SECOND EDITION

DHA K A T HURS DAY S EP T EMBER 5, 2024

Regd. No. DA 781 Vol. XXXIV No. 224 Bhadra 21, 1431 BS Rabiul Awal 1, 1446 Hijri 20 Pages Plus Campus: Tk 15.00

Labour unrest ONE MONTH INTO

HASINA’S FALL
intensifies Students to
Around 200 factories shut;
govt warns of stern action hold ‘Shaheedi
against anarchists March’ today
STAFF CORRESPONDENT DU CORRESPONDENT

The interim government warned of tough steps against The Anti-Discrimination Students
anarchy as around 200 factories suspended production Movement will take out “Shaheedi March”
yesterday amid labour unrest in Gazipur, Savar and Ashulia. across the country today to mark the one
Local government ministry Adviser AF Hassan Arif month of the fall of the Hasina regime.
yesterday said most of those causing the unrest are “We think it is time to remember those
outsiders. who lost their lives for the cause. That’s
“We have not forgotten that a government does not use why tomorrow, a month after the fall of
force against the citizens. But in the given situation, stern the Sheikh Hasina government [on August
5], we’ll commemorate the martyrs with
action has to be taken against certain people in order to
marches across the nation,” said Sarjis
save factories, workers and the economy. We discussed it,” Alam, one of the movement’s coordinators,
he said after an emergency meeting. at TSC auditorium yesterday.
Five other advisers, top police and intelligence officers “I invite the families of every martyr to
attended the meeting at the home ministry yesterday, the the march.”
fifth consecutive day of labour unrest. In Dhaka, the procession will begin at
Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, president of Bangladesh Raju Memorial Sculpture at 3:00pm and
Garment Manufacturers parade through Nilkhet, New Market,
and Exporters Association, Vehicles in a long tailback on the Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover in the capital’s Wari. Buses stop on the flyover’s exit SEE PAGE 2 COL 1
said at least 167 factories ramps to pick up and drop off passengers, leading to gridlocks. Slow collection of tolls at the toll plazas also contributes to
remained shut in Ashulia, congestions. The photo was taken around 2:00pm yesterday. PHOTO: PRABIR DAS SEE 4-PAGE SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT INSIDE
Zirabo, Savar, and Gazipur.
Besides, over a dozen
pharmaceutical factories
also remained closed.
According to
BGMEA, the factories
the How Hasina’s playbook Many barely
SHOT DURING PROTEST

would resume production

today.
At least 50 factories
were closed on Tuesday
was undone hanging on to life
and 100 the day before. The ex-PM’s edifice fell apart a month ago today Families losing hope; hospital bills pile up
Hundreds of workers
and “outsiders” have been demonstrating since Saturday,
amid a student-led mass uprising SAJJAD HOSSAIN and AHMED DEEPTO
demanding better pay and regularisation. STAFF CORRESPONDENT
The unrest is mainly affecting the garment and The sudden twitches of his left hand and his attempts to speak in
pharmaceutical companies. In her final days, Sheikh Hasina desperately clung to power as if she too weak a voice are just about the only signs that 16-year-old Raiyan
Yesterday, at least 60 factories closed in Ashulia, had full legitimacy, unmindful of a big crack in her armour. Her edifice Ahmed is still alive.
reports our Savar correspondent. crumbled a month ago on August 5. She fled Bangladesh, ending her Over the last one month, he has been losing strength gradually.
From 8:00am, workers of different factories at Baipail iron-fisted rule of 15 years and leaving behind a legacy that established Raiyan was marching in a victory procession celebrating the Awami
and Zirabo began marching and demonstrating. brutal authority over almost everything. A generation, to say the least, League government’s fall on August 5 when he was shot in the head
By 11:30am, there were demonstrations at multiple will remember her as a byname for intolerance to dissent, destruction twice. One bullet went through his head and another is still lodged in
places on Baipail-Abdullahpur road, causing long tailbacks. of democratic institutions, rigged elections and utmost savagery in his skull.
SEE PAGE 2 COL 2 SEE PAGE 2 COL 4 SEE PAGE 2 COL 2

Though floodwater receded from Kuthir Haat in Feni’s Sonagazi upazila three to four days ago, the family of Nikhil
Barua has not returned home as the house is badly damaged. The family is staying in an under construction
building nearby. The photo was taken yesterday morning. PHOTO: RAJIB RAIHAN

CEC, all four

deputies likely
‘People’s pent-up to resign today
Announcement may come
anger fuelled the this noon, say EC officials
MOHIUDDIN ALAMGIR

movement’ Chief Election Commissioner Kazi

Habibul Awal and all four other election
It’s been a month since the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami commissioners are likely to resign today.
League government was overthrown by a student-people S e v e r a l
uprising. Noted economist Anu Muhammad discusses the top Election
movement, the regime’s fall, and the interim government’s Commission officials
tenure, tasks and challenges in an interview with The Daily yesterday said the
CEC and his four
Star’s Sharif M Shafique and Sadi Muhammad Alok. deputies -- Brig Gen
(retd) Ahsan Habib
DS: Why is the student-citizen movement Khan, Rashida
that toppled the previous government Sultana, Md Alamgir
important in history? and Anisur Rahman
Anu Muhammad: The movement is -- may announce
significant because of its success in toppling their resignations at
the party that has done everything to a press conference at the EC secretariat at
perpetuate its power for 15 years. The failure noon today.
of other political parties created helplessness Asked about it, Habibul yesterday
among the people. afternoon told reporters, “I will hold a
Corruption led to price rises while people’s press conference on the matter tomorrow
real income along with employment opportunities fell. Crores of [today].”
dollars have been laundered. All these together created a suffocating A few minutes after the CEC’s remark,
situation and rage against the previous government. The movement the EC’s public relations department
reflected the accumulated anger of the people. informed the media that the commission
will “exchange greetings” with the media
SEE PAGE 2 COL 4 SEE PAGE 7 COL 1
 NEWS
DHAKA THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

2 BHADRA 21, 1431 BS City

Hasina made How Hasina’s playbook was undone

accused in 3 FROM PAGE 1
some cases. Sadly, her role in
unleashed aerial fury by raining
down rubber bullets and teargas
Hasina concentrated so much
power in her hands and antagonised
more cases Bangladesh’s economic prosperity
for which she was feted globally will
shells on protesters from the sky, a
newfound tactic. Street vendors and
many who came into her orbit. The
Awami League, which celebrated
STAR REPORT be a faded memory. pedestrians were unwitting victims of its 75th anniversary in June, and
The month leading to Hasina’s the government’s vengeance. a party that has been a part of
Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina dramatic downfall was littered with Ambulances, their sirens on, democratic movements from even
has been sued in three more cases death and destruction. Trigger- ferried the injured to hospitals,
over deaths in Dhaka and Narayanganj before Bangladesh’s independence,
happy security forces, who were stretching health services in Dhaka the leading party in Bangladesh’s
during the recent mass uprising. blamed for hundreds of deaths as
She is now facing at least 95 cases, and beyond. According to an initial liberation war, seemed to have lost
mostly for murders during the student- the protests turned violent in mid- count by the United Nations, 650 touch with the people.
led protests that forced her to resign July, were out with full force. Videos people were killed in Bangladesh with Over time, Hasina who fits the
and flee the country on August 5. The of police shooting point-blank at nearly 400 deaths reported from July playbook of a dictator became
other charges include crimes against nonviolent protesters emerged 16 to August 4, and a further 250 in emotionally detached, unable to
humanity, genocide, attempted almost every day. Her brutal tactics the new wave of violence between empathise with the suffering of
murder and abduction. led to an unprecedented bloodbath August 5-6. The health adviser in the people. This detachment manifested
The Awami League chief and 26 in any mass uprising in the region in interim government later said the itself in increasingly brutal responses
others were sued over the death of Amir memory. death toll could be as high as 1,000. to anti-government protests. To
Hossain, a resident of West Rampura Dystopian scenes vividly captured The Daily Star has so far been able to maintain control, Hasina, like an
in Dhaka. His wife Anni filed the case India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) walks with Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal in photographs and videos by this confirm more than 550 deaths. isolated authoritarian ruler, often
with the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Bolkiah (L) and Brunei’s Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah (C) after their newspaper as well as other media The weight of the dead was too
Magistrate Afnan Sumi who asked the resorted to widespread surveillance
meeting at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday. PHOTO: AFP outlets will remain etched in our heavy. Shortly before midday, on and violent crackdowns on dissent.
Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to memory. Bangladesh became a August 5, Hasina was seen hurrying
investigate the incident and submit a These factors created a feedback
symbol of nervous trauma. It was
report.
In her complaint, Anni alleged that
her husband was shot dead in front of
Labour unrest intensifies as if things were disintegrating
from the centre. It also showed how
into a waiting helicopter in a
disgraceful exit from Bangladesh.
Her departure, which came after
loop where her isolation exacerbated
paranoia and repressive tendencies,
ultimately leading to a more
FROM PAGE 1 the business, Asif Mahmud said, “There peaceful protests lumbered into she lost the army’s support, sparked
Bangladesh Television (BTV) Bhaban Industrial police, army and border are local Awami League leaders in some oppressive regime.
around 2:40pm on July 19 during the mindless mayhem. At one point, jubilation across the country. Millions BEGINNING OF AN END
guards were deployed in the area. places. We also have information that
quota reform protests that culminated Workers blocked the Nabinagar- Hasina’s government ordered a of people descended on the streets to Protests erupted in Bangladesh in
some local BNP leaders are involved.
in the mass uprising. Chandra Highway at Palashbari around complete shutdown of the internet, celebrate the fall of her government,
“We are talking to the central leaders early July, when students began
Former home minister midday, the Dhaka-Mymensingh of the BNP … so that they restrain them
the modern-day lifeline, knocking a significant turning point in the agitating against the reintroduction
Asaduzzaman Khan, Awami League Highway in Gazipur around 7:30am, [local leaders]. We will take a tough daily life out of balance, and taking nation’s history, amid dramatic and of controversial quotas for
General Secretary Obaidul Quader and and Bhogra bypass road around the stance against the local influential Bangladesh back to the forgotten sometimes chaotic events. government jobs. The movement
several leaders and activists of the AL same time. Awami League leaders who are still analogue age. That didn’t quell As the news of her exit spread,
and its front organisations are among emerged amid widespread discontent
Many factories were closed in there. They will be arrested, and police the protests, started by university the day became more volatile. The
the accused in the case. with Hasina’s government, which had
Gazipur, police told our Gazipur will take action as per law,” he said. students but by now joined by entire nation was in flux. Thousands
Another case was filed against grown increasingly authoritarian and
correspondent. BGMEA President Rafiqul told people of every class and age groups, of people stormed Gono Bhaban, the
Hasina, former law minister Shafique including women and children. had badly mismanaged the economy.
GOVT TO GO TOUGH a press conference that the factory prime minister’s official residence,
Ahmed, former attorney general AM The government deployed platoons “It was Hasina’s reaction to the
“Who will benefit if the factories are owners agreed to keep all the factories looting souvenirs, frolicking on the
Amin Uddin, Supreme Court lawyer destroyed? The workers are not creating of paramilitary troops alongside protests that was her downfall. She
open from today as army, border guards, premises and grinning for selfies
Tania Amir and 293 others over the chaos. Most of those who are doing this the police to stem the ferocity of sealed her fate when she decided
death of student Imran Hossain at
police and Rab would be deployed near as they posed with the loot. People
are outsiders,” said Adviser Hassan. the factories. demonstrations with teargas shells, toppled a statue of independence to crack down rather than pursue
Kutubkhali in the capital’s Jatrabari on Addressing the workers, he said, “You dialogue with protest leaders,” the
August 5. He added that some factories had rubber bullets and gunfire. But leader and Hasina’s father, Sheikh
stop them. If you stop them, we will be been vandalised. the day wasn’t saved as one act of Mujibur Rahman. Arsonists set Crisis Group said in a report.
Imran’s mother Kohinur Akhter on As demonstrations swelled
by your side.” “We are very careful not to tarnish vengeance spawned another round of fire to the Bangabandhu Museum
Sunday filed the case at Jatrabari Police across the country in mid-July,
He then remarked that it was hard to our image before the foreigners, violence. Hasina’s party unleashed its in Dhanmondi, in what the Crisis
Station, a sub-inspector working at the
tell the workers from the outsiders. particularly to the clients,” he said. youth wing on the streets to reclaim Group said was “an act of grotesque law enforcement agencies tried but
court said yesterday.
Former deputy attorney general As a reporter asked what kind of Police will gain the confidence they their turf. Bloodbath continued retribution”. Reprisal attacks on failed to suppress the student-led
Motaher Hossain Sazu, prosecutors steps would be taken, he said, “We lost because of the questionable role unchecked. The death toll climbed. Awami League leaders, sympathisers uprising with the majority of them
of International Crimes Tribunal will think more about it. They can be played by some policemen during Hasina’s government admitted, for being young protesters. Police and
and religious minorities continued
Muklesur Rahman Badal and Syed arrested or detained. If 50 people sit on the mass uprising that toppled the paramilitary units used “unnecessary
the first time, that they were pushed for the next few days.
Haider Ali, former information adviser the road, five lakh suffer. You have to use government, he added. and disproportionate” force and
force to remove them.”
to the wall, a comment that came with It was almost unthinkable in
to the former prime minister Iqbal Intelligence agencies learned that horrific finality. It was a precursor to resorted to extrajudicial killings, a
The other advisers who attended the January that Hasina’s government
Sobhan Chowdhury, president of two or three groups were involved in the level of political violence rarely seen
meeting are Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam something more ominous -- curfew. would fall apart, just seven months
advisory council of Ekattorer Ghatak unrest, he added. in Bangladesh since its independence
Choudhury of home ministry, Prof Asif Workers are not directly involved The deployment of the army on July into her fourth consecutive term,
Dalal Nirmul Committee Shahriar 19, while it was undeniably necessary, however deeply flawed the election in 1971. Even after the Supreme
Kabir, Ekattor TV CEO and Editor Nazrul of law, Farida Akhter of fisheries with the anarchy, he said.
tore the veil of stability that gave a may be. But support for the Court drastically reduced the job
Mozammel Haque Babu and senior and livestock, Adilur Rahman Khan of Abdullah Hill Rakib, BGMEA
industries, and Asif Mahmud Shojib fillip to the economy for more than a government was clearly waning. quotas on July 21, protests continued
journalist Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul are vice president, said the industry
Bhuyain of labour and employment. decade. The story of stability, sellable The largest opposition force, the to gather steam, advancing new
also among the accused. needed cooperation political parties’
Asif said both Awami League and cooperation. to foreign investors, lost much of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, had demands, including accountability
In Narayanganj, another murder
case was lodged at Siddhirganj Police BNP activists were behind the unrest in PHARMACEUTICAL UNITS its credibility. It also showed the boycotted the vote and turnout was for the killings and the government’s
Station, accusing Hasina and 129 different places. Abdul Muktadir, president of government’s struggle in its new term conspicuously low. Global leaders resignation. That showed signs of
others over the death of automobile “Labour leaders told me that they the Bangladesh Association of to hold things together as Bangladesh were hesitant to congratulate Hasina Hasina’s troubles ahead.
mechanic Mostofa Kamal Razu, 36, visited the places and found that local Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI), said hurtled into an uncertain future. on the win. On August 4, a final, terrible round
who was shot dead in the Shimrail area homeless children, wearing helmets workers assaulted guards in different DAYS OF UNYIELDING ANGER Hasina returned to power after of bloodshed before the collapse
during the quota reform movement on and shorts were hired for the different factories. Protests, anger and vengeance winning the 2008 election in a of the government left close to 100
July 20. [protest] programmes,” he said. The unrest, which has been inhabited the period from July 16 landslide, but she seemed to have people dead, most of them protesters
His wife Aklima Akter filed the The Awami League supporters who continuing for over a couple of weeks, to August 6. With the passing of lost confidence along the way and shot by police and ruling-party
case on Tuesday night, our local used to control the business of leftover has halted production at 19 major each day, protests turned more rigged the subsequent three elections members acting as vigilantes. The
correspondent reports. fabric were gone. pharmaceutical plants. violent and the mob burgeoned. to hold on to power. And the regime next day, hundreds of thousands
“I already said the government will “We are not getting proactive In speed and scope, the violence became increasingly unaccountable heeded student leaders’ calls to
Students to hold take stern action against those trying to
grab those businesses and committing
support from the government and the
law enforcement agencies. The sector is
went far beyond anything Hasina for its wrongdoing. Internally, her march on Dhaka and poured into
Shahbagh, defying another curfew.
believed possible. Government overbearing presence hollowed out
FROM PAGE 1 crimes.” not getting the importance,” he told The establishments and vehicles were the party and other members lost Just six kilometres away, Hasina
Kalabagan, Dhanmondi, Manik Mia Asked who were trying to control Daily Star yesterday.
Avenue, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Bangla set on fire and two metro stations their voices and roles. It morphed packed up and fled Gono Bhaban.
were vandalised in Mirpur. For their into a one-person party, and as such, She found refuge in India, the next-
Motor, and Shahbagh before ending at
the Central Shaheed Minar.
“We will not celebrate the victory until
Many barely hanging on to life part, law enforcement agencies a one-person government. door neighbour.

