Singapore&#39;s senior minister for defence and foreign affairs, Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, visited his Bangladeshi counterpart Shahriar Alam in Dhaka this week to discuss counter-terrorism efforts between the two countries among other bilateral issues.

Singapore has deported at least 37 Bangladeshi workers after the country&#39;s internal security department found incriminating materials linking them to jihadist ideologies.

Last May, the security department detained eight Bangladeshis suspected of being members of &quot;Islamic State in Bangladesh&quot;.&nbsp;

Singaporean investigators said members of the terror outfit intend to join Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. &quot;However, as they felt that it would be difficult for them to make their way to Syria, they focused their plans instead on returning to Bangladesh to overthrow the democratically-elected government through the use of force, establish an Islamic State in Bangladesh and bring it under ISIS&#39; self-declared caliphate,&quot; says a press release issued by the Singapore&#39;s ministry of home affairs.

Bangladeshi authorities however, said they have not found link of the group with any of the existing terror outfits in the country.

&quot;We didn&#39;t get any connection with those who were deported from Singapore with the killers in our country,&quot; Monirul Islam, chief of Bangladesh&#39;s Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime told WION.

He continued, &quot;They were workers in Singapore. They have been working there for a long time. Some of them have stayed there for three to eight years. Before going to Singapore they were not radicals. We think it was someone from Singapore who played a key role in radicalising these people. &quot;

Investigators told WION that members of Neo Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh have been waging attacks in the country by pledging their allegiance to Islamic State while another group Ansar Al Islam with affiliation to Al Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has been carrying out attacks in the home soil.

At least 30 people, including atheist bloggers, academicians, clerics of Hindu, Buddhist and Christian faiths, an LGBT activist&nbsp;and&nbsp;and policemen have been killed in machete attacks across Bangladesh since 2013.

Last July, Bangladesh experienced the deadliest terror attack in which 20 civilians including 17 foreign nationals were killed at an upmarket restaurant in Dhaka. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

(WION) 
&nbsp;

Singapore has deported at least 37 Bangladeshi workers after finding incriminating materials linking them to jihadist ideologies

Singapore's senior minister for defence and foreign affairs, Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, visited his Bangladeshi counterpart Shahriar Alam in Dhaka this week to discuss counter-terrorism efforts between the two countries among other bilateral issues. Singapore has deported at least 37 Bangladeshi workers after the country's internal security department found incriminating materials linking them to jihadist ideologies. Last May, the security department detained eight Bangladeshis suspected of being members of "Islamic State in Bangladesh". Singaporean investigators said members of the terror outfit intend to join Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. "However, as they felt that it would be difficult for them to make their way to Syria, they focused their plans instead on returning to Bangladesh to overthrow the democratically-elected government through the use of force, establish an Islamic State in Bangladesh and bring it under ISIS' self-declared caliphate," says a press release issued by the Singapore's ministry of home affairs. Bangladeshi authorities however, said they have not found link of the group with any of the existing terror outfits in the country. "We didn't get any connection with those who were deported from Singapore with the killers in our country," Monirul Islam, chief of Bangladesh's Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime told WION. He continued, "They were workers in Singapore. They have been working there for a long time. Some of them have stayed there for three to eight years. Before going to Singapore they were not radicals. We think it was someone from Singapore who played a key role in radicalising these people. " Investigators told WION that members of Neo Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh have been waging attacks in the country by pledging their allegiance to Islamic State while another group Ansar Al Islam with affiliation to Al Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has been carrying out attacks in the home soil. At least 30 people, including atheist bloggers, academicians, clerics of Hindu, Buddhist and Christian faiths, an LGBT activist and and policemen have been killed in machete attacks across Bangladesh since 2013. Last July, Bangladesh experienced the deadliest terror attack in which 20 civilians including 17 foreign nationals were killed at an upmarket restaurant in Dhaka. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. (WION)

Singapore and Bangladesh officials discuss counter-terrorism efforts in Dhaka meeting

Bangladesh&rsquo;s elite anti-terror agency RAB arrived in India on Saturday to question Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen&nbsp;Bangladesh (JMB) operatives that were arrested in India&rsquo;s eastern state of West Bengal last month. 
&nbsp; 
A team of two investigators&nbsp;reached the National Investigation Agency (NIA) office on Saturday morning to question&nbsp;the six JMB operatives. The arrests were made by the special task force of Kolkata police last month. 
&nbsp; 
The team questioned them to determine if they were connected to the Dhaka cafe attack in July.&nbsp;The agency is also exploring their links with the Islamic State group, if any. 
&nbsp; 
Currently, the six men are under NIA&#39;s custody. The agency is also examining their role in&nbsp;the Burdwan blast in West Bengal on October 2, 2014.

Of&nbsp;the six nabbed, three men are Bangladeshi nationals and the other three are Indian nationals of Bangladesh origin.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;arrested include&nbsp;JMB&rsquo;s Bengal unit chief, Inam alias Anwar Hussain and&nbsp;Maulana Yusuf, chief motivator of JMB across Madrasas (Islamic educational institutions) in Bengal.

Sahidul Islam is the chief of the JMB in the north-eastern region. Muhammad&nbsp;Rubel alias Rafique is a resident of Jamalpur, Bangladesh and an expert in improvised explosive devices (IED).&nbsp;Mohammed Abul Kalam was also an expert in IEDs and used to assist another operative, Sahidul. Jabirul Islam alias Jahidul Islam is a Bangladeshi national, who had entered India without any valid passport or visa. 
&nbsp; 
The six were suspected of running JMB sleeper cells, with active modules in eastern and north-eastern India. They were also believed to be&nbsp;plotting a terror attack in the eastern region of India. 
&nbsp; 
Sources in the investigating agency highlight that these operatives were controlled and handled by Majlis-e-Shura&#39;s (JMB&#39;s think-tank, in charge of India)&nbsp;Salahuddin. &nbsp;

(WION) &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The team questioned six Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh operatives, currently in NIA custody, to determine their role in July's cafe siege

Bangladesh’s elite anti-terror agency RAB arrived in India on Saturday to question Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operatives that were arrested in India’s eastern state of West Bengal last month. A team of two investigators reached the National Investigation Agency (NIA) office on Saturday morning to question the six JMB operatives. The arrests were made by the special task force of Kolkata police last month. The team questioned them to determine if they were connected to the Dhaka cafe attack in July. The agency is also exploring their links with the Islamic State group, if any. Currently, the six men are under NIA's custody. The agency is also examining their role in the Burdwan blast in West Bengal on October 2, 2014. Of the six nabbed, three men are Bangladeshi nationals and the other three are Indian nationals of Bangladesh origin. The arrested include JMB’s Bengal unit chief, Inam alias Anwar Hussain and Maulana Yusuf, chief motivator of JMB across Madrasas (Islamic educational institutions) in Bengal. Sahidul Islam is the chief of the JMB in the north-eastern region. Muhammad Rubel alias Rafique is a resident of Jamalpur, Bangladesh and an expert in improvised explosive devices (IED). Mohammed Abul Kalam was also an expert in IEDs and used to assist another operative, Sahidul. Jabirul Islam alias Jahidul Islam is a Bangladeshi national, who had entered India without any valid passport or visa. The six were suspected of running JMB sleeper cells, with active modules in eastern and north-eastern India. They were also believed to be plotting a terror attack in the eastern region of India. Sources in the investigating agency highlight that these operatives were controlled and handled by Majlis-e-Shura's (JMB's think-tank, in charge of India) Salahuddin. (WION)

Bangladeshi investigators interrogate JMB operatives for suspected role in Dhaka cafe attack

Warning that construction of a huge coal-fired power plant near the Sundarbans could pose a serious threat to the delicate ecosystem of the world&#39;s largest mangrove forest, the United Nations has urged Bangladesh to halt its construction.

&nbsp;

Pollution from &nbsp;$1.7-billion power plant would &quot;irreversibly damage&quot; the Sundarbans, the UN&#39;s culture and science agency UNESCO said, international news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The cluster of low-lying islands in the Bay of Bengal, spread across India and Bangladesh, is famous for its unique mangrove forests.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Scheduled to open in 2018, the planned 1,320 megawatt Rampal plant is a joint project between India and Bangladesh. It will be powered annually by nearly five million tons of coal transported by boat along the ecosystem&#39;s fragile waterways, according to AFP.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The plant would also discharge nearly 125,000 cubic metres a day of chemically-tainted water used to cool generators, according to design specifications.

&nbsp;

In its latest report published on Tuesday, UNESCO has said the plant&#39;s construction would result in &nbsp;&#39;substantial increase in shipping and dredging in the area&#39;.

&nbsp;

The report has recommended that the plant should&nbsp;be relocated &quot;to a more suitable location, where it would not impact negatively on the Sundarbans&quot;. It&#39;s pertinent to mention that the present site is just 14 kilometres (nine miles) north of the Sundarbans.

