United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday expressed deep shock over the death of AK Khandker Bir Uttam, a key hero of the Bangladesh Liberation War and former planning minister. In a condolence message, Fakhrul said, “I deeply sympathise with the bereaved family of AK Khandker over his demise.” He recalled that late AK Khandker, who served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Liberation Forces, was the first Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force and played a brave and heroic role during the Liberation War of 1971. For his exceptional contribution to the war, Fakhrul said AK Khandker was awarded the ‘Bir Uttam’ title and the Independence Award in 2011. “He will always be remembered by the nation for his outstanding contribution to the Liberation War and the freedom of our motherland. His devoted role in protecting the country’s sovereignty and independence will remain an exemplary legacy,” the BNP leader said. Mirza Fakhrul falls ill “I am deeply saddened by his passing and pray to Almighty Allah to grant him a place in Jannah and give patience to his grieving family,” he added. The BNP Secretary General also prayed for the eternal peace of AK Khandker’s soul and expressed profound sympathy to his family, admirers and well-wishers.    

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday urged vigilance to prevent the killing of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi from being politically exploited to create chaos. “We have strongly condemned this brutal killing. But fallen fascist forces or anyone trying to disrupt the election must not be allowed to use this incident for political gain. Everyone must remain vigilant,” he said. Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, made the remarks while talking to reporters before attending Hadi’s namaz-e-janaza. He also called upon the people of the country to remain alert to prevent any conspiracy aimed at delaying or disrupting the upcoming election. Later, on behalf of BNP, Salahuddin along with party Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and many other leaders and activists attended the janaza of martyr Osman Hadi. Hadi’s namaz-e-janaza was held at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Saturday afternoon. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, advisers, leaders and activists of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Inquilab Moncho, National Citizens Party (NCP), and chiefs of the three services were, among others, present. Mirza Fakhrul falls ill Osman Hadi, also a prospective candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan. He was airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries on the night of December 18.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir suddenly fell ill on Friday night and is currently receiving treatment at home. “The BNP Secretary General developed a viral infection (fever) late Friday night. Following doctors’ advice, he is receiving treatment at home,” BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said on Saturday. He also said Fakhrul is resting as per his doctor’s instructions. BNP pays homage to Osman Hadi Fakhrul attended an emergency meeting of the party’s Standing Committee on Friday night and later briefed journalists on the decisions taken at the meeting at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan

Strongly denouncing the wave of violent attacks at different parts of the the country, including those targeting media houses, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday night alleged that a long-identified vested quarter is deliberately trying to push Bangladesh into chaos to establish 'a new form of fascism'. Speaking at a press conference after an emergency meeting of the BNP Standing Committee at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office, he also condemned the killing of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi and urged the pace-loving political and social forces to unite to foil all attempts to obstruct the democratic transition. “Inquilab Moncho Chief Sharif Osman Hadi died prematurely while undergoing medical treatment in Singapore. We strongly condemn and express our deep abhorrence over this cowardly killing. We once again demand the immediate arrest of the perpetrators and that they be brought to justice without delay,” Fakhrul said. Following this tragic death, Fakhrul said, a group of unruly people carried out arson attacks late last night on the offices of several newspapers, including Prothom Alo and the English daily The Daily Star. The BNP leader said these attacks seriously endangered the lives of journalists who were on duty at the two newspaper offices. He also said an attack was carried out on Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age and president of the Editors’ Council, describing him as a prominent and courageous journalist involved in the anti-fascist July movement and other democratic movements in the country. Besides, Fakhrul said, various cultural institutions, including Chhayanaut, were also attacked. “We strongly condemn and express our deep hatred for these heinous acts. These incidents prove that a long-identified vested quarter wants to push the country towards anarchy in a planned manner. They are trying to create a new form of fascism by destroying our voting and democratic rights earned through immense bloodshed,” he said. Fakhrul lamented that these activities are being carried out openly, right under the nose of the government. “People also believe that the government’s role has not been satisfactory. As a result, the country’s image abroad is being damaged,” he said. The BNP leader said almost all political parties have protested against Hadi’s killing and are putting pressure on the government to arrest the killers and ensure justice. “In this situation, we believe that these disgraceful attacks are part of a conspiracy to create uncertainty around the upcoming national election and to obstruct the process of democratic transition,” Fakhrul said. On behalf of the peace-loving people of the country, he said BNP wants to warn those despicable conspirators that it will not allow anyone to destroy the country won at the cost of so much blood. The BNP leader urged all democratic, political and social forces to remain united against anarchy created by vested quarter. “This evil force must be resisted through unity. There is no alternative now but for all political and social forces opposed to chaos to unite in order to resist this conspiracy. Through such unity, we ensured the fall of fascism and secured an interim government and a national election. In continuation of that struggle, we once again call upon all patriotic forces to unite,” he said. Fakhrul cited a series of violent incidents following Hadi’s death, including attacks on the Indian High Commission office and its staff residences in Khulna and Chattogram, arson and vandalism at Prothom Alo and The Daily Star offices in Dhaka and Rajshahi, vandalism and arson at Dhanmondi 32, the Chhayanaut office and the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, the destruction of shops in Uttara, attacks on the house of an Awami League leader, the killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh over allegations of religious desecration, vandalism and arson at the residence of late Chattogram mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury and the house of former minister Bir Bahadur, and the attack on New Age Editor Nurul Kabir. Hadi, a prospective candidate for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election from the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan, Dhaka. He initially underwent surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and was later admitted to Evercare Hospital. For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he passed away on Thursday night.

