Dhaka's CMM court dismissed BNP's case against 20 leaders and activists of Awami League-Youth League.

Earlier on Tuesday (September 20) in the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Dhaka Md Tofazzal Hossain, a plaintiff named Omar Farooq Farooqui filed this case.

The court accepted the statement of the plaintiff. After the hearing, the court will issue an order later, he said.

The other defendants named in the case are - State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Mojumder, Member of Parliament for Dhaka-16 Constituency Ilyas Uddin Molla, General Secretary of Dhaka North Awami League M.A. Mannan Kochi, Dhaka Metropolitan North Jubo League General Secretary Ismail Hossain, Organizing Secretary Taijul Islam Chowdhury Bappi, Rupnagar Thana Awami League President Haji Rajab Hossain, Ward Awami League Leader Kashem Mollah, Former Member of Parliament of Dhaka-14 Constituency Tuhin, Awami Leader Sheikh Mannan, Anwar Hossain Litu, Salahuddin Robin, Dhaka North Metropolitan Volunteer League President Ishaq Miah, Dhaka North Metropolitan Secha Sebok League President Ishaq Miah, Secha Sebok League Joint General Secretary Mobaswer Chowdhury, Awami League leader Haji Tofazzal Hossain Tenu, Rooppur Thana Jubo League president Zakir Hossain, general secretary Khokon, Dhaka Metropolitan North Chhatra League president Md Ibrahim and Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League treasurer Salma Chowdhury.

The complaint said that Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP held a peaceful rally in Mirpur Pallabi Zone on September 15. Suddenly 400/500 unidentified Awami Jubo League and Chhatra League workers including Kamal Ahmed Majumdar, Ilyas Uddin Molla, Agakhan Mintu, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, MA Mannan Kochi, Ismail Hossain made a surprise attack on them.

দ্বাদশ জাতীয় নির্বাচন সামনে রেখে বিএনপি এবার আর অতীতের মতো কোনো ‘ট্র্যাপে’ পা দেবে না বলে জানিয়েছেন দলটির মহাসচিব মির্জা ফখরুল ইসলাম আলমগীর।

তিনি বলেছেন, জাতীয় নির্বাচনের আগে আসন্ন পাঁচ সিটি করপোরেশন নির্বাচন সরকারের ট্র্যাপ। এবার আর কোনো ট্র্যাপে বিএনপি ও জনগণ পা দেবে না। বিএনপির আন্দোলন একটাই, তত্ত্বাবধায়ক সরকারের অধীনে নির্বাচন।

মির্জা ফখরুল বলেন, আমরা আগেও বলেছি, আওয়ামী লীগের অধীনে বিএনপি নির্বাচনে যাবে না। তত্ত্বাবধায়ক সরকারের অধীনেই নির্বাচন হতে হবে। আর সুষ্ঠু নির্বাচন হলে জনবিচ্ছিন্ন আওয়ামী লীগ ৩০টি আসনও পাবে না।

সোমবার (১০ এপ্রিল) সকালে রাজধানীর পশ্চিম রামপুরা এলাকার একটি হাসপাতালে দলের একজন আহত নেতার খোঁজখবর নেওয়ার পর সাংবাদিকদের সঙ্গে আলাপকালে তিনি এসব কথা বলেন।

সরকারের পদত্যাগসহ ১০ দফা দাবি এবং বিদ্যুৎ-গ্যাস-নিত্যপণ্যের মূল্যবৃদ্ধি এবং দুর্নীতির প্রতিবাদে গতকাল শনিবার সারাদেশে থানা-উপজেলা পর্যায়ে দুই ঘণ্টা অবস্থান কর্মসূচি পালন করে বিএনপি। ওই কর্মসূচি চলাকালে হামলার শিকার হয়ে আহত নাটোর সদর উপজেলা বিএনপির সাধারণ সম্পাদক আবুল হোসেন বেপারী রাজধানীর পশ্চিম রামপুরার ডেলটা হেল্থ কেয়ারে ভর্তি রয়েছেন।

মির্জা ফখরুল বলেন, অবস্থান কর্মসূচিতে যোগ দেওয়ার সময় পুলিশের ছত্রছায়ায় আওয়ামী লীগের নেতাকর্মীরা আক্রমণ করে। লক্ষ্য ছিল আবুল হোসেনকে হত্যা করা। সরকার দেশে ভয়াবহ ত্রাস আর সন্ত্রাসের রাজত্ব কায়েম করেছে। বিএনপির কর্মসূচিতে সন্ত্রাসী কার্যকলাপ চালাচ্ছে সরকার।

তিনি বলেন, আওয়ামী লীগ মূলত সন্ত্রাসী দল। বর্তমান সরকার সন্ত্রাসী দলে পরিণত হয়েছে। ছাড় দেওয়ার কথা বলে বিএনপির সাংবিধানিক অধিকার ক্ষুণ্ন করা হচ্ছে। বিএনপির কর্মসূচিতে হামলা ও আক্রমণ চালানো হচ্ছে। দেশের মানুষ এগুলো মেনে নেবে না।