&nbsp;

Rejecting that the project is &#39;politically motivated&#39;, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier defended the project.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

However, several campaigners on Tuesday marched to the Indian embassy in Dhaka with a letter urging the Indian prime minister to scrap the project. According to the&nbsp;rights group, Avaaz Foundation, over&nbsp;&nbsp;800,000 people from all over the world have joined a campaign calling on the Exim Bank of India to pull funds from the project.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The state-owned Exim Bank of India has promised to provide over Rs 10,000 crore&nbsp;to the project, with&nbsp;70 per cent&nbsp;of its funding, and raises this money from major international banks including JPMorgan, Credit Agricole, and Deutsche Bank, Avaaz said in a press statement.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Luca Nicotra, Avaaz Senior Campaigner said: &ldquo;The Exim Bank of India and other big banks are dishing out billions for a crazy coal project next to a World Heritage Site, promoting dirty energy and ecological devastation. People from all over the world are telling them unless they pull their funds out fast they will be dealing in the deaths of the last Bengal Tigers.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

Over?800,000 people from across the world have expressed concern over ?$1.7-billion power plant near Sunderbans, says Avaaz, a rights group

Warning that construction of a huge coal-fired power plant near the Sundarbans could pose a serious threat to the delicate ecosystem of the world's largest mangrove forest, the United Nations has urged Bangladesh to halt its construction. Pollution from $1.7-billion power plant would "irreversibly damage" the Sundarbans, the UN's culture and science agency UNESCO said, international news agency AFP reported. The cluster of low-lying islands in the Bay of Bengal, spread across India and Bangladesh, is famous for its unique mangrove forests. Scheduled to open in 2018, the planned 1,320 megawatt Rampal plant is a joint project between India and Bangladesh. It will be powered annually by nearly five million tons of coal transported by boat along the ecosystem's fragile waterways, according to AFP. The plant would also discharge nearly 125,000 cubic metres a day of chemically-tainted water used to cool generators, according to design specifications. In its latest report published on Tuesday, UNESCO has said the plant's construction would result in 'substantial increase in shipping and dredging in the area'. The report has recommended that the plant should be relocated "to a more suitable location, where it would not impact negatively on the Sundarbans". It's pertinent to mention that the present site is just 14 kilometres (nine miles) north of the Sundarbans. Rejecting that the project is 'politically motivated', Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier defended the project. However, several campaigners on Tuesday marched to the Indian embassy in Dhaka with a letter urging the Indian prime minister to scrap the project. According to the rights group, Avaaz Foundation, over 800,000 people from all over the world have joined a campaign calling on the Exim Bank of India to pull funds from the project. The state-owned Exim Bank of India has promised to provide over Rs 10,000 crore to the project, with 70 per cent of its funding, and raises this money from major international banks including JPMorgan, Credit Agricole, and Deutsche Bank, Avaaz said in a press statement. Luca Nicotra, Avaaz Senior Campaigner said: “The Exim Bank of India and other big banks are dishing out billions for a crazy coal project next to a World Heritage Site, promoting dirty energy and ecological devastation. People from all over the world are telling them unless they pull their funds out fast they will be dealing in the deaths of the last Bengal Tigers.” (WION with inputs from AFP)

UNESCO report over threat to Sunderbans prompts global outcry

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit Bangladesh on Friday where he&rsquo;ll meet President Abdul Hamid and hold talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

It will be the first visit by a Chinese head of state to Bangladesh in 30 years since President Li Xiannian&rsquo;s visit in March 1986, South China Morning Post reported.

Chinese assistant minister of foreign affairs, Kong Xuanyou , said at a press meet in Beijing that the trip will be a&nbsp;&ldquo;milestone&rdquo; in bilateral relations, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

Xi is expected to sign cooperative agreements to implement the &lsquo;Belt and Road Initiative&rsquo; proposed by China, Kong said.

Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) development issues will also &nbsp;be signed during the visit.

But ahead of the visit, a report in the Global Times suggests that some in India see Xi&rsquo;s visit as a&nbsp;&quot;trip to snatch the South Asian country from the embrace of New Delhi&quot;.

The article titled &ldquo;India has nothing to fear from closer relationship between China and Bangladesh&rdquo; suggests that there are misconceptions in India that China feels the need to build closer ties with Bangladesh and that China will feel unhappy if Bangladesh builds close ties with India.

The report says such views are &ldquo;too simplistic and some Indians may &ldquo;mistakenly flatter themselves when they think China&#39;s Belt and Road initiative is aimed at balancing India&#39;s influence.&rdquo;

According to the report, the initiative will connect close to 4 billion people in 65 countries and &ldquo;it is&nbsp;not about marking Beijing&#39;s strategic circle on the subcontinent of South Asia, but instead represents an open-ended initiative that welcomes the participation of numerous other countries.&rdquo;

The talks are likely to help consolidate bilateral ties and boost economic cooperation between the two countries, Global Times reported.

The article stresses that Bangladesh&#39;s geographic location makes it an &ldquo;irreplaceable link connecting India and China&rdquo; . Efforts to boost Bangladesh&rsquo;s economy and improvement in the infrastructure can bring &ldquo;momentum for the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor. &ldquo; it says.

The article, however, adds that a close relationship between Bangladesh and China putting some pressure on New Delhi to rethink its strategy in the South Asian region and encouraging it to put a greater effort in improving ties with China is not a &ldquo;bad thing&rdquo;.

Xi will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS Summit in India&rsquo;s Goa later this week.

&nbsp;

(WION)

&nbsp;

An article in Global Times suggests some people in India think the visit to be a 'trip to snatch Bangladesh from the embrace of New Delhi'

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit Bangladesh on Friday where he’ll meet President Abdul Hamid and hold talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It will be the first visit by a Chinese head of state to Bangladesh in 30 years since President Li Xiannian’s visit in March 1986, South China Morning Post reported. Chinese assistant minister of foreign affairs, Kong Xuanyou , said at a press meet in Beijing that the trip will be a “milestone” in bilateral relations, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported. Xi is expected to sign cooperative agreements to implement the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ proposed by China, Kong said. Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) development issues will also be signed during the visit. But ahead of the visit, a report in the Global Times suggests that some in India see Xi’s visit as a "trip to snatch the South Asian country from the embrace of New Delhi". The article titled “India has nothing to fear from closer relationship between China and Bangladesh” suggests that there are misconceptions in India that China feels the need to build closer ties with Bangladesh and that China will feel unhappy if Bangladesh builds close ties with India. The report says such views are “too simplistic and some Indians may “mistakenly flatter themselves when they think China's Belt and Road initiative is aimed at balancing India's influence.” According to the report, the initiative will connect close to 4 billion people in 65 countries and “it is not about marking Beijing's strategic circle on the subcontinent of South Asia, but instead represents an open-ended initiative that welcomes the participation of numerous other countries.” The talks are likely to help consolidate bilateral ties and boost economic cooperation between the two countries, Global Times reported. The article stresses that Bangladesh's geographic location makes it an “irreplaceable link connecting India and China” . Efforts to boost Bangladesh’s economy and improvement in the infrastructure can bring “momentum for the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor. “ it says. The article, however, adds that a close relationship between Bangladesh and China putting some pressure on New Delhi to rethink its strategy in the South Asian region and encouraging it to put a greater effort in improving ties with China is not a “bad thing”. Xi will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS Summit in India’s Goa later this week. (WION)

Chinese President to visit Bangladesh ahead of BRICS summit, does India fear?

A court in India&rsquo;s eastern state of Bengal granted 14 days of custody to the National Investigation Agency till October 27.&nbsp;

The investigating agency will be questioning and examining them to find out if they played any role in the attack at Dhaka&rsquo;s high security zone, Gulshan. The agency will also explore their links with the Islamic State, if any.

The six include JMB&rsquo;s Bengal unit chief, Inam alias Anwar Hussain, Maulana Yusuf, chief motivator of JMB across Madrasas in Bengal. Sahidul Islam, chief of the JMB in the North-eastern region.&nbsp;&nbsp;Md. Rubel alias Rafique is a resident of Jamalpur, Bangladesh and an expert in IEDs. Md. Abul Kalam was also an expert in IEDs and used to assist another operative, Sahidul. Jabirul Islam alias Jahidul Islam is a Bangladeshi national, who had entered India without any valid passport or visa.

The six JMB operatives were arrested by Kolkata Police from different parts of eastern India. Of all the six, three are Bangladeshi nationals and three are Indian nationals of Bangladesh origin. The arrested were running sleeper cells and their modules were active in eastern and north-eastern India and were plotting a terror attack in the eastern region of India.

Sources in the investigating agency highlight that these operatives were controlled and handled by JMB&#39;s Majlish-e-Shura, think-tank, in charge of India, Salahuddin. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

All the accused were wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the October 2, 2014, Burdwan blast case and most of them had a cash bounty on them.

Maulana Yusuf had a Rs.10 lac bounty on him by the NIA and Md. Rubel alias Rafique had a Rs.1 lac bounty on him. Md. Abul Kalam had a 3 lac bounty on him.

(WION)

The six operatives were arrested last month by Kolkata police from different parts of eastern India

A court in India’s eastern state of Bengal granted 14 days of custody to the National Investigation Agency till October 27. The investigating agency will be questioning and examining them to find out if they played any role in the attack at Dhaka’s high security zone, Gulshan. The agency will also explore their links with the Islamic State, if any. The six include JMB’s Bengal unit chief, Inam alias Anwar Hussain, Maulana Yusuf, chief motivator of JMB across Madrasas in Bengal. Sahidul Islam, chief of the JMB in the North-eastern region. Md. Rubel alias Rafique is a resident of Jamalpur, Bangladesh and an expert in IEDs. Md. Abul Kalam was also an expert in IEDs and used to assist another operative, Sahidul. Jabirul Islam alias Jahidul Islam is a Bangladeshi national, who had entered India without any valid passport or visa. The six JMB operatives were arrested by Kolkata Police from different parts of eastern India. Of all the six, three are Bangladeshi nationals and three are Indian nationals of Bangladesh origin. The arrested were running sleeper cells and their modules were active in eastern and north-eastern India and were plotting a terror attack in the eastern region of India. Sources in the investigating agency highlight that these operatives were controlled and handled by JMB's Majlish-e-Shura, think-tank, in charge of India, Salahuddin. All the accused were wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the October 2, 2014, Burdwan blast case and most of them had a cash bounty on them. Maulana Yusuf had a Rs.10 lac bounty on him by the NIA and Md. Rubel alias Rafique had a Rs.1 lac bounty on him. Md. Abul Kalam had a 3 lac bounty on him. (WION)

India's investigation agency takes custody of six Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen operatives

Human Rights Watch published a report today accusing Bangladesh security forces of shooting detainees in custody in the name of self-defence.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The 45-page report titled &quot;&#39;No Right to Live&#39;: &#39;Kneecapping&#39; and Maiming of Detainees by Bangladesh Security Forces,&quot; cites 25 victims who have been shot in their legs.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Many have lost their legs as they had to be amputated. The report also claims they were beaten up after getting shot.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The victims have been quoted as saying that they were shot without any provocation by the police. Most of them are members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;Security forces in Bangladesh have long killed detainees in fake &lsquo;crossfire killings,&rsquo; pretending the victim was killed when the authorities took him back to the scene of the crime and were attacked by one of his accomplices,&quot; HRW&#39;s Asia director, Brad Adams said.

