Warning: Undefined array key "rbname" in /data/rantburg.com/www/rantburg/pgrecentorg.php on line 14
Hello !

Bangladesh

Chhatra League men vandalise MBSTU over Facebook status

2014-02-02

[Dhaka Tribune] Bangladesh Chhatra League ... the student wing of the Bangla Awami League ... activists of Tangail's Maulana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) locked the administrative building and all the classrooms yesterday, demanding the removal of a teacher of criminology and police science (CPS) department. Md Rabiul Islam, security in-charge of the university, said the BCL activists, led by CPS students Suman Fakir, Soton and Zahir, locked the administrative building and the classrooms before vandalising the academic building and setting some classrooms on fire. Assisted by outsiders, the BCL men then forced out all teachers and staffs from the campus, he added. The agitated BCL members carried out the violence, reportedly protesting a Facebook post by CPS Assistant Professor Jahirul Islam who allegedly spoke ill about the university. When contacted, Jahirul said he had repeatedly voiced protests against a group of students and outsiders who dominated and collected extortions from the campus by identifying themselves as BCL men. "Finally I wrote on my Facebook that 'the dream campus of the MBSTU was in the grasps of devils, thugs and hooligans,'" the teacher added. Tangail Sadar Model cop shoppe Officer-in-Charge Nazrul Islam said the situation has been contained, while additional police personnel have been deployed on the campus to prevent further violence. No case has been lodged in this connection so far. Sumon Fakir, Soton and Zahir could not be reached for comments. Nazmul Huda, president of the BCL's Tangail district unit, said no BCL activists had engaged in the violence, as there was no committee of the Chhatra League on the campus. The university proctor, Khadimul Islam, said authorities were holding an emergency meeting over the matter. Pro-VC of the university Prof Dr Muniruzzaman, however, said he was not concerned about the matter. Earlier on July 2013, BCL activists led by Sumon Fakir allegedly attacked a human chain of MBSTU employees, injuring at least 10 people.

Link

Bangladesh

Cop hurt in gunfight with criminals

2011-10-01

[Bangla Daily Star] Two persons including a police officer were maimed in a 'shootout' between a police patrol and a gang of 'armed snatchers' in city's Gulshan area yesterday. Police tossed in the slammer injured snatcher Billal Hossain, 25, his accomplices Ruhul Amin, 20, and Tuhin Sheikh, 22, while another mugger Nurul Islam managed to escape with a firearm. Sub-inspector Nazmul Huda of Gulshan Police Station received a bullet in his right leg and was sent to Rajarbagh Police Hospital. Billal was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital with a bullet in his left leg. Police said SI Nazmul and his team noticed a private car intercepting a woman walking in front of the South Park in Gulshan-1 around 7:00am. Getting down from the car, four youths attacked her to snatch valuables. As police approached the gang, one of the youths opened fire on them prompting retaliation from the law enforcers. Following the shootout police tossed in the slammer the three and recovered four machetes and two knives from the spot. Law enforcers filed two cases in this connection.

