Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today (Saturday) said that the law enforcement agencies of the country are not involved in the forced disappearance. “We always say that members of our law enforcement agencies are not involved in any forced disappearance. No one goes missing in Bangladesh, some people go into hiding for various reasons and come back later,” he said. The minister made the statement while replying to a question from journalists after visiting the law and order situation marking the Saraswati Puja at Rajdhani High School in city’s Manik Miah Avenue. Police officials and members of the Puja organizing committee were present on the occasion. Wherever people go missing, they are found after few days as they go into hiding for various reasons, Kamal said, adding but those incidents are termed as ‘forced disappearance’. Speaking about the law and order situation in the hill areas, the minister said apart from some problems in the hills, situation is much better than previous time. “Police forces will be deployed in the hill districts where the army has set up many camps to maintain law and order,” he added. Asked about foreign ‘lobbyist appointment’ issue, Kamal said “We are working to find who and how sent money abroad in the name of appointing lobbyists. We think those involved in sending the money are part of the conspiracy. They will be brought to justice soon”. Source: BSS AH

    The Jammu and Kashmir police has busted a racket involving a Hurriyat leader and eight others for selling the MBBS seats in Pakistan to Kashmiri students and using money to support and fund terrorism. A case was filed by the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK), a branch of J&K police's CID in July 2020 after receiving information through reliable sources that several unscrupulous persons, including some Hurriyat leaders, were hand in glove with some educational consultancies and are selling Pakistan-based MBBS seats and seats in other professional courses in various colleges and universities. Police sources said: "The money collected from the parents of the aspiring or potential students was used, at least partly, to support and fund terrorism and separatism in different ways". A charge sheet filed under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act before a court includes names of Mohammad Akbar Bhat alias Zaffar Akbar Bhat, the chairman of Salvation Movement, a part of the Hurriyat Conference. While others named in the charge sheet include Fatima Shah, Altaf Ahmad Bhat, Qazi Yasir, Mohammad Abdullah Shah, Sabzar Ahmad Sheikh, Manzoor Ahmad Shah and Mohd Iqbal Mir. Initial investigations reveal that MBBS and other professional degree related seats were preferentially given to those students who are close family members or relatives of killed terrorists. Sources also reveal that money had been variously put into channels that ended up in supporting programmes and projects pertaining to terrorism and separatism. It further reveals that money collected in disguise of providing medical and other technical courses in various institutions of Pakistan were used to fuel up the unrest post elimination of Burhan Wani in 2016 and every effort was made to disturb the peace and tranquillity post abrogation of the Article 35A and 370 of the Indian Constitution. The Examination of witnesses corroborated by other circumstantial evidence indicated that many families who approached Hurriyat leaders to avail the programme of Hurriyat on the behest of ISI that aimed at incentivising terrorism by compensating the family of slain terrorists by way of providing free of cost MBBS and engineering seats as monetary consideration. "By incentivising the next of kin of killed militants for the terrorism and related activities of their killed militant relatives, Pakistan is trying to keep the Pot boiling and tends to radicalize the impressionable minds in the veil of technical education", said a source in the police. As per the investigation, on average the cost of a seat ranged between Rs 10 to 12 lakhs and depending upon the political heft of a Hurriyat leader who intervenes, concessions were extended to the aspiring student and his family. Sources said: "On the basis of the available evidence, a conservative estimate indicated that the money involved could be around Rs 4 crore per annum, on the basis of the fact that allocation of seats for distribution by individual Hurriyat leaders were around 40 seats for MBBS programme every year". Police have arrested five persons including Mohammad Akbar Bhat, Fatima Shah, Mohammad Abdullah Shah, Sabzar Ahmad Sheikh and Mohd Iqbal Mir and they were produced before the court. Altaf Ahmad Bhat, Qazi Yasir and Manzoor Ahmad Bhat are absconding. Source: ANI