&nbsp;

Adams compares Bangladesh&#39;s forces actions with the Irish Republican Army which was known for kneecapping political prisioners in custody.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The victims are afraid of being identified as it would lead to arrests, torture and even death. According to the report, this is a common occurance in Bangladesh, where opposition party members are silenced.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

One of the victims spoke to HRW, Mahbub Kabir who worked in the Naya Diganta&#39;s (newspaper) marketing department was threatened by the officer for speaking out.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;I have shot in your leg. If you speak out, then next time I will shoot in your eyes,&quot; Kabir quoted the officer saying.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Rights&#39; organisation has called on the Bangladesh government to stop &#39;kneecapping&#39; and asked for a joint investigation with the &quot;United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN special rapporteurs on torture and extrajudicial executions.&quot;

&nbsp;

Adams has also blamed Bangladesh Prime Minister&#39;s government for taking no action against this abuse and that it has become worse since she came to power.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The &quot;government (Bangladesh) has infinite tolerance for state-sanctioned violence,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Hasina has maintained that she has &quot;zero tolerance for extrajudicial killings or violence&quot;.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Another victim, Hyder, 20, shot in March 2015 said &quot;I just named two of my friends because I wanted the beating to stop. Then we stopped at a field and they blindfolded me. I had no idea what they were doing and I was shouting. They pushed me on the ground. And then they shot me. I was conscious. I heard one of them say, &#39;Shoot again.&#39; Then another person said, &#39;No need.&#39;&quot;

&nbsp;

According to the report, &#39;kneecapping&#39; began in 2013 as means of stopping people from taking to the streets and protesting.&nbsp;

(WION)&nbsp;

The rights group said they're being shot in the leg in custody, with the security forces later saying they had done so in self-defence

Human Rights Watch published a report today accusing Bangladesh security forces of shooting detainees in custody in the name of self-defence. The 45-page report titled "'No Right to Live': 'Kneecapping' and Maiming of Detainees by Bangladesh Security Forces," cites 25 victims who have been shot in their legs. Many have lost their legs as they had to be amputated. The report also claims they were beaten up after getting shot. The victims have been quoted as saying that they were shot without any provocation by the police. Most of them are members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami. "Security forces in Bangladesh have long killed detainees in fake ‘crossfire killings,’ pretending the victim was killed when the authorities took him back to the scene of the crime and were attacked by one of his accomplices," HRW's Asia director, Brad Adams said. Adams compares Bangladesh's forces actions with the Irish Republican Army which was known for kneecapping political prisioners in custody. The victims are afraid of being identified as it would lead to arrests, torture and even death. According to the report, this is a common occurance in Bangladesh, where opposition party members are silenced. One of the victims spoke to HRW, Mahbub Kabir who worked in the Naya Diganta's (newspaper) marketing department was threatened by the officer for speaking out. "I have shot in your leg. If you speak out, then next time I will shoot in your eyes," Kabir quoted the officer saying. The Rights' organisation has called on the Bangladesh government to stop 'kneecapping' and asked for a joint investigation with the "United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN special rapporteurs on torture and extrajudicial executions." Adams has also blamed Bangladesh Prime Minister's government for taking no action against this abuse and that it has become worse since she came to power. The "government (Bangladesh) has infinite tolerance for state-sanctioned violence," he added. Hasina has maintained that she has "zero tolerance for extrajudicial killings or violence". Another victim, Hyder, 20, shot in March 2015 said "I just named two of my friends because I wanted the beating to stop. Then we stopped at a field and they blindfolded me. I had no idea what they were doing and I was shouting. They pushed me on the ground. And then they shot me. I was conscious. I heard one of them say, 'Shoot again.' Then another person said, 'No need.'" According to the report, 'kneecapping' began in 2013 as means of stopping people from taking to the streets and protesting. (WION)

Bangladesh security forces 'kneecapping' members, supporters of opposition parties: Human Rights Watch

In a&nbsp;further embarrassment for Islamabad, the current SAARC Chair,&nbsp;Nepal&nbsp;has decided to move the annual summit out of Pakistan, Indian newspaper, The Hindu, reported. &nbsp;

A senior diplomat source in Kathmandu told the Hindu that Nepal has decided to find an alternate venue for the summit.&nbsp;

A formal announcement is expected soon. The move to shift the summit out of Islamabad was taken after four nations raised objections to the meet being held in Pakistan.&nbsp;

&ldquo;There is no question of holding the summit if four countries declare their unwillingness to participate. As the current SAARC Chair, Nepal has the responsibility of seeking a solution to such pre-summit disputes but under the current circumstances nothing much can be attempted. We will do the due formalities and will declare the summit of 2016 should be cancelled due to non-participation of member states,&rdquo; the Kathmandu-based diplomatic source told The Hindu.&nbsp;

According to reports, a high-level meeting was called by Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in an effort to salvage the SAARC summit.&nbsp;

Since India said last night that it would not be attending the SAARC summit in Pakistan in November, three more countries have followed suit.&nbsp;

Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan have all conveyed to Nepal -- the current SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation) chair -- that they too will not be attending.&nbsp;

&quot;The growing interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh by one country has created an environment which is not conducive to the successful hosting of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016,&quot; Bangladesh said in a statement.

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&quot;Bangladesh, as the initiator of the SAARC process, remains steadfast in its commitment to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts but believes that these can only go forward in a more congenial atmosphere. In view of the above, Bangladesh is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad,&quot; it added.

Bhutan said it is committed to the SAARC process but the &quot;recent escalation of terrorism in the region... has seriously compromised the environment for the successful holding of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016.

&quot;Further, the Royal Government of Bhutan shares the concerns of some of the member countries of SAARC on the deterioration of regional peace and security due to terrorism and joins them in conveying our inability to participate in the SAARC Summit, under the current circumstances.&quot;

Afghanistan followed up with: &quot;Due to the increased level of violence and fighting as a result of imposed terrorism on Afghanistan, the President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani with his responsibilities as the Commander in Chief will be fully engaged, and will not be able to attend the Summit.&quot;&nbsp;

The SAARC summit was of course over the minute India pulled out -- the by-laws governing the association insist on consensus and it can take absolutely no decision without all 8 countries agreeing.&nbsp;

India had pulled out after 18 of its soldiers lost their lives in a terror attack on an army camp in Uri, Kashmir. India blames terrorists nurtured on Pakistani soil for the attack, and has been looking for ways to &quot;respond&quot; to the attack ever since.&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting yesterday to review the Indus Waters treaty. India and Pakistan signed the treaty in 1960 and it has survived three wars between the two countries so far.&nbsp;

The treaty gives Pakistan up to 80% of the waters of six rivers shared by the two countries, and is in India of often thought of as being too soft on Pakistan. Consequently, there have been numerous calls in India for the scrapping of the treaty.&nbsp;

&quot;Blood and water cannot flow together,&quot; Mr Modi is reported to have said at the meeting.&nbsp;

Mr Modi has called another meeting tomorrow to review the Most Favoured Nation status India gave Pakistan in 1999 -- Pakistan does not give the same back to India -- and will for that be meeting with officials from the foreign and commerce ministries.&nbsp;

(WION) 
&nbsp;

Nepal said it will find an alternate venue for the summit after four nations decided to boycott meet in Pakistan

In a further embarrassment for Islamabad, the current SAARC Chair, Nepal has decided to move the annual summit out of Pakistan, Indian newspaper, The Hindu, reported. A senior diplomat source in Kathmandu told the Hindu that Nepal has decided to find an alternate venue for the summit. A formal announcement is expected soon. The move to shift the summit out of Islamabad was taken after four nations raised objections to the meet being held in Pakistan. “There is no question of holding the summit if four countries declare their unwillingness to participate. As the current SAARC Chair, Nepal has the responsibility of seeking a solution to such pre-summit disputes but under the current circumstances nothing much can be attempted. We will do the due formalities and will declare the summit of 2016 should be cancelled due to non-participation of member states,” the Kathmandu-based diplomatic source told The Hindu. According to reports, a high-level meeting was called by Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in an effort to salvage the SAARC summit. Since India said last night that it would not be attending the SAARC summit in Pakistan in November, three more countries have followed suit. Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan have all conveyed to Nepal -- the current SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation) chair -- that they too will not be attending. "The growing interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh by one country has created an environment which is not conducive to the successful hosting of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016," Bangladesh said in a statement. The growing interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh by one country has created an environment which is not conducive to the successful hosting of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016' × "Bangladesh, as the initiator of the SAARC process, remains steadfast in its commitment to regional cooperation, connectivity and contacts but believes that these can only go forward in a more congenial atmosphere. In view of the above, Bangladesh is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad," it added. Bhutan said it is committed to the SAARC process but the "recent escalation of terrorism in the region... has seriously compromised the environment for the successful holding of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016. "Further, the Royal Government of Bhutan shares the concerns of some of the member countries of SAARC on the deterioration of regional peace and security due to terrorism and joins them in conveying our inability to participate in the SAARC Summit, under the current circumstances." Afghanistan followed up with: "Due to the increased level of violence and fighting as a result of imposed terrorism on Afghanistan, the President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani with his responsibilities as the Commander in Chief will be fully engaged, and will not be able to attend the Summit." The SAARC summit was of course over the minute India pulled out -- the by-laws governing the association insist on consensus and it can take absolutely no decision without all 8 countries agreeing. India had pulled out after 18 of its soldiers lost their lives in a terror attack on an army camp in Uri, Kashmir. India blames terrorists nurtured on Pakistani soil for the attack, and has been looking for ways to "respond" to the attack ever since. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting yesterday to review the Indus Waters treaty. India and Pakistan signed the treaty in 1960 and it has survived three wars between the two countries so far. The treaty gives Pakistan up to 80% of the waters of six rivers shared by the two countries, and is in India of often thought of as being too soft on Pakistan. Consequently, there have been numerous calls in India for the scrapping of the treaty. "Blood and water cannot flow together," Mr Modi is reported to have said at the meeting. Mr Modi has called another meeting tomorrow to review the Most Favoured Nation status India gave Pakistan in 1999 -- Pakistan does not give the same back to India -- and will for that be meeting with officials from the foreign and commerce ministries. (WION)

SAARC chair Nepal seeks new venue for November summit: Report

Kolkata Police&#39;s Special Task Force (STF) today busted Islamic fundamentalist organisation Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh&#39;s (JMB) major module, active in eastern and northeastern India.&nbsp; 
 
Six JMB operatives, including three Bangladeshi nationals and three Indian nationals of Bangladeshi origin, were arrested during separate raids in the eastern and northeastern states, the police in eastern city said. &nbsp; 
 
The arrested operatives, including &nbsp;head of JMB&rsquo;s unit in eastern West Bengal state, Inam alias Anwar Hussain, were running JMB&#39;s sleeper cells across the eastern and north-eastern Indian states, police informed.&nbsp; 
 
