SECOND EDITION

DHA K A SAT URDAY AUGUS T 3 , 2024

Regd. No. DA 781 Vol. XXXIV No. 191 Sraban 19, 1431 BS Muharram 27, 1446 Hijri 16 Pages : Tk 15.00

Two killed
in fresh
violence
Worker dies during clash in
Habiganj, policeman beaten
to death in Khulna
STAR REPORT

After nearly two weeks of eerie calm, violence erupted

again yesterday as police aided by ruling party members
clashed with protesters in the capital and several other
districts, leaving at least two dead and almost 150 injured.
In Habiganj, a labourer died after he was caught in the
middle of a clash while police said a constable died after
he was assaulted by protesters in Khulna.
Clashes took place in Uttara in the capital, Sylhet,
Khulna, Narsingdi, Chattogram and Noakhali during
processions of the “student movement against
discrimination”.

Protesters throng the capital’s Central Shaheed Minar yesterday afternoon demanding justice for those killed during the quota reform protests. Top right, police block the
Clashes broke out in the Garib-E-Newaz Avenue in Uttara to stop the demonstrators from moving towards the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway. Bottom right, students chant slogans as they march in a
procession at the Science Lab intersection. PHOTO: PALASH KHAN, ANISUR RAHMAN
capital’s Uttara, Sylhet, Khulna,
Narsingdi, Chattogram and
Noakhali during processions of
the “student movement against Protesters take to the Thousands join
discrimination”.

Thousands of students, cultural activists and the

streets across country march for justice
general public took part in yesterday’s programme Demand justice for killings in recent violence over Call for govt’s resignation
defying rain to press home their demand for justice for
the recent killings centring the quota reform protests and quota protests, release of the detainees STAFF CORRESPONDENT
immediate release of detainees. They came in thousands. From students to teachers,
The country witnessed violence on an unprecedented STAR REPORT the Central Shaheed Minar after standing on the balcony? Why did guardians with children, lawyers, civil society members,
scale from July 16 to July 21 as agitators and law enforcers, marching through different streets. so many innocent people die? Why and political activists -- all gathered to join “Droho Jatra”
Border Guard Bangladesh members, and ruling party Thousands of people from a wide Protests were also held in were they killed brutally? We want in front of the Jatiya Press Club seeking justice for those
activists clashed. Over 200 people were killed and spectrum of life demonstrated in Chattogram, Khulna, Sylhet, justice for every single murder.” killed during the recent violence.
thousands injured, many with gunshot wounds. Dhaka and elsewhere in the country Habiganj, Barishal, Bhola, Hundreds of protesters gathered Braving rain and holding placards, they shouted anti-
In Khulna yesterday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner demanding justice for those killed and several other districts. at the Science Lab intersection government slogans.
Mozammel Haque said a constable named Suman in the recent violence and release of Demonstrators blocked highways in around 2:00pm and blocked a They also announced a mas procession at 3:00pm
Gharami died after agitators beat him up. Police members the arrestees and detainees. lane of the Mirpur Road for about tomorrow to press home their one-point demand --
found him with a serious head injury in Gallamari in the Students, teachers, guardians, an hour. They marched between
Demonstrators resignation of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.
evening. lawyers, doctors, cultural activists, the Science Lab intersection and At the press club, Prof Anu Muhammad, a former
They rushed him to the nearby Khulna City Medical and citizens staged protests as part blocked highways in Shahbagh. teacher of Jahangirnagar University, addressed a huge
College Hospital, police said. of the mass procession calledby Narsingdi, Tangail, Several hundred students gathering.
The hospital authorities said Suman was pronounced the Anti-Discrimination Student Bogura and Pabna. and ordinary people blocked the “...We don’t want anything from this government.
dead after he was brought there. Movement. Mirpur-10 intersection after Juma We must hold the government accountable and ensure
Three other policemen -- Mazharul Islam, Sohanur Protesters blocked roads in prayers, causing disruption in justice. Those who were arrested must be freed, and the
Rahman Sohag and Soumen -- are being treated there. the capital’s Uttara, Science Lab Tangail, Bogura, and Pabna. traffic for about an hour. filing of cases and suppression must stop, and the curfew
In Habiganj, Mostaq Ahmed, a 24-year-old labourer, and Mirpur-10 intersections, In Dhaka, a group of students, Students demonstrated in ECB must be withdrawn.”
died after he was caught in a clash between protesting Aftabnagar and Shahbagh. teachers and parents held a protest Chattar of Kalshi in the afternoon “To ensure these, the government must resign. People
students and police in the afternoon. Several thousand people, rally in front of the Rajuk Uttara demanding justice for the recent have to take back the control of the country. Now the
Locals said Mostaq, who was from Sylhet Tuker Bazar chanting slogans demanding Model College around 10:00am. killings and release of the detained main agenda is how to make the democratic transition.
area, was shot when went to the town to buy shoes. resignation of the government, Speaking at the programme, HSC teachers and students. People from all walks of life must unite and work to
Moyeen Uddin Chowdhury, resident medical officer took out a massive procession from examinee Sajjadur Rahman said, Students of East West University ensure this.”
of Habiganj 250-bed Hospital, said Mostaq died at the in front of the Jatiya Press Club “What offence had been committed took out a procession at Aftabnagar The “Droho Jatra” was called by a group of students
hospital due to excessive bleeding from his arm. after holding a brief rally around by my brother Mughdho? What was around 11:30pm. The procession and teachers, cultural organisations, and civil society
SEE PAGE 2 COL 5
3:00pm. The procession ended at the fault of that girl child who was SEE PAGE 2 COL 1 SEE PAGE 2 COL 1

Protesters
call for non-
cooperation
movement
To stage demo across
the country today
DU CORRESPONDENT

The organisers of the

Anti-Discrimination
Student Movement, who
spearheaded the quota
reform protests, said
yesterday that they will go
for a countrywide non-
cooperation movement
starting tomorrow, to
protest the recent killings
and press home their nine-
point demand.
They will also stage
demonstrations across the
country today.
Mahin Sarker, one of
the coordinators of the
platform, announced
the programmes via a
WhatsApp message around
8:00pm.
The platform urged all
to join their programmes to
make them successful.
Minutes after uploading
the statement, Mahin
PHOTO: COLLECTED said they would make
A police vehicle in flames in Khulna city’s Gallamari area yesterday evening after a clash broke out there some corrections to the
between police and quota reform protesters. The clash left a cop dead and at least 10 other people injured. SEE PAGE 2 COL 5
 NEWS
DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024

2 SRABAN 19, 1431 BS city

MYANMAR CONFLICT
Junta airstrikes
on border
hospital kill 10
AFP, Bangkok

Myanmar military airstrikes hit a

hospital in a city controlled by an
ethnic minority armed group close
to the China border killing 10 people,
local media reported yesterday.
Military planes carried out at
least two air strikes on Laukkai city,
normally home to some 25,000
people, late on Thursday night,
a resident told AFP, requesting
anonymity for security reasons.
Local media quoted one resident
as saying 10 civilians were killed in the
strike.
Myanmar’s northern Shan state
has been rocked by fighting since
late June when an alliance of ethnic
minority armed groups renewed an
offensive against the military along a
major trade highway to China.
The Myanmar National Democratic
Alliance Army (MNDAA) group have
held Laukkai since January after more
than 2,000 junta troops surrendered
there in one of the military’s biggest
defeats in decades.
MNDAA spokesman Li Jiawen Protesters take out a procession from the Jatiya Press Club area yesterday afternoon. The “Droho Jatra” procession was organised seeking justice for those killed during the recent
told AFP a military airstrike had hit violence. Top right, demonstrators gather near New Market intersection in the afternoon after bringing out a procession from Anderkilla in Chattogram city. Bottom right, a protester being
a hospital in Laukkai, but he had no beaten up allegedly by an Awami League activist near upazila intersection in Narsingdi town around 2:20pm when the quota reform protesters were going towards the district press club to
information yet on casualties. hold a sit-in there. PHOTO: AMRAN HOSSAIN, RAJIB RAIHAN, JAHIDUL ISLAM

Protesters take to the streets across country Turkey arrests Two killed in fresh
FROM PAGE 1
ended in front of BRAC University
seeing what has happened centring
the quota reform protests. We express
terminal area. They took out a
procession that marched towards 99 suspected IS violence
after parading through different our solidarity with the students. We Gollamari.
streets near the Rampura bridge.
A group of performance artists,
must speak out now. We condemn the
brutal killings.”
In Pabna, students demonstrated
on the Dhaka-Pabna highway in front
members FROM PAGE 1 As police swooped on them, they
singers, poets, authors, researchers, AFP, Istanbul Witnesses said students began took positions near the local Met
Some teachers and rights activists of the Pabna University of Science
and photographers demonstrated in demonstrating in front of the Board office and Zero Point areas.
under the banner of “Pratibad and Technology in the afternoon.
front of the Abahani playground in Mancha” formed a human chain in They chanted slogans protesting the Turkey’s interior minister said Masjid in Habiganj after Juma prayers Mozammel Haque, commissioner
Dhanmondi. Holding placards and front of the press club. killings, torture and arrests of the yesterday that 99 suspected members while Chhatra League activists took of Khulna Metropolitan Police,
red cards, they condemned the killing Addressing the programme, Dhaka demonstrators. of the Islamic State jihadist group position in Town Hall area. told The Daily Star that police were
of protesters and repression of the University professor Robaet Ferdous In Bogura, several thousand had been detained in recent raids At one point, locals and activists tolerant. But they had to fire teargas
young demonstrators. and rights activist Nur Khan held the protesters held a demonstration in across the country. of different political parties joined shells to save themselves from
The protest started with artists government responsible for the recent the district town’s Satmatha around The arrests were made mainly in the students and started marching. brickbats hurled by the students.
painting pictures of demonstrations killings. 3:00pm, halting traffic on the road for Ankara and in Izmir in the west, as Chhatra League members intercepted Sumon Roy, resident medical
on red canvas. The performance Meanwhile, 626 faculty members of about two hours. well as in the centre, east and south, the procession and a clash began. officer at Khulna Medical College
artists staged a street drama depicting BRAC University yesterday expressed In Tangail, protesters, mostly Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya posted Police then used firearms and teargas, and Hospital, said that as of 7:30pm
how the protesting students, solidarity with the ongoing protest. students, blocked the Dhaka-Tangail on X. leaving at least 50 wounded. yesterday, one student with rubber
including children, were shot by the In a statement, they said they were highway in Tangail Town Bypass area “99 suspects have been arrested in The agitators also threw brickbats bullet wounds and nine others sick
law enforcers. deeply shocked by the recent violence for about an hour from 4:00pm. the GURZ-4 operations over the past and stones at the residence of from teargas were admitted to the
A group of urban planners formed that led to the loss of lives and serious In Barishal, demonstrators from three days,” Yerlikaya said. Habiganj-3 lawmaker Abu Zahir. hospital.
a human chain at Banglamotor injuries. The teachers demanded those Government Brojomohun (BM) In the capital’s Uttara-11, at least
“We will not tolerate any terrorist,” In Sylhet, Mithu Das Joy, bureau
protesting the recent killings while responsible be held accountable. College took out a procession after three people were injured by rubber
he added. chief of Daily Kalbela, a child, seven
medical students and doctors “As educatorscommitted to Juma prayers. The procession paraded bullets in a clash between protesters,
Turkish authorities have made policemen and 25 others were injured
demonstrated at the Central Shaheed fostering a just, democratic and through some streets in Nathullabad police and ruling party activists
Minar around 10:00am. several mass arrests of alleged IS in clashes.
inclusive society, we stand by the Central Bus Terminal area. in front of Zamzam Tower around
Authors, poets, and publishers members in recent years, most Around 4:00pm, law enforcers
rights of students to peaceful and In Sylhet, demonstrations were held 4:15pm.
formed a human chain in front of the recently a roundup of 147 people attacked protesters in front of Mount
legitimate protest. We are deeply in front of the Mount Adora Hospital The clash broke out when ruling
Bishwo Shahitto Kendro under the concerned that this right has not been in the city’s Akhalia area and near the announced in March. Adora Hospital in Sylhet’s Akhalia
After those arrests, Yerlikaya said party supporters attacked marching area, resulting in clashes that lasted
banner of “Poets and Writers against respected, and profoundly disturbed entrance to Shahjalal University of
police had detained a total of 2,919 students. for over four hours.
Countrywide Arrests and Oppression”. by the ongoing harassment that many Science and Technology.
people suspected of links to the Police fired rubber bullets,
Authors Shahidullah Faraezi, students continue to face.” In Habiganj, hundreds of In Chattogram, a police box
Mohammad Nazimuddin, and jihadist group. threw stun grenades, and used tear
DEMO OUTSIDE DHAKA protesters took out a procession from was torched at Wasa intersection
Shudipto Salam, Dhaka University Two of the assailants who gas shells to disperse the crowd,
In Chattogram, protesters took out Jorapukur area of the district town as protesters marched after Juma
professor and researcher Mohammad massacred 145 people at the Crocus according to sources.
a procession from Andarkilla area after Juma prayers. prayers. They demonstrated on
Asaduzzaman, poets Tokon Thakur, City Hall in Moscow last March, A witness said, “Some people
after Juma prayers. The procession Students staged a demonstration Laldighi-Rifles Club road.
Bokul Ashraf, and Kajol Shahnewaz, marched different roads, including in in front of the Narsingdi Press an attack for which IS claimed in helmets shot at the students...
Meanwhile, several thousand
among many others, took part in the the New Market area. Club. Protesters also blocked the responsibility, had spent several Coming under attack, the students
protesters, mostly students, blocked
protest. In Khulna, students held a protest in Dhaka-Sylhet highway in Narsingdi’s weeks in Turkey before heading ran to different alleyways.”
Another witness told this Dhaka-Tangail Highway in Tangail
Speaking at the programme, Tokon front of Khulna University. Protesters Bhelanagar area for about an hour to Russia, according to local Town Bypass area around 4:00pm.
Thakur said, “We are speechless also gathered in Shonadanga bus from 4:30pm. authorities. newspaper that a student named
Tahmid Huzaifa had taken treatment As the BGB and police tried to
at an Uttara hospital after being hit clear the highway, the demonstrators

Thousands join march for justice by rubber bullets.

A nurse at Uttara Adhunik
threw brickbats at them. Then the
BGB and police retreated.
FROM PAGE 1 We Won’t Quit”. the windshield of an armoured police grader daughter, Nowshin Tabassum, Hospital, requesting anonymity, The protesters left the area around
members, demanding an end to mass Members of cultural organisations, vehicle red. They also wrote “Khuni came all the way from Keraniganj to said they treated two students, who 4:45pm.
arrests, justice for the “July massacre”, including Udichi Shilpi Goshti and [killer]” on the vehicle. join the protests. suffered rubber bullet wounds. In Narsingdi, Chhatra League,
release of arrested students, Charon Sangskritik Kendra, and At 3:42pm, a group of protesters Abu Taleb said, “More than 200 Tohidul Islam, additional deputy Jubo League and Mahila League
withdrawal of curfew, reopening of several cultural personalities recited staged a sit-in on the street and people, including students, were commissioner (Uttara) of Dhaka members attacked a procession in the
educational institutions, and the poems, sang songs, and staged street showed police posters with slogans killed. We want justice for them. My Court Road area around 2:30pm.
Metropolitan Police, said the
resignation of the government. dramas expressing solidarity with the like “Khuni [killer] Police”, and “Dalal daughter could have been killed. I At least 12 people were injured in
protesters set fire to a training school
Earlier around noon, people protest. [subservient] Police”. joined the protest so that no such the attack.
started thronging the press club area of Special Branch in Uttara.
After offering Juma prayers at the At Shaheed Minar, more people incidents [killings] take place in “We brought the situation under In Noakhali, 10 people were
with banners and posters. By 2:00pm, Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, joined the protesters. future. The government must take
control by 5:30pm by using teargas injured as students and Jubo League
the street was filled to the brim with several hundred people joined “Droho Twelve-year-old Probha Mitra responsibility for the killings and
and sound grenades,” he added. and Chhatra League activists clashed
demonstrators. Jatra”. Before that, they paraded came with her brother and parents. resign immediately.”
Protesters held placards with In Khulna, police fired rubber near Chawkbazar Masjid around
through different streets. “I am here to express my At the end of the programme,
slogans such as “Step Down Hasina,” bullets, used teargas, and charged 2:00pm.
The protesters then marched solidarity, we don’t want any more Rageeb Nayeem, president of a
“Chhatro Hottar Bichar Chai [We batons as students marched in front At least eight protesters and two
towards the Central Shaheed Minar. discrimination,” Probha told The section of Bangladesh Chhatra
demand justice for the killings of Around 3:40pm near the Kodom Daily Star. Union, announced tomorrow’s mass of Khulna University around 3:00pm. BCL activists were injured, said locals.
students],” and “Bullets May Hit, But Foara, a group of protesters painted Trader Abu Taleb and his tenth- procession. At least 50 protesters were injured. Yasin Faruk Majumder, officer-in-
Students later gathered near charge of Lakshmipur Model Police
the Sonadanga bus terminal and Station, said police brought the
Tunisia women marched towards Gollamari. situation under control.

jailed for buying

candidate Protesters call for non-
endorsements
AFP, Tunis
cooperation movement
FROM PAGE 1 will be closed, no vehicle will be
Tunisia has sentenced four women to statement. As they did not make allowed to enter Gono Bhaban or
jail after convicting them of buying any corrections, a correspondent Bangabhaban.”
signatures of endorsement for a of this newspaper contacted him “No one will cooperate with this
would-be challenger to President around 11:50pm. Mahin responded by government.”
Kais Saied in upcoming elections, a saying that the statement stands as He urged all to participate in these
court spokesman said yesterday. it is and that they will not make any programmes so that the government
Candidate registration for the corrections. could no longer function.
October 6 presidential election began Asif Mahmud, one of six
on Monday and closes at 5:00 pm Contacted, Hannan also confirmed
coordinators of the quota reform
(1600 GMT) next Tuesday. their programmes for today and
protests who was in the custody
Saied critics from across the tomorrow.
of Detective Branch, also shared a
political spectrum have complained Their nine-point demand includes
message identical to Mahin’s.
that new, tougher endorsement Meanwhile, Abdul Hannan, an apology from Prime Minister
requirements are making it nearly Sheikh Hasina, and the resignations
another coordinator, said in a live
impossible to get on the ballot paper. of Home Minister Asaduzzaman
To be listed, candidates are required stream on Facebook, that, on behalf
of the Anti-Discrimination Student Khan, Road Transport and
to provide signatures from 10,000 Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader,
registered voters, with at least 500 Movement, they are announcing
countrywide demonstrations for Education Minister Mohibul Hasan
voter signatures per constituency.
“The court sentenced three today. Chowdhury, Law Minister Anisul
women to two-year sentences, which “An all-out non-cooperation Huq, State Minister for Information
they began serving immediately, and movement will be observed from and Broadcasting Mohammad
another, who was tried in absentia, to Sunday. No taxes will be paid to Ali Arafat, and State Minister for
four years,” said Alaeddine Aouadi, Protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, hold posters of Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr, who was killed in this government. No utility bills Post, Telecommunications, and
spokesman for the court in the an Israeli strike, and assassinated Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, at a rally to show solidarity with Palestinians in the will be paid. The secretariat and Information Technology Zunaid
northwestern town of Jendouba. Gaza Strip, in Sanaa, Yemen yesterday. PHOTO: REUTERS all government and private offices Ahmed Palak.
 2nd Edition

DHAKA 3
DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024
SRABAN 19, 1431 BS

