BNP protests to continue for democracy

The main opposition party BNP will continue with its protests until the government comes away from its 'undemocratic' path.

Demonstrations will be held at divisional headquarters on Oct 20, at district levels on Oct 24 and at Upazila levels on Oct 27 as a part of their anti-government movement.

The programmes were declared by the party's secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain from a rally protesting the government's repression, harassment of political rivals and politicisation of bureaucracy and the judiciary at Muktangan on Saturday.

"The path taken by the government has left us with no options except protest. We will continue our demonstrations until this neo-autocratic government does not return to the path of democracy. These programmes are to protest the torture and repression carried out by the government and their ill-governance."

The rally at Muktangan presided over by Dhaka city mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka started at 3.30pm. Following the declaration of the programmes by the secretary general, a procession was brought out at 3.45pm that went through Bijoy Nagar, Kakrail, Shantinagar Intersection, Mouchak to end at Magbazar around 5pm.

Activists of city BNP and various associate organisations, including Juba Dal, Mohila Dal, Shechchashebak Dal and Chhatra Dal, participated in the procession with colourful banners and posters.

Huge tailbacks occurred at surrounding roads including Topkhana and Kakrail due to the procession.

Standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Rafiqul Islam Mia, Abdul Moyeen Khan and other key leaders of the party took part in the rally.

The police took additional security measures for the rally including deployment of additional police at Muktangan, Bijoynagar, Kakrail, Shantinagar and adjacent areas, stationing of two riot vehicles, prison vans and water cannons near the rally site.

The BNP secretary general said that the government was an utter failure and alleged that it was now trying to shift the blame on others. He alleged that the train accident at Sirajganj, which claimed lives of five BNP activists, was intentional and that the cases being filed against BNP activists were only to harass them.

He said that the country's law and order has gone out of control with tender-grabbing and partisanship becoming commonplace and roughly 10 killings everyday.

Saturday's programme was declared on Thursday at a meeting convened to mourn the deaths of 5 BNP activists in Sirajganj on Monday and the death of Natore BNP leader Sanaullah Noor Babu.

Babu was chopped and beaten to death in public Oct 8. BNP also blames the government for the death of five of its activists crushed under a train in Sirajganj just before Khaleda Zia was scheduled to address a rally there.

Mother dies in vain trying to save suicidal son

A mother died in vain, trying to save her son who had set himself alight in a wild suicide attempt.

Police said that Aleya Begum, 50, died around 6am and her son Mohammad Jewel Bhuiyan, 35, both residents of Khilgaon, around 11am while under treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Khilgaon police chief Nazim Uddin told bdnews24.com: "Jewel tried to commit suicide by dousing himself and his room with petrol and starting a fire."

Jewel's father Abdul Hye, 60, his wife Khuku Begum, 26, and his mother were taking dinner at that time and rushed to the room seeing the fire. They sustained burns when they tried to put it out, he added.

"The family claimed that Jewel committed suicide over a conflict with family members over the fare of a car he had rented for his sister's travel. Jewel's sister, who lived in the UK, had come to Bangladesh on Oct 13 for a visit," the police official added.

Jewel was admonished a number of times for the high fare and his suicide attempt could have been fuelled by it.

Hye and Khuku are currently undergoing treatment at DMCH burn unit.

6 Sunamganj cops suspended for Puja attack

Six policemen including a sub-inspector (SI) have been withdrawn from a Sunamganj police station for attacking devotees at a temple in Tahirpur Upazila.

The district's police superintendent ordered SI Khalil, constables Sirajul Islam, Rashed Mia, Habib Mia, 'Manik', and 'Khurshed', back to the police lines after relieving them of their duties.

Tahirpur Police Station officer-in-charge Mamun-ur-Rashid told bdnews24.com that six cops including a sub-inspector were withdrawn following allegations of conducting the attack on Khalahati Sarbojanin Puja Mandap on Thursday night.

They attacked the temple claiming that the devotees were drinking alcohol. At least 10 people were injured in the attack.

