Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the Six-Point Demand raised by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the “Magna Carta” of Bangalees as it had prepared the people for independence of the country.
“The Six-Point Demand prepared the people fully for Independence and propelled them to the War of Liberation. Actually, it (Six-Point) was the “Magna Carta”, through which people of the country had prepared themselves for Independence,” she said.
The premier was addressing a discussion marking the Six-Point Day organized by Bangladesh Awami League at its central office in the city’s 23 Bangabandhu Avenue.
She chaired the event, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban here.
Sheikh Hasina, also President of the ruling Awami League (AL), said the Six-Point later turned into one-point and Bangladesh attained Independence.
She said, “It was achieved through our blood, Manu Miah’s blood, and in the letters of the blood of the Six-Point.”
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had firm confidence which actually came from his courage, honesty, belief and foresight, she said, adding: “That is why we have attained independence.”
Mentioning that Bangabandhu himself formulated the Six-Point Demand, she said ex-mayor Mohammad Hanif, the then personal assistant of Bangabandhu during his service life in Alfa Insurance, had written it using typewriting machine in both Bangla and English as Bangabandhu by his own verbally telling him to compose it.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, MP delivered the introductory address at the function.
Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr. Abdus Sobhan Golap, MP moderated the discussion from Ganabhaban end.
At the outset of the event, one minute silence was observed to pay tribute to the martyrs of six-point and other movements as well as deceased in Sitakunda fire.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Tuesday warned that action would be taken against the people, who will be found guilt for the fire incident at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda.
“If anyone’s negligence is found in the investigation into the fire incident at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda, action will also be taken against them irrespective of party affiliation,” he said while talking to journalists after the namaz-e-janaza of firefighter Shakil Tarafdar, who was killed in Sitakunda fire, at Fulbaria Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters.
The minister said, “Our high-powered investigation team is working in Chattogram....something might have happened there, investigation will reveal the reason behind the fire.”
He said that the firefighters have always proved that they are fearless, adding, “You have seen that a firefighter gave his life in an operation against militants in Sylhet. You have also seen it in FR Tower of Banani. They know that there are risks, but they rush to the spot of occurrence to save lives. In Chattogram, nine firefighters had sacrificed their lives while saving fire victims. We could not identify three others ... their bodies were not found.”
Kamal said, “So far we have found 41 bodies. We still don’t know how much damage has happened there. Several injured persons are now undergoing treatment at Combined Military Hospital (CMH). We sought blessings for their early recovery.”
Replying to a question, the minister said, “We have transformed the firefighting service into a modern one from the bell ringing service. Today, firefighters arrive immediately after the fire incident.”
“We have been able to turn it into a competent fire service at the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. We will continue to increase their capacity,” Kamal added.
In response to a question regarding the involvement of any influential person in the incident, the minister said, “The message is clear that if anyone’s involvement and negligence is found, they must face the music.”
President M Abdul Hamid on Tuesday unveiled the inaugural envelope and commemorative stamp on the occasion of the ‘Population and Housing Census-2022’ at Bangabhaban here on Tuesday evening.
The President was apprised of various issues of census and household census during the programme.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) will start conducting a weeklong of its sixth survey and it will be conducted in digital format.
The Population and Housing Census-2022 will be held across the country from June 15 to June 21.
Terming this census a very important for formulating and implementing proper development plan, the head of the state directed the authorities concerned to ensure it (census) properly with the collection of accurate information visiting door-to-door.
Around 3.7 lakh numerators will collect the data countrywide by using 3.95 lakh tablet computers.
The authorities will collect data through Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing system by using the Geographic Information System across the country.
The first census was held in 1974.
Planning Minister M A Mannan, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar, State Minister for Planning Shamsul Alam and secretaries concerned were present on the occasion.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday said all political parties, including BNP, which opposed the construction of Padma Bridge, will be invited to the inaugural ceremony of the bridge.
“During the inaugural ceremony of Padma Bridge, we will not consider who favoured or opposed the construction of the bridge. We will even invite those who opposed it politically. We will send (invitation) letters to them,” he said.
Quader, also ruling Awami League (AL) general secretary, said this while replying to a question from journalists after attending a certificate distribution ceremony at BRAC Center in the city’s Mohakhali area. BRAC organized the function after conclusion of a training programme for women vehicle drivers.
The minister said, “We have started preparations for June 25. We will invite foreigners and the Country Director of the World Bank as well”.
Responding to a question on whether BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia would get the invitation, Quader said as chief of BNP she is supposed to be invited since the party leaders will be invited along with all other opposition leaders.
“She (Khaleda) may also be invited if the legal procedure permits since she (Khaleda) is convicted by court,” the AL leader said.
Speaking about the election and the BNP, Quader said BNP is a big party; AL wants them to come to the election.
World Bank Country Director to Bangladesh Mercy Miyang Tembon, BRTA Chairman Nur Mohammad Mazumder and Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) Chairman Md Tazul Islam addressed the certificate distribution ceremony as special guests with BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh in the chair.
The function titled ‘Graduation of Women Drivers: A Step towards Road Safety’ was informed that a total of 11 trainees, including 10 women and one transgender, took part in the 6th batch of training programme for women.
They took six-month training, including three-month resident and three-month apprentice, from BRAC Driving Schools at Uttara, Ashkona and Niketan and got driving licenses from Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).