the human and constitutional rights are

restored. We must uphold the spirit of
the movement,” said Sarjis.
FROM PAGE 1
Raiyan’s family has been by his side
round the clock. He attempts to tug at
Rahat could not help blurting out,
“When will my brother come home?”
The future is not looking much better
‘People’s pent-up anger
He asked people to take part
spontaneously and speak about the
misrule of the last government and their
the tubes attached to his body in sudden
fits, they say.
“He hardly recognises us,” Raiyan’s
for the 20-year-old Nupur Chowdhury
being treated for gunshot wounds in
her legs. She was shot during a protest
fuelled the movement’
desires from the interim government.
elder brother Ayman Ahmed told this march in Mirpur on the same day as the FROM PAGE 1 sculptures, statues, and memorials of should deal with it first. These cases
newspaper. They have been with him other two. The key point is – unlike 1969 and liberation are not acceptable in any won’t last. For example, Shakib Al
Meanwhile, student leaders warned
for the last 18 days at Dhaka’s National Currently being treated at the 1990, this movement had no political way. The government must clear its
that law enforcement agencies would deal Hasan was sued for a murder that
Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital. National Institute of Traumatology and
with anyone involved in controversial or specific leadership. Above all, position on these matters. Holding occurred when he was playing
A student of Silam PL Multilateral Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR),
activities, like extortion and torture. Hasina’s actions to suppress the free and fair polls will also be an abroad, which is not credible. If these
High School in Sylhet, Raiyan was Nupur has not been able to walk since
“We urge the people to hand over movement led to the government’s important task of the government. old habits don’t change, the result
among a crowd standing in front of the she was shot.
anyone attempting to tarnish the spirit fall.
South Shurma Police Station when the At NITOR, 103 injured people are Its main challenge will be to will be the same.
of the student movement,” said Abu
police opened fire. currently undergoing treatment of DS: You demanded the AL tackle quarters with self-interests, So, the government must find a
Baker Majumder, another coordinator.
After 12 days of treatment at Sylhet whom 13 have lost their legs, one an arm. government’s resignation on August international lobbies, and civil and solution. It’s right that a month is
He announced the formation of a Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sohan Shah was on his way home 2 from the “Droho Jatra” march. military bureaucracies – the three
fact-finding committee to identify those Raiyan’s condition deteriorated and much less time, but not less to give
after work when he was shot in the chest Then came students’ “one-point groups who want their interests
who opened fire on protesters during the he was moved to Dhaka. But medical instructions or directions.
uprising. costs have become a major worry for the movement”. How did the aspirations protected. But the utmost strength DS: There is this idea of banning
On forming their own political party, family of modest means. come together? of the government is the people. If student politics in educational
Abu Baker said they would travel across Raiyan’s father who works at a local Anu Muhammad: There is no transparency and accountability can
the country and listen to people’s institutions. What’s your take on it?
bookshop can hardly afford the Tk justification for the way Abu Sayed be created, people will support this Anu Muhammad: Political party-
opinion on the matter. 7,000 that they are spending for the
Hasnat Abdullah, a key organiser of
(slain Rangpur student leader) was government wholeheartedly. led student organisations, especially
treatment every day. shot. At one stage, when public DS: What should be the new
the movement, said, “They [the Awami “We have already spent around Tk 2 those affiliated with the government,
League government] used every state university students could not tackle political settlement? create problems in student politics.
lakh. We received financial assistance
machinery for Awami League’s fascism. from a few organisations. But that was the situation, their private university Anu Muhammad: We’re talking I don’t see anything wrong with
Over the last 15 years, they made the not much,” said Ayman. peers joined in. Students from about a discrimination-free student politics. This time the
culture of labelling people ‘Jamaat- Further, the doctors are uncertain colleges and even schools joined the Bangladesh which won’t return to
Raiyan Ahmed Junaid Islam student protesters claimed they were
Shibir’ to silence the voices of dissent.” if, at all, and when they might be able movement. the previous system again. For this,
He said the AL made a “religion” and not associated with politics, but still
to remove the lead slug from Raiyan’s on July 19. The bullet still lodged close Around 200 people lost their political parties need major reforms.
“portrayed Sheikh Mujib as a prophet”. meninges, which are the several layers of to his lungs and heart, the 28-year-old they changed the regime. What can
lives at one point. In response, the They should ensure democracy within
Hasnat said the AL established a membranes that protect the brain. lies awake from constant pain at the be healthier than such a form of
culture in which Sheikh Mujib was general public joined the movement. themselves. Their activities should
“We are losing hope. And it breaks National Institute of Diseases of the student politics?
beyond criticism and the people and the Chest and Hospital.
Hasina called for talks all the while align with the people’s interests.
our hearts,” said the elder brother in a DS: There’s a growing anti-India
media had to accept it. choking voice. Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum said, trying to suppress the movement by Without these, I have doubts if the
sentiment among the people. What
He said the media was gagged or Raiyan is only one of about 17,000 “More than 1,000 people were killed and arresting its coordinators. That’s why parties will bring something new.
controlled by the government. should be the government’s foreign
people wounded, crippled and disabled over 400 blinded during the protests.” we organised the march. People were DS: There’s a talk on amending or
“A news that is liked by the government during the protests. According to The National Institute of united in the collective demand for policy?
rewriting the constitution to prevent
is not a news, rather it is merely a press reports and estimates, including one Opthalmology and Hospital reports that the government’s resignation. fascism. What can the government Anu Muhammad: India had more
release. We now request journalists to by the health ministry, hundreds of between July 17 and September 4, 17 influence on Bangladesh because of
The Anti-Discrimination Student do about it?
question the authorities.” protesters have lost the use of one eye patients lost sight in both eyes, and 366 the AL and Hasina. The US, China
He said, “Some people are now taking Movement on August 3 announced Anu Muhammad: The
or have become blind and hundreds have lost the use of one eye. The hospital and Japan also have influence here.
to the streets with various demands. Why more have had limbs amputated. Many treated over 700 patients during that the single-point demand for the 1972 constitution had several
government’s resignation in a contradictions and it needs some It cannot be said that India will not
did they not raise any question in the last others, like Ratul, are still undergoing time.
15 years? Now we have learnt to question The Dhaka Medical College Hospital massive rally. major changes. This government dominate again because the BNP
treatment.
the authorities and we have to keep this Not too far from Raiyan lies another has also seen an influx of patients, with DS: How is the interim government can’t do it alone. It can set up a and the Jamaat have said they want
up.” young boy -- Junaid Islam Ratul. He has more than 250 treated for eye injuries. functioning? What should be their “constitution commission” with to have good relations with India.
Hasnat said the constitution of 1972 been unconscious for 27 days. Struck Among them, 52 had surgeries. Of them, main job? competent people and let the Besides, no decision has been reached
was not a national constitution, rather it with over 100 pellets in the chest and 24 lost the use of one eye and four were so far on cancelling the agreements
Anu Muhammad: The commission form public opinion
was AL’s constitution. other parts of the body, the sixth grader completely blinded. with India, including transit and other
“We accepted it as the national Mobin, 16, is one who has become government has several important with their recommendations. Later,
from Bogura briefly gained his senses on controversial deals. The government
constitution and through that the September 4. blind. Doctors say that the injuries were jobs: firstly, publish the full list of it can be decided whether these
Awami League first sowed the seeds of He asked his mother to take him too severe for him to ever regain eyesight. those killed and injured; secondly, changes should be made through the should disclose the agreements with
fascism. We have to remain united, so home before slipping back. This student Originally from Damudya in take full responsibility for the constituent assembly, constitutional all the countries, including India.
that fascism never returns. Now that of PATH Public School was wounded Shariatpur, Mobin worked at a computer treatment of the injured and send amendments, or a referendum. DS: How long should this
we are united, they are trying to create when police opened fire on a crowd with store at Uttara where he was shot in both them abroad if necessary; thirdly, DS: The law and order situation government stay?
divisions. their shotguns on August 5. eyes on July 18 during a clash between take responsibility for the families of is not stable and it is the same old Anu Muhammad: It depends on
“We need to set some principles and Ratul’s elder brother Rahat holds up protesters and police. the speed of this government’s work.
the deceased and critically injured picture with arrests and abrupt cases.
values to reorganise the state to make an X-ray showing the pellet wounds. Although the interim government
sure that fascism cannot return in any “He used to dream of joining the army. announced on August 17 that it would who have lost the capability to earn. Why are these things repeating? A lot can be done with the concurrent
form. We expect a state where the people I don’t know if he will ever do that now,” bear the costs of medical treatment for Besides, incidents like the torture Anu Muhammad: This is because energy of the revolution. It is possible
will not have to take to the streets to said Rahat. the injured, the assistance has yet to of teachers or the suffering of of the law enforcement agencies’ to establish within six months a basis
realise any demand.” Despite the futility of the question, make its way to the patients. minorities must stop. Attacks on pattern of work. The government for some of the urgent tasks.
 2nd Edition

DHAKA 3
DHAKA THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
BHADRA 21, 1431 BS

Sarah Cooke ACC seeks Think outside

meets Khaleda info on 38
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Bangladesh the box to
British High Commissioner
to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke embassy bring reforms
met BNP chairperson
Khaleda Zia and enquired officials
about her health conditions STAFF CORRESPONDENT Dr Yunus tells secretaries
yesterday night.
The meeting was held The Anti-Corruption at meeting
at the BNP chairperson’s Commission (ACC) has
Firoza residence in the BAHARAM KHAN
requested information
city’s Gulshan area at from 38 officials
8:30pm, said BNP media Chief Adviser Prof Mohammad Yunus has
and employees from encouraged secretaries of all the ministries and
cell member Sayrul Kabir Bangladeshi embassies
Khan. divisions to think “outside the box” while bringing
across 10 countries, about reforms to the government’s operations.
It was Khaleda’s first including the United States,
meeting with any foreign During a meeting with the secretaries yesterday,
the United Kingdom, and the chief adviser emphasised that the government
envoy since 2018 following
Canada, over allegations of is made up of all, and if the secretaries take positive
her acquittal from her
corruption brought against initiatives, the country will progress smoothly.
convictions in graft cases.
them.
Sarah Cooke met
Khaleda ahead of her The allegations also
include misuse of power,
visit to the UK for better British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke at a meeting with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at
embezzlement, and INSTRUCTIONS
treatment, party sources the latter’s Gulshan residence yesterday night. PHOTO: BSS
said. causing financial losses to
the government. Submit time-bound action plan
BNP standing
committee member Prof Dr A letter was sent to the

‘Cancelling DAP will offices of embassies and Break away from rigid thinking
AZM Zahid Hossain, chief
of her medical board Prof high commissions from the
ACC yesterday, according
Eradicate corruption
Shahabuddin Talukder, Dr
FM Siddique, and member to an ACC official. Ensure optimal use of public funds
of the special assistant
to BNP chairperson’s
Foreign Affairs Advisory
Committee Tabith Awal
be catastrophic’ The letter mentioned
that investigations
are ongoing over the
allegations of irregularities
Competition in govt procurement
Address obstacles to ensuring transparency
were present.
On July 8, Khaleda Zia,
Say planners, urge for reforms if needed and corruption involving
ambassadors, heads
a former prime minister, STAFF CORRESPONDENT yesterday, they acknowledged that No plan is without error, and of chancery or chief “There is no need to work out of fear. This state
was admitted to Evercare while the DAP has its flaws, these Dhaka’s DAP has both strengths consular officers, ministry belongs to all of us, and everyone must work with
Hospital six days after she Planners have warned that can be reformed. and weaknesses. Correcting it secretaries, and other the utmost importance and responsibility,” said
had been discharged from canceling or postponing the However, they criticised Rajuk’s is part of the planning process. specific officials and Dr Yunus.
the same hospital with Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022 in weak governance, which they However, vested interests are employees working in “The chief adviser primarily instructed us to think
various ailments. response to pressure from a “vested believe is succumbing to pressure fighting desperately to scrap the Bangladeshi embassies or outside the box and to expedite the preparation of
On August 24, she group” would be catastrophic for from vested interests, thereby existing DAP, and this cannot be high commissions in the reform proposals without delay,” said a secretary
returned home after Dhaka city. threatening the goal of building a allowed in the new Bangladesh, US, the UK, Canada, Saudi present at the meeting, preferring anonymity.
SEE PAGE 4 COL 5 Speaking at a press conference sustainable city. SEE PAGE 4 COL 4 SEE PAGE 4 COL 2 SEE PAGE 4 COL 6

SC upholds
A father’s search for his stay on NSU
trustee board
son ends in tragic death reconstitution
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Man dies 9 days after being beaten in
clash between Ansars, students The Appellate Division
of the Supreme Court
RAFIUL ISLAM He rushed to the Secretariat. yesterday upheld a High
As he scanned the crowd for Court order staying a
Hasan Ahmed Bishal last spoke any sign of Hasan, the unthinkable government decision that
to his father Shahin Hawlader happened -- apparently mistaken had reconstituted the
over the phone on the night of for a student, the father was trustee board of North
August 25, when he and brutally beaten by Ansar South University in 2022.
his fellow students were members, Hasan said. The apex court
heading towards the For nine agonising dismissed two petitions
Secretariat, which days, Shahin fought for filed by the government
was surrounded by his life at the intensive and vice chancellor of NSU
Ansar members. care unit of Dhaka challenging the HC order.
Soon, a clash Medical College Following two petitions
between the Hospital. He breathed filed by six former members
students and Ansar his last around 7:00am of the trustee board, the
broke out, with yesterday. HC on August 20 issued a
some students trapped “My father went to find stay order on the previous
between the two groups. government’s decision that
me, but Ansar members beat
Shahin, a driver of a rent- had reconstituted the NSU’s
him brutally,” Hasan, who sat for
a-car service located near the trustee board in 2022.
the HSC exam from Kabi Nazrul
Secretariat, must have known The petitioners
Government College earlier this
something was wrong. challenged the legality of
SEE PAGE 4 COL 2
the decision.
SEE PAGE 4 COL 8
 2nd Edition

