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Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway Reopens As RMG Workers Remove Blockade
Rtv News
11 Nov 2024, 17:13
Photo: Collected
Workers of TNZ Apparels factory finally called off their protest after 52 hours.
They started protests from Saturday demanding unpaid wages for two months. Finally, they removed blockade in the Maleker Bari area of Gazipur and allowed vehicles on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway to go to their destinations.
The workers left the street at around 2 pm today (11 November) after Labour and Employment Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman assured them that they would get one month's salary next Sunday.
This was confirmed by Gazipur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Nazir Ahmed.
He said that Shafiquzzaman talked to the workers over the phone after 1 pm and said the government will take responsibility and donate Tk6 crore by next Sunday to help pay their dues.
Gazipur Sadar upazila nirbahi officer, army officials, and officials of Gazipur metropolitan and industrial police were present with protesting workers.
Shafiquzzaman invited a team of workers' representatives to Dhaka to sit with the authorities and hold discussions to reach an agreement on how and when their dues would be paid and their demands would be met.
The workers being displeased started gathering in front of the factory from 8:00 am on Saturday (November 9). They started demonstrating by blocking the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway from 8:45 am that day. Vehicular movement on the highway stopped after that.
Long-route buses, private vehicles, and different types of cargo vehicles were left stranded for more than 52 hours.
Yesterday, at least 30 other factories were shut down to prevent further unrest. Due to the protest, at least 20 garment factories in the surrounding areas declared a holiday today to avert trouble.
The protesting workers, many of whom stayed on the road the whole day and overnight in shifts, had refused to withdraw the blockade until they were paid two months' arrears. TNZ Apparels Limited Group operates six apparel factories in the city's Maleker Bari area.
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Former DNCC Mayor Atiq Arrested
Mohammad Atiqul Islam, former mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), has been arrested.
Police detained him on the evening of Wednesday, October 16, from the DOHS area in Mohakhali, Dhaka.
The news was confirmed by Talebur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s (DMP) Media Wing.
Tejgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Mobarak Hossain stated that three cases have been filed against Atiqul Islam at Mohammadpur Police Station in connection with a student movement protesting discrimination. He will be presented in court on Thursday, with a request for remand.
Atiqul Islam was elected as mayor on February 28, 2019, under the Awami League’s symbol of a boat. Following the fall of the Awami League government, he faced public outrage on August 18 at the city corporation’s headquarters, Nagar Bhaban. He managed to escape through the back staircase.
On August 19, the government removed Atiqul Islam along with the mayors of 12 other city corporations.
Atiqul Islam was born on July 1, 1969, in Daudkandi, Comilla. He started his career in the garment sector in 1985. His father was a police officer. Atiqul is the youngest among five brothers and six sisters.
After Egg, Chicken Prices Soaring Now
The people of the country have seen many dramas about eggs for several days. Its price was increasing by leaps and bounds on various pretexts. Finally, some relief has returned to the egg market due to import duty exemption, but discomfort has started in the chicken market.
This was seen by visiting various markets of the capital including Karwan Bazar, and New Market Bazar on Friday (October 18).
A few days ago, the retail price of eggs touched Tk180-190 per dozen. Egg prices fell after the last egg import duty was reduced to 20 percent. At present, each dozen eggs are being sold at the retail level at Tk155-160. In wholesale, a dozen eggs are being sold at Tk150 and hali at Tk50.
Traders said that efforts are being made to sell eggs at government prices. If the supply is good, the price will come down very soon.
Buyers say that the price of fish and chicken in the market is already unbridled. Still more than Tk150 per dozen eggs.
A buyer named Md. Hossain Ali said that it is not possible to buy fish and meat. Now the price of eggs is also high. It also has to struggle to meet the protein needs.
It has been seen in the market that broiler chickens are being sold at Tk200-210 per kg and golden chickens are being sold at Tk280-300. The white layer is selling for Tk250 and the red layer is selling for Tk280.
The sellers say that the supply of chicken has decreased in the market. Moreover, rising prices of chicken feed and chicks are disrupting the production system, which is also affecting the market.
Abdul Alim, a chicken trader in Karwan Bazar, said that chickens are not coming like before. Along with this, the price increase in wholesale has an impact on the retail market as well.
A buyer named Faruque said that the price of eggs and chicken is very high in the market. The campaign is not working. The syndicate of traders is very strong. It will not be possible to break this syndicate unless strict laws are enforced.
Outsourcing Employees Block Shahbagh Demanding Job Nationalization
Outsourcing workers from various government institutions have blocked roads in the capital's Shahbagh intersection, demanding the nationalization of their jobs.
Due to the blockade of the road by the protestors, the traffic has stopped since Saturday (October 19) morning at this busiest intersection.
Eyewitnesses say that hundreds of employees gathered at Shahbagh and stopped traffic in the surrounding area around 10 am. At this time, many passengers can be seen getting off the bus and walking towards their destination.
The information was confirmed by Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Ramna Division Additional Deputy Commissioner Zubaer Jewel Rana.
