At what stage are the applications at Interpol?

An application has been made to the international police organization Interpol to issue a 'red notice' against 12 people, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in the July mass uprising. The National Central Bureau (NCB) of Bangladesh Police has applied to Interpol in three separate stages to issue a red notice against those people who are absconding abroad.

Interpol currently has 196 member countries. Police headquarters sources said that the NCB of Bangladesh Police is in regular contact with 196 countries to verify and exchange information on crimes and criminals. When a criminal leaves the country and stays in another country, the concerned country requests the issuance of a red notice against him to bring him under the law.

Each of the 12 people against whom the NCB has requested the issuance of a red notice has a warrant or arrest warrant in various cases from the courts of Bangladesh.

Interpol publishes the persons against whom it issues a red notice on its website. On Friday evening at 7:15 pm, it was seen that a total of 6,583 people have been issued red notices. Of these, 62 are Bangladeshis. However, none of the 12 people who recently applied to Interpol for the issuance of red notices are on the list.

Among the Bangladeshis on the list of red notices issued on the Interpol website are Rabiul Islam alias Arav Khan, who is a fugitive in Dubai and sentenced to life imprisonment in the murder case of Special Branch (SB) Inspector Mamun Emran Khan, top terrorist Ferdous Jahangir alias Kala Jahangir, top terrorist Zafar Ahmed Manik, top terrorist Zisan Ahmed, top terrorist Prakash Kumar Biswas, former member of parliament Golam Faruk Abhi, among others. The list includes the names and photos of the fugitive convicts sentenced to death in the Bangabandhu assassination case.

Prothom Alo spoke to five high-ranking government and police officials to find out why none of the 12 people for whom a new application for issuing a red notice has been made are listed on the Interpol website. They said that the process of issuing a red notice basically starts after the application is submitted. However, Interpol does a lot of vetting when issuing notices for politically-related incidents. There is an attempt among Awami League leaders and activists residing abroad to present incidents involving Sheikh Hasina and other Awami League leaders as politically-related incidents. For this reason, the process of issuing the notice may be delayed. However, since Benazir Ahmed's incident is a financial corruption or crime, quick action may be taken in issuing a notice against her.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had started an investigation against Benazir Ahmed during the previous Awami League government on charges of widespread irregularities and corruption. During the investigation, she and her family left the country on May 4 last year. She was the IGP from April 2020 to September 2022. He was previously the Director General of RAB from January 2015 to April 2020.

And 10 people, including former minister Obaidul Quader, fled the country before or after August 5. Among them, former mayor Taposh left the country on August 3.

A police source said that there are two main challenges and fears in bringing back those who fled abroad after the July coup. The challenge is that some of the fugitives are citizens of other countries or have permanent residence permits in other countries. And the fear is that those who are fugitives from the Awami League government who are abroad may spend a large amount of money or hire lobbyists to hinder the process of bringing them back to the country.

NCB sources say that a red notice is not a direct arrest warrant. However, if this notice is issued, the accused may be detained at the airport or at the immigration (immigration department) in the case of international travel. In some cases, they may face a situation where they are arrested and forced to return to their own country.

Inamul Haque, Assistant Inspector General (Media and Public Relations) of the Police Headquarters, told Prothom Alo that Interpol helps in identifying the location of fugitives abroad. On the other hand, if the possible location of fugitives abroad is confirmed, the concerned country also informs Interpol. The 12 people against whom a request for issuing a red notice has been made are now under process at Interpol.

20 minutes face to face with a tiger in the Sundarbans

 

Written by: Shakib Uddin Ahmed

I joined the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), an international organization, a year ago. My workplace is in Khulna. WCS Bangladesh provides technical assistance to the field staff of the Bangladesh Forest Department so that they can properly contribute to wildlife monitoring and conservation.

I often have to go to the Sundarbans for this work. On April 11, I set off from Mongla to the Sharankhola Range. As always, I was accompanied by my boatman Alamgir Bhai.

