United News of Bangladesh

Fundamental reforms required for a fair election and justice for political killings will not be compromised, said Sarjis Alam, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for the northern region, on Monday. “Systemic reforms of a country are not possible in two or four years. But the basic reforms needed for transparent elections before the upcoming election will not be compromised,” he said. Sarjis stressed that those who shed blood to establish a new Bangladesh must get justice. “We will not compromise on the trial of those murderers. There will be no concession regarding the July Charter either,” he added. He accused the Awami League of exploiting the youth. “We have seen Awami League using the young generation in drug syndicates, extortion, and attacking innocent people,” Sarjis said. NCP among 147 new parties seek EC registration as deadline expires He declared that apart from Awami League and its affiliated organisations, no one else is the NCP's rival. “We consider others as partners and want to compete for public service. But if anyone is involved in similar conspiracies as before, we will resist them,” Sarjis warned. He further said, “The people's expectations after the mass uprising are yet to be fulfilled. That’s why NCP had to emerge as a political party.” Sarjis made these remarks while addressing the coordination meeting of the district unit of Jatiya Juboshakti at the Panchagarh Chamber Convention Hall on Monday evening. Consensus Commission biased towards particular party, allege NCP, Nur NCP leaders, including Jatiya Juboshakti convener Advocate Tarikul Islam, joint convener Engineer Md Nesar Uddin, and NCP’s Tanvirul Bari Noyon, along with party leaders from five upazilas of the district, also spoke at the event. Later, Sarjis and Advocate Tarikul Islam held an open discussion and gave directions to the party leaders.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed on Friday accused Indian policymakers of conspiring to ‘rehabilitate’ the fallen Awami League, which he termed a ‘fascist’ party. “They (Indian policymakers) cannot accept Sheikh Hasina’s downfall. After the meeting between Dr Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman in London, the neighbouring country began plotting targeted conspiracies,” Rizvi said while speaking to journalists in Pabna’s Chatmohar upazila. He was visiting veteran BNP leader Abu Taher Pramanik alias Taher Thakur, who has been suffering from illness and leading a life of hardship.  Rizvi, under the banner of the BNP family and on behalf of acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, also provided financial assistance for Taher’s treatment. BNP opposes proportional representation in elections The BNP leader said the people of the country have started walking the path of democracy, but the journey is far from over. “The conspiracies are not over. Even now, many grassroots and national-level BNP activists remain missing. Many are still being harassed with false cases and arrests.” He added, “The fascist era was horrifying. Today we can speak freely. But from the moment Dr Yunus and Tarique met, the neighbouring country resumed its conspiracies.” Rizvi alleged that the Awami League regime looted public wealth for 16 years and laundered it to countries like Canada and Malaysia. “Sheikh Hasina ran smear campaigns through media control, but 180 million people cannot be silenced. Only the people will decide who governs this country,” he said. Regarding the next general election, Rizvi said, “It will be free and fair and held at an appropriate time based on demands from various political parties. This election will reflect the will of the people.” Several BNP leaders, including Pabna district BNP Member Secretary Advocate Masud Khandakar, Joint Convener Anisul Haque Babu, and student leaders from Chatmohar and Edward College, were present.    

