United News of Bangladesh

Seventeen-year-old Shafiq Uddin Ahmed Ahnaf, a student of BAF Shaheen College, lost his life after being shot during a violent clash in the student-led revolution. The incident occurred on August 4, during the movement demanding the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. According to Ahnaf’s mother, Zartaj Parveen, her son was struck by a bullet around 5 pm that day. "From the very beginning of the protests, Ahnaf would join the students. He never listened to us when we asked him to stay away. He had already been injured before by tear gas and rubber bullets, but that didn’t stop him from going back," the grieving mother said, recounting her son’s unwavering commitment to the cause. On the morning of August 4, Ahnaf contacted his friends as soon as he woke up, preparing to join the protest despite his mother’s pleas. "I told him he absolutely couldn't go out that day and asked him to join me for the long march the next day instead. But he insisted, saying he had to go. After lunch, he left without telling me," she recalled. Ahnaf had a passion for playing guitar and football. "That day, he was supposed to return home and play music with his cousin," Zartaj added, her voice breaking. Throughout the day, she kept calling her son to check on him. "He answered my calls and said he was at 60 Feet in Dhaka. He assured me he was safe. But when I called again 30 minutes later, he said he was at Mirpur 10. I was worried because he had promised not to go there. I reminded him that a curfew was about to start, but he kept saying he was safe." 17-year-old injured during quota reform protest dies at DMCH

Primary schools across Bangladesh have reopened after around one month of closure. Students were seen going to schools in the capital in the morning (August 14, 2024). All government primary schools under eight city corporation areas of the country were declared closed for an indefinite period on July 17 amid tension over students’ demonstrations for quota reform. August 15 public holiday canceled

The six coordinators of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement who were taken into DB custody have been released. The six coordinators were freed from DB custody around 1:30 pm on Thursday. Rifat Rashid, one of the coordinators, confirmed their release in a Facebook post. Law Minister Anisul Huq told reporters at the secretariat today that the quota protest coordinators left DB office this afternoon. "It is also true that they had sought security from us. A GD was also filed in this regard. Now they say they don't need security anymore, when they expressed their desire to leave, we did not obstruct them. They have gone. “ The DB took six key coordinators-Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, Abu Bakar Mojumdar, Sarjess Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, and Nusrat Tabassum- into custody on July 27,28 and 29. On Sunday afternoon, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Deputy Commissioner Harun or Rashid, who was transferred from DB on Wednesday, said the coordinators were detained for "security reasons." UN experts are welcome to probe every incident of quota violence: PM Hasina   In a video message released while under police custody, Nahid Islam, a coordinator of the quota reform movement, announced the withdrawal of their protest programme on Sunday night. Coordinators not under police custody moved quickly to assure the movement's supporters that this was to be expected, and they agreed beforehand to reject or disregard any statement they or their fellow coordinators made while under police custody. Effectively accused was coerced into making this statement under duress. Later, a photo of the coordinators at a dining table was posted on Harunur Rashid's Facebook page, followed shortly by the release of Nahid Islam’s video message. Hearing on writ petition seeking quota coordinators release not held Despite this announcement, other coordinator of the quota movement from different universities including Dhaka University issued statements vowing to continue their protests until their nine-point demands are met.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday (August 01, 2024) said the United Nations and any country can send their experts for the proper investigation of every incident of the recent violence related to the quota reform movement. “I want everything to be investigated. Because, it needs to be found out what happened behind it and how these happened. I’ve appealed to the United Nations to send their experts. If any other country wants, they can send their experts too,” she said. The premier said this while addressing a voluntary blood donation programme, discussion and doa mahfil, arranged by Bangladesh Krishak League at the auditorium of Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the city's Farmgate, on the occasion of the National Mourning Day. She said, “I want these incidents to be investigated properly. We’ll have to take action against the culprits no matter who they are.” The Awami League President, Sheikh Hasina, said she formed a one-member judicial enquiry committee, without waiting for any demand in this regard, in a bid to investigate the killings of six people in the violence initially. Later she upgraded it to a three-member committee to expand its scope when a larger number of incidents occurred, said the PM. She said her government has brought the status of a developing country for Bangladesh. “But today the image of Bangladesh worldwide is being tarnished by carrying out false propaganda and such militant acts. I’m leaving it to the people to judge it,” she added. PM Hasina visits Kurmitola Hospital to see the injured of recent violence Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, said the father of the nation is no more today but her government has built the country following his ideals. But these developments were destroyed and the lives of people were snatched. "They (the perpetrators) would be tried one day. This is why I want it to be investigated internationally and a fair trial to be held,” she said. The prime minister said not a single militant incident occurred after the Holey Artisan attack in Bangladesh due to the vigilance of the law enforcement agencies. The law enforcers sacrificed their lives but freed Bangladesh from militancy, she said. “But today they showed ugly teeths of militancy in the banner of the quota movement,” she said. PM seeks public help to resist Jamaat-Shibir as militant organisation: The premier said there should be no place for militancy and terrorism in Bangladesh and their main strength is Jamaat-e Islami and Shibir. “They (Jamaat-Shibir) will be banned under the clause 18 of Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009 so that they won’t have any social dignity,” she said. She said they would try to carry out destruction again as militants. “At that time, all will have to try to resist them as a militant organisation and save the people (from their hands). All will have to do it in unison,” she said. “There would be no room for militants in the land of Bangladesh. We all will have to stay vigilant in this regard. I seek cooperation from the people of the country to stay vigilant in this matter,” she went on. PM blasts intellectuals for supporting movement: It was like a terrorist attack to topple the govt: PM Hasina tells Indian envoy on quota violence Sheikh Hasina questioned what the rationale was for the continuation of movement when 100 percent demand was fulfilled. Noting different brutal incidents carried out in the name of movement, she also questioned what type of mayhem and movement it was. She criticised a section of intellectuals for supporting the movement. “Many of our knowleagble personalities, dignitaries and intellectuals continue giving their support to this movement. What support are they giving? The demand has already been fulfilled completely,” she said. She said conducting sabotages in this way in the name of a quota movement is nothing but acts of militancy. At the outset of the programme, one-minute silence was observed in memory of the departed souls of Father of the Nation Bangabanddhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other martyrs of the 15th August 1975 carnage. In the event, a special prayer was conducted praying for the salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs of the 15th August 1975 carnage and the people who were killed in the recent mayhem centring the movement for quota reform in the public service jobs. AL advisory council member Advocate Yousuf Hossain Humaiyun and AL agriculture and cooperatives secretary Faridun Nahar Laily MP spoke on the occasion. Bangladesh Krishak League President Samir Chanda delivered the welcome speech in the event moderated by its general secretary Umme Kulsum. Six quota protest coordinators released from DB custody

