31-10-2022

Monday, Dhaka : October 31, 2022; Kartik 15, 1429 BS; Rabi-us-Sani 4 , 1444 Hijri
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday addressing a programme to induct two maritime patrol aircraft
(MPA-8322 and MPA-8327) into Bangladesh Navy.
Photo : Star Mail
Thailand for concluding
FTA for strengthening
bilateral trade
DHAKA : Bangkok is keen to concluding
an Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with
Dhaka for further strengthening the bilateral
trade and business between Thailand
and Bangladesh.
This was revealed yesterday while visiting
Thai Permanent Secretary-designate
Sarun Charoensuwan called on Foreign
Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen at foreign
ministry here, a foreign ministry press
release said.
The Thai secretary also emphasized on
holding the Joint Commission Meeting
between the two countries at a mutually
convenient time at the earliest.
During the meeting, both the dignitaries
exchanged warm greetings on the milestone
occasion of the 50 Years of
Diplomatic Ties between Bangladesh and
Thailand, which is being celebrated on
both sides with fervor and enthusiasm.
Dr Momen requested more Thai support
and expertise for improving the
tourism sector of Bangladesh, which is
endowed with immense potentials.
Aug 21 grenade attack case
Date for death
reference hearing
likely today
DHAKA : The date for hearing on the
death reference and appeals of the convicted
in the August 21 grenade attack case
is expected to be announced by the High
Court on Monday, said Attorney General
AM Amin Uddin, reports UNB.
The death reference of a murder
case filed in this regard and appeals
were in the cause list of the High Court
bench of Justice Sahidul Karim and
Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman on
Sunday, he said.
But as the case filed under the Explosive
Substances Act didn’t come up, the bench
asked to enlist it in the cause list for
Monday, said Attorney General AM Amin
Uddin.
On August 21, 2004, a grenade attack
was carried out on an Awami League rally
at Bangabandhu Avenue when the BNP-
Jamaat alliance was in office. Sheikh
Hasina, the then leader of the opposition,
was apparently the target.
At least 24 people, including Awami
League women affairs secretary and late
President Zillur Rahman’s wife Ivy
Rahman, were killed. Three hundred others
were also injured. Sheikh Hasina
escaped the attack but her hearing was
affected badly.
A Dhaka court on October 10, 2018, sentenced
19 people, including former state
minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman
Babar, to death.
Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of BNP
Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and 18 others
were sentenced to life in prison.
We must be strong enough to
thwart external enemies: PM
DHAKA : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
on Sunday said Bangladesh must attain
capabilities to protect the country from
external enemies even though it is against
war.
"We want peace, we do not want war.
But to protect the country from external
enemies we have to attain capability," she
said.
The premier said this while addressing a
programme to induct two maritime patrol
aircraft (MPA-8322 and MPA-8327) into
Bangladesh Navy.
The Bangladesh Navy organised the
function at Naval Aviation Hanger at
Patenga in Chattogram while the PM
joined through video conference from her
official residence Ganabhaban.
She said that the government is preparing
all related institutions properly so that
they could protect country's independence
and sovereignty appropriately.
"... Keeping eyes on that we are preparing
our all institutions properly. So that we
could protect our independence and sovereignty,"
she said.
She said since coming to power in 2009
her government has transformed the
Navy into a true three dimensional force to
protect seabed, sea and the sky.
"I believe that induction of these two
MPAs will strengthen Navy's aviation
capability to manifold," she said.
She said that the government also
inducted two submarines-'BNS Navajatra'
BD cops play unique contribution to UN
peacekeeping missions for peace: Kamal
DHAKA : Home Minister Asaduzzaman
Khan Kamal yesterday said the
Bangladesh Police with sincerity, dedication
and professionalism, has been playing
an important role at the United Nations
peacekeeping missions to establish peace
in war-torn and conflicted countries.
"Bangladesh is currently the top contributing
country in sending women police
to peacekeeping missions," he said this
while inaugurating the United Nations
Police Day-2022 (UNPOL Day-2022) at
Hotel Sonargaon.
In his speech as the chief guest Kamal
said, "Our women peacekeepers are working
as the main driving force in reducing
gender-based violence, conflict, especially
in providing security to women and children."
He said that currently 500 members of
the Bangladesh Police have earned
remarkable appreciation from the world
by performing their duties professionally
in various peacekeeping missions, adding,
"Bangladesh's gained respect and dignity
through their unique contribution."
"If more members of Bangladesh Police
and 'BNS Joyjatra' in 2017.
She mentioned that work is underway to
build a permanent submarine base with
modern basin facilities at Pekua in Cox's
Bazar to provide safe jetty facilities to submarines
and warships at the harbour.
PM Hasina said the construction work
of 'Sher-e-Bangla Base' has progressed a
lot to enhance the operational and communication
facilities of naval vessels in the
coastal areas of southwestern Bangladesh.