BNP on Friday paid tributes to Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi as his body arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport from Singapore in the evening. On behalf of the party, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and Acting Chairman’s adviser Dr Mahdi Amin paid the tributes to Hadi by placing a wreath on his coffin at the airport, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Earlier, the duo along with some interim government advisers and senior leader from different parties received the mortal remains of Hadi, who passed away in a Singapore hospital on Thursday. The Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-585 carrying Hadi’s body landed at 5:48 pm, having departed from Singapore’s Changi International Airport at 2:03 pm, Bangladesh time. Hadi, a prospective candidate for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election from the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot in the head on December 12 while travelling in a rickshaw on Culvert Road in Puratan Paltan, Dhaka. He initially underwent surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and was later admitted to Evercare Hospital. For advanced treatment, he was airlifted to Singapore, where he passed away on Thursday night.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s physical condition became more stable on Friday after a small medical procedure was successfully carried out on her, said her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain. “Alhamdulillah. As I told you yesterday (Thursday), by the mercy of Allah and everyone’s prayers, her condition was stable. I would like to add that compared to her previous condition, she is now much more stable following the treatment of the medical board,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while briefing reporters about Khaleda’s health condition outside Evercare Hospital. Dr Zahid said a small medical procedure was carried out on the former prime minister on Friday in the operation theatre of the hospital. “She was able to receive it very successfully. The procedure went smoothly.” He said Khaleda is now receiving treatment at a Critical Care Unit cabin that has ICU facilities, under a medical board made up of specialist doctors from home and abroad. “At this moment, her condition is stable. This means her condition has not deteriorated,” the BNP leader said. Khaleda Zia integral to an important chapter in Bangladesh history: Prof Yunus Dr Zahid said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and the wife of late Arafat Rahman Koko Syeda Shameela Rahman and other family members urged the country’s people to pray to Allah so that Khaleda continues to remain stable and moves towards full recovery with the treatment being provided by the medical board. The BNP chief was admitted to Evercare Hospital on 23 November with several health complications. Three days later, she was moved to the Critical Care Unit after a lung infection was detected. Her treatment is now being supervised by a medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, with the involvement of both local and foreign specialists.    