11 injured in BCL with JCD clash at Rajshahi University.

At least 11 activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Rajshahi University (RU) unit were injured in a clash with Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men on the university campus on Sunday.

RU JCD Convener Arafat Reza Ashique and Central Vice President Abu Bakar Siddique were among the injured, reports our staff correspondent in Rajshahi.

Campus sources said the clash ensued at about 11:45am when a group of BCL activists attacked a rally carried out by the JCD activists on the campus marking the death anniversary of Naziruddin Jihad.

Jihad was killed in Dhaka on October 10, 1990 while participating in an anti government movement during the Ershad's military regime.
Chase and counter-chase took place between the two groups. They used tree branches and also pelted brick chips on each other during the clash at the Folklore Chattar of the university that left 11 JCD activists injured.

Additional police have been deployed on the campus after the clash.

Officer-in-charge Abul Khayer of Motihar Police Station said the situation was under control.

Anthrax red alert to be lifted Thursday.

 Emboldened by the halt in anthrax spread, the government is likely to lift the red alert on Thursday, which was issued last month by the livestock department to combat the disease.

At the same time, investigations have been launched against certain vested interest groups suspected of scaremongering to hike poultry price.

Fisheries and livestock minister Abdul Latif Biswas told bdnews24.com on Wednesday: "The red alert may be lifted through a press conference on Thursday morning."

The minister alleged that the negative publicity regarding anthrax was in reality a conspiracy, saying, "Anthrax is not something to be overly worried over. It is a recurring phenomenon and each year a lot of cattle and birds are killed by the disease."

"But no one really bothered about it because there was no media coverage in the past", he said, adding, "this time, though, a vested quarter had tried to benefit from the scare by publicizing it."

The minister went on to draw a comparison of the anthrax spread this year with previous years, saying, "In 2008, 437 cows were affected by anthrax and 156 died. In 2009, 449 were affected and 114 died. This year, until now, only 104 cows have been infected of which 37 died. Another 11 cows were culled."

He also compared the anthrax toll in cows with other diseases like Badla, Khura (local term for Foot-and-mouth disease) and Peste des petits ruminants (PPR).

In 2008, 945 cows out of 1,346 infected by Badla, 203 cows out of 32,701 infected by Khura and 1,843 out of 36,842 infected with PPR died.

In 2009, 611 cows out of 1,123 infected by Badla, 6,020 cows out of around two and half lakhs infected by Khura, and 3,491 of out 53,519 infected with PPR died.

In the current year, until now, 89 out of 237 affected by Badla, 83 out of 4,135 affected by Khura and 231 out of 4,359 infected by PPR have died.

"The negative publicity this year was a deliberate attempt to frighten the people. It was publicised that all livestock including cows, goats, ducks and birds were infected by this disease. However, there were no reports of any hens being affected. This was done to reap benefits."

"No report of anthrax infection among livestock has reached us from middle of last month. So we have decided to withdraw the red alert as it is hampering other works of the ministry," he added.

AL out to destroy opposition: Khaleda

                          BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia says it appears that the ruling party
                              will stop at nothing to wipe out  the political opponents.
Her comments came shortly after the death of Sanaullah Noor Babu, 38, the Baraigram Upazila chairman and Bonpara municipal BNP president in Natore. Babu died on Friday afternoon having been fatally injured in an attack reportedly carried out by ruling Awami League supporters.

The clash, which also left 40 others of the main opposition party injured, erupted around 11pm on Friday when the BNP activists brought out a procession at Bonpara Bazar under Baraigram Upazila as part of its month-long protest programme.

In a separate statement BNP secretary general Khandker Delwar Hossain condemned the attack and demanded punishment of the killers.

Khaleda said, "Juba League and Chhatra League have become reckless since the Awami League took office. It seems they have launched the 'project' to erase the opposition.

"They have started to kill opposition leaders and activists to quell protests against the tender terrorism, extortion, recruitment business and partisanship committed by the Awami League terrorists," the former prime minister added.

