Strikers held in N’ganj
BNP activists blockaded roads and brought out processions in Narayanganj during the nationwide shutdown on Monday.
Police detained three leaders of district Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, BNP’s women front, in the morning while they were taking part in picketing and processions.
Nine more were also held in separate raids in the district on Sunday night.
Additional Superintendent of Narayanganj Police Ashrafuzzaman said three strike supporters including district Mohila Dal Presdient Nurunnahar and Mohila Dal leader Rashida Jamal had been detained around 7am from the city’s DIT commercial area.
They were obstructing traffic during the arrest, he said.
Juba Dal, BNP’s youth wing, brought out a procession around 6:30am at the city’s Sirajuddoula road. But police dispersed them immediately.
Another Juba Dal procession was also taken out nearly the same time at Hajiganj M Circus area.
The leaders and activists tried to blockade the Narayanganj-Adamjee-Demra road by burning tyres at several places.
Police dispersed them too.
Swechchasebak Dal activists brought out another procession at the Kanchpur Bridge area of the Dhaka-Chittagong highway.
Police dispersed them after they vandalised two vehicles, ASP Ashrafuzzaman said.
18.03.2013
19 vehicles torched in Dhaka ahead of strike
At least 19 vehicles were set ablaze by opposition supporters on Sunday in capital Dhaka ahead of the BNP-sponsored two-day nationwide shutdown from Monday.
Fire Service control room duty officer Brojen Sarker provided bdnews24.com with the figure at around 9:10pm.
The vehicles were torched at different areas including Kalyanpur, Farmgate, Malibagh, Kakrail, Khilgaon, Chankharpul, Naya Paltan, Kaptan Bazar, Baitul Mukarram National Mosque throughout the day, police and fire-fighters said.
Main opposition BNP along with its allies will enforce two days of daylong nationwide shutdowns starting Monday demanding release of its leaders and activists detained from the party’s Naya Paltan headquarters.
Police on Sunday held the opposition supporters responsible for setting the vehicles on fire.
Apart from torching vehicles, several handmade bombs were also detonated at different places in Dhaka and Chittagong.
The arson incidents began at around 1pm when a ‘New Vision Paribahan’ bus was set ablaze at Paltan in front of Baitul Mukarram.
Fire Service and Civil Defence (Ramna Zone) Senior Station Officer Mostafa Mohsin said two of their units rushed to the spot and doused the flames.
A mini-truck was torched around 2pm in front of the City Bank near BNP office.
A second bus was burned near Ayesha Shopping Complex at Malibagh around 1:40pm, Ramna Police Station Inspector (patrol) Mohammad Shahid said.
Citing eyewitnesses, he said, “The bus was seen engulfed in flames soon after some boys were seen running away from the spot. Fire-fighters doused the fire immediately.”
Another bus (Motijheel-Gulshan) was torched at Farmgate at around 2pm, Fire Service control room official Mohammad Alim said. “Two units were deployed to douse the flames.”
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said miscreants attempted to set fire to a covered van in New Eskaton in ‘BIAM Bhaban’ alley around 3pm, but flames were doused right away.
Unidentified miscreants torched the fourth bus in front of Khalek Petrol Pump at Kalyanpur around same time, witnesses said.
Fire Service control room's officer Ziaur Rahman had told bdnews24.com that at around 5:45pm they had primary information that at least three more buses were also torched at Khilgaon, Mirpur-12 intersection and Kakrail.
Another bus was seen engulfed in flames at Chankharpul at around 7pm in the evening.
It was, however, unclear exactly who were behind the arson. Generally, strike supporters launch such attacks to scare people ahead of any planned shutdowns.
Meanwhile, a mob beat up a ‘strike supporter’ and turned him in to police as he allegedly tried to set ablaze a CNG auto-ricklshaw in front of the Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters at the capital’s Segunbagicha.
Another bus was set on fire at Banani’s Kakali area around 9:45pm.
Police, however, said they have detained 15 people for their involvement in the vandalism and arson incidents in the capital.
Vehicles were also vandalised and torched in different districts outside Dhaka.
Communications Minister Obaidul Quader recently said that at least 97 vehicles were burned and 598 more were vandalised in recent times which caused the transport sector to lose over Tk 200 million.
The vehicles were torched at different areas including Kalyanpur, Farmgate, Malibagh, Kakrail, Khilgaon, Chankharpul, Naya Paltan, Kaptan Bazar, Baitul Mukarram National Mosque throughout the day, police and fire-fighters said.
Main opposition BNP along with its allies will enforce two days of daylong nationwide shutdowns starting Monday demanding release of its leaders and activists detained from the party’s Naya Paltan headquarters.
