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Bangladesh inflation hits 10-year high

Inflation in Bangladesh accelerated to 9.52 per cent in August, the highest in 10 years, mainly driven by higher food prices, according to official data…reports Asian Lite News

In addition, the country’s overall inflation eased slightly to 9.10 per cent in September, Xinhua news agency quoted Planning Minister MA Mannan as saying.

Data published by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) showed that food inflation soared to 9.94 per cent in August, the highest since April of 2012, and eased slightly to 9.08 per cent in September.

Non-food items inflation, however, increased to 9.13 percent in September from 8.85 per cent in August.

Due to higher food prices amid uncertainties stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war, Mannan said inflation has been on an upward trend over the past several months in Bangladesh.

He stressed the need for bolstering food production domestically to rein in soaring food prices.

Mannan, however, expressed his satisfaction with the decrease in CPI in September, saying it’s good news for the government as it tried to rein in inflation in line with the budgetary target.

In June, the country unveiled a record nearly 7 trillion taka ($70 billion) national budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year starting in July and the government said it is committed to containing the rising trend of inflation by addressing inconsistencies between supply and demand.

According to the budget proposal, Bangladesh is targeting an average inflation rate of 5.6 per cent in the new fiscal year.

ALSO READ: Bangladesh in dark after national grid failure

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Africa becoming graveyard for UN peacekeepers?

The Bangladeshi peacekeepers in the CAR were killed when their vehicle hit an explosive ordnance device on Monday evening…reports Arul Louis

In the latest attacks on UN peacekeepers, three Bangladeshis have died from a bomb attack in the Central African Republic (CAR), barely a week after a Pakistani was killed in Congo, according to a UN spokesperson.

The Bangladeshi peacekeepers in the CAR were killed when their vehicle hit an explosive ordnance device on Monday evening, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday.

Another Bangladeshi peacekeeper was injured and is in hospital, he added.

On Friday, a Pakistani peacekeeper was killed in Congo when a base in Minembwe, South Kivu, was attacked “by suspected Twirwaneho combatants,” he said.

Dujarric added that attacks on peacekeepers are “war crimes”.

The Bangladeshis were killed when they were on patrol, nearly five kilometre from the CAR peacekeeping mission’s temporary base in the Ouham-Pende Prefecture, he said.

According to the peacekeeping mission, the Bangladeshi battalion patrol was to protect civilians.

The CAR peacekeeping operation known as MINUSCA, from the French initials for Mulitdimensional Integrated Mission in CAR, was created in 2014, taking over an earlier operation set up in 2009.

It has 14,400 personnel with 1,333 Bangladeshi troops.

The operation has claimed the lives of 169 peacekeepers, 10 of them Bangladeshis.

In January three Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed in the CAR when their vehicle hit a landmine.

The Congo peacekeeping operation known as MONUSCO, an acronym derived from French for Organisation Stabilisation Mission in Congo, was created in 2010 to succeed an earlier mission set up in 1999.

It is the second largest peacekeeping operation with 14,671 personnel, which include 1,929 troops from Pakistan.

More than 431 peacekeepers have died in the operations in Congo, of them, 31 were Pakistanis.

In March, six Pakistani peacekeepers were killed when their helicopter was brought down in Congo.

A MONUSCO statement said that the Twirwaneho fighters had come to the UN base, saying they wanted to surrender but instead attacked it.

According to AfricaNews media, The Twirwaneho militia claims to defend the interests of the Banymulenge community, a Congolese Tutsi minority.

ALSO READ: South African President Ramaphosa to visit to Britain

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Bangladesh in dark after national grid failure

Engineers of both BPDB and Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) have been working to restore electricity transmission across the country…reports Asian Lite News

Power outage has hit several areas of Bangladesh, including capital Dhaka, port city of Chattogram and Sylhet, due to a collapse of the South Asian country’s national grid.

Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Director of Public Relation, Shameem Hasan informed that the national power grid failed and caused the power outage in many areas except some parts of the north, a state news media reported on Tuesday.