Meanwhile, the protesters are calling for the immediate permanent employment of all outsourced workers. They have warned of continuous protests if their demands are not met.
Students' Protest Inside Dhaka Board, Several Injured
A group of students protested inside the Dhaka Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education on Sunday, demanding the results of the HSC-equivalent examination without discrimination. They say that they were attacked during the program. A few students were injured in the attack.
The results of the HSC, equivalent examination were published on October 15. Aggrieved students say that the results that have already been published are discriminatory. For this, they are demanding to 'map' all the issues and publish the results anew.
After 12:30 pm today, a group of students under the banner of 'HSC Batch 2024' took a procession from Central Shaheed Minar and left for Dhaka Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. The procession reached the boarding gate around 1 pm.
At one stage, the students entered the board. Angry students said that they were attacked inside the board. Some students were injured in this attack. They want justice for this attack.
On the other hand, board officials say that suddenly some students entered and vandalized. They even ransacked the board chairman's room.
The students were protesting at the board's inner square till writing this report at around 3 pm. Police and army personnel are on the spot. They are trying to convince the students.
Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board Chairman Professor Tapan Kumar Sarkar told the media that the results of this examination have already been published in light of the instructions of the Ministry of Education.
Rezaul Hossain, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chowkbazar Police Station said that there has been discrimination in the results - this is the complaint of the students. They were standing in front of the board in protest. At one point they entered the board. The board employees stopped the students to protect their documents and other belongings. Then he heard that some students were injured in the stampede. Students are still protesting. The situation is now under control.
Confined Dhaka Board Chairman at Night: Calls for Auto-Pass Intensify
A group of failed HSC students stormed the Dhaka Education Board, demanding the cancellation of results and automatic pass for all. After protesting throughout the day, they continued their sit-in through the night, confining the chairman, exam controller, and other officials inside the office.
By 7 PM on Sunday (October 20), the officials were still unable to leave. Professor Tapan Kumar Sarkar, Chairman of the Education Board said, “We have been here all day and now we can't leave the office. The students even vandalized parts of the building. The Education Ministry has been informed, and we are awaiting their decision.”
In a late-night address, Sarkar urged the protesting students to return home, assuring them that the government would look into their demands. However, the students chanted slogans, insisting on an immediate cancellation of the results and an auto-pass for all.
The situation escalated earlier in the day when students gathered at the board’s gate, locking it before breaking in and allegedly vandalizing the chairman’s office. Several students were injured in clashes, with 11 confirmed injured, including five identified students receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Police and military personnel arrived at the scene to maintain order and urged the students to protest peacefully and return home, but the students refused, vowing to stay until their demands are met.
The HSC results, published on October 15, showed a 77.78% pass rate across 11 education boards, with 145,911 students achieving GPA-5. While many successful students are preparing for university admission exams, others are protesting for the annulment of the results.
Three of a Family Shot Dead in Ukhiya Camp
Three members of a family were gunned down by unidentified terrorists at a Rohingya camp in Ukhiya upazila of Cox's Bazar early Monday (October 21).
The incident happened around 5 am.
The deceased were Ahammad Hossain (65), his son Syedul Amin (28), and his daughter Asma Begum (15). They were residents of camp No-17 of X-block.
Confirming the matter, Ukhiya police station's Officer-in-Charge Arif said they are investigating to identify the killers.
He said that with the help of APBN police, the body was recovered and sent to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital for autopsy after this incident. Legal action is pending.
According to the camp sources, the campaign has been associated with the terrorist activities of the deceased Rohingya Syedul Amin Arsa for a long time. Because of this, unknown terrorists attacked him brutally and killed him along with his parents.
After the attack, unidentified terrorists escaped through S-4, and B-7 blocks of Lal Pahar.
National Finance Ltd. Appoints New Board Members
National Finance Ltd. (NFL), a leading financial institution in Bangladesh, has announced key appointments to its Board of Directors today. Ms. Fahima Mannan has been named Chairman, while Ms. Arifa Kabir takes over as Vice Chairman. Abu Samsul Kabir and Ridwan Zahir Khan have also joined as new directors.
Ms. Mannan, who has been with NFL’s board since 2016, holds an MBA in Finance from Hofstra University, USA, and serves on the board of OMC Group. Ms. Kabir, a graduate of North South University, previously held a directorial role at Bengal Windsor Thermoplastics Ltd.
Abu Samsul Kabir brings 15 years of experience from KABCO Pharmaceuticals in New York, specializing in supply chain management. Ridwan Zahir Khan, currently a director at Ananta Garments Ltd., holds a Master’s in Global Management from Royal Roads University, Canada.
National Finance Ltd. looks forward to benefiting from the extensive expertise and strategic vision of its newly appointed board members as it continues to drive its mission of delivering innovative financial solutions and achieving new milestones in Bangladesh’s financial sector.
National Finance Ltd. (NFL) is one of Bangladesh's premier financial institutions, committed to providing comprehensive financial services and innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of its customers. With a strong foundation in the financial sector, NFL continues to contribute to the growth and development of Bangladesh's economy.