When I set off in the morning and reached Harintana through the Shyala River, it was afternoon. The daylight had diminished in the forest. Our boat was moving along a 250-foot wide canal. At that time, I noticed an animal moving in the bushes. I looked around and saw that the animal was none other than a tiger.

By then, our boat had moved forward a little. I whispered to the boatman, ‘Brother, I saw a tiger. Take the boat back.’

Every time I go to the forest, I get on the boat and ask Alamgir Bhai, ‘Brother, this time we have to show you a tiger!’ He laughs when he hears me. He tells me stories about seeing a tiger. But we don’t see any more tigers. For some reason, he wasn’t told about it when we came from Mongla. And this time...!

As I pulled the boat back, I saw not one, but two tigers. One was sticking its head out of the bush, and the other was standing a little further away under a golpata tree. One of them was staring at me with a curious look. Perhaps he was observing our movements closely.

I forgot to take a picture of them while watching them. Later, it occurred to me that this time the camera was not taken out of the bag. I quickly took out the camera and attached the lens, and a minute passed. Then I started taking pictures one after the other. In the meantime, their position changed. It was as if they had skillfully hidden themselves in the natural enclosure of the Golpata, Sundori, and Gewa trees. Why do they call them 'secret hunters' anymore! I could not capture them together on camera. I tried to take a picture of one, but the other one got out of sight. As the afternoon wore on, the light also decreased. I had to take pictures and videos of them in low light.

Twenty minutes passed like this. Looking at the tigers' movements, it seemed that they were waiting to cross the canal. We had come and made a mess of it. We were blocking their path by entering their lair! Alamgir started the boat as soon as he told his brother.

By then, evening had fallen. Sitting in the boat, I was trembling with excitement. Did this incredible moment really happen in my life? Thinking about it, I took my camera and looked at the pictures and videos I had taken a while ago. After seeing the pictures, it no longer seemed like an illusion.

At night, I joined the smart team at the Sharankhola range. They were also happy to see the pictures. Many have been working in the Sundarbans for more than a decade. But they have not met a tiger. Some may have seen them suddenly but did not get the chance to take pictures. That too is a source of regret. I felt lucky to hear everyone's regrets about not seeing a tiger.

New properties of panta discovered, can reduce blood sugar levels

 

‘Pantabhaater Jal, Tin Purushon Bal’—This is one of the popular rhymes about the properties of Panta. The ancient agricultural civilization of Bangladesh, the economic wisdom of the people and the social customs are associated with Panta.

Panta has found a new place in the culture of the urban middle class around the celebration of the Bengali New Year, Baishakh. This time too, there are ‘Panta Khawar’ programs at many events on the first day of Baishakh, which for many is just a part of celebrating the joy of a day; although Panta is the daily food of a large part of the common working people. New properties of this food of the poor have been discovered. And a group of researchers from the UK have discovered it.

Various beneficial elements for the body have been found in this new study on Panta. It has been found that Pantabha contains many beneficial microorganisms. Again, some new micronutrients have also been found here. The most important point of the study is that eating Panta increases blood sugar levels at a lower rate than normal.The results of this new study on pantabhata were published in the UK-based scientific journal Food and Humanity in December last year. The research team was led by Professor Mosharraf Hossain Sarkar of the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at Liverpool John Moores University in the UK. Eight teachers and students from several universities in the UK were involved in the study.

Professor Mosharraf Hossain Sarkar told Prothom Alo that the purpose of this study was to find out how useful this food is in the fight against malnutrition. The study examined the microbial components, nutritional components and its usefulness as a low-sugar food. To find these multiple nutritional components, the genetic secrets of the microorganisms present in pantabhata were revealed (genome sequencing).

Pantabhata can be easily prepared. Several studies have been conducted on the nutritional value of this low-cost food before.

Professor Khaleda Islam of the Faculty of Nutrition and Food Science at Dhaka University told Prothom Alo, "This study is innovative. If this is done on a wider scale, the world will be able to know about the qualities of Bengali Panta. In that case, not only Bengalis, but also people of other ethnic groups should be included in the research.