A case was filed against 193 people including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for arranging dummy elections in 2024  during the tenure of the Awami League government and vote rigging. Quamrul Hasan, 55, son of Mamtaz Uddin of Bhuapur upazila of Tangail district, filed the case with Tangail Judicial Magistrate court on Monday.  Anisul, 6 others shown arrested in more cases Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Agriculture Minister  Abdur Razzaque, Tangail-2 constituency MP Tanvir Hasan Chotot Moni, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Abdul Awal, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun and Tangail former deputy commissioner Shahidul Islam were among the accused. According to the case statement,  Hasina in collusion with others organised a dummy election on January 7, 2024 as per the directives of India. Quamrul, the plaintiff, went to Bharoi High School in Aloa Union of the upazila to cast his vote but a group of Awami League and Chhatra League men physically assaulted him.  AL issues series of directives to activists on Sunday's planned rally in Dhaka Besides, the AL men with the help of police and presiding officers stuffed ballots after putting seal on AL ‘s boat symbol. Former general secretary of Tangail Bar Association Advocate Abu Raihan Khan, said the court took the case into cognizance and asked the officer-in-charge of Bhuapur Police Station to submit a report after investigation. The court also fixed August 13 for the next hearing. END/UNB/Corr/MAS/F  

BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan on Monday vehemently rejected a speculation that their party is trying to rehabilitate Awami League, saying BNP would not compromise with AL under any circumstances. “Will anyone make a compromise with the Awami League while we are alive? We are not going to do it… and if anyone else tries, we’ll resist them too. There is no point in doing such an absurd thing (rubbish campaign),” he said while addressing a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club. The 12-party alliance arranged the discussion titled ‘Resist the conspiracy to disrupt election and remove barriers to the return of Tarique Rahman’. Nazrul said some are trying to carry out propaganda that BNP wants to rehabilitate Awami League. “Just think once that this is the party (AL) whose government is responsible for the most disappearances and killings of BNP leaders and activists,” he said. He said the AL government kept BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia behind bars for six years on a false charge, blocked Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s return to the country, crippled him, and his brother died in Malaysia without treatment.  BNP to set up ward-wise playgrounds in Dhaka if voted to power: Tarique “Is there a single BNP leader, including our secretary general, who doesn’t face at least 50 cases?” he added. Nazrul questioned the delay in holding parliamentary elections by December when the reform charter is set to be finalised within the next one and a half months. Citing that Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Ali Riaz said the initial round of dialogue is almost complete and they will move to the second phase this month, the BNP leader questioned how long it would take to prepare a charter by enlisting the points of consensus. “It would take a maximum of one to one and half a month (to prepare the July Charter). Not more than that,” he said. Nazrul Islam said the reforms that are possible to be executed through ordinances could be done quickly and the rest of the reform recommendations could be left for the next parliament. “So, what is your (interim government) barrier to holding the election by December?” he asked. He reiterated BNP’s stance on electoral reform, saying, “We would like to say clearly that we definitely want the reforms that are essential and possible as well as all the reforms without which a fair, free and impartial election is not possible." Nazrul Islam said they also want the power of the people to be returned to the hands of the people as soon as possible so that a government elected by the people is established, which would be responsible and accountable to the people.  Mirza Abbas, Afroza off to Singapore for treatment Presided over by 12-party alliance coordinator and Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider, the discussion was addressed, among others, by LDP’s Shahadat Hossain Selim, Jatiya Dal’s Syed Ehsanul Huda and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam’s Mufti Mohiuddin Ekram.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the 18  crore people of the country no longer want Awami League. “On one hand, we’re holding a rally here in Chattogram; on the other, another rally is being held at New Market in Dhaka. The demand is the same — Awami League must be banned,” he said at a youth grand rally at the Polo Ground in Chattogram. Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal organised the rally.  Fakhrul said that Awami League had established BAKSAL but BNP founder Ziaur Rahman laid the foundation of multi-party democracy and freedom of press was restored by him. Tamim urges reflection on past mistakes at BNP’s youth rally in Ctg “Ziaur Rahman also laid the foundation of the garments industry… It was Khaleda Zia who introduced the caretaker government system,” he added. The BNP leader warned that some people returning from abroad are attempting to erase this history. “They must not be allowed to distort the truth,” he said. Addressing the youth, he said, “You want jobs, businesses, peaceful educational institutions — none of this is possible without genuine democracy. Today’s call to action is for the youth to rise, resist conspiracies and reclaim your rights.” He said  Sheikh Hasina has unleashed repression across the country for the past 15 years.  “It’s not one or two people—millions have suffered under this fascist rule. Thousands have lost their lives. Over 60 lakh people have been falsely implicated in cases. Around 20,000 people have been killed and over 1,700 forcibly disappeared,” he added. Take action against those formed illegal parliaments, governments: Tarique Fakhrul further said that former prime minister Khaleda Zia was unjustly kept in jail for six years while acting BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman remains unable to return to the country. “Tarique Rahman dreams of building a modern Bangladesh and will never compromise the national interest. He has declared that the final decision will be made on the streets — and that’s becoming a reality,” Fakhrul said. He praised the organisers of the rally, calling it an “unprecedented gathering” made possible by the efforts of Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal.  “We always look at Chattogram with special attention because it was from this city that Ziaur Rahman declared the country’s independence,” Fakhrul added.

