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PM Sheikh Hasina Vows Justice for Journalists Targeted in October Attacks
During the meeting at her official residence, Ganabhaban, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep concern over the unprecedented and targeted attacks on journalists during the opposition BNP’s rally in Dhaka on October 28. She underscored that the attacks, which seemed aimed at causing severe harm to the journalists, were unparalleled in the history of the country’s movements and struggles.
In response to the brutality witnessed, Prime Minister Hasina assured the injured journalists that the perpetrators behind these heinous acts would not go unpunished. She emphasized the importance of scrutinizing image and video footages of the incidents to bring the culprits to justice.
In addition to the attacks on journalists, Prime Minister Hasina highlighted that similar acts of violence were carried out on the residence of the chief justice, judges’ quarters, and on-duty police members. She expressed her shock at the unprecedented attack on the chief justice’s house and called for accountability for those orchestrating such actions.
Acknowledging the broader context of the upcoming general election scheduled for January 7, Prime Minister Hasina urged the citizens to remain vigilant. She cautioned about both domestic and international conspiracies aimed at disrupting the democratic process and emphasized the need for the public to stay alert.
During the event, a video documentary was presented, featuring statements from the injured journalists, shedding light on the inhumane treatment they endured on October 28. The Prime Minister’s Press Secretary, Ihsanul Karim, welcomed attendees, and the event was moderated by Jatiya Press Club General Secretary Shyamal Dutta. Notable figures such as Mozammel Babu, Editor-in-chief of Ekattor TV and President of the Editors Guild, Bangladesh, and Shakil Ahmed, Head of News of Ekattor TV, also addressed the gathering.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