She said the government has worked on
various infrastructural developments, procurement
of warships and strengthen the
operational capacity of the existing ships.
Since 2009, the government started
implementing the 'Forces Goal-2030' in
light with the defence policy formulated by
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman, she said.
"Our Navy personnel staying from out of
sight are constantly ensuring the overall
security of the maritime area by facing
many natural challenges, which deserves
appreciation."
She said the government has already
incorporated a significant number of
modern warships, helicopters, maritime
patrol aircraft (MPA) and submarines to
the Bangladesh Navy with state-of-the-art
combat equipment and technology.
She also said that the construction of a
second hangar with all modern facilities
for operation and maintenance of helicopters
and MPA is going on.
are deployed in the United Nations
Peacekeeping Mission, they will be able to
show skills through their services of the
world community," the minster hoped.
Bangladesh Police and Department of
Peace Operations Division of the United
Nations jointly organised the day.
"The great architect of our independence
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman expressed his
desire to unite with the global people to
ensure peace and cooperation in the
world. Following the glorious path of
Bangabandhu, Bangladesh Police started
its journey with the United Nations
Peacekeeping Mission to establish global
peace in 1989," Inspector General of Police
(IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun
said.
He said that the brave members of
Bangladesh Police have won the appreciation
of the global people with their professionalism,
sincerity and honesty.
"Especially our women policemen have
been able to prove themselves as iconic
peacekeepers in the UN peacekeeping
missions," Mamun said.
Somalia's leader says
at least 100 killed in
Saturday attack
MOGADISHU : Somalia's president says
at least 100 people were killed in
Saturday's two car bombings at a busy
junction in the capital and the toll could
rise. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
in a statement at the site of the explosions
told journalists early Sunday that nearly
300 other people were wounded.
It was the deadliest attack in Somalia
since a truck bombing at the same spot in
October 2017 killed more than 500 people.
Somalia's government has blamed the
al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist
group, which often targets the capital. The
group doesn't make claims of responsibility
when large numbers of civilians are
killed. Somalia's president, elected this
year, said the country remained at war
with al-Shabab "and we are winning." The
government, along with militia groups,
has been engaged in a new offensive
against the extremists who hold large
parts of the country.
Ex-MD of Standard
Bank sent to jail
DHAKA : A Dhaka court yesterday sent
Mamun-Ur-Rashid, former Managing
Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of Standard Bank Limited, to jail in
a case lodged over embezzlement of Taka
four crore.
Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md
Asaduzzaman passed the order as
Mamun surrendered before the court and
pleaded for bail in the case. On February 4
in 2021, Assistant Director Mohammad
Joinul Abedin of the Anti-Corruption
Commission (ACC) filed the case against
eight including Mamun-Ur-Rashid.
According to the case documents, the
accused in collusion with each other, allotted
Taka four crore for so-called microcredit
organisations in the name of 'SOD
(Secured Overdraft) Loan' and embezzled
the money without giving to any NGOs.
The other accused in the case are-
Jesmin Rashid, Hasna Hena, Nasrin
Akter, Shoaib Mahmud Tuhin, Sheikh
Mohammad Monsurul Karim, Md
Tarikul Azam and Md Aminu Islam.
Crude bomb blasts
at C’nawabganj
newspaper office
CHAPAINAWABGANJ : Some unknown
miscreants blasted a crude bomb at the office
of Daily Chapai Chitra, a local newspaper, in
Chapainawabganj town early Sunday.
The bomb was thrown around 1:30 pm
but no one was at the office that time, said
Alamgir Zahan, Officer-in-Charge of
Chapainawabganj sadar police station.
The incident occurred after all the
employees left the office around 10:30 pm,
said editor of the newspaper Kamal
Uddin. Night guards of the office informed
police about the blast, he said.
Kamal Uddin said he suspects someone
aggrieved by any report published by
them has made the attack. OC Alamgir
Zahan said police collected evidences from
the spot immediately after being informed
and investigating the matter seriously.
Meanwhile, Shahidul Huda Alak, president
of Chapainawabganj Press Club
demanded immediate arrest and punishment
of those involved in the attack.
Govt gives utmost priority
to restraining inflation, says
Dr Shamsul Alam
DHAKA : A total of 11 preparation subcommittees
have been formed to hold the
upcoming 22nd national Council of
Bangladesh Awami League (AL) on
December 24.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader
disclosed this to the journalists after holding
a meeting with the party secretaries at
the political office of the Awami League
President in city's Dhanmondi area yesterday,
reports BSS.
With AL President Sheikh Hasina in the
chair, the council will be held at the historic
Suhrawardy Udyan on December 24
next.
Of the council preparation subcommittees,
Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Dr
Dipu Moni were made Convener and
Member Secretary respectively for AL's
reception subcommittee.
In the Finance subcommittee, Kazi
Zafarullah was made convener while HN
Ashequr Rahman member secretary.