Link

Bangladesh

50 BDR members jailed, 1 acquitted

2010-04-13

[Bangla Daily Star] A special court yesterday sentenced 50 accused personnel of 20 Rifle Battalion to different jail terms for their involvement in the Thakurgaon BDR mutiny in February last year. The court however acquitted a jawan as the allegation brought against him could not be proved. BDR Director General Maj Gen M Mainul Islam, heading the three-member special court-2, delivered the verdict in the mutiny case at 4:00pm. The other members are Lt Col Mahfuzur Rahaman and Maj Didar Al Latif. Two jawans were sentenced to imprisonment for seven years, five to six years, two to five years and six months, five to five years, two to three years, four to two years, three to thirteen months, 14 to six months and 13 others to four months' rigorous imprisonment. The court also fined them Tk 100 each. This is the second verdict of a BDR special court set up for trying accused mutineers of the paramilitary force. The same court on April 7 delivered a verdict in a case against 29 accused BDR members of 25 Rifle Battalion in Panchagarh. In the judgment, Maj Gen Mainul said all facts and evidence proved that the accused were involved in the mutiny in Thakurgaon BDR Battalion on February 26. Nayeb Subedar Md Shahidullah Biswas and Sepoy Md Shajahan were sentenced to seven years' rigorous imprisonment, Habildar Md Abdul Haque, Sepoy Arifur Rahman Majumder, Subedar Maj Khondaker Mohammad Mohosin, Sepoy Md Meraz Ali and Sepoy Md Nahidur Rahman to six years, Sepoy Md Jahirul Haque and Assistant Lance Nayek Md Siddiqur Rahaman for five years and six months, Lance Nayek Md Selim Mia, Sepoy Md Zakir Hossain, Nayek Md Anamul Haque, Lance Nayek Md Nurul Islam and Sepoy Habibur Rahaman for five years, Sepoy Md Ali Akbar and Assistant Nayeb Subedar Md Fazlur Rahaman Bhuiyan for three years, Sepoy Md Razu Ahammed, Sepoy Md Ruhul Amin, Assistant Sepoy Md Nazmul Huda and Assistant Sepoy Md Saiful Islam for two years, Assistant Lance Nayek Md Anwar Hossain, Habildar Golam Mostafa and Sepoy Md Amzad Hossain to 13 months of rigorous imprisonment. Habildar Md Jalal Uddin, Lance Nayek Abul Basher, sepoys Rezaul Karim, Mohammad Arshad, Md Jasim Uddin, Md Pappu Mondal, Md Manjurul Basher, Md Akhteruzzaman, Masum Billah, Md Halim Rana, Md Selim Reza, Ebne Masud Rana, Ziaur Rahman and Md Sabur Uddin were awarded six months' rigorous imprisonment. Habildar Rezaul Karim, sepoys Abdullah Al Mamun, Md Ekabbar Ali, Mohammad Zillur Rahaman, Md Hanif Uddin, Md Rabiul Islam, Md Moksedul Haque, Md Babul Akhter, Shahin Mahmud, Mahmud Elias, Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, Md Mir Hossain and Wasim Akram were sentenced to four months' imprisonment. Most of them were new recruits at that time. Nayeb Subedar Saiful Islam, now on leave preparatory to retirement (LPR), was acquitted. The court awarded lesser punishment to 44 of the 51 accused as they sought mercy confessing to their guilt after the court framed charges against the accused on April 8. On completion of hearing, the court on Sunday fixed yesterday for delivering judgment. Maj Gen Mainul said the verdict would remain as an example in the battalion's history. All legal proceedings were maintained during the trial and the accused were given 69 days' time in place of 27 days for making preparation to defend themselves. He said seven civilian lawyers and a BDR official were appointed for giving legal assistance to the accused. The trial was held in presence of visitors, relatives of the accused and journalists. Many convicts burst into tears after Mainul pronounced the verdict. A number of them said they were punished without any reason while the real culprits remain at large. Prosecutor in the case Lt Col Mahfuz Alom, also commanding officer of 25 Rifles Battalion, told journalists that such a verdict was essential for a disciplined force. Emran Chowdhury, one of the counsels for the accused, said there is no scope for questioning any witness according to the BDR law. Public Prosecutor Mosharaf Hossain Kajol said justice has been done. He said there is no option to challenge the verdict as the special court is the highest court for BDR. The court ordered the prosecution to send copies of the verdict to the BDR headquarters, deputy commissioner, jail superintendent and superintendent of police in Thakurgaon and all high-ups of 20 Rifle Battalion. The trial began on February 3 and was adjourned on February 4 giving the accused 64 days to make preparation to defend themselves. Nurul Islam Fakir, deputy assistant director of 20 Rifle Battalion, placed the charges against the 51 as the complainant on February 3. Deputy Attorney General Biswajit Roy represented attorney general at the court. Public Prosecutor Monjurul Alam was also present.

Link

Bangladesh

HC terms Huda, Kamaruzzaman wrong-headed, worthless

2009-07-03

[Bangla Daily Star] The High Court (HC) yesterday termed former communications minister Nazmul Huda and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Muhammad Kamaruzzaman 'wrong-headed' and 'worthless' for making 'derogatory' remarks on the June 21 HC judgement on proclamation of the country's independence. Meanwhile, the HC exempted former vice chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Emajuddin Ahmed from appearing before the court in person in a contempt of court petition filed against him for making 'contemptuous comment' on the same HC verdict. During hearing of the petition against Huda and Kamaruzzaman, the HC bench of justices ABM Khairul Haque and M Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed observed that they had made the comments without being informed about the HC judgement. "No self-conscious person can make such remarks," the court said. The bench, however, disposed of the petition saying, "We shall not issue any rule against the persons who are not aware of the dignity and authority of the High Court judges." President of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) advocate AFM Mesbahuddin, Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Bar Council advocate Abdul Baset Majumder and Additional Attorney General MK Rahman were present. They told the court that since the statements of Huda and Kamaruzaman hurt the dignity of the HC, a contempt rule should be issued against them. Barrister Mainul Hosein, former adviser to a caretaker government, prayed to the court for disposal of the petition with some observations. Petitioner's counsel Advocate Manzill Murshid said if the HC did not take the statements into cognisance, it will have negative impact on people. Huda and Kamaruzzaman said the judgment on proclamation of the country's independence was not of the HC rather it was a personal verdict of the judges concerned. The judges made observations in the verdict as if they are political leaders and the judgment was a political one, the two said. Their remarks were published in various national dailies on June 30. SM Zafar Sadik, a lawyer of the Supreme Court (SC), on July 1 filed the contempt of court petition against them with the HC.