Police on Sunday held the opposition supporters responsible for setting the vehicles on fire.
Apart from torching vehicles, several handmade bombs were also detonated at different places in Dhaka and Chittagong.
The arson incidents began at around 1pm when a ‘New Vision Paribahan’ bus was set ablaze at Paltan in front of Baitul Mukarram.
Fire Service and Civil Defence (Ramna Zone) Senior Station Officer Mostafa Mohsin said two of their units rushed to the spot and doused the flames.
A mini-truck was torched around 2pm in front of the City Bank near BNP office.
A second bus was burned near Ayesha Shopping Complex at Malibagh around 1:40pm, Ramna Police Station Inspector (patrol) Mohammad Shahid said.
Citing eyewitnesses, he said, “The bus was seen engulfed in flames soon after some boys were seen running away from the spot. Fire-fighters doused the fire immediately.”
Another bus (Motijheel-Gulshan) was torched at Farmgate at around 2pm, Fire Service control room official Mohammad Alim said. “Two units were deployed to douse the flames.”
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said miscreants attempted to set fire to a covered van in New Eskaton in ‘BIAM Bhaban’ alley around 3pm, but flames were doused right away.
Unidentified miscreants torched the fourth bus in front of Khalek Petrol Pump at Kalyanpur around same time, witnesses said.
Fire Service control room's officer Ziaur Rahman had told bdnews24.com that at around 5:45pm they had primary information that at least three more buses were also torched at Khilgaon, Mirpur-12 intersection and Kakrail.
Another bus was seen engulfed in flames at Chankharpul at around 7pm in the evening.
It was, however, unclear exactly who were behind the arson. Generally, strike supporters launch such attacks to scare people ahead of any planned shutdowns.
Meanwhile, a mob beat up a ‘strike supporter’ and turned him in to police as he allegedly tried to set ablaze a CNG auto-ricklshaw in front of the Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters at the capital’s Segunbagicha.
Another bus was set on fire at Banani’s Kakali area around 9:45pm.
Police, however, said they have detained 15 people for their involvement in the vandalism and arson incidents in the capital.
Vehicles were also vandalised and torched in different districts outside Dhaka.
Communications Minister Obaidul Quader recently said that at least 97 vehicles were burned and 598 more were vandalised in recent times which caused the transport sector to lose over Tk 200 million.
17.03.2013
Khaleda to be liable for casualties: Alamgir
Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir on Sunday said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia would have to shoulder responsibility if people die during the opposition-planned general strike for Monday and Tuesday.
“Some more lives will possibly be lost in the process to drive them (the government) out. But even then, we must take it to the streets to remove this government,” she had declared.
On Sunday, the Home Minister criticised Khaleda for such provocative statements.
At a discussion organised to mark independence leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s 93rd birth anniversary, the Minister said, “She (Khaleda) has committed a crime by making such a comment.”
“The Leader of the Opposition will have to take responsibility if anybody dies during the shutdowns,” he said.
Official estimates say at least 67 people, including seven policemen, have been killed in weeks of violence mainly between the activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and police.
Khaleda on Saturday alleged the government had used the law keepers to commit mass murders in which at least ‘170 people’ were killed.
Jamaat-e-Islami and its student front Islami Chhatra Shibir are out to thwart the ongoing trials for crimes involving the nation’s independence war in 1971.
The BNP has called the trials a farce, and has been demanding that authorities reinstall the caretaker government system to oversee next elections.
The government scrapped the system in 2011 in line with a Supreme Court order, which said the provision was contradictory to the constitution.
17.03.2013/
8 children dead in truck-van crash
At least eight school students, including two siblings, were killed and four others injured when a truck rammed a school van at Monohorganj Uapzila in Comilla district on Saturday afternoon.
The deceased were identified as Nusrat Jahan Shova, Hridoy Hossain Muttakin, Al Amin, Rakibul Islam, Hasibul Hasan Nehaz, his sister Tina, Shahadul Islam Mithun and Tipu Sultan Swadhin.
The deceased were students from play group to fifth grade.
The deceased were students from play group to fifth grade.
Of the injured, four, including the driver of the school van Joynal Abedin, were admitted to the Comilla Medical College Hospital and another to a local clinic.
Quoting witnesses, Officer in Charge of the Monohorganj Police Station Zahirul Islam told bdnews24.com that a speedy truck hit the van carrying some students of Natherpetua Model Kindergarten at Natherpetua on the Comilla-Noakhali Highway at around 2pm, leaving five students dead on the spot.
Two others succumbed to their injuries on way to the hospital while another died at the hospital.