Mob Attract on KFC in Bangladesh

 A case has been filed in connection with the attack and vandalism on a residential hotel during a protest march and rally in Sylhet to protest the Israeli massacre in Gaza. Abdul Matin Sarkar, the manager (operations) of the Royal Mark Hotel in the city's Mirboxtula area, filed the case as the plaintiff on Tuesday morning. Without mentioning any names, 30 to 40 unidentified people have been named as accused in the case.

Confirming the case, Additional Deputy Commissioner (North) of the Metropolitan Police Md. Shahriar Alam told Prothom Alo that a case has been filed today in connection with the vandalism. The case alleges that the hotel suffered damage of Tk 20 to 2.5 million. He said that the police are conducting a drive to arrest those involved in the attack and vandalism. 14 people have been arrested in connection with the attack and vandalism at various businesses in Sylhet between Monday night and 10 am today.

Abdul Matin Sarkar, the plaintiff in the case, told Prothom Alo that the attackers appeared to have carried out the attack intentionally. The attackers covered their faces with cloth during the attack. They also used slingshots, hammers and axes during the attack and vandalism. Glass from the road to the sixth floor was vandalized with slingshots.

Abdul Matin also said that there was only KFC on the second floor of the 14-story building. The hotel staff of the attackers repeatedly told them that the hotel had no connection with KFC. They hung banners and Palestinian flags in front of the hotel in protest of Israel's genocide on behalf of Palestine. Even then, the attackers did not listen to them. Seven to eight hotel employees were injured while trying to stop the attackers. He said that they have collected videos and pictures of the attackers and provided them to the police. It is possible to identify the attackers by looking at them. He demanded that the attackers be identified and brought to justice.

Sylhet city has been in turmoil since yesterday morning with various programs including protests in protest of the Israeli attack and barbaric killings in Gaza. In the afternoon, an angry mob vandalized a KFC in the city's Mirboxtula area. Then, about 10 other establishments, including Bata, Unimart, and Alpine Restaurant, were vandalized. Later, members of the law enforcement agencies went to control the situation.

A force is finding new ways to stay in power: Amir Khusro

 BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that a force is finding new ways to stay in power; but the fascists could not stand. The people of Bangladesh are ready to ensure that this force cannot stand either.

BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury told the media while exchanging Eid greetings with leaders and activists on Tuesday morning. A reception was organized at his residence in Mehedibagh, Chittagong city. Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP, its affiliates and affiliated organizations participated in this event. Various types of food were arranged for them.

At that time, former Commerce Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that no one can change this fascist-free Bangladesh. So that no fascist can, so that no other force can.

BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury mentioned that after the fall of the fascists, the election wind is blowing in the country now. He said, today everyone is happy and excited. A festive atmosphere is visible. They are getting a taste of democracy. But it has not come in its entirety. Now you can see the election atmosphere. Everyone is showing enthusiasm and interest in the election. Everyone feels that the country is heading towards the election. The way elections are held here in a festive atmosphere, today it seems that the people of Bangladesh are moving towards that joyful atmosphere of elections after many years.

Talking about the struggle of the last 16 years, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, "The desire for which I have been fighting for 16-17 years, for independence and democracy, is that the parliament-government will be run by the elected representatives of the people, who will be accountable to the people. People are constantly waiting for that desire to be fulfilled. So today's environment is completely different compared to the past years. This is Bangladesh. This Bangladesh must be kept like this."

Jamaat Ameer takes responsibility for rape victim's family

 Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman has said that he will remain by the side of the family of the girl who was raped in Barguna until her younger brother comes of age. He said this after visiting the girl's house in Barguna at 11 am today, Monday. He assured the victim's family of all possible assistance to get justice.

Earlier, Shafiqur Rahman arrived at the Barguna Circuit House premises by helicopter at around 10:15 am. From there, he went to the victim's house in the municipal town.