Link

Bangladesh

Police take control of BDR installations

2009-02-28

The police yesterday took control of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) sector and battalion headquarters across the country while BDR jawans deserted several border outposts leaving those vulnerable. BDR jawans at various sector and battalion headquarters laid down their arms and handed over the keys to the armouries to the deputy commissioners concerned at the instruction of the home ministry. However, a home ministry source said BDR jawans are patrolling the borders with India and Myanmar with light firearms. The police will remain in control of the headquarters until further notice, several district administrators told The Daily Star. Subedar Maj Siddique and Subedar Shamsul Haque of Rajshahi sector headquarters, now under control of police, handed over their arms and keys to the armoury to the district official. A number of BDR jawans looked distressed and scared while surrendering their arms. Our Khulna correspondent reports: Khulna Metropolitan Police took control of the BDR sector headquarters after discussions with BDR members there. Two platoons of police had been deployed there. The BDR barracks in Khulna earlier witnessed a revolt following the Wednesday's mutiny in the capital. The situation at BDR camps in Thakurgaon and Panchagarh remained calm after the mutineers surrendered their arms. BDR patrol along the borders with India also resumed, said 25 Rifles Battalion head Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) Nazmul Huda and 20 Rifles Battalion head DAD Nurul Islam Fakir. In Kurigram, BDR Jawans of 27 Rifles Battalion released Maj Kamal, Maj Altaf and Commanding Officer Suman Kumar Barua and surrendered their arms to Kurigram DC Asaduzzaman. The police took control of the battalion headquarters. Our Chittagong correspondent reports: BDR jawans as well as departmental officers of BDR Chittagong Sector Headquarters began surrendering weapons and ammunition, said Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Ashraf Shamim in the evening. Our correspondent in Dinajpur adds: the police took control of the BDR sector headquarters at Kuthibari in the afternoon. Our Rajshahi correspondent reports: The bordering areas remained vulnerable as distraught BDR members were reluctant to return to duty amid confusion. A BOP commander told The Daily Star, "The smugglers will not be able to cash in on the prevailing situation as the Indian Border Security Force remains on red alert on the other side of the border." Our correspondent from Benapole adds: Although BDR jawans patrolled the border with India at Benapole, the situation remained tense. The jawans were without a commanding officer as no army officer deputed to BDR went to the Benapole border camps or barracks. Hundreds of passengers and goods-laden trucks remained stranded on the Benapole-Petrapole border after Indian Border Security Force (BSF) closed their side of the border.

Link

Bangladesh

Trials of 44 out of 573 completed so far

2007-10-25

Forty-four out of 573 cases filed against high-profile corrupt suspects and their relatives have been disposed of during the present caretaker government's nine-month tenure. Chairman of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on serious crimes Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin hoped to complete trial of rest of the cases before the government hands over power to an elected government. "Primarily, it took time to deal with the cases due to shortage of skilled manpower for investigations. Army personnel who are helping us were also not that efficient," Matin told reporters during a briefing at the communications ministry yesterday. "Performance in the coming months will be better as our men are now more experienced and competent," Matin, also the communications adviser, said. The Anti-Corruption Commission, National Board of Revenue and police filed 372 cases while others lodged 201 cases against the corrupt suspects whose names were published in five phases. A total of 131 cases are now under trial while investigations are in progress in 285 other cases, the NCC chief said. Inquiry is on in 88 cases while preliminary inquiry is being done in 25 other cases. Names of 50 corrupt suspects came in the first list, 51 in the second, 39 in the third, 35 in the first part of fourth list and two in a special list. About 100 big shots have so far been apprehended during crackdown on corrupt politicians, ministers and businessmen. High-profile people who have been awarded punishments in 44 cases include former ministers Nazmul Huda, Mohammad Nasim, Shahjahan Siraj, Amanullah Aman, Anwar Hossain Monju and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, ex-lawmakers Naser Rahman, Ali Asgar Lobi, and Nadim Mostafa, Rajshahi Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu, political secretary to former prime minister Khaleda Zia Harris Chowdhury and businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun. Investigations into corruption charges are on against former premiers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, now staying in sub-jails in the capital. Matin said 60 to 62 task forces are currently working across the country. The number of task forces needs to be increased, he felt.

