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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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Army Chase Auto-Rickshaw Drivers in Mohakhali
Battery-run rickshaw pullers have blocked roads and railways in Dhaka's Mohakhali. They are blocking the road demanding that rickshaws be allowed to ply on the roads.
In addition to blocking traffic in Mohakhali, they stopped the train by sitting on the railway line. In this situation, army members chased them away.
The incident occurred in the Mohakhali rail crossing area on Thursday (November 21) afternoon.
It was seen that the movement of autorickshaw drivers staying in the Mohakhali rail crossing area caused severe traffic congestion and caused suffering to the people. When the police requested them to move away, they pelted bricks and stones at the police. In this situation, when the army members chased them away from there, they dispersed and fled.
Meanwhile, autorickshaw drivers have blocked roads in the Agargaon, Basila, Gabtoli, Demra, Mirpur, and Mohakhali areas since this morning. This has stopped traffic in those areas, creating a massive traffic jam. Office-goers have been suffering since morning.
Dhaka district Railway Police Superintendent Anwar Hossain said that battery-run rickshaw drivers have blocked the railway line by placing their rickshaws across it. They have also blocked the road. This has stopped traffic on the surrounding roads.
Meanwhile, hundreds of battery-run rickshaw drivers have blocked the road at the intersection of four roads in Agargaon. They are holding a procession demanding to ply rickshaws. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sher-e-Bangla Police Station Md Azam said that this has stopped traffic on the surrounding roads.
Earlier, on Wednesday (November 20), rickshaw drivers protested by taking positions on various roads in the capital.
On Tuesday (November 19), the High Court bench of Justice Fatema Nazib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi ordered the ban on battery-run rickshaws in the Dhaka metropolitan area within three days. The Home Secretary, Local Government Secretary, IGP, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Dhaka's two city corporation authorities, and other concerned parties have been asked to implement the court order.
Earlier, Brihottor Dhaka City Corporation Pedal-rickshaw Malik Oikya Jote President Jahurul Islam Masum and Secretary Md Momin Ali filed the petition with the High Court.
Approximately 12 lakh rickshaws currently operate across the capital, with a significant portion of them being battery-powered. Additionally, many old pedal rickshaws are being converted into motorized three-wheelers by installing batteries.
Ex-MP Shahjahan Omar Arrested From Rajapur
Former Awami League MP from Jhalakathi-1 constituency and former BNP leader Barrister Shahjahan Omar has been arrested.
He was arrested on Thursday (November 21) morning when he was attacked and went to file a case at Rajapur Police Station.
It is known that on Thursday, miscreants ambushed Shahjahan Omar's car when he wanted to enter Bir Uttam Rajapur. Shahjahan Omar was also injured in this incident. When he went to file a case of vandalism at Rajapur Police Station while injured, the leaders and activists of the Upazila BNP surrounded the police station from outside and blocked it. Later, the police arrested him in a case filed at Kathalia Police Station.
Barrister Shahjahan Omar said, "I was attacked on my way to my sister's graveyard in Sangar village. My car was vandalized and made unusable. I was also injured. I wanted to finish my work and attend the Armed Forces Day program at Lebukhali Cantonment. But now I don't have a car, how can I go there? I was coming to Rajapur police station to file a case because I was injured. The police say I have been arrested in a case at Kathalia police station. But I didn't know there was a case in my name.'
Additional Superintendent of Police Muhitul Islam said in this regard, 'Former MP Barrister Shahjahan Omar has been arrested. There is a regular case in his name at Kathalia. He will be produced in court at noon.'
Earlier on Wednesday evening, miscreants attacked Shahjahan Omar's house in Godownghat area. No major loss happened during the attack except some window panes being broken.
Although Shahjahan was a senior BNP leader, he left the party and joined the Awami League during 12th national parliamentary elections and became an MP from Jhalakathi-1 seat. He had a 40-year political relationship with BNP.
He went into hiding after the political changeover on 5 August.
Touhidul Fired 28 Bullets at Protesters During Student Movement
The police have arrested a Jubo League activist – Touhidul Islam alias Farid, 32 – due to his involvement in firing at students and people during the anti-discrimination movement in Chattogram.
Touhidul alone fired a total of 28 bullets at protesters during their attack.
CMP's Chandgaon Police Station arrested Farid from Satkhira Sadar's Kamalnagar area on Friday (November 22) afternoon. There are 12 cases against him, including five for murder.
The arrested Touhid is known to be an associate of former Chandgaon ward councilor Esrarul Haque.
Deputy Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Md. Rois Uddin said at a press conference at the CMP Commissioner's office on Saturday afternoon, "Farid was arrested from Kamalnagar area of Satkhira based on secret information."
He said, "During initial interrogation, he confessed to indiscriminate shooting during the student movement with a firearm. He fired 28 rounds during the movement against discrimination."
"The weapon he used is a Pakistani shooter gun and he has multiple weapons. Our operation is underway to recover the weapons and bullets he used. He is a professional terrorist and robber. There are 12 cases against him, including five for murder," he further added.
It is worth noting that 10 people were killed in shootings in Chattogram during the anti-discrimination student movement from July 17 to August 4. More than a hundred were injured. The family and relatives of the deceased in this incident have filed at least 25 cases in different police stations and courts in the city.
