26-08-2021

Thursday, Dhaka: august 26, 2021; Bhadra 11, 1428 BS; muharram 16, 1443 hijri
Attack on UNO's house
Nine people get
bail in Barishal
BARISHAL : A Barishal court on
Wednesday granted bail to nine accused
in two cases filed over the attack on the
residence of Sadar Upazila Nirbahi
Officer (UNO) Munibur Rahman on
August 18.
Barishal Additional Chief
Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad
Masum Billah passed the order, said
Advocate Rafiqul Islam Jhantu, a counsel
of the accused.
Earlier, Advocate Rafiqul Islam
Jhantu filed a petition seeking bail for 13
accused in the cases.
Those who secured bail are- Iktier
Uddin, Salam Manu, Alo Gazi, Momin
Uddin Kalu, Kabir Talukdar, Humayun
Kabir Hawladar, Ilias Jamir Uddin and
Nasir Uddin.
On August 22, a court rejected bail
plea of 21 Awami League men arrested
in connection with the cases filed over
the attack .
A clash broke out between the supporters
of the AL, BCL and members
and Ansar when the former tried to
attack the residence of the UNO at
Sadar Upazila Complex in Barishal on
August 18.
Five people suffered bullet wounds
during the clash. Of them two AL men
lost their eyesights later.
Earlier two separate cases were filed in
this connection.
Upazila Nirbahi officer Munibur
Rahman of Barisal Sadar Upazila and
Assistant sub-inspector of police
Shahjalal Mallick were the plaintiffs in
these cases accusing the mayor
Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah and his men
of obstruction of government work and
attempt to murder.
So far 22 people have been arrested in
this connection.
India sends 40
more ambulances
to Bangladesh
DHAKA : Forty more life support
ambulances have arrived in Petrapole
and will leave for Dhaka Thursday
after getting clearance at Benapole
land custom check post.
The remaining 38 ambulances are
expected to arrive in Dhaka by mid-
September.
These ambulances are intended to
support the Bangladesh government's
extensive effort to combat the Covid-
19 pandemic and underline India's
continuing and long-term commitment
to partner with the fraternal people
of Bangladesh.
During the state visit of Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to
Bangladesh on 26-27 March
2021, he had announced the gift
of 109 life support ambulances to
the Bangladesh government, to
further enhance healthcare, especially
in the shared effort to contain
the Covid-19 pandemic in
Bangladesh.
In fulfilment of that commitment, 31
ambulances that had arrived earlier
were handed over to the Bangladesh
government on August 17.
SPM for fuel supply to
save Tk 800 cr yearly,
boost energy reserve
DHAKA : With installation of the Single
Point Mooring (SPM) having double
pipeline facility to supply imported fuel
at Moheshkhali island, the government
will save at least Taka 800 crore per
annum. "Bangladesh Petroleum
Corporation (BPC) initiated the SPM
project to carry fuel through pipelines
from mother vessels quickly, which
would also save Taka 800 crore per
annum," State Minister for Power
Energy and Mineral Resources told BSS.
He hoped the SPM construction
works will complete next year, adding,
"Once the project is implemented, it
would reduce oil pilferage and time for
fuel oil supply across the country."
"The Awami League government
led by Prime Minister Sheikh Haisna
has instructed to install SPM to
unload imported crude oil from deep
sea in a more efficient and time-saving
manner. The SPM will also ensure
energy security in the country,"
Nasrul Hamid added.
According to the project details, the
overall progress of the SPM installation
rose to 63.13 percent and the
financial progress reached 53.54 percent
so far. The SPM is located at the
west side of Maheshkhali island where
27-metre depth is available, which is
sufficient for docking a large tanker of
120,000 DWT.
Talking to BSS, Senior Secretary of
Energy Division Md Anisur Rahman
said that unloading of crude oil and
HSD from SPM will be done through
two separate Ø36" pipelines (Offshore
and Onshore) and will be stored into
the storage tanks at Maheshkahli.
"The SPM will easily unload imported
crude oil and finished products by 72
hours easily, which is now taking 11 days
for unloading 100,000 DWT
(Deadweight) tankers," he said, adding
that two separate lines for crude oil and
HSD will eliminate significant product
loss due to contamination if transported
through single pipeline and ensure efficient
and continuous transport of
designed quantity of each product along
the entire transport chain.
Anisur Rahman said that the crude
oil and HSD stored at storage tanks in
Maheshkhali will be pumped to
Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL)
through two separate Ø18" pipelines
(Offshore and Onshore).
"We have also undertaken projects
to install Chattogram to Dhaka for
uninterrupted supply of fuel, which
will reduce transport cost, pilferage
and wastage," he said.