He said the angry locals set fire to the truck and blocked the highway.
They withdrew the blockade around 7pm after local lawmaker Tazul Islam talked to them.
Quoting witnesses, Officer in Charge of the Monohorganj Police Station Zahirul Islam told bdnews24.com that a speedy truck hit the van carrying some students of Natherpetua Model Kindergarten at Natherpetua on the Comilla-Noakhali Highway at around 2pm, leaving five students dead on the spot.
Two others succumbed to their injuries on way to the hospital while another died at the hospital.
He said the angry locals set fire to the truck and blocked the highway.
They withdrew the blockade around 7pm after local lawmaker Tazul Islam talked to them.
RAB detain Sylhet city Jamaat chief
RAB-1 Commander Kismat Haider told bdnews24.com that they raided Hotel Garden Residence in Uttara and arrested him at 3am on Sunday.
RAB’s Intelligence wing chief Ziaul Ahsan told bdnews24.com that he was arrested on charges of “conspiring against the government”.
He was taken to the RAB-1 office in Uttara after the arrest, Ahsan said.
Police in Sylhet said there were several cases on various charges against Jubayer, a former President of Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central committee.
7 kids die in truck-school van crash
The deceased
were identified as Nusrat Jahan Shova, Hridoy Hossain Muttakin, Al Amin,
Rafiqul Islam, Hasibul Hasan Nehar, Shahadul Islam Mithun and Tipu Sultan
Swadhin.
They were students from play group to fifth grade.
Of the injured, four, including the driver of the school van, were admitted to theComilla Medical College Hospital
Witnesses said a speedy truck hit the van carrying some students of Naser Petua Model Kindergarten at Naser Petua on theComilla-Noakhali Highway 2pm , leaving five students dead on the
spot.
Two others succumbed to their injuries on way to the hospital.
Officer-in-Charge of the Monohorganj Police Station Zahirul Islam confirmed .com the tragic accident.
Local journalist Jasim Uddin told com from the spot that the angry locals set fire to the truck and blocked the highway.
16.03.2013
Narayanganj City Corporation Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy also raised the same allegation.
They made the allegation at a rally organised on the Shaheed Minar premises in the city’s Chashara under the banner of Narayanganj Nagarik Samaj, a civil society platform.
The body of Twaki, 17, a student of A-Level of ABC International School, was recovered from the bank of the Shitalakkhya River on Mar 8, two days after he had gone missing.
Rabbi filed a murder case against unidentified criminals over the killing with the Narayanganj Sadar Police, but the law enforcers are yet to make any arrest.
A week into the murder of the schoolboy, the investigators did not have any clue to the motive of the killing nor could they identify the murderers. The blame game between rival politicians has further muddied the water.
Rabbi told the rally that Shamim Osman had Twaki killed to settle score over his (Rabbi’s) involvement in the movement for a cut bus fares and in the protest against raising market on the railway land and working in favour of Ivy during the Narayanganj City Corporation polls.
He also alleged that Osman helped some eight to eleven persons who took part in the killing to flee to India through Benapole border on Mar 9 with the help of one of his relatives – a clearing and forwarding agent at the Benapole port.
Expressing his doubt over fair trial of the killing, he said: “The State Minister for Home asked the local police over phone not to proceed with probe into Twaki murder.”
Ivy said Shamim Osman killed Rafiur Rabbi’s son since he had worked for her during the city corporation polls.
Alluding to Osman, she said: “Why did you engage criminals to kill the innocent child? Is it because Twaki’s father worked for me during the polls? If that’s true, you may kill me.”
Declaring Osman ‘unwanted’ in Narayanganj, Ivy said: “The people of Narayanganj rejected you in the city corporation polls in 2011. You can’t restrain the people by resorting to killings, extortion and terrorism. The people of Narayanganj have arisen. We declare you unwanted in Narayanganj.”
Presided over by Narayanganj Nagarik Committee President AB Siddique, the rally was addressed, among others, by Narayanganj Press Club President Halim Azad.
When reached by telephone, Osman said he would hold a press conference on the matter.
Riding a wave of popular support for a change, independent candidate Ivy was elected the first Mayor of Narayanganj City in 2011 with a margin of more than 100,000 votes over Osman, who was backed by the ruling party.
Osman and Ivy had both sought nomination from the Awami League for the polls, but the party finally opted for Osman.
17.03.2013
No point in holding talks, says Khaleda
Vitamin ‘A’ capsules
Khaleda Zia also alleged that children were being killed across the country following nationwide indiscriminate killing by police firing.
“A company owned by Awami League’s Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif is importing WHO-unauthorised and low-standard Vitamin A capsules,” she said.
