National
PM Sheikh Hasina Decries Nationwide Violence as Conspiracy to Cripple Bangladesh’s Economy
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared today (27 July) that the recent widespread violence is part of a conspiracy aimed at crippling Bangladesh’s economy and turning the nation into one of beggars once again.
“It might be their conspiracy to make us again a nation of beggars by crippling the country’s economy completely,” she said, according to BSS reports.
The prime minister made these remarks during her visit to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), also known as Pongu Hospital, in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. She was there to see patients injured during the recent student protests for public service quota reform. The visit took place around 9am this morning, where she instructed hospital authorities to ensure proper treatment for the victims.
At approximately 10am, Prime Minister Hasina visited the Setu Bhaban and the Department of Disaster Management to assess the damage caused by the attackers. At Setu Bhaban, she inspected the vandalized floors and premises. Accompanied by the Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Obaidul Quader, and other senior ministry officials, she received a briefing on the extent of the damage from the vandalism and arson attacks, which included numerous vehicles set ablaze.
Earlier, the prime minister also visited the toll plaza of the elevated expressway at Mohakhali to view the damaged sections.
On 18 July, approximately 250-300 unidentified individuals stormed Setu Bhaban, vandalizing vehicles and motorbikes, and ransacking various rooms and sheds. The attackers set these on fire, beating many employees in the process. Around 50 vehicles were torched at the Setu Bhaban during this violent outbreak.
The prime minister’s visits today underscore the severity of the attacks and the government’s commitment to addressing the aftermath of the violence.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has received five fresh complaints of murder, genocide and crimes against humanity against a total of 228 people including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Confirming the matter to BSS, ICT prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said the complaints were filed with the office of the chief prosecutor on Sunday.
Charges were brought against Sheikh Hasina and 64 others over the killings of college students Nure Alam Siddique Rakib and Zubayer on the Mymensingh-Kishoreganj Highway on July 20. Rakib’s father Abdul Halim and Zubayer’s father Anwar Uddin filed the complaint yesterday.
Sheikh Hasina and 27 others were accused of the killing of Maruf Hossain in front of BRAC University in the capital’s Badda area on July 19. Maruf’s father Mohammad Idris filed the complaint.
One Shafikul Islam Sarkar filed the third complaint against Sheikh Hasina and other unnamed accused over the killing of his son Faisal Sarkar on July 19 in Uttara Abdullahpur area.
Hasina was accused along with 75 others in another complaint filed over the killing of Mahfuzur Rahman, 25, in Mirpur-10 intersection area on July 19. Mahfuzur’s father Abdul Mannan filed the complaint.
One Mohammad Amanullah filed another complaint against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 57 others over the killing of his son Samiu Aman Nur, 13, in Uttara Azampur Footover Bridge area on August 5.
The holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, commemorating the birth and demise of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), is being observed across Bangladesh today with profound religious reverence. The observance was confirmed during the National Moon Sighting Committee’s meeting on September 4, held at the Islamic Foundation’s Conference Room in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Md Abdul Hamid Jamaddar, as announced in a press release.
The committee confirmed that the moon of Rabiul Awal 1446 Hijri was sighted in the sky of Bangladesh on September 4, marking the beginning of the holy month of Rabiul Awal from September 5 (Thursday).
On this day in 570, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, bringing divine blessings and messages of peace to humanity. He passed away on the same date, 12th Rabiul Awal, of the Hijri calendar.
In honor of the occasion, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the Chief Adviser to the interim government, Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, issued separate messages, extending greetings to the people of Bangladesh and Muslims worldwide.
To mark the day, Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar are airing special programmes, while various national newspapers have published supplements underscoring the significance of the event. The day is also observed as a public holiday throughout the country.
In a meeting held on Saturday (14 September), garment factory owners across the country unanimously agreed to resume operations starting today. However, it was also decided that individual factories may be closed according to legal procedures, in order to protect the industry and national interests, while safeguarding workers’ employment. This measure would apply particularly if workers refuse to work, leave the premises, or attempt to instigate disturbances.
The decision came during a discussion on the current crisis facing the ready-made garment (RMG) industry, held at the BGMEA complex in Uttara, Dhaka. The meeting, chaired by BGMEA president Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, was attended by key government advisers and leaders from BGMEA, BKMEA, and labor unions.
Expressing serious concern about the ongoing labor unrest, participants warned that the instability could jeopardize the vital export-oriented garment sector. The advisers urged factory owners to continue operations and assured them of government support, including enhanced security measures, should unrest arise.