Natore BNP leaders alleged that the attack was launched by district Awami League publication and research secretary Zakir Hossain, Upazila Chhatra League general secretary Shafiqul Islam and Juba League activists 'Rakib', 'Jamil' and 'Bablu'.

First hajj flight early Saturday

The first hajj flight that was to commence from Friday night has been rescheduled, officials say.

The first plane will fly out with pilgrims at 3am on Saturday instead of 10:40pm on Friday, a BimanBangladesh  Airlines press  release disclosed on Friday noon.
Khan Mosharraf Hossain, deputy general manager (public relations) of the national carrier, told bdnews24.com that the change in schedule was made due to "some inconveniences in flight preparation". 

 Civil aviation minister GM Quader and state minister for

 religious affairs Shahjahan Miah will see off the first batch of hajj pilgrims at the Shahjalal International Airport.

"Preparation for the first hajj flight is complete. The passengers of this flight have already reported to the hajj camp," hajj official Bazlul Haque Biswas told bdnews24.com.

A Boeing 747, hired from Spain, will carry the first batch of non-ballotee pilgrims from Dhaka to Jeddah under private management.

These flights will continue up to Nov 11. Return flights will begin from Nov 21 and end on Dec 21.

On Thursday, prime minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated Hajj Camp-2010 at Ashkona.

This year around 94,000 pilgrims are set to perform Islam's holiest pilgrimage, 36, 000 more than 58,000of last year. Aircraft from 10 airlines including Saudi Arabian Airlines will be carrying these passengers.

Delwar crtisism PM's speech at UN.

Criticising the prime minister's speech at the UN, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday said propaganda is being spread so that the international community does not raise alarm at this government's actions against the four-party alliance.

Meanwhile, protesting Sheikh Hasina's speech on trial of war criminals at the UN, Jamaat-e-Islami in a statement said the Interna-tional Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, is a black law and it is against international rules.

The prime minister in her speech on Friday at the UN also mentioned that she had survived a series of assassination attempts ever since her return home from exile in 1981. She said the most horrendous period was when Awami League, a secular and democratic party, was in the opposition from 2001 to 2006.

She also formally raised the issue of trial of war criminals. "This action is in accordance with the rule of law as reflected in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which we have ratified and which aims at bringing to justice the perpetrators of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity."

At a press briefing at BNP central office in Naya Paltan, Delwar said such speech would not bring any benefit. He questioned fairness of the tribunal.

"There are questions regarding the investigation of International Crimes Tribunal because its probe agency belongs to the government."

Delwar claimed that the government appointed its chosen investigators and lawyers for the tribunal so that they would do as the government intends to.

Jamaat-e-Islami acting Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam in a statement condemned the speech of the prime minister and claimed that she resorted to lies about the trial of war criminals.

"The investigation process which is being followed now is not lawful at all. Such process does not go with Rome Statute," he said.

'AL Men' Attack BNP Procession.Boraigram upazila chairman killed,BNP calls hartal on Sunday in Natore.

                                   

Sanaulla Noor Babu

Awami League activists yesterday beat to death Sanaullah Noor Babu, BNP-backed chairman of Boraigraupazila, during a BNP procession in Bonpara Bazar, Natore.

 BNP has called a full-day hartal in Natore on Sunday along with three-day mourning and protest programmes from tomorrow following the incident, said Aminul Haque, general secretary of BNP Natore district unit

Around 30 others including Bonpara Municipality Mayor Ishaq Ali and three journalists were injured in the attack launched around 11:00am

Babu, also the president of BNP Bonpara municipal unit, was admitted to a local hospital at Bonpara and later shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital as his condition deteriorated. The doctors declared him dead at 3:30pm, said police, witnesses and hospital sources.Around 50 AL activists equipped with firearms, sticks, iron rods and machetes swooped on the BNP procession and started beating the opposition men leaving many severely injured.When one of the AL attackers shot a bullet in the air, all BNP activists except Babu left the spot. The attackers then caught Babu and beat him indiscriminately.Babu received severe head injures and there were cuts on the hands and legs and beating marks all over the body, said doctors who performed the autopsy.