Andaleeve ‘At least 32

Partho denied
bail, sent to jail children killed
STAFF CORRESPONDENT

A Dhaka court yesterday

in violence’
rejected a bail petition
of Bangladesh Jatiyo Says Unicef regional
Party (Manzu) Chairman
Andaleeve Rahman Partho
director for South Asia
and sent him to jail in a STAFF CORRESPONDENT
case filed over vandalising
and setting Setu Bhaban in Sanjay Wijesekera, Unicef regional director for
Dhaka on fire on July 18. South Asia, recently visited Bangladesh for a week,
Dhaka Metropolitan where he observed the ongoing violence and mass
Magistrate Md Rashidul arrests.
Alam passed the order After returning to Kathmandu, Nepal, he
after Abu Sayeed Miah, an issued a statement based on his observations on
inspector of the Detective the situation.
Branch (DB) of Police and “I am deeply concerned about the impact of
also the investigation recent violence and ongoing unrest on children.
officer in the case, Unicef has now confirmed that at least 32 children
produced him before it on were killed during July’s protests, with many more
PHOTO: RASHED SHUMON
completion of his three-day injured and detained. This is a terrible loss. Unicef
remand in the case. condemns all acts of violence. I extend my heartfelt
The court, however,
directed the jail authorities
to provide him with first
class division in jail as
‘Stop mass arrests, In my meetings with [the ]
government..., I emphasised
per the Jail Code after his
lawyer submitted another
petition in this regard.
In the forwarding report,
release students’ that the UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child recognises
the right of children to
the IO said Partho gave Artists, people join together in protests freedom of association
important information
about the incident which
STAFF CORRESPONDENT They also carried various anti-government formed a long human chain, chanting slogans and to freedom of peaceful
was being verified. So the placards and red cards. against state persecution of young protesters. assembly. Children and young
Hundreds gathered in front of Dhanmondi’s The gloomy weather and heavy rain did not An emotional moment ensued when the people are the future of
IO appealed to the court to
Abahoni field yesterday as part of a stop them from raging on. names of those killed by law enforcers were
confine him to jail until the
demonstration organised by Gonohottya O
Bangladesh. They should be
investigation is completed. Artist Shaon Chishti said, “We are announced, with the crowd shouting, “I am
Nipironbirodhi Shilpi Shomaj (Artists Against displaying red cards to express our distrust present, we are present.”
protected when they speak up.
While the defence
submitted an application Genocide and Oppression). of the dictatorship and our support for the Artists recounted the circumstances of
seeking bail for Partho on The event saw a diverse group of artists masses.” each victim’s death, leading many participants
grounds that their client rallying against what they claim is “mass The demonstration began with group to break into tears while shouting slogans like condolences to families mourning the loss of their
was implicated in the case murder of protesters and continued painting sessions, where artists depicted “Down with the Dictatorship” and “Distrust sons and daughters. Children must be protected
as part of a conspiracy to oppression of the youth”. protest scenes on red canvases. the Dictator, Trust in the People.” at all times. That is everyone’s responsibility,” read
harass him politically. The protesting artists presented three This was followed by a street drama titled Singers and poets performed protest songs the statement.
Moreover, another key demands: halting the mass arrest of “Astha-Onastha (Trust-Distrust),” illustrating and poems, expressing solidarity with the “I am [also] aware of reports that children are
accused garment exporter protesting students and common people and the brutal reality of law enforcement agencies student protests. being detained, and remind authorities that for a
KM Rezaul Hasanat David, releasing all detained protesters, restoring shooting protesting students, many of whom Several participants delivered speeches, child, coming into contact or conflict with the law
also chairman and CEO normalcy and freeing educational institutions were children. including rights activist and author Rehnuma can be very frightening. In line with international
of Viyellatex Group, was from the control of law enforcement agencies The performance drew numerous Ahmed, who said, “The regime has not human rights and the UN Convention on the Rights
earlier granted bail in the and ruling party affiliates, and the immediate passers-by who spontaneously joined the published the actual number of people they of the Child to which Bangladesh is signatory, and
case. So, his bail petition resignation of the government for the deaths demonstration. have killed yet. So far we have learned about based on research into the effects of detention on
should be granted. of the protesters. Following the drama, artists and attendees SEE PAGE 4 COL 7 SEE PAGE 4 COL 7

MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS

A 25-year-old student shot dead in Uttara. A 38-year-old office assistant died from bullet wounds in Mirpur. A 22-year-old employee fatally shot in
Narayanganj. A 19-year-old student shot dead in Mohammadpur. Another student gunned down in Chattogram. At least 202 lives (the actual number
could be much higher) were lost when law enforcers opened fire on protesters during the recent unrest. But these victims are not just statistics; they
are sons, husbands, and friends. In this report, we try to know the stories of five such names among these tragic numbers. In this report, we try to know
the stories of three such names among these tragic numbers.

A promising They shot my My son hasn’t Police killed my He aspired to

life cut short son in the chest called me. He brother. Should be a teacher
by bullet Says mother of Palash, 38,
who was killed in Mirpur 10
never will... we go to them Says sister of Wasim who died
during clashes in port city
Mugdho, 25, died after
getting shot in the head
MIRZA SHAKIL, Tangail
Says mother of 22-year-old
Rabbi who died after being
for justice? MOHAMMAD SUMAN, Ctg

MASHFIQ MIZAN Firoz Talukdar Palash, 38, an office shot in Narayanganj Asks sister of 19-year-old “My brother had aspirations to become
assistant of a chemical company in a teacher, and was working hard with
Dhaka’s Mirpur 12, left his rented house SAHIDUL ISLAM NIRAB, Jamalpur
Soikot who was shot in his studies and preparations for the job.
Water, water, who needs water?
In a video shared on social media by on July 19 to go to Tangail. Mohammadpur But a bullet took his life...,” said Shabrina
It was Friday, so his office was closed, Rabbi Miah, 22, was the brightest hope for Yasmin, sister of Mohammad Wasim
Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho, his twin MD ABBAS Akram.
brother Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho, allowing him a brief scope to visit his family.
his mother in Ghatandi village under Hailing from the impoverished Wasim, a third-year student of the
25, was seen distributing water to On July 19, Mahamudur Rahman Soikot, social science department of Chittagong
protesters after law enforcers fired teargas Tangail’s Bhuanpur upazila. Panchashi village in Jamalpur’s 19, was shot in the head when law
He phoned his mother and said, “Ma, Sarishabari upazila, Rabbi was steadily College, died after coming in the line of fire
shells to disperse them in Azampur of enforcers opened fire to disperse quota during a clash of protesters demanding
ami ber hoyecchi (Mother, I am on the carving a path to a better future. His
Uttara on July 18. reform protesters on Mohammadpur’s quota reform in government jobs with
way)”. father, Abdur Rahim, a rickshaw-puller,
Merely 15 minutes later, he was gone. Nurjahan Road. activists of Jubo League and Chhatra
Soon afterwards on the way, he found struggled to afford the education of his
A bullet hit his forehead and pierced Since that day, Soikot’s father has been League, in Muradpur area of Chattogram
himself in the middle of a clash between two sons.
through his right ear after law enforcers a familiar figure on Nurjahan Road, often city on July 16.
protesters and police in Mirpur 10, where Despite these hardships, Rabbi’s
opened fire. seen standing silently at the spot where Hailing from South Mehernama area
he was hit by a bullet in his chest. older brother, Antor Miah, had recently
He was already dead when his friends completed his post-graduation in his son fell. under Pekua upazila of Cox’s Bazar, Wasim
Some people took him to a private
brought him to Crescent Hospital. political science and was actively seeking The place where Soikot’s body once lay was second of five siblings. His father,
hospital nearby, where doctor declared
“Babumoshai, zindagi badi honi a government job. To support the family, in a pool of blood has become a site of Shafiul Alam, and elder brother, Arshad
him dead.
chahiye, lambi nahi” was the caption of he taught at an English-medium school in silent mourning for a father who can find Alam, live and work in Saudi Arabia.
Informed about her son’s demise, a
his profile picture on Facebook. It can Dhaka’s Gulshan area. no words to express his grief. They could not see his face for the last
bewildered Benu Begum immediately
be roughly translated to -- life should be Rabbi was also contributing to the He stands there, day after day, lost in time as they are abroad.
called her son’s wife, Reshma, who went
meaningful, not long. to the hospital and identified the body. family while pursuing his own dreams. the memories of his beloved son, as the “My brother loved me a lot. He used
Mugdho did live a meaningful life. Palash’s body was taken to the family’s He worked as a junior officer at Walton city moves around him. to study from a hostel in Chattogram
He joined the protest on July 18 to help home in Tangail on the same night, and Base Point in Narayanganj and was a “My father now frequently visits the place city since 2019, and visited the family in
students, who he believed were fighting was buried there on the next day. second-year Electrical and Electronics where Soikot was shot and stands there,” the village once a month,” said Shabrina,
for a just cause, said his elder brother Mir Reshma later returned to Dhaka with Engineering student at Southeast said Sabrina Afroz Sabonti, Soikot’s sister. a 10th-grader at a local school in Pekua
Mahmudur Rahman Deepto. their seven-year-old daughter a few days University. With aspirations of studying After offering Juma prayers on July upazila.
From a young age, Mugdho always after Palash’s burial, said relatives. abroad, he was preparing for the IELTS 19, Soikot went to open their family’s During a visit to their house, this
spoke up against injustice. He was a unit This correspondent visited the family exam. confectionery shop. correspondent saw Wasim’s mother Josna
leader in the Armed Police Battalion in Ghatandi village recently. The two brothers had come so far, His father was away in their native Begum holding his portrait. She kept
Scout group and achieved the “National The family lives in a dilapidated tin- driven by their hard work, dedication, and village, Sandwip, leaving Soikot in charge. asking who killed her son.
Service Award” from Bangladesh Scouts shed house. the shared hope of lifting their family out Shortly after opening the shop, he His uncle Zainal Abedin said she was
for his role in rescuing and evacuating Benu Begum, still shell-shocked after of poverty. returned home and informed his mother, not in a state to talk to anyone.
people during the 2019 Banani fire, her only son’s death, was seen looking However, on July 20, that hope was who was in the midst of her prayers, that “The family’s financial condition is not
Deepto added. blankly at Palash’s photo while tear rolled extinguished by a bullet. he had closed the shop because one of his good. Wasim’s father and elder brother
After completing his undergraduate down her cheeks. Rabbi was at his home on the fourth friends had sustained a bullet injury. are working in Saudi Arabia without a
degree in the Mathematics department “My son called me and said ‘Mother, floor of a building in Painadi Natun “He left the house immediately to valid work permit there,” he said.
SEE PAGE 4 COL 6 SEE PAGE 4 COL 8 SEE PAGE 4 COL 5 SEE PAGE 4 COL 1 SEE PAGE 4 COL 8
 2nd Edition

NEWS
DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024

4 SRABAN 19, 1431 BS

Mohammed At least 32 children

Faruque’s FROM PAGE 3 affected by the violence and
children, Unicef urges an curfews,” he said.
death anniv end to the detention of “One of the best ways
children in all its forms. to help children recover
STAR REPORT
This means that children from violence and to keep
The 25th should not be arrested or them safe is to reopen all
d e a t h detained based on their schools, restart learning,
anniversary mere presence in any and reunite children with
of Prof location or because of their their friends and teachers.
Mohammed background, religion, or the 30 million students from
Fa r u q u e , acts or beliefs of their family pre-primary to secondary
f o r m e r members,” it continued. school have missed 10 days
chairman of Bangla “Supporting children of school. These learning
department at caught up in the violence is losses are compounded by
Jahangirnagar University a priority for Unicef. I visited school closures earlier this
and Karachi University, will the Unicef-supported child year due to heat [waves],
be observed today, said a helpline 1098 that has seen cyclones and floods.
press release. a 250 percent increase in While Unicef welcomes
To mark the occasion, demand since the violence the reopening of primary
his family members will started. I saw how trained schools in many parts of
hold a daylong programmes counsellors listen to Bangladesh from August
-- including Qurankhwani, children’s concerns, refer 4, there will still be around
milad mahfil and special them to the appropriate 15.5 million school children
prayers at mosque. support and services – and who are unable to resume
Besides, cooked food will follow up with them. learning. The longer
be distributed among the “In addition, 1,100 social children are out of school,
destitute at orphanages. workers, trained by Unicef..., especially girls, the less
All relatives, friends, are providing psychosocial likely they are to return,
students, and well-wishers help for children whose jeopardising their future,”
of Prof Faruque have been mental health has been he continued.
PHOTO: STAR
requested to pray for the
salvation of his departed
soul.
An inundated road in Bagerhat. Rainfall since Wednesday night has submerged various areas in the district. Inset, incessant rain has triggered
flash floods in Cox’s Bazar, affecting over one lakh people and marooning around 31,000 residents. The photos were taken yesterday . Stop mass arrests
FROM PAGE 3 Bithi Gosh, curator and
212 deaths, but there is no author Amirul Rajib, poet
HC to resume FLASH FLOODS, WATERLOGGING doubt that the number is Shehzad Chowdhury, and
FROM PAGE 5 much higher.” artist and curator Kazi
fixed July 31 for further
hearing and passing order
on the matter.
But the bench could not
31,000 marooned in Cox’s Bazar, She called for a neutral
investigation supervised
by the United Nations to
identify and bring the
Tahsin Agaz Apurbo.
Poet and activist Arup
Rahee read out the three
key demands on behalf
hold hearing on the matter
on July 31 and August 1 as
Justice SM Masud Hossain
parts of Bagerhat inundated murderers to justice.
Women’s rights activist
Farida Akhter condemned
the killings, saying, “Such
of
artists.
the
the participating
Convener of
demonstration,
Dolon, the junior judge of artist Mustafa Zaman,
STAR REPORT Commissioner Samsuddauza confirmed that suffering for commuters, with few vehicles a scale of mass murder
the bench, did not attend criticised the lack of
office because he was on many Rohingya refugees have been moved to available and many forced to wade through was unprecedented since democratic environment
Over a week of incessant rain has triggered higher ground due to the floods. dirty water. Numerous homes and businesses the Liberation War. The
leave due to physical illness. in Bangladesh, saying,
flash floods in Cox’s Bazar district, affecting Meanwhile, rainfall since Wednesday night have been inundated, making several areas government must resign,
Although the six “People are deprived of
over one lakh people and marooning around has inundated various areas in Bagerhat inaccessible. taking responsibility for
organisers of quota reform their voting rights and
31,000 residents. Roads, crop lands, and district. As it was a weekly holiday, many residents
movement were released households across five upazilas -- Ukhiya,
from the DB’s custody on Major roads in Bagerhat town, including chose to stay indoors.
Ramu, Eidgaon, Chakaria, and Kutubdia -- Sadhana Intersection, Shaltala, Kharadar However, low-income individuals and
Thursday, writ petitioners’ are submerged under water.
counsels said they will raise School Road, District Hospital Intersection, daily earners, such as rickshaw pullers, were
The Rohingya refugee camps have also Khan Jahan Ali Road, Rail Road, PTI severely affected. Shahidul Sheikh, a rickshaw
question about the legality been impacted, with many refugees relocating
of keeping them detained puller, expressed his struggle, saying, “I had to
to higher ground. come out despite the rain to feed my family,
before the HC during next Jahangir Alam, the district relief and
hearing of the petition. but I only earned Tk 135 by 3:30pm.”
rehabilitation officer, reported that despite Residents voiced their frustrations over
“Our question is why the severe flooding, no one has yet needed to
and under which law poor drainage.
move to shelters. Rafin Hawlader from Mithapukur Paar
they (six organisers) were He expressed hope that if the rain stopped
kept detained for six days area said, “Every road is waterlogged, forcing
by Friday, the water levels would soon recede. us to wade through knee-deep, dirty water.” PHOTO: ABIDA RAHMAN CHOWDHURY
in custody and who will Bibhisan Kanti Das, the additional deputy
take the responsibility Sanchita, living near the children’s A rickshaw-puller expresses solidarity with the protesters
commissioner of Cox’s Bazar, announced hospital, shared her ordeal, saying, “Water
for this action. There is
immediate relief measures, including 47
by saluting them near Dhaka University yesterday.
no provision in the law enters our home even with a little rain. I
tonnes of rice and Tk 5 lakh for the flood- haven’t been able to cook for two days as our these deaths.” freedom of expression.”
for keeping anybody in
affected people. Intersection, and areas around the district kitchen is submerged. We are surviving on dry Former BNP lawmaker “When the students
the custody [of detective
In Ukhiya’s Haldiapalong union, 20 post office, have been submerged in ankle- to food.” Rumin Farhana attended took to the streets to
branch] in the name of
villages with around 10,000 residents remain knee-deep water. Rezaul Haque Rizvi, assistant engineer of the demonstration to show reform the quota system,
safe custody. What is the
marooned. Chairman Imrul Kayes Chowdhury Low-lying areas in Morrelganj, Bagerhat Municipality, assured that ongoing solidarity but did not deliver the government killed
meaning of safe custody?
said residents are facing severe scarcity of Sharankhola, Mongla, Rampal, and Kachua drainage development work would mitigate a speech. “I have just come them to suppress their just
All these questions must
freshwater. Food has been arranged for 500 upazilas face similar conditions. Several fish the waterlogging issues. here as a participant to movement. We have been
be resolved,” Barrister
people over the last three days, though the enclosures have reportedly been washed “Currently, five kilometres of drainage express my solidarity with expressing solidarity with
Sara Hossain, a lawyer for
two-tonne wheat allocation from the district away, causing significant losses for local fish work is underway. Once completed, we will the protesters,” she said. their movement from the
the writ petitioners, told
reporters at a briefing administration is insufficient. farmers. excavate five canals in the town to relieve the Prominent attendees very beginning, and we
on the Supreme Court Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation The flooding has caused immense waterlogging,” he said. included artist and author shall continue to do so in
premises on Thursday. Imtiaz Alam Baig, singer the future,” he added.

