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Babar Freed After 17 Years in Prison
Online Desk
16 Jan 2025, 19:01
Photo: Collected
After spending 17 long years in incarceration, former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar was finally released. On Thursday (January 16) at around 1:45 PM, Babar walked out of the Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj. The news of his release was confirmed by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Prisons for Dhaka Division, Md. Jahangir Kabir.
Earlier, on Tuesday (January 14), Babar was acquitted of the life imprisonment sentence in the high-profile 10-truck arms smuggling case. The High Court bench comprising Justice Mostafa Zaman Islam and Justice Nasreen Akhter delivered the verdict, acquitting Babar of all charges.
Lutfozzaman Babar was arrested on May 28, 2007, and subsequently convicted in various cases. However, following the fall of the Awami League government due to the student and public uprising on August 5 last year, Babar was acquitted in appeals of these cases one by one.
Among the cases, he was acquitted of an 8-year sentence in a corruption case on October 23, and on December 1, he was cleared of charges in the August 21 grenade attack case, where he had previously been sentenced to death by the trial court.
Lutfozzaman Babar first became a Member of Parliament in the 1991 Fifth National Parliamentary Election as an independent candidate from Netrakona-4 constituency. He was re-elected from the same constituency as a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate in the Sixth National Election in February 1996 and the Eighth National Election in 2001. During the Eighth Parliament, he served as the State Minister for Home Affairs.
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BNP’s 31-Point Reform Plan Reflects United Voice Against Authoritarian Rule: Tarique Rahman
Tarique Rahman, Acting Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has stated that the party’s 31-point plan for state reform is not solely their own but represents the collective opinions of all parties and organizations participating in the simultaneous movement to oust the authoritarian Awami League government.
Speaking as the chief guest at a training workshop on the “31-Point State Reform Plan and Public Engagement,” organized by BNP’s Training Affairs Committee for the districts of Manikganj, Narsingdi, and Munshiganj on Thursday (December 19), he emphasized that the plan reflects a united anti-authoritarian stance.
Rahman explained, “The 31 points are not just BNP’s agenda. Initially, BNP proposed 27 points. Later, through discussions with the political parties and organizations involved in the joint movement against the authoritarian regime, these 31 points were finalized. Therefore, this is a reflection of the collective opinion of everyone opposing authoritarianism.”
He added that BNP remains open to including any reasonable suggestions from others into their 31-point plan.
Rahman underscored the party’s commitment to implementing the plan, citing BNP’s proven ability to deliver on reforms in the past. “This is not just rhetoric. We have evidence that we can and will implement these changes,” he said.
He highlighted BNP’s achievements, such as resolving water issues through canal excavation and doubling food production post-independence. BNP was also the first to export food from the country, introduced free education up to the intermediate level to empower women, and launched the food-for-education program to promote education.
Rahman criticized rival governments, stating, “Interim or authoritarian regimes boast about two major accomplishments: remittance and the garment industry. But both of these were initiated by BNP for the benefit of the nation and its people.”
Harish Chowdhury to Be Buried Today
Harish Chowdhury, the former political secretary to BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, will be laid to rest today.
On Saturday (December 28), following identification, his body was handed over to police and family members by Dhaka Medical College Hospital authorities at midnight.
Present at the time were the case investigation officer, SI Md. Wazed Ali, Harish Chowdhury’s daughter Barrister Samira Tanzin Chowdhury, and other family members.
Samira Tanzin Chowdhury stated, “For 15 years, my father was misrepresented. Finally, justice has been served.”
She added that her father would be buried with due honor on Sunday (December 29) in Kanaighat, Sylhet.
Paying tribute to those killed and injured in the July uprising, Harish’s daughter said, “Their sacrifice made my battle easier.”
It is worth noting that Harish Chowdhury passed away on September 3, 2021. His identity was kept hidden, and he was buried under the name of Professor Mahmudur Rahman in the premises of Jamia Khatamunnabiyyin Madrasa in Savar’s Birulia.
Following a writ petition by his daughter Samira, the High Court ordered the exhumation of the body in the presence of relevant authorities. Samples were collected by the CID for DNA testing, which later confirmed the body to be that of Harish Chowdhury. The family then initiated preparations to bury him in Sylhet.
Shibir Holds First Public Conference in 14 Years
After nearly 14 years, the central member conference of the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has commenced publicly. Members from across the country are participating directly in the event. The conference activities began on Tuesday, December 31, at 8 AM at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.
It has been reported that this is the first conference to take place at Suhrawardy Udyan following over 15 years of Awami League rule. Members from across the nation have joined the event, where the name of the central president elected for the 2025 session will be announced. Voting for this took place online from 7 PM on December 29 to 9 PM on Monday, December 30.
According to the organization, the conference's chief guest will be Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Following Shibir tradition, the father of a martyr inaugurated the conference. The event is being conducted in two sessions: an open session from 8 AM to 1 PM, followed by an executive session from 2 PM to 5 PM.
Sadeq Abdullah, the central publicity secretary of the organization, stated, "We have invited only the highest tier of the organization, its members, and prominent individuals, including leaders of various parties."