The family in Barguna Municipality says that on the afternoon of March 4, a seventh-grade girl (14) was abducted by a group of men led by a scoundrel on her way home from private school. She was then raped. The next morning, the miscreants left the girl in a local park. In this incident, the girl's father (37) filed a rape case against two people, including Sijit Roy, at Barguna Sadar Police Station that night. Then, on March 11, the girl's father went missing after going to work. Her body was found in a bush near the house at around 12:15 am that day. In this incident, the girl's mother filed a murder case with Barguna Sadar Police Station, accusing five to six unknown people. The family claims that the plaintiff was killed in a planned manner.

After meeting the girl's family members at her house, Shafiqur Rahman spoke to reporters. At that time, the Jamaat Ameer said, "The child has been treated like an animal, which is a matter of great shame." His father filed a case seeking redress for this incident. But to avenge this, his father was murdered. We strongly condemn this incident. We express our deepest condolences to the family members.

Shafiqur Rahman said, "If we all come forward to support the oppressed like this, then hopefully the oppressed will become strong. And the oppressors will be afraid. They need to be scared, their punishment needs to be ensured. We have assured them that we will be with them every month. We hope that the children of this family will be a little better than they were when their father was still alive, God willing. We have also said that they have a newborn child, we will stay with this family until he turns 18. Mr. Tarique Rahman has taken responsibility for the case. And we will run their education, their livelihood - the way it is done in a normal family."

Then Shafiqur Rahman spoke at a party road meeting at Barguna Town Hall ground. Jamaat's Central Assistant Secretary General Moazzem Hossain, Central Working Committee member and Dhaka Metropolitan South Secretary Shafiqul Islam (Masud), Central Working Committee member Zahir Uddin Mohammad, Barguna District Amir Mohibullah Harun and others were present at the time.

People will not accept delaying the elections

 BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said that the people will not accept the excuse of delaying the elections. Even though the interim government's term has passed 6 months, they are not announcing a specific date for the national elections. Long delays in the name of reforms are not desirable under any circumstances.

Nazrul Islam Khan said these words while speaking as the chief guest at a prayer and iftar mahfil organized by Bhashani Anusari Parishad on Sunday. The event was organized at a hotel in Shantinagar in the capital.

In his speech at the event, Bhashani Anusari Parishad convener and freedom fighter Sheikh Rafiqul Islam said, "The current law and order situation in the country is worrisome. There is no way to overcome such a situation without an elected government." He demanded the immediate announcement of the election date.

Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, Mass Solidarity Movement Chief Coordinator Jonayed Saki, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) General Secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud, Gono Forum General Secretary Subrata Chowdhury, BNP Joint Secretary General Moazzem Hossain, among others, were present at the iftar mahfil.

BNP for election-related reforms before polls, Fakhrul tells Guterres

After meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said his party has conveyed its stance on completing election-centric reforms before holding the polls as soon as possible."Reforms must be carried out, and BNP was the first to speak about this matter. But, the reforms should be implemented as quickly as possible."

The key BNP leader who is also the party's spokesperson, said, "We have said that election-related reforms should be completed first, followed by a swift election. Then, through a parliament, additional reforms can be introduced. Reform is a continuous process," he told reporters after the meeting with the UN chief, who is currently visiting Bangladesh.

In response to a question, Mirza Fakhrul said the UN Secretary-General did not comment on the reforms, as it is an internal matter of Bangladesh.

When asked whether a timeframe for elections was discussed, Fakhrul said, "There is no need for us to mention any timeframe. Reform is our internal matter. We are in communication with the reform commissions and are providing them with whatever they need. We have already held a meeting with them."

Party's Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed also attended the meeting held at the InterContinental Dhaka in Shahbagh.

Talking to reporters, Salahuddin said, "The United Nations has suggested that you sit together, decide on the necessary reforms, and hold an election that aligns with the wishes of the Bangladeshi people....they hope to see a strong democratic government in power in Bangladesh."

They are optimistic that the upcoming election will set an example for the world, he added.