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today (Wednesday) warned that stern action would be taken against those involved in Companiganj incidents of Noakhali district. “Those involved in the chaotic situation in Companiganj will be brought to justice without considering their identities. It is out of question that any of the persons to be found involved will not get spared,” he asserted this at a press conference on contemporary issues at his official residence in the capital. The minister said he was sadden over the death of an AL activist in Companiganj clash and condoled the deaths of Alauddin and local journalist Burhan Uddin Muzakkir, who were killed in separate clashes in Companiganj. Terming the incidents as deplorable, the AL General Secretary said he has already talked to the Home Minister, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), Deputy Inspector General of Police, Chattogram Range local police to this end. The minister said many accused have already been detained and drives are continuing to arrest others involved in the clashes. The development and achievements of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government could not go in vain due to the misdeeds of anyone, Quader said, adding that the Naokhali district AL has been instructed to submit a report after conducting a probe into the incidents and then the central AL will take organizational action. “Tension has been prevailing among the people of Basurhat over the last few days. Now the government has started taking harsher action. We hope that everything will get normal soon,” he said. The AL general secretary urged the Companiganj people to address the situation with patience and cooperate the government in this regard. Responding to a remark of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Prime Minister’s speech on historic March 7 discussion meeting, Quader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did not lie rather she presented the proven true of history before the nation. The statement of Fakhrul is tantamount to the distortion of the history of the country’s independence and making falsehood is the part of the BNP’s political culture. Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday renewed her allegations that Khaleda Zia was involved in the August 21, 2004 grenade attack as her husband Ziaur Rahman was behind the August 15, 1975 killings. "Ziaur Rahman was involved in the killings of the Father of the Nation, four national leaders…he killed army personnel through coups one after another. Khaleda Zia just did the same thing after coming to power," she said. The Prime Minister said this as she joined a discussion virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee organised the programme at the International Mother Language Institute, marking the 45th martyrdom of the Father of the Nation and National Mourning Day. She said Ziaur Rahman had made collaborators like Abdul Alim, Maulana Mannan and Shah Aziz ministers, prime minister and advisers. Following Zia’s footstep, Hasina said, Khaleda Zia also made ministers Nizami, Mujaheed and culprits involved in the intellectuals’ killings. The Prime Minister mentioned that Khaleda Zia made killer Rashid and Huda members of parliament. "If there was no link with them, why did Khaleda Zia pave the way for them to sit in Parliament snatching the voting rights of people in the February-15 farcical election? They (Ziaur and Khaleda) always patronised those who were involved in terrorism and killing," she said. Talking about the August-15 massacre, the Prime Minister said the main aim of the conspirators was to destroy the ideal of the Independence as they could not tolerate the victory of Bangalees. "Those who were with Pakistan during the Liberation War also could not accept our victory. There were conspiracies (against the country), from the day we attained our victory …there were a deep-rooted conspiracy against our victory," she said. Regarding the involvement of Ziaur Rahman in the Bangabandhu killing, she said that killers Faruq and Rashid in their statement had told that Ziaur Rahman was with them always and being empowered by these killers Ziaur Rahman later proclaimed himself as the president of the country. Sheikh Hasina said by selecting Ziaur Rahman as the army chief Khandaker Mustaque had proved that they were together in this conspiracy. About the August-21 grenade attack, she said Khaleda Zia and her government were involved in that attack and that is why after the grenade charge police and law enforcement personnel had charged baton on those who tried to rescue the injured and take them to hospitals for treatment. "They drove away the party leaders and activists from the spot to clear the path for the culprits to flee the scene," she said. The Prime Minister said the advancement of the country has been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the government is trying hard to put the country back on its previous track for economic progress. "We’ve one aim and that is to materialise the ideals of the Father of the Nation for which he liberated the country. We’ll try our best to materialize the dreams of the Father of the Nation for Bangladesh to change the fate of people," she said. Awami League advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu, MP, Law Minister Anisul Huq and Professor of Dhaka University History Department Dr. Abu Md. Delwar Hossain also spoke at the programme. President of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee Professor Rafiqul Islam gave the vote of thanks while Chief Coordinator Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury delivered the welcome speech. The Prime Minister also inaugurate an exhibition of paintings and pictures titled 'Muktir Mohanayak' digitally, which is taking place at the International Mother Language Institute. A documentary on Bangabandhu was also showed in the programme. Eminent cultural personality Asaduzzaman Noor, MP recited a poem written by renowned poet Mohadeb Saha. Source: UNB AH

Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, as Ziaur Raman was involved in the 15th August killing, therefore he did not provide visas to the international investigation committee members. He halted the trial of Bangabandhu killing by formulating law and gave opportunity to the Pakistani collaborators- Albadar, Razakar, Al Shams to practice politics by appointing them as minister and advisor. She said these while participating a virtual discussion from Ganobhaban end on the occasion of 45th martyrdom of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and national mourning day organized by Bangladesh Awami League on Sunday. The Prime Minister said, Ziaur Rahman gave indemnity to the killers of Bangabandhu. His wife gave indemnity to the terrorists and killers by formulating law. She said, like a traitor Ziaur Rahman took the power to his own hand by toppling murderer Mushtaq. Halting the trials of the killers and rehabilitated them in Libya via Bangkok proved that Ziaur Rahman was involved in the planning of this carnage. Sheikh Hasina also said, I have to live in exile by keeping my name and identity secret though I was a daughter of the president of the country. On the other hand the killers lived a luxurious life in different embassies. AH      

Calling upon the youths, particularly the Jubo League leaders and activists, to follow the ideals of Bangabandhu, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today reiterated that the ongoing drives against terrorism, corruption and drugs would be continued. “We have been working hard round-the-clock for the welfare of the people… if anyone is found involved with terrorism, militancy, drugs and corruption, he or she wouldn’t be spared. I will show no sympathy for them,” she said while opening the 7th national congress of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League at the historic Suhrawardi Udyan in the capital on Saturday. Sheikh Hasina called upon the youths to engage themselves in building the country being imbued with the mentality of patriotism and sacrifice. It is vital to utilize the merit, power and creativity of the youth for building anything, she opined. The premier urged the youths to stay away from terrorism, militancy, narcotics, and corruption, saying, “One can be rich through corruption, but don’t get honor as well as love and affection from anyone.” In order to become a leader, one should stick to ideals alongside having the mentality to do politics for the welfare of the people and the country without thinking much for personal gain, she said. The premier asked the leaders and activists of the Jubo League to follow the ideology of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to be a politician. “Read attentively two books – “Oshomapto Attojiboni” (Unfinished Memoirs) and “Karagarer Rojnamcha” (Diary in Jail) – written by the Father of the Nation and “Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman” to know how Bangabandhu sacrificed his life for the welfare of the people keeping him above greed and lust,” she advised the Jubo League leaders. Referring to the contribution of Juba League in all the democratic movements, the premier said, “This Jubo League will have to be developed in such a way so that it would not earn any bad name, rather can move on with ideology and can work for the welfare of the country.” Earlier, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the ruling Awami League, inaugurated the triennial national council of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League, by hoisting the national flag and releasing pigeons and balloons at the venue at 11:00 in the morning. Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Awami Jubo League Council Convening Committee Chairman Choyon Islam and its presidium member Mojibur Rahman Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion. Jubo League presidium member Advocate Belal Hossain read out a condolence motion and General Secretary M Harunur Rashid placed the report of the general secretary at the function. A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the martyrs of all democratic movements and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibu Rahman and the four national leaders. Over 28,000 councilors from 77 organizing districts across the country are taking part in the triennial national congress of the Jubo League. They will elect their new leaders at the council session at Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in the capital in the afternoon. Shahid Sheikh Fozlul Haque Moni had formed the youth organization Bangladesh Awami Jubo League on November 11 in 1972 at the directive of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Source: BSS AH

