Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina today called upon the people to cast their votes for 'boat' in the forthcoming national election to give her party the opportunity to serve them again.

"It's my call to you (the country's people) to give us the opportunity to serve you again by casting your vote for boat (AL's electoral symbol)," she said, addressing a grand rally as chief guest, organised by Khulna City and District Awami League at Khulna Circuit House ground.

Sheikh Hasina said 'boat' has given independence, boat has given development, Bangladesh has attained the status of developing nation as you have voted for boat, and this vote will give the smart Bangladesh of 2041."

In the smart Bangladesh, she said, population of the country will be smart and they will have smart government, smart economy and smart society.

"Bangladesh will be smart, developed, prosperous, modern knowledge-based Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," she added.

To attain this, the premier laid emphasis on the continuation of democratic trend what the country has been witnessing since 2009.

"As the continuation of democratic trend is prevailing in the country, the development of Bangladesh is visible," she added.

Terming BNP as the "headless party", the AL president said they just want to create an unnatural situation in the country to foil the election.

She added, "They know that they don't have any leadership. They're just a party without any head. One is absconding and another is in the jail. That party doesn't want any election in the country, rather they just want to create an unnatural situation in the country."

"BNP-Jamaat knows that in 2008 elections they got only 30 seats," she continued.

She mentioned that next election will be held on time and all have to remain vigilant during the election time.

Sheikh Hasina said if anyone wants to set fire to any vehicle and burn people alive, then those hands have to be burnt in that fire.

"Give them a good lesson so no one dares to cause any harm to anyone of the country. That kind of incidents must not happen again," she said.

The AL chief asked her party men and members of AL's associate bodies to give protection to the people of the country together with the law enforcing agencies.

She said whenever Awami League comes in the power, the country and its people witness development and progress.

"It is very much regretful that BNP means the terror activities. The only task of BNP-Jamaat is to kill people through arson attacks," she said.

In this connection, the Prime Minister mentioned the incidents of October 28 when BNP-Jamaat terrorists killed a policeman by beating mercilessly.

She said that BNP-Jamaat terrorists injured 45 police men and attacked journalists who went there to cover their programmes.

"They attacked hospitals like the Israeli forces in Gaza. They also vandalised ambulances. I don't think that they have a little bit of humanity," she said, adding, the only quality of BNP-Jamaat is killing people.

She said that the government has already declared to award Taka 20,000 for nabbing any arson terrorist and handing to the law enforcing agencies.

"We will not spare anyone involved in killing people through arson attacks," she said.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, MP, Sheikh Helal Uddin, MP, Sheikh Salauddin Jewel, MP, and Sheikh Sharhan Naser Tonmoy, MP, also spoke.

Khulna City AL President and Khulna City Corporation (KCC) mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque chaired the rally.

In Khulna, Sheikh Hasina previously addressed a rally five years back on March 3, 2018.

Before joining the rally, the premier joined a view-exchange meeting with the officials of different government offices in Khulna division.

The entire Khulna region, centring the rally, wore a festive look while the local people as well as leaders and workers of the ruling Awami League and associate bodies cheered up due to arrival of the premier.

Khulna, which is famous for Bangladesh's white gold shrimp cultivation, was decorated with banners, festoons, billboards and posters welcoming Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina.

Colourful arches and gates were constructed on various roads of the town with the posters and banners of Prime Minister. Leaders hung billboards, banners, balloons, festoons and posters welcoming the head of government.

Pinning upon the public rally of the Prime Minister, the entire Khulna turned into a town of euphoria. The town was decorated in festive looks while people of all strata of life as well as leaders and activists of AL became enthusiastic. Arrival of Sheikh Hasina, who is also the President of AL, created excitement among the leaders and activists not only in Khulna but also in the entire southern region.

Although the premier was scheduled to join the rally at 03:00pm, hundreds of thousands of people throng the rally ground from early morning and within a few hours the ground was full to the brim.

The crowd then spilled over the surrounding areas, roads and empty places, meaning the town turned into a human sea before arrival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the stage which was made in the shape of a boat and Padma Bridge.

Earlier from the morning, mass people, women and supporters were seen marching towards the venue in processions chanting slogans "Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu" and holding colourful placards, banners, festoons, wearing colourful T-shirts, cap on heads, head bands, drums, election symbol boat as well as national and party flags.

Women in large and small groups as well as individually waited in the queue in the gate with smiling faces to enter the venue.

Hundreds thousands of leaders and followers of Awami League and its associate bodies from different districts of Khulna Division joined the rally in fleets of reserve buses, pickups, motorcycles while many were seen joining the rally on foot.

Regarding the agitation of readymade garment (RMG) workers, the Prime Minister said that considering inflation, the salary of government employees has been increased by only 5 percent, but the wage of garment workers has been increased by 56 percent.

