In 1997 when Dr. Yunus received license of Grameen Telecom (hereinafter referred to as “GTC”) from the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he gave commitment that GTC would work only for the welfare and betterment of the poor people. Unfortunately, after taking the license, he thought only for his own interest and handed over the lion portion of shares of Grameen Phone Limited to the foreign company. At present GTC owns 34.20% shares in Grameen Phone Limited against which it receives thousands crores of dividend in every year. Most of this dividend income of GTC is illegally syphoned out of the country in the name of the so called social business of Dr. Yunus. Against the illegal activities of Dr. Yunus and his company, GTC, two types of legal action can be taken, (1) Initiating criminal proceedings against Dr. Yunus and his board members in accordance with applicable laws of the country, and (2) Winding up the GTC through court and taking over the properties of the GTC and handing over to any similar company under the management of the Government as per the provisions of Companies Act, 1994.

Bribing the Court to Get Favourable Verdict: Dr. Yunus Got Favourable Verdict from the Labour Court Bribing the Presiding Judge

The individual employees initiated proceedings to enforce their lawful claim of participation in the 5% of net profit of the GTC by filing as many as 107 BLA (IR) Cases before the 3rd Labor Court, Dhaka in the year 2017. GTC filed about a hundred Writ Petitions challenging the interim orders of the Labour Court, passed in those IR Cases.

Pending hearing of those Writ Petitions, the GTC terminated all the 99 employees who were in service at that relevant time by a single notice dated 25.10.2020. Challenging such illegal termination separate applications were filed by the individual employees praying for their reinstatement in their former posts with all back wages in the pending Writ Petitions which was ultimately allowed and the honorable High Court Division was pleased to direct the GTC to reinstate them with all back wages. However, they challenged such order before the Hon’ble Appellate Division (the highest court of the country), but the Hon’ble Appellate Division was pleased not to interfere into the order of the High Court Division. Hence GTC management realized that they would not be able to get their favourable verdict from any Divisions of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. As such, they approached to a lobbyist firm namely “Dhaka Logistics Services & Solution (DLSS)” of Mr. Rafiqul Islam (Mobile No. +8801729253111) for getting favourable verdict influencing the concerned courts. GTC appointed the said lobbyist firm through their 104th Board Meeting held on 14.06.2021 with a post facto effect from 25.05.2021. The then Managing Director of the GTC Mr. Ashraful Hassan proposed in the said board meeting inter alia as-

“………বাংলাদেশে আইনি ভাবে লড়াই করে সব জায়গায় টেকা যায় না । সেক্ষেত্রে আমাদের দুটো জিনিস, একটা হল IR consultant বলে একটা consultant বাংলাদেশে কাজ করে। তারা internal relations এর কাজ করে । Stakeholders, law, judiciary, সরকারের influencial people, রাজনীতিবিদ, এসব মিলে তারা একটা পজিশন পেপার তৈরি করে…… । 

Dr. Yusus, the Chairman of the GTC approved the said proposal with outmost satisfaction. In approving the above proposal Dr. Yusus declared inter alia as-

“এ দুটো প্রস্তাব খুবই ভাল প্রস্তাব, এ দুটি প্রস্তাব আমি স্বেচ্ছায় encourage করছি...এটা আমরা অনুমোদন করলাম। আর দ্বিতীয় বিষয় হলো এ আইটেম নিয়ে যে আলোচনা হলো তা off the record, শুধূ decision গুলা থাকবে। minutes  টা খুব সংক্ষেপে হবে।“

Being so appointed, DLSS prepared an assessment report with their blue print way forward with an estimated cost of 13.80 crores taka for resolving the issues by way of influencing the courts, other government officials and high ups in the government for which DLSS was paid in advance an amount of BDT. 5,00,000.00 as for their fees. The said Assessment report was sent to the then Managing Director Mr. Ashraful Hassan through email dated 22.06.2021 stating inter alia as-

“… However, please find attached the assessment and way forward including the tentative cost which can be negotiated upon the actual involvement of the level of influence and through whom with an objective to clean the whole issue in favour of GTC.”