“Due to the national grid failure, people of many areas of Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Cumilla area are not getting electricity since 2:05 p.m. today,” Hasan said as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

Engineers of both BPDB and Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) have been working to restore electricity transmission across the country, according to the state news media report.

ALSO READ: Bangladesh’s growing internet usage carries new risk of extremism

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Bangladesh’s growing internet usage carries new risk of extremism

The surge in Internet usage and online communication during the Covid-19 pandemic has only helped the global terror outfits, which have used the medium to the fullest to spread their radical messages…writes MAHUA VENKATESH

Bangladesh is looking to tighten its security measures in the cyber space to address the hydra headed problem of radicalism. While the South Asian nation has not witnessed any major incidents of violence since the gruesome Holy Artisan Bakery incident in 2016, authorities said that threats are on the rise with the world opening up in the post Covid phase.

The surge in Internet usage and online communication during the Covid-19 pandemic has only helped the global terror outfits, which have used the medium to the fullest to spread their radical messages, finance their arms in different regions and even recruit.

Shafqat Munir, head of Bangladesh Centre for Terrorism Research and senior research fellow at Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies has recently said that there has been a fresh “recruitment and reconsolidation drive by these groups.”

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in a report published in June highlighted that despite the decline in the number of terrorist incidents since 2016, Islamist groups continue to operate, recruit, and carry out small-scale attacks while aspiring to perpetrate greater violence.

“Radical elements – not just in Bangladesh but even in India – continue to play an active role and their main aim is to destabilise the situation especially at this crucial juncture when the South Asian region needs better cooperation and connectivity to revive economic growth after being jolted by the (Covid) pandemic,” said Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury, retired Air Force Officer in Bangladesh, who is now a geopolitical analyst.

Sources said that the countries in the region must have a joint action plan and information sharing mechanism to be able to address the issue.

Recently, Major General (Retd) ANM Muniruzzaman, President of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) has also underlined the need to put in place a well chalked out comprehensive strategy to fight extremist elements in the country.

“It is very important for us to remember that the absence of a successful terror attack does not mean the absence of terrorism, there is no substitute for vigilance and preparedness. We must be prepared at all times to counter the threat of terrorism and violent extremism. Society has a big role to play in this,” Dhaka-based Business Standard quoted Munir, head of Bangladesh Centre for Terrorism Research and senior research fellow at Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies as saying.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

ALSO READ: India, Bangladesh Envoys Celebrate Durga Puja in London

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Protests erupt against China on National Day

The BBSS Welfare Association organised a bicycle rally in solidarity with the Muslim Uyghurs of Xinjiang, China….reports Asian Lite News

As the Chinese government is celebrating its 73rd ‘National Day’, protests erupted in Bangladesh against the persecution of Uyghur Muslims by the Chinese government, debt trapping Dhaka through various projects and ill-treatment of Bangladeshi workers who are working on different Chinese projects.

Bangladesh, a Muslim majority country, also shows its solidarity with the Uyghur Muslims of Xinjiang, local media reported.

This condemnation of the Chinese government at international platforms and in different countries via protests comes in the wake of a UN report highlighting “serious human rights abuses” — and potentially crimes against humanity — committed by the Chinese government in Xinjiang.

The report has bolstered international efforts to put pressure on Beijing to change its policies toward the region’s Muslim minority.

The BBSS Welfare Association organised a bicycle rally in solidarity with the Muslim Uyghurs of Xinjiang, China.

A bicycle rally and protest meeting were organized by BBSS Welfare Association. The rally started from Hatirjheel in Dhaka at 8 am and ended at United Hospital via Gulshan-2 at 10 am. Students of different schools and colleges, journalists, leaders and activists of political parties took part in the demonstration.

The protest meeting was presided over by the organisation’s founding chairman, Tawfiq Ahmed Tafsir. Journalists, prominent personalities and students attended the event.

While addressing the gathering, Tawfiq Ahmed said that Uyghur Muslims are killed and tortured daily but China continues celebrating their national day ignoring innocent voices.