BNP activists led by Babu brought out a procession from the upazila parishad premises as part of the opposition's month-long demonstrations across the country. Babu was supposed to address a public gathering after the procession.
Mohammad Nasim, injured reporter of the Bangladesh Protidin, told The Daily Star that Babu was profusely bleeding and lying unconscious on the road for nearly an hour while police watched the situation from a distance. Later, Babu's wife and BNP activists rescued him and whisked him to a hospital, added Nasim.
Anwar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Boraigram Police Station, said Babu was killed as Awami League and BNP activists were locked in a clash at Bonpara Bazar. He said the clash started when BNP activists were holding a procession and AL men intercepted.
Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu, president of BNP Natore district unit, termed the incident a pre-planned murder.
"The killers cut the tendons of Babu's hands and legs to make sure he died. The murder took place, as the government is encouraging killers by freeing them from death row," he alleged.
Mizanur Rahman, general secretary of AL Boraigram upazila unit, said the incident is not political as BNP is propagating. No AL leaders were present on the spot during the incident.
He said local businessmen belonging to AL requested BNP leaders not to hold the rally on Friday, the Jumma day.
"The incident took place when the BNP activists disobeying the businessmen brought out the procession and confronted with Chhatra League activists," said Mizanur Rahman.
The injured include Rafiqul Islam, upazila Jubo Dal president, Jamal Uddin, Mozammel, Nazim, Jamal and Rafiq. The two other injured journalists are ATN Bangla's cameraman Masud Rana and Tofazzal Hossain of the Dainik Destiny.
The attackers snatched two cameras from the journalists when they were taking shots of the assault on Babu, the only son of Boraigram civil surgeon Saber Hossain.
Around 7:00pm, agitated BNP activists staged a demonstration and blocked Bonpara Bazar road for half an hour. They also attacked and vandalised business centre of including that of AL-backed vice-chairman of the upazila Ataur Rahman and the house of local AL leader Zakir Hossain. The activists also vandalised Patwari Clinic, where Babu was rushed to after the incident.
In a statement, BNP Chairperson and the Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia condemned the killing of Babu by the ruling party men.
Demanding arrests of the killers and punitive action against them, she said, "It seems that the government has taken a project to eliminate the opposition. The Boraigram upazila chairman has just fallen a victim to that plan."

                                 

Ceaseless rain paralyses life.4 die as house, wall collapse in Dhaka, Barguna; another dies in tidal surge .

 

Incessant rainfall all through the day drenched the entire country yesterday, flooding many streets and neighbourhoods of the capital, and ushering tidal surges in coastal districts.
At least five people were killed in the coastal district of Barguna and the capital in accidents linked to the inclement weather caused by a depression in the Bay of Bengal that has been sweeping over the country for the last three days.
Thousands of people were marooned as many parts of the southern districts and Cox's Bazar were inundated, destroying numerous mud houses and standing crops, and washing away fish ponds and shrimp enclosures.
Numerous flood protection dams were breached by gushing rainwater in the southern districts. Many villages in last year's Aila affected areas were inundated anew. All over the country normal life was severely disrupted.The Met Office advised the maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, and Mongla to keep hoisted the cautionary signal number three.