The operatives were also wanted by the National Investigative Agency (NIA) in connection with 2014 Burdwan blast in West Bengal.&nbsp; 
 
Arrest of six operatives a major breakthrough: Kolkata Police&nbsp; 
 
According to the officials, the arrest of the six wanted operatives is a major breakthrough.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;They were planning a terror attack in this region. The module was active in radicalising youths from Bangladesh. Since they did not use any technology or social media or mobile phones, it was a difficult catch. Some more operatives are involved in the module and we are looking for them,&rdquo; joint commissioner of Kolkata Police (Special Task Force), Vishal Garg said.&nbsp; 
 
Officials have not ruled out the possibility of the operatives having links with the Islamic State or July 1 Dhaka cafe attack. &nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;We are probing all possible angles. We are also investigating if they had any role to play in the Dhaka cafe attack or have any links with the Islamic State.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Sources in the Special Task Force highlight that these operatives were controlled and handled by JMB&#39;s Majlish-e-Shura, think-tank, in charge of India, Salahuddin. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;We have seized some &lsquo;white powder&rsquo; kind of an explosive. We do not know the nature of the explosive, so we have sent it for examination. These explosives were being brought to Kolkata&nbsp;when we arrested them,&rdquo; Garg said.&nbsp; 
 
The police have also seized several electrical wire circuits and electrical boards, forged documents, fake Indian and Bangladeshi currency, chemical compounds, SD cards, laptop and mobile phones, during the raids.&nbsp; 
 
NIA team set to question six suspects&nbsp; 
 
All six arrested will be produced before the local court in Kolkata and police will pray for police custody.&nbsp; 
 
A&nbsp;team of NIA officers is&nbsp;also set to question the six arrested operatives, including Maulana Yusuf who was second-in-command for the JMB&rsquo;s Bengal unit.&nbsp; 
 
Yusuf, according to police, was the chief motivator of JMB across Madrasas in Bengal had a Rs 10 lakh bounty on him by the NIA&nbsp; 
 
Police claimed that Yusuf used to radicalise youth in the Madrasa and train them in guerrilla warfare. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Another arrested operative, Sahidul Islam, was the chief of the JMB in the north-eastern region. 
 
One of the six suspects, Md Rubel alias Rafique, who had a Rs 1 lakh bounty on him, is a resident of Jamalpur, Bangladesh and an expert in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs).&nbsp; 
 
Rubel used to bring Bangladeshi youths to India to train and radicalise them, the police accuses.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, Md Abul Kalam, another operative arrested today, was also an expert in IEDs and used to assist another operative, Sahidul. 
 
A Bangladeshi national, Jabirul Islam alias Jahidul Islam, who is also among the six arrested, &nbsp;had entered India without any valid passport or visa, police said.&nbsp; 
 
(WION)&nbsp;

The six arrested JMB operatives were planning a terror attack in eastern and northeastern India, police said

Kolkata Police's Special Task Force (STF) today busted Islamic fundamentalist organisation Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh's (JMB) major module, active in eastern and northeastern India. Six JMB operatives, including three Bangladeshi nationals and three Indian nationals of Bangladeshi origin, were arrested during separate raids in the eastern and northeastern states, the police in eastern city said. The arrested operatives, including head of JMB’s unit in eastern West Bengal state, Inam alias Anwar Hussain, were running JMB's sleeper cells across the eastern and north-eastern Indian states, police informed. The operatives were also wanted by the National Investigative Agency (NIA) in connection with 2014 Burdwan blast in West Bengal. Arrest of six operatives a major breakthrough: Kolkata Police According to the officials, the arrest of the six wanted operatives is a major breakthrough. “They were planning a terror attack in this region. The module was active in radicalising youths from Bangladesh. Since they did not use any technology or social media or mobile phones, it was a difficult catch. Some more operatives are involved in the module and we are looking for them,” joint commissioner of Kolkata Police (Special Task Force), Vishal Garg said. Officials have not ruled out the possibility of the operatives having links with the Islamic State or July 1 Dhaka cafe attack. “We are probing all possible angles. We are also investigating if they had any role to play in the Dhaka cafe attack or have any links with the Islamic State." Sources in the Special Task Force highlight that these operatives were controlled and handled by JMB's Majlish-e-Shura, think-tank, in charge of India, Salahuddin. “We have seized some ‘white powder’ kind of an explosive. We do not know the nature of the explosive, so we have sent it for examination. These explosives were being brought to Kolkata when we arrested them,” Garg said. The police have also seized several electrical wire circuits and electrical boards, forged documents, fake Indian and Bangladeshi currency, chemical compounds, SD cards, laptop and mobile phones, during the raids. NIA team set to question six suspects All six arrested will be produced before the local court in Kolkata and police will pray for police custody. A team of NIA officers is also set to question the six arrested operatives, including Maulana Yusuf who was second-in-command for the JMB’s Bengal unit. Yusuf, according to police, was the chief motivator of JMB across Madrasas in Bengal had a Rs 10 lakh bounty on him by the NIA Police claimed that Yusuf used to radicalise youth in the Madrasa and train them in guerrilla warfare. Another arrested operative, Sahidul Islam, was the chief of the JMB in the north-eastern region. One of the six suspects, Md Rubel alias Rafique, who had a Rs 1 lakh bounty on him, is a resident of Jamalpur, Bangladesh and an expert in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Rubel used to bring Bangladeshi youths to India to train and radicalise them, the police accuses. Meanwhile, Md Abul Kalam, another operative arrested today, was also an expert in IEDs and used to assist another operative, Sahidul. A Bangladeshi national, Jabirul Islam alias Jahidul Islam, who is also among the six arrested, had entered India without any valid passport or visa, police said. (WION)

India: Kolkata Police busts major JMB terror module, arrests six suspects wanted in Burdwan blast case

By Pooja Mehta 
 
Islamic State recently released a 15-minute video in Bangla language glorifying the five Dhaka attackers and urging the youth of Bangladesh to join them. 
 
The video was released by At-Tamkin, the official media channel of Bangla IS. 
 
It initially exhorts the Bangladesh youth to spread Islam through &lsquo;jihad&rsquo; across the world. 
 
The second half of the video blames Islamic scholars for preventing the youth from joining the banned terror outfit. 
 
The final segment of the clip shows how IS jihadists are being targeted in Iraq. It then instigates its viewers to pick up arms and wage a war against the people responsible for such crackdowns. 
 
It also glorifies the five men responsible for the Gulshan attack. The five attackers &mdash;&nbsp;Nibras Islam, Rohan Imtiaz, Khairul Islam Payel, Shafiqul Islam Uzzal and Meer Saameh Mubasser &mdash;&nbsp;launch a blistering attack on the Bangladesh government, seemingly recorded ahead of the Gulshan attack. 
 
&ldquo;No matter how advanced you are in the field of technology or the kind of arms you have, no one will be able to save you from us. I urge all the youth of Bangladesh to pick up arms and wage a war against the kaafir, they do not deserve to live,&rdquo; Meer Saameh Mubasser is seen saying in the video. 
 
On the night of July 1, 2016, over 20 people were killed after they were taken hostage by five Islamic State militants in the Dhaka&rsquo;s high-security zone of Gulshan. Among the killed were several foreign nationals, including one Indian national. 
 
It ends with a song in Bangla, &lsquo;eseche caliphate, jege otho mujaheed&rsquo;, meaning that the caliphate is here, the warrior must rise for the cause of jihad. 
 
This is the second such video released by the Islamic State&rsquo;s Bangladesh wing. 
 
(WION)

The video urges Bangladeshi youth to join the Islamic State and spread Islam through 'jihad'

By Pooja Mehta Islamic State recently released a 15-minute video in Bangla language glorifying the five Dhaka attackers and urging the youth of Bangladesh to join them. The video was released by At-Tamkin, the official media channel of Bangla IS. It initially exhorts the Bangladesh youth to spread Islam through ‘jihad’ across the world. The second half of the video blames Islamic scholars for preventing the youth from joining the banned terror outfit. The final segment of the clip shows how IS jihadists are being targeted in Iraq. It then instigates its viewers to pick up arms and wage a war against the people responsible for such crackdowns. It also glorifies the five men responsible for the Gulshan attack. The five attackers — Nibras Islam, Rohan Imtiaz, Khairul Islam Payel, Shafiqul Islam Uzzal and Meer Saameh Mubasser — launch a blistering attack on the Bangladesh government, seemingly recorded ahead of the Gulshan attack. “No matter how advanced you are in the field of technology or the kind of arms you have, no one will be able to save you from us. I urge all the youth of Bangladesh to pick up arms and wage a war against the kaafir, they do not deserve to live,” Meer Saameh Mubasser is seen saying in the video. On the night of July 1, 2016, over 20 people were killed after they were taken hostage by five Islamic State militants in the Dhaka’s high-security zone of Gulshan. Among the killed were several foreign nationals, including one Indian national. It ends with a song in Bangla, ‘eseche caliphate, jege otho mujaheed’, meaning that the caliphate is here, the warrior must rise for the cause of jihad. This is the second such video released by the Islamic State’s Bangladesh wing. (WION)

Islamic State releases video glorifying Dhaka attackers

Art transcends all borders and goes beyond the definition of geographical divides. Here are some 11 noteworthy cultural festivals celebrated in the South Asian region that you must know about: 
 
&nbsp;
<ul>
	<li>Jaisalmer Desert Festival, India</li>
</ul>
Set against the sand dunes, the festival is a unique showcase of folk culture. Held every year, there are programs for folk singing, puppet shows, acrobats, fire dancing, and others. Home of the camels, you can also take a camel ride, enjoy a game of camel polo, participate in camel decoration and pack some exciting desert memories with you.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/jaisalmer-20160915100616.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
A glimpse of Jaisalmer Desert Festival in India 
&nbsp;
</div>

<ul>
	<li>Kala Pola, Sri Lanka</li>
</ul>
Kala Pola is Sri Lanka&rsquo;s open-air art exhibition cum fair which happens every year. Attracting artists from across the country, it serves as a launch pad for talent. A wide array of art forms are displayed for the crowd to cheer and appreciate.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_del6189267-20160915100439.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Kala Pola festival in Sri Lanka 
&nbsp;
</div>