Meanwhile, in Chittagong, Sacheton Nagarik Samaj organised a motorcycle rally. The rally started from the Kotwali area of Chittagong city at 9 am and after passing through Bouddha Mondir and the Andarkilla area, it ended at Kotwali, several media reports said.

About 150 protesters wearing Tee shirts and placards highlighting atrocities on Uyghur Muslims participated in the event.

The organization also organized a human chain and protest demonstrations in Narayanganj against Chinese atrocities on innocent Uyghur Muslims, Chinese efforts of debt trapping Bangladesh through various projects, and ill-treatment of Bangladeshi workers who are working on different Chinese projects.

In the protests, protesters were seen carrying banners and posters having slogans “Harassment of Bangladeshi workers in all Chinese projects must be stopped”, “All Bangladeshi labourers employed in Chinese projects must get their dues and appropriate salary” and “Stop torture of Bangladeshi workers by Chinese employers in Chinese projects”.

To mark the protest against Chinese atrocities on Uyghurs, Bangladesh Muktijuddha Mancha organized a human chain and protest demonstration in front of the National Museum, Shahbagh, Dhaka, according to local media.

Protesters highlighted through banners and posters, the help extended by China to Pakistan during the 1971 liberation war, which is still continuing. The Shahbagh area was a busy place, a good crowd assembled and supported/ participated in the demonstration.

In another event, Islamic Movement Bangladesh organised a seminar at Dhaka Reporters Unity at 10 am, against the persecution of Uyghur on the occasion of the 73rd National Day of China.

The discussion was presided over by Maulana Abu Zafar Kashmi, Chairman of Sammilita Islami Okhyajot. Speakers of the event condemned Chinese actions against minorities and their expansionist mindset.

Later, Muktijoddha Mancha submitted a memorandum to the Chinese President through China’s Embassy informing them about the human chain and protest rally. Bangladeshis took part in these demonstrations to show solidarity with Uyghur Muslims of Xinjiang province in China, understanding their plight.

Protests in Taipei

Human rights activists staged a protest against Chinese aggression outside Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan and urged the politicians to sign a petition safeguarding Taiwan’s democracy and not surrender in case the island nation is attacked, media reports said.

The protest was organized in Taipei on September 30, a day ahead of the National Day of the People’s Republic of China today. Among those who joined the protests were various human rights organizations including Tibet, Hong Kong, and Uyghur rights activists, reported Taipei Times.

According to Taiwan Association for Human Rights secretary-general Shih Yi-hsiang, the petition mainly comprises three calls to action — to safeguard human rights, defend Taiwan’s freedom and not surrender if attacked by China, and third to join forces to counter Chinese expansionism.

“Taiwan has continued to implement and uphold the values of human rights, in sharp contrast to what is happening in China. Defending human rights is also to defend Taiwan against Chinese military intimidation,” Shih said, reported Taipei Times.

“In Taiwan, we have a vibrant democracy and people can enjoy freedom. These are the strongest weapons against China’s threat of force,” he added.

Moreover, an activist for the rights of Tibet and Taiwan, Tashi Tsering said that China for decades are pushing Tibetans towards repression committing atrocities. “Although Beijing proclaims to the world that it protects the rights of ethnic minorities, the conditions in Tibet are terrible, as Chinese policies are focused on eradicating the Tibetan people’s culture, language and religion,” Tashi Tsering said.

Another activist Sky Fung said China is imposing increasing restrictions to phase out freedom and democracy in the territory. “We must stand up together to work with pro-democracy forces,” he said. “We still have a choice, we must say ‘no’ to Chinese dictatorship, we must choose to fight against China and to never surrender.”

“China has continued its military maneuvers to intimidate Taiwan, taking up devious means to curtail Taiwan’s participation on international forums. Its disinformation and political propaganda campaigns create division and social strife in Taiwan, aimed at pushing for political extremism and conflict,” the groups said in a joint statement, reported Taipei Times.