Sheikh Hasina said after assuming power in 1996 she found that the wage of RMG workers was only Taka 800 (per month) and then she increased it to Taka 1,600. But during the regime of BNP, Begum Khaleda Zia didn't hike their wage by a single penny, she added.

"Not Zia, Ershad or Khaleda Zia, it is the Awami League that has hiked has hiked their wage," she added.

She said that the minimum wage of RMG workers has been fixed at Taka 12,500 now. She referred to her government's efforts when they increased to Taka 1,600 from Taka 8,000, then to Taka 3,200 from Taka 1,600, Taka 5,200 from 3,200 and Taka 8,200 from Taka 5,200.

"Although the RMG sector is a private sector, the government has hiked their wage through discussion with the owners," she added.

The Prime Minister asked where their (RMG workers) objection is. "Some 19 factories were destroyed. Who is doing this destruction? Who is among them? It is necessary to find out and see," she added.

Regarding the introduction of the Universal Pension Scheme, the head of government urged all to avail the pension scheme, saying it is a protection for all.

Last week, widespread violence and destruction unfolded across Bangladesh, centered in Dhaka. This has raised a pertinent question: Is Bangladesh witnessing the rise of extremism akin to the Taliban? Is Bangladesh potentially becoming a second home for the Taliban?

From July 17th to July 21st, incidents of unrest and violence have occurred across the country. Upon analysis, it is evident that the main instigators behind all these events are the anti-independence Jamaat, Shibir, and some militant organizations. Evidence suggests that professional militants have attacked various important establishments such as BTV, Metro Rail, and Elevated Expressway. Particularly concerning is the incident where militants managed to escape from Narshingdi jail, which raises several questions.

During this agitation (quota reform movement), BNP and its student wing were certainly involved, but they were supportive forces. Towards the end, with hopes of profiting and causing the government's downfall, they appeared on the field as allies of Jamaat-Shibir's B Team. However, the entire planning and execution of this movement were orchestrated by Jamaat, Shibir, and professional militants. This raises the question whether Bangladesh is witnessing a resurgence of terrorism. Because all these incidents have been orchestrated in such a manner that they couldn't have been carried out without the involvement of trained terrorists. This incident has made it clear that in Bangladesh, extremist, blind faith-driven, and reactionary groups remain active and have abundant weapons at their disposal.

In Bangladesh, there have been various instances of attempts to promote terrorism. Particularly in 2001, after the BNP-Jamaat alliance came to power, terrorism was encouraged and supported.

Research reveals that during that time, Bangla Bhai, along with Sheikh Abdur Rahman, led all the terrorists, who were under the parole of Jamaat and controlled by Jamaat. All these militant organizations orchestrated bomb attacks nationwide at that time. They carried out bomb attacks in court premises. Subsequently, various efforts were made gradually to curb terrorism. Upon assuming power, the Awami League government took a stern stance against terrorism. However, the Holy Artisan incident opened everyone's eyes. It became evident that terrorism still maintains a strong presence in Bangladesh.

After the Holy Artisan incident, the government adopted a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and granted special importance to counterterrorism efforts. However, this did not eradicate terrorism completely. Terrorists became active from various locations, especially in the hilly areas where there have been reports of terrorist training camps. Due to all these reasons, it is believed that terrorists have reorganized and are attempting to overthrow the government. Following the unrest in July, it seems terrorists are now more organized than ever before. Therefore, they must be thwarted immediately. Failure to do so may turn Bangladesh into another Afghanistan in the days to come.

Citing clashes and fatalities at various universities across the country over the quota reform movement, Islamic University (IU) has been closed indefinitely, prioritizing the safety of its students.

This decision was made at the 264th emergency syndicate meeting held on Wednesday (July 17th) at 10:30 AM, presided over by the Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Shaikh Abdus Salam.

A notice was issued, signed by IU acting registrar HM Ali Hasan in this regard.

Registrar’s Office Sources informed that considering the unforeseen circumstances arising at various educational institutions across the country, all academic activities of Islamic University will remain suspended until further notice, prioritizing the overall safety of the students. Male students have been instructed to vacate their hall by 1:00 PM on July 17 and female students by Thursday (18th July) 10:00 AM.

At least nine people were killed and several others injured as a microbus, carrying a bridal party, plunged into a river after a bridge collapse in Amtali upazila of the district today.

The deceased were identified as Rubia ,45, wife of Rakibul Howladar, Raiti Khan,22, wife of Sohail Khan, Fatema,35, wife of Babul Matbar, Shahnaz Akhtar, 37, wife of Abul Kalam, and her  two daughters Tahiyat Mejbin, 7, and Tasfia Mubassera, 12, Farida Begum,48,  wife of Fazlur Rahman Khan, residents of  Kokararchar village of  Shibchar upazila in  Madaripur district,  Zakia, 35 ,   wife of Zahirul Islam and her  daughter Rukaid Islam, 5, resident of Taktabunia village of Amtali Upazila Haldia Union in Barguna district.

