A day of mourning to be observed today
The Daily Bijoy News Dhaka Correspondent:
Nationwide mourning will be observed today in remembrance of those who lost their lives during the quota reform movement. Black badges will be worn and prayers will be organized in all mosques. Additionally, special prayers will be offered in all temples, churches, and pagodas across the country.
The decision was made during a cabinet meeting held on Monday at the Prime Minister’s Office, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presiding. During the meeting, the cabinet was also briefed on the full extent of the losses across the country due to clashes and violence related to the quota reform movement.
A minister who attended the cabinet meeting informed the Daily Sun that Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, and Finance Secretary Khairuzzaman Majumdar presented the damages in their respective sectors to the cabinet.
The home minister informed the cabinet that 150 people have been killed in the anti-quota movement, said sources. Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain told reporters at the secretariat that after reviewing the information, a condolence motion was adopted and the meeting decided to observe the nationwide mourning for those who were killed in the agitation.
Afterward, the other cabinet members joined the discussion, during which the prime minister issued several directives, according to sources present at the meeting. Sources also mentioned that in addition to taking steps to recover from the losses, the prime minister instructed the formulation of action plans to keep the economy running smoothly.
Furthermore, the prime minister directed that a decision on reopening educational institutions should be made after assessing the overall situation. Sheikh Hasina also emphasized the need for vigilance to prevent anyone from using students as shields in the future.
Maheshkhali-Kutubdia Integrated Development Authority to be Formed
The cabinet has given final approval to the draft of a new law to establish an authority responsible for managing the development activities of the deep sea port at Matarbari in Cox’s Bazar. Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain announced on Monday, “When the cabinet initially approved the draft law, it was named the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority. It is now proposed to be called the Maheshkhali-Kutubdia Integrated Development Authority, as the area covered by this authority will include land in Kutubdia.”
Additionally, the cabinet approved a proposal to ratify an agreement allowing official passport holders of Bangladesh to obtain visas upon arrival in Thailand. Mahbub stated, “Official passport holders from Bangladesh can receive 30-day visas upon arrival in Thailand. Previously, we had similar agreements with 29 countries. With the inclusion of Thailand, we now have this agreement with 30 countries.”
The cabinet also approved the draft Bilateral Aviation Agreement between Bangladesh and India. The cabinet secretary explained, “We had a bilateral air traffic agreement with India from 1978. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has created a new format for such agreements. Both countries have agreed to sign the agreement according to this new format. The conditions, including freedoms, remain the same as before. The agreement sought approval only for the new format, which the cabinet granted.” Furthermore, the cabinet was informed that 65% of the decisions made in its meetings during the second quarter (April to June) of this year have been implemented.
The Daily Bijoy News/ Chandopodi
