PSNN & Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish

Bangladesh announced next poll schedule amid political uncertainty

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 22:08:45 +0530

The 12th national general election of Bangladesh will be held on January 7, 2024. The Election Commission announced the schedule on Wednesday (November 15, 2023) evening (local time) amid political uncertainty.

Bangladesh Awami League, present ruling party, welcomed the poll schedule, meanwhile the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and their alliance rejected it. BNP and their alliance had been observing nationwide strike since October 28, 2023 demanding neutral caretaker government before national election.

The Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said that the next election will be free fair and participatory. All political parties of Bangladesh will participate in this election.

Dozens injured in police&opposition activists clash in Bangladesh

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 20:42:20 +0530

The sit-in programme of the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP) ended amidst clashes between police and BNP activists in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh on Saturday.

On Friday, from a grand rally which held in Dhaka, BNP announced this sit-in protest in different entry points of the capital demanding resignation of current Awami League government and hold next national general election under the neutral caretaker government.

According to BNP activists and police, the activists of the opposition started their sit-in programme at about 11.00am local time at Gabtali, Aminbazar, Signboard, Siddhirganj Nayabazar, Uttara and Keraniganj areas. When the opposition blocked the road in different placee police tried to remove them from road. Then clashes between police and BNP activists occurred at Gabtoli, Nayabazar, Signboard, Shiddhirganj, Uttara areas. It is alleged that the ruling Awami League activists also attacked the opposition with the help of police.

Police arrested 90 opposition activists including It's central leader Gayeshwar Chnadra Roy and Amanullah Aman. The BNP men alleged that police used the shell of tear gas and short gun bullets against them.

Meanwhile the miscreants vandalised 3 passenger vehicles and a police car at different places in the capital.

Faruk Hossain, spokesman of police told local media that atleast 20 police personnel were injured at the time of clashes between police and BNP activists. At that time 90 opposition activists were detained, He added.

Bangladesh: 17 killed in bus accident

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 21:58:06 +0530

At least 17 people were killed including women and children and 26 others injured in a bus accident in Jhalokathi district on Saturday.

Police and local people said, the accident took place when the driver of the bus lost control over wheel and it fell into road-side pond.

It was heading towards Jhalakathi from Pirojpur, police added.

According to the local media, the deceased were identified as Sahin Molla, Rahima Begum, Airin Akhtar, Ripa Moni, Abdus Salam Molla, Tarek Rahman, Abdullah, Sumaiya, Abul Kalam Hawlader, Parvin Akther, Nayon, Khadiza Begum, Sadia Akter, Salma Akther, Faruk Hossain Hawlader, Rabeya Begum, Khushbu Akther. Jahirul Islam, Civil Surgeon of Jhalokathi confirmed the casualties.

Sakhawat Hossen, a spokesman of Jhalokathi police station said the fire service personnel and police rushed the spot listening the news and began rescue operation. He also confirmed the casualties.

The injured were sent to the local hospitals, he added.

Bangladesh : One killed, dazens injured in opposition Road March

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 22:53:14 +0530

The main opposition party of Bangladesh Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) observed a country-wide 'Road March' Tuesday for one-point demand 'resignation of present Awami League government'.

One BNP activist was killed and dazens were injured when it came under attack allegedly by the ruling Bangladesh Awami League activists and police.

According to local media, Md. Sajib, a BNP activist was killed in Laxmipur district while Awami League activists and police jointy attacked on BNP activists. About 50 others were injured in this clash between them. Meanwhile, 100 were injured in Khagrachori, 50 in Kishorganj, 50 female students and 50 others in Bogra, 50 in Feni, 30 Joypurhat and 20 people were injured in Pirojpur district.

This is first one-point movement of BNP for removing ruling Bangladesh Awami League government from power and hold the upcoming National Election under Caretaker Government. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, General Secretary of BNP announced the one-point movement on July, 12.

U.S. Under Secretary of State Uzra Zeya Meets with the PM of Bangladesh

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 23:38:56 +0530

U.S. Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya met with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on Thursday.

According to a statement of U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, Uzra Zeya is staying in Bangladesh in a four day visit with a delegation of U.S. government. Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asia, is also visiting with her.

The statement said, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Uzra Zeya discussed about the strong bilateral relationship between two countries.

They also discussed about free and fair election in Bangladesh, Human and Labour rights as well as Rohingya issue, the statement added.

The senior U.S. officials are meeting with senior government officials, civil society members, Rohingya refugees, and representatives from humanitarian organizations in four day visit, the statement added.

A Rohingya leader hacked to death in Cox’s Bazar

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 19:15:08 +0530

A leader of local Rohingya people was stabbed to death by unknown miscreants at a Rohingya camp in Cox’s bazar, a Southeastern district of Bangladesh on thursday.

The deceased was identified as Mohammad Ebadullah, a leader of local rohingya people.

Police spokesman Sheikh Mohammad Ali said some miscreants attacked Mohammad Ebadullah at around 10:30am today at A/9 block of camp-1-west of Kutupalong in Ukhia.