<ul>
	<li>Annual Bhutan International Festival, Bhutan</li>
</ul>
It&rsquo;s a collaborative effort to encourage different countries to come and engage, while showcasing their culture and art. The festival boasts of some of the best entertainment performances by world known artists. The festival has an intimate setting and welcomes everyone interested.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/bhutan1-20160915103529.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
Bhutanese monks at the Bhutan International festival 
&nbsp;
</div>

<ul>
	<li>Rann Utsav, India</li>
</ul>
Rann Utsav is a quarter year-long winter celebration in white sandy desert. You set up your makeshift tents and absorb the local tradition and culture. The region known for it&rsquo;s distinct handicrafts, also offers options for kite flying, camel rides and desert safaris.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/rann1-20160915103938.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
Local artists at Rann Utsav
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>World Performing Arts Festival, Pakistan</li>
</ul>
An international cultural event, this festival brings performing artists from all over the world to celebrate music, theatre, concert, dance, puppet shows and others. Serving as a nurturing ground for local talent, it brings to fore the vibrancy of Pakistan&rsquo;s talents and helps people engage in a cultural exchange.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/pakistan-20160915113108.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
World Performing Arts Festival, Pakistan
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Hornbill Festival, India</li>
</ul>
The aboriginal Naga tribes of Nagaland are a sight to watch. Held every year in the month of December, Hornbill festival is a weeklong celebration of music, culture, art, sport and cuisine takes place. You will see some exquisite paintings, wood carvings and sculptures that form an essential part of Nagaland&rsquo;s cultural identity.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/000_del527342-20160915113835.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
A Naga tribesman eats a stump of smouldering firewood during annual Hornbill Festival
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Afghan Arts and Culture Festival, Afghanistan</li>
</ul>
It is one of the largest coming together of artists and music bands in Afghanistan. Opening its doors to fellow countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan United States, the festival started with an aim to show the world Afghanistan&rsquo;s rich culture. Bikers, break dancers, rock bands and other performers come together every year.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/afghan1-20160915012131.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
Local Afghan dancers
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>South Ari Atoll, Maldives</li>
</ul>
A festival with a thought, South Ari Atoll is a collaboration between artists from Maldives and Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. It is a platform for showcasing artworks representing the island&rsquo;s marine diversity with a special emphasis on the shark population of Maldives. 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/cqi9uwpumaae2vl.jpg-large-20160916014323.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
South Ari Atoll in Maldives where the Conservation festival happens
</div>
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Pohela Boishakh, Bangladesh</li>
</ul>
The Bengali New Year is celebrated with a lot of fervour all across the state of West Bengal in India and Bangladesh. Called Vasanta Utsav, the festivals starts at Shantiniketan in India and Bangladesh at the same time. The festivity celebrates art and diversity of both the regions. Among songs, dance and fairs, people are seen enjoying themselves around that time of the year.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/crh9vswuaaamwpn.jpg-large-20160916015136.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
Pohela Boishakh in Bangladesh 
&nbsp;
</div>

<ul>
	<li>Kathmandu International Art Festival, Nepal</li>
</ul>
Almost in every three years, Nepal celebrates its artists with an International Art festival. Artists come together to exhibit their works at different venues in the capital city of Kathmandu.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/a8hm7l3ceaac3w9.jpg-large-20160916015737.jpeg" />
<div class="media-description">
A glimpse of Kathmandu International Art Festival, Nepal
</div>
 
 
(Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

Discover how art and culture in South Asia binds the region together

Art transcends all borders and goes beyond the definition of geographical divides. Here are some 11 noteworthy cultural festivals celebrated in the South Asian region that you must know about: Jaisalmer Desert Festival, India Set against the sand dunes, the festival is a unique showcase of folk culture. Held every year, there are programs for folk singing, puppet shows, acrobats, fire dancing, and others. Home of the camels, you can also take a camel ride, enjoy a game of camel polo, participate in camel decoration and pack some exciting desert memories with you. A glimpse of Jaisalmer Desert Festival in India Kala Pola, Sri Lanka Kala Pola is Sri Lanka’s open-air art exhibition cum fair which happens every year. Attracting artists from across the country, it serves as a launch pad for talent. A wide array of art forms are displayed for the crowd to cheer and appreciate. Kala Pola festival in Sri Lanka Annual Bhutan International Festival, Bhutan It’s a collaborative effort to encourage different countries to come and engage, while showcasing their culture and art. The festival boasts of some of the best entertainment performances by world known artists. The festival has an intimate setting and welcomes everyone interested. Bhutanese monks at the Bhutan International festival Rann Utsav, India Rann Utsav is a quarter year-long winter celebration in white sandy desert. You set up your makeshift tents and absorb the local tradition and culture. The region known for it’s distinct handicrafts, also offers options for kite flying, camel rides and desert safaris. Local artists at Rann Utsav World Performing Arts Festival, Pakistan An international cultural event, this festival brings performing artists from all over the world to celebrate music, theatre, concert, dance, puppet shows and others. Serving as a nurturing ground for local talent, it brings to fore the vibrancy of Pakistan’s talents and helps people engage in a cultural exchange. World Performing Arts Festival, Pakistan Hornbill Festival, India The aboriginal Naga tribes of Nagaland are a sight to watch. Held every year in the month of December, Hornbill festival is a weeklong celebration of music, culture, art, sport and cuisine takes place. You will see some exquisite paintings, wood carvings and sculptures that form an essential part of Nagaland’s cultural identity. A Naga tribesman eats a stump of smouldering firewood during annual Hornbill Festival Afghan Arts and Culture Festival, Afghanistan It is one of the largest coming together of artists and music bands in Afghanistan. Opening its doors to fellow countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan United States, the festival started with an aim to show the world Afghanistan’s rich culture. Bikers, break dancers, rock bands and other performers come together every year. Local Afghan dancers South Ari Atoll, Maldives A festival with a thought, South Ari Atoll is a collaboration between artists from Maldives and Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. It is a platform for showcasing artworks representing the island’s marine diversity with a special emphasis on the shark population of Maldives. South Ari Atoll in Maldives where the Conservation festival happens Pohela Boishakh, Bangladesh The Bengali New Year is celebrated with a lot of fervour all across the state of West Bengal in India and Bangladesh. Called Vasanta Utsav, the festivals starts at Shantiniketan in India and Bangladesh at the same time. The festivity celebrates art and diversity of both the regions. Among songs, dance and fairs, people are seen enjoying themselves around that time of the year. Pohela Boishakh in Bangladesh Kathmandu International Art Festival, Nepal Almost in every three years, Nepal celebrates its artists with an International Art festival. Artists come together to exhibit their works at different venues in the capital city of Kathmandu. A glimpse of Kathmandu International Art Festival, Nepal (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

11 cultural festivals in South Asia that you must attend at least once in your lifetime

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will discuss the country&#39;s stand on refugees at the first UN summit on refugees and migrants by the UN General Assembly on September 19-20, reported Bangladesh&#39;s bdnews24.com. 
 
She will highlight the nation&#39;s priorities and position on refugee issues, Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali told reporters. 
 
As the current chair of the &#39;Global Forum for Migration and Development&#39;, Bangladesh is particularly interested in the refugee crisis. 
 
On the sidelines of the UN summit, US President Barack Obama will be a part of the Leaders Summit, where Hasina will talk about Bangladesh&#39;s 10 million refugees, who have taken shelter in India after the 1971 Liberation war from Pakistan, Ali said. 
 
She will also discuss the situation of Myanmar refugees who have taken asylum in Bangladesh. 
 
According to UNHCR report 2011, Bangladesh is host to around 29,000 recognised refugees who were accommodated in camps and an estimated 36,000 unrecognised refugees who have congregated in makeshift&nbsp;sites to which UNHCR and other international and national humanitarian actors have limited access. In addition, there are thought to be at least 200,000 undocumented Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar.
<h2>UN summit on refugees and migrants</h2>
The UN General Assembly has for the first time organised a summit at the heads of state and government level to discuss large movements of refugees across nations and to respond to them in a humane manner.&nbsp; 
 
The aim is to &quot;strengthen governance of international migration and a unique opportunity for creating a more responsible, predictable system for responding to large movements of refugees and migrants&quot;, the United Nations&#39; official website states. 
 
(WION)

This is the first such summit by the UN General Assembly aimed at 'strengthening governance of international migration'

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will discuss the country's stand on refugees at the first UN summit on refugees and migrants by the UN General Assembly on September 19-20, reported Bangladesh's bdnews24.com. She will highlight the nation's priorities and position on refugee issues, Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali told reporters. As the current chair of the 'Global Forum for Migration and Development', Bangladesh is particularly interested in the refugee crisis. On the sidelines of the UN summit, US President Barack Obama will be a part of the Leaders Summit, where Hasina will talk about Bangladesh's 10 million refugees, who have taken shelter in India after the 1971 Liberation war from Pakistan, Ali said. She will also discuss the situation of Myanmar refugees who have taken asylum in Bangladesh. According to UNHCR report 2011, Bangladesh is host to around 29,000 recognised refugees who were accommodated in camps and an estimated 36,000 unrecognised refugees who have congregated in makeshift sites to which UNHCR and other international and national humanitarian actors have limited access. In addition, there are thought to be at least 200,000 undocumented Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar. UN summit on refugees and migrants The UN General Assembly has for the first time organised a summit at the heads of state and government level to discuss large movements of refugees across nations and to respond to them in a humane manner. The aim is to "strengthen governance of international migration and a unique opportunity for creating a more responsible, predictable system for responding to large movements of refugees and migrants", the United Nations' official website states. (WION)

Bangladesh prime minister to discuss migrants, refugee crisis at UN summit

A massive fire broke out Saturday morning in a four-storey garment packaging factory in Ghazipur, just north of the Bangladesh capital, killing at least 25 people, government officials said. 
 
As many as 70 others sustained burn injuries after the fire broke out following a boiler explosion at the factory, AFP reported.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The death toll has risen to 25 and at least 70 people have been injured,&quot; Parvez Mia, a doctor at the Tongi state-run hospital, told AFP. &nbsp;&quot;Most of them had burn injuries. We sent the critically injured victims to the hospitals in Dhaka,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;The fire broke out in the morning just when work was about to start,&quot; fire official Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman was quoted as saying by Reuters. 
 
