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The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
A daylight murder in Old Dhaka highlights Bangladesh's lawlessness
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Hasina-era main opposition which many see today as a front-runner for the coming elections, is facing a turbulent period amid nationwide protests over allegations that the party was involved in killings and rampant extortion. Public outrage reached a boiling point following the murder of a local trader, Chand Mia alias Sohag, on July 9 in broad daylight on the premises of Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital in Dhaka's Chawkbazar area. The attack was carried out by local leaders and activists of the BNP's student and youth wing. According to eyewitnesses and CCTV footage that surfaced two days after the incident, the attackers dragged Sohag's bloodied body onto the adjacent road and continued the assault. The video shows several men stomping on his chest, punching his face, and squashing his lifeless body with large concrete blocks. Despite the presence of hospital staff, security guards and hundreds of people, no one intervened. The killing, reportedly linked to a turf dispute over control of the local scrap metal and copper wire trade, has sent shockwaves across the capital and beyond. A murder case was filed with Kotwali Police Station in the capital by the victim's sister. Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Saturday said that five people were arrested in connection with the incident. 'It's not just the Mitford case — police are taking immediate action in such incidents across the country. However, the Mitford incident is deeply regrettable. In a civilised nation, such brutality is unacceptable', the adviser said. Five activists from three affiliated wings of BNP have been expelled for life over their alleged involvement in the incident. Protests, rallies held In response to the incident, thousands of university and college students, members of various student organisations and political parties, and ordinary citizens took to the streets. Students from universities across the country held protest marches and rallies, expressing frustration over what they described as ongoing extortion and terrorism across Bangladesh. Protesters accuse BNP activists of filling the power vacuum left by the Awami League-led government, taking control of extortion rackets and asserting violent dominance over local businesses and territories. Chanting slogans such as 'Tarique will go like Sheikh Hasina,' 'Money extorted in Paltan, shares fly to London,' and 'The new killer follows the path of the old killer,' demonstrators placed direct blame on BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who is based in London. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep concern over the killing. He warned that the failure to ensure strict punishment for those involved would only deepen the culture of impunity and push society further into darkness. 'This barbaric act is not just the loss of a life — it reflects a deep failure in ensuring state security, upholding citizens' rights, and maintaining law and order. Our party's principles, ideals, and politics have no connection whatsoever with terrorism or brutality. No matter who the perpetrator is, they must never be above the law and justice,' Mr. Alamgir said. However, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that certain political parties are attempting to exploit the incident by giving it a political colour for their own gain. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami condemned the killing. In a statement, the party's Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar said several national dailies reported that leaders of the Chawkbazar unit of Jubo Dal (BNP's youth wing) had demanded a large sum of extortion money from the victim. When he refused, Jubo Dal's terrorists carried out the killing, he alleged. 'The nation is now asking: how safe are people's lives and property in the hands of a party whose leaders shelter extortionists and criminals while preaching about politics?' Mr. Parwar asked. 'If such a party comes to power, the country, the people, and the state can never be safe. This incident once again echoes the footsteps of fallen fascism.' Upcoming elections Bangladesh is likely to hold general elections in the first half of 2026 and the BNP is seen as a frontrunner by many. The Islamist Jamaat is also preparing to contest the elections, while the Awami League has been banned by the interim government. The National Citizens Party, formed by the student leaders who led anti-Hasina protests, is a new entrant. As election fever is gradually gripping the country, the BNP is grappling with multiple issues, including internal infighting, political violence, and alleged extortion by party leaders. More than a thousand leaders and activists have already been expelled for their involvement in such activities. However, these disciplinary actions have largely proved ineffective, as party members continue to engage in similar misconduct. In 2024, following the fall of the Hasina-led government, violence within BNP circles intensified, leading to at least 1,697 injuries and 31 deaths. According to a report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), at least 79 people were killed and around 4,124 injured in 529 incidents of political violence across Bangladesh in the past six months. The HRSS attributes most of the violence to turf wars, political vendettas, internal disputes over party committee formations, extortion, and attempts to seize control of various establishments. Of the 529 incidents recorded, 445 were linked to internal conflicts within the BNP or clashes involving BNP and other political parties. Specifically, 302 incidents stemmed from the BNP's internal feuds, resulting in 46 deaths and at least 2,834 injuries. Meanwhile, stability is yet to be fully restored across the country, as mob violence continues to claim lives at an alarming rate. Human rights organisations document that from September 2024 to June 2025, at least 253 incidents of mob violence occurred, resulting in 163 deaths and 312 injuries. Despite repeated assurances from law enforcement agencies, in most cases the perpetrators have remained beyond the reach of justice. While talking on the countrywide protests against the BNP, Nazmul Islam, a political scientist, told The Hindu that while the unrest may not cause a major crisis for the party, it will undoubtedly have an immediate impact on public perception. 'We must recognise that the BNP remains a key political party in the current political context of Bangladesh. However, this status also brings significant challenges in managing and controlling its grassroots supporters,' said Mr. Islam. 'After a long hiatus, BNP activists have had the opportunity to reengage in open political activity, but this resurgence also presents new challenges for party leadership, particularly in terms of internal discipline. One of the underlying issues is the BNP's limited opportunity in recent years to practise internal democratic governance, which has weakened their control mechanisms,' he added.