Urging patience, the interim government on Friday said they woud soon make a decision on the demand to ban the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) in consultation with political parties. "Until a decision is taken, all are requested to exercise patience," the government said in a statement amid demonstrations that started on Thursday night. The interim government has taken a serious note of the recent demand from political parties, organisations and the public to ban the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) due to its "autocratic rule and involvement in terrorist activities" leading to widespread human rights violations, the statement reads. Instead of cooperation with the ongoing investigations, the party (AL) continues to try blatantly to jeopardise stability of the country, according to the statement issued by the chief adviser's press wing. In this regard, the government is giving due consideration to the UN report that has highlighted the terrorist activities of AL leaders and supporters during the July uprising. Led by NCP, protesters block Shahbagh demanding ban on Awami League "It is worth mentioning that, in response to public demand, the government has already banned the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the AL student wing, which is widely accused of perpetrating violence and carrying out terrorist activities, under the Anti-Terrorism Act," the government said. Besides, the statement said the government plans to immediately amend the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act to incorporate provisions for the trial of associations and political parties associated and connected with crimes against humanity. The government also said it is aware of "public dissatisfaction" regarding the departure of former President Abdul Hamid, who served during the previous regime. "The government assures all that it is determined to hold accountable those connected with this incident," said the statement. Former President Hamid, who is accused in a case filed over the attack on protesters during the July-August mass uprising, left Dhaka in the early hours of Thursday for Bangkok to undergo medical treatment. He departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:55am aboard Thai Airways flight TG340, accompanied by two individuals, according to an intelligence officer stationed at the airport. The officer, requesting anonymity, told UNB that Abdul Hamid arrived at the airport around 11pm on Wednesday and completed immigration procedures before boarding the flight.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested two leaders of Awami League (AL) in separate drives in the capital. The arrestees are Sheikh Md Amir, 64, president of the Awami League's Ward No 24 unit and Md Faisal Ahmed alias Rony, 35, general secretary of AL’s student wing banned Chhatra League’s Ward No  48 unit under Jatrabari Police Station. 4 activists of AL, associate bodies held in Dhaka Amir was arrested from the Lalbagh area around 10pm on Wednesday while Faisal was arrested from Jatrabari earlier the same day during an afternoon raid, said Deputy Commissioner of DMP’s Detective Branch, Talebur Rahman. There are multiple cases against the accused at various police stations, DC Talebur said. Legal proceedings are underway against them, he said.

Detectives have arrested nine leaders of Awami League and its associate bodies including a former Member of Parliament (MP) from Bagerhat-4 constituency in a drive in the capital. The arrestees are Amirul Alam Milon,70, Central Committee Member of Awami League and former MP of Bagerhat-4,  Kazi Md. Sarowar Jahan Mithu , Vice-President of Pallabi Thana Jubo League,  Md. Shafiqul Islam Dilu , Former Ward Commissioner of Ward-63, Jatrabari, Mohammad Taj Uddin 35, Vice-President of Shah Ali Thana Awami League,  Ismail Hossain Pradhania  and General Secretary of Ramna Thana Swechchhasebak League, Md. Mokhlesur Rahman (72), Chairman of Chapainawabganj Municipality and Vice-President of the district’s Awami League. Chinmoy Das shown arrested in 4 more cases in Ctg Md. Emran Goldar, Publicity Secretary of Bangshal Thana Awami League, Mohammad Tanvir Ahmed Ontu, Former President of banned Chhatra League’s Ward-62 unit,  and Aritra Nandi, Joint General Secretary of the banned Chhatra League’s Jagannath Hall unit at Dhaka University. Based on secret information, severel DB teams conducted drives in the capital from 6:00am on Monday to 6:00am on  Tuesday and arrested the nine people, said DC (media) of DMP Talebur Rahman.  