বিএনপি মহাসচিব বলেন, আওয়ামী লীগ জনবিচ্ছিন্ন হয়ে গেছে। নিরপেক্ষ সরকারের অধীনে নির্বাচন হলে ৩০টি আসনও পাবে না। সেজন্য সন্ত্রাসী কার্যক্রম করে ক্ষমতায় থাকতে চায় তারা। আমরা বলেছি, তত্ত্বাবধায়ক সরকার ছাড়া নির্বাচন সুষ্ঠু হবে না। তত্ত্বাবধায়ক সরকারের অধীনেই নির্বাচন হতে হবে।

আন্তর্জাতিক গণমাধ্যমে র্যাবের বিরুদ্ধে অভিযোগ তোলা নাফিজ মোহাম্মদ আলমকে গ্রেফতার প্রসঙ্গে মির্জা ফখরুল বলেন, এর মাধ্যমে প্রমাণ হয় র্যাব অসাংবিধানিক কার্যকলাপের সঙ্গে জড়িত। এর দায় সরকারের। এজন্য সরকারের পদত্যাগসহ নির্বাচনকালীন তত্ত্বাবধায়ক সরকার চেয়েছি। নিরপেক্ষ তদন্ত কমিশনের অধীনে তদন্তের কথা বলেছি।

এসময় বিএনপির সাংগঠনিক সম্পাদক রুহুল কুদ্দুস তালুকদার দুলুসহ নাটোর জেলা বিএনপির নেতারা উপস্থিত ছিলেন।

In a latest article on loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Bloomberg said, “Government leaders across the world have often balked at implementing reforms agreed with the International Monetary Fund for fear of being penalized at the ballot box. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina isn’t one of them.

“Her quick execution of IMF mandates have stood out in South Asia where Pakistan is still fiddling with fuel subsidies just as it inches closer to reviving a bailout. Sri Lanka has delayed local municipal polls as it raised taxes and interest rates to clinch IMF funds last week.

“Bangladesh, which in July became the last of the three countries to ask for IMF support, was the first to get loans approved after swiftly raising energy prices. Hasina, 75, made no apologies for the move”.

Commenting on the next general election in Bangladesh, Bloomberg said: “[Sheikh] Hasina is widely expected to win a fourth straight term in national polls expected by January 2024 — not least because many of her opponents are behind bars or ensnared in legal cases”.

While main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and opposition in the parliament Jatiya Party are talking about Bangladeshis becoming increasingly annoyed at the ruling Awami League, Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute told Bloomberg: “If the ruling party manages to maintain economic stability, that could preempt anger or public sentiment that works against the government. Hasina certainly has the credibility to pull this off”.

Still there is conspiracy against Sheikh Hasina and her government both inside and outside the country, where in some cases, the Biden administration, as well as the US ambassador in Dhaka, are seen talking in such a tone that certainly go against the sovereignty of any country. In the recent days, Americans are repeating talking about free and fair election in Bangladesh. Of course, we also want free and fair election in our country. But we need to remind members of Biden administration that in their own country free and fair election is already under serious controversy, where 2020 presidential election is alleged to be rigged. Whenever American ambassador in Dhaka speaks about human rights, freedom of expression or corruption, he should be reminded, his president and members of the Biden family are facing series of allegations of crimes and corruption, while US government has already been caught red-handed by Twitter owner Elon Musk proving how federal agencies had nakedly intervened into public opinion and suppressed information related to corruption and crimes of Hunter Biden and other members of Biden family – simply with the nefarious agenda of helping Biden in winning 2020 election.

It may be mentioned here that, following economic catastrophe in Sri Lanka, almost all the opposition political parties in Bangladesh – including Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Jamaat-e-Islami and Jatiya Party were repeatedly forecasting a similar fate for Bangladesh “within weeks”. But that has never happened – because of effective decision and efforts of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. But it is important to note, while Bangladesh has witnessed annual economic growth of more than 6 percent for the past 14 years this may face some obstacles in the coming years mostly because of Ukraine war and sanctions imposed on Russia. At this stage, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina needs to focus on cutting-off subsidies from most of the sectors immediately. Bangladesh government needs to issue red warning to Bangladesh Biman, Bangladesh Railway, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation and all those entities which have been incurring heavy financial loss for years. At the same time, massive subsidies to private power generation projects, including so-called ‘Quick Rental Power’ projects should be stopped and the government needs to find alternative ways – for example establish coal-based power plant in Boro Pukuria, establish at least two more nuclear power stations and put emphasis on solar power especially in the rural areas.

Most importantly – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina needs to declare war against corruption and take stern action against those who are already accused of smuggling-out hundreds of millions of dollars from Bangladesh to various countries. For Sheikh Hasina, an all-out battle against corruption and massive action against corrupt individuals – as we had witnessed immediately after military-backed interim government came to power in January 2007 – is extremely essential and it should take place forthwith.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is now doing politics over road accidents after being failure in movement.