BNP on Friday postponed two scheduled programmes of its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, considering the overall situation in the country. The party has also called an emergency meeting of its Standing Committee tonight at 8:30pm at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. “The two pre-announced programmes have been postponed, and an emergency standing committee meeting has been called for tonight at 8:30pm,” he said. Sayrul said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will join the meeting virtually and preside over it. He said the programme of Fakhrul, which was scheduled to be held at 3pm at Sech Bhaban in the Sangsad Bhaban area, has been postponed. Another programme of the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, planned for 4pm in front of the WASA Bhaban at Karwan Bazar, has also been postponed,” Sayrul added. BNP sources said the two programmes were postponed after Inquilab Moncho convener Sharif Osman bin Hadi, who was shot and injured earlier, died on Thursday in Singapore and violence broke out afterwards in Bangladesh. They also said the Standing Committee meeting has been convened to discuss the country’s latest political situation, organisational matters, and to work out the party’s next course of action.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s verified Facebook account has been temporarily deactivated due to repeated hacking attempts. “Attempts were being made to hack the account since morning. That is why it has been kept deactivated for now,” said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. In the early morning, Fakhrul issued a statement on his verified Facebook account condemning the attacks on several media houses and the assault on New Age Editor Nurul Kabir. “While the grieving nation was praying for the (departed) soul of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi, shameful attacks were carried out on media organisations, including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, as well as on respected journalist Nurul Kabir and several others,” he said in the post. Fakhrul also said those who wait for national crises to take advantage of them are enemies of the country. “They wait for moments of crisis. Today, they turned this tragic moment into an act of destruction. I strongly condemn this act of terror.” “We urge all parties to work together responsibly and in unity. The government must take action immediately,” he said. Soon after the post, attempts were reportedly made to break into his account, prompting its temporary deactivation.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday strongly condemned the attacks on The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, New Age Editor Nurul Kabir and other media professionals, saying those who carried out such violence are “enemies of Bangladesh”. “While the grieving nation was praying for the soul of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi, shameful attacks were carried out on media organisations, including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, as well as on respected journalist Nurul Kabir and several others,” he said In a Facebook post early Friday, Fakhrul said Bangladesh is a sovereign and independent country, and the government is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of every citizen. He said those who wait for national crises to take advantage of them are enemies of the country. “They wait for moments of crisis. Today, they turned this tragic moment into an act of destruction. I strongly condemn this act of terror!” The BNP leader also said Hadi was a candidate in the upcoming national election and had gone to people seeking votes. “The election will be held, and a democratic government elected by people will be formed in Bangladesh, InshaAllah.” He said the assailants of Hadi must be brought to justice and every act of mob violence must also be punished. Fakhrul said the country has witnessed various mob attacks for over a year, which have divided the nation. After the fall of the autocratic Awami League regime, he said, the first and foremost responsibility of the interim government is to unite the nation and build a democratic, stable and inclusive society. “We urge all parties to work together responsibly and in unity. The government must take action immediately,” he said.

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said a historic reception awaits BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, who will reach Dhaka at 11:55am on December 25. “Tarique Rahman is scheduled to land at Dhaka airport at 11:55am on December 25 by a regular commercial flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines from London,” he said. Talking to reporters in front of BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office after visiting Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with the reception committee for Tarique’s return, Salahuddin said people across the country are eager for a glimpse of him, and the BNP is working to ensure the gathering does not cause any public inconvenience. He said their committee inspected security and logistical arrangements at the airport ahead of the BNP Acting Chairman’s arrival. Salahuddin said the party is looking for suitable locations near the airport and Evercare Hospital to organise the reception programme. He said they want to ensure a reception that will surpass all previous gatherings in the last 55 years and will not be forgotten in the next 55 years, marking Tarique’s homecoming. Upon arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the BNP leader said, Tarique will be taken under tight security by road to Evercare Hospital, where his ailing mother and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is undergoing treatment. Salahuddin, the convener of the party’s reception committee for Tarique’s homecoming, said, “We, the members of the reception committee, inspected the area where our leader will land. We checked where he will get down, where he will sit, how he will get into his car and which roads his motorcade will take to reach Evercare Hospital and then his residence. We are coordinating everything with the authorities.” He said Tarique is coming back after 17 years of painful exile. The BNP leader said the government is cooperating to ensure Tarique’s reception and security. He said BNP’s security team, led by retired Brigadier General AKM Shamsul Islam, has held several meetings with the heads of relevant government departments over the past few days to finalise the security arrangements. Salahuddin said BNP leaders and activists from across the country will travel to Dhaka to welcome Tarique. “We are instructing leaders of BNP and affiliated organisations in every district, upazila and union on how they should arrive in Dhaka on the night of 24 December or by the morning of 25 December. There is huge excitement among people all over the country,” he said. Reception committee member secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the committee is working full swing under the leadership of Salahuddin Ahmed. He said Tarique’s arrival will draw a ‘historic crowd’, and they are working day and night to make the gathering historic and memorable. Meanwhile, BNP has written to Bangladesh Railway authorities requesting to reserve trains on different routes on the night of 24 December to facilitate the arrival of leaders and activists in Dhaka.