&nbsp;

<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Bangladesh is the world&#39;s second-biggest apparel exporter after China but&nbsp;fires are common in the factories that make up the $27-billion industry&nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=
Police say they are concerned many workers may still be trapped inside the building." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

 
About 100 people were working &nbsp;at the factory in the industrial town of Tongi when flames tore through the building following an explosion in the boiler room.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The fire is still not under control,&quot; police inspector Sirajul Islam told AFP. Tahmidul Islam of Bangladesh&#39;s industrial police unit pointed out chemicals may have been stored on the ground floor of the factory.&nbsp; 
 
Police say they are concerned many workers may still be trapped inside the building. 
 
Bangladesh is world&#39;s second-biggest apparel exporter after China; however, fires and similar accidents are common in the factories that make up the $27-billion garment industry. &nbsp; 
 
More than 1,100 workers died in a 2013 building collapse that ranks as the country&#39;s worst industrial disaster. Earlier in &nbsp;November 2012, at least 111 workers were killed when a devastating fire engulfed a nine-storey garment factory in the Ashulia industrial area, outside the capital Dhaka. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

About 100 people were working ?at the factory in the industrial town of Tongi when flames tore through the building

A massive fire broke out Saturday morning in a four-storey garment packaging factory in Ghazipur, just north of the Bangladesh capital, killing at least 25 people, government officials said. As many as 70 others sustained burn injuries after the fire broke out following a boiler explosion at the factory, AFP reported. "The death toll has risen to 25 and at least 70 people have been injured," Parvez Mia, a doctor at the Tongi state-run hospital, told AFP. "Most of them had burn injuries. We sent the critically injured victims to the hospitals in Dhaka," he said. "The fire broke out in the morning just when work was about to start," fire official Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman was quoted as saying by Reuters. Bangladesh is the world's second-biggest apparel exporter after China but fires are common in the factories that make up the $27-billion industry About 100 people were working at the factory in the industrial town of Tongi when flames tore through the building following an explosion in the boiler room. "The fire is still not under control," police inspector Sirajul Islam told AFP. Tahmidul Islam of Bangladesh's industrial police unit pointed out chemicals may have been stored on the ground floor of the factory. Police say they are concerned many workers may still be trapped inside the building. Bangladesh is world's second-biggest apparel exporter after China; however, fires and similar accidents are common in the factories that make up the $27-billion garment industry. More than 1,100 workers died in a 2013 building collapse that ranks as the country's worst industrial disaster. Earlier in November 2012, at least 111 workers were killed when a devastating fire engulfed a nine-storey garment factory in the Ashulia industrial area, outside the capital Dhaka. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh garment factory fire kills at least 25, 70 injured

Mir Quasem Ali, leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, was hanged for 1971 war crimes on Saturday night. 
 
The execution took place at 10.30pm, Bangladesh authorities told local news website bdnews24.com.
 
Ali is the sixth Islamist to be hanged for committing crimes during the&nbsp;country&rsquo;s 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan. 
 
The execution comes&nbsp;around a week&nbsp;after the country&#39;s Supreme Court rejected Ali&#39;s final review petition.
The Kashimpur Central Jail had received the executive order for the media tycoon&#39;s death sentence earlier today. 
 
Bangladesh&#39;s elite force Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), Armed Police Battalion and police &ndash; around 50 in number &ndash; were deployed outside the jail,&nbsp;The Daily Star&nbsp;reported.&nbsp; 
 
A Bangladesh tribunal had sentenced five to execution in a trial initiated in 2010 for the 1971 war criminals. 
 
Ali had refused to seek presidential mercy, Jail superintendent Prashanta Kumar Banik told the media. 
 
Ali was sentenced to death in 2014 for war crimes by the International Crimes Tribunal. 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)

Mir Quasem Ali was hanged at 10.30pm on Saturday, authorities said

Mir Quasem Ali, leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, was hanged for 1971 war crimes on Saturday night. The execution took place at 10.30pm, Bangladesh authorities told local news website bdnews24.com. Ali is the sixth Islamist to be hanged for committing crimes during the country’s 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan. The execution comes around a week after the country's Supreme Court rejected Ali's final review petition. The Kashimpur Central Jail had received the executive order for the media tycoon's death sentence earlier today. Bangladesh's elite force Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), Armed Police Battalion and police – around 50 in number – were deployed outside the jail, The Daily Star reported. A Bangladesh tribunal had sentenced five to execution in a trial initiated in 2010 for the 1971 war criminals. Ali had refused to seek presidential mercy, Jail superintendent Prashanta Kumar Banik told the media. Ali was sentenced to death in 2014 for war crimes by the International Crimes Tribunal. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Bangladesh: Jamaat-linked tycoon executed for 1971 war crimes

Bangladesh&#39;s top court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence for a top tycoon and senior leader of the country&#39;s largest Islamist party, paving the way for his execution possibly within days. 
 
The Supreme Court rejected Mir Quasem Ali&#39;s final appeal to overturn the death sentence passed by a controversial war crimes tribunal two years ago for murders committed during Bangladesh&#39;s independence conflict. 
 
&quot;The chief justice rejected the review. I am satisfied. The nation is relieved,&quot; Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told reporters after the verdict was handed down. 
 
&quot;Now he has a chance to seek presidential clemency. Or else the verdict could be executed anytime whenever the state wants,&quot; he said. 
 
Five opposition leaders including four leading Islamists have already been executed for war crimes since 2013. They were hanged just days after their appeals were rejected by the Supreme Court. 
 
Most did not seek a presidential reprieve because they were thought likely to fail. 
 
Ali, now a shipping and real estate tycoon, was convicted in November 2014 of abducting and murdering a young fighter during Bangladesh&#39;s 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. 
 
The decision is considered a major blow for the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party, of which 63-year-old Ali is the chief financier. 
 
The war crimes tribunal set up by the government has divided the country and sparked deadly protests, with supporters of Jamaat and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) branding them a sham aimed at eliminating their leaders. 
 
The government says the tribunal&#39;s trials are needed to heal the wounds of the conflict. 
 
(AFP)

The death sentence was passed by a war crimes tribunal two years ago for murders committed during Bangladesh's independence conflict

Bangladesh's top court on Tuesday upheld the death sentence for a top tycoon and senior leader of the country's largest Islamist party, paving the way for his execution possibly within days. The Supreme Court rejected Mir Quasem Ali's final appeal to overturn the death sentence passed by a controversial war crimes tribunal two years ago for murders committed during Bangladesh's independence conflict. "The chief justice rejected the review. I am satisfied. The nation is relieved," Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told reporters after the verdict was handed down. "Now he has a chance to seek presidential clemency. Or else the verdict could be executed anytime whenever the state wants," he said. Five opposition leaders including four leading Islamists have already been executed for war crimes since 2013. They were hanged just days after their appeals were rejected by the Supreme Court. Most did not seek a presidential reprieve because they were thought likely to fail. Ali, now a shipping and real estate tycoon, was convicted in November 2014 of abducting and murdering a young fighter during Bangladesh's 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. The decision is considered a major blow for the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party, of which 63-year-old Ali is the chief financier. The war crimes tribunal set up by the government has divided the country and sparked deadly protests, with supporters of Jamaat and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) branding them a sham aimed at eliminating their leaders. The government says the tribunal's trials are needed to heal the wounds of the conflict. (AFP)

Bangladesh upholds Islamist tycoon's death sentence

Islamic State has warned of repeated attacks in Bangladesh and beyond until rule by sharia, Islamic law, is established, saying in a video last week&#39;s killing of 20 people in a Dhaka cafe was merely a glimpse of what is to come. 
 
Five Bangladesh militants, most from wealthy, liberal families, stormed the upmarket restaurant on Friday and murdered customers, the majority of them foreigners from Italy, Japan, India and the United States, before they were gunned down. 
 
&quot;What you witnessed in Bangladesh...was a glimpse. This will repeat, repeat and repeat until you lose and we win and the sharia is established throughout the world,&quot; said a man identified as Bangladeshi fighter Abu Issa al-Bengali, in the video monitored by SITE intelligence site. 
 
Bangladesh has rejected the Islamic State&#39;s claim of responsibility for the Friday attack and blamed it on a domestic militant group.&nbsp;It was one of the deadliest attacks in Bangladesh, where Islamic State and al-Qaeda have claimed a series of killings of liberals and members of religious minorities in the past year. The government has also dismissed those claims. 
 
The IS video began with pictures of recent attacks in Paris, Brussels and Orlando in the United States that the Middle East-based militants have claimed. 
 
The fighter in the video, who spoke in both Bengali and English, said Bangladesh must know that it was now part of a bigger battlefield to establish the cross-border &quot;caliphate&quot; the group proclaimed in 2014. 
 
&quot;I want to tell the rulers of Bangladesh that the jihad you see today is not the same that you knew in the past,&quot; he said from a busy street in the militant group&#39;s de facto capital of Raqqa, in Syria.&nbsp;&quot;The jihad that is waged today is a jihad under the shade of the Caliphate.&quot; 
 
Though Bangladesh has rejected the IS claim of responsibility for Friday&#39;s attack, police said they were stepping up security in response to the video threat.&nbsp;&quot;We are taking this issue seriously. All our concerned units are working tirelessly,&quot; said deputy police inspector general Shahidur Rahman. 
 
Police believe the domestic Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State, played a significant role in organising the band of privileged, educated young men who carried out the attack. 
 
Police have said they are hunting for six members of the group suspected to have helped the attackers. 
 
But foreign security experts say the scale and sophistication of the attack on the Holey Artisan bakery cafe pointed to some level of guidance from international militant groups.&nbsp;Officials in Dhaka said on Tuesday police commandos had mistakenly shot dead a restaurant chef during the operation to end the siege. 
 
HT Imam, a political adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also said security officials had seen online warnings about an impending attack on Friday and ordered major hotels and restaurants in the neighbourhood of the cafe shut.&nbsp;But they missed the actual target, he said. 
 