She said several children were taken sick again some died after consuming those vitamin supplement.
“So, the government has now started killing infants feeding tablets after opening fire on people,” she added.
The government on Thursday said it was monitoring the children who had been admitted to different hospitals following rumours of death after consuming Vitamin A capsules during a nationwide campaign.
Director General of Health Services Khandaker Md Shefayetulla had told bdnews24.com that he had sent six of his directors to different districts for closely monitoring the treatment of those children.
Malaysia proposal ‘a bluff’
The BNP chief termed Malaysia’s proposal to invest $2.3 billion in the Padma bridge project ‘a bluff’ and alleged the World Bank had moved away from the project due to the government’s corruption.
“Now, they are talking aboutMalaysia
Malaysia
Khaleda alleged the government was dillydallying on the project. “They won’t be able to implement it.”
In an apparent bid to win over the crowd, she reiterated her promise that the BNP would build two bridges once if elected to power.
One of the bridges is proposed at Mawa and the other at Aricha-Daulatdia.
‘Arrest Twaki killers’
Khaleda Zia also demanded arrest of those who killed Tanvir Mohammad Twaki, son of Narayanganj Ganajagaran Mancha unit organiser and cultural activist Rafiur Rabbi.
“Newspapers say Narayanganj ‘Godfather’ Shamim Osman killed Twaki because his father campaigned for Selina Hayat Ivy during the recent city corporation election there,” she said. “But police are yet to arrest him.”
The body of Twaki, 17, a student of A-Level ofABC International School
They were students from play group to fifth grade.
Of the injured, four, including the driver of the school van, were admitted to the
Witnesses said a speedy truck hit the van carrying some students of Naser Petua Model Kindergarten at Naser Petua on the
Two others succumbed to their injuries on way to the hospital.
Officer-in-Charge of the Monohorganj Police Station Zahirul Islam confirmed .com the tragic accident.
Local journalist Jasim Uddin told com from the spot that the angry locals set fire to the truck and blocked the highway.
16.03.2013
Twaki’s father, Ivy
accuse Shamim Osman
Narayanganj City Corporation Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy also raised the same allegation.
The body of Twaki, 17, a student of A-Level of ABC International School, was recovered from the bank of the Shitalakkhya River on Mar 8, two days after he had gone missing.
Rabbi filed a murder case against unidentified criminals over the killing with the Narayanganj Sadar Police, but the law enforcers are yet to make any arrest.
A week into the murder of the schoolboy, the investigators did not have any clue to the motive of the killing nor could they identify the murderers. The blame game between rival politicians has further muddied the water.
Rabbi told the rally that Shamim Osman had Twaki killed to settle score over his (Rabbi’s) involvement in the movement for a cut bus fares and in the protest against raising market on the railway land and working in favour of Ivy during the Narayanganj City Corporation polls.
He also alleged that Osman helped some eight to eleven persons who took part in the killing to flee to India through Benapole border on Mar 9 with the help of one of his relatives – a clearing and forwarding agent at the Benapole port.
Expressing his doubt over fair trial of the killing, he said: “The State Minister for Home asked the local police over phone not to proceed with probe into Twaki murder.”
Ivy said Shamim Osman killed Rafiur Rabbi’s son since he had worked for her during the city corporation polls.
Alluding to Osman, she said: “Why did you engage criminals to kill the innocent child? Is it because Twaki’s father worked for me during the polls? If that’s true, you may kill me.”
Declaring Osman ‘unwanted’ in Narayanganj, Ivy said: “The people of Narayanganj rejected you in the city corporation polls in 2011. You can’t restrain the people by resorting to killings, extortion and terrorism. The people of Narayanganj have arisen. We declare you unwanted in Narayanganj.”
Presided over by Narayanganj Nagarik Committee President AB Siddique, the rally was addressed, among others, by Narayanganj Press Club President Halim Azad.
When reached by telephone, Osman said he would hold a press conference on the matter.
Riding a wave of popular support for a change, independent candidate Ivy was elected the first Mayor of Narayanganj City in 2011 with a margin of more than 100,000 votes over Osman, who was backed by the ruling party.
Osman and Ivy had both sought nomination from the Awami League for the polls, but the party finally opted for Osman.
17.03.2013
No point in holding talks, says Khaleda
She made the statement at a Manikganj rally
hours after her close aide and BNP’s Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul
Islam Alamgir sought a formal proposal from the government to hold talks.
Khaleda’s comment also put brakes on the ruling quarter’s enthusiasm for a dialogue to end the current political deadlock.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Saturday said Khaleda should propose for talks first, while LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam said they were open to dialogue.