Link

Bangladesh

BD ex-minister jailed for taking bribe

2007-08-28

A Bangladesh court sentenced on Monday former minister, Nazmul Huda, to seven years in jail for taking a bribe of 24 million taka ($350,000) from a construction firm, court officials said. Huda served as communications minister in the government of most recent prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The court also ordered Huda’s wife, Sigma Huda, to serve three years in jail for abetting her husband in accepting the bribe, lawyers said. More than 170 senior politicians, including over a dozen former ministers and a son of Khaleda Zia, have been detained for alleged corruption since an army-backed interim government took charge in Bangladesh in January. Several of them, who served under both Khaleda and her rival Sheikh Hasina, also a former prime minister, have already been convicted and sentenced to various prison terms.

Link

Bangladesh

B'desh jails human rights expert on corruption charges

2007-07-07

A special court has ordered a Bangladeshi who worked as a UN human rights expert to jail in connection with a corruption case, her lawyers said Friday. Sigma Huda, a lawyer appointed by the United Nations in 2004 as an independent expert on people trafficking, was sent to jail late Thursday pending the start of a trial planned for Monday, prosecution lawyer Mosharraf Hossain Kajal said. Huda has been accused of abetting her husband, former communications minister Nazmul Huda, in extorting more than 20 million takas (US$294,000) from a construction firm while he was still in office, Kajal said. Nazmul served in the government of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia before its term ended in 2006. Nazmul was arrested in February as part of an anti-corruption drive by Bangladesh’s military-backed interim government that assumed power a month earlier following violent clashes over electoral reforms that left more than 30 people killed. On Thursday, Huda arrived at the court by an ambulance from a hospital where she was being treated for a cardiac problem, her lawyer, Borhan Uddin said. From the court, she was first taken to Dhaka Central Jail before being admitted into the prison cell of a state-run hospital, the lawyer said. Earlier this week, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court overturned a bail ruling granted to Huda by the high court, Uddin said. He said Huda is innocent and that she was being targeted for being outspoken against the military-backed government. Last month, a Bangladesh court blocked Huda from attending the UN Human Rights Council, Uddin said. She has been outspoken about corruption within the country’s police service, and campaigned on behalf of women and the homeless. Under international conventions, Huda enjoys certain diplomatic privileges that prevent her arrest or detention while she is acting in her role as a UN rights expert. In June, UN officials asked Bangladesh to clarify her situation after reports she was being prevented from leaving the country. Meanwhile, leader of Bangladesh’s military-backed emergency government has called for public support for his administration’s graft crackdown, the official BSS news agency said Friday. “The next generation will not excuse us if we fail in this effort,” Fakhruddin Ahmed said, referring to a massive anti-corruption campaign that has seen more than 150 prominent figures detained and others jailed for up to 13 years. Ahmed, a former central bank governor, said his government was striving to give the country a fresh start by establishing “good governance and a democratic society free from terrorism, anarchy and corruption.” “We shall have to march towards an enlightened future unitedly,” he added, speaking to a military audience in the capital Dhaka on Thursday.

Link

Bangladesh

Huda, Sigma, Alena sued for extortion

2007-06-28

A construction contractor of the Roads and Highways (R&H) Department filed two extortion cases against detained BNP leader and former communications minister Nazmul Huda, his wife Sigma Huda and Alena Khan late Tuesday night. According to a case filed with Tejgaon Police Station, Huda called Wahidur Rahman Azad, the complainant, to BSEHR (Bangladesh Society for Enforcement of Human Rights) office in February 2003 and demanded Tk 10 lakh in cash. Huda also gave an alternative to Azad, asking him to construct a conference room for the organisation. Azad said he agreed to build the conference room due to continuous pressure from Huda and it cost him Tk 5.5 lakh. On completion of the work in three months, Azad demanded the money he spent for the work from Huda, Sigma and Alena. They threatened to create problem in getting his payments from the R&H department if he demanded the money, alleged the plaintiff. Huda is a member of the national committee of the BSEHR, Sigma is its secretary general and Alena Khan is its executive director.

