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.