Police killed my brother. Should we go My son hasn’t

FROM PAGE 3
A promising life cut short
FROM PAGE 3 At 4:00pm, someone was the only brother of “My mother cannot Mohalla, Narayanganj’s FROM PAGE 3 Mugdho took our parents THE FRIEND WHO SAW
search for his injured answered a phone call from two sisters -- Sabonti and sleep at night. She Siddirganj area, when he of Khulna University, he to Sundarbans for the first HIM DIE
friend,” Sabonti recalled. Soikot’s father. “Your son Shahrina Afroz Supti. frequently wakes up and heard a loud commotion got admitted to Bangladesh time. So, I took my parents When Mugdho was shot,
Worried for his safety, has been shot. You can find “I don’t know how starts crying, recalling his outside. Curiosity led him University of Professionals to Cox’s Bazar,” Mahmudur his friend Zakirul Islam was
Soikot’s mother began his body at the morgue someone could shoot my memories. Soikot always to the veranda, where he saw this March for his MBA. said. by his side.
calling him frantically. of Suhrawardy Medical innocent brother. Did his told my mother that he a clash between protesters THE TWIN HE LEFT However, Mugdho and “The bullet hit him in the
Other family members College and Hospital,” said hands not shake while would build a new house demanding quota reform BEHIND Snigdho did not go to forehead, it exited through
joined in, trying to reach the voice on the other side. shooting such an innocent for her,” Sabonti said. in government jobs and the Among those Mugdho Cox’s Bazar. The reason the right side of his head,”
him on his phone. His father was miles away boy?” Sabrina asked. “From whom will we seek police, who were firing at left behind was his twin was twofold -- Mugdho had he said.
Soikot answered one of from the capital, helpless, Soikot, who wanted justice? The police killed my the crowd. brother, Snigdho. During plans to visit Tanguar Haor “He died right there on
Sabonti’s calls, reassuring he informed other family to be a cricketer in his brother. Should we go to the As Rabbi began the unrest, their family was with his friends on July the spot, in front of our
her that he was on his way members. They hurried childhood, was very calm, police who killed my brother recording the police firing vacationing in Cox’s Bazar, 20. Secondly, he wanted eyes,” he added.
home. He also spoke briefly to the hospital where they his sister said, adding that for justice?” she asked. on his phone, a bullet but he and Mugdho stayed to participate in the quota “Mugdho was giving
to his father, promising found Soikot’s lifeless body. there were no instances Soikot was laid near his struck him in the chest, back. reform protests. everyone water. None of
to call him back soon. Soikot, an admission where he had gotten into home in a Mohammadpur killing him instantly, Mugdho and Snigdho Deepto received the us had any firearms or
However, he did not return. seeker at a public university, an altercation with anyone. graveyard. said his father, quoting went to school together, news of Mugdho’s death anything else. Yet they shot
witnesses. and shared the same around 6:30pm. my friend like this? How
“How are we going to circle of friends. As is After that, the family can I forget this scene?” he
console ourselves, and often the case with twins, tried to return to Dhaka added.
continue to live on with Snigdho looks very similar that very day, but were
our hearts burdened with to Mugdho, a face that unsuccessful as no flights
this grief of losing our now serves as a constant were available. Travelling They shot my
son?” said Rahim. reminder to their family of by road would have taken FROM PAGE 3
Rajia Begum, Rabbi’s the son they lost. too long. So, they returned I am on the way but can’t
mother, has been unable to Since Mugdho’s to Dhaka on an early flight find any transport. Don’t
stop her tears even 12 days death, Snigdho has been the next morning. worry. I will come one way
after her youngest son’s completely traumatised. Deepto said he did not or another.’ He returned to
untimely death. “Please talk to my elder know how to break the me as a dead body,” she told
Clutching Rabbi’s brother for details, I am news of Mugdho’s death to this correspondent.
portrait in her lap, she in no condition to speak their mother. Besides, their “They shot my son in the
was seen weeping when on record,” he told this mother is a heart patient, chest. He was also badly
this correspondent visited correspondent. so he had to be careful. injured in a leg. Why did
their home in Jamalpur on Their elder brother, First, he told them they have to kill my son? He
Wednesday evening. Mahmudur added, Mugdho got slightly did not do anything,” she
“My son used to call me “Snigdho has gone numb. injured, then he took their said.
regularly and would always He still hasn’t processed phones from them, saying “Who will look after his
say that one day he would what he has lost.” they might hear rumours. wife and daughter now?
achieve success and ensure Snigdho was the first Throughout the night, Who shall we ask for justice
that our family would no family member to see he prepared his parents for my son’s death?” Benu
longer live in poverty. But Mugdho’s body. At first, he for the news. He told his asked.
it’s been twelve days, and refused to accept that law mother that Mugdho was
my son hasn’t called me. He enforcers’ bullets claimed in a hospital, then he told
never will...” Rajia sobbed. his brother’s life. them Mugdho’s condition He aspired
For Snigdho, every was critical. FROM PAGE 3
moment, every memory After finding out the “While identifying the body,
is intertwined with his news of his death, their I saw a bullet mark a little
PRAYER brother. It is not just the loss
of a brother, but the loss of a
mother broke down. She
lost consciousness at least
above Wasim’s waist. There
was no other injury mark on
TIMING part of himself, said Deepto.
Deepto said on the
seven times that day. She the body,” he further said.
AUGUST 3 has still not fully recovered. “I heard Wasim was a
morning of July 18, they “Among us three Chhatra Dal activist, but I
Fazr Zohr Asr Maghrib Esha went to Cox’s Bazar with brothers, Mugdho was don’t know if it’s true. Our
AZAN 4-20 12-45 5-00 6-47 8-15 the family. closest to my mother. His family never had any sort
JAMAAT 4-55 1-15 5-15 6-50 8-45 “My mother had never death has shattered her of political connection,”
SOURCE: ISLAMIC FOUNDATION seen the beach. Last year, world,” said Deepto. Zainul added.
 2nd Edition

CITY 5
DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024
SRABAN 19, 1431 BS

Mother and Apologise and

daughter die
as trawler resign: Fakhrul
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
capsizes
BNP Secretary General
3 others remain Fakhrul yesterday
missing condemned the “attacks
by law enforcement and
OUR CORRESPONDENT, ruling party activists”
Shariatpur
on students during
their prayers and mass
A woman and her
procession programme.
daughter died by
He called on the government to apologise and
drowning after a trawler
resign immediately.
capsized in the Meghna
“Law enforcement and cadres of Awami League,
river in Magherchar area
Chhatra League, and Jubo League carried out
under Gosairhat upazila
heinous armed attacks during today’s prayer and
of Shariatpur yesterday
mass procession program,” he said in a statement.
morning.
Fakhrul criticised the government for shutting
The deceased were
down various social media sites, including Facebook
identified as Shahana
and Telegram, to disrupt yesterday’s programme.
Akhtar, 50, and her
daughter Joli Akhtar,
26. The missing ones
are Shahana’s two sons
Shanto and Shaon, and
Vested people
Shanto’s friend Hridoy.
Meanwhile, at least five
playing govt-vs-
people were undergoing
treatment at the local
upazila health complex
students game
after being rescued.
Mohammad Akash, a
Says Quader
rescued passenger, said, BSS, Dhaka
“Rough waves rocked the
PHOTO: MOSTAFA SHABUJ
trawler sideways when a Awami League General
Farmers in Gaibandha cultivating Aman paddy on fields. Typically, Aman paddy is planted during July and August, before subsequently being big wave suddenly hit it, Secretary Obaidul Quader
harvested during November and December. The photo was taken in the Mohimaganj area of Gobindaganj upazila yesterday. causing it to sink.” yesterday said even after
The upazila fulfilling the students’
administration launched demand for quota reform,
a rescue operation after a vested quarter is
SIX ORGANISERS SYLHET FLOOD the incident yesterday, continuing an ill effort to
IN CUSTODY but had to call it off at gain its interest by playing

HC to resume
hearing of
66,584 houses damaged 5:30pm due to inclement
weather, said Pushpen
Debnath, officer-in-
charge of Gosairhat
the government-versus-students game.
He made the remark at a press conference held
at the AL president’s Dhanmondi political office.
Quader said students are not the opponents of

petition
tomorrow
in three districts
MINTU DESHWARA, Moulvibazar
Police Station.
Quoting passengers of
the trawler who survived
the incident, the OC said
the government in any situation.
He also said the scope of the judicial probe
commission has been extended for a proper
investigation into each killing.
STAFF CORRESPONDENT that Shahana, a resident
As their house was damaged in of Dhaka’s Narinda area,
The High Court will resume the ongoing flood, Aftab Uddin’s was going to Magherchar
hearing and passing family has been living in Bara with 10 others to see
order on a writ petition Maidan High School shelter for 23 a prospective bride for
tomorrow that challenged days at Talimpur union in Barlekha her son and finalise the
the legality of keeping the upazila, Moulvibazar. wedding date.
six organisers of quota The floodwaters have yet They boarded the
reform movement detained to recede fully from their trawler at Kodalpur
in detective branch’s (DB) Murshibadkura village in the Launch Ghat in
custody for “their own union. Gosairhat around
security”. Many families in this 10:00am yesterday.
The petition has been union, particularly Around 10:30am, the
included as item 10 for those in the Hakaluki trawler capsized mid-
“order” on tomorrow’s Haor areas, are in a river after losing control
cause list of the HC similar peril. as strong waves due to
bench comprising Justice Since the onset rough weather started
Mustafa Zaman Islam and of the flood in to rock the vessel.
Justice SM Masud Hossain Sylhet region on damaged homes, rehabilitation officer in Habiganj, Locals rescued eight
Dolon. June 16, triggered and providing for said they have yet to collect detailed persons and took them
The petition was filed by heavy rains their families. damage reports for houses in the to Gosairhat upazila
by Supreme Court lawyers and upstream Even though district and will be requesting health complex.
Aynunnahar Siddiqua and waters, a total of the flood waters updates from upazila officials for
Manzur-Al-Matin on July 66,584 houses have have receded better assessment.
29 seeking HC orders for so far been damaged in considerably from Mohammad Chadu Mia, district
the immediate release of three districts, including most areas, many people relief and rehabilitation officer in
the six coordinators of the 16,987 in Moulvibazar, 27,597 in are still unable to return to Moulvibazar, said they have sent
quota reform protests from Sylhet, and 22,000 in Sunamganj. their homes due to the damages a list of damages sustained in the
law enforcers’ custody Unable to stay in their homes, sustained to their houses. flood to the Ministry of Disaster
and stopping the use of many families sought refuge “My mud hut was completely Management and Relief, requesting
live rounds on protesters’ in shelters or at their relatives’ washed away in the flood. I have funds for repair and reconstruction
demonstrations. houses, with the prolonged flood been compelled to borrow funds to of affected homes.
The HC bench held continuing to exacerbate their repair the house as soon as possible, Md Abdul Kuddus Bulbul,
hearing on the petition struggles. since my family would otherwise district relief and rehabilitation
on July 29 and 30 amid Poor and marginalised people become homeless for prolonged officer in Sylhet, said they are
chaos and commotion in are particularly affected, facing time,” said Satir Mia from Barlekha compiling a list of damages and
the packed courtroom and severe challenges to manage upazila. preparing for rehabilitation efforts
SEE PAGE 4 COL 1 their livelihoods, repairing their Sumi Rani, district relief and for those affected.

23 TRIPURA FAMILIES

Landslide threat looms large over them

MINTU DESHWARA, from Habiganj landslide, trapping the remaining “Our roads and trees have Ashish Debbarma, the assistant
23 families. been destroyed, and life here has headman, echoed his sentiments.
The indigenous Tripura Currently, these families live become unsafe,” said a villager. Tofazzal Sohel, general secretary
community has lived for in fear as monsoon downpours Village headman Chittaranjan of the Habiganj unit of Bangladesh
generations in the Satchhari continue. Debbarma expressed frustration Poribesh Andolon, suggested
National Park of Chunarughat “We’ve lived with the risk over the authorities’ inaction. constructing a guide-wall to
upazila, Habiganj. of landslides for years, but the “We’ve sought assistance from protect the village from landslides.
However, the 23 families in the situation has worsened. This year, different places, but to no avail. Chunarughat Upazila Nirbahi
village now face constant fear due the bridge collapsed, leaving us Villagers fear losing everything if Officer Ayesha Siddika said plans
to landslides, a threat that has stranded,” said Sumon Debbarma, urgent action isn’t taken.” are underway to relocate the 23
intensified over the past six years. a resident. In 2020, the Bangladesh Water families to a safe area within the
Relentless monsoon rains have Shankar Tantubay recounted Development Board proposed a Tk reserve forest.
eroded their homes and lands the recent landslide incident, 8.21 crore project to protect 480 “The hill slopes are causing
repeatedly, while sand and soil “In the dead of night, a sudden metres of hill slope in the village. erosion and landslides, affecting
lifting from hill slopes in previous landslide swept away a significant However, the ministry deemed not only the Tripura village
years worsened the situation. portion of the village and the the cost too high for the benefit of but also other areas within the
Recently, five families bridge. We’re now sheltered in the 28 families. Satchari National Park. Efforts
abandoned their homes after old forest department building.” “We were born here. This place are on to protect the families and
landslides jeopardised their safety. Sand lifting, previously is precious to us, and we’ve always preserve their way of life amidst
On July 13, the village’s only allowed, contributed to the rapid strived to preserve these hills,” the challenges posed by erosion
bridge collapsed in another deterioration of the hill slopes. said Chittaranjan. and landslides,” she added.
 City

6 INTERNATIONAL
DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024
SRABAN 19, 1431 BS

POLLS RESULTS Heat claims over

Venezuela 175,000 lives a yr
opposition calls in Europe: WHO
mass protests AFP, Copenhagen
AFP, Caracas
Heat kills over 175,000 people a year in Europe,
Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria where temperatures are rising quicker than the
Corina Machado called Thursday for rest of the globe, the World Health Organization’s
protests “in every city” in the nation (WHO) European branch said Thursday.
today to denounce the disputed Of the roughly 489,000 heat-related deaths
reelection of President Nicolas recorded each year by the WHO between 2000
Maduro. and 2019, the European region accounts for 36
The oil-rich Latin American nation percent, or on average 176,040 deaths, the WHO
was plunged into political crisis after said.
Maduro was announced the victor The health body noted that temperatures in
of Sunday’s election -- a result that the region are “rising at around twice the global
defied pre-election polls and has average rate.”
drawn global criticism. The WHO’s European region comprises 53
“We must remain firm, organized countries, including several in Central Asia.
and mobilized with the pride of “People are paying the ultimate price,” Hans
having achieved a historic victory on Kluge, the WHO’s regional director for Europe,
July 28, and the awareness that to said in a statement.
claim victory we will also go all the According to the WHO, there has been a 30
way,” Machado said on social media.
percent increase in heat-related mortality in the
Earlier Thursday, she wrote in the
region over the past two decades.
Wall Street Journal that she was in
hiding and “fearing for my life” after “Temperature extremes exacerbate chronic
Maduro’s contested victory, which conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory
led to hundreds of arrests following and cerebro-vascular diseases, mental health, and
deadly protests this week. In this handout photograph taken yesterday and released by India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), relief personnel diabetes-related conditions,” Kluge said.
Machado reiterated her claim conduct a search and rescue operation after the landslides in Wayanad, Kerala. Army teams yesterday pushed deeper into Indian He added that extreme heat can in particular be
that opposition candidate Edmundo tea plantations and villages struck by landslides that killed more than 200 people, working on the assumption that nobody was a problem for elderly people and be an “additional
Gonzalez Urrutia was the rightful left alive to rescue. PHOTO: AFP burden” for pregnant women.
winner, saying he won “67 percent to

Harris secures Democratic Krasikov, freed by

Germany, is FSB
presidential nomination operative: Russia
AFP, Washington named running mate. in July, according to her campaign -- more AFP, Moscow
The Democratic Party decided on a than double Trump’s haul.
US Vice President Kamala Harris virtual nomination process -- departing She and her running mate are The Kremlin yesterday confirmed that Vadim
30 percent” based on tallies obtained effectively secured the Democratic with tradition and mirroring the scheduled to rally Tuesday in Pennsylvania Krasikov, freed by Germany in Thursday’s prisoner
from most of the nation’s polling party’s presidential nomination yesterday, procedure used in the pandemic-hit 2020 -- a crucial swing state, where Democratic swap deal with the West, is an operative with
stations. confirming her remarkable rise to party election -- because of an early deadline in Governor Josh Shapiro is on the shortlist Russia’s FSB security service.
The government-aligned National standard bearer in November’s showdown Ohio for submitting the names of certified to join Harris’s ticket.
Moscow also said that the children of an
Electoral Council declared that against Republican Donald Trump. candidates. Biden beat Trump in Pennsylvania
undercover spy couple released by Slovenia did not
Maduro won with 51 percent of the Harris, 59, was the sole candidate on The virtual roll call marks the official in 2020 by around 80,000 votes and it
even know they were Russian until they boarded
vote. Maduro has said he has evidence the ballot for a five-day electronic vote of beginning of the 2024 convention, is seen as the biggest prize of the
nearly 4,000 party convention delegates. with the more traditional closely fought battlegrounds the plane back to Moscow.
of his victory and was “ready to “Krasikov is an FSB employee,” Kremlin
present 100 percent of the records.” The first Black and South Asian woman festivities getting going when that decide the Electoral
ever to secure a major party’s nomination, thousands of party faithful College system. spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters
“You have blood on your hands,” yesterday, adding that he served in the agency’s
Maduro said Wednesday, referring she will be officially crowned at a Chicago descend on Chicago on The Keystone State is part
convention later this month. August 19. of the so-called blue wall elite and secretive “Alpha” unit.
to Gonzalez Urrutia and Machado. Peskov also said that Krasikov “served with
“They should be behind bars.” “I am honored to be the presumptive The gathering will that carried Biden to victory
Democratic nominee for president of the feature a ceremonial in 2020, alongside Michigan some of the people working in the president’s
Machado -- who was barred security detail”.
United States,” Harris said on a phone- vote for Harris in what is and Wisconsin, two states
from running in the election by Krasikov was serving a life sentence in Germany
in to a party celebration after securing expected to be a raucous where Harris is due to woo
institutions loyal to Maduro -- said for the murder of a Chechen rebel commander in a
enough votes by the second day of the celebration of her rise crowds on Wednesday.
most opposition figures were now in marathon virtual vote. from California prosecutor Harris will also tour the Berlin park in 2019 -- an assassination that German
hiding. In the two weeks since Joe Biden ended his to historic candidate vying for more racially diverse Sun Belt judges said was ordered by the Russian state.
“I could be captured as I write these reelection bid, Harris has gained full control the nation’s highest office. and southern states of Georgia, An investigation by Bellingcat had previously
words,” Machado wrote, calling for of the party, smashing fundraising records, Trump’s White House bid was North Carolina Arizona, North found Krasikov had links to Russia’s FSB, though
“those who reject authoritarianism packing arenas and erasing the polling leads turned upside down on July 21 when Carolina and Nevada as she seeks to shore yesterday’s admission was the first time Moscow
and support democracy to join the Trump had built over the president. 81-year-old Biden, facing growing concerns up the Black and Hispanic vote that had has publicly confirmed he was an FSB agent.
Venezuelan people in our noble “I couldn’t be prouder,” Biden posted about his age and lagging polling numbers, been peeling away from the Democrats. Putin on Thursday had hailed the return of the
cause.” on X after her nomination. withdrew his candidacy and backed Harris. In a sign that the Harris campaign is Russian prisoners -- some of whom he said had “a
In a message to his supporters, The nomination milestone came with WAVE OF MOMENTUM thinking big, US media reported that a raft direct connection” to the military -- telling them:
Gonzalez Urrutia wrote on X: “I will Harris preparing to hit the campaign trail Energetic and two decades younger of senior advisors from Barack Obama’s “The Motherland never forgot about you.”
never leave you alone, and I will always next week for a swing across seven crucial than 78-year-old Trump, the vice president own historic candidacies in 2008 and Peskov confirmed that a Russian couple
defend your will!” election states alongside her yet-to-be- has made a fast start, raising $310 million 2012 have taken up top positions with her. released from Slovenia were also spies.