Dhaka Ranks Second Among World’s Most Polluted Cities, Air ‘Very Unhealthy’
Air pollution in Dhaka continues to worsen. Especially during winter, pollution levels spike, often placing Dhaka among the top ranks of polluted cities. Today, Dhaka ranks second on the list of the world’s most polluted cities.
As of 8:41 AM on Sunday (November 24), the Air Quality Index (AQI) score for Dhaka was 291. According to air quality standards, this level is classified as ‘very unhealthy.’
Meanwhile, Lahore, Pakistan, ranked first with an AQI score of 399. India’s capital, Delhi, ranked third with a score of 266, while Kolkata, West Bengal, took the fourth spot with a score of 194.
AQI Standards
0–50: Good
51–100: Moderate
101–150: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
151–200: Unhealthy
201–300: Very unhealthy
301–400: Hazardous
Health Risks of Air Pollution
Air pollution poses severe health risks, affecting people of all ages. However, it is particularly harmful to children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Experts attribute air pollution in Dhaka to brick kilns, vehicle emissions, and dust from construction sites. The effects of air pollution include increased risks of respiratory issues, coughing, lower respiratory infections, and even depression.
About the Data
This ranking is based on data from IQAir, a Switzerland-based air quality monitoring technology company. The daily AQI score provides information on how clean or polluted the air in a city is and assesses potential health risks associated with it.
Death of 3 IUT Students: Seven Palli Bidyut Officials Suspended
Following the tragic death of three students of the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) due to electrocution on a picnic bus in Gazipur, seven officials and employees of Mymensingh Palli Bidyut Samity-2 have been temporarily suspended.
The matter was confirmed on Saturday night (November 23) by Md. Akmal Hossain, the General Manager (GM) of Mymensingh Palli Bidyut Samity-2.
He stated that the incident occurred on Saturday morning, when three IUT students were electrocuted on a picnic bus in Gazipur. Following the incident, senior officials of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board visited the site.
That night, the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board suspended seven officials and employees in connection with the incident. The suspended personnel include Kamal Chandra Barman, Deputy General Manager (DGM, Sadar-Technical) of Mymensingh Palli Bidyut Samity-2; Khondker Mahmudul Hasan, DGM of Maona Zonal Office; Md. Tanvir Salauddin, Assistant General Manager (AGM); Junior Engineer Matiur Rahman; and linemen Parvez Mia, Shakhawat Hossain, and Abul Kashem.
Earlier on Saturday morning, three IUT students lost their lives after being electrocuted while on a picnic bus in the Udaykhali area of Telihati Union, Sreepur, Gazipur.
Meanwhile, two separate investigation committees have been formed to probe the incident—one comprising three members from the Gazipur District Administration and another five-member committee from the university.
3 Killed in Clash, Claim Mollah College Authorities
Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College authorities have claimed that three of their students were killed in a clash with students from Kabi Nazrul Government College and Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College.
It has also been claimed that more than a hundred students and several teachers were injured in the attack.
A press release, signed by the college's Managing Director Ashraf Samir, was sent to the media around 2:30 pm on Monday (November 25), stating that three students had been killed.
However, no statement has been issued by the police regarding the incident.
The college authorities have repeatedly appealed to the local and highest levels of administration for cooperation, but no effective action has been taken so far. In this situation, the safety and learning environment of students has been disrupted.
In a press release, Mollah College authorities expressed deep sorrow and anger, stating that a brutal attack occurred at their institution today. A group of outsiders, operating under the banner of the so-called Seven College Students, entered the campus and caused widespread destruction.
During the attack, three students were brutally killed, and over a hundred students and teachers were injured. Many of the injured are in critical condition, with some receiving intensive care.
The release further mentioned that some students from Shaheed Suhrawardy College and National Medical College, supported by the banned organization Chhatra League, were involved in a conspiracy to destabilize the institution.
The majority of the attackers were not students, but individuals engaged in terrorist activities.
The attackers looted important documents, assets, and personal belongings of the students. They also caused significant damage to the college building, smashing various rooms, including the principal's office.
The press release also outlined three demands from the college authorities to the concerned administration, law enforcement, and the Ministry of Education.
We, on behalf of Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College, call on the concerned administration, law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Education to:
1. Quickly identify and arrest the real culprits of the attack and give exemplary punishment.
2. Immediately strengthen security measures in the college to ensure the safety of students.
3. Take effective steps to recover looted assets and restore damaged documents.
No Deaths in Demra Clash, DMP Clarifies
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has said that no one was killed in the chase and clash between students of Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul College, and Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College.
In a statement issued by DMP Deputy Police Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman, he stated that many had been spreading misinformation on social media saying two students had died, but this was not true.
The DMP has requested everyone to refrain from spreading false information that people were killed.
Earlier, DMRC Managing Director Ashraf Samir in a press release claimed that three of their students had died in the clashes.
In addition, Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah, founder of Dr Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College, told the media that no one was killed in the chase and clash between students. A group wanted to spread the news of the killings to destabilize the country's atmosphere.
Meanwhile, in Matuail, Jatrabari, at least 35 were injured in clashes between students of Mahbubur Rahman Mollah College, Kabi Nazrul College, and Suhrawardy College. They were brought to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital in their injured condition on Monday afternoon.