"After practicing constant negative politics and making falsehood, BNP is now passing such a situation that if a person dies in a lightning strike, the party is getting involved in putting its blame on the government," he said in a statement.

Condemning and protesting a statement of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir over a road accident that took place on Sunday, he said Fakhrul's remarks over the road accident was politically motivated and fabricated one. 

"But, the country's road communication sector was the most neglected sector during the BNP regime," Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said.

He said after assuming power, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave the most priority to the road communication sector and now a revolutionary change is now visible in this sector under her skilled leadership. 

"BNP is ashamed of acknowledging this truth," he added.

Seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of those who killed in the road accident occurred yesterday and expressing sympathy to the bereaved families, the road transport and bridges minister said: "Every death is painful. We do not want any death on roads. Road condition was not responsible for the accident took place at Kutubpur under Shibganj upazila in Madaripur."

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is relentlessly working to bring discipline back on the road and transport sector.

Meanwhile, Quader said, the long-cherished rules were formulated under the Road Transport Act-2018 and the works continue to gradually upgrade the country's national highways into six lanes.

"The accident-prone zones have been made risk-free under a project and initiatives have been taken to make other spots free from risk. Necessary signs and signals are being installed," he said.    

Four rest corners were built in Sirajganj, Cumilla, Habiganj and Magura for transport drivers carrying goods, the road transport minister said.

He said mandatory refreshment training on skill and awareness are being imparted to drivers before reissuing licenses. 

During the 2021-2022, training was given to 62,900 professional drivers and this programme continues, Quader added.

As per the instruction of the prime minister, dupe test reports have been taken while issuing and reissuing licenses to the professional drivers.

Law enforcers have installed nineteen check-posts in Sylhet to avoid any kind of chaos and untoward incident centring BNP’s divisional rally, scheduled to begin today.

According to Sylhet Metropolitan Police, 19 check-posts have been installed at the entry points of Sylhet city and hundreds of plainclothes policemen will perform their duties on Saturday to maintain the law and order situation.

Besides, four mobile court teams will be deployed to check security.

Nisharul Arif, Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner said that police are on high alert and will monitor the situation closely.

Sylhet city wore a festive look with posters, banners and billboards and processions on Friday, ahead of BNP’s first rally here in nearly a decade.

BNP is all set to stage another mass rally — seventh in the series — at the Sylhet Govt Alia Madrasa field.

Party leaders and activists have erected a stage at Alia Madrasa field where the rally is scheduled to begin at 2pm. Local leaders said the rally may begin before scheduled time like previous rallies.

Though bus communication remained halted between Sylhet and other parts of the country since Friday morning, BNP activists from all districts under the division were seen coming to the rally venue by train, trucks, launches and boats and small vehicles like human haulers, auto rickshaws, three-wheelers, motorbikes, and micro-buses from Thursday.

- UNB

Awami Jubo League will arrange a youth grand rally at historic Suhrawardy Udyan here on November 11 on its golden jubilee as Awami League (AL) President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be present as the chief guest.

The youth gatherings will start at 2.30 pm on the day, Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash today said at a press conference at AL central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in city. 

He said the biggest youth organization of the South Asia Bangladesh Awami Jubo League played key role in any crisis in the country. 

He said the anti-state evil force BNP-Jamaat is trying to create unstable situation in the country. 

After Nov 11, Jubo League leaders and activists will resist the BNP-Jamaat and their followers on the street if they try to make anarchy, he added. 

Parash said Jubo League believes that if Bangladesh fails, the pro-liberation force will lose. 

He said the countrymen didn't forget the strike of 92 days imposed by BNP-Jamaat. 

During the strike, the BNP-Jamaat clique killed innocent people through arson while a total of 560 educational institutions were burnt into ashes, he said. 

They (BNP-Jamaat) had shifted the country into burn unit, he continued. 

The Jubo League chairman hoped that the Suhrawardy Udyan will be turned into sea of people during the youth grand rally. 

A total of 10 sub-committees were formed to successfully hold the youth gatherings, Parash informed.

Five gats will be there to enter the Suhrawardy Udyan, he went on saying as Jubo League General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil was present at the press briefing.

Jubo League Presidium Members Advocate Mamunur Rashid, Manjur Alam Shaheen, Abu Ahmed Nasim Pavel, Sheikh Sohel Uddin, Dr Khaled Shawkat Ali, Sheikh Fazle Fahim, Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury Nixon, Tajuddin Ahmed, Jewel Areng, Anwar Hossain and Shahadat Hossain, Joint General Secretaries Biswas Matiur Rahman Badsha, Subrata Paul, Md Badiul Alam, Barrister Sheikh Fazle Nayeem and Md Rafiqul Alam Joarder, Organizing Secretaries Kazi Md Majharul Islam, Dr Helal Uddin, Md Saifur Rahman Sohag, Md Jahir Uddin Khashru, Md Sohel Parvez, Abu Munir Md Shahidul Haque Russell, Mashiur Rahman Chapal, Advocate Md Shamim Al Saiful Sohag and Prof Dr Md Rezaul Kabir, among others, were also present. 

- BSS