In the said Assessment report, DLSS categorically stated under column “Findings” that GTC bribed Mr. Shahajahan Saju, the Chairman of 1st Labour Court, Dhaka to get verdict in their favour. It has been stated by the DLSS as their Findings- “GTC dependency on Mr. Shahjahan, the former Chairman, Labour Court who digested the whole piece of cake alone that GTC paid time to time.”

By way of influencing the Labour Court through bribing, GTC got an interim stay order on the functions of the Trade Union of the Grameen Telecom Employees although there are explicit provisions in the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006 that unless and until the registration of a Trade Union is finally cancelled, its function can no way be stayed. That order of stay was outright illegal and product of bribe which was ultimately stayed by the Hon’ble High Court Division and the same was confirmed by the Hon’ble Appellate Division. Therefore, necessary punitive action can be taken against Dr. Yunus and his associates following necessary investigation for bribing the court and approving a proposal of DLSS before the Board of Grameen Telecom to bribe the judges and public officials as part of an assignment for DLSS on behalf of Grameen Telecom.

It is to be noted that under Bangladesh laws, bribing any official performing any public responsibility including judicial responsibility as well as appointing any entity (such as lobbyist firm) for influencing any public office (including judiciary) is a punishable offence.

Dr. Yunus Plotted to Deprive the Employees from Their Legal Entitlements Using 13.80 Crores of Taka

In the said Assessment report, the DLSS proposed a “Top Down Approach” in which they have basically incorporated a series of illegal activities and corrupt practices to influence the judiciary along with the incumbent Labour Minister, Law Minister, important officials of the government and political leaders of the country. In this regard, the DLSS in their proposal made a graphical presentation of the stakeholders mapping whereby it is seen that they have targeted the Hon’ble Ministers of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Ministry of Industry, and their respective secretaries and high-ups, political leaders of the ruling party to influence the judiciary to fulfill their objective of dismissing the labour court cases and cancellation of the registration of the Trade Union.

On the basis of such proposal, GTC hired the services of the DLSS to adopt the so called “Top Down Approach”. The followings were proposed in said Top Down Approach-

 · “We will engage with Minister personally and through our liaison to brief and condition her Majesty Honorable Labour Minister.

· Will condition the Labour secretariat.

· Will condition Inspector General of Factories (IGF)

· Will Condition Labour Director

· Will Convince Labour Leaders in one to one session since they are our committee members in different forum

· Engage Ministry to device an exit package”

Dr. Yunus Committed Crime of Money Laundering under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 and Grameen Telecom (GTC) has been transferring its dividents Grameen Kallyan in violation of section 28 & 29 of the Companies Act, 1994

Grameen Telecom (GTC) is a company limited by guarantee and licensed under section 28 of the Companies Act, 1994. It has no share capital. Dr. Yunus took the license of the Company with the objective inter alia to promote development of tele-communication and ancillary services in the rural areas for reducing poverty in Bangladesh by extending loans and grants both in cash and kind to the poor. At the time of taking license, the members of the GTC declared that sharing of dividends is prohibited. Section 29 further restricted on sharing of dividends of a company licensed under section 28. The relevant provision of section 28 and 29 are as follows:

“28. (1) Where it is proved to the satisfaction of the Government that an association capable of being formed as a limited company has been or in about to be formed for promoting commerce, art, science, religion, charity, or any other useful object, and applies or intends to apply its profits, if any or other income in promoting its objects and to prohibit the payment of any dividend to its members the Government may, by licence with approval of one of its Secretaries, direct that the association be registered as a company with limited liability, without the addition of the word “Limited” to its name, and the association may be registered accordingly.”

“29. (1) In the case of company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital and registered after the commencement of this Act every provision in the memorandum or articles or in any resolution of the company purporting to give any person a right to participate in the divisible profits of the company otherwise than as a member shall be void.”