“China is providing financial support to their proxies to infiltrate all sectors of Taiwanese society to promote defeatist talk, for surrender to China,” it said.

“We must fight against such dissemination of Chinese propaganda and disinformation, and to stop any politicians from promoting surrender in the guise of ‘peaceful unification,’ and work to cut off Chinese money entering Taiwan to fund for activities by their proxies,” the statement added.

Tibetans protest in Delhi

Tibetan youths on Saturday protested outside the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi on the occasion of China’s National Day – October 1.

Tibetan Youth Congress staged a protest in front of the Chinese Embassy for their various demand including stopping the mass collection of DNA from Tibetans.

They demanded Tibet’s freedom and shouted slogans like – What we want – We want freedom, Stop human rights violation in Tibet, Free Tibet.

October 1st is generally celebrated as China’s National Day; a day filled with widespread celebration around the country based on the ideological preaching of Mao Zedong. Historically, on the 1st of October in 1949, China’s newly declared Premier, Mao Zedong hoisted the Chinese flag on Tiananmen Square and announced the birth of a new communist nation, The People’s Republic of China.

Soon after the declaration of China as a communist regime, on 2nd October 1949, the new government passed the resolution on the National day leading to October 1st of each year being celebrated as the country’s National Day.

Around the globe, Tiananmen Square, however, is not remembered for its celebratory statues and festivities of 1st October, but is rather synonymous with its horrendous massacre in China’s independent history.

The brutal massacre of protesters surely does not require any recounting, yet at the same time, it is an important reminder of what the Chinese Communist Party has come to be in these modern times. A totalitarian government riding on the repression of its own citizens and a hawkish nature with the world is what summarises the projection of China in front of the rest of the world.

One of the protestors demanding Tibet’s freedom, said, “We demand that Tibet be freed and the Government of India supports us with this demand. China needs to be stopped. Mass collection of DNA, killings must be halted.”

China’s oppression of Tibet is not hidden from anyone and the communist nation is now carrying out mass DNA testing to create a biological database of people to monitor them.

A recent report by Human Rights Watch mentioned that there is an arbitrary collection of DNA from residents in several towns and villages throughout Tibet and the so-called Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) in particular, reported Tibet Press. (ANI)

ALSO READ: US, Japan, Australia vow to work against China

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INFLATION: Bangladesh hikes key rates

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) took the decision in its 56th meeting held Thursday in the capital Dhaka…reports Asian Lite News

The central bank of Bangladesh has hiked the repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 5.75 per cent in a bid to rein in inflation.

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) took the decision in its 56th meeting held Thursday in the capital Dhaka. The new rate will come into effect October 2, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a circular issued by the BB.

The bank earlier in June increased its policy rate (the repo rate) by 50 bps to 5.50 per cent from 5.00 per cent to deal with the demand-side pressures while ensuring the required flow of funds to the priority and production sectors to promote supply-side activities.

On May 29, the bank raised the key interest rate by 25 bps to 5 per cent, the first increase in a decade.

ALSO READ: New Delhi approves India-Bangladesh pact on water withdrawal

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New Delhi approves India-Bangladesh pact on water withdrawal

A Joint Monitoring Team shall be set up by both countries to monitor the withdrawal of water by each side during the dry season…reports Asian Lie News

Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday has given its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bangladesh on withdrawal of upto 153 cusecs of water each from common border river Kushiyara, a government press release read.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on September 6, 2022 between the Ministry of Jal Shakti, India and Ministry of Water Resources, Bangladesh on withdrawal of upto 153 cusecs of water each by India and Bangladesh from the common border River Kushiyara during dry season — November 1 to May 31 for their consumptive water requirement.

This MoU will enable the Government of Assam to withdraw upto 153 cusecs of water from the common stretch of Kushiyara river during the dry season — November 1 to May 31 for their consumptive water requirement.

A Joint Monitoring Team shall be set up by both countries to monitor the withdrawal of water by each side during the dry season.

Earlier, during the visit of Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to India, she expressed hope that the issue of Teesta water sharing with India will also be resolved soon. She highlighted the ties between both the countries and called India the most important and closest neighbour of Bangladesh, a government press release read.

