Home Adviser visited several police stations in Dhaka city. Home Adviser confident about Dhaka's security during Eid, says 500 patrol teams deployed At Jatrabari Police Station, he inspected the duty officer’s desk, the women and children’s desk and the lock-up facilities. He also enquired about the accommodation and food quality for police personnel, and exchanged Eid greetings with them.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of BNP, on Monday warned that it would take to the streets if the government fails to curb the growing violence against women and improve the law and order situation in the country. “We have not announced any programme so far that disrupts the activities of the interim government. But if such incidents continue, if violence against women persists and we do not get justice, we want to make it clear that Chhatra Dal will be forced to take to the streets very soon,” JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib said while addressing a human-chain programme. As part of their nationwide programme, JCD leaders and activists formed a human chain in front of the High Court to protest the increasing incidents of rape, online harassment and violence against women, as well as the deteriorating law and order situation and the lack of justice for victims of such crimes. Rakib expressed concerns over the unabated incidents of sexual violence and the prevailing culture of impunity. He urged the government to take immediate action and ensure the quick and fair trial of those responsible for the rape of Asia, the eight-year-old girl from Magura. JCD to form human chains Monday to protest violence against women “We urge you (the government) to understand the sentiments of the entire student community in Bangladesh and ensure that the perpetrators of this crime are punished as quickly as possible,” the JCD president said. He said the government must take immediate steps to ensure the swiftest possible justice for rape and violence against women. “The law and order situation must be improved immediately. If this is not done, we will be forced to point fingers at you,” Rakib warned. He said that the growing incidents of snatching are also linked to the worsening law and order situation, with attacks on Dhaka University teachers and students. Rakib condemned the killing of a JCD leader in Narayanganj, who was stabbed to death by muggers. “Such incidents are increasing day by day. So, we are demanding urgent action to improve the law and order situation.” He also called for the faster completion of investigations into Achia’s rape case and for justice to be delivered to the victim. JCD questions source of funding for Chhatra Shibir's Iftar expenses Rakib also condemned the spread of violence against women on social media and called for the offenders to be brought to justice.

BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged that the law and order situation in the country has collapsed as the law enforcers are being used to secure the ruling party’s interests. Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also bemoaned that at least 35 people lost their lives in road accidents during the Eid holidays only because of the negligence of the law enforcers. “The entire nation is suffering from insecurity as the armed terrorists are on the prowl amid the silent role of law enforcement agencies who are used in partisan activities,” the BNP leader said. AL's instigation behind attacks on BNP rallies: Rizvi He regretted that not only the common people but also the police members are being killed since the country has been turned into a safe haven for terrorists. “A member of police force was killed in a snatching incident yesterday (Saturday). Law and order situation has broken down so much that people's lives are in danger at every step,” Rizvi observed. He said though many people are getting killed in road accidents daily, the law enforcers can not take any action against the reckless drivers. PM’s Switzerland tour 'very mysterious': Rizvi The BNP leader said the ruling party-backed spoiled youth are creating public nuisance and indulging in various crimes across the country amid the growing social degradations. “These monsters are not sparing anyone, including the women, from their attacks…we’re passing through such a bad time that youth are being killed for seeking justice when their sisters are teased. Parents are losing their lives in the hands of terrorists while trying to save the chastity and dignity of their daughters,” he said. Referring to media reports, the BNP said a notorious gang named ‘009’ in Bhalo has been indulging in dreadful acts and serious crimes creating a reign of terror there. “Human rights are now at stake everywhere. Darkness of anarchy has descended on the society since the law enforcers have been used only to thwart the programmes of the opposition parties by carrying out violent attacks and arresting the opposition leaders and activists in false cases,” Rizvi said. Opposition increasingly suppressed as election nears: Rizvi   The BNP leader slammed the government for its failure to monitor the market and prevent the business syndicates from unusually hiking the prices of essential goods and kitchen items. “The godfathers, mafia and syndicates are making gains all around. This syndicate is very powerful as various ministers and influential ruling party leaders are involved,” he said. The BNP leader said the price of per kg green chili is Tk25 in India, but it is being sold in Bangladesh at Tk600 only because of the foul play by the syndicate. “In some places, it is being sold from Tk1100-1200 per kg. Such syndication is possible only under a corrupt and mischievous regime. They make fun of people's hunger.”