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Home Minister Affirms Govt’s Commitment to People’s Mandate
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding the people’s mandate and democratic principles, emphasizing that they do not condone any conspiracies or reliance on brute force.
Speaking at a gathering commemorating the inauguration of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) building in Narayanganj, Minister Kamal, in his role as chief guest, expressed unwavering faith in the people’s rights and their electoral choices.
The event, chaired by local lawmaker and BKMEA President A K M Salim Osman, featured contributions from other notable figures, including Textile and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, Narayanganj-4 lawmaker Shamim Osman, and BKMEA Executive President Mohammad Hatem.
Minister Kamal underscored the irreplaceable role of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in leading the country forward and rejected attempts to hinder Bangladesh’s progress. Despite numerous challenges, he cited significant improvements in the nation’s economy, with poverty rates dropping from 28% to 5% under the current administration’s leadership.
He also discussed the government’s goals for the future, aiming for zero poverty by 2040, with substantial progress expected by 2030, and a target of 100% literacy by 2040.
Minister Kamal praised the Industrial Police for fostering cooperation between factory owners and workers, emphasizing the importance of their role in protecting and maintaining the nation’s industrial infrastructure. He attributed the concept of the Industrial Police to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Following the event, the Home Minister participated in an Awami League rally in Railgate area, demonstrating the party’s unity and support for its leadership.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain showers across the country within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 AM on Saturday.
According to a bulletin issued by the Met office, “Light to moderate rain or thunder showers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, are expected in many areas of the Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. A few places in the Rangpur and Mymensingh divisions, as well as one or two spots in the Rajshahi and Dhaka divisions, may also experience similar weather. Additionally, moderately heavy to heavy rainfall is anticipated in parts of the Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions.”
Meanwhile, a mild heat wave is sweeping through the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, along with Tangail, Sylhet, and Chuadanga districts. This heat wave may subside in some regions.
Temperatures across the country are expected to remain nearly unchanged, both during the day and at night.
The bulletin further explained that the low-pressure area over the North Bay and its adjoining regions has intensified into a well-marked low, now positioned over Gangetic West Bengal and the northwest Bay. The axis of the monsoon trough extends from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and the center of the well-marked low to Assam, passing through the southern part of Bangladesh.
Overall, the monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and exhibits moderate to strong activity over the North Bay.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today visited the massively damaged Setu Bhaban and Department of Disaster Management at Mohakhali here by the BNP-Jamaat-Shibir men during the nationwide mayhem centering the quota reform movement.
After entering the Setu Bhaban, she looked appalled seeing its different damaged sections as she had teary-eyed.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, among others, were present.
Several hundred of miscreants stormed into the Setu Bhaban on July 18 last and vandalized it badly, set it on fire, and looted government property from the bhaban.
They also vandalized many vehicles, motorbikes, ransacked different sheds and rooms and later set those on fire and beat many employees of the Setu Bhaban black and blue.
The prime minister later inspected the Department of Disaster Management at Mohakhali and saw different sections of the damaged establishment which was also came under terror attack on July 18.
High officials of the Setu Bhaban and Department of Disaster Management gave a brief description of the devastation of the two buildings.
The terror attacks on the government establishments was carried out across the country by the BNP-Jamaat clique cashing in on the quota reform movement.
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.”
