Page 36 - Bangladesh

UN to support Bangladesh reforms undertaken by Yunus-led interim govt

The United Nations will support Bangladesh in its reform initiatives, including police and election reforms, undertaken by the interim government, a top official of the world body said on Sunday. The chief of the UN in Bangladesh, Gwyn Lewis, met Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus here and discussed a wide range of issues, including reforms, corruption, floods, the Rohingya crisis, and the UN-led investigation into the July-August violence, The Daily Star newspaper reported. Lewis expressed her support for the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government and thanked Yunus for taking up the extraordinary role, the paper said. Yunus, 84, recently announced the formation of six commissions to reform the judiciary, election system, administration, police, anti-corruption commission and the constitution. The Nobel laureate took oath as the head of the interim government on August 8, three days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India following widespread protes

BSF creates open gyms, bathrooms for women along Bangladesh border in WB

Three open-air gymnasiums and a number of tin sheet-covered bathing sheds for women have been created by a BSF battalion deployed in this frontier area of West Bengal to guard the India-Bangaldesh international boundary. The facilities were created following the Union home ministry's directive to the border forces to engage with the local population, with Home Minister Amit Shah saying these remote locations on the front are not the last but the first villages of the country, and organisations like the Border Security Force (BSF) should take all measures for the betterment of the lives of the citizens residing in these security-sensitive areas, a senior officer told PTI. The 32nd battalion of the BSF has created the open-air gyms near its border outposts of Gede, Kadipur and Tungi in West Bengal's Nadia district. Equipment like parallel bars, waist stretchers, chest press, fun rider, lateral pull down, sit-up trainer, two-sided rotator and "tai chi spinner" have been installed in ..

Fish Importers' Assn hails Bangladesh's decision to lift Hilsa export ban

The Fish Importers' Association on Sunday welcomed Bangladesh's interim government's decision to allow the export of over 3,000 tonnes of Hilsa to India during the upcoming Durga Puja festivities. The association said it was a "good and positive" response, which will satiate the taste buds of Bengalis during the festive season. "We expect the first consignment of Hilsa to arrive in markets in Kolkata and its neighbourhood via the Petrapole border by September 26," Association secretary Syed Anwar Maqsood told PTI here. "It's fine even if 500 of the 3,000 tonnes arrive in the first phase... let Hilsa lovers of West Bengal get a chance to savour their favourite Padma Hilsa from Bangladesh. We thank the interim government for understanding the situation following requests from India. Hilsa is sent every year during Durga Puja. We hope the export of Hilsa to India becomes a more regular affair in the coming days," he said. Maqsood, in a letter to Bangladesh's interim government on ...

Modi, Yunus to not meet at UNGA, Bangladesh foreign adviser will meet EAM

Bangladesh's Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain on Saturday said that Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus will not be meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, according to media reports. Hossain, former foreign secretary of Bangladesh, said he would hold a bilateral meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to advance the relationship between the two neighbours, The Daily Star newspaper reported. At a press briefing at the foreign ministry in the afternoon, Hossain said, Sorting out all issues, we want to further advance our relationship based on mutual respect and fairness. "Our meeting with Jaishankar is almost certain. We have to acknowledge that there is a certain level of tension in our relations with India. To resolve any issues, we can't simply deny their existence. We will definitely try to move past the tension and establish a working relationship," Hossain said, according to The Dhaka Tribune ...

B'desh forms committee to probe violence, delegation to visit affected area

Bangladesh government on Friday announced that a high-powered probe committee would soon be formed to investigate all incidents of violence in the three districts of Chittagong hill tracts. A high-level delegation will visit Khagrachhari and Rangamati on Saturday to address the violent situation from Wednesday, officials said. State-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency, quoting a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relation Directorate (ISPR), requested people to extend cooperation to law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and harmony in the three hill districts and calming the ongoing tension. A statement from the Chief Adviser's office said the interim government has directed all forces to exercise restraint and ensure the safety of residents of the three hill districts following recent violence and fatalities. The ISPR statement also raised concerns about the potential for "severe riots" following recent clashes that resulted in at least four ...