Hans India
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
BNP, Yunus administration equally responsible: Dhaka students protest over trader's brutal murder
Dhaka: Students in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, held a torch procession and rally on the campus of Jahangirnagar University (JU) to demand justice for a trader who was brutally murdered recently. The students expressed their frustration, stating that last year's protest in July was ineffective, as criminal activities have continued to rise even after a change in power, according to local media reports on Sunday. The protest followed the gruesome murder of Lal Chand, also known as Sohag, a 39-year-old scrap trader from Old Dhaka. The protestors condemned recent incidents of violence across the country, including killings and attacks driven by political and religious tensions, reported the leading Bangladeshi daily, The Dhaka Tribune. The demonstration was organised under the banner of Jahangirnagar Against Repression. The torch rally began Saturday at 8:30 p.m. from the base of the university's Shaheed Minar and moved through several parts of the campus before culminating at BotTala, where a protest rally was held. Various student leaders and activists took part in the protest, voicing anger over what they described as a worsening human rights situation in the South Asian nation, despite the Muhhamad Yunus-led interim government assuming power. Yunus administration promised to bring reforms after the July protests led to the ouster of the democratically elected government under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However, since then, the law and order situation has further worsened in Bangladesh. Sajib Ahmed Jenich, organiser of the Socialist Student Front (Marxist), JU unit, said during the rally: "Even after the interim government has taken charge, we still have to protest against enforced disappearances, murders, rapes and extrajudicial killings. This is deeply shameful for the nation." He also directly linked the killing of Sohag to the failure of state institutions to act against politically protected criminals. "When a murder isn't acknowledged as a crime and attempts are made to downplay it, criminals feel emboldened to commit more. Sohag was murdered over extortion; that responsibility lies not only with BNP but also equally with the current interim government," he said. During the rally, one of the students protesting told The Dhaka Tribune, "After killing a man, they are jumping on his dead body to show their power. They think it's just another political incident. Can they confidently say that tomorrow they or their family members won't be killed by extortionists? If not, they must realise where we stand now, a year after the July uprising. The horror we lived through last July has only intensified. We did not see any meaningful results from that movement." Earlier this week, Sohag was brutally murdered in broad daylight near the gate of Sir Salimullah Medical College, Mitford Hospital. Witnesses reported that he was dragged from his shop, beaten with iron rods and chunks of concrete, and left lifeless on the street as passersby looked on in shock. The students at JU vowed to continue their protests, demanding justice for Sohag and all victims of politically motivated and communal violence across the country.
Hindustan Times
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Outrage in Dhaka over lynching of scrap trader: ‘Who gave you beasts the right to kill people?'