France’s medals
FROM PAGE 12
78 HSC examinees get bail Statement from DB office
as the wild acclaim for superstar FROM PAGE 12 South Keraniganj. The six students were arrested FROM PAGE 12 “Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud, and
swimmer Leon Marchand shows. take their remaining Higher The charges in the cases mostly along with 10 others on charges of The six were released from DB Abu Baker started a hunger strike at
“The bet is off to a good start and Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams, it included illegal gathering, rioting, attacking police and obstructing custody around noon on Thursday. the DB office on July 30 in protest of
added. assaulting police, damaging government work. “We did not voluntarily give the the unjust arrest of the coordinators,
perhaps even beyond our greatest properties, and arson attacks. According to ministry press and arrest and torture of the students
However, these students have not video message about the withdrawal
hopes, but we remain focused on been cleared of the charges brought Meanwhile, according to multiple release, the law minister has directed of the movement from the DB across the country. Later, Sarjis
what comes next and are very clear against them, said their parents and media reports, two Chattogram the prosecution team (prosecutors) office. No decision on the anti- Alam, Hasnat Abdullah, and Nusrat
about the difficulty,” Claude Onesta, lawyers. They demanded that the courts granted bail to 16 HSC across the country to be proactive discrimination student movement Tabassum also joined the hunger
a successful former handball coach cases against them be withdrawn examinees. in granting bail to students arrested can come from the DB office. No strike.”
and the architect of France’s high- as soon as possible saying it would Chief Judicial Magistrate Md over the recent violence. decision will be taken as final without They said that the hunger strike
performance sports strategy, said in put undue pressure on the students Shahidul Islam granted bail to On Thursday, separate press the participation of all coordinators was kept secret from the family and
radio interview on Friday. ahead of their exams. three students while Chattogram releases from the home and education and agitating students across the the media. After over 32 hours of
In 2017, the year Paris was awarded In Dhaka, two courts granted bail Metropolitan Magistrates Md Oli ministries stated that if any detainees country.” hunger strike, it was called off when
the 2024 Olympics, French sports to 42 college students, who were Ullah granted bail to 13. involved in recent violent incidents They said in the statement that the DB chief gave the final decision to
arrested in 33 violence cases. They passed the order after their are current HSC examinees, they they were forced to sit on the dining free the six coordinators.
officials concluded that the country’s
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate guardians appealed to the court, said would be provided legal assistance for table and then the video statement “In the last seven days, harassment,
national sporting excellence public prosecutor Iftekhar Saimul securing bail. was forcibly filmed. torture, and a drama were staged with
Md Rashidul Alam granted bail
plan needed a reboot, said Yann to 37 examinees, while Dhaka Chowdhury. Furthermore, the government “It was assured that we would be us and our families in the DB office.
Cucherat, a former gymnast turned Senior Judicial Magistrate M According to court and would also provide legal assistance for released, so our families were called We strongly condemn and protest it,”
sports official who will lead high Mustafizur Rahman granted bail to Chattogram prison sources, more the bail of detained students against and made to sit for 13 hours and false they said.
performance at France’s National five examinees, reports our court than 130 students have so far been whom there are no serious charges. statements were made to the media. “We were unjustly detained on
Sports Agency after the Games. correspondent. arrested across the port city and Meanwhile, the education ministry When our teachers came to meet us, the orders of the home minister. The
France’s strategy had not changed Earlier in the day, the defence filed district in violence cases. requested that any information they were not allowed to.” government has put law enforcers
since one unveiled for the 1960 separate petitions with these two courts, In Satkhira, a district court granted regarding the detention of other HSC They said they sought safety and face-to-face with students and
Olympics in Rome, and French seeking bail for the 42 college students. bail to six HSC examinees. examinees be sent to helphsc24@ assurances that they would not be citizens. The government is still
officials had watched with a mixture Of them, 37 were arrested in 29 Senior Judicial Magistrate Court gmail.com. victims of enforced disappearances, continuing its repression on the
cases filed with 14 police stations in Judge Md Salauddin Ahmed passed [Our Dhaka, Chattogram, and arrested, or tortured. students and continuing to arrest
of admiration and envy as the British the order in the evening, said defence Satkhira correspondents contributed and torture of the protesting students
Dhaka city, while five were arrested in “We wanted to guarantee our
strategy for the 2012 Games in four cases filed in Savar, Ashulia, and lawyer Abdul Mazid. to this report.] right to express. But we were kept in the country and continuing to
London paid off handsomely, with in DB custody unconstitutionally obstruct peaceful programmes.
29 gold medals for Britain, Cucherat and illegally. At first, we were told “The anti-discrimination student
said.
“In high-performance sports, if Facebook again blocked for 7hrs about security, but later they talked
about the court, [that] we cannot be
released without a court order.”
movement will continue demanding
the trial of the killing of students and
citizens and the release of the detained
you’re stagnating, you’re regressing,” FROM PAGE 12 A day later, on July 18, broadband the young generation for internet
Cucherat told Reuters. Student Movement to condemn the internet was blocked severely disruption and failure to prevent “No one can be safe in the custody innocent people. Students and citizens
France came seventh with 11 golds killings and arrests of protesters over affecting public life and a wide range rumours on social media. of those who shoot and kill unarmed across the country will be urged to take
in 2012, remained in the same spot the quota reform protests. of economic activities including He said this while addressing students and citizens. We don’t to the streets defying the government’s
The sources said an agency utility bill payments, online banking, a discussion organised by Singra want this farce security from the propaganda and repression. The blood
in Rio de Janeiro with 10 golds but
under the Ministry of Home Affairs international communications, upazila Awami League at his government, we want justice for the of the martyrs will not go in vain,” the
slipped to eighth in Tokyo in 2021 murder of our brothers and sisters. statement ended.
instructed mobile operators to clearance of goods from ports and residence in Singra of Natore,
despite winning the same tally.
enforce the restrictions around noon. digital commerce. marking the month of mourning, in
In 2019, France created the The government restored
Officials of mobile service the afternoon.
National Sports Agency with the
Paris Games five years later as its
operators said they were asked to lift
the restrictions in the evening.
broadband internet on a limited scale
on July 23.
Palak said, “If I have made any
mistakes, as a worker of Sheikh
Israel’s ‘end getting 105 more held
FROM PAGE 12
north star, Cucherat said. Under the
control of Onesta, the agency’s “Blue
Mobile data users said they could
access the Facebook and Messenger
Mobile internet was resumed on
July 28 while social media platforms
Hasina, and Awami League, I apologise
publicly. I also take responsibility for
closer than ever’ and several hundred thousand
unnamed individuals
Ambition” plan outlined a pathway to services around 7:00pm. were unblocked on July 31. the internet disruption, and failure FROM PAGE 12
The cases were filed mostly by
success in Paris. The service shutdown came Yesterday, Telegram, a messaging to prevent rumours on social media. I Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-
platform that allows users to send the law enforcers at different police
French officials studied the British after the government blocked social promise to accept any punishment or Thani also attended.
large files, was blocked. stations over violence, vandalism,
2012 model, but chose not to copy media services like Facebook, TikTok, decision in this regard.” Senior Hamas official Sami
WhatsApp and YouTube across the The Daily Star called State Minister arson, and killings.
it. Onesta told Le Figaro that British Palak said it is not the students’ Abu Zuhri told Reuters by phone:
country on July 17 amid widespread for Telecoms and ICT Zunaid Ahmed fault for the distance created. “It is our Unprecedented violence gripped
officials sought to inculcate sporting “Our message to the occupation the country since mid-July when
violence over the quota reform protests. Palak multiple times after the service fault. This is our responsibility... we
excellence in schools, while France disruption, but his mobile phone was (Israel) today is that you are sinking students’ protests for quota reform
As the violence escalated further, cannot avoid this failure,” he added.
sought to lift up levels in clubs across mobile internet was shut down across unreachable. “Please don’t misunderstand deep in the mud and your end is in government jobs turned violent
the country. the country the next day. At least 12.7 PALAK APOLOGISES people’s leader Sheikh Hasina. If she getting closer than ever. The blood following attacks by ruling party men
“We wanted to do it in a French crore people use mobile internet in Meanwhile, Palak at an event is not safe, then Bangladesh will not of Haniyeh will change all on protesters. More than 200 people
way,” Cucherat said. the country. yesterday sought apology from be safe,” he said. equations.” have lost their lives since then.
INTERNATIONAL 7
DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024
SRABAN 19, 1431 BS

Airlines avoid Hezbollah resumes

some Mideast
airspace steady artillery fire
Cancel flights to against Israel
Israel as tensions
REUTERS, Beirut
mount
REUTERS Hezbollah forces yesterday resumed rocket and
artillery attacks against Israel, ending the lull
Airlines are avoiding along the border following Israel’s killing of the
Iranian and Lebanese Lebanese group’s military commander in Beirut.
airspace and cancelling Hezbollah said it had fired a surface-to-air
flights to Israel and missile at an Israeli warplane flying in Lebanese
Lebanon, as concerns grow airspace overnight and forced it to turn back. Its
over a possible conflict in forces also carried out two artillery attacks and
the region after the killing two rocket strikes at military positions in northern
of senior members of Israel, it said.
Hamas and Hezbollah this The Israeli military said in a statement it had
week. successfully intercepted an aerial target coming
Singapore Airlines from Lebanon into the Israeli-occupied Golan
yesterday appeared to no Heights.
longer be using Iranian Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire hit several
airspace for any of its villages in southern Lebanon yesterday, according
routes, according to flight to Lebanese state media, a day after an Israeli
tracker Flightradar24. The strike killed at least five Syrian migrant workers in
airline did not respond to a southern Lebanon, according to medics.
request for comment. The Israeli military also said it had hit two
Taiwan’s EVA Air Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.
and China Airlines also Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said
appeared to be avoiding in an address on Thursday that he had ordered calm
Iran airspace for flights along the border following the Israeli airstrike in
to Amsterdam yesterday Beirut on Tuesday that killed military commander
which previously had flown
Fuad Shukr out of respect for the victims and to
over Iran, Flightradar24
consider what the next steps should be.
data showed. Mourners attend the funeral of victims of an Israeli raid in the southern Lebanese village of Shama (Chamaa) yesterday. The Lebanese health The strike on the Hezbollah stronghold of
In a bulletin, OPSGROUP, ministry said four Syrians were killed in the Israeli strike on the south, where Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged near-daily fire since the Dahiyeh in Beirut’s southern suburbs also killed
a membership-based
organisation that shares
Gaza offensive began in October. PHOTO: AFP an Iranian military adviser and five civilians.
flight risk information,
advised traffic between
Asia and Europe to avoid
Iranian and Iraqi airspace,
ISRAELI OFFENSIVE IN PALESTINIAN ENCLAVE Trump calls US-
a day after sources told
Reuters that top Iranian
officials will meet the
representatives of Iran’s
Nearly two-thirds of Gaza Russia prisoner
swap ‘win for Putin’
buildings damaged: UN
regional allies from
Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen
to discuss potential AFP, Washington
retaliation against Israel.
Many airlines, including Former US president
AFP, Geneva approximately 41.95 million metric tonnes. nationals visiting Iran to leave immediately,
US and European airlines, Donald Trump said
The figure is up 83 percent from the nearly after Tehran accused Israel of killing a leader
already avoid flying over Nearly two-thirds of the buildings in the Gaza 23 million tonnes estimated on January 7. yesterday the prisoner
of Palestinian group Hamas on its soil,
Iran. Singapore Airlines’ Strip have been damaged or destroyed since The conflict has resulted in 14 times more swap between the
sparking regional tensions.
flight to London Heathrow the Gaza offensive began in October, the debris than the combined total from all United States and
“Due to the increased risk of a military
early yesterday went United Nations said yesterday. Russia was a “win” for
escalation in the region, visiting French President Vladimir
north of Iran through “UNOSAT’s latest damage building nationals still in Iran are invited to leave as
Turkmenistan and assessment, based on satellite imagery... Putin as he continued
soon as possible,” the foreign ministry said. to offer baseless
Azerbaijan, rather than reveals that 151,265 structures have been The killing of Hamas political chief Ismail speculation over the
crossing through Iran affected in the Gaza Strip,” the UN Satellite Haniyeh in a pre-dawn attack on Wednesday details of the agreement.
as it did the day before, Centre said. in Tehran has deepened fears of a regional Wall Street Journal
Flightradar24 showed. “Of these, 30 percent were destroyed,
However, a significant war. reporter Evan Gershkovich,
12 percent severely damaged, 36 percent
number of airlines were Tehran, as well as the Iran-backed Hamas two other Americans and a green card
moderately damaged, and 20 percent possibly
still flying over Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah movements, have holder are back in the United States after being
damaged, representing approximately 63
yesterday, including United percent of the total structures in the region.” blamed Israel, which has not commented. freed by Putin as part of a massive, multi-country
Arab Emirates carriers The assessment was based on comparing It has however claimed responsibility East-West prisoner exchange.
Etihad, Emirates EMIRA. imagery from May 2023 onward with images for the killing just hours earlier of senior Trump set out in an interview with Fox Business
UL and FlyDubai, as well as from July 6 this year. Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr why the exchange was bad news for America as he
Qatar Airways and Turkish “The impact on civilian infrastructure previous conflicts in the Palestinian territory in Beirut’s southern suburbs. sought to downplay President Joe Biden’s success
Airlines. is evident, with thousands of homes and since 2008, UNOSAT said. Israel advanced last year the highest in securing the deal. “The Russians made a great
Over the past two essential facilities being damaged,” the The agency estimated that 114 kilogrammes number of settlements in the occupied West deal. I’m not going to criticize it, because it’s good
days, Air India AIRID. agency said. (250 pounds) of debris were generated for Bank since the Oslo Accords of the 1990s, the to have them home, but they got a phenomenal
UL, Germany’s Lufthansa Israel’s campaign against Hamas has killed each square metre in the Gaza Strip. European Union’s representative office in the deal, and that sets a very bad precedent,” he said,
Group LHAG.DE, U.S. at least 39,498 people in Gaza, according to Geneva-based UNOSAT says its Palestinian territories said yesterday. calling it a “win for Putin.”
carriers United Airlines the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry, satellite imagery-based analysis helps the Plans for 12,349 housing units moved Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan and
UAL.O and Delta Air DAL.N, which does not give details of civilian and humanitarian community assess the extent towards approval in the West Bank, the Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva,
and Italy’s ITA Airways said militant deaths. of conflict-related damage and helps shape EU office said, warning of the impact on a along with legal permanent resident Vladimir
they had suspended flights UNOSAT said the total debris in the Gaza emergency relief efforts. potential two-state solution for the Israeli- Kara-Murza, were among 16 prisoners released by
to Tel Aviv. Strip generated by the conflict amounts to Meanwhile, France yesterday urged its Palestinian conflict. Russia.

30 killed in
heavy rain,
floods in
Pakistan
REUTERS, Lahore

Floods brought by
torrential rains in Pakistan
caused damage that killed
at least 30 people this week,
authorities said yesterday,
as the second-largest city of
Lahore was drenched in the
most rainfall it has received
in more than four decades.
The arrival of the
monsoon season has
sparked floods and
landslides across South
Asia in the past week,
with at least 195 killed and
Volunteers of East SOS evacuate a woman from a hospital, as Russian forces advance across the frontlines in almost 200 missing in one
the Donetsk region, in Kostiantynivka, Ukraine yesterday. PHOTO: REUTERS
disaster in neighbouring
India.
Rain pummelled

Firefighters struggle to
Pakistan’s north, causing
floods, building collapses
and heightening the risk of
electrocution.

contain California wildfire “The 44-year-old rainfall

record was broken in
Lahore once again,” said
REUTERS “We did also today discover who added that he hoped to see the utilities officials in the
human remains in one of the fire begin to shrink significantly by northeastern province of
A fast-moving wildfire has killed residences,” Boulder County Sheriff Sunday or Monday. Punjab, where authorities
at least one person in the Rocky Curtis Johnson told journalists. Evacuation orders were lifted for tallied six deaths and
Mountain foothills of Colorado, “So, I can confirm for you that we all of Lyons on Thursday afternoon, warned that flash floods
one of a handful of blazes burning do have one fatality associated with along with some outlying areas to were expected in the south
across the state, while thousands of the fire.” the south and west of the blaze. this week.
firefighters in California struggled Johnson did not provide details Meanwhile, another fire is within In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
to contain the largest fire in the on the individual’s identity. about 500 yards (457 meters) of 12 children were among
country. The Stone Canyon Fire, near some homes in far southwest the two dozen people
The individual killed in the Lyons, a community of about Denver. who died in the last three
Stone Canyon Fire, burning about 2,000, has burned more than 1,500 The Quarry Fire burned 420 acres days of rains and floods
20 miles (32 km) north of Boulder, acres (600 hectares) since Tuesday by Thursday afternoon, according in the northwestern
Colorado, was found on Wednesday afternoon. It was 30 percent to local fire officials. Firefighters province, Anwar Shehzad,
in one of five homes destroyed near contained as of Thursday evening, were focusing on keeping the fire a spokesman for its disaster
Rocky Mountain National Park, according to Nathan Hallam, the on the south side of a road and away management agency, told
officials said. fire incident commander on scene, from those homes. Reuters.
8 EDITORIAL
DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024
SRABAN 19, 1431 BS

FOUNDER EDITOR: LATE S. M. ALI

Death without weeping
BLOWIN’ IN movement dared to challenge the that does not immediately affect
THE WIND system that rendered life predictable, them. The problem is not quotas,
secure, and comfortable for a but rather discriminatory structural
Mass arrests causing Dr Shamsad Mortuza
is professor of English at
privileged few. For the majority
outside the inner circle, poverty,
violence.
“Cultural violence,” the third

