Home Minister
Vaccination at union level to start on Aug 7: Home Minster
The Covid-19 vaccination programme at union level will start across the country on August 7, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday.
The minister announced the government's decision while talking to reporters after a meeting held at the conference room of the Cabinet division.
“The prime minister has ordered speeding up the vaccination drive. One can get vaccinated at the union level showing his or her NID card. Vaccination centres will be set up in unions across the country before August 7,” he said.
Also read:Covid fatality rate 90% among elderly villagers, says health minister
Those who do not have any NID will be vaccinated under a special arrangement, he added.
Govt urged to protect RMG goods from highway theft
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged the government to step up security measures and police surveillance to stop readymade garment (RMG) export goods theft on the Dhaka-Chattagram highway.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the call during a meeting with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at the secretariat Monday.
Senior Secretary to the Public Security Division under the Home Ministry Mostafa Kamal Uddin, Inspector General of Police Dr Benazir Ahmed, Additional Inspector General of Industrial Police Shafiqul Islam, Additional Inspector General of Highway Police Mallick Faqrul Islam, Additional Commissioner (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police AKM Hafiz Akhtar and other high officials of law enforcement agencies attended the meeting.
Former president of BGMEA Md Siddiqur Rahman, incumbent Senior Vice-President SM Mannan (Kochi), Vice-President Md Shahidullah Azim, Vice-President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice-President Md Nasir Uddin; and directors Md Khosru Chowdhury and Haroon Ar Rashid, and leaders of the Truck Covered Van Owners Association were also present at the meeting.
READ: ILO spreads Covid-19 awareness among RMG workers
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said increasing incidents of RMG goods theft on the highway is worrying the apparel exporters. Also, such instances damage the image of Bangladesh when buyers discover rags and other materials filed by thieves in cargoes instead of finished garments, he added.
He urged the government to increase the vigilance of the law enforcement agencies to stop the theft of RMG goods.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan directed the law enforcement agencies to be strict in preventing garment goods theft on the highway.
The minister assured that the Dhaka-Chattogram highway would be brought under CCTV surveillance; work had had already started in this connection and would be completed within four months.
READ: BGMEA wants end of RMG goods theft on highways
He also gave instructions that a working committee be formed headed by the Additional IGP of Highway Police involving representatives of law enforcement agencies, the BGMEA and Truck Covered Van Owners Association to devise ways to curb RMG export goods theft on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.
Home minister says none will be spared after police arrest eight people over factory fire
The government will not spare any one responsible for the devastating factory fire in Rupganj, Home Minister Asaduzzman Khan said on Saturday after announcing the arrest of eight people, including the owner of the enterprise, in this connection.
The home minister was talking to reporters after visiting the burnt Hashem Foods factory, a concern of Sajeeb Group, at Bhulta under Rupganj in Narayanganj.
Police said they arrested Md Abul Hashem, chairman of the group Sajeeb Group that owns the factory, his four sons -- Hashem Bin Hashem, Tareq Ibrahim, Tawsib Ibrahim and Tanjim Ibrahim-- and its CEO Shahan Sha Azad, DGM Mamunur Rashid and head of admin Salauddin.
The eight will be produced before court later in the day, said Superintendent of Police (Narayanganj) Md Zaidul Alam.
Also read: Rupganj factory fire: Sajeeb Group chairman, 4 sons, CEO among 8 arrested
“None will be spared if their negligence is proven behind the factory fire,” the home minster said.
So far 52 workers, some of them reportedly teen-aged boys and girls, were killed in the devastating fire that tore through the seven-story factory that produced foods and beverages such as juice, cold drinks, toast biscuits and laccha semai.
Nationwide lockdown from Monday, 'all out lockdown’ from July 1
The government will enforce an all out lockdown from July 1 as the country grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases and fatalities with the highly infectious Delta variant playing havoc.
Meanwhile, the country will go into the earlier announced strict lockdown ‘on a limited scale’ from Monday.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in the chair on Saturday evening.
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain confirmed the development to UNB.
“Nationwide lockdown will begin on Monday. However, for zonal closing of bills of the banking sector and various government offices at the end of the month, the maximum restrictions will kick in from July 1," he said.
Details on the lockdown will be known after the government issues a notification on Sunday, the minister added.
However, public transport will be suspended from Monday according to sources attending the meeting.
Alsor read: COVID-19: Daily caseload drops on back of reduced tests, as positivity keeps rising
Export-oriented factories are likely to be exempted from the restrictions, they said.
Earlier on Saturday, sources within Bangladesh Garment Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BGMEA) confirmed the news to UNB citing a circular issued by the organisation.