NEWS
DHAKA THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

4 BHADRA 21, 1431 BS

FLOOD RELIEF
War Courses
ACC seeks info Cancelling DAP Think outside the box to bring
FROM PAGE 3 affairs adviser Md Touhid FROM PAGE 3 the need for stringent land- FROM PAGE 3 new Bangladesh with The Daily Star, “We had a
Arabia, China, Dubai, Hossain has stated that
Foundation Italy, Switzerland, and the
Philippines.
appropriate actions will
the planners said.
At a stakeholder
use controls.
Sajid Iqbal, coordinator
The first meeting with the
secretaries was held at the
integrity, dedication, and
accountability in our
meeting with a person of
great vision. He did not
be taken after confirming meeting held at Rajuk on chief adviser’s office, where
donates The letter requests that
the current workplace,
whether these allegations
are related to corruption or
September 1, real estate
of
University’s
Jahangirnagar
anti- secretaries of all ministries,
respective fields, inspired by
the commitment to create
speak negatively about
the administration at all.
and housing businessmen discrimination student alongside secretaries from an equitable and humane
Tk 6.5 lakh designation,
address, and
permanent
current
audit objections. He made
the remark yesterday in
strongly demanded the movement, argued that several constitutional nation demonstrated by
After the meeting, the
secretaries realised that
STAR REPORT
cancellation of the DAP and the DAP itself reflects and autonomous bodies, the July-August mass we, as top officials, also
address of these officials be response to questions from the approval of building the broader issue of attended. uprising.” bear some responsibility
provided by September 10. journalists at the Ministry construction as per the discrimination -- not just Sources said Prof
Members of the Bangladesh “To build a new for the current state of the
However, foreign of Foreign Affairs. Building Construction among people, but also Yunus expressed interest
War Courses Foundation Bangladesh, we must break country, and this cannot be
Rules of 2008. towards cities and nature. in holding such meetings away from rigid thinking,
(BWCF), comprising veterans
of the 1971 Liberation
War, have contributed Tk
A father’s search “It is unfortunate,” said
Adil Mohammed Khan,
“Abolishing the DAP
will not solve this disparity.
with secretaries
time to time. The chief
from reform our thoughts,
and manage government
denied.”
A Cabinet Division
official said, “Ministries and
FROM PAGE 3 Secretariat. president of the BIP. Instead, we should begin adviser office’s press wing activities with maximum departments will submit
6,52,000 towards relief year, told The Daily Star. Hasan said he was “Dhaka has already lost by rescuing apartment also issued a press release consideration of public their reform proposals to
efforts for flood-affected “I want justice,” he said. involved in the student much of its habitability. buildings meant for low- about the outcome of the interest through creative the Cabinet Division as
people in Bangladesh. At least 40 people were protests since the Canceling the current DAP income people from self- meeting. approaches,” he further soon as possible. Senior
The veterans were joined injured in the clash at the beginning of the movement and reverting to previous interested individuals and Prof Yunus said reforms said. secretaries will review those
by their children in this Secretariat in Dhaka that in early July and was doing plans would destroy any returning them to their need to be implemented Regarding corruption, before presenting them to
humanitarian endeavour, night. relief work at the TSC that chance of preventing further intended beneficiaries,” he at all government levels he urged, “We must the Advisory Council.”
with additional funds The incident took night when the call came to decline in the city’s livability. suggested. by moving away from eradicate corruption and
expected to be raised in the place when hundreds of march to the Secretariat. A group of architects and Yasir Amin, another conventional thinking, achieve the highest level
coming days, according to students, many of them “As I headed towards engineers from Rajuk are coordinator at JU, said, according to the press
a BWCF press release. armed with sticks, marched the Secretariat with other also opposing the DAP, and “Whenever irregularities or release.
of public satisfaction by
simplifying services.”
SC upholds stay
The collected funds towards the Secretariat, students, I spoke to my it is crucial to investigate problems arise in the city, “Identify the areas where FROM PAGE 3
were formally handed Additionally, he
where several hundred father for the last time,” he the involvement of vested unplanned urbanisation reforms are needed and emphasised the need to The petitioners are Aziz
over to the General Officer Ansar members were said. interests behind this is blamed, but the real incorporate the aspirations Al Qaiser, Azim Uddin
Commanding (GOC) of the “ensure optimal use of
holding protests blocking “He was looking for me opposition,” he added. culprits are self-interested of the July uprising into public funds.” Ahmed, Benajir Ahmed,
Logistics Area at Dhaka the entrance of the key in front of the Secretariat. I Planner Shahriar Amin businessmen who obstruct short, medium, and long- MA Kashem, Rehana
Cantonment on Monday by Yunus further stressed
government headquarters. was unaware that my father said the nation’s progress is planned urbanisation. term reform plans,” said the need for ensuring Rahman and Mohammed
the president of the BWCF, The students termed the rushed there in search of reflected in its approach to People needs to be made the release, quoting the Shahjahan.
proper competition in
Col (retd) Aminul Islam, Ansar members as “agents me. After a long time, when planning. aware of this.” chief adviser. Md Imam Hossain
government procurement
along with Maj Gen (retd) of autocracy.” I called my father’s phone, a He highlighted He urged journalists to It said the chief adviser and Kazi Akhtar Hosain,
and addressing existing
Jamil D Ahsan BP, the Several conveners of student received the phone d i s c r i m i n a t i on investigate why the DAP, issued a “marching order” the lawyers for the writ
obstacles to transparency
release said. the anti-discrimination and said Ansar members within government created in 2016, has not to secretaries for adoption petitioners, on August told
and accountability.
The Bangladesh Army student movement invited beat my father up. The institutions, where the been implemented even and implementation of this correspondent that the
He instructed that each
has been supervising the students to gather at the student told me that my underrepresentation of after eight years. reform programmes across HC order has revived the
ministry and department
relief operations in the Raju Memorial Sculpture father was immediately planners hampers the Additionally, he called all levels of government. previous trustee board that
submit a time-bound
country. to march towards the admitted to DMCH.” effectiveness of plans. for the government to He emphasised bringing included their clients as
action plan for short,
Shahin was put on life Planner Salma A publish the master plans for change in their mindsets founders and life members.
medium, and long-term
support after surgery. Shafi said uncontrolled all regions of the country and prioritising public The board led by the
reform programmes, which
Hasan’s friend Ramjan construction is rampant in the form of a gazette as interest through creative will be regularly evaluated. petitioners will operate
Hawlader said a video of in Dhaka. She underscored soon as possible. methods in government The press release following the HC order.
Ansar members beating up operations. highlighted that there was The Sheikh Hasina-led
a man went viral on social
media following the clash
and the victim in the video
150 hurt as BU He also stressed the
importance of conducting
significant global interest
and positive perception
government reconstituted
the NSU trustee board
FROM PAGE 5 the attackers damaged the discussions and gathering of the new Bangladesh on August 16, 2022,
was Hasan’s father. College students attacked administrative building, opinions from relevant born from the student after a University Grants
Sub-inspector Sanaul them and vandalised the hostels, some classrooms, stakeholders when and public uprising. It is Commission probe had
Haque of Shahbagh Police bus, leaving 15-20 students and three buses. formulating reform crucial to leverage this “found involvement some
Station said the body was and the bus driver injured. By 6:00am, programmes. global enthusiasm in the of its members in anti-state
handed over to the family BU students then representatives from both According to the country’s best interest. activities, sponsorship of
without autopsy upon their responded by attacking BU and BM College, led by press release, Yunus Speaking about the militancy, corruption and
request. the BM College campus BU’s acting Vice-Chancellor said, “We must build a meeting, a secretary told arbitrariness”.
with bricks and Prof Md Muhasinuddin,
sticks, vandalising the met to discuss the incident.
administrative building, BU has agreed to
several hostels -- including compensate for the
Muslim Hall, Hindu Hall, damages.
Ashwini Kumar Hostel, and Shawkat Ali, divisional
Banmali Ganguly female commissioner of Barishal,
students’ hostel -- and convened a meeting with
three buses. law enforcement agencies
The violence continued and the heads of the two
until around 4:00am, when institutions in the afternoon.
police and army personnel Students of BM
intervened and brought the College also held a press
situation under control. conference, demanding
Prof Md Aminul justice and compensation
Haque, principal of BM for the damages sustained
College, confirmed that in the attack.

Two ex-IGPs remanded

FROM PAGE 5 arrested Mamun and
case on August 13 with court Shahidul from Uttara area.
accusing former prime Both are accused in a
minister Sheikh Hasina and number of cases, including
six others. The court later those filed over murders.
asked the officer-in-charge In another development,
of Mohammadpur Police Abdullahel Kafi, an
Station to register it as a additional superintendent
first information report. of police in Dhaka, was
Meanwhile, Shahidul placed on an eight-day
was placed on a seven- remand in a case filed with
day remand after he was Hazaribagh Police Station
produced before the court over abduction of Arif
with a 10-day remand Mynuddin, an engineer, in
prayer in a case filed over 2019.
the death of Abdul, Wadud,
45, a trader in Dhaka’s New
Market area, on July 19. Sarah Cooke
Wadud’s brother Abdur FROM PAGE 3
Rahman filed the case with receiving treatment at the
New Market Police Station hospital for 45 days.
against Hasina and 129 A group of specialist
others on August 21. doctors, led by Prof
Earlier yesterday, police Shahabuddin Talukder,
successfully installed a
pacemaker in Khaleda Zia’s
chest on June 23.
Khaleda has long been
battling various ailments,
including liver cirrhosis,
arthritis, diabetes, and
issues related to the kidney,
lung, heart, and eyes.
Khaleda’s doctors have
been recommending
sending her abroad since
she was diagnosed with
liver cirrhosis in November
2021.
On October 26 last year,
three US specialist doctors
completed the hepatic
procedure known as the
transjugular intrahepatic
portosystemic shunt (TIPS
procedure) to stop water
accretion in Khaleda Zia’s
stomach and chest, and
bleeding in her liver.
She was placed in Old
Dhaka Central Jail on
February 8, 2018, after a
special court sentenced
her to five years in prison
in the Zia Orphanage
Trust corruption case.
On October 30, 2018, the
High Court raised her
punishment to 10 years.
Later, she was convicted
in the Zia Charitable Trust
corruption case.
 2nd Edition

CITY 5
DHAKA THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
BHADRA 21, 1431 BS

ILLEGAL ARMS Two ex-IGPs KHULNA HOSPITAL

Joint drives remanded in 41 doctors declared
yielding murder cases
positive COURT CORRESPONDENT
‘unwanted’, medical
results: IGP A Dhaka court yesterday service disrupted
STAR REPORT placed Chowdhury DIPANKAR ROY
Abdullah Al-Mamun and
The ongoing joint operation AKM Shahidul Hoque, both Patients at Khulna Medical College Hospital have
to recover illegal firearms former inspectors general been suffering immensely, as around 50 doctors
which began on Tuesday of police, on remand in two of the hospital’s indoor and outdoor departments
has already shown positive murder cases filed centring remained absent yesterday.
results, said Inspector the quota reform protests. They did not join their duties after some
General of Police (IGP) Md Dhaka Metropolitan students of the medical college, alongside some
Mainul Islam yesterday. Magistrate Md pro-BNP doctors of the hospital, declared some
The IGP mentioned that Akteruzzaman passed the 41 doctors, including the director and deputy
police are targeting three orders. director of KMCH, as persona non grata.
categories of firearms: Mamun was placed on Amid the sudden doctor shortage, hundreds of
those stolen or lost from an eight-day remand after patients from outdoor department had to leave
the police, SSF, and other he was produced before without receiving treatment, while many patients
security forces; firearms the court at 7:10am with a admitted to the hospital were also suffering.
with suspended licences; 10-day remand prayer in a “A section of medical students, led by
and illegal firearms. case filed over the death of Dr Mustafa Kamal, assistant professor of
“We have already Abu Saeed, a grocery shop Cardiology Department, besieged the office of Dr
recovered many arms, and owner in Mohammadpur, Aktaruzzaman, acting deputy director of KMCH,
several illegal firearms have on July 19. and forced him to resign on Tuesday. They also
been abandoned. We expect SM Ameer Hamza declared 41 doctors unwanted in the hospital,”
the drives will achieve the This student was among the 82 people who were hospitalised following a clash between students of Shatil, a resident of said Dr Suman Roy, residential medical officer of
desired results,” he told Barishal University and BM College early yesterday. He was treated at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Mohammadpur, filed the KMCH.
journalists at the secretariat. Hospital. Inset, at least three buses of BM College were vandalised during the clash. PHOTO: TITU DAS SEE PAGE 4 COL 4
Regarding firearms
sold in the last 15 years, he GENEVA CAMP

150 hurt as BU, BM

noted that their licences
have been suspended, and
owners were instructed to
Man shot dead
submit them to local police in clash over
College students clash
stations by September 3.
“Any firearms not drug trade
submitted by the deadline
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
are now considered illegal,”
he added.
When asked about actions
against individuals involved
82 admitted to Barishal hospital A man was shot dead
during a clash between rival As such, around 50 doctors, including those
groups over drug peddling who were threatened, opted not to join the duty
in crimes and corruption, OUR CORRESPONDENT, Barishal between 1:00am and 4:00am, has 11:00pm on Monday night to
in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur yesterday over security concerns, he added.
the IGP confirmed that the left both campuses in a tense state. resolve the issue.
Nearly 150 people were injured, Geneva Camp yesterday. Visiting the hospital around noon, 20 doctors
drives have had success in Some BU students said the However, an altercation ensued
and the administrative building The deceased, Sonu, 32, were found absent in the outdoor department, and
this area as well. family of a fellow student had a and she went live on Facebook,
and three buses of Brojomohun was a rickshaw-puller, said 21 others, including registrar, assistant registrar, and
“We have arrested two longstanding land dispute with a asking her friends to intervene.
College in Barishal were vandalised his family. Locals, however, consultants, were absent in indoor departments.
former police chiefs and neighbour. Some of her classmates went
after students from the college claimed he was involved in Many patients were seen buying tickets for
even serving officers. The there and beat up the BM College
clashed with those from Barishal drug peddling. outdoor consultations and waiting for long hours
process will continue,” he students.
University early yesterday. A leader of the before leaving the hospital premises without
said. She also filed a general diary that
At least 82 students from both night, accusing four individuals, community said Sonu was receiving treatment.
institutions were admitted to according to Mostafizur Rahman, part of one of four active According to KMCH, around 1,200 to 1,500
PRAYER Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical
College Hospital following the
Officer-in-Charge of Barishal
Kotwali Police Station.
drug gangs in the camp.
The clash, which occurred
outdoor patients come every day while some 200
patients get admitted.
TIMING incident, said Dr Saiful Islam, The following night, BM College around 8:30am, left at least
three people injured.
The correspondent could not reach Dr Mustafa
Kamal for comment.
SEPTEMBER 5 Director of SBMCH. students attacked two BU students
Nurse Lincoln Dutta said 75 of in Battala area. Sonu was declared dead Contacted, Dr Goutam Kumar Pal, director of
Fazr Zohr Asr Maghrib Esha at Dhaka Medical College KMCH, said he did not go to the hospital as the
those admitted were BU students, In retaliation, about 40-50 BU
AZAN 4-35 12-45 4-30 6-20 7-45
treated in the surgery unit on the Some students of BM College students arrived on the campus Hospital, said Inspector working environment was not conducive, adding
JAMAAT 5-10 1-15 4-45 6-25 8-15 hospital’s fifth floor. went to her house at the city’s at 1:00am on a bus. However, BM Md Faruk, in-charge of the that higher authorities have been informed about
SOURCE: ISLAMIC FOUNDATION The clash, which occurred Baptist Mission Road around SEE PAGE 4 COL 4 DMCH Police Outpost. the situation.
 City

6 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

DHAKA THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
BHADRA 21, 1431 BS

‘FORGET ME NOT’ ‘Short n’ Sweet’ tops

Sabrina Carpenter’s

Billboard 200 chart

is personal for me Short n’ Sweet, the latest studio
album by former Disney Channel
star Sabrina Carpenter, has made

YASH ROHAN
an incredible debut at no 1 on
the Billboard 200 chart, with
all of its 12 tracks also landing
on the Billboard Hot 100.
This sixth studio album of
RAKSHANDA RAHMAN MISHA the project, Yash mentioned a scheduling conflict with
hers achieved impressive sales
another commitment. “I told Robi bhai not to tell me
From portraying the student leader Sagor in of 362,000 units in the United
the story because if I ended up loving it, I would be
Obujh Pakhi to playing Fahim in Forget Me Not, States, as reported by tracking
heartbroken if I couldn’t work on it. But fortunately,
Yash Rohan is establishing himself as a versatile service Luminate. This marks the third-
everything worked out, and I was able to be part of this
actor in dramas and on OTT platforms through his highest opening week of the year, behind only
amazing project,” Yash shared.
diverse character choices. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.
Forget Me Not is especially close to his heart
As Bangladesh attempts to reform after a mass Carpenter is now the second artiste ever to
because it addresses the issue of mental health—an
uprising—where students played a pivotal role in have her first three top-five hits simultaneously,
experience almost everyone faces but rarely discusses.
toppling a fascist regime that sought to silence the with three tracks from her album—Taste, Please
“When I heard the story, I immediately connected
nation—dramas are highlighting the significance of Please Please, and Espresso—all ranking high on
with the character. Although I haven’t experienced
the student movement. Coincidentally, Yash the chart.
exactly what Fahim went through, I’ve faced
Rohan’s recent roles involve characters similar struggles, particularly with mental
deeply engaged in this movement. health. I wanted to play this role to
While Rubel Hasan’s Obujh Pakhi
continues to attract millions of views
raise awareness about the importance
of mental health, which is often
Sunerah Binte
on YouTube, fans eagerly await Yash’s
performance in Robiul Alam Robi’s
Forget Me Not, slated for release
overlooked in our country compared
to physical health. I loved working on
Forget Me Not and am excited about
Kamal to return
today on OTT platform Chorki.
In an interview with The Daily
it. I hope people will appreciate the
project,” Yash said.
with new drama
Star, the talented actor discussed This project marks the third Sunerah Binte Kamal is all set to return to screen
these two projects and shared why with a new television drama. The actress first
these characters hold a special broke through with the film No Dorai and later
place in his heart. “Playing Sagor was a starred in the movie Antarjal.
Playing Sagor was a significant Under the direction of Ragib Raihan, Sunerah
challenge for Yash, as it was a role unlike any he
significant challenge for Yash, as it
has resumed her acting career after a hiatus of
had taken on before. “Initially, I was hesitant was a role unlike any he had taken over a year and a half, participating in the filming
because it was completely outside my usual on before. “Initially, I was hesitant of an as-yet-untitled project, alongside her co-star
genre. However, stepping out of our comfort because it was completely outside Irfan Sajjad.
zone and succeeding in new roles makes my usual genre.” Sunerah spoke to the media about the drama and
us better actors. I was concerned about stated, “I took on this drama to get back into acting
whether I could pull it off and how the and gain new experience. My friend and co-star,
audience would react, but I gave it my all Irfan Sajjad, encouraged me to join the project.”
and left the rest up to them,” said Yash. collaboration between Yash and Mehazabien. Yash
expressed his admiration for her, saying, “I’m a big
Recently, Chorki released the trailer
fan of Mehazabien apu and have great respect for
for Forget Me Not, featuring Yash Rohan
her. Unfortunately, when I started working regularly,
and Mehazabien Chowdhury. The
she had reduced her workload, so we didn’t get many
trailer introduces Fahim, a young man
opportunities to work together. I really enjoyed this
involved in the student movement, project with her.”
w h o ultimately takes his When asked about the current trend of dramas
own life, leaving focusing on student movements, Yash offered his
his girlfriend thoughts, “I believe our dramas should explore a wide
grappling with range of topics—whether it’s student politics, protests,
understanding the natural disasters, love, or family dynamics. While it’s
reasons behind his important to highlight student movements, I think
depression as the story directors should also focus on a variety of genres to
PHOTOS: unfolds. offer audiences, especially unique stories on youth, and
SHEIKH MEHEDI MORSHED
Reflecting on his joining diversity.”