While the social media platform is still officially restricted in Bangladesh, Facebook is seeing a “red tide” as an overwhelming number of students and people from all walks of life in the country are changing their profile pictures with red images. The government had earlier announced that mourning day would be observed nationwide on Tuesday (July 30, 2024) to honour those who died during the violence surrounding the student protests for quota reform. The decision came at a cabinet meeting on Monday. In accordance, government officials and many others wore black badges. However, this decision was met with opposition from protesting students, who rejected the gesture as “dismissive of their struggle.” After the announcement of mourning day, Mahin Sarker, a coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Students’ Movement, published a video statement. “Without addressing the mass killings and oppression committed by the state, they are mocking students every day. In protest of this, to achieve the students’ demands, we request a nationwide campaign on Tuesday where participants will cover their faces and eyes with red cloth and take photos, which will be widely circulated online. Our symbol is red, as the symbol of rebellion. We urge students and our countrymen to take part in this campaign,” he said. Abdul Hannan Masud, another coordinator, added, “We consider the government’s decision to observe mourning day a mockery. Students boycotted their black badge program.” In solidarity, people from various walks of life—students, teachers, doctors, journalists—flooded social media with red profile pictures, using hashtags such as #RedforJustice, #RedforVictims, #StudentsInRed, #RedAgainstOppression, #BloodOnTheirHands, and #JulyMassacre. Read more: Govt will ensure ‘extremist’ Jamaat-Shibir cannot exploit legal loopholes to engage in politics: Quader A student from the University of Dhaka wrote, “Red is my love, blood, resistance, and revolution. A protest against mass killing and mass arrest.” Jesmin Papri, a journalist, wrote, “Having seen so much blood of kids, this red is nothing.” Yashab Osama Rahman, another journalist, wrote, “For the kids, for the future, for the present and for all the things we were put through in the past. For us.” People updated their profile pictures with captions such as: “Red is the colour of blood,” “Red is the colour of rebellion,” “Not the black of grief, but the red of betrayal,” and “Come next Spring, we will be twice as many.” Read more: PM Hasina visits vandalised Metro Rail station at Mirpur-10

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister, Obaidul Quader, on Tuesday (July 30, 2024) said that the government will thoroughly examine the legal aspects before banning Jamaat-Shibir to ensure this “extremist group” cannot exploit legal loopholes to engage in politics in Bangladesh. Quader made this statement at a meeting held at Awami League’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital this morning. He also called on the Home Minister to ensure that no innocent person is arrested. Jamaat-e-Islami to be banned by tomorrow: Law Minister “The law enforcement agencies are identifying criminals based on footage. No innocent person is being detained. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed that general students should not be harassed. Yet, BNP Secretary General (Fakhrul) is shamelessly lying, claiming that innocent and helpless students are being detained,” said the Awami League General Secretary. He further said that BNP-Jamaat used students as shields in their movement, adding, “The government is aware of the sources of their instructions, incitements, and funding. There is no longer any opportunity to confuse the nation with nonsense.” The meeting began with prayers and a moment of silence in memory of those killed and injured in the recent violence across the country. Notable attendees at the meeting included Awami League Presidium members Dr. Abdur Razzaq, Advocate Kamrul Islam, Dr. Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Dr. Dipu Moni, and presidents and general secretaries of Dhaka Metropolitan North and South units of Awami League, Dhaka district Awami League, and affiliated organizations. Decision to ban Jamaat-Shibir taken at 14-party alliance meeting: Obaidul Quader

