Bangladesh News Highlights: Brigadier General Sakhawat warns Awami League against inciting disorder, sets deadline for return of looted weapons

Muhammad Yunus was Sunday acquitted in a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission over the misappropriation of funds from the Grameen Telecom Workers and Employees Welfare Fund, three days after he took oath as the head of Bangladesh's interim government, according to a media report.

Judge Md Rabiul Alam of the Special Judge's Court-4 of Dhaka gave the order after accepting the graft agency's application, seeking to withdraw the case under the Code of Criminal Procedure, an official of the anti-graft agency was quoted as saying by The Daily Star newspaper.

On August 7, the Labour Appellate Tribunal acquitted the Nobel laureate and three top officials of Grameen Telecom - Ashraful Hassan, M Shahjahan and Nurjahan Begum - in a labour law violation case in which they were sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined Tk 30,000 each in January.

Yunus, the 84-year-old economist, on Thursday took oath as the interim government's chief adviser - a position equivalent to the prime minister.

Nurjahan Begum, who was also an accused in the graft case, is a member of the 16-member Council of Advisers, which will assist Yunus in running the state's affairs.

Yunus had been in a protracted row with the Sheikh Hasina government due to obscure reasons while authorities initiated a series of investigations against him after she came to power in 2008.

Bangladesh authorities launched a review of the statutory Grameen Bank's activities in 2011 and fired Yunus as its founding managing director on charges of violating the government retirement regulation.

Yunus was charged under dozens of cases during Hasina's regime. Many people believe Hasina became enraged when Yunus announced that he would form a political party in 2007 when a military-backed government ran the country and Hasina was in prison. (PTI)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday denounced the vandalisation of a statue at the 1971 Indian Memorial Complex in Mujibnagar, Bangladesh. Tharoor’s remarks—he condemned “disgraceful attack by anti-India vandals”—come as attacks on Hindu temples, households and businesses have also been reported from the protest-hit neighbouring country.

Depicting the Pakistani Instrument of Surrender, the statue represents signing of a legal document between India and the Pakistan army along with Bangladesh’s Mukti Bahini to end the 1971 war. Click Here

CPI(M) Polit Bureau on Monday posted a press statement on their official X handle regarding the attacks on Hindu places of worship and the minority community in Bangladesh.

Advisor for the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar stated that primary education activities will not resume until stability is restored.

He noted that parents are unlikely to send their children to school amid current instability.

The interim government will decide on reopening schools after consulting stakeholders.

Poddar emphasized the importance of improving education quality to ensure students grow into good citizens and called for media support to reflect public aspirations, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Dr Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of the interim government, will hold a meeting with senior BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, on Monday at 4 pm. This will be the first formal meeting between the interim government and the BNP since the government’s formation. The interim government was established following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and departure amid a student-led movement, Dhaka Tribune reported

Businesses in Bangladesh are struggling with a severe liquidity crunch due to a cash withdrawal limit imposed by the Bangladesh Bank, which capped withdrawals at Tk 2 lakh per account.

This measure was taken amidst nationwide unrest following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government and the subsequent formation of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus.

The unrest, sparked by protests over a controversial job quota system, has led to over 560 deaths since mid-July.

The cash withdrawal cap, initially set at Tk 1 lakh, was increased due to security concerns as police forces have not fully resumed duties.

The restriction is severely impacting businesses that rely on cash transactions, with many unable to pay employees or conduct normal operations.

Business owners are worried about the long-term effects if the situation doesn't improve soon. The interim government, headed by Yunus, has prioritized restoring trust in the banking system and stabilizing the economy. (PTI)

Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, the home affairs advisor for the interim government, warned the recently ousted Awami League against attempting to incite disorder or a counter-revolution. Speaking at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka, where injured Ansar members were being treated, Sakhawat advised the Awami League to reorganize peacefully rather than risk massive bloodshed.

He emphasized the importance of an international investigation into fatalities from recent student protests and set a deadline for the return of looted weapons, with strict measures to follow if they are not returned by August 19, Dhaka Tribune reported.

The advisory council of the interim government made several key decisions on Sunday. As per the decision, they will cover medical costs for protestors injured during recent student demonstrations and support the families of deceased protestors. The government will also work to secure the release of 57 Bangladeshi nationals detained in the UAE for supporting the student protests. Disputed civil service contractual appointments will be reviewed, with some terminated immediately and others phased out. The council will ensure an adequate supply of essentials and address attacks on religious minorities. Additionally, metro rail services will resume on August 17, but will not stop at damaged stations until repairs are complete, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy posted a video message on his verified Facebook page, "I am calling on the common people of Bangladesh to pay their respects peacefully to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family at 32 Dhanmondi on August 15."
Protest against the ongoing conspiracy to erase the memory of the Father of the Nation from Bangladesh.
Jai Bangla, Jai Bangabandhu, says former PM's son.

Protesting police officers in Bangladesh have ended their strike after a meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Inspector Zahidul Islam and Constable Shoaib Hasan announced the withdrawal, citing assurances from the government that most of their demands would be met, according to the media reports.

The strike, which began on August 6 in response to clashes between police and students, had been declared by the Bangladesh Police Subordinate Employees Association.

The meeting, led by Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain and attended by key officials including the IGP and the RAB director general, addressed the officers' demands for justice, financial compensation for families of deceased officers, and greater transparency in police recruitment processes, Dhaka Tribune reported.