“The two countries have resolved many outstanding issues and we hope that all outstanding issues, including Teesta water-sharing treaty, would be concluded at an early date,” she said in a joint statement with PM Narendra Modi.

The Teesta river dispute is an important point of bilateral talks between India and Bangladesh. Both countries signed an agreement in 2011 to share surface waters at the Farakka Barrage near their mutual border.

Sheikh Hasina appreciated PM Modi’s leadership that continues to provide momentum to bilateral relations. “I appreciate Modi ji’s visionary leadership that continues to provide added momentum to our bilateral relations. India is the most important & closest neighbour of Bangladesh. India-Bangladesh bilateral relations are known to be a role model for neighbourhood diplomacy,” she said.

Hasina visited India for a four-day visit. She held bilateral talks with PM Modi to further strengthen the relationship between both countries. Sheikh Hasina further extended her best wishes as India moves forward to attaining the resolutions made for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

India and Bangladesh signed seven memorandums of understanding (MoUs) today. (ANI)

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Dynamic PM of B’desh@76

Considering her first term in power (1996-2001), coupled with her third straight term since 2009, Hasina is the longest-serving woman leader across the globe, longer than Angela Markel of Germany…writes Sumi Khan

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina turned 76 on Wednesday, bringing the spotlight back on many of her success stories, including scripting a socially inclusive economic turnaround for the nation which turned 50 this year.

After efficiently tackling the challenge posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, as endorsed by top global bodies including the WHO, the country’s next battle to avert the looming fears of a global recession has come under scrutiny with a singular observation — under Hasina, Bangladesh is better poised to overcome the impending crisis as compared to many other emerging and developed economies.

Hasina will also be remembered for her role in the restoration of democracy in the country by bringing down a local military regime — just like her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did with the Pakistani military junta — and then sustaining it against the persisting threats from radical Islamist forces who try to destabilise the country with violent agitations, terror attacks and systematic disinformation.

Former President of India, late Pranab Mukherjee, whom Hasina considered as her ‘Obhibhabok’ (guardian), once told some journalists, including this writer, to imagine what Angela Merkel or Jacinda Ardern would have done had they faced the lurking threats of assassination that Hasina faced and survived.

Considering her first term in power (1996-2001), coupled with her third straight term since 2009, Hasina is the longest-serving woman leader across the globe, longer than Angela Markel of Germany.

Mukherjee had said that when it comes to ‘raw courage’, Hasina is comparable to only Indira Gandhi who refused to take off her Sikh bodyguards despite intelligence warnings of a lurking physical threat after Operation Blue Star.

Maybe we can add Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff, who suffered intense torture in military prison (hung upside down and beaten up frequently), before reaching the top.

Hasina is deeply religious, though her politics is firmly secular. And it is believed that her spiritual disposition is the source of her courage.

Despite being arrested without a warrant by the military-backed caretaker government, and the baseless propaganda by leading outlets like The Daily Star, the overwhelming public support enjoyed by Hasina never diminished.

From giving birth to her son in virtual house arrest by Pakistani occupational forces, to witnessing the gruesome murders of her parents, brothers and other near ones by pro-Pakistan elements — Hasina’s life was undoubtedly more challenging than most other female leaders of her time.

For someone who had seen almost her entire family getting wiped out in a violent coup in 1975, continuing in politics was indeed a tough decision.

Equally challenging was the decision to return to Bangladesh six years after her family members were assassinated. Each of these decisions required not just courage, but also steely determination to uphold and build on her father’s legacy and a deep faith in her destiny.

Soon after her return in 1981, Hasina had to wage a battle to free the people of Bangladesh from the clutches of military dictator General Hussain Muhammad Ershad, who seized power as head of the army during a bloodless coup against President Abdus Sattar in 1982.

Till the downfall of Ershad in 1990, Hasina crisscrossed almost every nook and corner of the country to reach out to the masses. Her arduous decade-long struggle equipped her to address the needs of the people languishing even in the remotest part of the nation.