Convener of Declaration Sub-
Committee is Sheikh Fazlul Karim Salim
while Abdur Rahman is its member secretary.
Office Subcommittee convener and
member secretary are Anupam Sen and
Barrister Biplab Barua respectively.
Convener of the constitution subcommittee
is Abdur Razzaque while Dr Salim
Mahmud is member secretary.
Shahabuddin Chuppu got the post of
convener of Publicity and Publication
Subcommittee while Abdus Sobhan Golap
became its member secretary.
Voluntary and discipline subcommittee
DHAKA : State Minister for Planning Dr
Shamsul Alam yesterday said that the
government is giving utmost priority to
controlling inflation in the country and it
is taking necessary measures to this end.
"The trend of inflation whatever you're
witnessing now is mainly import-based
while the inflation has increased mainly
because of the hike in the import cost," he
said.
The state minister said this while addressing
a launch event on "Realizing Development
Aspirations with Domestic Resource Mobilization
Amidst Macroeconomic Challenges" as special
guest held at a city hotel.
Dr. Mashiur Rahman, Adviser to the
Prime Minister for Economic Affairs,
spoke at the event as the chief guest.
Presided over by PRI Chairman Dr Zaidi
Sattar, bKash founder and chief executive
officer Kamal Quadir, ACI managing
director Dr Arif Dowla, FNF, Bangladesh
country representative Dr Nazmul
Hossain, Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Office (FCDO), Bangladesh,
Development Director Matt Cannell
spoke, among others, at the event.
PRI Chairman Dr Zaidi Sattar, Director
Dr MA Razzaque and Director Dr Bazlul
Haque Khondker presented three separate
key-note papers.
The state minister said in order to curb
inflation, the government has reduced
duty on import of essential items side by
side the import procedures of agricultural
items has been simplified.
Besides, he said, necessary steps are
being taken to make stable the exchange
rate of foreign currencies.
Dr Alam also said that the government
has been trying its best to reduce the Non
Performing Loans in the country as well
as boosting the foreign currency reserve.
PM's Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman
said that the main objective behind providing
incentives on remittance is to
facilitate the expatriate Bangladeshis.
Through this, the government is trying
to give social safety to a community, he
said, adding that the government would
have to go for uniform exchange rate for
the sake of sound economic management
in future.
Dr Zaidi Sattar in his presentation said
that it becomes risky when the deficit on
current account balance of a country goes
over 3 percent of GDP.
He informed that the deficit of current
account balance in the country reached 4
percent in the last fiscal year.
AL forms 11 subcommittees
for Dec 24 national council
convener and its member secretary are
Abul Hasanat Abdullah and AFM
Bahauddin Nasim respectively.
Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak
becomes the convener of the stage and
decoration subcommittee while Mirza
Azam gets the post of its member secretary.
Cultural subcommittee convener and
member secretary are Ataur Rahman and
Asim Kumar Ukil respectively.
Food Subcommittee convener is
Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya Bir
Bikram while Advocate Qamrul Islam gets
the post of Member Secretary.
Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin and Dr
Rokeya Sultana are made the convener
and member secretary of Health
Subcommittee respectively.
This time, the national council of AL will
be held within one day while the 21st
council was held on 20-21 December in
2019.
This year's daylong council includes the
inaugural ceremony in the morning, the
council session in the afternoon and the
cultural programme in the evening.
Bangladesh Awami League was formed
on June 23 in 1949, which later transformed
into the biggest political party of
the country to lead struggles of freedom,
the War of Liberation and all democratic
movements.
Established in 1949 as Awami Muslim
League at Rose Garden in the capital's old
part on the day and later the party
appeared as Bangladesh Awami League
(AL) to give it a secular look.
Razzaque orders bringing fallow lands
of govt institutions under cultivation
DHAKA : Agriculture Minister Dr
Muhammad Abdur Razzaque yesterday
instructed the officials concerned to
bring the fallow lands of various government
institutions, including sugar mills,
under cultivation.
He gave the order at a meeting to
review the implementation progress of
the Annual Development Program
(ADP) at the conference room of the
Ministry of Agriculture here.
"The sugar mills have huge fallow
land. Those fallen lands should be
brought under cultivation. Besides, the
land of various government institutions
should be traced out and brought under
cultivation as well," he said.
The minister directed the officials to
take action in this regard by contacting
the authorities of sugar mills and various
government institutions.
He also said that the demand for food
is increasing every year with the increase
of population.
"Therefore, food production must be
increased at any cost. We want to use all
the opportunities to increase production,"
he added.
With Secretary of the Ministry of
Agriculture Md Sayedul Islam in the
chair, the meeting was attended by senior
officials of the ministry, heads of
organizations and project directors.
War criminal Fazlul Quader Chowdhury and his son Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury's
'Rajakarer Bari' written on the wall of 'Goods Hill' in Jamalkhan, Chattogram city, has been
erased with black paint. The picture is taken on Sunday.
Photo : Star Mail