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Parents Key in Mitigating Extremist Influence: DMP Commissioner
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman has emphasized the importance of collective societal vigilance, particularly by parents, in monitoring the activities of youngsters to combat the growing challenge of online militant activities.
Speaking during a floral tribute to the victims of the Holey Artisan attack in Gulshan, Commissioner Rahman responded to questions about the ongoing efforts to counteract extremist activities online.
“Halting the online activities of militants is now a significant challenge,” he stated, urging all sectors of society, including conscientious citizens and the media, to collaborate in curbing the spread of extremism. He emphasized that the rapid dissemination of information online poses a substantial threat.
The DMP Commissioner specifically addressed parents, highlighting the importance of monitoring their children’s whereabouts, activities, companions, possessions, and online time. “Careful attention to these aspects can significantly mitigate the risk of extremist influence,” he said.
In response to a recent intelligence report about extremist operatives infiltrating insurance companies, the commissioner assured that efforts are being made to monitor and counteract such activities. “We are vigilant and proactive in preventing these threats,” he added.
Commissioner Rahman acknowledged that extremism is a global issue and that Bangladesh is not immune. However, he praised the efficiency and foresight of the Bangladeshi police, anti-terrorism units, and supporting organizations in handling extremism, positioning the country as a global role model.
He cited examples where proactive operations based on intelligence successfully prevented potential attacks. “Our intelligence and counter-terrorism units have been instrumental in maintaining peace and order,” he noted.
The DMP Commissioner highlighted the continuous efforts of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, the Detective Branch (DB), and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in preventing the spread of extremist ideologies online. He expressed confidence in the capabilities of the Bangladesh Police and its counter-terrorism units to tackle any challenge.
“We are committed to maintaining peace and order in the country,” the DMP Commissioner affirmed.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today encouraged children to start preparing for the future, envisioning a time when they could travel to the moon.
“We will go to the moon one day. So, you have to take preparation from this moment,” she stated during the inauguration of the “Bangabandhu Corner” at Gimadanga Tungipara Government Model Primary School.
The Prime Minister also unveiled a picture album titled “Eso Bangabandhuke Jani” (Let’s Know Bangabandhu), featuring artwork by children with special needs from the school, which was founded in 1912.
Sheikh Hasina urged the students to study diligently, aspiring to roles such as prime minister, ministers, scientists, and other prominent positions.
“Study attentively to be great human beings. We will build Smart Bangladesh. You will be really smart. You will run the state one day. You will be prime minister, minister, and scientist, reaching greater heights and conducting research,” she said.
The Prime Minister offered her prayers and blessings for the children’s success in their endeavors.
As the elder daughter of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina reflected on her father’s vision for a better life for children.
Discussing the album of historical pictures created by children with special needs, she emphasized its role in educating about the country’s history.
She noted that her father never sought personal luxury, instead dedicating himself to improving the lives of the people.
“He (Bangabandhu) had only one target: to rid the people of poverty and give them an improved life,” she added.
Upon her arrival at the school, students warmly welcomed the Prime Minister. The school holds significant memories of Bangabandhu, who studied there as a child.
Sheikh Hasina interacted with the students, inquiring about their well-being, and spent time at the Bangabandhu Corner, which houses various books on the Father of the Nation.
Following her school visit, she toured the Tungipara Multipurpose Pouro Market.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister offered prayers at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Tungipara. She had arrived at her ancestral home on Friday afternoon after attending a civic reception at Mawa in Munshiganj, marking the completion of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge construction.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast light to moderate, and in some areas, heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by temporary gusty winds across all eight divisions of the country in the next 24 hours from 9 am today.
The weather bulletin issued this morning stated, “Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur in most places across Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barisal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, with moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in some areas.”
The bulletin noted that the monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over the North Bay. It added that both day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
Looking ahead, the extended weather outlook for the next 72 hours suggests a likely decrease in rainfall activity.
On Tuesday, the highest temperature in the country was recorded at 34.2 degrees Celsius in Bhola, while the lowest temperature today was 23.5 degrees Celsius in Bandarban. Over the last 24 hours, Dinajpur recorded the highest rainfall at 127mm.
In the capital, the sun is set to rise at 5:16 am tomorrow and set at 6:50 pm today.
Over 700,000 people across 13 upazilas in Sylhet district are facing the brunt of a third wave of flooding, even as the region struggles to recover from the second wave. Heavy rains and upstream water flow have inundated several areas on Monday, though Sylhet city remains unaffected for now.
The latest flooding has submerged 97 unions, leaving thousands stranded. The Sylhet district administration reports that approximately 8,351 residents are taking refuge in 189 shelters.
All upazilas in Sylhet have been impacted by the floods, which are being attributed to hill torrents and excessive rainfall. The Surma and Kushiyara rivers, among others, are flowing above danger levels at multiple points.
The Water Development Board of Sylhet noted that as of 6 pm on Tuesday, the Surma River at Kanaighat point was 112 cm above the danger level, while at the Sylhet point, the water level was at 10.79 cm, just below the danger threshold of 10.80 cm.
The Kushiyara River’s water levels were 89 cm above the danger level at Amalshid point, 97 cm at Fenchuganj point, 26 cm at Sheola point, and 17 cm at Sherpur point. Meanwhile, the water levels of the Sari, Sarigowain, and Lova rivers have slightly decreased.
Shah Md. Sajib Hossain, assistant meteorologist at the Sylhet Meteorological Department, reported 14 mm of rainfall from 6 am to 6 pm on Tuesday, with heavy rain expected to continue today.
Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Russel Hasan stated that the possibility of a third wave of floods had been anticipated, prompting upazila executive officers to prepare in advance following directives from higher authorities. He assured that relief centers are ready and that the government is fully prepared to handle the situation with caution.
Sylhet previously experienced severe flooding on May 27 due to heavy rains and hill torrents from upstream, which had largely subsided by June 8. However, continuous rain from June 17 led to a second wave of flooding. Before recovery efforts could be completed, the third wave struck on July 1, further exacerbating the situation.