NEWS
Top criminal Sweden Aslam released Biman gets new MD
FROM PAGE 12 infamy in 1987 after allegedly killing Aslam got his cut even though he was FROM PAGE 12 for five months, had replaced Abu Candidates with 20 years’
He served his time in some cases and teenager Shakil in front of his mother in prison. being just five months. Saleh Mostafa Kamal, an additional experience in the aviation sector,
had got bail in others. at Nazneen School in East Rajabazar. Prison sources say that the Rahman’s predecessor Zahidul secretary at the cabinet Division including 10 years in a senior
The last case in which he needed During that time, Rana Group of the authorities recovered two mobile Islam Bhuiyan, who was an additional dispatched to helm the flag carrier in management or directorial post, were
bail was filed over the murder of Jatiya Torun Party controlled Karwan phones from his cell, which he had secretary at the Prime Minister’s September 2021. asked to apply.
Tejgaon Jubo League leader Galib on Bazar area and one of the members used for communicating with his Office, was appointed in May. Kamal was in the post for 17 Rahman though meets the criteria.
March 23, 1997. of the group was Pichchi Hannan, the cohorts and threatening witnesses and Bhuiyan replaced Shafiul Azim, months before he was made the He started his career as a trainee
Although the police filed a charge sources said. those who sued him. who was an additional secretary
sheet on April 8, 1998, the trial has
director general of the social welfare commercial officer at Biman
The turf war between Rana Group Because of this, he had to be attached to the cabinet division.
been slow, with only 14 of the 24 department. Bangladesh Airlines in 1986 and
Aslam’s group intensified in early transferred from one prison to another During his 18-month tenure, Azim
witnesses testifying so far. Aslam was He replaced Md Mokabbir Hossain, retired in 2017 as the director of
1990s. Aslam eventually managed to several times. reopened and launched new route in
released from jail after getting bail in bring Pichchi Hannan over to his side. In early naughties, Pichchi Hannan an additional secretary of the civil sales and marketing. He served in
this case. different international destinations. aviation ministry, who was appointed important departments of Biman.
In 1996, Aslam allegedly had Rana gained notoriety on his own and began
Aslam, son of the late Sheikh Jinnat But all of a sudden he was made the in September 2019. He was in the post “Nowhere in the world would you
killed by Hannan in front of Superstar distancing his gang from Aslam.
Ali, hailed from the Chatiar area of Hotel in Farmgate and cemented Pichchi Hannan was killed in a secretary to the Election Commission. for 18 months. find the topmost post of an airline
Nawabganj in Dhaka. He lived with his his control over Karwan Bazar and “crossfire” with Rab in 2004. Azim was appointed the Biman But none of the past five Biman given to such a person who does not
family on Indira Road in Dhaka and surrounding areas, the sources said. Sources said Aslam could have MD in December 2022 after Zahid MDs met the requirements for the have any background in aviation and
passed SSC from Tejgaon Polytechnic Despite his imprisonment following sought bail earlier, but he did not, Hossain was sent to the ministry of post as mentioned in the circular business -- this is only possible in
School (now Tejgaon Government the murder of Galib, Aslam continued fearing he would be killed in so-called primary and mass education. published in 2019 for recruiting the Biman Bangladesh Airlines,” said Kazi
School). to exert control over his empire. crossfire. Hossain, who lasted in the post MD and CEO. Wahidul Alam, an aviation expert.
Sources in Karwan Bazar said Hannan and his gang collected toll The nickname “Sweden” was added
Aslam became notorious around 1986, from traders in Karwan Bazar and the to Aslam’s name as he was married to
initially dominating the Rajabazar
and Indira Road areas. He gained
Tejgaon Industrial Area on Aslam’s
behalf, sources claimed, adding that
a Swedish expatriate. Although they
separated, the moniker stuck. Freeze Bangladeshis Xi hosts two
17,000 cases of casualties found so far FROM PAGE 12
to demonstrate its commitment to
to contribute to the reforming of a
“New Bangladesh”, it is essential to
dozen African
FROM PAGE 12 the names and ages for which it was for Human Rights (OHCHR) of the
helping developing countries like
Bangladesh recover stolen assets
promptly locate and retrieve these
concealed assets from different leaders
It has been over three weeks since the difficult to trace the victims, he added. United Nations Office in its report harboured in the UK and ensure countries across the globe. AFP, Beijing
committee was formed. While the list “There were also cases where a good titled “Preliminary Analysis of Recent accountability for corrupt actors. This will help improve
has yet to be finalised, the committee number of casualties were admitted to Protests and Unrest in Bangladesh” “By bolstering anti-corruption transparency, accountability,
says that a first draft will be ready by Chinese leader Xi Jinping will host
the hospitals as unnamed,” Kabir said. said more than 600 people were killed efforts at this crucial moment for democracy, and inclusivity in the
next week. “We are still receiving information between July 16 and August 11. over two dozen African leaders at a
Bangladesh, the UK could play a country. The letter seeks cooperation
“Collecting data from private about those who were admitted “In the last 15 working days, we have lavish dinner in Beijing yesterday,
decisive role in ensuring the country from the UK secretary of state to
hospitals is challenging as they don’t with injuries and are dying while been working to verify these cases with achieve the secure democratic and kicking off the city’s biggest summit
support this effort, said the release.
strictly preserve data like government undergoing treatment,” he said the help of coordinators of the anti- inclusive future that the UK has in years with promises of cooperation
The letter urges the UK
hospitals do. In some cases, victims’ Kabir went on to say that the process discrimination student movement,” promised to help it achieve.” government to promptly address in infrastructure, energy and
family members hid registry entries out was being delayed due to private hospitals Kabir said. Duncan Hames, director of policy education.
three crucial matters, in line with
of fear,” said Muhammad Humayun providing information at a slow pace. Speaking on the matter, Prof Syed at Transparency International UK, China, the world’s number two
Kabir, former senior secretary of the
their commitment to support the
As of yesterday, there were no accurate Abdul Hamid of Dhaka University’s said, “We know that Bangladeshi interim government of Bangladesh. economy, is Africa’s largest trading
health service division, also head of the government or private data on how Institute of Health Economics said partner and has sought to tap
politicians with unexplained wealth The five anti-corruption
committee. many people were injured or killed in the the sooner the list is completed, the continent’s vast troves of natural
and members of the business organisations (TI-UK, the UK
Besides, in some cases, the register student-led mass movement. quicker the government can begin elite accused of wrongdoing have Anti-Corruption Coalition, the resources including copper, gold,
books of the private hospitals had only Meanwhile, the High Commissioner assisting the victims. significant asset portfolios here in the International Lawyers Project, lithium and rare earth minerals.
UK and abroad.” Spotlight on Corruption, and TIB) It has also furnished African
Preliminary proof of graft found Hames said the
government should now work
British

closely with allies around the world

request that the UK’s National
Crime Agency proactively investigate
countries with billions in loans that
have helped build much-needed
whether money laundered by infrastructure but also sometimes
FROM PAGE 12 including properties and businesses NO EX-MP SHOWED UP AT ACC and civil society within Bangladesh
about corruption by Aziz Ahmed. As Bangladeshi individuals or companies stoked controversy by saddling
in Malaysia, Singapore, and Dubai The graft watchdog on Tuesday to introduce a “sanctions regime” is present in the UK.
this information has been found to be of the UAE, which he bought after issued summonses to several governments with huge debts.
which freezes the assets of these They urged the agency to take Twenty-five African leaders have
true, the commission has decided to laundering money. former AL MPs to appear before it corrupt figures and their enablers, all necessary measures, including arrived in Beijing or confirmed
launch an investigation.” In another development, the ACC yesterday to face interrogation about ensuring they do not enjoy their ill- freezing these assets, as an initial
According to ACC sources, Aziz has decided to investigate corruption corruption allegations, but none of attendance at this week’s China-
gotten gains. step towards repatriating the funds
purchased houses and flats in allegations against former Feni-2 them showed up. In the letter to the UK secretary Africa forum, according to an
to Bangladesh, and sought the UK
different areas, invested Tk 100 crore Awami League lawmaker Nizam The lawmakers include former of state, it was highlighted that the government’s assistance in reforming AFP tally, including some whose
in building luxurious bungalows, Uddin Hazari. He is accused of Jatiya Sangsad chief whip Noor-e- extensive corruption by beneficiaries key Bangladeshi institutions such as countries face a rising risk of debt
bought a house in the capital’s owning assets worth crores of taka. Alam Chowdhury, ex-state minister of the ousted authoritarian the Anti-Corruption Commission, distress.
Mirpur DOHS and built another one He purchased those properties under for law Qamrul Islam, former state government is being uncovered in Bangladesh Financial Intelligence The forum will kick off Wednesday
named “Aziz Residence” on Road- his name and those of his wife and minister of Chittagong Hill Tracts Bangladesh, which is currently in Unit, Criminal Investigation evening with a family photo and a
6 of Nikunja-1 through abusing family members, said sources. affairs Kujendra Lal Tripura, Ziaur transition, said the TIB press release. Department, National Board of lavish dinner in the Great Hall of
power. The ACC has found information Rahman (Chapainawabganj-2) The assets smuggled by these Revenue, Office of the Attorney the People -- followed by an opening
There are allegations against about his huge illegal assets at home and Qashim Uddin Ahmed beneficiaries rightfully belong to General, and law enforcement ceremony at which Xi will deliver a
him of owning illegal assets abroad, and abroad. (Mymensingh-11). the citizens of Bangladesh. In order agencies. speech the next day.
INTERNATIONAL 7
DHAKA THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
City BHADRA 21, 1431 BS

Time for a Gaza

ceasefire deal: US
US brings ‘terrorism’ charges against Hamas leaders
AFP, Jerusalem Netanyahu said he would “not give in to
pressure”.
The United States yesterday said it was time The Israeli premier on Monday said “the
to “finalise” a deal between Israel and Hamas achievement of the war’s objectives” requires
to end the Gaza war, after Israeli Prime control of the Philadelphi Corridor along
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to the Gaza-Egypt border, to stop Hamas from
bow to pressure. rearming.
Washington would work “over the coming Saudi Arabia backed Cairo and expressed
days” with fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar its “strong condemnation and denunciation
“to push for a final agreement,” said US State of the Israeli statements regarding the
Department spokesman Matthew Miller. Philadelphi Corridor”, in a foreign ministry
He was speaking after Netanyahu rejected statement.
“concessions” in indirect negotiations with Israeli forces have killed at least 30
Hamas, despite growing domestic and Palestinians across the northern West
international pressure following the recovery Bank since August 28, the territory’s health
by Israel’s military of six killed hostages from ministry says, while Israel’s military reported
the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. one soldier killed in the “counter-terrorism”
“It is time to finalise that deal,” Miller said. raids.
The United States on Tuesday unsealed a Israel’s offensive in Gaza since October
raft of “terrorism” and other charges against 7 has killed at least 40,861 people in Gaza,
six Hamas leaders related to the group’s according to the territory’s health ministry.
October 7 attack on Israel. The UN rights office says most of the dead are
UN human rights chief Volker Turk women and children.
called for an “independent, impartial and With Gaza in ruins and the majority of
transparent investigation” into reports that its 2.4 million residents forced to flee, often
the six captives recovered dead from Gaza taking refuge in cramped and unsanitary
had been summarily executed. conditions, disease has spread.
Despite increasing grief and fury among After the first confirmed polio case in
Israelis, who have taken to the streets to 25 years, a vaccination drive began Sunday
An injured resident follows emergency workers carrying the body of his daughter, who was killed together with her two sisters and their pressure the government and express amid localised “humanitarian pauses” in the
mother during a Russian missile and drone strike on a residential building in Lviv, Ukraine yesterday. PHOTO: REUTERS concern for the fate of the hostages, fighting.