mass suffering Dhaka University. insecurity, ill health, and violence are
prevalent. For them, the only way out
was through collective social action
corner of Galtung’s triangle,
encompasses aspects of culture that
justify or legitimise both direct and
Govt risks further alienation SHAMSAD MORTUZA aimed at changing the system. structural forms of violence. To upset
The allocation of 56 percent of the students’ protest, the government
by continuing crackdown
We enter the mournful month of
We fail to comprehend what the government thinks it can August, a time burdened with the
achieve through its continued crackdown, which has so far memory of excruciating tragedy.
seen at least 10,947 individuals arrested in 674 cases filed The unseen amount of bloodshed
in Dhaka and 51 other districts between July 18 and August witnessed in July has also left an
1. Is it to pursue justice for the violent events of July 18-21? indelible mark on our collective
Is it to buttress its narrative of BNP-Jamaat orchestrating consciousness. As a nation born
the unrest? Is it to punish students, activists, and anyone through the legacy of blood, violence
who dared to stand up against its security forces and party is not unfamiliar to us. However, the
cadres? Is it to disabuse citizens of the notion that those recent deaths during the ongoing
security forces—including police and BGB—were to blame student protests are grotesque,
for the killing of over 200 people? Or is it simply an attempt, marking a significant turning point.
ludicrous as it may be, to force-restore public order? To paraphrase Lenin, decades have
happened in the last two weeks that
Whatever it is, it is not working. It is not the right way. And
otherwise would not have happened in
it is backfiring, if the rising backlash against government
decades.
handling of recent events is any indication. So far, the law Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
enforcement focus has been mainly twofold: conduct raids Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose death
and arrests for the July 18-21 events, and suppress public alongside his family members we
outbursts at the killings. Even yesterday, shots were fired mourn in August, was a spearhead of
during protests demanding justice for the killings, with a many student movements that have
hearing on a writ petition seeking court order to prevent pierced through our national history.
firing delayed earlier. If we are to stick to the legal measures The estimated death tolls in the
taken by law enforcers, many disturbing trends about their Language Movement of 1952 were 12; in
arrests and case filings have also come to light. the 1969 Mass Uprising, it was 61; in the
From conducting “block raids” to illegally abducting six key Dhaka University massacre of March
coordinators of quota reform protests to bringing trumped- 25, 1971, it was over 220; and in the
up charges against listed political rivals to inflating the age anti-Ershad protest of the 1990s, it was
of minors implicated in cases to falsifying First Information around 50. In the first three instances,
the perpetrators were occupying forces
Reports (FIR) to grossly violating Supreme Court guidelines
or outsiders, and in the last, a dictator We must seize this moment to build a more equitable and just society where every young person has the chance to
for arrests and remand to allegedly engaging in “arrest turned against his own people. This
business”—the list of objectionables reported in the media thrive. FILE PHOTO: PRABIR DAS
time though, witnessing at least 200
is quite long. This runs in the face of claims by the home deaths, mainly students, in two weeks
minister that the arrests are being made “based on evidence,” police brutality leading to hundreds government jobs under different is fighting a two-pronged war: direct
at the hands of our fellow citizens adds
and not as part of any mass arrest campaign. We have earlier of deaths, thousands of injuries, quotas, including 30 percent for violence and cultural violence. It is no
an unprecedented layer to our sorrow.
and numerous arrests. Despite descendants of freedom fighters, was coincidence that the manipulation of
commented on how the mass arrests and block raids, often This occurred under the leadership
attempts by police and government symptomatic of underlying structural identity politics has come to light. The
targeting students involved in quota reform protests, have of a prime minister who had earlier
survived a devastating grenade attack spokespersons to blame hidden violence. The introduction of over vilification of rightful demands for
created widespread panic. Now, the legal hassles facing the forces exploiting the situation, citizen
that claimed 24 lives in one fatal 100 universities and thousands of justice and equality is prevalent. The
arrestees and their families will no doubt add to the overall journalism empowers us to see clearly colleges over the last three decades authorities employ political language
environment of anger and distrust, further alienating the August. The moist soil of freshly buried
July victims and the earth under which and form our own conclusions. has created a desire for upward to dehumanise demonstrators and
government. While it is true that students became social mobility. In an emerging rationalise their violent response.
The recent change in government tone—as evidenced the deceased victims of past violence
rest highlight the urgent need for peace aggressive in response to police economy, the myth of the Fourth This cultural violence will perpetuate
by the slowdown in lamentation for destroyed public violence, this does not justify the use Industrial Revolution, international the cycle of oppression, creating a
and stability. Enough blood has been
infrastructure, shifting focus to the unprecedented tragedy spilt. Now we need water to wash away of live ammunition by law enforcers, jobs, and startups fostered the narrative that obscures the legitimate
that accompanied it, and signalling openness to international the sins, the guilt, and the blood. hyper-incarcerations, and cyber- aspiration that a peasant’s son need grievances of the underprivileged and
cooperation in investigations—is still seen suspiciously by the We require compassionate surveillance. Indeed, unidentified not remain a peasant. Therefore, normalises their marginalisation.
protesters out there, and for that, ongoing legal measures by individuals like Mugdho, who bravely mobs vandalised state property, but they perceive the quota system as How do we exit this self-made hole?
the government are largely responsible. Clearly, building trust made his way through the crowd real-time efforts to safeguard national a hindrance to the recognition of First, we need decency and prudence
has to start from the grounds up. The wounds from those to distribute water bottles to the property appeared insufficient. The meritorious individuals. The soaring to tell the truth. Then, we need to
days of reckless firing cannot be healed by reckless arresting. protesters, asking, “Does anyone need high number of casualties in the unemployment rate exacerbates this ensure justice and reparation. Only
If the government really wants the public to keep faith in its water?” His water bottles emptied our streets underscores one brute fact: the issue. Sixty-six percent of national then can we achieve reconciliation.
sincerity to conduct a fair and thorough investigation into hearts and moistened our eyes. His authorities and their auxiliary forces university students are jobless. The Reconciliation cannot occur without
death, among many, urges us to escape unleashed unprecedented violence to official unemployment rate is 3.51 truth-telling, accountability, and
the July tragedy, it must stop these law enforcement excesses
the cycle of violence and demands a quash these young protesters across percent, while the World Bank puts a commitment to dismantling
and make way for an independent probe of international
critical engagement with the triangle the country. it higher at 4.7 percent in 2022. They the structures of violence that
standards. It must bring the light on the role of its own This leads us to the unseen origin see that the private sector is much perpetuate inequality and injustice.
of violence defining this moment. To
security forces in killings. of the scourge that Galtung speaks more receptive to candidates with Like the pandemic, this moment of
climb out of this hole, we must retrace
the steps that led us here. of: “structural violence.” In this better communication skills or family crisis presents an opportunity for
Norwegian sociologist context, “structure” denotes a pattern backgrounds. They observe that transformation. We can access change
Take steps to clear Johan Galtung’s theory of the
interconnected triangle of direct,
of collective social action that has
achieved a degree of permanence,
elites send their children to English
medium schools and pursue higher
through this portal. We must seize this
opportunity to build a more equitable
structural, and cultural violence while “violence” signifies the suffering education abroad. The deep-seated and just society where every young
port backlogs offers an explanation. The most
visible tip of the triangle right now is
and injustice deeply ingrained in
ordinary, taken-for-granted patterns.
anger is not random. That’s why a
rickshaw puller or a street hawker
person has the chance to thrive. The
lives of the fallen students must inspire
“direct violence,” epitomised by the The Students against Discrimination fights alongside a student for a cause the change we so desperately need.
Return of regular export-import
activities at Ctg port is vital
The deep scars left on our economy by the ongoing curfew
and five-day-long internet shutdown (along with internet
disruptions that have lasted much longer) are slowly emerging
Will a normal day ever come?
to the surface. Almost all business sectors have been hit hard, Shrobona Shafique Dipti the social fabric, eroding trust and of local contexts. The deployment
including import-export. As per a report by Prothom Alo, is an independent researcher of safety. This atmosphere of fear of helicopters and the relentless
international trading activities at Chattogram port, which urban anthropology.
significantly affects social interactions use of sound grenades, framed as
handles 87 percent of the country’s import-export activities, and community cohesion, making it protective measures, exemplify how the
are yet to return to normal, causing continuous business increasingly difficult for people to feel authorities’ control extends to personal
losses and reducing government revenue collection. secure in public spaces. spaces, turning them into extensions of
For nearly a week, internet blackout hampered the The frequent block raids and their surveillance and power.
customs clearance process of both export and import the mistreatment of individuals, Reflecting on the idea of normalcy
consignments. Although internet services have been restored exemplified by the unlawful arrest amid this reconfigured time and space,
SHROBONA SHAFIQUE DIPTI and brutal handling of 17-year-old it becomes evident that both public
of late, the backlog of activities, which came to a halt between
July 20 and 22, will reportedly take at least 10 to 15 days to Hasnatul Islam Faiyaz, who was and private spheres are profoundly
be cleared. Currently, cargo ships are having to wait three After finishing her lunch, six-year- isolated incidents, but rather deeply bound with ropes, intensify this sense affected by pervasive violence. A
to five days to enter the port instead of the usual one-day old Riya went to play on the rooftop intertwined with the daily experiences of insecurity. Such actions inflict return to normalcy seems increasingly
delay. It’s increasing the cost for importers, who have to pay of her family’s home in Narayanganj. of individuals and communities. immediate harm and contribute to a unattainable. As Das notes, there is a
$10,000 to $50,000 per day for such delays. This not only Tragically, her innocent moment was In her studies, she highlights how broader climate of fear, destabilising “mutual absorption of the violent and
increases import costs, which are ultimately transferred onto abruptly shattered when a bullet from the sense of safety and stability in the ordinary” in such contexts, where
violence can reshape the very essence
a law enforcement raid struck her everyday life. violence intertwines with the everyday,
consumers, but the late arrival of imported raw materials to of daily life, creating a climate of fear,
in the head. Similar tragedies have My room that once served as a anchoring the event to the ordinary
the factories means a delay in manufacturing as well. insecurity, and disruption that affects
unfolded across Dhaka: four-year-old sanctuary of personal expression, in specific ways. This intersection
For the RMG sector, the long-term implication is failure everything from personal interactions
Ahad was shot while standing on his marked by yellow curtains and underscores how acts of violence
to meet delivery deadlines and thus the risk of losing buyers to community cohesion.
balcony with his parents, just as he was cherished books, is now overshadowed permeate and redefine the ordinary,
to other competing countries. Previously, we warned that The recent violence in Dhaka and
closing a window—everyday activities by the omnipresent influence of the embedding fear and instability into the
the government’s repressive way of handling the quota the rest of the country has fostered authorities. The incessant noise of fabric of daily life.
violently interrupted by the chaos of an atmosphere of pervasive fear and
reform movement and subsequent violence would tarnish violence. helicopters and the constant use Acknowledging these impacts
Bangladesh’s image as a stable investment partner. As insecurity. Students are increasingly of sound grenades, purportedly for is crucial for moving forward. The
These incidents underscore how subjected to raids, with many being
trade activities struggle to return to normal, and businesses even the sanctuaries of home, like protection, pervade our private spaces. community requires systemic change
continue to take the hit, the fear of losing our hold on rushed to hospitals with serious What were once havens of safety have to restore safety and normalcy,
balconies and rooftops, are not
foreign markets is turning into a reality. Even retailers selling injuries. A recent report in The Daily become zones of fear and control. ensuring that personal spaces retain
immune to the reach of violence. This
imported goods are not spared. The late arrival of a huge Star highlighted the case of Mehedi, The enforced immobility, isolation their privacy and public spaces are
situation calls to mind the experiences
a student who was shot and injured. due to internet shutdowns, and the free from fear and violence. The act of
amount of stock all at the same time might push the price of shared by Bisan from Gaza, whose
Instagram reels poignantly capture the His father’s poignant remark, “I will unyielding noise disrupt the peace and witnessing, therefore, becomes vital—
products down. Plus, the quality of perishable goods, when
mass-scale violence and disruption in never tell anyone to send their kids to safety of our homes. Conversations not merely as an observation but as
released late from the port, is also bound to be compromised.
Palestine. school again,” captures the profound with friends reveal this unsettling a way to understand and address the
Thus, it is essential that the authorities take all steps mistrust and anxiety that now pervade
necessary to clear port backlogs urgently. Immediate Veena Das, a prominent reality: one struggles with the rising intertwining of violence and ordinary
anthropologist, offers profound the community. cost of living, another cannot sleep life, seeking to unravel the pervasive
remedies may include increasing manpower not just at the These incidents extend beyond
insights into how violence permeates without leaving the door open, feeling influence of government-imposed
Chattogram port but all other ports handling cargos, making temporary disruptions; they
and affects everyday life. Her work trapped and vulnerable. disruptions.
the customs clearance process faster and easier by reducing inflict lasting psychological scars. This transformation is not merely Will this trauma ever be cancelled?
emphasises that violence is not merely
interim steps, and increasing the capacity of customs officials. an event, but a process that deeply Veena Das’s concept of “everyday physical, but profoundly psychological. Can we envision a future where such
The government also must acknowledge that its ability to influences daily routines, relationships, violence” provides a framework for James C Scott’s Seeing Like a State pervasive violence and control are
reduce tensions by addressing the grievances of protesters and the broader social fabric. understanding this issue. She asserts provides a useful framework for no longer defining elements of our
properly and to keep the economy afloat through supportive Das explores the concept of that violence permeates the routine understanding this impact. Scott daily lives? How do we move from this
measures is being seriously questioned in the business world, “everyday violence,” illustrating aspects of life, embedding fear deeply explains how states impose their deeply fractured state of existence to
too. It must rise to the occasion and take lessons from its how acts of violence, whether state- into the daily experience. The state’s vision of order and control on society, a place where normalcy, safety, and
failures for the sake of the nation’s future. sponsored or otherwise, are not pervasive violence in Dhaka permeates often disregarding the complexities privacy can be truly restored?

The Daily Star EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Mahfuz Anam Registered & Head Offices: The Daily Star Centre Newsroom: Fax- 58156306 Advertisement: 01711623910 Subscription: thedailystar.net
Reg. No. DA 781 Printed by him on behalf of Mediaworld Ltd at Transcraft Ltd, 229, 64-65 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Dhaka-1215 [email protected] [email protected] 01711623906 bangla.thedailystar.net/
Tejgaon Industrial Area, [email protected] Phone: 09610222222 GPO Box: 3257
OPINION 9
DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024
SRABAN 19, 1431 BS

New student politics demands

respect, dignity, and trust
Adnan M S Fakir started with tear gas and rubber bullets transformed
teaches economics at the University
of Sussex, UK.
into a bloody campaign using automatics and blind
shooting from helicopters. When the curfew was
imposed, the crackdowns followed.
But it was not just the physical violence and
tragic losses that we find hard to process; it was also
the stripping away of the dignity of the protesters,
their right to protest, their right to dissent. It was
ADNAN M S FAKIR a lack of morality, an attitude of authoritarian
invincibility, poor politics, and impoverished
accountability. Had the regime treated the students
It is astounding how little a regime, one that as people worthy of dignity, perhaps it would have
has been in power for 15 consecutive years, given them their right to protest peacefully, to vent
understands the new form of student politics. their grievances that the regime has itself created.
Economic performance legitimacy may have It is the culture of viewing people with dignity that
satiated the post-liberation first generation who the regime needs to adopt in its politics.
had lived through the depravities and atrocities of I am unsure what exactly the regime was
the Liberation War. However, the new generation strategising during the days of total internet
aspires to more than just economic improvements, shutdown and curfew, but its propaganda
and rightfully so. Respect, dignity, and trust are
campaign, led by some top functionaries, backfired
the institutional cultures that speak more to the
gravely. Loss of public trust is possibly the strongest
Police head towards a crowd of quota reform demonstrators in Dhaka on July 18, 2024. FILE PHOTO: REUTERS new student politics than metro rails, flyovers,
or graduation to a middle-income country. And indicator of the decline of any regime.
From the prime minister not initially

When rule of (no) law

in each of these, the regime (and regimes past)
repeatedly fails to deliver. acknowledging the gravity of the human tragedy
When students embarked on peaceful protests as she should have, the information minister
in July demanding quota reformation, it was the claiming that the internet was not intentionally
perceived disrespect felt after the prime minister’s shut down but was disrupted due to the burning of

reigns supreme speech on July 14 (“If the grandchildren of the data centres and hundreds of kilometres of cables
freedom fighters don’t get quotas, then should the (when previously acknowledging that the regime
grandchildren of Razakars get quotas?”) that gave was forced to shut down the internet), the home
the protest momentum. This show of disrespect minister stressing that police “remained patient

Mir Aftabuddin Ahmed seek accountability from the authorities.

is a public policy columnist. He can be reached Forms of civic rebellion and an outpouring
at [email protected]. Views
expressed in this article are the author’s own of anger, both violent and non-violent, will
and do not reflect those of any organisation, inevitably appear, as the authorities have
institution, or entity with which he is associated. turned the people they should serve into
their very adversaries.
The government has only one way to
improve the situation: it should exhibit
humility and an apologetic tone and admit
MIR AFTABUDDIN AHMED
how dreadfully it mishandled a crisis
that could have been resolved through
As the world catches a glimpse, but public assets, against the security of the reconciliatory efforts with the student
certainly not the full picture, of the horrors individual, contravening the very principle protesters. Instead, the government
that have transpired in Bangladesh, a of the rule of law that should guide the has aggravated the dissatisfaction of a
lack of transparency and a deliberate, actions or inactions of any government population already burdened by pent-up
disingenuous, and frankly dangerous effort with an ounce of consideration for the frustration stemming from the ongoing
by the authorities to conceal the truth overarching health of its relationship with cost-of-living crisis, high levels of inflation,
has emerged. Should one be surprised? its electorate. Sadly, that relationship was endemic public sector corruption, outward
Probably not, given how this government neither respected nor maintained when money laundering by the elites, growing
has responded to any and all forms of civic aggression, rather than reconciliation, was youth unemployment, and the partisan
dissent over the past decade, from any leveraged to tackle innocent protesters monopolisation of public institutions that
and all sources, political or not. Even for a and their genuine grievances about a benefit only a few.
political party that has established a track policy matter. The experiences of those who have
record of misusing its political activists in Bangladesh, long accustomed to lived through the chaos speak volumes.
cahoots with law enforcement agencies to a robust protest culture and equally Testimonials from citizens who are living
repress rather than protect citizens, this forceful government countermeasures, is through these dark days and nights
latest crackdown marks an alarming low. now experiencing a novel concoction of challenge the sanitised versions of events
The suppression of freedom of shock, anger, confusion, fear, and cruelty. presently being portrayed in the country Respect, dignity, and trust are the institutional cultures that speak more to the new student politics
speech and expression, disregard for Young people feel an extreme absence of by the authorities. The government’s than metro rails, flyovers, or graduation to a middle-income country. FILE PHOTO: STAR
constitutionally protected fundamental
rights, sidelining ideas from civil society
on governance reform, rejection of Bangladesh, long accustomed to a robust protest culture is a tenet that seems to be repeating itself in the and only fired when they were forced to” (when
fostering political competition between and equally forceful government countermeasures, is regime’s politics. During the 2018 quota reform there are videos of police openly firing at unarmed
the opposition and the ruling party, and now experiencing a novel concoction of shock, anger, movement, a similar remark by the then minister individual protesters), to the Detective Branch chief
the rampant politicisation of theoretically of agriculture on April 9 (where she called the claiming that student protest organisers were
confusion, fear, and cruelty. Young people feel an protesters “children of Razakars”) fuelled students’
impartial institutions of the state stand in “detained for their own safety” (when credible
direct contrast to the ruling party’s own extreme absence of hope regarding their individual anger. sources attest that they were forcibly picked up,
belief that it is the principal architect and futures and acute concerns for their own safety and that Being blind to the anguish of systemic failure one even from a hospital mid-recovery)—the list
only feasible guarantor of the country’s of their peers. Both the velocity and traumatic scenes of and corruption that led to the formation of these goes on.
economic stability. The economic stability the unrest have left the country reeling, making it more movements, while disrespectfully accursing the In the age of social media, repeating a lie does
storyline is progressively being rejected by dejected than it has been in a very long time. student protesters, is the first visible failure of not make it the truth. Even the repeated narrative
a growing proportion of Bangladeshis, who the regime in understanding the new student about BNP-Jamaat-led violence to justify law
are disgruntled because the developmental politics. Perhaps this speaks more to the political enforcement killings loses its weight (although,
upshots on paper—flaunted through eye- hope regarding their individual futures narrative focuses on the destruction of culture that the people of party politics have sadly, perhaps not for the staunchest of regime
catching infrastructural projects, rather and acute concerns for their own safety public assets, including a metro rail station cultivated in their ability to handle dissent. But supporters) when so many killings of students and
than an innate focus on improving the and that of their peers. Both the velocity and several government buildings — it is this aggressive politics that instils a culture other civilians were caught on camera. Repeatedly,
average person’s quality of life – are not and traumatic scenes of the unrest have actions that are absolutely condemnable, of disrespect and repeatedly rejects possibilities the regime keeps undermining the importance of
benefiting them on a day-to-day basis. left the country reeling, making it more but secondary to the suffering inflicted of peaceful, constructive negotiations. This trust-building with the new student politics. An
The sheer level of wilful ignorance or, dejected than it has been in a very long on Bangladeshis by those oath-bound institutional culture of indecency and disrespect institutional culture of “trust” is what is demanded
more dangerously, a defensive political time. Since 2014, the Awami League has to protect them. The value of human life is the least of the institutional failures the regime by the new student politics.
posture that compels public sector governed Bangladesh without a proper has been cast aside. The desire to display must acknowledge. Respect, dignity, and trust. Perhaps the regime
stakeholders, such as law enforcement electoral mandate—anyone who argues unopposed and unfettered strength has When I speak of new student politics, I am, does understand the new student politics. However,
personnel, to present an embarrassingly otherwise is living in a fool’s paradise—and overshadowed any devotion to the rule of course, referring to the non-partisan student unless it can reform itself to provide these basic
partial or, worse, blatantly incorrect its loss of connection with the pulse of the of law and the policy stances that should body—who have repeatedly taken to the streets
version of events can be described as average voter has highlighted just how out tenets to its citizenry—to the new student politics—
naturally arise from respecting it. in the past decade for their rights—not the the regime will be unable to cater to people’s needs
authoritarian at best and as reckless at of touch it is with the political sentiments militarised youth wings of the political bodies,
I want to end on a personal note. for rights and freedom, and remain on shaky
the least. This version of events places and policy needs of Bangladeshis. whom the students associate with campus
My words would be stronger and my grounds. As my colleagues have mentioned in
the majority of the blame on political Young people—mostly university violence, rent-seeking, and corruption. It was the
arguments more forceful in condemning another opinion piece, “Those who claim to govern
opponents of the ruling party before any students and their growing cohort of youth wing of the present regime, Bangladesh
proper independent investigation and allies—caught in the crossfire of politically the ruling party for their actions if I must realise that their power is on lease.” The
were writing for an outlet operating in Chhatra League (BCL), that incited the next step regime must acknowledge that this lease cannot
without reflecting on the government’s incited violence by ruling party decision- of the quota protests, fuelled again by a remark,
own errors. Giving a misleading account of makers, combined with suppression, a functioning democracy. Bangladesh be extended through economic performance
is not such a place. This newspaper, like this time by the AL general secretary (insinuating legitimacy alone. But foremost, what the regime
the chain of events that led to significant have borne the brunt of the turmoil.
others in the country, must exercise that the BCL would give these protesters a “fitting needs to do is have the courage to publicly
death and destruction to provide media Eyewitness accounts and international
caution due to operational risks from reply”). acknowledge, apologise, and ensure justice for the
cover for a political party that is in a crisis media point to one underlying cause:
tools like the Cyber Security Act and Clashes between the quota protesters and martyrs of the quota movement for the nation to
of its own making seems to characterise the authorities’ heavy-handed response,
an environment where any statement the BCL ensued the very next day; BCL wearing move forward.
both the authorities’ political and public characterised by indiscriminate attacks on
perceived as a threat to the authorities clads of sanctioned impunity from the regime The collective memory of the draconian acts
policy reactions in the days following the unarmed civilians and blatant violations
deployment of the armed forces. of basic human rights under the guise of can lead to legal repercussions for both against “unsanctioned protesters.”But when the suffered in the pursuit of the right to protest,
A narrative from both the government protecting national security. No amount the newspaper and the writer. Thus, while students were able to drive the BCL back, by their without proper justice and political reformation,
and some mass media outlets promotes of political cover or attempts to bury the my analysis represents a toned-down sheer numbers, the regime called on its trusted may lead to repeated cycles of horrors. The people
a version of events that is far detached truth through social media control and version of my true thoughts, there is law enforcement agencies—the police, the Rapid of Bangladesh also need to acknowledge that
from the reality experienced by foreign censorship will succeed. one central message that we all have: the Action Battalion (Rab), and the Border Guard the burden of transforming society cannot be
observers, international media outlets, Beyond the immediate deaths opposite of the rule of law has prevailed in Bangladesh (BGB)—to quell the students. No shouldered by students alone. It can only be carried
and, most importantly, the country’s own and arrests, consider the long-term Bangladesh over the past few weeks. This conversation, only dominance. through by the students, alongside the peasants,
citizens. This narrative pits the protection psychological impact on young people. is not the end, but a troubling indication On July 16, six students were killed, including the workers, and the oppressed. Let injustice never
of the state, including vandalised They cannot trust their government or of what lies ahead. Abu Sayed, and hundreds more since then. What prevail.