Link

Bangladesh

Babar remanded, Litu sent to jail

2007-06-09

Former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar was further remanded yesterday for three days in an arms case while Bengal Group Chairman Abul Khair Litu sent to Dhaka Central Jail on 30 days detention. Dhanmondi police pressed charges against arrested BNP leader and former communications minister Nazmul Huda and ex-BNP lawmaker Salahuddin Ahmed and his son in separate cases the same day. Investigation officer (IO) produced Babar before the court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Dhaka, with a prayer for five days' fresh remand to quiz him about the source of an illegal firearm that was recovered from his possession during his arrest. Defence lawyers submitted a petition seeking cancellation of the remand prayer. They argued Babar need not be remanded again, as the firearms and ammunition have already been seized from his possession.

Link

Bangladesh

Khaleda's brother made BNP vice-president

2007-05-01

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's younger brother Maj (retd) Saeed Iskandar yesterday disclosed that he was made a vice-president of the party by the chief, amid widespread speculation that her stay abroad might be prolonged if she goes to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. Nazrul Islam Khan, joint secretary general of BNP, told The Daily Star yesterday, "Iskandar was made a vice-president on January 10 but we could not disclose the matter formally as the government has a ban imposed on politics." With Saeed Iskandar's induction, the number of vice-presidents in BNP now stands at 15, although the party constitution limits the number within 12. Other vice-presidents are -- Emran Ali Sarkar, Tariqul Islam, Justice TH Khan, LK Siddique, Nazmul Huda, Begum Sarwari Rahman, Rabeya Chowdhury, Chowhdury Kamal Ibne Yusuf, Shawkat Ali, MK Anwar, Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Shahjahan Siraj, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, and Mohammad Nurul Huda. A party source said Khaleda Zia decided to appoint her brother as a vice-president within the last few days during her meetings with party leaders at her cantonment residence as she is 'facing tremendous pressure' for leaving the country. The schedule for her departure however has not been finalised yet as she has not gotten a visa for entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to the source, Saeed Iskandar will take up the charge of acting chairperson of the party if Khaleda is to leave for Saudi Arabia and if she is to stay there for a prolonged period. Iskandar however told reporters that he is not ready to take up the responsibility during the party chairperson's visit to Saudi Arabia. BNP leaders said Khaleda will leave for Saudi Arabia after the ban on indoor politics is lifted, in spite of the 'tremendous pressure' on her for going abroad.

Link

Bangladesh

Mamun confesses to extortion again

2007-04-27

Detained controversial businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun, a close friend of BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman, yesterday confessed his involvement in the extortion of Tk 1.17 crore from a businessman. "Aaaaiiiieeee! Make him stop! I confess!" Meanwhile, Dhaka Cantonment police yesterday pressed charges against Mamun in connection with the case filed for possessing illegal firearms and ammunition. Proceedings of cases against former minister Nazmul Huda and Awami League leader engineer Mosharraf Hossain were adjourned yesterday while former housing and public works minister Mirza Abbas was shown arrested in a case filed in connection with graft. Heavily guarded by police, Mamun was taken to the chamber of Metropolitan Magistrate ABM Abdul Fattah around 2:00pm. The magistrate recorded his statement for around two hours. Mamun told the magistrate that he along with six others extorted the amount on different dates in 2006. The six others are Obaidullah Khandaker, Qamruzzaman, Mahbub, Manik, Hablu and Tareq alias Mota Tareq. Khairul Bashar, managing director of Abdul Munem Ltd, filed the case with Dhanmondi Police Station on April 19. Mamun demanded the money identifying himself as a friend of Tarique Rahman while his goons threatened him to stop his construction business if he failed to meet their demands, added the complainant. "Ya don't meet our Just Demands™ maybe Big Mahmoud here breaks yer knees!" "Ummm... Big Mahmoud certainly is... large." Gulshan police had Mamun placed on a five-day remand yesterday in connection with a Tk 81 lakh extortion case filed by Harun Ferdousi, managing director of Judge Distilleries Ltd with Gulshan Police Station on March 27.

Link

Warning: Undefined property: stdClass::$T in /data/rantburg.com/www/rantburg/pgrecentorg.php on line 132
-12 More