He further mentioned that even during the repression and oppression by the Awami League, member conferences were held. During the pandemic and other challenging times, the conference was conducted online. This year, as in previous years, the conference is taking place.
BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman Extends New Year Greetings
BNP’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, has extended New Year greetings to the nation. On his verified X handle (formerly Twitter), he urged the people to build the country on the principles of equality, dignity, and justice in the year ahead.
He wrote on his X handle: "As we step into a transformative chapter for Bangladesh in the new year, let’s continue our efforts for equality, dignity, and justice. We aspire to build a nation where every citizen matters and every voice is heard."
He further expressed, "Together, we will restore democracy, strengthen public institutions, revive the economy, and ensure political and economic empowerment for all."
Reform and Election Key to State Transformation: Tarique Rahman
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that both reform and election are essential for the qualitative transformation of the state, politics, and political parties. Through elections, people exercise their voting rights, which ensures their political power within the state.
He made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion meeting on the occasion of the 46th founding anniversary of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, held on Wednesday afternoon at the Engineers’ Institution in the capital.
Tarique Rahman stated, “Questions such as ‘reform or election?’ raised by certain quarters are seen by the BNP and all patriotic political parties as mere dishonest debates. The BNP believes that both reform and election are necessary for the qualitative transformation of the state, politics, and political parties. Reform is an inevitable and continuous process to make the existing system timely. Similarly, elections are the most effective method for sustaining democratic systems and ensuring accountability.”
He added that, in the BNP’s view, unless the political and economic power of the people is ensured, democracy, human rights, or even documented reforms cannot be sustainable. The interim government has undertaken several significant reform initiatives. While reform activities are undoubtedly necessary, if these initiatives exacerbate the daily struggles of the people, they may be compelled to voice their discontent with the government’s reform agenda. Already, questions have arisen among the public: What steps has the government taken to dismantle the market syndicates formed during the era of an exiled autocrat and restore purchasing power? Why are people still compelled to run to courts over the countless cases filed during the fascist regime?
He further warned that if the interim government fails in implementing its reform plans, conspirators will seize the opportunity to undermine the spirit of the 2024 mass uprising. These conspirators have already made multiple attempts to create instability in the country.
The discussion was presided over by Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib, with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attending as a special guest. The event was moderated by Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, with speeches delivered by central BNP leaders and former Chhatra Dal leaders.
BNP Standing Committee to Meet Khaleda Zia Today
Members of the BNP Standing Committee are set to meet with the party's Chairperson, Khaleda Zia, tonight, Sunday (January 5).
This information was disclosed on Saturday (January 4) by Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of BNP’s media cell.
He stated that the former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will meet with the Standing Committee members at her Gulshan residence, "Firoza," at 8 PM on Sunday (January 5).
Party sources indicate that Khaleda Zia is expected to travel abroad for medical treatment this week. The senior leaders of the party's top policymaking body wish to meet with her before her trip.
Khaleda Zia Heads to London Tonight: Long-Awaited Reunion with Son Tarique
After a long wait, former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is set to depart for London tonight for medical treatment.
She will leave from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10 PM on Tuesday (January 7). The air ambulance carrying her is scheduled to land at Heathrow Airport in the UK at 10 AM Bangladesh time on Wednesday (January 8), where she will receive VIP protocol.
Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, Khaleda Zia’s personal physician and a member of the BNP’s standing committee, stated that she will be admitted to a hospital under the NHS at a traditional and renowned facility known as the London Clinic. From Heathrow International Airport, she will be taken directly to the hospital where she will remain under treatment.
According to her personal secretary, ABM Abdus Sattar, Khaleda Zia will leave her residence in Gulshan, Firazah, at 8 PM and complete immigration formalities at the airport by 9 PM.
It has been reported that accompanying Khaleda Zia will be her personal doctors, including Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, Dr. Md. Shahabuddin Talukder, Dr. Nur Uddin Ahmed, and Dr. Mohammad Al Mamun. Also joining her will be Syeda Sharmila Rahman, the wife of her late younger son Arafat Rahman Koko. Among the party leaders are Dr. Mohammad Enamul Haque Chowdhury, a member of her advisory council, executive committee member Tabith Awal, her personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, personal assistant Md. Masudur Rahman, protocol officer SM Parvez, and domestic workers Fatema Begum and Rupa Sultana.
Meanwhile, after eight long years, Khaleda Zia is set to reunite with her elder son Tarique Rahman in London. The last time she saw him in person was in 2016 when they performed Umrah together on a royal invitation from Saudi Arabia. Since then, eight years have passed without any meetings between them. During the tenure of the Awami League government, Khaleda Zia was denied the opportunity for advanced medical treatment abroad, and she had not traveled outside the country during this period.
Khaleda Zia was released on an executive order on August 5, the day after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. She had been imprisoned for more than two years on corruption charges during the Awami League’s rule and was not permitted to travel abroad for medical treatment. Thus, her medical procedures, including surgeries, were conducted under the supervision of local doctors.
Finally, Khaleda Zia is heading abroad. She will be taken to London, UK, tonight by air ambulance for advanced medical treatment, marking the first meeting between the mother and son after eight years.