THURSDAY’S ANSWERS
CROSSWORD BY THOMAS JOSEPH
ACROSS 18 Like some cars 32 Takes a breath DOWN 10 Arizona city 26 Roster
1 Cuts off 20 Wallet bill 34 Crude abode 1 Minimum famed for its red 27 Orangutan,
5 Doily stuff 21 Extreme pain 35 Annoyance amount rocks e.g.
9 Mood of the 22 Quiche start 36 More than plump 2 Parliament city 12 Chops up 28 Drunks
people 23 Gene messenger 38 More certain 3 Shot takers 17 Singer Orbison 30 Not drowsy
11 Oryx’s cousin 24 Rascal 39 Less common 4 Heir, at times 19 Warning word 31 Boat back
13 Make amends 25 Thin board 40 Sibilant 5 Burton of 22 Franc’s 33 Birds, to
14 “Otello” 27 Luminous glows summons “Roots” replacement biologists
composer 29 Femur’s upper 41 Org.’s kin 6 Pub brews 24 Screen sight 37 Sheep call
15 Plunked down end 7 Mapmakers 25 Armada
16 Extreme 30 Fitting 8 Finish makeup

Write for us. Send us your opinion pieces to [email protected]

10 YOUTH
DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024
SRABAN 19, 1431 BS

ILLUSTRATION: ABIR HOSSAIN

DEBUNKING THE MYTHS

surrounding dark mode
LAKUM MURSALUN strain. Visual acuity, on the other hand, It is also widely claimed that dark in falling asleep. However, blue light because of its encompassing dark
Starting with legibility, the claim is refers to the ability to clearly see the mode saves significant battery life. But may not be the culprit that distorts aura. Furthermore, dark mode gives
Since its adoption into regular social that dark mode increases readability smallest details. When you stare at in contrast, scientists from Purdue your sleep schedule as this claim lacks comfort in low-light surroundings
media apps, the dark mode setting and gives you better visual acuity. black writing on a light background, University have found that dark mode credible scientific proof. Researchers and reduces eye strain making its
has been a popular screen choice But vision research says it’s actually your pupils shrink or narrow down saves up to only three to nine percent believe that the discomfort people users prone to screen addiction.
for users of different demographics, harder for the eyes to read white text so that you can have clearer eyesight. of battery on OLED screens in average experience after staring at displays for Twitter has revealed that dark mode
particularly young people. Initially on a dark background. Human eyes Oppositely, when you set your eyes on brightness. However, in maximum too long is due to reduced blinking has made users spend more time on
known as “night mode”, this shadowy- the app than usual.
themed feature was initially designed So, maybe the claim of greater
to be used depending on the lighting concentration could be true to some
conditions. However, due to the extent, but only in terms of keeping
perceived addictive nature of the
Dark mode isn’t really individuals hooked on those apps
alternative along with aesthetics a recent technological for a longer period – giving users
and acclaimed benefits, people have invention, and more reasons to be glued to their
opted to use the dark mode. But, aside those who are into smartphones. On the contrary,
from aesthetics, how credible are said everyone’s experience with dark mode
benefits? programming know is different. Dark mode might bring
Dark mode isn’t really a recent that it’s been around comfort to people with issues like
technological invention, and those since the digital migraine, headaches, and certain eye
who are into programming know conditions, but in general, it might
that it’s been around since the digital
revolution started. Most bring more disadvantages than
revolution started. Most original original computers benefits in the end.
computers dating back to the ‘70s had dating back to the ‘70s
light text on a dark background to save had light text on a dark Lakum Mursalun is an undergrad
power. Moreover, they used Cathode student from University of
Ray Tube (CRT) monitors, which were background to save Chittagong.
not sophisticated enough to light up power.
PHOTO: ORCHID CHAKMA
the entire screen at once. References:
Later, to make them conventional The Wire. (2019). Dark mode isn’t as
and more user-friendly, black text on good for your eyes as you believe.
a white background was introduced. are biologically designed to work in a lighted text with a dark background, brightness this can increase to about rather than brightness and suggest
And now, almost 25 years into the daylight. Thus, bright backgrounds your pupils dilate or become wider to 39 to 47 percent. So, unless you are that the real solution to better sleep International Journal of
21st century, dark mode has made with contrasting darker elements are allow more light to enter. And vision using your phone in broad daylight, is to not use screens altogether before Communication Networks and
a comeback with claims such as the more suited for our vision. Therefore, experts say this makes it harder to focus you won’t be saving a whole lot. going to bed. Information Security (IJCNIS). (2024).
feature providing better legibility bright mode is recommended for on the text and even harder for some Another commonly cited claim is Research also suggests that dark The Research into Dark Mode: A
and improved focus while saving optimal reading experience and people with certain eye conditions like that adopting to dark mode minimises mode can lead to negative emotions Systematic Review Using Two-Stage
significant battery and reducing eye longevity. myopia and astigmatism. blue light consumption, which helps such as depression and gloomy mood Approach and S-O-R Framework.

The need to recognise

propaganda in pop culture
This issue of FARIHA LAMISA communism. portrayal of minority communities, director who supported the Bengali to fit their narrative. It would not
overt biases This issue of overt biases toward be it ethnic or religious. nationalist movement against the be wrong to say that they do often
Back when I was in high school, I found specific cultures and alignment with Popular culture is a product of its Pakistani authoritarian government, succeed due to superior resources.
toward myself surprised and shaken after time, representing the politics and
the existing power structure’s agenda ended up disappearing and never However, we need to question who
specific reading Elif Batuman’s memoir, The is not limited to Hollywood. Rather, it ideas of a specific era. Often, films and being found. is producing the narrative and what
cultures and Possessed. The memoir, written in the can fundamentally be found in every television that challenged existing When brutal suppression is in purpose it serves.
alignment form of an essay collection, borrowed culture. power structures have place, ruling parties maintain their In the age of rapid technological
with the its title from Fydor Dostovyosky’s Fatima Bhutto, in her book about grip on popular storytelling sources advancement where the battle of
existing power classic of the same name. It recounts the growing popularity to spread their narratives in a more narrative is intense, it is important for
Batuman’s journey as a graduate of Asian pop culture sophisticated fashion. us to make ourselves digitally literate
structure’s student, pursuing her PhD in Russian titled The New For example, the and to question what we see and
agenda is not literature at Stanford University. Kings of the World, CIA has actively recognise its ideological orientation.
limited to While reading the book, I found pointed out that funded Hollywood It is not wrong to adopt and promote
Hollywood. myself astounded by the rich tradition since the 2014 films to portray the a specific ideology. However, doing
Rather, it can of Russian literature, which depicts general election of organisation in a that at the cost of truth is vile. As
fundamentally human complexity maybe in its India, which brought positive light, justifying a result, we need to question and
be found in finest form. The more I read, the Prime Minister Narendra torture in its military corroborate what we see. By the
more I realised that my pre-existing Modi into power, Bollywood operations abroad. This mere act of identifying the rhetoric
every culture. notion of Russia as an autocratic collectively shifted towards includes the Oscar- behind what we consume, we may
dictatorship was developed through adopting a right-wing winning 2012 film effectively end up recognising when
my predominant consumption of hyper-nationalist narrative, Zero Dark Thirty, where we are trying to be dictated against
Hollywood. Russia and its history, resulting in films that otherise torture has been justified our interest and when we are being
just like any other country, cannot be the Indian-Muslim population. as a necessary evil despite fed propaganda.
captured in a binary depiction of good Although, not in equal proportion, its factual inaccuracy.
and evil. Rather, it requires adequate the Bangladeshi cultural industry too faced crackdowns from autocratic Needless to say, the dominant Fariha Lamisa is a struggling student
nuance in its portrayal, and the has largely, if not completely, failed governments. During the 1971 power structure has always made it who is currently majoring in English
country of Pushkin and Dostoevsky its minority community by hardly Bangladesh Liberation War, people difficult to narrate the tale of the at East West University. Consider
cannot get a proper representation representing them in the cultural who challenged power through art oppressed. Elites across the globe sending your well-meaning advice
in the shadow of the governance scenario. It would be difficult to find were silenced, which includes Zahir have tried with all their might to keep and consolation to her through
ILLUSTRATION:
FATIMA JAHAN ENA of Vladimir Putin and Soviet-style films or series that did an authentic Raihan. Raihan, an acclaimed film the popular mediums of storytelling email: [email protected]
 DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024, SRABAN 19, 1431 BS
T SPORTS Live from 12:30 am (Sunday)
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Alcaraz ready for

‘special’ Olympics
tennis final
It was a brilliant AFP, Paris ‘I’m going to win’.
final tournament. “I just want to give 100 per cent my
Carlos Alcaraz said it will be a “special best tennis and hopefully I reach my goal
Obviously, it’s moment” for him when he will be bidding to get the gold.”
not the perfect to add Olympic gold to his four Grand Spanish star Alcaraz, playing on the
ending. It would
have been
amazing to have
Slam titles at Roland Garros on Sunday.
On Friday when Alcaraz thrashed
Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-1,
same Roland Garros court where he won
a maiden French Open in June, broke
the 19th-ranked Auger-Aliassime three
Done in 46
won a medal. But
I feel good. I’m
happy with how
6-1 in just 75 minutes, the 21-year-old
became the youngest man to reach
the final since tennis returned to the
times in the first set, racing away with
six consecutive games.
Alcaraz broke again in the fourth and
seconds, but
it’s finished. I’m
glad that I got
Olympics at Seoul in 1988.
He will meet Novak Djokovic in
Sunday’s gold medal showdown if the
sixth games of the second set on his way
to claiming a fourth successive win over
the Canadian having lost the first three
debate goes on
to go out here top-seeded Serb overcomes a knee injury AFP, Paris
of the pair’s series.
at the Olympics and Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the second Wimbledon champion Alcaraz is
and finish on my semifinal. the fourth Spanish man to reach the Algerian boxer Imane Khelif’s 46-second win at the
terms, because at “The final is going to be a really Olympic men’s final after Jordi Arrese Paris Olympics on Thursday sparked a furious row
times in the last special moment for me, in my life, in my at Barcelona in 1992, Sergi Bruguera in about gender eligibility rules.
few years, that career, so I’m going to try and enjoy this Atlanta four years later and Rafael Nadal Italian boxer Angela Carini retired hurt and
wasn’t a certainty. moment,” said Alcaraz. who won gold at Beijing in 2008. shrugged off attempts by Khelif to shake her
“It’s going to be difficult, but it’s He now can also become the hand, before collapsing to her knees and sobbing
ANDY MURRAY also going to be special. I will try to be youngest men’s champion since uncontrollably in the middle of the ring.
after losing his last focused on myself and try not to hear all tennis returned to the Olympics in Khelif advanced to the quarterfinals of the
professional match women’s 66kg category after unloading two
this, all the fans, all the people that say 1988.
strong punches to the face of Carini, who had
blood on her shorts and was unable to carry
on because of a badly hurt nose.
“My nose started dripping (with blood)
from the first hit,” said the distressed Carini,
who also broke down in tears when talking to
Lyles to kick off double BILES, ANDRADE reporters.
The 25-year-old sobbed: “I fought very often
in the national team. I train with my brother. I’ve
dream in 100m always fought against men, but I felt too much pain

REUTERS, Paris

American Noah Lyles will bring his “main character energy” to

poised to soar today.”
Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, who was set to
fight on Friday at 57kg, were disqualified from the
2023 world championships in New Delhi run by the
the Stade de France on Saturday as he begins his quest for the AFP, Paris International Boxing Association (IBA) but deemed
Olympic sprint double in the men’s 100 metres heats. eligible to box in the women’s competition in Paris.
He failed to qualify for the shorter sprint at the Olympics US gymnastics great Simone Biles will likely have to Both boxers also competed at the Tokyo
bring out the “big guns” again on Saturday as she vies Olympics three years ago.
three years ago and won bronze in the 200 - his signature event
for her third gold medal of the Paris Olympics in a The IBA, in a statement on Wednesday, said
- before embarking on a period of self-reflection.
women’s vault final that again pits her against defending Lin and Khelif were disqualified from the world
Lyles clocked 9.81 seconds to win at the London Diamond
champion Rebeca Andrade of Brazil. championships as “a result of their failure to
League meeting in his final Olympic
Biles shook off a sub-par uneven bars routine to edge meet the eligibility criteria for participating in the
tune-up event last month, a
Andrade for all-around gold on Thursday, two days after women’s competition”.
promising sign for American “The athletes did not undergo a testosterone
she and her USA teammates captured gold.
fans. One difference-maker for Biles was her signature examination but were subject to a separate and
While most bookmakers Yurchenko double pike vault, which has a difficulty recognised test, whereby the specifics remain
would put him as a strong score so high that even with an imperfect landing she confidential,” it added.
favourite in the longer out-scored Andrade. “I wasn’t planning on it,” Biles said The International Olympic Committee is
sprint - he has not lost of opting for the double pike in all-around. running the boxing in the French capital because
a 200 metres race since “But I just knew how phenomenal of an athlete of governance, financial, and ethical issues at the
Tokyo - he could face (Andrade) is. So I was like, ‘OK, I think I have to bring out IBA.
a tougher road in the the big guns this time.” IOC spokesman Mark Adams told reporters this
100, as he takes on young To retain the vault title she won in Tokyo, where Biles week that they “are women in their passports and
challengers from the United withdrew from multiple events because of the mental it’s stated in there that they are female”.
States’ archrival Jamaica. block gymnasts call the “twisties,” Andrade might have With a host of public figures, including Italian
Oblique Seville handed him his to up her own firepower. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US presidential
only 100 loss of the season in Kingston in June The Brazilian edged Biles for the vault world title last candidate Donald Trump, weighing in on the
and Kishane Thompson set the world leading mark of 9.77 at October and has indicated she could unveil a never- matter, the debate seems to go on as Khelif is set to
the Jamaica team trials. That duo will be hungry to get their before-seen triple-twisting Yurchenko vault. If she pulls return to the ring on Saturday.
country back to the top of the podium eight years after retired that off it would carry a difficulty score of 6.0 -- closer While Meloni said the fight was “not on an
great Usain Bolt last took the gold. to the 6.4 of the double pike version now known as the equal footing”, Trump declared on his Truth Social
While the defending Olympic champion would typically Biles II. network: “I WILL KEEP MEN OUT OF WOMEN’S
command a decent share of the spotlight, Italian Lamont After her close call in the all-around, where Biles SPORTS!”
Marcell Jacobs has rarely been a factor on the track following trailed for the first time since the halfway point in Rio,
a series of injuries since his shock win in Tokyo three years ago. Biles quipped that Andrade was making her life too
Instead, Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala appeared on stressful. “I don’t want to compete with Rebeca no more.
everyone’s radar when he won his national trials in 9.79, while I’m tired!” Biles said. “It’s way too close.”
Lyles’ compatriots Kenny Bednarek and Tokyo silver medallist But she added: “I knew if I did my work, it would all
Fred Kerley remain perennial contenders. be fine.”