GTC earned thousands of crores taka each year as dividend from Grameen Phone Ltd against its 34.20% shares in the capital of Grameen Phone. Out of this dividend, GTC shares 42.65% to Grameen Kallyan on the cause that it took a loan facility of taka 53,25,62,941.00 at the time of acquiring share of Grameen Phone. Against such loan of taka only 53.25 crores, GTC has been sharing hundreds crores of dividend in each year. A statement of dividend sharing since 2003 to 2017 are as follows: 

After 2017, the amount of dividend income from Grameen Phone has been increased substantially, and accordingly, the amount of dividend transferred to  Grameen Kollyan after 2017 has increased. As such, till 2022 about 5000 (Five Thousand) Crores of taka has been illegally disbursed to the Grameen Kollayan as dividend against their loan of an amount of BDT. 53.25 crores only. The audit firm, in writing warned the management of GTC for such illegal transaction in 2017. The Audit Firm of GTC, categorically stated in a management letter in 2017 as follows:

“During the year under audit Grameen Telecom received a dividend of Taka 8,080,912,158 against their holding of 34.20% in the shares of Grameen Phone Limited. Out of total receipt of dividend of taka 8,080,912,158, taka 3,446,672,270 was distributed to Grameen Kalyan as dividend, although Grameen Kalyan does not have any holdings in the shares of Grameen Phone Limited…. Recommendation: We recommend that these types of treatments should be discontinued otherwise problem may arise in future.”

The entire approximate amount of BDT. 5000 crores have been transferred to Grameen Kollyan illegally and without any lawful authority. Even after receipt of such humongous amount of dividend, they have no visible undertakings or project for the welfare poor people. Besides Grameen Kollyan, GTC syphoning huge amount of money to the other entities of Dr. Yunus. As for example, GTC donated an amount of BDT. 1413.58 Crores of taka to Grameen Telecom Trust during the period of 31.12.2010 to 22.08.2013. The above mentioned illegally transferred huge amount of Money eventually misappropriated by Dr. Yunus and his board members in the name of social business. The regulatory and government authorities do not have any information about the final destination of the money transferred illegally. An extensive investigation is necessary under Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 to find out the final destination of the said illegally transferred money. There is a prima facie case that the entire amount or any part of the same was taking away from country through layering. This is a punishable offence under section 4 of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.

Dr. Yunus’s Commission of Crime under section 397 of the Companies Act, 1994

Dr. Yunus’s company GTC submits its annual returns to the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies And Firms (RJSC) with false statements that no dividend is distributed although thousands crores of dividends have been distributed to Grameen Kollyan over the years which has been explicitly shown in the previous part of this paper. This sort of false statements in the annual return is a punishable offence under section 397 of the Companies Act, 1994.

Section 397 of the Companies Act, 1994 provides penalty for false statement. It says:  ‘Whoever in any return, report, certificate balance-sheet or other documents, required by or for the purposes of any of the provisions of this Act, willfully makes a statement false in any material particular, knowing it to be false, shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine.’

It is to be noted that if it would have been disclosed that GTC has transferred its dividends to another entity, it would lose its status under section 28 of the Companies Act and their license under section 28 as a non profit company would have been cancelled by the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies And Firms (RJSC). 

Dr. Yunus’s Clandestine Style of Evasion of Taxes of Millions of Dollars

Grameen Telecom in violation of the provisions of section 28 and 29 of the Companies Act 1994 distributes 42.6% of its Dividend income from Grameen Phone Limited (GP) to Grameen Kallyan (GK) although GK is not a shareholder of Grameen Phone Limited. In fact the entire Dividend income has to be booked as the income of the GTC and accordingly tax has to be paid at the applicable corporate rate for the relevant income year. But if we study their audited accounts, we will see they paid almost half of their dividend income from the GP to GK only upon deduction of advance income tax (AIT) at the rate of 10-20% while the applicable corporate tax rate was 37.5% to 35%.

The difference of this corporate rate and the dividend tax is surely an evasion of taxes as the GK is not at all entitled to the Dividend income of GP. If we sum up all the evaded taxes since the beginning, the amount of the evaded taxes shall be somewhere close to one thousand crore Taka only in the case of Grameen Telecom. 

It is important to note that there are also huge number of litigations and writ petitions pending in the courts of Bangladesh regarding tax evasions of Dr. Yunus in other companies where he has been holding the position as chairman of the boards of the companies. In almost all of the issues, there are prima facie cases that substantially demonstrate the fact that there have been tax evasion on the part of Dr. Yunus. In many cases, during the investigations conducted by the concerned state and regulatory authorities, it has been adequately proved that Dr. Yunus himself and his entities were involved in the commission of the crime of tax evasion. Dr. Yunus and his entities filed a good number of writ petitions in the higher court to stay/suspend the proceedings of the cases of tax evasion against him and his companies. Dr. Yunus has adopted a strategy to avoid the proceedings of the tax evasion cases by way of writ petitions. Because of these writ petitions, a number other tax evasion cases against Dr. Yunus and his entities got stayed in the higher court.