Law Minister Anisul Huq said, though pace of development and literacy rate in the country have increased but social crimes are not decreasing. At present corruption is a major problem in the society. The most concerning matter is that educated people are more involved in crimes. He said these at a scholarship handover ceremony organized by Dutch Bangla Bank at the Bangabandhu international conference center in the capital on Saturday. In the program more than two thousand higher secondary level poor and meritorious students were awarded scholarships. The Law Minister said, corruption is confrontational against ideology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, spirit of liberation war and the constitution. People are being deprived because of it and is creating huge imbalance. It is hampering economic progress of the country. The government of Sheikh Hasina has declared zero tolerance policy against corruption. To implement the policy anti corruption drives are being conducted. We want to establish policy of justice after driving out the corruption. He said, though the country has progressed in educational index but there is a matter which is making us worried. It is an established theory in the world that tendency of committing crime is less to those countries which are more educated and developed. But in Bangladesh pace of development and literacy rate have increased but social crimes are not reducing. The most concerning matter is that educated people are more involved in crimes. There is hardly any crime which is not being committed by the educated people. Time has come to think about it. The program presided over by Dutch Bangla Bank chairman Sayem Ahmed where managing director of the bank Abul KashemMd. Shirin and Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir delivered speeches. AH  

Director General of the National Identity Registration Wing of the Election Commission (EC) Brig Gen Saidul Islam on Monday said some 15 EC staff were involved in providing NID cards to Rohingyas. "We've specific data over how many staff were involved. We're not disclosing their names for the sake of investigation. But the number is not more than 15," he said at a press conference arranged at his office to inform the primary reports of an investigation committee. Reports UNB. The DG said they will disclose the names in phases. "The involved staff will be brought to book soon. The EC will do everything necessary to ensure their maximum punishment.” Saidul said the Commission has started a drive against all the irregularities and will take all necessary measures to protect the NID database. "We'll spare no-one. We'll show zero tolerance against corruption," he said adding that the EC will extend cooperation to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and intelligence agencies, including the Counter Terrorism Unit, Crime Investigation Department (CID) and Special Branch (SB). "We've so far got a list of 61 Rohingyas who tried to be voters. We've examining their information that how they could make the efforts and who assisted them. Action will be taken against those involved in this regard," warned the NID Wing DG. AH

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said, strict action will be taken if information is found that anybody from the administration is involved or helping for running the illegal casino business. He said these to the newsmen while answering questions at the secretariat on Thursday. Mentionable, RAB detained Dhaka metropolitan south unit Juba League organizing secretary Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan on Wednesday from his house at Gulshan in the capital over the allegation of running illegal casino business at Youngmen’s Club. Khaled is also the president of that club. He was arrested after RAB mobile court detained 142 people from a casino in the club. The Home Minister said, drives were conducted in the illegal casinos based on intelligence information. In future drives will be conducted against all illegal clubs and illegal businesses. He said, we did not provide any license to run casino. But casino business is going on in the capital for many days. It needs government permission to run casinos. So the drives are being conducted. Influential people from the ruling party are involved in the illegal casino business- over this allegation the minister said, names of the involved persons will come out after investigation and steps will be taken accordingly. AH  

Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen said, strict action will be taken against NGOs if proofs are found about their involvement in provocation for Rohingyas. He said these to the newsmen after briefing the diplomats appointed in Dhaka about the latest situation regarding Rohingya issue on Thursday. Dr. AK Abdul Momen said, we will take action against them (NGOs) if we get proofs that they are working beyond the conditions or provoking Rohingyas. The Foreign Minister said, we have no such information that armed groups are working in the Rohingya camps. But one incident happened and we detained them immediately. We have arrested a group who made sharp weapons. We are taking information about the people who assisted Rohingyas. After getting information we will oust them.   AH