The miscreants stabbed him to death and fled, he said.

The dead body was sent to local hospital morgue.

The reason behind the attack remain unknown, Sheikh Mohammad Ali added.

About 1.1 millon rohingya refugee are getting shelter in Cox’s Bazar, the main tourism spot in bangladesh, who are expelled from Myanmar by the army in a crackdown in 2017.

Tamim Iqbal retires from international cricket

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 17:45:55 +0530

Tamim Iqbal, one-day international captain of Bangladesh, announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday.

Tamim announced his retirement news at a press conference in his home town Chattogram.

'Yesterday's match (against Afghanistan) was the last of my international career. I am retiring from international cricket which is effective from now.’

‘I tried my best throughout my 16-year career. I don't know how much I could fulfill. I thank everyone related to cricket alongside my family members,’ Tamim said.

The 34-year-old batsman scored 8,313 runs in the 241 ODIs he played for Bangladesh, hitting 14 centuries and 56 fifties.

The veteran scored 5,134 runs from the 134 innings he played in 70 Tests, while scoring 10 hundreds, including a popular one against England at the Lord's in 2010.

He captained Bangladesh in 37 ODIs from 2019 till his retirement.

4 war criminals sentenced to death in Bangladesh

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Sun, 25 Jun 2023 17:56:38 +0530

The International Crimes Tribunal sentenced four war criminals to death on Sunday for their crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.

Md Amzad Hossain Mollah, Md Mahtab Biswas, Md Fasiar Rahman Mollah and Wahab Mollah are the convicts of this case.

A three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal passed the order. The three members are Justice Md Shahinur Islam, chairman of ICT, Justice Md Abu Ahmed Jamadar and Justice KM Hafizul Alam. The bench is headed by its chairman Justice Md Shahinur Islam.

The verdict began at 10:35am on Sunday. The tribunal fixed the date to pronounce the verdict against four accused in a case filed over crimes against humanity On June 21 and on May 11, arguments were completed against four accused.

According to the ICT, Md Amjad Hossain Mollah was arrested on May 22, 2017 but the other four were fleeing and Nowsher Biswas, another accused died.

According to the court, Md Amjad Hossain Mollah and his associates abducted Md Moinuddin, a resident of Bagherpara area of Jessore in 1971. They tortured him at local Razakar Camp and was killed there after three days. They also tortured Nowfel Uddin Biswas, Surat Ali Biswas and Moktar Biswas for helping freedom fighters in Liberation War.

Bangladesh: seven die in ambulance fire

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 15:32:57 +0530

Seven people died when an ambulance caught fire at Maligram area on the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga expressway in Faridpur district of Bangladesh on Saturday morning.

Among the deceased, there were three women, two men and two children but their identities could not be known.

Ziarul Islam, chief of Bhanga Police Station, said the accident took place around 11.00am local time.

According to the police and fire service, the driver lost control over the ambulance and hit the the roadside railings and immediately caught fire. Seven passengers on the ambulance had died on the spot.

Ronendra Nath Chowdhury, sub-officer of Bhanga Fire Station, listening the incident they rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire within short time.

Police said, the ambulance was going toward Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district from Dhaka. The driver of the ambulance was rushed to a nearby hospital as he was injured critically.

On March 19, at least 19 people died and 30 others injured in a road accident on the Bangabandhu Expressway at Shibchar in Madaripur.

"PM’s allegation nothing but a political stunt": opposition

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 00:33:25 +0530

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the allegation against BNP about selling St. Martin island is nothing but a political stunt.

He said this in a press conference held on Thursday at the BNP chairperson’s office in Dhaka.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that her allegation against BNP is only for political gain. She also made this comment before.

He said that any responsible leader of a country like a prime minister cannot make such a comment, it is absolutely unimaginable. Because it can affect us geopolitically.

On Wednesday in a press conference the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina alleged that How BNP came to power in 2001? They came to power with the promise of selling Gas. Now they will sell the country or wants to come to power with the bond to sell St. Martin island."

The prime minister of Bangladesh also said that if she still think that Saint Martin island will be leased to someone then she has no problem to stay in power.

Whether BNP has any agreement with the US? he answered to the question that the opposition could not make any agreement with any country. It is signed between two countries and government to government.

"I don't want to lease St. Martin Island for power": Sheikh Hasina

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 20:16:46 +0530

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina said, she does not want to come to power by selling any wealth of Bangladesh like St. Martin Island or Gas.

She said this in a press conference arranged at Ganabhaban, her official residence in the capital city Dhaka, which has been arranged to inform the outcomes of her recent visits to Switzerland and Qatar.

Sheikh Hasina said, "As a daughter of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, I do not want to come to power by selling any wealth. Selling Gas I could stay in power."

"How BNP came to power in 2001. They came to power with the promise of selling Gas. Now they will sell the country or wants to come to power with the bond to sell St. Martin Island," she added.