Project Director of SPM with Double
Pipeline Engineer Md Sharif Hasnat
said that Chinese state-owned company
China Petroleum Pipeline
Engineering Company Ltd. (CPPEC) is
working as Engineering Procurement
and Construction (EPC) contractor,
while Germany based ILF Consulting
Engineers is engaged as consultant.
"The estimated cost for the SPM project
is around Taka 6568.27 crore, which is
being financed by Chinese EXIM Bank.
a Barishal court on Wednesday granted bail to nine accused in two cases filed over the attack on the residence
of Sadar upazila Nirbahi Officer (uNO) munibur Rahman.
Photo : Courtesy
Heavy rains lead to horrific
waterlogging in parts of
Chattogram
CHATTOGRAM : Incessant rains since
Tuesday night sent low-lying areas of
Chattogram city under water, causing
indescribable sufferings to its residents.
Waterlogging continues to haunt the
residents of the port city as its authorities
have so far failed to resolve the protracted
problem.
People living in Halishahar, Bakolia,
Agrabad CDA, Bahaddarhat,
Sholoshohor, No 2 Gate, Muradpur,
Prabartak and Chawkbazar areas are
experiencing the unusual waterlogging
following the heavy rainfalls.
Some people were seen wading
through knee-deep water to reach their
destinations in the morning. At some
places, the officer-goers had to pay extra
fares to reach their workplaces, reports
the UNB correspondent after visiting
different affected areas.
According to the local Met office, the
active monsoon triggered the rains and
that may continue for another two days.
"The rains may continue for two more
days. The Met office recorded 28 mm
rainfall till 9 am of Wednesday, and this
is happening due to active monsoon,"
said Sheikh Farid Ahmed, meteorologist
of Patenga Met office.
Idris Ali, a resident of Sholoshohor
area, said: "Just one hour of rain is
enough to drown the city, and that's
because of the authorities' negligence.
I've been waiting here for an hour but no
vehicle is available to catch."
Female office-goers are the worst
sufferers as they have to wade through
knee-deep water to go to their workplaces.
In some places, some CNG-run
auto-rickshaws went out of order as
rainwater entered their hosepipes,
forcing the drivers to manually push
them ahead.
Nasima Akhter, a garment worker, said:
"I've got stuck here in No-2 Gate area as all
the roads have gone under water. More
worrying is that the rickshaw-pullers were
demanding excess fares taking advantage
of the situation."
Pedestrians are crossing the road divider with risk. accidents can happen at any time. The picture was
taken from Kakrail area of the capital city yesterday.
Photo : Star mail
Govt wants
transparency, integrity
in all sectors: Quader
DHAKA : Awami League General
Secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday
said the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's
government wants transparency, integrity
and neutrality in all sectors.
He said this while addressing a discussion,
organised by Bangladesh
Secretariat Officers and Employees
Unity Council, at the Secretariat here
marking the National Mourning Day.
Speaking as the chief guest, Quader,
also the road transport and bridges minister,
said the results and consequences
of flattery and exploitation are not good.
"Many have now turned into neo-
Awami Leaguers. In words, they have
spoken and chanted slogans praising
Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina. I
want to ask them whether those words
are of their hearts." he said.
The AL general secretary said before
August 15 in 1975, many neo-Awami
Leaguers wore Mujib coats, but many
of them were trying to hide their Mujib
coats after the August 15.
The nation has not forgotten the
incident of shedding tears by
Bangabandhu's murderer Khondaker
Mostaq Ahmad and that is why there
is no need to pretend as the dearer
ones, he said.
Saudi willing to
invest in closed
jute mills
DHAKA : Saudi Arabia is keen to
invest in the production of jute goods
reopening the closed mills of
Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation
(BJMC), reports UNB.
Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh
Issa bin Youssef Al-Duhailan showed
his country's willingness at a meeting
with Textiles and Jute Minister Golam
Dastagir Gazi (Bir Pratik) at the latter's
office in Bangladesh Secretariat, said a
PID handout.
At the meeting, the minister assured
the Saudi ambassador that the world's
best quality jute is grown in
Bangladesh. Now different high quality
and attractive multi-purpose jute
products are being produced from this
fibre. Jute products are completely
environment friendly, he said.
Describing Saudi Arabia as a friendly
country of Bangladesh, Golam Dastagir
hoped that the kingdom would come up
with investments on a larger scale in the
textiles and jute sectors.
He said the demand for jute goods
has increased significantly in Saudi
Arabia with the rise of environmental
awareness there. Multipurpose jute
products are now being exported to
different countries in the world,
including Saudi Arabia.
"Bangladesh is willing to export jute
products to Saudi Arabia on a larger
scale in future," said the Minister.