But Khaleda said, “There’s no point in talking to them (the government). Either they will go, or more shutdowns and blockades will be announced.”
She termed the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as one of ‘killers’.
Her party has been saying it would not contest next polls without a caretaker government in place, while the government stresses it would not restore the system annulled in 2011 in line with a Supreme Court order.
Khaleda held the government responsible for the death of people during the recent violence.
“There will be special tribunals in the future to try these killings ... No. 1 person, I mean the current Prime Minister, must stand in the dock for trial.”
She visited Singair in Manikganj where four people were killed during a recent violence on Feb 24.
The opposition chief also extended financial assistance to the families of those killed and injured during that violence.
She visited the residence of Maulana Nasir Uddin and offered condolences to the bereaved family members. The BNP chief handed over cheques of Tk 300,000 each to four bereaved families. She also distributed financial aid to the families of those injured.
Khaleda told the rally, “The people have lost their faith in this government. They (the government) used police to commit mass murders. At least 170 people have been killed. That’s why this killer government cannot stay in power anymore. This government must be ousted through tougher movement.”
“There is no point of having any talks with this killer government. Some more lives will possibly be lost in the process to oust them. But even then, we must take it to the streets to remove this government.”
She urged everyone to make countrywide shutdowns for Monday and Tuesday successful. “Fresh programmes will be announced later.”
Khaleda’s comment also put brakes on the ruling quarter’s enthusiasm for a dialogue to end the current political deadlock.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Saturday said Khaleda should propose for talks first, while LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam said they were open to dialogue.
But Khaleda said, “There’s no point in talking to them (the government). Either they will go, or more shutdowns and blockades will be announced.”
She termed the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as one of ‘killers’.
Her party has been saying it would not contest next polls without a caretaker government in place, while the government stresses it would not restore the system annulled in 2011 in line with a Supreme Court order.
Khaleda held the government responsible for the death of people during the recent violence.
“There will be special tribunals in the future to try these killings ... No. 1 person, I mean the current Prime Minister, must stand in the dock for trial.”
She visited Singair in Manikganj where four people were killed during a recent violence on Feb 24.
The opposition chief also extended financial assistance to the families of those killed and injured during that violence.
She visited the residence of Maulana Nasir Uddin and offered condolences to the bereaved family members. The BNP chief handed over cheques of Tk 300,000 each to four bereaved families. She also distributed financial aid to the families of those injured.
Khaleda told the rally, “The people have lost their faith in this government. They (the government) used police to commit mass murders. At least 170 people have been killed. That’s why this killer government cannot stay in power anymore. This government must be ousted through tougher movement.”
“There is no point of having any talks with this killer government. Some more lives will possibly be lost in the process to oust them. But even then, we must take it to the streets to remove this government.”
She urged everyone to make countrywide shutdowns for Monday and Tuesday successful. “Fresh programmes will be announced later.”
Vitamin ‘A’ capsules
Khaleda Zia also alleged that children were being killed across the country following nationwide indiscriminate killing by police firing.
“A company owned by Awami League’s Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif is importing WHO-unauthorised and low-standard Vitamin A capsules,” she said.
She said several children were taken sick again some died after consuming those vitamin supplement.
“So, the government has now started killing infants feeding tablets after opening fire on people,” she added.
The government on Thursday said it was monitoring the children who had been admitted to different hospitals following rumours of death after consuming Vitamin A capsules during a nationwide campaign.
Director General of Health Services Khandaker Md Shefayetulla had told bdnews24.com that he had sent six of his directors to different districts for closely monitoring the treatment of those children.
Malaysia proposal ‘a bluff’
The BNP chief termed Malaysia’s proposal to invest $2.3 billion in the Padma bridge project ‘a bluff’ and alleged the World Bank had moved away from the project due to the government’s corruption.
“Now, they are talking about
Khaleda alleged the government was dillydallying on the project. “They won’t be able to implement it.”
In an apparent bid to win over the crowd, she reiterated her promise that the BNP would build two bridges once if elected to power.
One of the bridges is proposed at Mawa and the other at Aricha-Daulatdia.
‘Arrest Twaki killers’
Khaleda Zia also demanded arrest of those who killed Tanvir Mohammad Twaki, son of Narayanganj Ganajagaran Mancha unit organiser and cultural activist Rafiur Rabbi.
“Newspapers say Narayanganj ‘Godfather’ Shamim Osman killed Twaki because his father campaigned for Selina Hayat Ivy during the recent city corporation election there,” she said. “But police are yet to arrest him.”
The body of Twaki, 17, a student of A-Level of
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