Cricketers to undergo fitness test

today amid unrest
SPORTS REPORTER everything is on track,” he added. member of the coaching panel to arrive medical check-up while head coach
The players will complete a 1.6km in the city on Friday night. Hathurusingha and some other
With a watchful eye on the ongoing time trial at the BNS between 6:00 The preparation will get underway members of the coaching staff failed to
unrest in the country, the Bangladesh AM to 7:30 AM under their strength with the fitness test and the players will join the side due to travel issues.
Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to go and conditioning coach Nathan Kiely begin training in Mirpur on Sunday. The first Test in Rawalpindi will take
ahead with the previously scheduled before moving to the Sher-e-Bangla Some members of the Test fold, place on August 21-25 while Karachi
physical assessment test of the cricketers National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur for who recently returned home from will host the second Test on August
in the Test fold at the Bangabandhu a gym session and other fitness tests, their Australia tour with the High 30-September 3. The series will be part
National Stadium (BNS) today. scheduled from 8:30 AM. Performance Unit where they played of the ICC World Test Championship
“We are observing the situation Kiely and other coaching staff two four-day matches against Pakistan 2023-25 cycle. The Tigers are expected
and are in communication with the including head coach Chandika Shaheens, will not take the fitness test. to fly to Pakistan on August 17. Playing on his PSG home ground, Morocco
management. Our prime focus is to Hathurusingha have already reached Earlier, several members of the However, some players like Mushfiqur captain Achraf Hakimi put on a player-of-the-
ensure everyone’s safety, not just the Dhaka ahead of the Tigers’ preparation Test fold had played two intra-squad Rahim and Mominul Haque will travel match performance as his side outclassed the
players,” BCB cricket operations in- camp for their two-match Test series practice matches during their camp in to Pakistan on August 6 as part of the United States on Friday to reach the semifinals
charge Shahriar Nafees told The Daily against Pakistan. Chattogram last month. Bangladesh A team to feature in their of the Olympics men’s football. Hakimi was
Star on Friday. Spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto opening four-day game against their among the scorers as Morocco, who will play
“We will take the final decision after Ahmed, who will oversee the spinners missed the practice matches as Pakistani counterparts, scheduled on either Japan or Spain in Monday’s semifinal in
observing the entire day. But as of now, during the Pakistan series, was the last he travelled to Thailand for a August 10-13. Marseille, dispatched the USA 4-0 in front of a
packed crowd. PHOTO: REUTERS

ARCHERY 8:20 PM Sunday, 12:55 AM CYCLING ROAD FENCING ROWING Shooting Sunday, 3:12 AM Sunday, 1:58 AM
Women’s Individual Men’s Pommel Horse Women’s 100m Men’s Road Race 11:00 PM Women’s Single Sculls 25m Pistol Women’s SWIMMING TABLE TENNIS
TODAY’S

9:16 PM Sunday, 1:20 AM 2:18 PM 1:30 PM Men’s 100m Butterfly

RUSH

3:00 PM Women’s Sabre Team Women’s Singles

GOLD

6:46 PM
ATHLETICS Men’s Decathlon Sunday, 12:00 AM Women’s Eight Skeet Men’s Sunday, 12:30 AM 6:30 PM
ARTISTIC 1500m EQUESTRIAN 7:30 PM
Men’s Shot Put 2:50 PM Women’s 200m TENNIS
GYMNASTICS Sunday, 1:45 AM Dressage Team Grand JUDO
11:35 PM Men’s Eight SURFING Individual Medley Women’s Singles
Men’s Floor Exercise Prix Special Mixed Team 3:10 PM
Women’s Triple Jump BADMINTON Men’s Sunday, 1:08 AM 4:00 PM
7:30 PM Sunday, 12:20 AM Women’s Doubles 2:00 PM 9:24 PM Men’s Single Sculls Sunday, 2:00 AM Mixed 4x100 Medley Men’s Doubles
Women’s Vault 4x400 Relay Mixed 8:10 PM 2:30 PM Women’s Relay 4:00 PM
 City

12 DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024, SRABAN 19, 1431 BS

‘Statement from 78 HSC

DB office was examinees
not voluntary’ get bail
Say six organisers about the They were arrested
withdrawal of programmes in cases over violence
centring quota protests
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
STAR REPORT
The six key organisers of the quota reform movement
yesterday said they did not voluntarily issue the A total of 78 HSC examinees, who
statement to withdraw their movement and that it was were arrested over the recent violence
forcibly filmed during their detention at the Detective centring quota reform protests in Dhaka,
Branch (DB) office. Chattogram, and Khulna divisions,
“Since July 19, the coordinators of the anti- secured bail yesterday.
discrimination student movement have been missing, Among them, 55 students got bail
arrested, tortured, and harassed to foil the movement. in Dhaka division, 14 in Chattogram
Subsequently, six coordinators were detained in DB division, six in Khulna division and three
custody for seven days in the name of ‘security’. Although in Rangpur division.
the home minister and the DB chief talked about Despite being a weekend, the courts
security, they kept us in DB custody to isolate us from the convened on Friday at the special initiative
movement,” the statement said. of Law Minister Anisul Huq, a ministry
The statement was signed by Nahid Islam, Sarjis Alam, press release said.
Hasnat Abdullah, Asif Mahmud, Nusrat Tabassum, and Workers unloading salt from a boat on Gulzar canal in Chattogram city’s Majhirghat area. Waste thrown into the canal from The initiative was taken considering
Abu Baker Majumdar. factories, markets, and homes ultimately ends up in the Karnaphuli river, polluting both the water bodies. The photo was that those who were arrested still had to
SEE PAGE 6 COL 5 taken recently. PHOTO: RAJIB RAIHAN SEE PAGE 6 COL 2

105 more held in Israel’s ‘end getting Facebook again

nationwide drives closer than ever’ blocked for 7hrs
STAR REPORT Palak apologises to the youth
Says Hamas after its leader Haniyeh buried in Qatar for internet disruption
Police yesterday arrested at least 105 more people as the nationwide
crackdown on alleged saboteurs as well as quota protesters and REUTERS, DUBAI city of Lusail after a funeral ceremony at the STAFF CORRESPONDENT
opposition activists continues. Iman Mohamed Ibn Abd Al-Wahhab Mosque in
Of them, 28 were arrested in the capital, and 77 in seven districts, Hamas’ top leader Ismail Haniyeh was buried Qatar’s capital Doha. Mobile internet users were unable to access their
said police. At least 52 were held in Noakhali, 17 in Rajshahi, and eight in Qatar yesterday following his assassination His coffin, draped in the Palestinian flag,
in Laxmipur, Madaripur, Bogura, Natore and Barishal. Facebook and Messenger accounts for approximately 7
in the Iranian capital Tehran as senior officials was carried in a procession past hundreds of hours yesterday due to a government-enforced shutdown
Dhaka Metropolitan Police produced those arrested in the capital
before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The court of Hamas and other mourners said their fight people along with the casket of his bodyguard, of the services.
sent most of them to jail and placed some in custody. against Israel would intensify. who was killed in the same attack in Tehran on The restrictions on the social media services began
At least 11,052 people have been arrested since the drives began on His death was one in a series of killings of Wednesday. around noon and continued around 7:00pm, said sources
July 18. The arrestees include students, BNP, and Jamaat-Shibir leaders senior Hamas figures as Israel’s offensive in Gaza Mourners at the ceremony included Khaled with knowledge of the development.
and activists. nears its 11th month and concern grows that the Meshaal, who is tipped to be the new Hamas The decision coincided with today’s nationwide
Numerous cases have been filed accusing several thousand named conflict is spreading across the Middle East. leader. Other senior Hamas officials and Qatar’s programme announced by the Anti-Discrimination
SEE PAGE 6 COL 6 Haniyeh was laid to rest in a cemetery in the SEE PAGE 6 COL 5 SEE PAGE 6 COL 2

China’s Long Daoyi

and Wang Zongyuan
compete in the men’s
synchronised 3m
springboard diving final
at the Paris 2024 Olympic
Games at the Aquatics
Centre in Saint-Denis
yesterday. The duo
won the gold as China
continued to lead the
medals tally with USA in
second and Great Britain
in third position.

PHOTO: AFP

France’s
medals
strategy
paying off
REUTERS, Paris

A French strategy to
boost its medal count
after years of sporting
underachievement has
begun to pay dividends
at the Paris Olympics as
rapturous home crowds
propel its athletes up the
medals table, although
keeping up the pace
may prove hard.
One week into the
Paris Games, France has
won eight golds and 27
medals in total. Since
Atlanta in 1996, France
has averaged 37 medals
per Olympics, a Reuters
calculation shows.
France’s early
improvement is the fruit
of a seven-year plan that
it hopes will position it
as a long-term Olympics
heavyweight.
It is based on
promoting excellence
in sports clubs and
federations and zeroing
in on medal hopes,
as well as bringing
families closer to the
action, providing more
performance support
teams and capitalising
on home advantage -
SEE PAGE 6 COL 1
 WEEKEND READ DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024

WR1 SRABAN 19, 1431 BS

The main touristy appeal is the backwaters of Barishal, an incredible labyrinthine system of intersected canals, Fishermen unload wicker baskets full of hilsa at the river ghat in Barishal. The wholesale market in the city’s Port
which makes for an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience. PHOTO: TITU DAS Road buzzes with activities during hilsa season.

Barishal, a serene escape

amid nature’s bounty
RAFFAT BINTE RASHID “I went looking for my old house, attraction of these rides is the floating this city can be joyful.
my first school, and the Guthia guava and lemon market. There is also THE MUCH-FREQUENTED PLACES
Surrounded by tall coconut and mosque, an amazing architectural feat a boat market,” he added. Barishal has its healthy share of
betel nut trees, picturesque ponds, surrounded by manicured gardens, The moist mud along the canals is rich history, being one of the oldest
and lagoons -- the green countryside guarded by a big flock of swans. The perfect for the local variety of guava, municipalities and river ports of
makes Barishal a great city for local Baitul Aman Jame Masjid Complex hog plum, and lemon. The fruit Bengal. It was said that the economy
“Now with tourism. This mid-southern part of commonly known as Guthia Mosque, orchards extend a minimum of two of Bengal was dependent on the
Padma Bridge, Bangladesh, with an amazing diversity is inspired by Islamic architecture, the miles around the canal system and economy of Barishal because its
it has become in aqua-nature, is an unpolluted, tidy mosque complex stands on 14 acres the trees almost bend down on the fertile land, consisting of silt, was
possible to go city that is lush all over. of land, with 20 domes, and there are side and you can reach out for the excellent for agriculture and was thus
on day trips As soon as you turn left, past the three lakes surrounding the mosque fruits from your boat. considered the granary of Bengal.
Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway, you fall in a manner that reflects the whole The biodiversity of the backwater As history and folklore point out,
to Barishal. mosque from different angles. of Barishal is an astounding,
on the Bhanga-Barishal-Patuakhali the city, located on the north bank
I started highway and you are welcomed “Several calligraphies of complex clockwork of nature. A man of the Bay of Bengal in southern
at 6:00am by a canopy of old trees Ayatul Kursi and Surah Ar- surrounded by thick green vegetation Bangladesh and surrounded by many
and reached lined on both sides Rahman are inscribed and an aquatic ecosystem makes rivers, was once called the Venice of
Barishal by of the road leading around the mosque for an interdependent living. Each the East.
to the city. Traffic walls. It envelopes household has basket fishing traps, Famous tourist attractions include
10:00am. you in a spiritual which are dipped into the river with the Durga Sagar -- a sanctuary for
on these roads
I booked a is not much, so calmness, as its open end, when it is lifted, the birds, and a haven for fishing -- a vast
room at a the noise and air you sit in the water drains off and the catches are lake with a total area of about 25 PHOTO: COLLECTED
local hotel pollution in cities corridors,” picked. hectares (62 acres).
Ahmed, 76, says. This makes for a scrumptious lunch Bibir Pukur, right in the middle of Not only the highway, even roads,
and allowed like Barishal,
lanes, and thoroughfares inside the
and Faridpur are “We feasted with taro and other greens that grow a busy thoroughfare, is another well-
my driver to on a lavish lunch in abundance on their homestead. known historical place. The pond city are lined with tall trees.
rest, while I at a minimum
level; at least for
hired their Dhakaites, that is.
colourful Not only the
tempo highway, even roads,
and went lanes, and thoroughfares
sightseeing.” inside the city are lined with old
rain trees or “rendi” as the locals call
it. Amazingly, each tree is covered
in a lush growth of epiphytic plants
like wild ferns, orchids, hoya, and
moss, hugging the trunk with their
green leaves and flowers cascading
and dangling down, co-existing most
harmoniously, lending a dreamy feel
to the whole ambiance of this laid-
back city.
Barishal is truly beautiful.
“Now with Padma Bridge, it has
become possible to go on day trips
to Barishal. I started at 6:00am
and reached Barishal by 10:00am.
I booked a room at a local hotel and
allowed my driver to rest, while I
hired their colourful tempo and went
sightseeing,” says Rosie Ahmed, who
was a resident of the city during her
childhood. The Baitul Aman Jame Masjid
PHOTO: TITU DAS
Complex, commonly known as Guthia
Bibir Pukur, right in the middle of a busy thoroughfare, is a well-known historical place in Barishal city. Mosque. PHOTO: STAR

of hilsa in mustard paste, and thick The bamboo fences or machas are full is named after Jinath Bibi, who had Kirtankhola. History says there were
lentil curry and headed towards the of hanging seasonal vegetables like the pond dug in 1908 to give relief to 30 go-downs to store rice, which were
hilsa ‘arodh’ [wholesale market]. Our kakrol or teasel gourd and other leafy the locals from the suffering of water dispatched and distributed from there
reason for this day trip was to bag the greens; dead betel nut tree trunks shortage. to other districts. The al-fresco-styled
big Padma hilsas. Then, we started our make their shako or makeshift bridge Zilla school, the vertically huge food court and small two-storied
return to Dhaka around 4:00pm and placed across the narrow canals to go structure of Barisal Medical College, hut-like restaurants offer a variety
reached the capital by 10:00pm. It was from one house to another. and the famous Govt Brojomohun of snacks as diverse as jhalmuri and
an amazing adventure,” Ahmed relays “Living in this remote place is College, commonly known as BM
stress-free, locals make do syrupy waffles to phuchka, chotpoti,
the details of their trip. College, founded in 1889, is one
If you plan to spend a weekend with whatever nature and bite-sized Bombay shingaras.
of the oldest institutions “Craft shops line the river
in Barishal, The Grand Park Hotel provides. In these rural of higher education
ensures a five-star stay with well- households, life is as banks along the Bhanga Bazar by
in Bangladesh. All
designed suites, a lavish breakfast organic as it can be. Kirtankhola. They also offer rental
these places have
Moving through the backwaters of Barishal, one surrenders to spread, swimming pool with steam Moving through trawler rides on the Kirtankhola, a river
their foundation
nature, the heavy silence in these deep areas is only interrupted and sauna facilities. Their hospitality the backwaters that is 160 kilometres,” says Chompa,
grounded in history
when the boat’s oar slowly moves the water or when a bird will want you to go back again. of Barishal, you while talking enthusiastically about
from the colonial
chirps. PHOTO: COLLECTED “The main touristy appeal is the surrender to why Barishal can be your next tourist
nature, the heavy era.
backwaters of Barishal, an incredible destination.
labyrinthine system of intersected silence in these Bell’s Park is
You soak in the serenity of the
canals, which makes for an amazing, deep areas is only another example
of Barishal’s flowing river view and be mesmerised
once-in-a-lifetime experience. You interrupted when like Jibanananda Das with beautiful
can take a dinghy boat and row your the boat’s oar slowly British-Bengal
connection. Situated Barishal -- serene with wide roads,
way through narrow canals, which moves the water or glistening ponds at intervals, dotted
are just wide enough for the boat to when a bird chirps. The at the heart of Barishal
is the Bangabandhu Udyan, by tall coconut trees, the big neon sign
maneuver. For the wider canals, you silence is so intense that it gets
popularly known as Bell’s Park. This of “I love Barishal” at the city centre
can hire motorised trawlers,” says says to you at one point,” quips Chompa
Zahidul Haque Babul, who has his Hossain, a student who resides on the historic urban park adjacent to a by the Planet Park compliments the
roots in Barishal but lives in Dhaka for banks of a canal. She was perched up riverside road has a playground, a cityscape.
his businesses on a pier, selling green coconuts from walkway, and a helipad, all encircled by Barishal is Bangladesh’s third
“This is a great source of her smallholding. old trees. The park was constructed in largest financial hub after Dhaka and
entertainment for the young residents From hand-churned butter to 1896 by ND Beatson-Bell to celebrate Chattogram. The south of Bangladesh
and tourists, they play the latest Bangla roshgollas, from hilsa wholesale the visit of Sir Alexander Mackenzie, is lush and unaltered away from the
Durga Sagar, a vast lake with a total area of about 25 hectares (62 and Hindi hits, blasting through the markets to Arabian restaurants like lieutenant-governor of Bengal. tide of urbanisation. It’s the perfect
acres). PHOTO: TITU DAS
big loudspeakers. They just dive and Huma Hum [which means feasting Another historical place turned local tourism destination to unwind.
frolic in the canals to cool off, their together] serving the best Arabian into a happening leisure destination Barishal is truly “God’s own
happiness is contagious. The main rice dish called khabsa, a weekend in is the “Tirish Godown” by the river country”.
WR2 LITERATURE
DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024
SRABAN 19, 1431 BS

FICTION

HASIB UR RASHID IFTI

Pest control leaflet distributed by the mayor? These
vaccines are genetically modified in
Geronimo rushed inside the hole such a manner that it will only affect
coughing, somehow managing to the anti-republics. Roaches like us
shut the door behind him. His mother will be safe from its effects even if we
It says right Telapatra grabbed her son, hugging her accidentally fall in the attack radius.”
here–the tight for an instant before smacking The silent treatment from his
him across the back. “How many times wife and son angered Mr Telaroach
casualties did I tell you not to go out at this hour?” even more. “Look, the mayor’s even
have been cried Telapatra. distributing gas masks at a discounted
somewhere “They’re spraying insecticides rate! There’s no pleasing y’all anymore”,
under a everywhere”, coughed Geronimo, “I saw he said while putting on the gas mask
hundred”, it with my own eyes.” to show Geronimo.
“Those are for the affected ones Suddenly, a shell burst right through
declared Mr only”, commented an unbothered Mr the window of the Telaroach household.
Telaroach, Telaroach, Geronimo’s father. Before Mr Telaroach could run towards
reading The Telapatra looked at her husband his wife and son, a huge explosion
Daily Roach with cold eyes, giving him the signal to threw him across the drawing room
out loud to shut up for once, which really isn’t Mr and against the wall.
Telaroach’s area of expertise. Geronimo, When he woke up minutes later, Mr
his revolting still in disbelief at his father’s lack of Telaroach crawled across piles of rubble
son and an empathy, burst into tears, “I was there, and, as the dust finally settled, he could
unconvinced Papa! I saw cockroaches my age lose see Geronimo and Telapatra lying on
yet silent wife, consciousness and drop dead within their backs, covered in bricks and rods,
“I believe it’s seconds. I even saw our neighbour Mr presumably dead.
even less. The Telaowski’s son lying unconscious in The attacks on Roachtown that night
ILLUSTRATION: MAISHA SYEDA
front of their curb.” were the final blow on the revolution
Daily Roach “Oh, that little runt”, Mr Telaroach with casualties crossing 10,000 in a
make sure it was strengthened under the protest in its bud before it could under control. ‘The true cockroaches
has always sounded annoyed, “They’re the ones the current regime. turn into a revolution. of Roachtown’—as mayor Roacher had single night. When the bodies were too
been a bit spreading this disease and forcing the Although the new vaccine put a halt Mayor Roacher knew that two labelled them and congratulated them many for the mayor to hide, he wrote an
anti-republic. authorities to take such measures. Have on the rot, victims mysteriously died measurements were needed before his for keeping their trust in the republic. emergency instruction for the victims’
you seen his face? He looks like one of other reasons within weeks. The forces could clean house—cease all To the mayor’s displeasure, the families to be broadcasted via flying
of those insurgents—his entire family authority put out a notice suggesting modes of communication and control situation kept worsening and he had roaches all across Roachtown.
does.” the epidemic had been successfully what the public gets to know. For the no option but to launch smokes of Mr Telaroach was holding his wife
Tears kept rolling down Geronimo’s tackled and the mysterious deaths first measure, all telephone lines were the same vaccine at the gathered and son, still in shock, when he heard
cheeks as he stared at his unbothered were completely unrelated to the cut across the town and flying was crowd, only multiple doses stronger, the declaration in the loudspeaker,
father. He choked out a quick burst vaccinations. While the authority- prohibited until further notice. Now that intense enough for the rioters to lose “Victims’ family members are instructed
of laughter out of rage and disbelief funded celebrations riled up the city and the unregulated flow of information consciousness and die in under a not to panic. As you know, the vaccines
before rushing to his room. Roachtown declared itself a ‘rot-free ceased, it was time to control and minute. To their horror, the casualties only affect the anti-republics. If you’re
The situation in Roachtown city’, an independent study about the modify it. The mayor called an urgent reached thousands within a week. confident that your loved one is not an
worsened after an epidemic of rot vaccine was leaked by a whistleblower meeting with newspaper editors: “The “It says right here—the casualties anti-republic, you’re instructed to dig a
disease spread across the town, within the Health Ministry. The study headlines will be sent to you right have been somewhere under a hole behind your household and bury
affecting cockroaches of all ages and showed clear correlations between the after midnight”, they ordered. “You hundred”, declared Mr Telaroach, them as soon as possible. Not following
causing their skin and wings to rot vaccine and the mysterious deaths that can work overnight, fill in the gaps and reading The Daily Roach out loud to his this procedure will automatically
within a few days. In response, the followed and the authority’s efforts print them by the morning. If you don’t revolting son and an unconvinced yet result in labelling the victim as an anti-
authority imported vaccines from the to hide it. The whistleblower, Telward want to end up like The Roach Times, silent wife, “I believe it’s even less. The republic and the household will be
faraway lands of Roachland at cheap Roachden, was found dead in his home I suggest you listen to my suggestions, Daily Roach has always been a bit anti- issued an anti-republic certificate by
rates. The motive was mostly to rebuild the next day. stop printing misinformation and stop republic.” our officials.”
a friendly relation with the town, which Following the leak, protests broke creating panic in times of emergency.” “Just look out the window, Papa!” Mr Telaroach quickly rushed to the
had been otherwise strained for years.] out all across Roachtown as crowds Most roaches knew the mayor’s howled Geronimo, “They’re spraying shed behind his house and grabbed a
to [The motive was mostly to rebuild a numbering up to thousands gathered strategies and didn’t believe the the pesticide everywhere as we speak. shovel. He had a long night ahead of
friendly relation, which had otherwise outside the town centre. It was unlike newspapers anymore. While they were There isn’t even a crowd out there. him.
been strained for years, with the town. anything Roachtown authority had still on the streets putting their lives on They’re just targeting neighbourhoods
The friendship between the two towns ever seen before or expected for that the line, some roaches like Mr Telaroach now.” Hasib Ur Rashid Ifti is a writer and a
meant a lot to the authority and they matter. The mayor, Julius Roacher, were gullible enough to believe whole- “It’s a vaccine, not pesticide”, scolded student of Bangladesh University of
were willing to take any measures to decided it was time to go hard and nip heartedly that everything truly was Mr Telaroach, “And didn’t you read the Engineering and Technology.