Four Bangladeshi infiltrators pushed back by Assam Police: CM Himanta

Assam Police on Friday pushed back two Bangladeshis who attempted to cross the international border at Karimganj district, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. He said on Thursday also Assam Police pushed back four Bangladeshis who attempted to cross the border in Karimganj district. "In line with our zero-tolerance policy toward illegal infiltration, earlier today @assampolice successfully pushed back the following Bangladeshi nationals who attempted to cross the International Border at Karimganj," Sarma posted on X on Friday. The two illegal immigrants were identified as Dilara Begum and Shoel Hawladar, he said. In another post on the micro-blogging site on Thursday evening, Sarma had said four Bangladeshi nationals were pushed back. "Maintaining strict vigil along the Indo-Bangladesh border, @assampolice identified four Bangladeshi nationals near the border in Karimganj," he said. They were identified as Romida Begum, Abdul Elahi, Marijna Begum and Abdul Sukkur. "They wer

Exports demand likely to keep Bajaj Auto's shares under pressure

While domestic 2W will grow by 7-8 per cent (13 per cent up in motorcycle volumes in FY25 till August), there's weakness in the 100cc segment with low single-digit growth

B'desh instability not to impact credit quality of Indian firms: CRISIL

Leading research firm CRISIL Ratings said in its report that the recent political turmoil in neighbouring Bangladesh is unlikely to have any near-term impact on the credit quality of Indian corporates. The report said that there has also been no significant impact on India's trade with Bangladesh going forward, while the effect will vary based on industry specific exposure. It said a prolonged disruption can affect the revenue profiles and working capital cycles of some export-oriented sectors for which Bangladesh is either a demand centre or a production hub. In the financial year 2023-24, total trade with Bangladesh was around USD12,949 million, with Indian exports at USD 11,065 million and imports at USD 1884 million. The report said sectors such as cotton yarn, power, footwear, soft luggage and FMCG could see a negative impact. On the other hand, sectors like shipbreaking, jute, readymade garments would benefit, the report said. India's trade with Bangladesh is relatively low

Bangladesh's interim govt gives Army magistracy powers for 2 months

Bangladesh's interim government has granted magisterial powers to the Army for two months to improve law and order in the country and prevent "subversive acts". The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on the government's decision on Tuesday, saying it will be applicable with immediate effect. The powers will be given to commissioned officers of the Army. The order will remain in force for the next 60 days. Section 17 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, or CrPC, which awards Army officers the status of special executive magistrates, says these officers shall be subordinate to the district magistrates, or deputy commissioners, bdnews24.com reported. This authority including arrest and dispersal of unlawful rallies has been conferred upon commissioned officers of the Army. In self-defence and extreme need, the officer can open fire, said an adviser to the interim government on Tuesday, The Daily Star newspaper reported. "We are witnessing subversive acts and disru

Why Centre is allowing B'desh cricket team's India tour: Aaditya Thackeray

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday sought to know why the Centre was "going soft" on BCCI and allowing the Bangladesh cricket team to tour India when the minority Hindu community was facing violence in the neighbouring country. In a post on X, Thackeray said trolls in India are engineering hatred on the pretext of violence in Bangladesh, while the BCCI is hosting its team. "I wonder why those who have actively campaigned against this violence, don't speak to the @BCCI and ask questions? Or is it only about creating hate in India and election propaganda?" he said. The first Test between India and Bangladesh starts on September 19. "Just keen to know from the Ministry of External Affairs, whether Hindus in Bangladesh faced violence in the past 2 months, as told to us by some media and social media? If yes, and hindus and other minorities faced violence, then why is the bjp run Government of India going so easy on the BCCI and allowing the tour? If no, then is the ..

No near-term impact of B'desh situation on India's trade: CRISIL Ratings

Crisil Ratings on Tuesday said the recent developments in Bangladesh did not have a significant impact on India's trade and it does not foresee any near-term impact on the credit quality of India Inc. Crisil Ratings said the effect will vary based on industry/sector-specific nuances and exposure. "We do not foresee any near-term impact on the credit quality of India Inc either," it added. However, a prolonged disruption can affect the revenue profiles and working capital cycles of some export-oriented industries for which Bangladesh is either a demand centre or a production hub. Also, the movement in the Bangladeshi currency Taka, will have to be watched, the credit ratings agency said. "Recent developments in Bangladesh haven't had a significant impact on India's trade and going forward, the effect will vary based on industry/sector-specific nuances and exposure. We do not foresee any near-term impact on the credit quality of India Inc either," Crisil Ratings said. Companies into

World Bank pledges additional $2 bn to support critical reforms in B'desh

The World Bank on Tuesday said that it could mobilise an additional USD 2 billion in financing to Bangladesh in this fiscal year to support critical reforms, flood response, better air quality and health. World Bank Country Director Abdoulaye Seck pledged the new assistance when he called on interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Tuesday. Seck said that the World Bank "is committed to increasing lending to Bangladesh in this fiscal year to help the reform agenda of the Interim Government," the chief adviser posted on X. "Seck informed that the World Bank can mobilise about $2 billion new financing in this fiscal year to support critical reforms, flood response, better air quality and health," Yunus said in another post on X. Seck's remarks came days after the US Agency for International Development (USAID)-Bangladesh on Sunday said it would provide USD 202.25 million in aid to Bangladesh to advance development, empower youth, .