In a powerful yet peaceful display of solidarity, over 300 Indian Americans and Bangladeshi-origin Hindus gathered at Sugar Land City Hall in Houston on Sunday morning to protest the horrific acts committed by Islamist extremists targeting Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.

The air was thick with emotion as attendees united for a cause that resonated deeply with their identities and beliefs. Organizers passionately called on the Biden Administration to take immediate and decisive action to prevent further atrocities and to protect vulnerable minority communities in Bangladesh.

The recent surge in violence against Hindu communities poses an urgent and alarming threat to peace and stability in the region, and the time to act is now. The organizers passionately called for immediate protection and safety for all religious minorities in Bangladesh, urging the US government to refuse to remain a silent bystander as these heinous crimes against humanity unfold.

They encouraged Bangladeshi Hindus to stay vigilant and unite in monitoring the ongoing situation, taking necessary initiatives collectively in any emergency. The vigil, aptly titled “Save Hindus in Bangladesh,” was organized by the Global Voice for Bangladesh Minorities, an umbrella organization representing major Houston Hindu groups, including Maitri, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, HinduAction, HinduPact, Houston Durgabari Society, ISKCON, Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora, and many more.

Participants raised their placards high, bearing passionate messages demanding an end to the violence and atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. The crowd erupted with fervour as slogans like “Stop Hindu Genocide,” “Stand Up and Speak Out Now,” “Hindu Lives Matter,” and “We Won't Run, We Won't Hide, Stop Hindu Genocide” rang out, echoing their urgent plea for justice.

Quoting the timeless words of Gandhi, “To forgive and accept injustice is cowardice,” along with the poignant words of Martin Luther King Jr., the organizers passionately declared, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

(PTI)

Bangladesh Hindus hold a protest rally condemning communal atrocities committed against them and other religious groups in the Muslim-majority country, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (AP Photo)

Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed has clarified in an X post that his mother has not issued any statement regarding the resignation from the post of Prime Minister.

In an X post, Sajeeb said, “The recent resignation statement attributed to my mother published in a newspaper is completely false and fabricated. I have just confirmed with her that she did not make any statement either before or since leaving Dhaka.”

Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh amid violent protests over reservation in government jobs and the demonstrators even ransacked her residence. Hasina has taken refuge in New Delhi and her future plans remain unclear as of now.

A new interim government has taken charge of the country under military’s observation which is being led and advised by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Amid the political turmoil in Bangladesh, 11 Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF) while they were infiltrating India through the international border in West Bengal, Tripura and Meghalaya.

A spokesperson of BSF said that they will be handed over to the respective state police for further legal action.

Additional Director General (ADG) Ravi Gandhi who chaired an operation conference to review the security arrangements said, “11 Bangladeshi nationals have been apprehended on border while infiltrating into India. Two each were nabbed from West Bengal and Tripura borders while seven were apprehended from Meghalaya border.”

Bangladesh has been witnessing violent protests since the past month over the job quota system which eventually led to the resignation of ex PM Sheikh Hasina, who also fled the country. An interim government has taken over the administration led by the military.

(with PTI inputs)

Syed Refaat Ahmed was sworn in as Bangladesh's new chief justice on Sunday, a day after Obaidul Hassan stepped down as the top judge following an ultimatum by the protesters demanding a revamp of the judiciary.

Hassan and five other judges of the apex Appellate Division on Saturday tendered their resignation, five days after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime amid massive street protests.

Tripura's connectivity project with Bangladesh - the Agartala-Akhaura rail link and Maitree bridge - may be delayed due to the political turmoil and change in government in the neighbouring country, state Transport minister Sushanta Chowdhury said.

From reinforcing a bamboo fence separating them from Bangladeshis to staying up all night for vigil, residents of a Meghalaya village located metres from the international border are on the edge fearing influx of people from the other side after unrest that overthrew the Sheikh Hasina government.

The Bangladesh Bank has instructed commercial banks to limit cash withdrawals to a maximum of 2 lakh per customer this week. 

This decision was communicated to the managing directors of the banks through an emergency message, as per The Dhaka Tribune.

The directive cites security concerns that are causing difficulties in transferring funds to branches, necessitating the restriction on withdrawals and the message also instructs banks to enhance the monitoring of cheque transactions and to halt any suspicious activities.

On Saturday, they put out an eight-point charter of demands, which includes:

Establishing special tribunals to expedite trials for those who have persecuted minorities,

Compensation of victims and

Immediate enactment of a minority protection law.

Amid students’ protest outside the High Court building in the capital city of Dhaka, demanding the resignation of the Supreme Court Chief Justice and seven judges of the Appellate Division, CJ Obaidul Hasan Saturday took a policy decision to resign, daily Prothom Alo reported.

The students said that they would peacefully demonstrate until their demands are met. Army has been deployed in the court premises, the report stated.

Amid fresh wave of protests in the neighbouring country, the Assam Police is on a high alert along the India-Bangladesh border to ensure that no person enters the state illegally in view of the unrest in the neighbouring country.

The Centre has issued a directive that no person be allowed to enter India from Bangladesh illegally, the Director General of Police G P Singh said on Saturday.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Saturday appointed Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed as the 25th chief justice of Bangladesh, Dhaka Tribune reported.

"The president has appointed Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, a judge of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court, as the Chief Justice of Bangladesh exercising the power bestowed upon him as per article 95 (1) of the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh," a notification by the law ministry read.

Prior to this, Obaidul Hassan stepped down from his post as head of the judiciary body of Bangladesh in the face of protests by students who called for the restructuring of its judiciary.

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