(Reuters)

IS warns of repeated attacks in Bangladesh and beyond until rule by sharia, Islamic law, is established throughout the world

Islamic State has warned of repeated attacks in Bangladesh and beyond until rule by sharia, Islamic law, is established, saying in a video last week's killing of 20 people in a Dhaka cafe was merely a glimpse of what is to come. Five Bangladesh militants, most from wealthy, liberal families, stormed the upmarket restaurant on Friday and murdered customers, the majority of them foreigners from Italy, Japan, India and the United States, before they were gunned down. "What you witnessed in Bangladesh...was a glimpse. This will repeat, repeat and repeat until you lose and we win and the sharia is established throughout the world," said a man identified as Bangladeshi fighter Abu Issa al-Bengali, in the video monitored by SITE intelligence site. Bangladesh has rejected the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the Friday attack and blamed it on a domestic militant group. It was one of the deadliest attacks in Bangladesh, where Islamic State and al-Qaeda have claimed a series of killings of liberals and members of religious minorities in the past year. The government has also dismissed those claims. The IS video began with pictures of recent attacks in Paris, Brussels and Orlando in the United States that the Middle East-based militants have claimed. The fighter in the video, who spoke in both Bengali and English, said Bangladesh must know that it was now part of a bigger battlefield to establish the cross-border "caliphate" the group proclaimed in 2014. "I want to tell the rulers of Bangladesh that the jihad you see today is not the same that you knew in the past," he said from a busy street in the militant group's de facto capital of Raqqa, in Syria. "The jihad that is waged today is a jihad under the shade of the Caliphate." Though Bangladesh has rejected the IS claim of responsibility for Friday's attack, police said they were stepping up security in response to the video threat. "We are taking this issue seriously. All our concerned units are working tirelessly," said deputy police inspector general Shahidur Rahman. Police believe the domestic Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State, played a significant role in organising the band of privileged, educated young men who carried out the attack. Police have said they are hunting for six members of the group suspected to have helped the attackers. But foreign security experts say the scale and sophistication of the attack on the Holey Artisan bakery cafe pointed to some level of guidance from international militant groups. Officials in Dhaka said on Tuesday police commandos had mistakenly shot dead a restaurant chef during the operation to end the siege. HT Imam, a political adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also said security officials had seen online warnings about an impending attack on Friday and ordered major hotels and restaurants in the neighbourhood of the cafe shut. But they missed the actual target, he said. (Reuters)

Dhaka cafe attack a glimpse of what's coming, says Islamic State

Bangladesh today arrested five suspected militants of the banned organisation Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), including the trainer of its women wing. 
 
In the twin raids, firearms and explosives in large quantities were recovered from their possession. 
 
Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Rasheduzzaman Rose, a Canadian expatriate and the acting southern region chief of JMB from Dhaka&#39;s Gazipur district, the Dhaka Tribune reported. 
 
The other persons arrested were identified as Sahabuddin, Firoz, and Saiful, members of the same outfit, and Abul Hye, a leader of another militant outfit Ahl al-Hadith. 
 
The Bangladesh police have blamed JMB for the Dhaka cafe siege on July 1 in Gulshan area where 22 people, including 17 foreigners, were killed. 
 
The Islamic State group had claimed responsibility for the Gulshan attack, releasing photos from inside the cafe during the siege. 
 
Bangladeshi authorities had dismissed IS claims over the deadly assaults, saying international jihadist networks have no presence in the world&#39;s third largest Muslim-majority nation. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Large quantities of firearms and explosives were recovered from their possession

Bangladesh today arrested five suspected militants of the banned organisation Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), including the trainer of its women wing. In the twin raids, firearms and explosives in large quantities were recovered from their possession. Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Rasheduzzaman Rose, a Canadian expatriate and the acting southern region chief of JMB from Dhaka's Gazipur district, the Dhaka Tribune reported. The other persons arrested were identified as Sahabuddin, Firoz, and Saiful, members of the same outfit, and Abul Hye, a leader of another militant outfit Ahl al-Hadith. The Bangladesh police have blamed JMB for the Dhaka cafe siege on July 1 in Gulshan area where 22 people, including 17 foreigners, were killed. The Islamic State group had claimed responsibility for the Gulshan attack, releasing photos from inside the cafe during the siege. Bangladeshi authorities had dismissed IS claims over the deadly assaults, saying international jihadist networks have no presence in the world's third largest Muslim-majority nation. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Dhaka attacks: Bangladesh army arrests 5 militants of banned outfit

Comic&nbsp;books speak directly to our imagination and no matter our age, where we live or where we are from, they have the uncanny&nbsp;ability to cross cultural barriers, break boundaries and challenge taboos. They touch the child in us and feed&nbsp;our fantasies. Dhee, Bangladesh&#39;s&nbsp;first lesbian comic book&nbsp;character, manages to do precisely that -- and&nbsp;in a conservative,&nbsp;Muslim-majority country.

She is the protagonist of a comic strip launched last September by Boys of Bangladesh (BoB), a non-governmental organisation that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. Dhee is a young Bangladeshi woman in her twenties who discovers she is attracted to other women. She is not a superhero. She does not have super powers. Nor does she have super weapons. She is just the (Muslim) girl next door, living with her family&nbsp;in the suburbs. 

Curly-haired, bespectacled, average-looking, Bengali-speaking and dressed in traditional clothes, Dhee could be any of the young women out on the streets of Dhaka.

Dhee has a momentous challenge though: understanding her desires, accepting her sexuality and finding a way to tell a conservative society that she is lesbian. Her message is simple:&nbsp;there is nothing wrong with her. Nothing perverse or dangerous. She just loves other women and she wants to be free to do so. 
 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/flash-card-dhee-7-20160823053702.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
A strip from Dhee.
</div>

 
The appearance of a lesbian comic character, the first of its kind in Bangladesh, received huge attention from the international media. Her story develops through ten simple strips with clear and colourful lines in&nbsp;cartoon style. She uses the language of kids to reach adults. 
 
&ldquo;We tried to keep everything as simple as possible, in order to make it understandable to everyone,&rdquo; says Rajeeb, a BoB activist who did not want his full name revealed due to security concerns. &ldquo;We wanted people to relate to homosexuality in Bangladesh. I would not define our society as entirely conservative. You know it depends. It is extremely conservative when it comes to the private sphere of life, particularly when you talk about sex and sexuality,&rdquo;&nbsp;he adds. And this is exactly what Dhee needs to overcome. 
 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/head-20160823054202.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
Dhee asks herself what could she do .
</div>

 
The picture above deserves a translation. The headline reads:&nbsp;&quot;Standing at this point of life I could not understand which turn my future will take. Can you tell me what should I do?&quot; 
 
From the top left image,&nbsp;moving clockwise, Dhee thinks&nbsp;about the options she has: &quot;Marrying a guy after giving up my real identity?&nbsp;Going abroad with the hope of a new life?&nbsp;Committing suicide with all the pain and silence in my heart?&quot; 
 
And, fortunately,&nbsp;she finds a good answer: &quot;I should accept myself and work for people who cannot speak freely about their identity.&quot; 
&nbsp;

Sometimes, the children in us create&nbsp;a lot of noise and they get wrong people to listen to. Dhee caused such a ruckus, she attracted the attention of some Bangladeshi newspapers which incited violence. Banglagazette.com called for prompt government intervention and stated, &ldquo;Bangladesh has taken yet another step towards aping the West&rdquo;. 
 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/banglagazette-20160823052910.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
Bangladeshi website BanglaGazette attacking Dhee.
</div>

&nbsp;

The hardline Islamist political party, Khilafat Andolan, told dailysanghram.com that &ldquo;homosexuals are enemies of civilisation and enemies of Islam.&rdquo; 
 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/dailysanghram-20160823053218.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
Bangladeshi website Dailysanghram attacking Dhee.
</div>

&nbsp;

But comic writers are a defiant species. &ldquo;I think that some of our scholars need to catch up with the times. Nowadays there are eminent views proposing a more tolerant and inclusive interpretation of Islam. Moreover, this conservative and strict version of Islam is actually imported. Islam does not openly condemn homosexuality,&rdquo; says Rajeeb.

Comic books may be fun to glance across but often convey powerful messages. This is exactly what makes Dhee such a strong instrument of communication and a disruptor for many. Comic book characters live in a kind of no man&rsquo;s land halfway between drawings and books, between seriousness and joke, between the worlds of kids and adults. Often considered too childish to be a real menace, they enjoy a fairly free space and are able to speak their mind with fearlessness. No surprise that they have been historically used both for satire and propaganda.

A few years back, the people&rsquo;s love for comic books brought the first Comic Con to Bangladesh. Comic Con is the international festival for fans and producers of comic books. Ever since, it has been an annual affair.

Yousuf Abu Syed, one of the founders of the Dhaka Comic Con, is an excited man. He says, &ldquo;We thought that a maximum of 500 people would come and we were astonished when thousands of participants, some of them even dressed as popular superheroes, turned up. We keep doing it every year and it is growing bigger.&rdquo; 

Bangladesh has its own indigenous comic book characters. &ldquo;Comic Con came into being when the comic books industry in Bangladesh was going through a tough time. But now, we do have quality Bangladeshi comics for an affordable price, often for less than two US dollars. But this is a new thing, many of us have obviously grown up following the usual superheroes. When I was a kid, Bengali comics came only in black and white,&rdquo; quips Syed.

At the Comic Con fans come in droves, often dressed as their favourite comic book character, they lollygag and meet other superheroes, take some selfies and, then, get back to reality. Comic Con becomes a meeting point for comic book fans and the industry. Publishers and young illustrators showcase their works. Stalls do brisk business.

&ldquo;For me, it&rsquo;s like reliving my childhood,&rdquo; says a euphoric young woman dressed as Pikachu, one of the stars of the Pok?mon cartoon series. Most participants are in their twenties and many of them are students.

But Dhee is actually a breed apart from the fun-and-frolic safe comic characters who crowd the Comic Con. Her presence disturbs that pop and emotionally safe atmosphere. And Dhee&rsquo;s creators, Boys of Bangladesh (BoB), are only too aware of this. But they want to press on. 

<div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
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<h5 style="text-align: justify;">&ldquo;We are definitely keen to move forward with our project but it&rsquo;s not easy. We are travelling around the country to promote these comic strips and the messages they carry but we are totally unfunded and that is a major issue&rdquo;</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote" style="text-align: justify;"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=?We are definitely keen to move forward with our project but it?s not easy. We are travelling around the country to promote these comic strips and the messages they carry but we are totally unfunded and that is a major issue,? says Rajeeb from BoB." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div>

One wonders what would happen if Dhee had the chance to walk around the stalls of Comic Con, exactly as other characters, meeting people and telling them her story. After all, they live in the same artistic world and speak the same language. But they just haven&rsquo;t met yet.