The HSC and equivalent examinations of all education boards scheduled for July 28, 29, 31 and August 1 have been postponed due to unavoidable reasons. The new schedule for the postponed examinations will be notified later, according to a notification signed by Prof Tapan Kumar Sarkar, chairman of the Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee and chairman of the Dhaka Education Board. Read more: Edu Ministry to request heads of higher edu intuitions to sit with students’ bodies to resume classes Earlier, the HSC and equivalent examinations scheduled for July 18, 21, 23, 25 were also postponed in the wake of violence amid students’ demonstration for reforming quota in public service.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday (July 25, 2024) morning visited the vandalised metro rail station at Mirpur 10.  She inspected different parts of the station which was totally devastated in the recent mayhem centering the student movement for reformation of quota in public service. Senior officials of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) briefed the PM  regarding the destruction and the future plan to reopen the Mirpur-10 and Kazipara stations. Some unidentified people went on a rampage at Mirpur-10 and Kazipara metro stations last Friday causing significant damages. Read more: It was a target by BNP-Jamaat to destroy the economy: PM Hasina on recent mayhem Metro rail services were suspended on July 18 amid demonstrations by students demanding quota reform in public service. Officials at DMTCL indicated that the reopening schedule will be declared once the inquiry committee, formed to assess the damages, submits its report within 10 working days. The inquiry committee was formed on July 22 to assess the extent of the damages to the metro rail and to determine when it can be made operational again. Additional Secretary Mohammad Zakaria, who is additional director of the metro rail MRT Line-6 project, is leading the committee. The government opened the metro station for public on March 01, 2023), nearly two months after the inauguration of the country’s much-awaited metro rail. The main construction work of the project started in 2017. The cost of the country’s first ever metro rail project stood at Tk 33,472 crore. Notably, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)  provided Tk 19,719 crore in the form of a loan to support the project, while the Government of Bangladesh funded the remaining amount. Read more: PM urges AL members to stand by the poor affected by violence In the beginning, the estimated cost of this project was about Tk 21,000 crore. The cost increased due to the construction of an additional 1.6 km section from Motijheel to Kamalapur, acquisition of new land for each station, and the addition of various new facilities. The prime minister formally inaugurated the Uttara-Agargaon section of MRT-6 line of the Metro Rail on December 28, 2022.

In response to the unrest sparked by ongoing protests demanding reforms to the quota system in government jobs, mobile internet services have been temporarily shut down, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Zunaid Ahmed Palak said today (July 18, 2024). During a press briefing at the ICT Tower in Dhaka’s Agargaon, Palak addressed the media, saying, “Mobile internet services have been temporarily halted due to the unstable situation created centering the protests. Once the situation stabilizes, we will restore connectivity promptly.” ‘Complete Shutdown’: Protestors, police clash in Dhaka’s Uttara; police box and 2 buses vandalized The state minister explained that the suspension was necessary to curb the spread of rumors and maintain stability amid the protests. “Various groups with vested interest have been spreading false information on social media, contributing to the instability. Hence, the decision to shut down mobile internet services was made without prior notice, based on the evolving situation,” he added. Palak also highlighted the government’s communication with major social media platforms like Facebook, Google, YouTube, and TikTok. He expressed dissatisfaction with their privacy policies concerning the removal of controversial content. “We have contacted these companies, but their privacy policies regarding content removal are not satisfactory. If their actions lead to any casualties, they will not be exempt from accountability. These companies must establish data centers in Bangladesh and operate in compliance with local laws,” he said. Read more: Shutdown cripples capital city amid clashes between police and protesters

A clash erupted between police and students of Brac University in the Badda area of Dhaka on Thursday (July 18, 2024) when the students gathered there as part of the ‘complete shutdown’ programme.  The situation turned worse as police fired several rounds of tear gas to disperse the students in the morning in front of the university campus. Witnesses said the university students started coming to the campus in the morning and took to the streets. ‘Complete Shutdown’: Protestors, police clash in Dhaka’s Uttara; police box and 2 buses vandalized As police chased them they went up to the gate of BRAC University. They came back together again and chased the policemen, triggering a clash. The students chased the policemen to Badda U-loop. However, additional police were deployed in the area to control the situation.   Deputy Officer-in-Charge Abdul Haq Abbasi of Badda Police Station confirmed the clash, stating that one police officer was injured and is receiving medical treatment. Students allege that police entered their campus and lobbed tear gas and sound grenades, resulting in several injuries, though the exact number is unknown. Shutdown cripples capital city amid clashes between police and protesters Apart from Brac University students, students from several nearby colleges and North South University also gathered, engaging in clashes with police. A tense situation has been prevailing with fears of further confrontations.