Trump has
Deadly strike hits Lviv as Boko Haram Beware of beautiful
‘surprise’ kills at least foreign spies
plan to end 81 in Nigeria
Ukraine war Zelensky reshuffles govt AFP, Kano
China warns students
AFP, Washington
FM among other ministers resigns ahead of tough months At least 81 people died and
several were missing after
Donald Trump said an attack by suspected
Tuesday he has plans that AFP, Lviv by over two years of war, came a missiles and 29 drones launched at Boko Haram jihadists in
are “guaranteed” to end day after a Russian strike on the the war-torn country, the air force Nigeria’s northeastern
the deadly war in Ukraine, Russia struck the city of Lviv in central city of Poltava killed 53 said. The air force said it downed Yobe State, local officials
but will only reveal them if western Ukraine yesterday, killing people, one of the deadliest single seven missiles and 22 drones. told AFP on Tuesday.
he wins the US presidential seven people and damaging strikes of the invasion. Russia also said it was pressing “Around 150 suspected
historical buildings in a rare attack “I heard terrible inhuman on with its offensive in the
election in November. Boko Haram terrorists
hundreds of kilometres from the screams saying ‘Save us,’” said country’s east, claiming the
The former US president armed with rifles and RPGs
frontline.
and current Republican (rocket-propelled grenades)
The strike came as several
nominee is locked in a attacked Mafa ward on
Ukrainian ministers, including top
neck-and-neck race with more than 50 motorcycles
diplomat Dmytro Kuleba, offered
his Democratic rival, Vice around 1600 hours on AFP, Beijing
their resignations, part of a major
President Kamala Harris. reshuffle President Volodymyr Sunday,” said Abdulkarim
“If I win, as president Zelensky said would bring “new Dungus, a Yobe state police China’s state security agency yesterday warned
elect, I’ll have a deal made, energy” to the government. spokesman. students with access to sensitive information
guaranteed. That’s a Russia has stepped up its aerial “They killed many against falling for “handsome men” or “beautiful
war that shouldn’t have attacks on Ukraine since Kyiv people and burnt many women” that might entice them to spy for foreign
happened,” Trump said on launched an unprecedented cross- shops and houses. We are powers.
the Lex Fridman podcast border offensive into Russia’s yet to ascertain the actual Beijing’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) has
released Tuesday. Kursk region last month. number of those killed in promoted claims that foreign spies are working
“I have a very exacting “In total, seven people died in the attack.” to lure loyal Chinese to betray their country --
plan how to stop Ukraine Lviv, including three children. Dungus said it appeared often in lurid and unusual ways -- since opening a
and Russia, And I have a The search and rescue operation to be a revenge attack WeChat account last year.
certain idea -- maybe not is ongoing,” Interior Minister Igor “for the killing of two It has warned that foreign spies “have countless
a plan, but an idea -- for Klymenko wrote on Telegram. Boko Haram terrorists by disguises, and can even change their gender”
China,” he added. The missile attack also vigilantes from the village.” and called on citizens to “build 1.4 billion lines of
“But I can’t give you wounded 40 people, damaging Bulama Jalaluddeen, a defence” against threats to the country.
those plans, because if I schools and medical facilities as local official, added: “From And it accused on Wednesday foreign
give you those plans, I’m well as buildings in Lviv’s historic these figures it has been intelligence agencies of deploying “romance traps”
not going to be able to centre, according to the office of Yelyzaveta, a 27-year-old resident capture of the village of Karlivka, established that at least 81 to lure Chinese students.
use them, they’ll be very Ukraine’s prosecutor general. of Lviv who rushed to shelter in her the latest in a string of territorial people were killed in the It said foreign spies were using job ads and
unsuccessful. You know, The western city near the Polish basement. gains. attack.” even online dating to “lure and coerce” young
part of it’s surprise, right?” border is home to a UNESCO world Others like Anastasia Grynko, Ukraine yesterday was also in “Fifteen bodies had students, especially those with access to “sensitive
The comments echo the heritage site that covers its old an internally displaced person the midst of a major government already been buried by scientific research data”, to hand over confidential
move by Trump loyalists town. It has been largely spared the from Dnipro, did not have time to reshuffle, as Zelensky seeks their relations by the time information.
in Congress earlier this intense strikes that have rocked reach a shelter. to boost confidence in the soldiers reached Mafa “They may even disguise themselves as
year, when they tanked a cities further east. “The rocket hit our house. government two and a half years for the evacuation of the ‘handsome men’ or ‘beautiful women’... and drag
bipartisan immigration But at least seven “architectural Everything was blown away. At into Russia’s invasion. corpses. young students into ‘romance trap’,” it warned.
plan reportedly objects of local importance were the time of the explosion, I was Ukraine’s wartime Foreign Boko Haram and other The MSS did not name which countries were
because they did not damaged” in yesterday’s barrage, somehow miraculously in the Minister Dmytro Kuleba submitted jihadist groups have waged behind the alleged scheme.
want the Biden-Harris regional head Maksym Kozytsky corridor, so I was not badly hurt,” his resignation on Wednesday, a 15-year insurgency in But it warned that spies might be disguising
administration to earn said. she said. a day after six other officials northeast Nigeria that has themselves as university scholars, scientific
credit on one of the 2024 The assault on Lviv, which is The attack on Lviv was part of a including cabinet ministers said killed more than 40,000 researchers or consultants, luring students short
election’s biggest issues. sheltering thousands displaced wider barrage on Ukraine, with 13 they were stepping down. people. of cash in what it called “targeted infiltration”.

CEC, all four deputies Tarique envisions bicameral house UN warns of

FROM PAGE 12 yesterday. the support of the people of the ‘red alert’ after
likely to resign today country governed by a national
government in the future.”
Tarique also said those who
BNP Standing
members Mirza Abbas, Abdul
Committee country can only make these plans
a reality. record heat
FROM PAGE 1 Commission stays in office, it may Moyeen Khan, and Babu Gayeshwar “I hope the people won’t
at noon today. participated in the struggle to Chandra Roy, among others, also certainly want those parties or AFP, Singapore
have to stand in the dock in future
At least two top EC officials said restore democracy and people’s addressed the meeting. individuals included in a national
for violating the constitution,” the Rising temperatures should trigger a
the CEC and his four deputies, voting rights will all be involved Tarique said it is important to government who have turned the
commissioner said. global “red alert”, the United Nations’
following their resignations, will in the future governance of the inform the nation about another entire country into their party
Top EC officials said that the weather and climate agency chief said
ask the EC secretariat to send their country, ensuring that the benefits significant reform plan of the BNP, and family’s personal property
election commissioners had been Wednesday, after global heat indices
resignation letters to President of their contributions are not which involves introducing a two- and those who, under the guise
mentally prepared for stepping again smashed records in August.
Mohammed Shahabuddin. overlooked. house parliament. of so-called development, have
down since the fall of Hasina’s The world saw record average
The election commissioners are government. The commissioners
He remarked that the freedom He mentioned that there are burdened each of us with a debt temperatures in August for the
going to resign exactly a month were trying to understand whether fighters fought valiantly on numerous scholars, talented of 1.5 lakh taka and syphoned off second year running, preliminary
after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s they would resign on their own, the battlefield and secured teachers, artists, writers, journalists, thousands of crore taka abroad,” data from the EU’s climate monitor
government on August 5. Hasina or the interim government had independence for the nation in 1971. researchers, doctors, technical he added. seen by AFP showed.
quit and fled to India in the face any other plans in this regard. The “The key to winning that struggle experts, and humanitarian Tarique congratulated BNP And Australia, Japan, parts of
of a student-led mass uprising. commission tried to contact the was unquestioned national unity. workers in the country who are not leaders and activists for their China and Norway all experienced
The president dissolved the 12th high-ups of the state for advice, but It is unfortunate but true that we traditionally involved in politics steadfast participation and trust in their hottest August on record,
parliament on August 6. it did not succeed. failed to utilise that unity after but are eager to contribute to the the party over the past seventeen according to meteorological agencies.
EC officials said the The Habibul-led commission independence.” development and governance of the years of relentless struggle for the “It’s clear that the temperatures
commissioners decided to resign as The BNP leader noted that nation. restoration of democracy. are rising... above what we would
took office on February 27, 2022 for
there is a constitutional obligation from the very beginning, the However, the BNP leader said He urged them not to let like,” said Celeste Saulo, head of the
five years.
nation was divided when the within the current constitutional their sacrifices be diminished by World Meteorological Organization
for the commission to hold The EC had been at the centre
Awami League established a (WMO).
parliamentary polls within 90 days of controversy during the Awami framework, there is no opportunity the misdeeds of a few reckless
partisan government instead of “And it is because the action is not
after the dissolution of a parliament. League rule. The current EC has for these individuals to contribute individuals and advised them to enough.”
“But we don’t think the situation been criticised for holding the forming a necessary national as members of parliament. remain vigilant and resist any
government after independence. While the exact average global
is suitable for holding a national last national polls in which the AL “To utilise their services and troublemakers. temperature for August 2024 is not yet
election within the stipulated time,” had to field dummy independent “As a result, a significant portion contributions to the cause of The BNP leader also advised known, the EU’s Copernicus Climate
an election commissioner told The candidates to make the polls appear of the population was unable to the country, BNP wants to see party leaders to earn the trust and Change Service (C3S) has established it
Daily Star wishing not to be named. participatory. contribute to nation-building a bicameral parliament system confidence of the people by aligning will be above the record 16.82 degrees
“The 12th parliament was The previous EC was criticised for despite their willingness.” with an upper house included in with their hopes, expectations, and Celsius (62.28 Fahrenheit) measured
dissolved after the fall of Sheikh holding parliamentary polls widely As part of a series of programmes, the constitution like many other language. in August last year.
Hasina’s government. An interim believed to be questionable and Tarique Rahman virtually joined countries in the world,” he said. He also instructed them to “Thresholds are all the time being
government was subsequently the one before that held a national the final views exchange meeting Tarique said he is just humbly use their political acumen and beaten,” Saulo said, speaking in
formed, but the constitution was election in which 153 MPs were with BNP grassroots leaders and sharing BNP’s future plans and strategies to tackle emerging and Singapore at a regional climate forum
not suspended. If this Election elected unopposed. activists from Dhaka Division intentions because he knows that unseen adversaries. of local meteorological services.
8 EDITORIAL
DHAKA THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
BHADRA 21, 1431 BS

FROM FELANI KHATUN TO SWARNA DAS

FOUNDER EDITOR: LATE S. M. ALI

When will border killings
Take steps to reopen
flood-hit schools
by BSF end?
Kallol Mustafa “The story which is told to justify border Commander to whom the details,
Prolonged learning disruptions is an engineer and writer who focuses on power,
energy, environment and development economics.
killing is also not true. They say cattle such as the tracks of the cattle and the
are smuggled across the border and criminals involved etc. will be handed
are hurting students’ future He can be reached at [email protected].
those smugglers are killed. It seems over. The border Post Commander
Students just can’t seem to catch a break. Over the last as if cows are born at the border and concerned will acknowledge receipt of
few months, there have been one disruption after another smuggled into Bangladesh. In fact, the report and then inform the nearest
across all tiers of education that either put a stop to these cows are brought from Haryana police station in his own country, who
classroom activities or, worse, put students and teachers in and Punjab, crossing 2,000 to 2,500 will make all efforts to recover the cattle
harm’s way. In particular, schools and colleges have been kilometres distance within India. The and apprehend the criminals.
KALLOL MUSTAFA cattle are brought on foot, by truck
affected by intermittent closures during the weeks-long Does the BSF follow this simple
anti-discrimination movement, assaults and fatalities of or by train. Is it believable that no one procedure to prevent smuggling while
students during the movement, subsequent disruptions After Bangladeshi teenager Felani avoiding “unpleasant incidents?”
including often-forced resignations of teachers and Khatun was gunned down by the Indian Evidence suggests otherwise.
administrators, and finally a flood that has left behind a Border Security Force (BSF) in January According to an investigation report by
vast trail of destruction in a number of districts, including 7, 2011, her mother Jahanara Begum Human Rights Watch titled, “‘Trigger
their educational institutions. This shows how urgent it has had said in anger and frustration that, Happy’: Excessive Use of Force by Indian
become to ensure that students resume their education no one should lose her child, not even a Troops at the Bangladesh Border,” all
without further disruptions. bird should die at the hands of the BSF the victims of BSF killings were either
While the extent of damage suffered by schools, madrasas, on the border. Yet, the killing of people unarmed or armed with only sickles,
and colleges in flood-hit areas is yet to be fully determined, by BSF on the Bangladesh-India border sticks, and knives, which suggest that
one estimate says that 1,206 educational institutions have has not stopped. in shooting victims, the BSF are likely
been damaged, resulting in a loss of over Tk 37 crore. But this The latest victim is Swarna Das, a to have used excessive force. In several
is more likely an underestimation given how devastating the 16-year-old school girl, killed by BSF at cases, the victims were shot in the back,
flood has been, especially in 11 south-eastern districts. Feni the Bangladesh-India border in Kulaura suggesting that they were running
and Noakhali were the hardest hit among them, with more upazila of Moulvibazar on September away. In others, injuries indicate the
than 90 percent of their combined populations said to be 1. According to The Daily Star, Swarna person was shot at close range, with
severely affected and about 48 percent of homes destroyed, along with her mother, assisted by two witnesses often alleging that the
according to Oxfam Bangladesh. local agents, had attempted to cross the person was tortured and killed in BSF
So, it makes more sense when a Prothom Alo report Lalarchak border with India. A couple custody. None of the cases investigated
claims that all 951 pre-tertiary educational institutions in from Chattogram accompanied them. FILE PHOTO: STAR by Human Rights Watch showed that
Feni were inundated. This includes 559 primary schools, When they approached the Indian Despite India’s claim to be friendly, the country’s behaviour in border BSF had recovered lethal weapons or
351 secondary schools and madrasas, and 41 colleges, with border’s barbed wire fence around management is that of an aggressive and dominating neighbour. explosives that could pose an imminent
the number of affected students reaching nearly four 9:00pm, BSF personnel opened fire, threat of death or serious injury that
lakh. The flood has had a similar impact in some other killing Swarna on the spot, while the might justify killings in self-defence.
districts including Noakhali and Cumilla. While some of the 31 Bangladeshis were killed by BSF along sees these! Nobody stops these because
Chattogram couple sustained injuries. the border in 2023, of whom 28 were Thirdly, even BSF’s excuses for self-
institutions have started classes after floodwaters receded, everyone gets his share. The real issue
Fifteen-year-old Felani Khatun was shot dead. The number of Bangladeshi here is corruption, BSF kills when there defence are not acceptable. How could
most schools and colleges remain more or less shut, their returning from India to Bangladesh unarmed teenage girls like Felani or
classrooms filled with mud and debris. citizens killed by BSF in 2021 and 2022 is a dispute with the distribution of the
with her father through the Anantapur were 18 and 23, respectively, and at least spoils.” Swarna be a threat to the armed BSF?
In Feni, the district administration has said that more border in Kurigram 13 years ago, And there are many such examples.
than half of the educational institutions are still in an 522 Bangladeshis were killed between Secondly, neither the Indian Penal
while Swarna Das was going with her 2009 and 2020. Code nor any international law allows Despite India’s claim to be
abandoned state. In addition to educational institutions, the friendly, the country’s behaviour in
mother through the Lalarchak border Regarding border killings, the BSF shooting or killing a smuggler at will.
district and upazila education offices were also inundated. border management is that of an
in Moulvibazar to meet her immigrant gives the excuse of firing in “self- Anyone crossing the border illegally
Many buildings remain under water, many formerly used as aggressive and dominating neighbour.
brother in Tripura, India. defence” under “compulsion.” In July can be arrested and prosecuted. India
flood shelters. Reportedly, school-college authorities are Interestingly, the Indian BSF does not
After Felani’s killing by BSF, her body 2022, the then Director General of ignores all internationally accepted
struggling to clean debris and repair any damage suffered, behave the same way on the borders
was hanging on the barbed wire fence India’s Border Security Force (BSF) border control protocols and bilateral
but the process has been slow, so there is no certainty about with hostile neighbours like China or
for a long time and the image sparked Pankaj Kumar Singh tried to justify border management instruments
when the students can safely return. Their own situation
outrage and protests at home and Bangladeshi nationals killed on the like the Joint India-Bangladesh Pakistan. There may be a state of war,
back home also has to improve for them to be able to come
abroad. However, the BSF member who border—terming them as “criminals.” Guidelines for border authorities of isolated shootings and killings on those
to class.
killed Felani was not punished, rather He claimed that all those killed were the two countries, 1975 and the India- borders, but one-sided border killings
We don’t need to remind anyone of the consequences of
the BSF court acquitted him. The case involved in various crimes, including Bangladesh Coordinated Border like the ones on the Bangladesh-India
prolonged school closures. Each day of missed schooling
was then brought to the Supreme Court drug trade and cattle smuggling as if Management Plan 2011. For example, border are absent there.
will exacerbate the learning gap accumulated over the
of India, but it has not been heard yet. BSF can stamp any foreign citizen as a to avoid the possibility of “unpleasant No attempt was made by the
past months, particularly for those from disadvantaged
backgrounds. So, restoring normalcy in the educational Not just the teenagers Felani or criminal without any trial and then kill incidents,” according to article 8(i) of past government to take a firm
landscape of flood-hit areas should be a priority. The Swarna, the Indian BSF is regularly the alleged criminal at will. the 1975 guideline, if nationals of one stand against the regular killings of
immediate focus should be on accelerating the cleanup killing Bangladeshis by shooting or First, cattle smuggling, like all other country ingress the working boundary Bangladeshi citizens by the Indian BSF
and repair efforts. In schools that remain waterlogged, the torturing them across the border. commodity smuggling, is a joint venture and enter illegally and commit or on the border, to demand fair trial and
authorities may think of alternative arrangements using Incidents of shootings or killings on involving both Indian and Bangladeshi attempt to commit an offence, the investigation of every incident, to call
temporary learning spaces, digital tools, or community- the border of two hostile neighbouring sellers and buyers. The rules of a market border security forces would be at the Indian ambassador and demand
based classes to bridge the learning gap. It is likely that many countries are not rare. But the case of economy dictate that any commercial liberty to take appropriate action in accountability, and to turn the matter
books and learning tools were also destroyed during the one country regularly shooting and transaction, whether legal or illegal, can the exercise of the “right to private into a bilateral and international issue.
flood, so the education authorities must provide necessary killing citizens of the other country only take place if both parties benefit. defence” preferably without resorting We expect the situation to change in
help in this regard. on their common border, when the In this regard, Kirity Roy, secretary of a to fire. And according to article 8(m), the interim government’s tenure, which
countries are officially “friends,” is rare. West Bengal based rights organisation whenever any cattle are alleged to have should send a strong message to India,
According to human rights Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha been lifted across the border, a report protesting BSF’s killing of teenager
Swarna Das and demanding justice.
A great gesture of organisation Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), Mancha (MASUM) has rightly said that, will be lodged with the opposite Post