Hundreds of students took to the streets in Bangladesh's Dhaka on Saturday over the lynching of a scrap trader as they accused the Interim government of failure to contain mob violence, reported PTI. So far, five people have been arrested by the police in connection with the lynching.(Image for representation/Reuters) Scrap material trader Sohag was lynched by alleged extortionists in front of the Mitford Hospital in the Old Dhaka area on Wednesday. A video of the incident, which went viral the next day, showed Lal Chand Sohag being lynched with chunks of concrete slabs and his attackers dancing on his body after confirming his death, according to the news agency. So far, five people have been arrested by the police in connection with the lynching. Students across various university campuses in the capital organised protest rallies in response to the lynching incident. Also Read | Sheikh Hasina ordered 'lethal' crackdown on Bangladesh student protests: Report According to PTI, protests were held in Dhaka University and Jagannath University after Lal's brutal murder video went viral and in private universities such as the BRAC University, NSU, East West University and government-run Eden College on Saturday. 'Who gave you beasts the right to kill people? What is the Interim (government) doing when extortionists are carrying out mayhem?' were some of the slogans chanted by students in their campuses, according to witnesses cited in local media reports. Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo reported that at least 19 accused are named in the lynching case, while another 15-20 are mentioned as unidentified suspects. Also Read | Rape of minority community woman in Bangladesh sparks outrage, main suspect arrested BDNews24 reported that a group of activists from the youth front of former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were allegedly behind the scrap dealer's murder. The party has said that it has immediately expelled four perpetrators accused of lynching. Since August 2024, Bangladesh has experienced a rise in mob killings following the violent overthrow of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 16-year Awami League government. On July 10, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported that minority communities experienced 2,442 incidents of communal violence over 330 days starting from August 4, 2024, when political unrest was at its height. 'Most of these violent incidents happened from August 4 to August 20 last year,' the platform of the minority communities said.
Zawya
04-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sawiris Foundation signs an MoU with AFD, Essam and May Allam Foundation, and the Louis Dreyfus Foundation to develop agricultural solutions
Cairo, Egypt: To advance innovative, climate-smart agricultural solutions that support smallholder farmers in Egypt—particularly in the governorates of Sohag and Minya—Sawiris Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Essam and May Allam Foundation, and the Louis Dreyfus Foundation to launch a joint pilot project aimed at achieving this important goal. With this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), AFD, Essam and May Allam Foundation, Louis Dreyfus Foundation and The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development formalized their collaboration to tackle the significant challenges faced by smallholder farmers in rural Egypt, particularly focusing on climate vulnerability and limited credit and market access. The proposed solution is a comprehensive package of bundled agricultural services, centered around tailored credit products designed to incentivize the adoption of climate-smart inputs and practices. This approach aims to enhance farmers' resilience to climate change, leading to improved crop quality and yields. Marie-Hélène Loison, Deputy Director General of AFD, emphasized: 'AFD will provide a technical support from its Impact Evaluation Department and is proud to join forces with two major Egyptian foundations and Louis Dreyfus for its longstanding experience of projects promoting sustainable micro-farming and agricultural practices. Naguib Sawiris, Founder and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sawiris Foundation, said: "this partnership marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing commitment to sustainable development and empowering Egyptian communities. By joining forces with AFD, Essam and May Allam Foundation, and Louis Dreyfus Foundation, we are able to expand our reach and deliver innovative, climate-smart agricultural solutions directly to small farmers in Sohag and Minya'. Laila Hosny, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation, said: 'this initiative is a testament to our belief in collective action to drive lasting change, providing tangible pathways to increased income and economic stability for those who need it most". Robert Serpollet, General Manager of Louis Dreyfus Foundation, said: 'Together, we will work towards the shared goal of uplifting agricultural communities. This joint effort and collaboration are essential for shaping more resilient communities and a more sustainable food system'. Hassan E. Allam, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Essam and May Allam Foundation, said: 'This partnership reaffirms our commitment to advancing evidence-based solutions, a vision championed by my late father and sister which we are keen to uphold. We are proud to work alongside our distinguished partners in delivering climate-smart agricultural solutions tailored to the needs of Egypt's smallholder farmers'. Amr E. Allam, Founder and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Essam and May Allam Foundation, said: 'This project aims to improve productivity, raise incomes, and build climate resilience in Sohag and Minya—underscoring our mission to help uplift communities and break the cycle of poverty'. It is worth noting that the Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant step toward empowering smallholder farmers in Egypt through climate-smart, sustainable agriculture. By combining the strengths of