The depression over the northwest bay and adjoining West Bengal-Bangladesh coast moved northeastwards and crossed the coast near Mongla at 6:00pm yesterday, and was lying over Barisal, Noakhali and the adjoining area as a land depression, said a special bulletin of the Met Office.
It is likely to move in a northeasterly direction further inland, and gradually weaken by giving precipitation. Squally weather may continue over the north bay and coastal areas, the bulletin added.
The low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Feni, Laxmipur, Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Chandpur, Pirozpur, Jhalakathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their off shore islands and shoals are likely to be inundated by wind driven surges of heights 2 to 4 feet above normal astronomical tides, the bulletin cautioned.
All fishing boats and trawlers in the north bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelters till further notice.
"New moon and heavy rainfall with gusty wind triggered by the prevailing depression have unleashed the nature's fury on the low-lying coastal areas," said meteorologist SM Mahmudul Haque.
River communication between Dhaka and the coastal districts was partially disrupted as Bangladsh Inland Water Transportation Aauthority (BIWTA) decided not to allow operation of any launch smaller than 70 feet. Internal launch communication in Patuakhali also remained suspended till last night since Tuesday, due to the same reason.
Ferry communication on Mawa-Kawrakandi and Paturia-Daulatdia routes were also disrupted causing long traffic jams on both sides of the highways.
A teenage boy and a girl were killed in the capital's Kha Para of Khilkhet as a boundary wall collapsed on them due to heavy rain. The victims are Sumi Akter, 15, a garment factory worker; and Ratan, 13, a tea-stall worker, said Officer-in-charge of Khilkhet Police Station.
At least three people including a child were killed in Barguna, reported our Patuakhali correspondent.
The dead were identified as Sapin, 5, of Char Colony area of Barguna town; Minara, 28, of Atharogachhia village; and Noren, 30, of Tiakhali village of Amatali upazila.
Local residents said Sapin was washed away by a tidal surge around 9:00am as their house was being inundated. Later, family members recovered his body from nearby Khakdon canal.
Minara and Noren died in a separate incident when their mud house collapsed on them.
Road communication between Kuakata, a tourist spot in Patuakhali, and others parts of the country remained snapped till last night as gangways of four ferry terminals on Patuakhali-Barisal highway went under water.
Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of Barguna District Fishing Trawler Owners Association, said at least 50 fishermen of the area were missing since Wednesday with five trawlers. An unusual tidal surge occurred at the coast of the district yesterday.
Since Wednesday night 9,047 hectares of crop lands went under water in Patuakhali, 8,831 hectares of those had been newly planted with aman paddies, 150 hectares had been planted with vegetables, while 66 hectares had been betel leaf fields, according to the district's Relief and Rehabilitation Office.
Lowlands and more than 100 shoals in the 7 upazilas of the district were flooded in the last three days, inundating more than 100 villages as flood control dams were breached at 50 points.
Around 14,000 houses of 142 villages were inundated as 40 kilometres of embankment of different upazilas collapsed in Cox's Bazaar. Around two hundred shrimp enclosures was also washed away, reports a correspondent from Cox's Bazaar.
At least 15 villages in Padmapukur, an Aila affected union under Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district, were inundated as water entered into the areas collapsing embankment at two points on the river Kabodak due to violent tide on Thursday night, our Satkhira correspondent adds.
The embankment covering 120 yards at two points--Khutikata and the house of Daud Moral-- at village Padmapukur was devoured into the river caused by heavy pressure of water from the river due to high tide inundation.
Over 12,000 people of all most all the villages in Padmapukur union were marooned and again compelled to take shelter on high lands in the areas.
Due to heavy downpour and collapse of embankments at Aila affected Dakop and Koira upazilas of Khulna district, Sharankhola, Morrelganj and Mongla upazilas of Bagerhat district, over three lakh people were rendered homeless again, reports our correspondent from Khulna.
According to UNOs of Koira and Dakop upazilas, 74 villages have been submerged under five to six feet water after the embankments were washed away. All UNOs of Khulna and Bagerhat districts have been asked to remain standby to render their services to the marooned people.
Cargo handling at Mongla port remained suspended since Thursday due to hostile weather.
Six ships laden with imported food grains, fertiliser, clinker and exportable jute goods have been moved to safer place at Mongla port, said Harbour Master Inamul Huq.
Several lakhs of people in the low-lying areas in all the upazilas under Chandpur district, chars of Matlab and Haimchar were marooned due to the downpour.
Similar reports were received from Noakhali, Barisal, Chittagong, Feni, Bhola and other coastal areas.