In response, the Saudi envoy said his
country sincerely believes that
Bangladesh is a friendly country of
Saudi Arabia.
That is why Saudi Arabia is interested
in expanding and developing the
trade and commerce in the textiles
and jute sectors of Bangladesh, he
added.
Awami League introduced the
word 'disappearance': Rizvi
Shafiqul iSlam (Shafiq)
The BNP senior joint secretary general
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, we have not
heard the word 'disappearance' before. I
have come to know what and how many
types of disappearances during this
Awami League (AL) government. So this
multiplication term was not familiar to
you before. He was speaking as a chief
guest at a discussion and prayer meeting
on the occasion of the 76th birth
anniversary of BNP chairperson Begum
Khaleda Zia organized by an organization
called Manab Seba Sangha at the
Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) auditorium
on Wednesday (Aug 25).
BNP chairperson's advisor Abul Khair
Bhuiyan, health affairs secretary Dr.
Rafiqul Islam, rural development affairs
secretary Gautam Chakraborty and
executive committee member Advocate
Nipun Roy Chowdhury spoke on the
occasion under the chairmanship of
Sanjay De Ripon.
Rizvi said on Tuesday in a program
the Prime Minister had said that the
grenade attack on August 21 was the
result of the disappearance of the body
by the then BNP government. That is,
she said strange things. Every day he
US reiterates pursuing accountability
for atrocities against Rohingya
DHAKA : The United States (US) yesterday
reiterated to pursuing and demanding
accountability for those responsible
for the atrocities and other human rights
abuses against Rohingyas, reports UNB.
"We recognize the need to address the
root causes of this violence and hold perpetrators
accountable to help prevent
such atrocities from recurring," US State
Department said in a statement marking
the fourth anniversary of horrific ethnic
cleansing against Rohingya in northern
Rakhine State of Myanmar.
The US welcomes the inclusive path
forward envisioned by the NUG and
other pro-democracy groups in
Myanmar and their pledge to reform the
1982 citizenship law, among other
actions intended to protect the rights of
Rohingya and members of other ethnic
minority groups, said the statement.
"These steps will be necessary to safeguard
the human rights and human dignity
of all people in Burma (Myanmar),
including Rohingya," the State Deptt said.
The statement said The United States
remembers the victims and recommits
to pursuing and demanding accountability
for those responsible for these
atrocities and other human rights abuses,
and seeking justice for victims.
The US will continue to promote justice
for victims and accountability for
those responsible for atrocities and other
human rights abuses, it said.
"The brutality of the military's atrocities
on that day shocked the conscience
of the international community - but we
recognize the Rohingya had already suffered
decades of grave human rights
spoke strangely and falsely. We have
never heard the word disappearance
before. I have come to know what and
how many types of disappearances
during this AL government. So this
multiplication term was not familiar to
you before.
The term came to be known during the
tenure of your government. And many
student human rights activists who
speak out for rights have gone missing.
Therefore, the people cannot be misled
by such misleading statements that the
then BNP government have disappeared
the body in the grenade attack on August
21. The people of the country are not
confused by your words.
Rizvi said the people immediately
understood that the ministers and MPs
of the government were making false
and misleading statements. During H M
Ershad's (late President) tenure you said
that those who will go to the polls under
this government are national traitors but
within 24 hours you went to the polls
with him.
And since then people don't believe
your words. He said the Rohingyas, who
have been persecuted by Myanmar's
army and government, have been living
in the country for four years.
abuses, and that many of those abuses
continue today," it added.
The statement said the same military
leaders who perpetrated the February 1
coup are committing abuses against prodemocracy
activists and members of
ethnic and religious communities across
the country.
"We have seen the same light infantry
brigades that terrorized Rohingya communities
in 2017 inflict brutal violence
on pro-democracy protestors since the
coup," read the statement.
The coup and the brutality of the military's
subsequent crackdown have exacerbated
the already precarious situation
for vulnerable people across Burma,
including Rohingya.
The United States continues to underscore
the need for unhindered humanitarian
access to all people requiring
assistance in Burma.
At the launch of the 2021 Joint
Response Plan for the Rohingya
Humanitarian Crisis in May, the United
States announced nearly $155 million in
new assistance to sustain critical efforts to
support Rohingya refugees and members
of the host communities in Bangladesh
and internally displaced Rohingya and
other affected people in Myanmar.
This new funding, which includes lifesaving
COVID assistance, brought the
total US humanitarian aid for those
affected by the crisis in Myanmar,
Bangladesh and elsewhere in the region,
to more than $1.3 billion - including
more than $1.1 billion in Bangladesh and
more than $238 million in Burma - since
August 2017.