The prime minister of Bangladesh said in the press conference that if she still think that Saint Martin Island will be leased to someone then she has no problem to stay in power. "I know that. But it won't happen to me. I will not let anyone play in my country. Using my country's ground, using my country's soil to carry out terrorist activities, to attack anyone, I won't let it happen" told the premier.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Qatar from May 22 to 25 and also visited Switzerland from June 13 to 16.

Bangladesh wants to be a member of BRICS

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 11:53:35 +0530

Bangladesh want to be a member of BRICS, a group of five member states.

According to an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bangladesh, to get the membership of BRICS alliance Bangladesh will apply formally.

BRICS is a platform of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. These countries are described as fast-growing economies which would collectively dominate the global economy by 2050.

Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr. AK Abdul Momen on June 19 said if the five member group formally invites Bangladesh would welcome.

Dr. AK Abdul Momen told reporters at his office on June 19, "We will surely join once they invite us. We have yet to receive any formal letter. BRICS leaders are thinking of taking some new countries including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and United Arab Emirates".

Earlier in Geneva, Abdul Momen mentioned that Bangladesh is likely to become a member of BRICS in August this year. He said the issue of joining was raised when Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina called on South African.

According to a statement of Chinese embassy in Dhaka, Mao Ning’s, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson of China said in her regular press Conference on June 20 that the expansion of BRICS is a political agreement followed by all BRICS members. China is ready to expand the BRICS and to bring more like-minded partners into this group.

Indian naval ship Kiltan arrives in Bangladesh : Embassy

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 20:19:17 +0530

Indian Naval Ship Kiltan has arrived in Chattogram, port city of Bangladesh, on Monday.

The Indian embassy in a statement said on Twiter that, the ship, commanded by Cdr Arjit Pande came Bangladesh for a three day visit as part of the ongoing close cooperation between Indian and Bangladesh Navies.

Kiltan was given a warm welcome by Bangladesh Navy, the statement added.

The embassy said, Cdr Arjit Pande, Commanding Officer of the visiting Indian Naval Ship Kiltan called on RAdm Abdullah Al Mamun Chowdhury, BSP ndc, psc, Commander Chattogram Naval Area.

They have discussed Various issues like enhancing maritime cooperation as well as security of mutual interest.

According to the statement, INS Kiltan is an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) corvettes. The ship is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in Kolkata.

Bangladesh national poll: Will it be free, fair and acceptable?

Mohammad Abdullahil Oarish — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 17:49:19 +0530

No doubt! Bangladesh is a democratic country. It is also a Muslim majority country of South Asian region. More than 90% people of this country are Muslims.

As a democratic country, the people of this country exercise democracy. Every five years, the people of Bangladesh can elect their leader, their representatives to the Assembly named “Jatiyo Sansad” by national general election. But the last two elections were not free, fair and credible as the opposition claimed. It was like a selection. Because in 2014 majority of the members of the parliament were elected without vote. That means there are a total of 300 seats in the parliament among which 154 members of the Parliament were elected without vote of the people, as the main opposition and their alliances boycotted the election. According to them to be a free, fair and credible election, it should be arranged by the neutral caretaker government, not under the ruling party.

But the current government did not pay any heed to the opposition's demand. As a result, the opposition and their alliances boycotted the 2014 election. Then current ruling party formed the government.

In 2018, it was very unexpected that there is an allegation of vote robbery against the ruling party. Because the opposition alleged that the ruling party did very unfair deed in election. It is alleged thats the party men casted vote before election at night in a very unfair and illegal way.

As a result the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and their alliance demanded a neutral caretaker government for free, fair and acceptable election in Bangladesh.

On the other hand the present ruling party Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) wants to arrange election under the present government. This is the main conflict between the ruling party and the opposition.

BNP has been continuing their demonstration demanding neutral caretaker government since 2014. According to the party, the free, fair, credible and accepted to all election is not going to be held and won’t be possible to hold under the ruling government. So neutral caretaker government in election time is their demand. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir frequently raises their demand in different programmes. Recently he urged that there would be no compromise in the question of neutral government.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, an alliance of BNP and also a big Islamic party of Bangladesh also demonstrated a rally on June 11, 2023 after 10 years. They also demanded neutral caretaker government.

Denying all allegations, the ruling party Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) wants to arrange the next national election under present government. The leaders of the Bangladesh Awami League frequently said that the upcoming parliamentary elections will be held in due time under the present government, as per the constitution.

What is caretaker government :
According to Wikipedia, A caretaker government is a temporary ad hoc government that performs some governmental duties and functions in a country until a regular government is elected or formed.
It was headed by a Chief Adviser who enjoyed the same power as the regular prime minister of the country except in defence matters. The advisers functioned as ministers. Since 1996, a Caretaker government managed the elections and transitions of 1996, 2001 and 2008.

Abolishment of caretaker government:
In 2011 the Bangladesh Awami League led government abolished the caretaker government through the 15th amendment of the constitution.
Opposition parties, including the BNP, have protested of the amendment. People are worried about next elections since the caretaker government was abolished.

What to be next?
The next national general election will be held on December 2023 or January 2024. But there is an uncertainty whether it will be free, fair and participatory or not. Whether all party will participate or not, we have to wait till then.