Corruption and Money Laundering in Recruitment of the Consultant for Design of Social Medical Colleges and Hospitals and Health Technology Institutes

A local firm named Design Lab Architects was hired as a consultant for the construction of the Social Medical Colleges and Hospitals and Health Technology Institutes, and a contract of Taka 12,94,34,094/- was signed with the consultant

(proposal dated 05/01/2022 by Design Lab Architect). While the work was given to the local firm at the cost of about Taka 13 crore, a US company Mass Design Group Ltd was appointed for the same work and a contract for the same work at US$ 27,38,795/- + 20% enhanced fee of US$ 5,47,759/-, totaling US$ 32,86,554/- (almost 3.3 million US Dollar) agreement was made (Agenda Notes 104.10 and 104.11 of the 104th Meeting Minutes, pages 11 and 12 and Resolutions Nos. 104.10.01, 104.10.02 and 104 of the 105th Board Meeting Agenda No. 105.04 .11.01). At the same time, a law firm based in Dhaka named Yi Yi Prue was hired as a consultant for sending the money to USA at the cost of taka 38.35 lakhs.

This is a prima facie case of a serious corruption on the part of Dr. Yunus by way of giving huge amount of money to two consulting firms for the same work and also payment of taka 38.35 lakhs to a legal adviser. Sending about 3.3 million US dollars to a foreign company for the work which was given to a local firm at the cost of Taka 13 crore is undoubtedly corruption as well as money laundering. This is a punishable offence under the existing laws of Bangladesh.

Gruesome Violation of Labour Rights and Deprivation for the Employees by Dr. Yunus

In more than a hundred litigations filed by the employees and staffs of all the companies belonging to Dr. Yunus it has been prima facie established that Dr. Yunus and his companies never cared for the basic human rights of the emplyees and the fundamental principles of labour laws in Bangladesh. The labour law regime in Bangladesh is fully consistent with the international labour law standards. The employees are mostly prejudiced and deprived in each and every of his companies. In all of his institutions/companies, the employees are employed on temporary basis in direct violation of the labour law so that the employer can terminate their services at their whim and deprive them from the legal entitlements. Thus, GTC terminated all of its 99 employees in a single notice, although through the intervention of the Hon’ble High Court Division, the GTC management was subsequently compelled to reinstate them with all back wages and benefits.

The Anti-workers conduct of Dr. Yunus has further been reflected in case of workers of Grameen Communications. In that company, one Mr. Badrul Alam along with some of his colleagues formed a Trade Union and submitted an application before the concerned office for registration. Being informed about such trade union activities, Dr. Yunus most illegally terminated their services and influenced the concerned office of the Registrar of Trade Unions (Director of Labour) to cancel their application for registration of Trade Union on some illogical grounds. Furthermore, once the illegally terminated employees filed complaint to the Director General of Labour against Dr. Yunus and his management for their unfair labour practices and anti-trade union discrimination, they influenced the concerned officers and vitiated the investigation pursuant to such complaint. Since 2017, Dr. Yunus and his team left no stone unturned in his way to deprive the employees. It was mentioned in the preceding part of this paper that Dr. Yunus and his associates used illicit means to influence the labour court judges and from the presentation of the Dhaka Logistic Services (DLSS) it is clear that Dr. Yunus had bribed the chairman of the labour court to get favourable orders from the court.