Provide us with citizenship, Gadchiroli's B'deshi refugees appeal to centre

It has become even more difficult for these people to gain citizenship after the implementation of CAA

Tribals to intensify agitation against B'deshi infiltrators: Champai Soren

Former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren on Monday demanded a thorough probe into illegal land transactions in the Santhal Parganas region, and asserted that tribals will intensify agitation against Bangladeshi infiltrators in the state. The remarks of Soren, who switched over to the BJP from the JMM last month, came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the JMM-led coalition in Jharkhand for allegedly patronising infiltration, and said infiltrators were grabbing land and changing the demography of the region, besides committing atrocities on women. Infiltration poses a grave threat to the tribal society's existence. The Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act, meant to protect tribal land rights, is being violated. I demand a probe into all illegal land transactions in the region. The tribals are uniting and will oust the Bangladeshi infiltrators, Soren claimed. Earlier in the day, he participated in a tribal rally here and paid homage to their icons like Baba Tilka Manjhi and

US delegation meets Bangladesh interim chief adviser Yunus, assures support

A high-level US delegation Sunday met Bangladesh interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus here and assured him of expanding economic and political ties to create a more equitable and inclusive future for the people in the South Asian country. The delegation led by Assistant Secretary for International Finance at the US Department of the Treasury Brent Neiman met Yunus at the State Guest House in Dhaka. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, who arrived in Dhaka on Saturday from India, also joined the delegation. "Our delegation met with the Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, affirming our dedication to fostering inclusive growth, institution building and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh. As Bangladesh looks to chart a more equitable and inclusive future, the US stands ready to support those efforts," the US embassy here said in a post on X after the meeting. The meeting came as the US Agency for ...

Attempt to murder case filed against Sheikh Hasina, 58 others in B'desh

A fresh case has been filed against Bangladesh's ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 58 others on the charges of attempting to murder a student during the violent clashes that led to the fall of her government last month, a media report said on Sunday. It was the latest in the slew of cases filed against the 76-year-old former premier, who resigned and fled to India on August 5 following a massive protest by students against a controversial quota system in government jobs. The case was filed on Friday by 22-year-old Fahim Faisal, who claimed he was shot and injured during an anti-government protest in Dinajpur on August 4, a day before the fall of the Hasina-led Awami League government, The Daily Star newspaper reported. With this, the tally of cases against Hasina has reached 155, including 136 for murder, seven for crimes against humanity and genocide, three for abduction, eight for attempted murder and one for the attack on a Bangladesh Nationalist Party procession, the repor

Committed to helping Bangladesh expand economic opportunities, says US

The US on Sunday assured Bangladesh's interim government of its commitment to helping the country expand economic opportunities, build institutional capacity, and uphold human rights. The US commitment came as a high-level US delegation met Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain. "We are committed to helping expand economic opportunities, build institutional capacity, uphold human rights, and mitigate climate risks with our partner, Bangladesh," the US Embassy in Dhaka posted on X after the meeting. The US delegation at the meeting was headed by Assistant Secretary for International Finance of the US Department of Treasury Brent Neiman. The delegation also included US State Department Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Donald Lu, The Daily Star newspaper said. "Great to meet the foreign affairs adviser at Padma House," said the embassy. Neiman also met Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed. After the meeting, the embassy said: We support Bangladesh's path towards renewed dynami

Bangladesh crisis: Hindus protest over demand for new minority law, justice

Hindu protesters in Dhaka and Chattogram carried signs demanding swift justice through a fast-track tribunal for those responsible for the attacks on the community

JMM-led alliance patronising infiltrators in Jharkhand for vote bank: BJP

The Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Amar Bauri said the central government had informed the high court that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are living in the state, which the JMM-led alliance government has been denying for "vote bank". In an affidavit filed before a division bench of acting Chief Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Arun Kumar Rai on Thursday, the Centre said Bangladeshis illegally entered Jharkhand through Sahebgunj and Pakur districts. There is also a "sizeable decrease" in the tribal population due to "high conversion of tribals and low birth rate" among them, it said. The senior BJP leader said that they have been raising the issue for a long time but the JMM-led alliance government has been denying the threat of infiltration. "The JMM-led government is engaged in patronizing Bangladeshi infiltrators in Jharkhand for vote bank and appeasement," he alleged while addressing reporters at state BJP headquarters here on Thursday. "According to the ..

IND vs BAN: Comparing both sides' bowling attacks ahead of Test series

While India's new coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Rohit Sharma will be wary of the challenge ahead of them, they would be confident going into the series with a star-studded squad at their disposal.