all four partners, the initiative offers a scalable model to boost productivity, build climate resilience, and improve livelihoods in rural communities. The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group has established itself as a key player in Franco-Egyptian cooperation, working since 2006 to support the country's economic, social and environmental transitions. In response to these challenges, AFD is stepping up its efforts and in 2022 revised its strategic intervention framework to support the country in the transitions underway and respond to Egypt's specific climate change adaptation needs, gender equality or training and employment. With a portfolio of €2.3 billion (November 2023), AFD is deploying a diversified range of instruments to support the Egyptian government in its development objectives, mainly in the sustainable infrastructure sectors (energy, transport, water and sanitation), climate finance, support for the private sector and entrepreneurship, and social sectors, including social protection. Today, 55 projects are underway, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reflecting the priorities shared by Egypt and France. They are intended to support the integration of Egyptian financial, commercial and productive systems at the regional level; to support the development of green, inclusive and efficient infrastructure; and promote equitable and sustainable local territorial development. About Sawiris Foundation: The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) is one of the first donor foundations in Egypt. Established in 2001 by the Sawiris family, SFSD philanthropically promotes and supports innovative solutions that target comprehensive and sustainable development in Egypt. Over the last 24 years, SFSD has addressed the most pressing issues facing marginalized Egyptians, such as poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, and limited access to quality education, by funding the delivery of programs aimed at achieving comprehensive and sustainable development, in partnership with the governmental and private sectors as well as civil society. By creating thousands of job opportunities and providing quality education and access to basic services, we have impacted the lives of approximately 1 million Egyptians. Our funded programs cover 24 Egyptian governorates, focusing on the most remote villages. With increasing global and national challenges, Sawiris Foundation developed its strategic directions while finding the most cost-effective and impactful ways to support Egypt's marginalized families and those trying to further positive social change in Egypt. By following the philosophy of effective altruism and evidence-based practices, we have launched our 2023-2028 strategy to maximize our impact in reducing multidimensional poverty and empowering agents of change in Egypt. About LDF: The Louis Dreyfus Foundation aims to promote projects in the areas of sustainable agriculture, food security and self-sufficiency, particularly through education and direct support to small-scale farmers, with a specific focus on developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. About Essam and May Allam Foundation: Founded in 2025 by the Essam Hassan Allam family to honor the legacy of a remarkable father and daughter, the Essam and May Allam Foundation (EMAF) is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in Egypt through evidence-based, high-impact initiatives in education and agriculture. By focusing on programs grounded in rigorous research and proven effectiveness, the Foundation ensures its efforts are scalable, sustainable, and positioned to deliver meaningful results. EMAF operates through two strategic pillars. The Essam Allam Agriculture Accelerator addresses key challenges in agricultural climate resilience, productivity, market access for smallholder farmers, and food security. The May Allam Knowledge Incubator works to improve early childhood and primary education, promote and preserve the Arabic language, conserve Middle Eastern arts and culture, and expand access to vocational training and scholarships. Through these pillars, EMAF serves as a catalyst for transformative change—bridging the gap between research and practice to drive inclusive development that empowers individuals, uplifts communities, and fosters long-term resilience across Egypt.
Arab News
04-06-2025
- General
- Arab News
98-year-old Egyptian pilgrim fulfilling lifelong dream
JEDDAH: Ahmed Tamim, 98, is fulfilling a lifelong dream of performing Hajj this year. Tamim is a native of Egypt's Sohag governorate, located on the west bank of the Nile, and is one of the oldest pilgrims on this year's Hajj. He arrived in Madinah on May 18 accompanied by his son, to embark on the sacred journey that is mandatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to complete it. They are among 13,062 Egyptian pilgrims who were selected through the annual lottery to perform the pilgrimage this year. His son Muhammed told Arab News: 'It all started with a phone call from my friends who said the Hajj lottery is open, aren't you going to apply for your father? 'I tried to contact the lottery mission, and they told me tomorrow is the last day (and) anyone who hasn't applied can still apply. 'At the time, we hadn't applied, but after that call, I decided to apply for my father, and thank God, his name was added to the reserve list due to his advanced age.' He added: 'Every year he used to wish to perform Hajj or Umrah. This time, when he found out his name was called after all these years, his eyes filled with tears and he reacted with happiness, he couldn't believe it.' Muhammed said his father is insisting on performing all the rituals unaided despite his difficulties in walking and hearing. 'He always (said) 'this is an opportunity Allah has chosen me, and I want to experience it to the fullest.'' Muhammad added: 'Everyone in Sohag is happy for my father, because he's not only the oldest pilgrim, but he's a very respected religious person in the governorate. 'May Allah accept his Hajj and we are all so glad that he finally made Hajj.'