Dr. Yunus’s Bribing the Labour Leaders and Lawyers

While Dr. Yunus realized that he and his company would lose the case against him and his company in the company bench of the High Court Division on the issue of liquidation of the company and paying off the employees of GTC as their legal entitlement on account of Workers Participation Fund, during pendency of the case Dr. Yunus adopted unfair means to get rid of the proceedings and immorally paid an amount of BDT 437 crores to the labour leaders and lawyers so that the labour leaders apply for non-prosecution of the case. Accordingly, the court accepted the application for non-prosecution on submission of a deed of compromise. Subsequently, it came before the notice of the court that the deed of compromise and the application for non-prosecution were procured by way of corrupt practice, i.e., bribing the concerned persons and the whole thing was performed as part of an unfair game intended to protect the illicit interests of Dr. Yunus and his companies. Dr. Yunus and his associates understood that if the case against him and his company Grameen Telecom continues in the company bench of the High Court Division continues, there would have been risks that many unpleasant information regarding transferring of dividends of grameen telecom to grameen kalyan (amounting to millions of dollar) without any lawful cause and authority and the involvement of the money laundering might be unveiled. All these might open Pandora’s box for Dr. Yunus and his associates and his real face might be exposed nationally and internationally. For this reason Dr. Yunus has paid an amount of BDT 437 crores to the labour leaders and lawyers in the name of Workers Participation Fund, although he and his companies always nakedly infringed the basic human rights of the employees under the labour laws by way of oppression and repression.

Distribution of the Assets of the GTC to any Institution of Government through Winding Up of the GTC

Alongside the above punitive proceeding, the Registrar of RJSC may, at any time, call for information or explanation as to the affairs of the GTC under section 193 of the Companies Act, 1994. And upon perusal of such information or explanation or additional document; the Registrar is of opinion that the document in question discloses an unsatisfactory state of affairs, or that it does not discloses an unsatisfactory state of affairs, or that it does not disclose a full, fair, and true, statement of the matters to which it purports to relate, the Registrar may report in writing the circumstances of the case to the government. Upon receipt of such a report from the Registrar, the Government may appoint one or more competent inspectors under section 195 of the Act to investigate the affairs of the company. Thereafter, on the basis of the report of the inspectors, the Government may require the Registrar of RJSC under section 204 to file an Application before the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh for winding up the Company. Accordingly, if the GTC is wound up none of its members will be entitled to its properties. Rather, all the properties shall be given or transferred to some other institution having objects similar to the objects of the GTC. Thus, the Government may acquire the entire property of GTC along with its 34.20% shares in the capital of Grameen Phone Limited.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today paid rich tributes and offered prayers at the mausoleum of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman here.

She paid homage by placing a wreath at Bangabandhu's grave and joined a prayer this afternoon seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of August 15, 1975 carnage.

After laying the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a show of profound respect to the memory of the architect of independent Bangladesh.

Family members and Awami League (AL) leaders were present.

Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, on a personal trip reached her ancestral home at Tungipara in Gopalganj by road after crossing the Padma Bridge this afternoon.

After spending tonight at her Tungipara residence, she is scheduled to leave for Dhaka tomorrow.

: BSS

Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen has pledged that Bangladesh would continue supporting the seven priorities of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General's Action for Peacekeeping agenda. 

"Our principled position, rooted in the foreign policy dictum of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, serves as a guiding force. This stance consistently propels us force to actively participate in the peace endeavors of the UN including promoting culture of peace, contributing to peacekeeping operations and facilitating peacebuilding," he said.

 The foreign minister was speaking as a panelist in the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Accra, Ghana on Wednesday, according to a message received here today.

 Momen, who is leading a high-level Bangladesh delegation, made peacekeeping pledges on behalf of Dhaka at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial.

 Earlier, Bangladesh Foreign Minister held a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto on the sideline of the Ministerial.

The two foreign ministers discussed various issues of mutual interests in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

:BSS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the concession agreement on operation of Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) between Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and Saudi Arabia's company Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) will help further enhance Saudi investment in Bangladesh.

"This concession agreement is a testament to our two countries' joint vision and steadfast commitment to economic cooperation and prosperity," she said.

The prime minister along with Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al Falih witnessed the signing ceremony at her office here as CPA Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail and CEO of RSGT Jeans O. Foley inked the agreement.

The Saudi minister earlier paid a courtesy call on the Bangladesh premier at her office in the morning.

"As we witness the signing of this concession agreement, we look forward to a future where Patenga Container Terminal will become a driving force for economic growth and prosperity in Bangladesh," Sheikh Hasina said at the signing ceremony.

She said that the RSGT will operate the Patenga Container Terminal for the next 22 years that will strengthen bilateral relations, especially in the field of trade and commerce.

The Chittagong Port Authority's Patenga Container Terminal Project is a beacon of hope for Bangladesh's economic uplift, she added.

