Author: Desk Report

Supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain on Sunday declared they would block all entrance to the Nagar Bhaban, the headquarters of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), on Monday to press home their demand. The pro-BNP activists protested on Nagar Bhaban premises on Sunday, for the fourth straight day demanding Ishraque be recognised as the DSCC mayor. Former senior secretary Md Mashiur Rahman announced the blockade programme during 11am-3pm on Monday. Some of the protesters also demanded the resignation of Local Government and Rural Development Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan. They alleged that Law Adviser Asif Nazrul and…

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher on Sunday urged the government to expedite the reform process and then take steps to hold the national election as soon as possible. “I think we shouldn’t waste much time. A consensus must be reached quickly, prioritising the critical issues for political stability and a fair and proper election. Then it is necessary to arrange for an election to be held as soon as possible” he said. The Jamaat leader made the remarks during Jamaat’s second day talks with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad…

Leaders and activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal left the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon after blocking the busy thoroughfare for nearly two hours, demanding justice for Shahriar Alam Shammo, a Dhaka University student and a leader of the JCD. Traffic movement resumed while the people suffered immensely as vehicles got stuck in the area due to the blockade. Several hundred leaders and activists of the JCD blocked the Shahbagh intersection around 3:45pm. They chanted slogans protesting alleged negligence in the investigation of the murder and demanding immediate arrest of the perpetrators. Chhatra Dal central…

Dhallywood actress Nusrat Faria was detained at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital this afternoon while she was about to leave the country. Bhatara Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Sujan Haque confirmed the matter to media. He said that the airport immigration police arrested Nusrat Faria at around 11:00am on Sunday. There is an attempt to murder case against her at Bhatara Police Station.

The Chattogram Port unit of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal has announced a week-long protest programme starting May 19, opposing the government’s plan to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company. In a statement, Humayun Kabir, general secretary of the unit, said the protest plan was finalized after discussions with senior leaders of the BNP. “We will hold a series of demonstrations in the port area,” he said. According to the schedule, the protests will begin with a torch procession on May 19. This will be followed by a protest rally outside the Bondor Boys Government…

At a views-exchange meeting with journalists at the Chattogram Press Club, senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former Member of Parliament Shahjahan Chowdhury called on all citizens and political forces to unite against fascist forces threatening democracy in Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest, Shahjahan Chowdhury, a member of Jamaat’s Central Working Committee and former whip of the party’s parliamentary team, sharply criticized the Awami League, accusing it of suppressing democratic institutions and media freedom. “The fallen Awami regime replaced democracy with a one-party BAKSAL system. They silenced the press, shutting down all newspapers except four,” he alleged. He further…

Senior BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has announced that individuals who were previously supporters of the Awami League but did not obstruct BNP’s activities and are considered socially acceptable may be allowed to join the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He made the remarks on Saturday as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of BNP’s ‘Membership Renewal Campaign’ for the Chattogram division. The event was held at the party office premises in Kazir Dewri, Chattogram. “This is a rare opportunity to actively recruit new members after a long time, and we must seize it,” said Khasru. “It…

All forms of gatherings, rallies, processions, and demonstrations in several parts of Dhaka have been banned starting tomorrow (May18) until further notice, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement today. According to the ISPR, the restrictions will be in effect in and around the following areas: Kochukhet Road, from Bijoy Sarani to the Chief Adviser’s Office area, near Bir Sreshtho Shaheed Jahangir Gate, from BAF Shaheen College to the Mohakhali Flyover, Sainik Club Mor, Bhashantek, Matikata, ECB Chattar, and surrounding zones.

Home Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today affirmed that Indian nationals found staying illegally in Bangladesh will be repatriated through proper diplomatic channels, rather than being pushed back in the same manner they entered the country. “Even if the individuals being pushed in by India are indeed Bangladeshi citizens, India does not have the legal right to forcefully return them in such a manner. Pushing people across the border without proper procedure is unlawful,” he said. The Adviser made these remarks to journalists after inaugurating the third floating Border Outpost (BOP) at the confluence of…

Claiming that the microcredit is the “real banking”, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today stressed establishing a ‘Microcredit Bank’ to create more entrepreneurs by disbursing collateral free small credit among young people. “Microcredit has reached such stage…we have to think it newly – establishment of Microcredit Bank. This is NGO now, it must be graduated from NGO now,” he said. The Chief Adviser said this while inaugurating the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) building at city’s Agargaon area here today. Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Dr Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H Mansur, Financial…