According to DB sources, Amirul Alam Milon was arrested at 11:45 pm on Monday  from the Indira Road area and others from separate places. DB officials said the arrestees attempted to destabilise the country. Legal proceedings against the arrestees are underway.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Friday demanded the eradication of Awami League’s ‘boat’ election symbol from Bangladesh, accusing the party of turning into a fascist and terrorist organisation. “We want to make it clear from today’s demonstration rally – Awami League’s registration must be cancelled immediately, and the ‘boat’ symbol must be erased from Bangladesh. Until the trial proceedings are completed, all political and organisational activities of the Awami League must be banned by law,” he said. Nahid Islam was addressing a rally held at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital, demanding a ban on Awami League for carrying out mass killings. NCP leaders and activists from various police stations in Dhaka city joined the rally. “Awami League is no longer a political party. It has transformed into a fascist and terrorist organization. There is no room for discussion regarding allowing it to do politics,” he said. Tarique slams interim govt for delaying reforms He said it is unfortunate that even after nine months of the July mass uprising, there has been no visible progress in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The NCP chief said that Awami League men who were detained are released on bail and a culture of business centering the cases filed with police stations continues in different areas of the country. “Awami League is planning to rehabilitate its grassroots activists under the shelter of different political parties,” he claimed. Criticizing the current Election Commission, Nahid Islam said this EC was formed during the interim government after the July mass uprising, but it has not agreed yet to disqualify candidates from the “fascist Awami League” in the upcoming election. “They (the EC) are saying it's a political decision,” he added.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested nine more members of the banned Chhatra League and various affiliated organisations of the Awami League during drives in different areas of the capital. DMP’s Deputy Commissioner Talebur Rahman confirmed the matter on Monday. The arrestees are: Mohammad Bappi (30), General Secretary of Chhatra League’s Ward-33 unit under Bangshal Thana; Md Mohibur Rahman (50), Vice-President of South Badda Bazar Unit Awami League; Abul Kalam Azad (47), Joint General Secretary of Monoharganj Thana Awami League in Cumilla; Babu Ahmed (55), Vice-President of Ward-32 Awami League under Bangshal Thana; Abdul Khalek (55), former President of Ward-22 Awami League; Kabir Hossain (48), General Secretary of Kalabagan Thana Bangabandhu Parishad; Dipam Saha (26), Secretary for Theatre and Debate, Jagannath Hall Unit of Dhaka University Chhatra League; Kazi Ismail Hossain (42), former General Secretary of Demra Unit Chhatra League; and Chhatra League activist Muhtasin Fuad alias Piyal. According to DB sources, Bappi was arrested from the Nawabpur area around 11am on Sunday by a team of DB-Lalbagh Division. Later in the evening, another team of DB-Gulshan Division arrested Mohibur Rahman from the Berait area. No one allowed to join ‘Ananda Shobhajatra’ arbitrarily: DMP chief At around 3pm on the same day, DB-Cyber and Special Crime Division arrested Abul Kalam Azad from in front of the Department of Public Health Engineering in Ramna. At around 11pm, Babu Ahmed was arrested from the Bangshal area by DB-Lalbagh. Meanwhile, Abdul Khalek was picked up from Moghbazar at around 10pm, and Kabir Hossain was arrested from Hatirpool at around 11:30pm by separate teams of DB-Ramna Division. Kazi Ismail Hossain was arrested from the Matuail area on Sunday night by DB-Wari Division. He reportedly admitted to participating in a flash procession in Jatrabari earlier that day, according to DMP. DB sources further said Dipam Saha was arrested from Tejgaon around 1:45am on Monday, while Muhtasin Fuad alias Piyal was detained from a residence in Adabor around 2:45am by separate teams of DB-Cyber Division. DC Talebur Rahman said the arrestees are named in various cases filed with different police stations in the capital. "They were involved in attempts to destabilise the country. By organising flash processions in various parts of the city, they aimed to spread panic among the public," he added. Legal proceedings against the arrestees are underway, he further stated.