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RAB DG Affirms Improved Voting Atmosphere in 12th Jatiya Sangsad Election
Director General (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) M Khurshid Hossain asserted today that the voting atmosphere in the 12th Jatiya Sangsad election surpassed that of the 2014 and 2018 polls. Speaking at a media interaction after visiting various polling centers in the capital, Hossain stated that people were voting freely and with great enthusiasm, noting a distinct absence of panic among the voters during the polling process.
After inspecting the Motijheel Ideal School and College polling station, Hossain expressed satisfaction with the beautiful and peaceful atmosphere in which the voting took place. He reported that thus far, there had been no issues in Dhaka city, emphasizing the coordination efforts with RAB, police, and other law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Hossain expressed confidence that the polls would ultimately proceed across the country in a peaceful environment.
Addressing the Onside Identification and Verification System (OIVS), the RAB DG clarified that the system is used to identify outsiders or non-voters attempting to disrupt the process. He highlighted the use of IVM devices to identify individuals with potential terrorist affiliations. Hossain acknowledged that the election boycott by BNP-Jamaat had created a panicky situation but assured the public that adequate measures were in place to address any concerns.
Responding to questions about post-election security measures, Hossain conveyed confidence, stating, “We are not afraid, but there are adequate measures on how to deal with that fear. You can be sure that there is no such danger. None can succeed even if they try.”
Regarding voters’ trust in law enforcement agencies, he reiterated the commitment to ensuring a secure and trouble-free voting process. Hossain emphasized the implementation of necessary security measures at every polling station, with a focus on the safety of voters, polling station personnel, and officers during the counting of votes to facilitate a smooth conclusion to the electoral proceedings.
Leaders of the quota reform movement have resolutely refused to negotiate with the government, insisting that their movement will persist until their demands are met.
In a Facebook post, Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the movement, declared, “No discussion through stepping onto blood.”
Asif Mahmud, another prominent leader, echoed this sentiment, stating, “There can be no dialogue with bullets. I would prefer death over this betrayal.”
He further elaborated, “On one side, there are bullets. On the other, there is a call for dialogue. We can’t sit for dialogue while stepping onto the blood of our brothers.”
Earlier, leaders of the quota reform movement accused the government of escalating the law and order situation towards violence, asserting that their movement was peaceful until the government’s intervention.
Vowing to continue their struggle, Asif Mahmud stated, “We will continue our protests till we achieve our demands for reformation of the quota system, reopening of the halls and campuses, making university campuses terror-free, withdrawing political forces from the campuses, and punishing the killers and attackers.”
He added, “The people of the country have encircled those who tried to corner us. No conspiracy will be able to derail our movement.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged both local and international investors to invest in the extraction of marine resources from Bangladesh’s extensive sea areas.
“In order to fortify the blue economy through the diverse utilization of our marine resources, I call upon local and foreign investors to seize the opportunity to invest in Bangladesh. This will enable us to harness more of our marine resources,” she announced.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during the inauguration of the Bangladesh International Aquaculture and Seafood Show-2024 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka.
She emphasized the importance of adhering to proper standards in the collection, distribution, and processing of fish to boost exports, aiming to make fish the country’s second-largest source of foreign currency.
Sheikh Hasina pointed out that her government has made limited progress in harvesting fish and other sea resources from the deep sea due to a lack of interest from local investors.
“Therefore, we need foreign investment to advance in this area. This is the reality we must face,” she noted.
She also suggested that both local and foreign investors can collaborate in joint ventures or invest separately in this sector to achieve better results.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate and moderately heavy rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across all eight divisions of the country over the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
In its weather bulletin issued this morning, the BMD stated, “Light to moderate rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty wind is expected in a few places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Additionally, one or two places in Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, and Barisal divisions may experience similar conditions, with moderately heavy falls anticipated at several locations in Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions.”
The bulletin also highlighted that the current mild heat wave sweeping across the Rangpur division and the districts of Tangail, Chuadanga, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogra, and Netrokona may persist.
Daytime temperatures are expected to rise slightly, while nighttime temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged throughout the country.
On Wednesday, the highest recorded temperature was 36.7 degrees Celsius, observed in Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Rajarhat. The lowest temperature recorded today was 26.0 degrees Celsius, noted in Bandarban and Teknaf.
Over the last 24 hours, rainfall amounted to 16 mm in Bandarban.
For the capital, the sun will set at 6:48 pm today and rise at 5:21 am tomorrow.