Decision taken to ban battery-powered rickshaw-vans: Home Minister
A decision has been taken to ban battery-powered rickshaws and vans, according to Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.
The home minister said this to the reporters after a meeting of the road transport task force at the ministry on Sunday.
Read:People involved with Hefazat violence to be punished: Home Minister
Khan said rickshaws and vans with added motors were running on the roads and highways across the country. Having only front wheel brakes, these vehicles often overturn and cause accidents. That’s why the decision was taken to ban them.
Pedaled rickshaw-vans all over the country were allowed to run as usual, he added.
Read: Stabilise prices ahead of Ramadan: Home Minister
The committee formed to strengthen discipline and control road accidents came up with 111 recommendations. A task force has been formed with the intention of implementing several recommendations , the home minister explained.
He also said various three wheelers including Nasimon, Karimon, Bhatvati running in rural areas would be brought under control by turns.
Read: Won’t tolerate anarchy: Home Minister
Battery powered easy-bikes will be allowed to only ply on selected roads in the cities, apart from rural areas.
Asaduzzaman Khan said, the roads of Dhaka and Chattogram would soon be monitored by cameras which would eventually help to identify the cause of accidents and reduce those.
Govt turns down family’s application to send Khaleda abroad
The government on Sunday turned down the application of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s family seeking permission to send her abroad for advance treatment as there is no scope for her to avail of such a scope, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan.
“The Law Ministry has informed us that there’s no legal provision to allow convicted Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment. In the light of such an opinion, the application of her family can’t be granted,” he told reporters at his Secretariat office.
The minister said they will soon inform the BNP chief’s family about their decision.
He said the Law Ministry made it clear that as Khaleda was earlier given a facility by suspending her sentences under section 401, now there is no scope to waive her sentences after reconsidering the same section for the second time.
Also read: Khaleda tests negative for Covid
Asaduzzaman said they received the application of Khaleda’s family on humanitarian grounds and sent it to the Law Ministry for its legal opinion. “We’re doing everything as per the law. BNP can apply (for sending Khaleda abroad, but we can't do anything beyond the law.”
Talking to UNB, Law Minister Anisul Haq said there is no chance of allowing Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment. “I’ve sent my legal opinion in this regard to the Home Ministry.”
“Khaleda Zia's sentences have been suspended as per section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), on condition that she can’t go abroad. So, there’s now no scope to grant her family’s application by relaxing this condition,” he explained.
He said when a decision has already been made as per section 401 of the CrPC, the function of this section is over regarding her and there is no scope to reopen it. “So, she (Khaleda) can’t be sent abroad.”
Also read: Khaleda applies for passport renewal to go aboard: Lawyer
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir may come up with the party’s official reaction to the government decision after visiting Khaleda at Evercare Hospital at night.
Meanwhile, M Asaduzzam, a pro-BNP lawyer, described the law minister’s explanation as per-incuriam.
He said Section 401(1) of the CrPC says, "When any person has been sentenced to punishment for an offence, the Government may at any time without conditions or upon any conditions which the person sentenced accepts, suspend the execution of his/her sentence or remit the whole or any part of the punishment to which he/she has been sentenced."
The section 401 (4A) says: “The provision of the above sub-sections shall also apply to any order passed by a Criminal Court under any section of this Code or of any other law, which restricts the liberty of any person or impose any liability upon him or his property.”
“As per these sections, the government has the scope to allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad.. it’s the government’s inherent power,” Asad opined.
Also read: Allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment: Fakhrul
He said the government can allow any person to go abroad even if any court imposes any travel ban on him/her.
On Wednesday last, Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at his Dhanmondi residence and submitted an application seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment.
Later, the application was sent to the Law Ministry for its opinion.
Law Minister Anisul Haq on Sunday morning sent his ministry’s opinion to the Home Ministry.
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup.
She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with shortness of breath around 4pm on Monday last. Her breathing problem later eased.
Also read: Ailing Khaleda’s family seeks permission to send her abroad
On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there.
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive.
Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia tested negative for Covid-19 on Saturday, 27 days after she had been infected with the deadly virus.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
Ailing Khaleda’s family seeks permission to send her abroad
The family of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital, filed an application to Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday night seeking permission to send her abroad for advanced treatment.
Khaleda’s younger brother Shamim Iskander met the minister at his Dhanmondi residence around 8:30pm and submitted the application to him, Sharif Mahmud, public relations officer of the Home Ministry, told UNB.
Quoting the minister, he said the application will be sent to the Law Ministry for assessing the legal aspects.
The 76-year-old BNP chief, who tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time on April 24, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on April 27 for a thorough health checkup.