The premier said this self-reliant modern terminal will enhance the capacity of port, facilitate seamless trade, and create job opportunities and entrepreneurship.

"It will act as a gateway to global trade, opening up new opportunities for our businesses to connect with the world," she said.

The terminal will help boost regional economic growth as India, Bhutan and Nepal can also use the terminal, she also said.

Sheikh Hasina said the investment of Saudi Arabia in the Patenga Container Terminal will enhance the image of Bangladesh on the global stage.

The prime minister described Saudi Arabia as a friendly country and an important development partner for Bangladesh.

"The people of Bangladesh have deep respect and trust for the people of Saudi Arabia. We have always found Saudi Arabia close to our hearts," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the RSGT is a reputed global terminal operator designated by the Saudi government.

She also expressed her sincere thanks and congratulations to the Saudi government for appointing this terminal operator to operate the Patenga Container Terminal.

"This initiative of the Saudi authorities is undoubtedly a recognition of the ongoing development and economic potential of Bangladesh," she said.

"I hope that RSGT, with its reputation for managing Jeddah port and other terminals, will manage the Patenga container terminal with its skills and technical know-how," she added.

By doing this, the head of the government said the Chittagong port operations will become more efficient and meet international standards.

"Consequently, our economy will benefit from a significant decrease in import-export expenses," she said.

The premier also expressed her deep gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, for their trust and cooperation with the government and people of Bangladesh.

She thanked to the Saudi investment minister and his delegation for their firm support in the implementation of this project.

"Your commitment to the economic development of Bangladesh is deeply appreciated," she said.

PM's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al Falih and Chairman of the RSGT Aamer A. Alireza spoke at the function as State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury delivered the opening remarks.

Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa bin Yousuf Al Duhailan as well as Saudi and Bangladeshi businessmen were present.

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said the AL is working to ensure a flawless democracy in the country.

"The Awami League is working to ensure a flawless democracy in the country . . . The quarter which wants to foil the polls by enforcing hartal and blockade is not any more a democratic force," he told newsmen here today.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said this while talking to reporters after paying tributes to Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy by placing a wreath at his grave near Doyel Chattar in the capital, on the occasion of his 60th death anniversary.

He added: "I don't know whether absolutely flawless democracy or any perfect democracy exists anywhere in the world. But Bangladesh is working for it."

The AL is struggling to make the democracy of Bangladesh free from all sorts of defects and it has become possible to make an independent situation for the democracy in Bangladesh by dint of the personal efforts of the AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he observed.

Replying to a query of reporters on Awami League's Dhaka rally on December 10, the AL general secretary said, Awami Legaue decided to hold a rally on December 10 marking the Human Rights Day. But the decision was canceled as the Election Commission denied giving permission."

On the Human Rights Day, he said that the AL had a programme to hold a big rally at the South Gate of Baitul Mukarram, and now the rally will be held inside respecting the electoral rules.

Paying tributes to the memory of Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy, Obaidul Quader said, "Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy, a pioneer of democracy, was a fearless hero of the democracy."

Suhrawardy fought his whole life for democracy and served in jail many times by Pakistani forces, the AL general secretary added.

Awami League presidium member Dr Abdur Razzaque, joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, organizing secretary BM Mozammel Haque, office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, education and human resource affairs secretary Shamsunnahar Chapa, agriculture and cooperatives affairs secretary Faridunnahar Laily, deputy publicity and publication affairs secretary Syed Abdul Awal Shamim, deputy secretary Sayem Khan and executive member Sahabuddin Faraji, among others, were present.

A total of 253 arson attacks have been recorded till 6 am today during the blockades and hartals called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties since the end of October.

An arson attack was reported between 6 am on December 4 till 6 am today during the second day of the latest road, rail and waterways blockade called by the opposition parties.

The arson attack was carried out in Dhaka’s Gulistan area at 2:23 pm on Monday, said Shahjahan Sikder, deputy assistant director of Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters’ media cell.

A total of 10 members of two firefighting units worked to douse the fire, added the fire official.

Giving a break today, the BNP and like-minded opposition parties are going to enforce another 48-hour road-rail-waterway blockade across the country starting from Wednesday morning to protest the schedule for the next national election announced by the Election Commission (EC).

: UNB