goodwill
UAE pardoning 57 Bangladeshis
The RMG workers’ movement requires
raises hope of deeper ties
We are quite relieved to learn that the United Arab Emirates
stronger demands
(UAE) has pardoned the 57 Bangladeshi migrant workers
who were sentenced to prison for staging demonstrations
Kalpona Akter BNP overnight. We are seeing this can be empowered, then the grievances
is a labour rights activist and president of Bangladesh of the labourers would have a formal
in that country. The UAE president granted the amnesty on Garment and Industrial Workers Federation.
in a lot of the industrial belts. In the
Tuesday, with our foreign adviser saying that the released protests, they are using the labourers place to go. Additionally, the labourers
workers might get another chance to work in the Gulf for their own benefit. will also be able to build faith in the
country. This is a great show of goodwill on the UAE’s Another aspect that is problematic legal system and have respect for it.
part, which we deeply appreciate. We also congratulate the for the labourers is that while they When do labourers or people go to
interim government for this diplomatic win so early in its were oppressed primarily by the factory the streets to protest? When they don’t
tenure. owners, the unions they used to go have a place to voice their concerns. The
These people, who had migrated to the UAE seeking to for resolving their issues were also trade unions were supposed to be the
KALPONA AKTER
better opportunities to support their families, staged run and controlled by the owners. If channel for the workers. But these very
peaceful demonstrations on July 19, protesting against the workers got laid off, the compensation trade unions have suppressed the voice
Sheikh Hasina government’s crackdown on students who The current workers’ protests are insurmountable exploitation that the of the labourers whenever they tried to
demanded quota reforms in public service recruitment. demanding very basic things. There is labourers have tolerated for the last bring something up. Whether through
But as such protests are prohibited in the UAE, they were
As an activist, what beating them up, putting them in jail,
nothing revolutionary or new about 16 years or even more required much
detained on July 20 and, through an expedited trial on them that needs attention for the most stronger demands if it were an organised I feel is that the or blacklisting them, every method has
July 21, sentenced to prison for various terms as well as part. Some of these demands include movement. But the movement now is insurmountable been used. This needs to be stopped
deportation upon serving their sentences. Naturally, the our wages being paid properly and on spontaneous, and it is unclear where it exploitation that and trust should be rebuilt. The workers
conviction was condemned by human rights advocates at time, enforcing managerial changes is beginning and where it is ending. the labourers have should be able to choose their own true
the time. As we also said in this column then, the nature of due to abusive behaviour, stopping Regarding the issue of men not being leaders. Otherwise, there will always
the punishment was excessive given that the protesters had
tolerated for the be protests every other day, and no
suspensions, and implementation employed in garment factories, this
merely acted on their conscience in a peaceful manner. We of a production bonus. Additionally, is a new demand and by itself, it is not last 16 years or even permanent solution can be reached.
also requested the UAE government to consider deportation female workers, especially during the surprising. However, what is surprising more required much One source of fear is that as we
without imprisonment. later phases of pregnancy, shouldn’t be is the demand for equal rights for men stronger demands if are currently going through political
The UAE president’s amnesty comes a week after he made to do physically heavy work. The and women. I see this as both positive it were an organised instability, some other group shouldn’t
spoke with the chief adviser of the interim government in a practice of deducting wages for being and negative. The positive is that the be able to take advantage of this
congratulatory call, during which the latter appealed to him
movement. But the situation. The garment sector is
late for three days must be stopped as men are not only talking about their
for the release of the 57 Bangladeshi nationals. We appreciate well. There are also demands for the own rights but are also demanding movement now is important for our labourers and our
the gesture of respect shown to the interim leader as well as attendance bonus to be increased to Tk women’s rights alongside theirs. The spontaneous, and it economy internationally. The workers
the people of Bangladesh. This certainly bodes well for the 1,000 from Tk 500. Among the many negative is that in the labour market, is unclear where it is also have to understand that if we
Bangladesh-UAE relations. Bangladeshis, who constitute demands we have seen, one common women are lagging quite far behind. If beginning and where want to keep our international orders,
one of the largest communities in the UAE, have long been one is that the mandatory 5 percent we say that 50 percent of men must be we have to keep production ongoing.
a part of its journey of growth and development. It also
it is ending. Otherwise, some other country will
salary increase should be raised to 10 employed in the garment sector as well,
remains one of the top sources of remittance for us. We hope percent or more. then where will women labourers go? grab this opportunity. The buyers are
that the recent positive exchanges will further deepen our However, some demands that should This demand is by male labourers who they should receive was determined not here to do charity. If the trend of
ties, and open the door for fruitful discussion on resolving be included are missing. For example, don’t have jobs and are on the streets. at BGMEA by some so-called labour delayed shipments continues due to
some labour rights issues faced by our migrants, including the minimum salary declared last Something worth mentioning is leaders who were actually working for protests and instability, then the buyers
abusive labour conditions under the kafala system and November should be re-evaluated. We that those who were connected with the owners. In cases of terminations, will move to a different country. This
alleged exploitation of construction and domestic workers. didn’t see labourers demanding the the previous government and involved they would use Article 20 and give a low will harm our labourers a lot more
lift of restrictions on trade unions or in the business of collecting leftover amount in compensation just to be able than the owners. The owners could
the cessation of harassment. This is fabric and other materials at a low to say they gave it. potentially go to a different country and
THIS DAY IN HISTORY because the scale of disregard for the
law is so high that the labourers are
price from the factories are now being
replaced. The trade-off was that for the
This needs to change. Why would
an organisation like BGMEA, which is
try doing business from there. But our
large labour force cannot do that. So,
thinking if some minimum demands discounted price on these materials, run by the owners, be given the power the labourers also have to keep that in
Mother Teresa dies are met, things will get better. They they would “tackle” the labourers of the of arbitration, making the labour court mind and have dialogue and voice their
On this day in 1997, Mother Teresa—who was awarded the will then consider their factory to be factories—essentially acting as goons. and Department of Inspection for concerns in a manner that production
1979 Nobel Peace Prize for her charitable work with the poor, running well and go back to work. This is a multi-crore taka business, Factories and Establishments (DIFE) doesn’t come to a complete halt and
especially in India—died at age 87 in the then Calcutta. As an activist, what I feel is that the which is now being taken over by the ineffective? If these two organisations disrupt future livelihoods.

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 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
BHADRA 21, 1431 BS

Reform the system,

politics will fall in line
Shamsher M Chowdhury, Bir Bikram, caretaker government may be worked

FILE PHOTO: AMRAN HOSSAIN

is a former foreign secretary of Bangladesh.
out in consultation with all relevant
stakeholders, including all registered
political parties and civil society.
Such a system will not only ensure
the legitimacy and credibility of the
elections but also greatly enhance
the role and image of the Election
SHAMSHER M CHOWDHURY, BB Commission. Hopefully, this will also
eliminate the prevailing and pervasive
culture of deep distrust among the
I begin this article with the following viewed alongside our own “1/11” political parties.
Thousands of people celebrate on the streets after the fall of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024. Second, the existing “first-past-
friendly piece of advice from a well- experience and what went wrong
wisher from Sri Lanka, a country that with it. To begin with, unlike the the-post” system should be replaced

One month after has nothing but the best of interests

for Bangladesh and its people at its
heart.
“To my dearest Bangladeshis,
2007-08 “government,” the present
administration must not set any
arbitrary deadline for the end of
the interregnum. Instead, it should
with a system of proportional
representation in parliament. This
will eliminate the “winner-takes-all”
phenomenon that debilitates the

the new beginning I am overjoyed by what you have

achieved. Truth be told, given my
experience with the Monarchy in
Bangladesh, I didn’t think such an
outcome was possible.
set about incorporating a set of
fundamental reforms, focusing on
eliminating the zero-sum game that
the existing political structure in
Bangladesh enables.
political culture in Bangladesh. Since
Kazi Habibul Awal has already written
extensively on this topic, I choose not
to delve too deeply here, except to add
that the Sri Lankan model may be
NO STRINGS But let’s remember, this victory A genuine friend of Bangladesh, studied as a possible template.
ATTACHED is just the beginning—10 percent of who had a ringside view of events, Third, it is high time that Bangladesh
Aasha Mehreen Amin the journey. The real challenge lies believes that “during the 2007-08 has a bicameral legislature that most,
is joint editor at The Daily Star. ahead. This is where we, Sri Lankans, period, nobody in Bangladesh or if not all, developed democracies have.
faltered. abroad actually believed that the While the structure and the terms of
We once chanted that we didn’t
need anyone in parliament to run our
AASHA MEHREEN AMIN country, and now, two years later,
we’re left with no option but to vote
for the same old faces. Our revolution,
If we tried to retrace all our steps to August 5, the government’s “friends and family.” in essence, accomplished nothing.
day when the will of the people won and when In this month, we have also witnessed The Bangladeshi revolution, driven
15 years of a repressive, autocratic rule ended, it remarkable scenes. by students, now needs structure and
would be a dizzying experience. Of course, the With no police on the streets for days after formality. You can’t depend on the
momentum for August 5 really sped up from August 5, and incidents of arson, vandalism and current parliamentarians to bring
July 15 when the quota reform movement took its robbery being reported all over the country, a about the change you seek. The
revolutionary turn. sense of community that had long become extinct youth, the educated, and those truly
On that day, protesting university students were emerged. Residents became protectors of their desiring change must take the reins.
brutally beaten up by Chhatra League. The old neighbourhoods, staying up all night in shifts Do not ease up now—the war has
formula of using brute force whenever there was to guard their communities. In many instances, just begun… Set aside your ideologies
any dissent royally backfired. The bloodied faces of students came to help. In fact, when there was news and focus on shaping Bangladesh
fellow students that included female students, the of Hindus being attacked, their temples desecrated into the nation you want for your
images of which were furiously shared on social and homes ransacked, students, including those children.”
media, unleashed something that we never thought from local madrasas, stayed vigilant all night to VISUAL: ALIZA RAHMAN
possible. It was when the students decided that it protect them. reference of such a legislature may
was time to fight back. And fight they did, not with For many days, there were no traffic police, It is high time that chief adviser, or his colleagues were
calling the shots. While some of the be discussed and deliberated with
bullets or machetes as their attackers used, but and the students quickly mobilised themselves to Bangladesh has a all stakeholders, it will likely ensure
with fearlessness and a sense of justice. On July 16, handle the gridlocks, refusing to allow anyone to advisers played supporting roles
bicameral legislature in that administration, in the end, government accountability—a feature
the day Abu Sayed made history by standing with break traffic rules. that most, if not all, decisions were made by the army that is currently conspicuous by its
hands outstretched in defiance of the policemen To test our resilience further came the
who kept on shooting at the unarmed university devastating floods, drowning villages in several developed democracies chief and a small circle of uniformed absence.
student, everything changed and set the tone for eastern districts. Here again, the students have. While the subordinates (who often provided Fourth, Bangladesh, with a
what would follow. spontaneously rose to the occasion, mobilising structure and the him with conflicting advice).” This, current population of more than
From the government’s side, a leader utterly relief at the TSC and taking it to flood victims, the friend believes, resulted in 170 million and growing, must move
terms of reference towards creating elected provincial
blinded by her own hubris and the glaring often risking their lives. The people, inspired by the the notorious “minus two” policy,
of such a legislature which was doomed to fail as it was governments with proper devolution
disconnect with her own people was laid bare. patriotism and sense of solidarity of the students,
It caused Sheikh Hasina to abuse the state showed their generosity through substantial may be discussed shortsightedly aimed at reforming of powers. Sri Lanka, with a much
machinery once again, using maximum force by donations and relief efforts. and deliberated with political parties and not the system. smaller population, has provincial
the police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to But the other side of these 30 days indicates all stakeholders, it This ultimately weakened governments, even though the
crush the students’ spirit, resulting in mindless the mess the last regime has left us with and how will likely ensure those within the parties who were country had gone through a long and
killings of at least 800 protesters and bystanders much work we have to do. The work of the interim interested in reforms, and it made bloody civil war that threatened its
government “reform” sound like a dirty word. The very territorial integrity. The other
(including little children). But instead of quelling government has been constantly impeded by a
the spirit of dissent, these unconscionable acts series of untoward events—some done deliberately. accountability—a 2007-08 “government’s” insistence model that could be looked at is the
ignited a thirst for freedom that spread like wildfire While the uprising was victorious in ousting a feature that is currently that it was not “political” reflected a Indonesian one, where in addition
to all campuses all over the country, reaching the fascist regime, it also gave many groups the idea conspicuous by its fundamental misunderstanding of to having a bicameral legislature at
hearts of ordinary people who were stupefied to that they now had a licence to demand whatever absence. how government works. While the the centre, it has elected provincial
see students, the future of the country, being so they wanted and do whatever they felt like doing, caretaker regimes are not partisan legislatures and an elected governor.
brutally gunned down. Thus, on August 5, despite especially in the absence of law enforcers on the (in traditional Bangladeshi terms), by The steps suggested above, if
the horrific level of deaths and injuries of people, ground. The message conveyed above is as their very nature, any government is implemented in the right spirit, would
when it was clear that the autocrat who had shown The Ansar protests, which turned violent on potent in substance as it is relevant to political, and therefore all its actions take time to formulate. Therefore,
her worst and most cruel side had fled through August 25, with students being attacked and some the dramatically changed situation in impact the political structure. setting any timetable for elections at
the backdoor of her grand office, the jubilations Ansar members injured, have shown how volatile Bangladesh post-August 5. It is, at the This is not to say that the this time would be ill advised. Once
on the streets were as spontaneous as they were the atmosphere still is. Over the last few weeks, same time, philosophical and emotion military has no role in the current the necessary reforms are instituted,
contagious. It was the united struggle of the people workers of garment factories, shoe factories and laden. Importantly, the author speaks scenario. Rather, the military politics in Bangladesh will fall in line.
that culminated in victory. pharmaceuticals, and most lately doctors of public from firsthand experience, as Sri must be subordinate to the civilian I have deliberately refrained
From that pivotal moment, the subsequent hospitals (after doctors were attacked at the DMCH Lanka underwent a similar people’s government and play a supporting from discussing the importance
events in the next 30 days have been just as when a patient died) have gone on strikes; factories, revolution only two years back when role—acting only if and when of ensuring the independence of
dramatic. buildings and homes of individuals connected to the sitting president had to flee the requested by their civilian superiors. institutions that belong to the state
Our emotions have been on an insane roller the former regime have been vandalised and set country in the face of widespread Some of the basic reforms that the and not to any ruling party.
coaster ride. Horror, disbelief, anger, grief, on fire. Meanwhile, in a bid to “purge” all corrupt public protests. The author’s interim government must set in pace Last but certainly not least, the
gratitude, relief, uncertainty—all these feelings elements of the past regime, mob justice has frustrations with the faltering of the may include, but are not necessarily interim government should be
have been jumbled together into an impossible taken over; there have been forced resignations revolution in the teardrop-shaped limited to, the following: prepared for the unexpected. Just
knot that desperately needs untangling. We are, of principals, teachers, VCs and public officials, gem in the Indian Ocean is evident— First, all future parliamentary as Sheikh Hasina never would have
if you will, in post-traumatic stress and events and indiscriminate filing of murder cases against and they hope the mistakes made elections should be held under a predicted the spark that ultimately
around us are not allowing us to breathe as freely individuals because of their affiliation with the there would not be repeated here. non-party caretaker government, lit the fuse that ended her regime, all
as we had hoped. ousted government. Moral policing in the name of For us in Bangladesh, comparisons the term of which should not exceed governments must be ready to deal
No doubt, to have an iconic figure like Dr religion has also reared its ugly head. All this has with Sri Lanka must also be 90 days. The modalities of such a with any contingency.
Muhammad Yunus as the leader of the interim created a feeling of unease and uncertainty among
government has given the people a sense of great people and a sense of impunity among those who
relief. He is someone who has universal acceptance, want to cause mischief.
and students and ordinary people are elated to be While the advisers of the interim government,
able to finally openly express their respect and love as well as the student leaders, have called for an end
for the Nobel laureate. The speech he delivered to such acts, these calls should have been backed
on August 25 was full of genuine compassion, by prompt action. Security of people and property
empathy, honesty and humility, virtues we have should have been ensured from day one, which it
not seen in a leader for many decades. was not. With the police still reluctant to do their
He also frankly pointed out the challenges job, other forces such as the army could have been
before us as we try to heal a country left in tatters deployed much earlier before these situations went
after 15 years of misrule. He appealed to people out of control.
to help him and his team to rebuild the country. Such criticisms are valid, and we expect the
He called for national unity—a call echoed by the interim government to be more efficient in
student leaders and editors of major media houses. restoring law and order and seeking justice for
Many of his advisers are well-respected members the victims of the killings by the former regime.
of civil society. The public perception is that they Corrupt individuals, be they members of the
are good, honest individuals who are interested in former government or private citizens who were
nation-building, not accumulating wealth through its illegal beneficiaries, must be punished for the
abuse of power. crimes they have committed. They must, however,
One laudable move of the interim government be accorded due process and not become victims of
has been to try to rein in the out-of-control legal manipulations reminiscent of the AL regime.
corruption of the financial sector. In line with The students have entrusted the interim
the finance adviser’s vow to not spare big loan government to carry out necessary reforms that
defaulters, the interim government has instructed can usher in a Bangladesh that reflects their
the central bank, which has a new governor, to stop aspirations and those of the people. As citizens
all concessions and rescheduling facilities given to of this country, we should be immensely grateful
loan defaulters, which has actually encouraged this to the students for giving us the opportunity to
continuous bleeding of the banks. The government dream again, to breathe freely without fear. But
has tasked a committee to formulate a white paper the students, too, have a responsibility to show the
on the economy that will, among other things, maturity, restraint, and tolerance needed to realise
review the energy sector’s foreign loan agreements these dreams. They must live up to the ideals of
and other contracts. Curbing money laundering, democracy, freedom and unity for all citizens—
aiming for accountability and transparency in the not just through words, but actions. They must
financial sector, is a breath of fresh air after years always be mindful that they do not make the same
of financial haemorrhaging by the Awami League mistakes as those they have ousted.
10 BOOKS
DHAKA THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
BHADRA 21, 1431 BS