She was shifted to the CCU of the hospital with breath complications around 4pm on Monday. Her breathing problem later eased.
Also read: No change in Khaleda’s health condition: Doctor
On April 28, a 10-member medical board, headed by Prof Shahabuddin Talukder, was formed for the treatment of Khaleda at the Evercare Hospital a day after her admission there.
A personal physician of the BNP chief, wishing anonymity, said Khaleda’s condition did not improve much though she has been kept at the CCU.
He said fluids were removed from her lungs while her oxygen saturation level has been fluctuating without oxygen support.
The doctor also said the BNP chief’s blood sugar is also not under control.
Under the circumstances, he said, the 10-member medical board recommended sending Khaleda aboard for advanced treatment after assessing her all reports of the medical tests on Wednesday evening.
Also read: Khaleda shifted to CCU with breathing problem: Doctor
Later, her family members decided to send an application to the Home Minister for sending her aboard.
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir went to the Evercare Hospital in the evening and enquired about Khaleda’s health condition from her doctors.
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
She was released from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) the same day, and she has been staying at her Gulshan house since then.
Also read: Khaleda Zia infected with Covid-19
On August 27 last year, the government extended her release for six more months and it was extended again for six months on March 15 last.
On February 8, 2018, Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Central Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The High Court later doubled her jail term.
Khaleda was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Her party claims both the cases are politically motivated.
Those responsible for Muniya’s death to be brought to justice: Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Wednesday said those who will be found responsible for the death of Mosarat Jahan Muniya must be brought to justice.
The minister came up with the remark while responding to a question from reporters at his Dhanmondi residence on Wednesday.
Also read: Young woman found dead in Gulshan; case filed against Bashundhara MD
“I clearly say that everything will go as per the law…the law will take its own course. Whoever is the culprit will face the trial. So, we can say more about it only after investigation,” he added.
Police on Monday recovered the hanging body of Mosarat Jahan, 21, daughter of late Shafiqur Rahman, a freedom fighter of Monoharpur in Cumilla district, from a flat in Dhaka’s Gulshan area.
Also read: Muniya’s grieving family seeks justice
Following the recovery of her body, the victim's sister, Nusrat Jahan, filed a case under section 306 of Bangladesh Penal Code with Gulshan Police Station around 1:30 am on Tuesday.
In the case, Nusrat Jahan made Sayem Sobhan Anvir, managing director of Bashundhara Group, as the lone accused of abetting the death of the 21-year-old college student.
Intelligence agencies to identify Hefazat financers: Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday said intelligence agencies are trying to identify the financers of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.
“Intelligence agencies are working to identify those who provide financial support to Hefazat. We’ve got some information about them, but we don't want to disclose that now. We’ll inform you once the investigation is over,” the Home Minister said while talking to reporters at his Dhanmondi residence on Wednesday.
The Home Minister said: “Everything – where’s the money coming from and how much is coming to whose account -- will be dug out through the investigation.”
Also read: People involved with Hefazat violence to be punished: Home Minister
The Home Minister went on saying, "As per our investigation, Hefazat-e-Islam carried out violence with an aim to repeat the incident of Shapla Chattar it unleashed in 2013."
“They certainly had a political ambition. Our law enforcement agencies are investigating various secret activities of the organisation,” Asaduzzaman Khan said.
He said that the constitution of Hefazat-e-Islam clearly states that they will not be involved in any political issue and remain above politics. “But we’ve noticed that identified terrorists and militants have become involved in politics and creating a volatile situation in the country.”
Asked about Hefazat Ameer Babunagari, who was sued but no action has been taken yet against him, the minister said, “There was a case filed against Babunagari in 2013. He was arrested at that time and later he was released on bail. I can share with you after having an idea about the status of the case.”
Also read: Won’t tolerate anarchy: Home Minister
The Home Minister said legal action would be taken against those who will commit any crime.
People involved with Hefazat violence to be punished: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Sunday said that despite talks with the leaders of Hefazat-e-Islam, people who were involved in violence will be brought to book.
He came up with the remarks at a function organised by Dhaka North City Awami League at Rajdhani School premises.
The Home Minister said that people are being arrested after analysing video footages of Hefazat's violence that spread across districts.
Also read: BNP-Jamaat behind recent Hefazat violence: Minister
Despite discussions with the group, those who participated in the violence will be punished, he added.
The minister said that those who are involved in arson, vandaliism, and caused lives to be lost must be punished.
Also read: BNP involved in Hefazat violence: Obaidul Quader
He said the law enforcement is not making any mass arrests or harassing anyone said.
The Home Minister said Hefazat is a non-political group and there is no provision of doing politics on its policies. Although many disagree with it, he said.