Possibly, her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s trait to travel across the nation then known as East Pakistan to rope in the masses to join the fight for freedom against Pakistan offered the lesson for Hasina that “if you want to serve the people, go to their doorsteps”.

A faithful Bengali housewife with some exposure in student politics, Hasina not only returned to her country at great personal risk, but also re-organised her father’s party, Awami League, before toppling the Ershad military regime.

Hasina

She has ruled Bangladesh for three terms since and is now into her fourth term. “All because Allah’s wishes,” Hasina would say.

But analysts see in her success not only courage and determination, but also the presence of a sharp analytical mind which can plan ahead of time and anticipate challenges.

Hasina is a fast learner as well, as her policies on combating climate change would indicate.

Her detractors blame Hasina for creating a ‘police state’ and haul her up for ‘forced disappearances’ and ‘extra-judicial executions’, but sources close to her argue that she has no choice but to resort to tough policing to keep Islamist radicals at bay.

ALSO READ: World Tourism Day observed in Bangladesh

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World Tourism Day observed in Bangladesh

On the day, hundreds of hotels and tourist spots in the country offered special discounts…reports Asian Lite News

Bangladesh marked the World Tourism Day with various events, including a colourful rally in the state capital Dhaka.

“Rethinking Tourism” is the theme for World Tourism Day 2022 celebrated in Bangladesh on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Bangladeshi President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion. World Tourism Day was observed in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.

On Tuesday morning, the colourful rally in the capital showcased the rich culture and heritage of Bangladesh. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md. Mahbub Ali, among others, joined the rally.

On the day, hundreds of hotels and tourist spots in the country offered special discounts.

To mark the day, a week-long beach carnival has been organised to attract more tourists to the world’s longest beach in Cox’ Bazar, nearly 400 km southeast of Dhaka.

The Cox’s Bazar district administration and the beach management committee also held a tourism fair and a beach carnival on Tuesday morning.

ALSO READ: Death toll in Bangladesh boat capsize mounts to 51

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Death toll in Bangladesh boat capsize mounts to 51

Another 26 bodies were recovered on Monday, bringing the total death toll to 51 from 25…reports Asian Lite News

At least 51 people have died after a boat capsized in a northern Bangladesh district, a senior police officer said.

S.M. Sirajul Huda, Superintendent of Panchagarh District Police, told Xinhua that 26 more bodies were retrieved from the Karatoya river in Bangladesh’s northern Panchagarh district, 468 km away from the capital Dhaka, on Monday.

According to the officer, the jam-packed boat, carrying some 100 passengers, sank on Sunday afternoon, Xinhua news agency reported.

Another 26 bodies were recovered on Monday, bringing the total death toll to 51 from 25, the officer told Xinhua over phone on Monday evening.

“The boat overturned and sank due to overloading,” said the officer.

TV images from the scene showed dozens of bodies in white bags which were retrieved from the river on Monday.

The boat has already been dragged to the river bank, where many were waiting for the bodies of their loved ones to be retrieved from the water.

The police officer added that rescuers had been working against a strong current and choppy river waters, adding that a search was underway as several passengers were still believed to be missing.

Boat accidents in Bangladesh are common due to laxity in safety standards and overloading.

As Bangladesh lies on the lower course of mighty rivers – the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra, the country is crisscrossed by 230 rivers. Notably, around 37 persons drowned in December last year after a passenger ferry hit a cargo ship and sank.

At least 85 people drowned in November when an overloaded triple-decker ferry capsized off Bhola Island in the country’s south.

A week later another boat sank leaving 46 people dead. So far this year, dozens of people have been killed in several smaller boat accidents in Bangladesh.

Naval officials have said more than 95 per cent of Bangladesh’s hundreds of thousands of small- and medium-sized boats do not meet minimum safety regulations and millions of people in Bangladesh rely on boats and ferries to travel to the capital or the delta nation’s major cities, The Daily Star reported. (IANS/ANI)

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