BOOK REVIEW: NONFICTION

‘THRICE BORN’
The journey of Bangladeshi
literature in English
Review of ‘Bangladeshi Literature in English: Critical Essays and Interviews’ (Routledge,
2024) edited by Mohammad A. Quayum and Md. Mahmudul Hasan
While the first UMME AL-WAZEDI where Hasan compares Corelli and talk about the socio-political lives of talk about the issues Gosh writes about. marginalisation of the different groups
two chapters Hossain to talk about gender norms the villagers. Using Rob Nixon’s work as a theoretical of people in the 1971 war narratives.
Bangladeshi Literature in English: both in India and England. The author’s While the first two chapters focus lens, Hossain weaves in the problems Mohammad A. Quayum’s interview
focus on Critical Essays and Interviews, edited focus is on the commonalities between on the colonial period, chapter three, that we should be concerned about— with Kaiser Haq brings out the problems
the colonial by Mohammad A. Quayum and Md. the two and the fact that both Indian which Kathryn Hummel writes, brings the countries of the Global South as of not having more anglophone
period, Mahmudul Hasan, focuses on critical women and British women faced the the readers to the present time with the dumping grounds for things that literature in Bangladesh. Haq thinks
chapter essays on Bangladeshi literature in same kinds of subjugation as Britain the analysis of Kaiser Haq’s poems. the Global North discards. Hossain’s that the fear of apasankriti drives
three, which English—both from Bangladesh and brought its Victorian moral values to the Haq is very popular in “dui Bangla”, chapter opens a new venue to see a writers away from writing in English. He
its diasporas (US, UK, and Australia). Indian subcontinent. This chapter will meaning both in West Bengal and Bangladeshi diasporic writer writing talks about his background—growing
Kathryn Until recently, there was hardly any complement those abroad who teach Bangladesh and thus, scholars from about environmental disasters. This up in an English-medium school and
Hummel anthology or edited volume in English Hossain’s Sultana’s Dream (1905). both sides of the border have worked chapter would complement any syllabi how that encouraged him to write
writes, brings that one could access if one were Hasan’s second chapter, “Panchayat with and written about him. Hummel that focus on the environmental issues in English. He mentions the teacher
the readers to to look for a collection of essays on and colonialism in Humayun Kabir’s argues that Haq is a transnational local of the Global South. in his school who infused critical
the present Bangladeshi literature in English. appreciation of a poem in the classroom
Thus, Bangladeshi Literature in and Haq’s desire to see “the music in
time with English as an edited collection with free verse”. He refers to a plethora of
the analysis five chapters written by seasoned and English writers who have influenced
of Kaiser young scholars fills that gap. It also has him. In his response to Quayum’s
Haq’s poems. two interviews—one of Kaiser Haq and query about the sustainability of
Haq is very the other of Monica Ali. The writers of subcontinental English, Haq says that
the chapters used an amalgamation of literature will exploit various forms
popular in theorists, from Franz Fanon and Michel of English. He writes that translating
“dui Bangla”, Foucault to Rob Nixon. works into English “enhances our
meaning The introduction gives an overview critical awareness of the complexities of
both in West of the history of literary evolutions in our cultural inheritance”.
Bengal and the South Asian continent, from the Sadaf Saaz’s interview with Monica
colonial period through and after the Ali centres around their conversation
Bangladesh Partition of 1947 to the independence on the book, Love Marriage (2022).
and thus, of Bangladesh in 1971. The editors use Ali’s conversation with Saaz revolves
scholars from the phrase “thrice born” (ensuring around British society and its outlook
both sides of readers do not confuse it with the on class and race. Saaz also asks
the border twice-born concept in Hinduism) to Ali questions about the differences
discuss the Bangladeshi English literary between generations of immigrant
have worked journey in the Indian subcontinent. The communities. Ali’s main character,
with and introduction is succinct and helpful for Yasmin, deals with multiple aspects
written about new scholars. The editors also mention of her personal and public life as a
him. the challenges of English writing in doctor. Ali candidly tells Saaz that this
Bangladesh. In addition, they contend novel is not only about marriage but
that even if works are coming out, lack also about sex, infidelity, and sexual
of publishers and the inability to cross violence. Ali reflects on not being a
the borders and grasp the readers are ILLUSTRATION: AMREETA LETHE
writer of a particular type—only writing
some of the reasons for these books about Bangladesh because she has a
not enjoying the popularity that Men and Rivers”, has several diverse who talks about home without going Zia Haider Rahman, the focus of connection to it.
they should (many of these issues are aspects. Hasan not only does a far away from home. Haq’s resistance chapter five, is another Bangladeshi The book will benefit scholars,
again highlighted by Kaiser Haq in his comparative study to discuss the against colonial mimicry involves writer in English whose work has been Bangladeshi, as well as other South
interview with Mohammad A. Quayum). panchayat in Humanyun Kabir’s Men writing about the most mundane written about extensively. Like Haq, Asians and their diasporas, who are
However, the authors mention that and Rivers (1945) but also uses critics things you see in Bangladesh, such as he crosses borders when it comes to looking for a set of critical articles
diasporic writers receive the highlights. like Franz Fanon and Mary Luis Pratt to lungi or stray dogs. The chapter brings analysing his works. In this chapter, on Bangladeshi Literature in English.
Md. Mahmudul Hasan’s first present the multiple “contact zones” in a about the multifaced nature of Haq’s “Beyond national(ist) binaries: The case Although numerous critics have
chapter is titled “Muslim Bengal writes small village during the colonial period. poetry. of Zia Haider Rahman’s In the Light of written on Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain,
back: Rokeya’s encounter with the The author argues that Kabir critiques “Toxic grace? Tahmima Anam’s What we Know”, Md Rezaul Haque gives Kaiser Haq, or Zia Haider Rahman,
representation of Europe”. In it he talks the colonial influence in destroying the The Bones of Grace and the pollution a background of the war of 1971. He also the essays focusing on these writers in
about the first Muslim feminist from lives of the peasants as they struggle trade” is written by Md. Alamgir questions what role a nation-centred this collection have something new to
South Asia, Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, to understand the strength of bribery Hossain. The importance of this or nationalist discourse plays when add. Therefore, I am glad to have read
and her interpretative summary of and theft by middle managers. Kabir chapter in this collection is noteworthy presenting different groups of people in the book and recommend it to those
Marie Corelli’s novel, The Murder of presents the non-volant nature of the because Anam’s Bones has not received different narratives. For example, how interested in teaching and researching
Delicia (Kessinger Publishing, 1996). peasants at a time when India saw the attention it should have in South do non-Bangalis appear in literature? A Bangladeshi Literature in English.
Hasan argues that she created a bridge peasant movements. The chapter does Asia. Sometimes it is hard to get out contested and controversial issue about
between Muslim Bengal and England an elaborate analysis of the characters of the India-centric Amitav Gosh the role of the non-Bangalis is a topic of Umme Al-wazed is Professor of English
through her summary of Corelli’s novel. and their multiple relations with the environmental novels, and there are many recent critical essays as more and and Dean of Humanities at Augustana
The chapter provides a new direction different constituents of the village to reasons for that—people are willing to more scholars are trying to voice the College, Rock Island, IL, USA.

THE SHELF

Diverging perspectives: Exploring Bangladesh’s

history through controversial narratives
TASNIM ODRIKA and criticising this era, this novel offers tell his side of the story, this memoir offers for speaking out about certain irregularities their guilt. Among them was Rao Farman
a fresh perspective by blurring the lines insights into the life and contributions of within the Sheikh family. The book Ali, a military officer often recognised as
When it comes to the history of Bangladesh between fiction and fact. this mysterious figure. draws heavily from the author’s personal a central figure in orchestrating the 1971
both pre-and post-Liberation War, certain The novel follows journalist Khaleque How did this man, who was experiences of working with the Awami Bangladesh genocide.
aspects have either remained hidden from Biswas, who, after losing his job, mentors Bangabandhu’s most beloved and League and criticises its leaders, His book is carefully
the public or been deliberately obscured. a simple country boy named N u r influential student leader, become one of particularly Sheikh Hasina. However, crafted to deflect
The general understanding of this history Hussain, ultimately the key figures in the anti- since the book was written after blame from himself.
is often oversimplified, usually presented transforming him into a Bangabandhu movement in the author’s dismissal, there are Therefore, to fully
from a single party’s perspective, lacking counterfeit Sheikh Mujib. independent Bangladesh? speculations that some stories may grasp its context,
the nuance it deserves. This Set against the backdrop Some of these questions be exaggerated. Given that some it’s crucial to read
list of books of Bangladesh’s are addressed in this book, of the accusations and criticisms the insightful
offers essential post-independence while others, to this date, cannot be independently verified, introduction
reading from corruption and food remain unanswered. it might be a good provided by
various voices shortages, the story idea to approach Professor Muntasir
that present this provides a varied Amar Fashi the book with an
Chai Mamoon. As readers,
history through portrayal of Sheikh open mind.
M o t i u r we often seek to
d i f fe r e n t Mujib, depicting
R a h m a n Bangladesh Er understand history
lens e s — voice s him as a totalitarian
Rentu Jonmo from the perspective
that were once leader rather than
Shornolota Rao Farman of the victors.
drowned out the benevolent
by dominant O Bonolota, Ali Khan However, this book
Father of the
narratives. 1999 The University offers a rare glimpse
Nation he is often
celebrated as. In the history of Press Limited (UPL), into how Pakistanis
The Black Coat Bangladesh, one 1996 may have perceived our Liberation War.
Neamat Imam Ami Serajul Alam Khan figure who has Following the 1971 While this book may be a controversial
Penguin Books Shamsuddin Payara often remained cryptic is our Liberation War, addition to any reading list, it is essential for
India, 2013 Sucheepatra, 2020 former Prime Minister Sheikh which culminated in understanding the mindset of the Pakistani
This historical Serajul Alam Khan, one of the early Hasina. This book delves into Pakistan’s humiliating military officers—in their own words—who
fiction novel explores Bangladesh’s leaders of the Bangladesh Chhatra League that mystery, offering deeper defeat, many Pakistani brutally massacred Bangladeshis during
turbulent history during the period of (BCL), has long been a figure of intrigue. insights into her character. military officers began the war.
1972–75, a time marked by severe famine His influence on both Bangladesh’s The author, who served as writing autobiographies. The
and widespread misgovernance under the independence and the post-independence Sheikh Hasina’s aide for nearly 12 years, intent behind these memoirs was often to Tasnim Odrika is a biochemist and a
Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujib. Given struggles is a crucial part of our history. from 1981 to 1997, wrote this book after obscure the crimes against humanity they writer. She can be reached at
the longstanding taboo around discussing Although he never authored any books to being labelled “undesirable” by the regime committed in Bangladesh and to mask [email protected].
 DHAKA THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2024, BHADRA 21, 1431 BS
SONY SPORTS 5 Sweden Portugal vs Croatia
US Open Live from 10:00 pm Live from 12:45 am
Live from 6:15 am Denmark vs (Friday)
and 5:00 am (Friday) Switzerland SONY SPORTS 5
SONY SPORTS 2 Live from 12:45 am Spain vs Serbia
UEFA Nations League (Friday) Live from 12:45 am
Azerbaijan vs SONY SPORTS 1 (Friday)

Booters’ Bhutan
GRUDGE OR MERIT test today
to decide Hathurusingha’s fate? SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh football team were expecting tough

competition from Bhutan in the two FIFA
friendly fixtures, the first of which kicks off at
BISHWAJIT ROY complained about the Sri Lankan’s the Rawalpindi heroics. During Nazmul Hassan Papon’s tenure, the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu at
detrimental interference in the team, Unfortunately, this time around, he Hathurusingha was hardly accountable 6:00pm today. And that is not necessarily due
As Bangladesh’s head coach, Chandika influencing decision-making outside his has been in the spotlight for all the wrong to anyone, as the former BCB boss always to the strength of the opposition but also an
Hathurusingha has ample reasons to purview, and the damaging impact on reasons. The Sri Lankan agonisingly preferred to look at the short-term success apparent lack of match-practice and fitness of the
be proud of his charges’ achievements Bangladesh cricket’s decline. failed to manage the team properly in two his reign followed and made exceptions Bangladesh players.
following their historic 2-0 Test series If we look at Hathurusingha’s success disastrous ICC showpiece events -- the T20 in viewing how the Sri Lankan operated. The Bangladesh players and head coach
win in Pakistan. However, all is not well rate as Bangladesh coach, it is not World Cup and the 50-over World Cup. Faruque, however, values systems, and he have been playing up this issue ever arriving on
for the Sri Lankan, who had to confront unimpressive: During his first stint (May Moreover, rather than fostering unity, must determine whether a lack of a proper Friday in Thimphu, with the high altitude being
questions about his future with the Tigers 19, 2014 – November 9, 2017), Bangladesh he seemingly created more system has caused all the problems. used as a big hurdle towards displaying natural
during the recently concluded memorable won six Tests out of 21 and drew four, chaos, particularly If, after analysing everything, he performance. The fact that Bangladesh players
tour, despite his current contract with while winning 25 ODIs out of 52. In 29 in the fraught concludes that Hathurusingha have been out of action since their last World Cup
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) running T20Is, the Tigers won 10 matches. During relationship lacks the long-term vision qualifying fixture on June 11 is being portrayed as
until the Champions Trophy in 2025. his second stint (from December 8, 2022, between and calibre to manage the biggest issue for the team.
Usually, uncertainty surrounds this to date), Bangladesh won five Tests out of Shakib Al the team or has issues Coach Javier Cabrera was realistic in his
kind of job when the team underperforms, 10 and lost five, while winning three ODIs Hasan with discipline, then assessment of the situation, saying that the three
but for the current Bangladesh coach, the out of six and 10 T20Is out of 21 matches. a n d his earlier stance will FIFA windows this year will be crucial for the
situation has turned out differently due Hathurusingha’s planning during his Tamim be justified, regardless team’s prospects in the Asian Cup Qualifiers,
to the change at board’s top position. first tenure received much praise before Iqbal. of the team’s historic which start in March next year.
It is no secret that the new BCB his controversial departure. Bangladesh success in Pakistan. “There are some challenges for us as we are not
president, Faruque Ahmed, is not in not only secured several memorable Personal bitterness, in the middle of the season like the Bhutan players
favour of Hathurusingha. The former ODI home series wins -- against India, however, should and the altitude is taking a little bit of time for us
national captain has been most vocal Pakistan, and South Africa, as well as Test not influence these to adjust. But we are positive about both games
against Hathurusingha for the last few victories against England and Australia, decisions. After all, and in the end I think both teams it’s going to be
years and made it clear after taking and an away Test win against it is the board’s very important for especially what’s coming up in
charge of the country’s most prominent Sri Lanka -- but they responsibility March and SAFF next year,” the Spaniard said at
sports body that he hasn’t changed his also reached the to ensure the the pre-match press conference yesterday.
stance. semifinal of the system remains Apart from the fitness and acclimatising issues,
Will the success against Pakistan put Champions untainted. Bangladesh need also be aware of the attacking
Faruque in a difficult position regarding Trophy and the threat from the Bhutan team, and the pace with
the decision to remove Hathurusingha quarterfinal of which their forwards operate. Since the match will
from his role? the 2015 World be played on artificial turf, Bangladesh captain
The most important question, however, Cup. Jamal Bhuiyan had a word of caution for his
is whether the former skipper will act on His current teammates. While Bangladesh will not be facing
a previous personal grudge when making tenure has Bhutan’s most celebrated footballer, Chencho
decisions about Hathurusingha’s future, been marked Gyeltshen, Jamal knows there is enough quality in
or whether he will base his decisions on by a home T20I the opposition ranks.
merit for the greater good of Bangladesh series whitewash “I always find Bhutan, especially on the counter,
cricket. victory against very difficult to manage. Now they have a few other
In June 2016, the then-chief selector the then-reigning players [other than Chencho] who are also very fast
Faruque resigned from his post hours champions and quick. So we’ll have to keep an eye on these
after the Nazmul Hassan Papon-led England and players,” said the Bangladesh captain.
board ratified significant changes to a Test win Considering records, Bangladesh should
the selection procedure. It was believed against New feel comfortable, having beaten Bhutan on 11
that Hathurusingha played a vital role in Zealand, occasions out of 14 meetings, losing only once – in
changing the system, which Faruque said before 2016 defeat at Changlimithang. The most recent
created the possibility of interference. meeting between in the SAFF Championship in
Since then, Faruque has repeatedly June last year saw Bangladesh win 3-1.