The accident occurred when they were going to attend a wedding ceremony in Amtali Municipal Town on a microbus while crossing the connecting bridge of Chawra Union and Haldia Union of the upazila around 2:30 pm this afternoon as the bridge collapsed into the Subandhi river, leaving at least 20 people injured, officer-in-charge (OC) of Amtali Police Station Kazi Tofazzal Hossain Tapu said.

Later, fire service and police personnel rescued the injured and took them to Amtali Upazila Health Complex where on-duty doctor declared nine of them dead, he said.

Golam Sarwar Tuku, MP of Barguna-1 constituency and Deputy Commissioner Rafiqul Islam visited the spot.

The bodies will be handed over to theirs family members after legal process, The OC added.

(Source: BSS)

The outgoing Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed received farewell ‘darbar’ here today.

He also exchanged views with the military officers, junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and other army personnel of different ranks, according to an ISPR press release.

Army personnel from all cantonments participated in the darbar through Video teleconferencing (VTC), the release added.

In his farewell address, the Army Chief expressed his special gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saying that the Bangladesh Army has stood with its head high before the world today as a modern and smart force due to the sincere efforts of the premier.

He also expressed his sincere gratitude to all concerned for their full cooperation during discharging duties.

(Source: BSS)

A devastating floods in Sylhet and Sunamganj inundated much of two northeastern districts leaving over 17 lakh people stranded and damaging standing crops and infrastructures.

 
Residents and officials of local administrations told BSS that 17,57,222 people have been marooned in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts as this year's second spell of flood submerged vast swaths of the two district creating huge suffering of the people.
 
Among the total people, who are marooned by flood water, 7.92 lakh people are in Sunamganj and 9.64 lakh people are in Sylhet, they added.
 
Officials of Sylhet district administration said the first spell of flood affected thousands of people in 13 upazilas and municipalities of Sytlhet district in late May and the flash flood prolonged first week of the current months leaving a large number of people marooned.
 
The authorities have set up 6,392 shelter centres after the second round of flood hit Sylhet and Sunamganj districts. As flood water started receding, people are going to home from shelter centres.
 
The Sunamganj district administration sources said flood water submerged 11 upazilas and Sunamgaj municipality.

Mayor of Sylhet City Corporation Anwaruzzaman Choudhury said, "Volunteer teams of city corporation are working to extend assistances for flood-hit people. We have arranged adequate amount of food at shelter centres."

A devastating flood, triggered by heavy rainfall and onrush water from hilly regions, have affected 20 lakh people in Sylhet and Sunamganj districts, according to a statement of UNICEF issued today.

 The statement, signed by Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, read among 20 lakh flood affected people in two northeastern regions - Sylhet and Sunamganj - 7.72 lakh are children.
 
The UNICEF called for emergency assistances for flood-hit children as they (children) are the venerable segment of the population in case of any natural disaster.

Sheldon Yett said, "When flood waters are in rising trend, unsecured condition has created for children. They face different problems including drowning, malnutrition and various water-borne diseases."

The UNICEF in cooperation with of Bangladesh government and other organization working at field level have distributed safe drinking water among one lakh flood-hit people in Sylhet and Sunamganj to reduce their suffering.

Alongside distribution of drinking water, the UNICEF also distributed over 10 litre capacity 3000 water pots for the people in food-hit regions.

According to the UNICEF statement, 810 primary schools in Sylhet Division have been submerged by flood water while 500 primary schools are used as shelter centre for flood-affected people. As many as 140 community clinics have been damaged by flood waters in the Sylhet region, it added.
 
 Water levels at 59 river stations monitored by Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) have marked rise while 48 stations recorded fall.

Among the 110 monitored river stations, two have been registered steady and water levels at seven river stations are flowing above the danger level, a bulletin issued by the FFWC said here today.

The Teesta River is flowing at 15cm above danger level at Kaunia station while the Surma at Kanaighat, the Kushiyara at Amalsad, at Sherpur-Sylhet and at Markuli, the Old Surma at Derai and the Someshwari at Kalmakanda are flowing 35cm, 15cm, 18cm, 39cm, 23cm and 34cm are flowing respectively.

The Ganges-Padma rivers are in rising trend, which may continue in the next 72 hours, the bulletin said, adding that the major rivers in the North-eastern region of the country are in falling trend which may continue in the next 72 hours.

Overall improvement of the flood situation in various low-lying areas under districts of the North-eastern part of the country may continue in the next 72 hours.

According to the information from meteorological organisations, low to medium rainfall in next 24 hours and medium to heavy rainfall in the next 48 to 72 hours is expected in the Northern and adjoining upstream parts of the country.

As a result, the water level of Dudhkumar, Teesta and Dharla rivers in those regions may fall in the next 24 hours which may rise in particular time in the next 48 to 72 hours.