POETRY

Bulbul pakhi
FARAH MASUD

“Attention passengers.
The next train arriving is a B train traveling westbound towards Boston College.
Please stand clear of the closing doors.”
Hop on, squeeze
between bodies against bodies against face
against bags and sweaty hands of children.
Swing back and forth,
catch yourself from falling into someone’s lap instead,
knock your head on sticky glass,
tossing and turning on squeaky tracks.
Taste, the tang of rusty metal, sweetness of snacks.
Stop, collect more bodies. ILLUSTRATION: AMREETA LETHE
Squeeze, make space.
Breathe, as little as possible. POETRY
Tossing and turning on squeaky tracks.
It’s 8:30 pm and the sun is just setting.
Back home the sun would’ve set long before. A man walks
Right now the Isha Azaan would be blaring.
But here–
the final screech of wheels on the rails,
into a bar
bodies against bodies against stroller against FAIZA RAMIM
doors.
Hop off, breathe. a man walks into a bar but he looks like a little boy
A quiet lull. except for his eyes that wrinkle around the edges
Gaze at the dying sun, (this is the start of a joke)
cinnamon-lavender sky, a man walks into a bar looking like a little boy
memories of a lullaby. but the bartender decides to cut him some slack.
Bulbul pakhi moyna tiye after all, he passed the initial inspection;
Ayna ja na gaan shuniye. and he looks like he could use a drink.
Birds you can no longer find—hear his timid stance, nervous stare and jittery legs
them sing make him look out of place
Songs of distant forests that could supposedly come from carrying a fake id
and blue rivers, or from being in the sight of too many people.
Dur dur boner gaan that man of course, is you.
Nil nil nodir gaan. and you are not a little boy.
Set aside milk, rice, and shondesh but it’s an easy mistake to make;
Dudhbhaat debo shondesh makhiye... the way you always sleep in a foetal position
Watch them go stale or the way you feel too much
and forgotten– but can never put them in words.
Cling a curious case; but not an unsolvable one.
to the tune of your mother’s voice, until your eyes speak up and apart from the rest
guiding yours of you
to a time trapped in a chrysalis. they say how you almost obsessively take the
Your first song on stage longest of walks
She taught you to sing or the way you are unfazed in thunderstorms
All this time you thought it was about birds in the sky, and it’s the quiet you that makes you flinch.
But was it really about you are a monolith of contradictions,
long-winded goodbyes? but you could use a drink.
Jhilmil jhilmil jhorna jethay so you are offered a drink.
Kulkul kulkul roj boye jay which you unceremoniously almost immediately
Byangoma byangomi golpo shunay spit out from your mouth. So childish
Rajar kumar ponkhiraj chore jay. inside your hand there is a punchline
Bhorbela pakhna mele diye tora– inside the other, there is a keepsake
Eli ki bolna shei desh beriye? dug out from the bottom of a well
Bulbul pakhi moyna tiye from what appears to be buttons.
Ayna ja na gaan shuniye. When you are rushed to the hospital
the sound of sirens lull you to sleep.
Farah Masud is a collector of stories, seeker of metaphor in daily life, and weaver
ILLUSTRATION: MAISHA SYEDA of terrible rhymes. Faiza Ramim is a final year student of BBA at the
University of Dhaka. She likes to watch sad films
and write sad poems.
 SHOWBIZ WR3
DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024
SRABAN 19, 1431 BS

REBELLION IN CINEMA

October: Ten Days That Shook

the World (1927)

ILLUSTRATION: DOWEL BISWAS

Valiant voices against brute force

THE FEARLESS UPSTARTS I Am Cuba (1964)

OF BANGLA RAP
DOWEL BISWAS songs. line “You can cut all the flowers but you quota reform, chants the claim of the
Rapper Hannan Hossain Shimul, who cannot keep spring from coming,” these protesters, “Quota or Merit?”.
If your time to you is worth savin’ has recently come into the spotlight fiery artistes are a voice that no oppressing “I dream of change,
And you better start swimmin’ for his hit rebel rap Awaaz Utha, was entity could ever stop. …As death visits my life.
Or you’ll sink like a stone arrested on July 25 in Narayanganj’s Another rapper Shezan, popularly Chanting slogans, my voice cracks,
For the times they are a-changin’ Bhuighor area. known as Shezan Beatz, released his rap Counting bullet scars on my chest.”
As Bob Dylan, often considered as one Ironically, he starts his song by track Kotha Ko on July 16, which had Most of these songs speak of the same
of the greatest songwriters of history incorporating Bangabandhu Sheikh gathered over 1.6 million views, making the demands, cries, chants we hear through
puts it on his revolutionary anthem The Mujibur Rahman’s historic 7th March YouTube trending list shouts, chants, slogans, in poetry and
Times They Are A-Changin’. Dylan later speech, with a chorus that tells us to with the following spirit. They are of the
recalled writing the song as a deliberate call out freedom through Awaaz Utha lyrics. same message
attempt to create an anthem of change Bangladesh. Hannan’s lyrics loosely “Where’s the with different
for the moment, to capture the spirit translate to: difference between words put
of social and political upheaval that “Bengalis are no fools, we won’t fall for 52 and 24? Speak together
characterised the 1960s. However, it’s every trick they throw, up! elo quen tly ,
weirdly satisfying to find that time echoes …Sayeed, I’m taking the bullet, smiling If the country beautifully
its own course, speaking the truth no at the barrel’s call, claims freedom, and blatantly,
matter what and where–it does always Student voices rise, commands come where’s the looking eye The Battle of Algiers (1966)
sing for the oppressed. from the hall.” freedom? Speak to eye with a
The song finds a weird sense of Hannan’s song, which sought freedom up! higher power.
autonomy alongside the protesters on the of speech, had gathered over 600,000 Joining in
My siblings die
streets, musicians, singers, rappers, from views on YouTube and was trending on the rebellious
on the streets,
all walks of life – the voice of youth and the #5 in music category voices are
are you even
country now, are screaming till August 1. The Chobbisher
trying? Speak
with an song emphasised Guerrilla by
up!”
u n t r u m p a ble the strength of the rap group by
Another
tool that no the same name
music in rebellion rap song, Gold
oppressing (trending #18
as it stands, Cube and Scary
entity could on YouTube for
as a cultural Crow’s Desh
ever tame– music),Omix’s
movemen t , Shongskar,
poetry, lyricism Rokto, Mcc-e
mirroring the also borrows
and music. Mac and Gk
same values, from a historic
It’s incredible Kibria’s Inquilab,
empowering speech from Bangabandhu. In the song,
how modified L a z y Panda O’seven
individuals to they demand answers from the ruling
slogans, songs, and Dashu’s Freedom ain’t free,
express their party for the mass imprisonment, usage of
a n t h e m s Crown Engine’s Daam De, Flag Bang’s
surrounding our truths and oppressive methods of handling peaceful Godi Chhar, Chef-IQ’s Bangla Ma,
Liberation War confront societal students and protestors on the streets Raafky’s Odhikaar, Coldcraft and
of 1971 are being challenges. urging for a rightful demand, merit- Bihan’s Bayanno, Mascot’s Freedom?,
uttered on the However, his based assessment and opportunities. His Wakeup Hadi’s Shokuner Chokh, and
streets to support non - p ol i t ic a l lyrics read, “Rebellion every time..not Rafsan Ahmed Siam’s Joy Bangla, while
the quota reform stance couldn’t for jobs, stipends, but dignity...in a land many others have become the voice of
movement that save him ruled by tyrants, where thieves feast, more the bleeding country whose sons and
has been raging in from being students die than birds from bullets,” the daughters are on the streets fighting for
the country for the imprisoned song carries out with this message. their cause.
Alor Michil (1974)
past month. Bangla u n d e r Rap song, Desh Kar? by Lunatix Veer These young upstarts of Bangla rap
has always been a unknown clauses of the law and and Rhythmsta, speaks no different have achieved a feat that the mainstream
land where political resurgence has been jurisdiction. than its predecessors, carrying the same music industry in Bangladesh could
dealt and stood on the stronghold of its Dozens of rap songs came to spirit of resistance and uprising, which never achieve in this decade -- point their
cultural heritage. People have raged wars, prominence in the span of only a month came back to us in every generation, the valiant, unsheathed, and belligerent voice
formed rebellion through the purest form to stand alongside the thousands of only difference perhaps is its usage of against the guns of the oppressors.
of art, the voice of the revolution always protestors across Bangladesh, voicing contemporary Bangla as a language.
has been laid on this landscape with their demands and speaking of what the Quota na Medha?, dedicated to The rap verses have been translated
cultural dignity and opulence, through imprisoned, ‘beaten up’ and ‘silenced’ Abu Sayeed, who died after being shot into English for the readers’
its songs, poems, graffiti and mass folk could not. Like Pablo Neruda’s famous by rubber bullet while protesting for the convenience.

1-MINUTE REVIEW
Silent cries and enduring WHAT’S PLAYING

impact of ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ AWAAZ UTHA

Awaaz Utha by Hannan, a chord with listeners. Its
produced and mastered by compelling intro, Raise your
SnareByt, is a powerful rebel voice, Bangladesh, calls for
rap song that begins with justice and resilience against
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur societal injustices.
Rahman’s historic 7th March The intro of the song loosely The Revolution Will Not Be
speech.
Released on July 18, the track
translates to: Raise your voice, Televised (2003)
Bangladesh, raise your voice//
emphasises the importance
of freedom of speech and the So much blood on the streets,
courage to resist oppression, raise your voice//Raise your
aligning with Hip Hop’s core voice, Bangladesh, raise your
values. With 381k views in just voice//Who fired the shots on
12 days and trending at #9 on the streets?//Raise your voice,
YouTube, the song has struck Bangladesh.

A forlorn, devastating, yet enrapturing Yokokawa were forced to leave their

Studio Ghibli production that will forever abusive aunt’s home after staying there
remain as one of the flagbearers of too long.
Japanese credo and stand the test of time It is Seita’s hard-and-fast ideal of never
is Grave of the Fireflies. having to settle for abuse or mistreatment,
Released in 1988, this Isao Takahata- which is often associated with being
directed anime film tells the story of Japanese, that prevents him from either
two military siblings who endure the seeking help or even accepting help from
consequences of surviving the end of a people who willingly lend a hand.
losing war, marred by the death of their The film derives its meaning from the
mother and the uncertain return of their bond between the brother and her sister.
father, who works in the Japanese Navy. Scarcely finding kindness in a war-ridden
In March 1945, as the Pacific War and nearly apathetic atmosphere, Seita
neared its end, American Boeing B-29 goes above and beyond to provide his
Superfortress bombers obliterated beloved younger sister, Setsuko, with the
much of the city of Kobe. Following comforting images of a world that was too
their mother’s death, Seita and Setsuko harsh and unforgiving.
WR4 BUSINESS PLUS
DHAKA SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024
SRABAN 19, 1431 BS

PHOTO: AFP

JOB-SCARCE ECONOMY
Frustration runs deep among a generation of graduates as too
many unemployed young people chase too few jobs
MD ASADUZ ZAMAN This is despite the private sector The remaining jobs were filled sector job among graduates was
being the engine of the economy, based on merit. evident from their participation in the
The recent unrest stemming from a growing by 6 percent on average since In the wake of massive student BCS examination as around 4.75 lakh
student movement seeking reforms 2000. protests in 2018, the government applications were registered for the
to the quota policy for government However, university graduates reformed the quota system. preliminary examination of the 41st
jobs boiled over into violence after the do not prefer the private sector However, following a writ petition, BCS and 4.35 lakh for the 43rd BCS.
initially peaceful protest was allegedly unless they can find jobs in banks or the High Court reversed that decision However, competition is fierce.
Except attacked by an opposing party. multinational companies. in June this year. For example, after the 43rd BCS,
for public Then, between July 18 and 25, Factors like low salaries, a lack of This led to the reinstatement of the Bangladesh Public Service
service and there was an internet outage and the job security, high workloads and a the quota system and students once Commission recommended 2,805
a few private government imposed a nationwide
casual jobs within the national
companies, curfew in a bid to restore order. People
territory or abroad.
were understandably anxious at the
job security At present, the country has nearly
time as they were cut off from almost
is scarce in 26 lakh unemployed people, with
all communication and had no idea
Bangladesh. 21.46 lakh or almost 83 percent aged
what may come next.
between 15 to 29.
Only a few And although things have slowly
Additionally, around 68 lakh people
private improved since then, seeing the are underutilised and are suffering
companies lengths people would go to for a from underemployment. Of them,
better chance at working in civil
comply with services begs the question: what is so
13.18 lakh are graduates.
the labour Sayema Haque Bidisha, a professor of
appealing about government jobs? economics at the University of Dhaka,
law. Ahmed Reza (not his real name), believes that high unemployment has
Syed Sultan Uddin a former student of economics created frustration and anger among
Ahmmed, at Jahangirnagar University, first graduates.
Former executive appeared at the Bangladesh Civil “Graduates are more interested in
director of Service (BCS) examination in 2017.
Bangladesh Institute
public jobs for job security and social
He has taken the exam five times status,” she said.
of Labour Studies since, and reached the viva voce twice, Besides, not all graduates have the
but on all occasions he failed to secure necessary skills for private jobs. This
a coveted government job. skill mismatch leads many to go for
He was assigned a non-cadre post government jobs, exposing the lack of
in the 40th BCS, but didn’t join as he upskilling support, she added.
“We need to develop our academic
lack of post-retirement benefits are to again took to the streets to protest the candidates for different cadre and
curriculum and provide soft skills to
blame for the indifference, according decision. non-cadre positions.
the graduates as per the job sectors’
to an analyst. Eventually, the peaceful movement “Except for public service and a
requirements.”
Despite this, a large number of turned violent, leading to the death few private companies, job security
Sabuj Sarker, who graduated in
educated candidates have no choice of at least 204 people, many of whom is scarce in Bangladesh. Only a few mass communication and journalism
but to turn to the private sector. were students. private companies comply with the from Rajshahi University in 2019 and
But there are simply not enough However, the Supreme Court labour law,” Ahmmed added. is currently preparing for public jobs,
jobs, which is reflected in the high upheld the order to reform the He further said the starting salary said some private firms offer higher
unemployment rate among people quota system on July 21, increasing for most private jobs is Tk 20,000 perks and benefits than public jobs,
with tertiary education. the merit-based recruitment in civil to Tk 25,000, while their cohorts in but most of them are Dhaka-based.
Among graduates, 28 percent were service to 93 percent. government jobs get almost double Khondaker Golam Moazzem,
unemployed in 2022, estimated to be Shortly after, the government alongside other benefits. research director of the Centre for
around 8 lakh of the total unemployed issued a circular, saying only 7 percent “There is deep-rooted Policy Dialogue (CPD), said there are
population, according to the Labour would secure jobs through various discrimination in terms of social 12 lakh government employees in
PHOTO: AMRAN HOSSAIN Force Survey 2022 by the Bangladesh quotas. dignity and job security and that’s why Bangladesh.
Bureau of Statistics (BBS). “Private jobs paid around three the recent protest was not confined He added that the majority of
had greater aspirations. Graduates also remain unemployed times more than public jobs. But when to quota reform -- it was also for employment is in the private sector. So,
Despite the failures, he didn’t go for for a long time, as nearly 20 percent the government announced a higher raising the voice of many unemployed jobs for graduates haven’t increased
any private sector job either. wait for two years for a job, while 15 pay scale in 2015, it reduced the gap graduates,” said Ahmmed. alongside demand.
Instead, he took a different exam percent remain jobless for more than significantly. So public jobs became As per the BBS, the unemployment “Our job structure is shaped like the
and joined a government office as an two years, as per the BBS data. more popular,” said SM Zulfiqar Ali, rate in Bangladesh was 3.5 percent Eiffel Tower. We have available jobs for
11th-grade official. He was posted in Against this backdrop, university research director at the Bangladesh in 2022, which he said was due to a low-skilled and less educated persons.
Chapainawabganj, a northwestern students demanded the government Institute of Development Studies faulty definition. But we do not have enough managerial
district. But he continued to strive in reform the quota system for public (BIDS). According to the definition, a or white-collar jobs, which is why
future BCS exams. sector jobs. He attributed other factors like person is considered employed if he many educated young people leave the
“The private sector is full of “The high unemployment rate pensions, fiscal benefits, and the or she works for even a single hour country,” he said.
uncertainties. Layoffs can happen at and a dearth of jobs have led to the feeling of power that government jobs during the previous week. “In such a situation, frustration
any time without due reason,” Reza quota reform movement,” opined provide for their popularity. Ahmmed and Ali both believed grows when a graduate sees that the
explained over the phone. Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed, former As the unemployment rate among that this definition simply did not scope to get a job in the public sector is
He also pointed to a lack of benefits executive director of the Bangladesh graduates has increased over the work from Bangladesh’s perspective. reduced,” Moazzem added.
like pensions and a lower perceived Institute of Labour Studies. years, most private companies can get “If we take into consideration However, he opined that
social status for his disinterest in the The quota system reserved 56 away with offering low pay. the Bangladesh’s perspective, the unemployment among graduates
private sector. percent of total jobs for children and Ali alleged that the high unemployment rate among graduates would not be solved by reforming the
Thousands of Bangladeshis like grandchildren of freedom fighters, unemployment rate among graduates as well as the overall jobless rate might quota.
Reza graduate from universities every women, ethnic minorities and persons enables the private sector to exploit be higher,” he said. “If you want to solve the problem of
year and many opt to sit for the BCS with disability, specifically for the 9th them and offer low salaries. Employment includes part-time, unemployment, the private sector has
exams to ensure a decent living. to 13th grade, as of 2018. The lack of interest for private informal, temporary, seasonal or to play an important role.”