Test continuity in ‘Pakistan weren’t poor,

demand now we were better’
Pakistan spin wizard Mushtaq Ahmed has been in charge of the Bangladesh spinners for
ABDULLAH AL MEHDI “We won a Test match in New Zealand and the past two international assignments -- the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies
that was one kind of feeling but winning a followed by the two-match Test tour of Pakistan. His troops have delivered remarkable
Bangladesh’s Test win at Mount Maunganui series here is a completely different kind of performances in both tours but the 54-year-old is yet to be offered a long-term contract. In
against the then World Test champions New feeling. Winning a Test and drawing a series,
Zealand in 2022 would certainly go down as an interview with The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan yesterday, Mushtaq shared his take
and on the other hand, winning a series, are
a historic achievement in the Tigers’ history. completely different things,” Mominul, part on Bangladesh’s historic series win in Pakistan and his future with the Tigers.
But even Mominul Haque, the Tigers’ skipper of the Tigers’ 2-0 whitewash of Pakistan, told
back then, believes that winning a series The Daily Star over the phone from Pakistan The Daily Star (DS): Your overall which we played better than them. cricket. That’s very important. We have to
away from home evokes a very different kind on Tuesday. assessment of the Pakistan tour? All I can say is that Pakistan perhaps look to the grassroots level for leg-spinners
of feeling within the team than what a one- Bangladesh’s mix of youth and experience Mushtaq Ahmed (MA): The credit goes to lacked confidence. They weren’t sure of and mystery spinners. If you go to Australia,
off win produces. worked in perfect alignment in the Pakistan the whole team. [Najmul Hossain] Shanto what they were doing. Planning wise, I South Africa or England for white-ball
The Mount Maunganui win was clinched Tests. Veterans like Mushfiqur and Shakib has been very good as captain. I think it could see they were playing aggressive cricket, you will need mystery spinners.
under hostile conditions against one of the stepped up whenever needed. was a mixture of everything. It was a great cricket without understanding the My idea which I will share with the cricket
best Test sides in the world. But the following The sheer courage of youth also prevailed, achievement. They were very dedicated, condition and situation unlike our guys. board and other stakeholders is that they
Test in Christchurch did not follow a similar especially in the pace attack. worked really hard, and were together. Overall, it was about Bangladesh players should go and find mystery spinners and
script. It was under Mominul that Bangladesh’s I believe they had no doubt amongst who played better than Pakistan cricketers. make them ready for the first-class cricket
This time, however, in Rawalpindi, the pace renaissance began and he put due themselves. If you don’t have the belief, you DS: You have been working with BCB on a and the national team. I think it will take
first Test was won in style as a massive first credit to the pace stars. can’t challenge any team. Skill comes last. short-term basis for the past few months. some time but it is a great opportunity.
innings score blunted Pakistan’s eager pace “Behind winning this series, 70 percent Belief comes first. What’s next? Do you want to sign a long- DS: You have worked with Rishad Hossain
attack. It ultimately paved the way for a credit goes to them [pacers]. The way they DS: How do you evaluate Bangladesh term contract? during the T20 World Cup. Do you see him
commanding comeback win in the second train, and the high-intensity net sessions spinners on a Rawalpindi wicket that is not
Test at the same venue in a week’s time. that they go through are pretty unbelievable. known to provide assistance for them?
From batting brilliance of Mushfiqur Even when I was the captain, I have seen MA: It was outstanding. [Mehedi Hasan]
Rahim, and Liton Das to Hasan Mahmud that fire and will within themselves to keep Miraz was really good. The reason for that
and Nahid Rana’s bowling masterclass and improving. is he worked really hard, and Shakib [Al
Mehedi Hasan Miraz’s all-round showing, “If you look at the circumstances five years Hasan] got vital wickets in the first Test,
there were many stories of personal triumph ago, there was no competition amongst the especially in the second innings. One
that turned a distant dream of pacers. Now there is a lot of competition and thing you should always remember is that
an away series win if one gets injured he almost doesn’t get a if players put themselves under pressure in
since 2009 into way back in,” Mominul said. practice, Allah always gives them results.
reality. An x-factor in Nahid, who deals in express We also talked about angles, field positions,
pace, was on show in Rawalpindi. Mominul overspin, reading the pitch, and which area
divulged the energy that the pacer has been you need to bowl on; we communicated a
able to transfer. lot during those Tests and even in training.
“I believe that a different quality of pace The guys played with full passion and heart
bowler is coming to the world with Nahid. and the result speaks for itself.
A lot of the players are very hopeful and
the vibes within the team are really positive DS: Do you see Miraz as a regular match-
about his prospects. The one great thing winner now?
about him is that he is always trying to learn MA: He is a match-winner because he can
something new. Some bowlers often bat, he is a good fielder and a good bowler.
just try to bowl fast but when I was He is a package, three in one. It’s a great MA: I am very hopeful. My manager and as a prospect for red-ball cricket or do you
playing with him in the ‘A’ team, and combination to have for any team. The agent are talking to the cricket board. want him to focus on white-ball only?
even before that, I noticed that good thing about him is that he is very Hopefully, if things become better, it will MA: He can improve his legspin in red-ball
he has a great interest in coachable. He is a very good listener and is be a great honour for me to be part of this cricket. For that, he has to play first-class
learning,” Mominul said hungry to learn. He understands whatever team because this team can do wonders. cricket and four-day cricket. We don’t have
about the 21-year-old we discuss at the nets. He uses angles, As things stand, I won’t be there for to rush him into Tests. If he plays a lot of
lanky pacer. the crease, pace variations, and reads the the India series [later this month]. I have four-day cricket, he will improve his white-
Given how Mominul batter. He can play all formats and will a few commitments in the next three- ball cricket also because it will make him
had to bear witness to become a key player for Bangladesh cricket. four months. There are a few family skilled by consolidating his basics.
Bangladesh’s Test fortunes taking a hit DS: What went wrong for Pakistan in this commitments as well. Maybe after Communication is a key aspect of my
even after that Mount Maunganui triumph, series? December or January, I will try my best to coaching philosophy and I’ve been in
it is only logical that he wanted the Tigers’ MA: Before saying what went wrong serve Bangladesh cricket. constant communication with Rishad. I
continuity in the longer format from here on. have been watching his videos, and we are
with the Pakistan team, I must say that DS: Your take on the competition in the
“My feelings are that winning this Test talking about his alignment and planning
Bangladesh, our team, played good cricket. spin department?
match, this series will give us the chance to
Lots of people think that they didn’t play MA: Taijul [Islam] is a match-winner. for the future as well. We just have to make
take our cricket culture, our game to new
good cricket. Whenever we needed a Nayeem [Hasan] is also a very talented sure he plays red-ball cricket as much as he
heights,” Mominul hoped.
partnership, Liton [Das] and Miraz stood off-spinner who can bat. Good kind of can so he can become better in ODIs and
up. That was a great partnership. When competition to have. They aren’t ordinary T20s. If we need a leg-spinner to play Tests,
you needed somebody to bowl a very good spinners. They are all very coachable, and he can be ready then. It might take some
spell, [Nahid] Rana got three to four quick good learners. time but he is one of the cricketers who can
wickets. So, those are the vital moments in We have to focus more on grassroots play red-ball cricket.
 City

12 DHAKA THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2024, BHADRA 21, 1431 BS

Biman gets Eid-e-

new MD Miladunnabi
on Sept 16
STAR REPORT

The holy Eid-e-

Miladunnabi, marking the
anniversary of the birth and
demise of Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (SM), will be
observed across the country
on September 16 with due
religious solemnity. The day
is a public holiday.
RASHIDUL HASAN
The decision was made
at the National Moon
Biman at last has a Sighting Committee’s
managing director with meeting held at the Islamic
relevant experience after Foundation (IF) Conference
Md. Shafiqur Rahman, a Room at Baitul Mukarram
veteran of the national flag National Mosque yesterday
evening with Secretary of
carrier, was chosen by the
the Ministry of Religious
new board to steady the
Affairs Md Abdul Hamid
ship riddled by years of
Jamaddar in the chair.
malpractices.
The meeting informed
In recent years,
that as the moon of
bureaucrats with no
Rabiul Awal of 1446 Hijri
relevant experience in
was sighted in the sky of
the aviation sector have
Bangladesh yesterday, the
been appointed to run the
holy month of Rabiul Awal
national airline. would begin today.
Not just that, Biman Prophet Muhammad
became a revolving door of (SM) was born in Makkah
MDs, with none lasting for of Saudi Arabia on the 12th
more than two years. In the of Rabiul Awal of the Hijri
last six years, Biman had calendar in 570 AD. He also
five MDs, with one tenure passed away on the same
SEE PAGE 6 COL 4 Sand traders occupy a part of the Turag river along the Mirpur-Ashulia Beribandh Road in Savar’s Birulia. The photo was taken recently. PHOTO: RASHED SHUMON day in 632 AD.

Tarique envisions Preliminary

proof of graft ‘Freeze Bangladeshis’ STUDENT MOVEMENT

17,000 cases
bicameral house found against
illegal assets abroad’ of casualties
Promises people who fought Aziz: ACC
to restore democracy will be STAFF CORRESPONDENT
TIB, 4 UK-based anti-graft bodies call for global action
found so far
Says govt committee
involved in governance in future The Anti-Corruption
Commission has decided to
STAFF CORRESPONDENT accountable, democratic, and free from analysing hospital data
open an investigation into corruption,” said the release.
UNB, Dhaka
the corruption allegations
Transparency International Bangladesh and TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman from July 17 to Aug 5
four UK-based anti-corruption bodies have said most of the countries where illegal
against former army chief jointly called for the immediate freezing of money and assets from Bangladesh have AHMED DEEPTO
BNP acting chairman Tarique Gen (retd) Aziz Ahmed as
Rahman yesterday said his illegal assets held by Bangladeshis in countries, been laundered are key development, trade,
it has found preliminary including the UK, the US, Switzerland, and investment partners of Bangladesh, The committee formed to compile a list
party envisions a future where proof of graft.
the country is governed by a Australia, EU nations, committed to of casualties from the student-led mass
Aziz was Singapore, Malaysia, movement between July 17 and August 5
national government to fully combating corruption
involved in Hong Kong, and the has so far identified over 17,000 cases of
harness the power of national both nationally and
unity.
corruption UAE. The letter urges the internationally. fatalities and injuries at various hospitals
a n d TI-UK, the UK UK government to across the country.
At a views exchange “Now is the time
unethical “So far, we’ve confirmed 600 fatalities.
meeting yesterday, he
ac t i v i t ie s ,
Anti-Corruption promptly address three for them to take such
also expressed the party’s Coalition, the crucial matters, in line commitments to a new Of them, at least 440 people were declared
including International Lawyers dead on arrival at different hospitals. As
willingness to introduce a with their commitment level of effectiveness by
two-house system in parliament through constitutional the purchase of homes Project, Spotlight such the death toll between July 17 and
immediate necessary
amendments to ensure governance with support from all and flats in and outside on Corruption, and to support the interim actions to freeze August 5 is believed to have reached
segments of society. the capital and buying TIB sent a joint letter government of 1,000,” a member of the committee told
illegal assets owned
of hundreds of bighas of The Daily Star.
“We have observed how members of a single party
land in Dhaka under the
to the UK secretary Bangladesh. by all Bangladeshi
dominate everywhere in a partisan government, rendering of state for Foreign, individuals and entities On August 15, the health ministry
the positions of others insignificant. Consequently, the names of his brothers, Commonwealth, and in their respective formed a 13-member committee to
country was deprived of the services of a significant ACC Secretary Khorsheda Development Affairs on jurisdictions.” prepare a complete list of the casualties
portion of the population,” Tarique said. Yasmeen said yesterday. August 30, said a TIB press release. He urged the governments of the UK, the US, that occurred during the recent mass
He added that the BNP wants to avoid repeating the The graft watchdog has They stressed on the importance of fostering Switzerland, Canada, Australia, EU countries, uprising.
mistake of missing the opportunity to harness the power also gathered information active collaboration with the Bangladeshi as well as Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and The initiative was taken in a bid to
of national unity as happened previously. about his huge illegal government to hold those who possess illegal the UAE, to freeze such assets as a step towards provide financial support to the family
The BNP leader said the opportunity to leverage the assets at home and abroad, assets accountable and facilitate the return of repatriating them to Bangladesh and holding members of the deceased and provide
power of national unity was missed immediately after she told journalists. laundered money. the perpetrators accountable. proper medical support to those who
independence. “We do not want to repeat that mistake. “Primary investigations “This initiative is viewed as a crucial step Spotlight on Corruption Executive are undergoing treatment at different
With the support of the people, the BNP aims to see the have uncovered information towards creating a future for the envisioned Director Susan Hawley said the UK needs medical facilities across the country.
SEE PAGE 7 COL 3 SEE PAGE 6 COL 1 ‘New Bangladesh’ that is transparent, SEE PAGE 6 COL 4 SEE PAGE 6 COL 1

Top criminal
Sweden Aslam
released after
27yrs in jail
SHAHEEN MOLLAH

Top criminal Sheikh

Mohammad Aslam, also
known as “Sweden Aslam”,
has been released on bail
after being in prison for 27
years.
Aslam,
62, was
freed from
Kashimpur
H i g h -
Security
Central
Jail in Gazipur around
9:00pm on Tuesday,
Senior Jail Superintendent
Muhammad Abdullah Al-
Mamun told The Daily Star
yesterday.
Aslam was arrested on
May 26, 1997, at the age
of 35, from his home in
the DOHS area. He had
been transferred between
various prisons before
being moved to Kashimpur
High-Security Central Jail
in 2014, according to Jailer
Lutfur Rahman.
Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Liton Das, key performers in Bangladesh’s historic Test series Aslam was accused in 22
win over hosts Pakistan, were all smiles as the first contingent of the Bangladesh team cases, of which nine were
-- including captain Najmul Hossain Shanto -- arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International for murders, according to
Airport at 11:20pm yesterday. Speaking to reporters, Shanto described the victory as police.
“the greatest achievement in Bangladesh cricket history.” PHOTO: FIROZ AHMED SEE PAGE 6 COL 1