- CA orders investigation into APP’s killing
- Ensure security for minority groups: Mahfuj
-Chinmoy arrested for sedition: Asif
Saiful Islam lawyer, also known as Alif, 35, an assistant public prosecutor (APP) was killed during a clash between police and followers of former ISKCON leader Chandan Kumar Dhar, alias Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, in the Chattogram Court Building area yesterday.
The deceased, 35-year-old Saiful Islam, is a member of Chattogram District Bar Association. He was taken to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, where the physicians on duty pronounced him dead around 4:00pm, said Nurul Islam, in-charge of CMCH Police Camp.
Citing eyewitnesses, Nazim Uddin Chowdhury, president of Chattogram District Bar Association, said, "During the clash, some Chinmoy supporters who were protesting on the court premises dragged Saiful to Rangam Convention Hall around 3:30pm and hacked him."
Mohammad Didar, an employee of Golum Rasul Market, who along with some other locals rescued Saiful and took him to the hospital, said, "Some Chinmoy followers hacked the lawyer on the road next to Rangam Convention Hall."
At least 10 people, including journalists, were injured during the clash. Five of them took treatment at CMCH, reports our correspondent.
Earlier, Metropolitan Magistrate Kazi Shariful Islam sent Chinmoy, spokesperson of Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, to jail in a case on charges of disrespecting the national flag.
Immediately after the court's order around 12:00pm, his followers burst into protests. They sought to block the movement of the prison van carrying Chinmoy, former divisional organising secretary of the Chattogram ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness).
Later, police and members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) fired sound grenades and charged batons to clear the way for the van.
CA Yunus orders investigation into lawyer’s killing in Ctg
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus yesterday ordered an investigation into the killing of a lawyer in the port city of Chattogram.
In a statement issued this evening, the chief adviser also condemned the murder and ordered appropriate legal course, according to the chief adviser's press wing.
Dr Yunus urged people to keep calm and stay away from participating in any untoward activities.
He has also ordered law enforcement agencies to step up security in the port city, including in all the vulnerable neighbourhoods.
"The interim government is committed to ensuring and upholding communal harmony in Bangladesh at any cost," said the chief adviser.
Earlier in the day, a lawyer was killed during protests outside the Chattogram court premises when a group of people believed to be supporters of former ISKCON Bangladesh leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari blocked the prison van carrying him to jail.
Home adviser suspects instigation by parties at home and abroad
Vested groups at home and abroad, including banned political parties, could be involved in instigating the violent unrest over the arrest of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in a sedition case, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Colonel (retd) Md Jahangir Alam said yesterday.
"There could be instigations from both home and abroad. Some parties have been banned. They could also be involved in the instigation," he told reporters in reply to a question during a press briefing in Sylhet over the recent unrest.
Replying to another question on conflicts surrounding students, the adviser said the government does not want to take a harsh stance against the students.
"We are working to resolve issues peacefully through dialogue. Those protesting are like my brothers, I have no reason to be strict with them," he said.
"Discussions are ongoing about the students' movement. Hopefully, the situation will be resolved soon. We do not want to be strict against the students anyway."
He also spoke about the country's law and order situation.
"All the weapons looted in August have not yet been recovered. The operation to recover those weapons is ongoing. However, the law and order situation in the country has improved a lot since August. There will be more. That's why everyone should cooperate," he said.
The adviser continued that the government is working to increase community policing activities. "Community police activities will be accelerated in Dhaka first. Later it will be done in phases in the whole country. There have been many fake cases across the country. We will form a committee to ensure that no one is harassed in these cases. Report those who file false cases."
Ensure security for minority groups: Mahfuj
Adviser Mahfuj Alam has called for ensuring the social security of innocent minority groups across Bangladesh.
In his official Facebook page yesterday, he urged people to remain calm for the sake of the mass uprising and the sovereignty of the country.
"The government will swiftly ensure appropriate action against all traitors and terrorists," the post reads.
Chinmoy arrested for sedition, not as community leader: Asif Mahmud
Adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Local Government, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, yesterday clarified that Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari has been arrested on charges of sedition, not as a leader of any community.
He made the remarks during an event at Paotana College field in Rangpur's Pirgachha upazila, where winter clothing was distributed to underprivileged families.
"The government will take strict action against any act of sedition that threatens the sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh. Let it be clear to all: no one, regardless of their position or influence, will be spared if involved in such activities," Asif said.
He stressed that law enforcement agencies act in the interest of national security, without any communal bias.
Touching on development disparities, Asif said, "In the past, development in the country was concentrated in areas tied to prime ministers and ministers. We aim to eliminate such inequality and ensure nationwide progress."
Referring to the historic 2024 mass uprising, he said, "The uprising emerged from people's dreams of an equitable democracy. The platform from which it arose remains significant. We sought a democracy free from discrimination."
On Rangpur's development, the adviser said, "During Sheikh Hasina's tenure, districts like Gopalganj have seen significant progress, while others faced neglect. Rangpur will no longer be subjected to such disparities. Special attention will be given to Rangpur in the national budget."
He also mentioned plans to improve union parishad services through alternative arrangements.
Later, nearly 600 winter garments and blankets were distributed to vulnerable families. Relatives of those martyred in the 2024 uprising shared their stories of hardship during the event.
Following the programme, Asif Mahmud visited the proposed site for a bridge over the Teesta River at Panialen Ghat, connecting Rangpur's Pirgachha and Kurigram's Ulipur. Hundreds of locals gathered at the site to demand the construction of the bridge.
Additionally, the adviser inaugurated the newly constructed Pirgachha Upazila Parishad building.
ZH