Being homosexual in Bangladesh is not easy. No one knows that better than Dhee. In her early twenties, she likes girls. And while that is problematic, she goes out to seek her place in a conservative society that is fiercely critical and, often, threatening

Comic books speak directly to our imagination and no matter our age, where we live or where we are from, they have the uncanny ability to cross cultural barriers, break boundaries and challenge taboos. They touch the child in us and feed our fantasies. Dhee, Bangladesh's first lesbian comic book character, manages to do precisely that -- and in a conservative, Muslim-majority country. She is the protagonist of a comic strip launched last September by Boys of Bangladesh (BoB), a non-governmental organisation that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. Dhee is a young Bangladeshi woman in her twenties who discovers she is attracted to other women. She is not a superhero. She does not have super powers. Nor does she have super weapons. She is just the (Muslim) girl next door, living with her family in the suburbs. Curly-haired, bespectacled, average-looking, Bengali-speaking and dressed in traditional clothes, Dhee could be any of the young women out on the streets of Dhaka. Dhee has a momentous challenge though: understanding her desires, accepting her sexuality and finding a way to tell a conservative society that she is lesbian. Her message is simple: there is nothing wrong with her. Nothing perverse or dangerous. She just loves other women and she wants to be free to do so. A strip from Dhee. The appearance of a lesbian comic character, the first of its kind in Bangladesh, received huge attention from the international media. Her story develops through ten simple strips with clear and colourful lines in cartoon style. She uses the language of kids to reach adults. “We tried to keep everything as simple as possible, in order to make it understandable to everyone,” says Rajeeb, a BoB activist who did not want his full name revealed due to security concerns. “We wanted people to relate to homosexuality in Bangladesh. I would not define our society as entirely conservative. You know it depends. It is extremely conservative when it comes to the private sphere of life, particularly when you talk about sex and sexuality,” he adds. And this is exactly what Dhee needs to overcome. Dhee asks herself what could she do . The picture above deserves a translation. The headline reads: "Standing at this point of life I could not understand which turn my future will take. Can you tell me what should I do?" From the top left image, moving clockwise, Dhee thinks about the options she has: "Marrying a guy after giving up my real identity? Going abroad with the hope of a new life? Committing suicide with all the pain and silence in my heart?" And, fortunately, she finds a good answer: "I should accept myself and work for people who cannot speak freely about their identity." Sometimes, the children in us create a lot of noise and they get wrong people to listen to. Dhee caused such a ruckus, she attracted the attention of some Bangladeshi newspapers which incited violence. Banglagazette.com called for prompt government intervention and stated, “Bangladesh has taken yet another step towards aping the West”. Bangladeshi website BanglaGazette attacking Dhee. The hardline Islamist political party, Khilafat Andolan, told dailysanghram.com that “homosexuals are enemies of civilisation and enemies of Islam.” Bangladeshi website Dailysanghram attacking Dhee. But comic writers are a defiant species. “I think that some of our scholars need to catch up with the times. Nowadays there are eminent views proposing a more tolerant and inclusive interpretation of Islam. Moreover, this conservative and strict version of Islam is actually imported. Islam does not openly condemn homosexuality,” says Rajeeb. Comic books may be fun to glance across but often convey powerful messages. This is exactly what makes Dhee such a strong instrument of communication and a disruptor for many. Comic book characters live in a kind of no man’s land halfway between drawings and books, between seriousness and joke, between the worlds of kids and adults. Often considered too childish to be a real menace, they enjoy a fairly free space and are able to speak their mind with fearlessness. No surprise that they have been historically used both for satire and propaganda. A few years back, the people’s love for comic books brought the first Comic Con to Bangladesh. Comic Con is the international festival for fans and producers of comic books. Ever since, it has been an annual affair. Yousuf Abu Syed, one of the founders of the Dhaka Comic Con, is an excited man. He says, “We thought that a maximum of 500 people would come and we were astonished when thousands of participants, some of them even dressed as popular superheroes, turned up. We keep doing it every year and it is growing bigger.” Bangladesh has its own indigenous comic book characters. “Comic Con came into being when the comic books industry in Bangladesh was going through a tough time. But now, we do have quality Bangladeshi comics for an affordable price, often for less than two US dollars. But this is a new thing, many of us have obviously grown up following the usual superheroes. When I was a kid, Bengali comics came only in black and white,” quips Syed. At the Comic Con fans come in droves, often dressed as their favourite comic book character, they lollygag and meet other superheroes, take some selfies and, then, get back to reality. Comic Con becomes a meeting point for comic book fans and the industry. Publishers and young illustrators showcase their works. Stalls do brisk business. “For me, it’s like reliving my childhood,” says a euphoric young woman dressed as Pikachu, one of the stars of the Pok?mon cartoon series. Most participants are in their twenties and many of them are students. But Dhee is actually a breed apart from the fun-and-frolic safe comic characters who crowd the Comic Con. Her presence disturbs that pop and emotionally safe atmosphere. And Dhee’s creators, Boys of Bangladesh (BoB), are only too aware of this. But they want to press on. “We are definitely keen to move forward with our project but it’s not easy. We are travelling around the country to promote these comic strips and the messages they carry but we are totally unfunded and that is a major issue” One wonders what would happen if Dhee had the chance to walk around the stalls of Comic Con, exactly as other characters, meeting people and telling them her story. After all, they live in the same artistic world and speak the same language. But they just haven’t met yet.

The hard life of Dhee: Bangladesh's first lesbian comic book character

About 250, including children, have fallen sick and hundreds of residents have been evacuated from their homes after a toxic gas leak from a fertiliser unit in Bangladesh&#39;s port city of Chittagong, police and health officials said today. 
 
Di-ammonium phosphate (DPA) leaked from the DAP Fertiliser Company Limited on the bank of Karnaphuli river where a 500-tonne ammonia tank exploded late on Monday night, news agency, AFP, said. The firefighters battled till late morning to plug the leakage. 
 
Chittagong&#39;s deputy commissioner Mesbahuddin Ahmed said the situation was under control as the source of the leakage has been plugged. 
 
&#39;Loudspeakers used to speed up evacuation&#39;&nbsp; 
 
Ahmed said 56 were admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital after the gas leak. None is in a critical condition. 
 
&quot;Eight have been discharged. Forty-eight people are still in the hospital today but they are out of danger,&quot; he told AFP. 
 
&quot;About 150 were given first-aid locally,&quot; he added. 
 
&quot;We used loudspeakers to urge people to evacuate the area. Hundreds did leave, but they came back after the situation improved,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
Probe initiated&nbsp; 
 
Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), which runs the unit, formed a 10-member committee to investigate the incident, while the district administration has formed a three-member panel to probe the leak.&nbsp; 
 
After the &#39;explosion&#39;, the gas quickly spread across large parts of the city. Strong winds blew the gas across a 10-kilometre area and reports suggested that people felt breathing problems at the southern city&#39;s international airport. 
 
&quot;The gas spread from the unit causing breathing problems to the people across several kilometres,&quot; officer-in-charge of the nearby police station said. 
 
&quot;Several people reported to doctors just because of panic,&quot; the city&#39;s civil surgeon Azizur Rahman Siddique said. 
 
At the time of the incident, the amount of ammonia in the air was recorded at 600ppm (parts per million) whilst workers at the factory can tolerate conditions with ammonia gas up to 25ppm, the environment department said.&nbsp;According to experts, exposure to ammonia can cause slackening, vomiting and breathing problems. 
 
 
(Agencies)&nbsp;

Ammonia leaked from fertiliser factory in Bangladesh's southeastern city Chittagong; those in affected areas report breathing problems

About 250, including children, have fallen sick and hundreds of residents have been evacuated from their homes after a toxic gas leak from a fertiliser unit in Bangladesh's port city of Chittagong, police and health officials said today. Di-ammonium phosphate (DPA) leaked from the DAP Fertiliser Company Limited on the bank of Karnaphuli river where a 500-tonne ammonia tank exploded late on Monday night, news agency, AFP, said. The firefighters battled till late morning to plug the leakage. Chittagong's deputy commissioner Mesbahuddin Ahmed said the situation was under control as the source of the leakage has been plugged. 'Loudspeakers used to speed up evacuation' Ahmed said 56 were admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital after the gas leak. None is in a critical condition. "Eight have been discharged. Forty-eight people are still in the hospital today but they are out of danger," he told AFP. "About 150 were given first-aid locally," he added. "We used loudspeakers to urge people to evacuate the area. Hundreds did leave, but they came back after the situation improved," he said. Probe initiated Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), which runs the unit, formed a 10-member committee to investigate the incident, while the district administration has formed a three-member panel to probe the leak. After the 'explosion', the gas quickly spread across large parts of the city. Strong winds blew the gas across a 10-kilometre area and reports suggested that people felt breathing problems at the southern city's international airport. "The gas spread from the unit causing breathing problems to the people across several kilometres," officer-in-charge of the nearby police station said. "Several people reported to doctors just because of panic," the city's civil surgeon Azizur Rahman Siddique said. At the time of the incident, the amount of ammonia in the air was recorded at 600ppm (parts per million) whilst workers at the factory can tolerate conditions with ammonia gas up to 25ppm, the environment department said. According to experts, exposure to ammonia can cause slackening, vomiting and breathing problems. (Agencies)

Bangladesh gas leak leaves nearly 250 ill

A brawl broke out between villagers in eastern Bangladesh arguing over the plot of an Indian fantasy television serial, leaving 100 people injured, police said on Friday.&nbsp;The villagers had gathered at a restaurant in Habiganj district on Wednesday night to watch Kiranmala, a famous Bengali-language show about a warrior princess who saves mankind from evil, when the dispute erupted. 
 
Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd as the argument escalated throughout the night, with angry viewers vandalising the restaurant in Dhol village and attacking each other with sticks and knives. 
 
&quot;Two men got involved into an argument over the story of the episode, which later turned into a group skirmish,&quot; local police chief Yasinul Haque told AFP.&nbsp;&quot;During the fight, the angry mob vandalised the restaurant and continued the fight on Thursday morning,&quot; he said. 
 
At least 100 people were injured during the brawl in the village 176 kilometres (109 miles) north-east of Dhaka, Haque said, with 15 requiring hospital treatment. 
 
Several Bangladeshis blasted the government on social media for allowing the broadcast of Indian television channels, which they claim &quot;spread degenerate culture&quot; in the Muslim-majority nation.&nbsp;&quot;It is very sad we are fighting over mere acting. Channels should be filtered,&quot; Facebook user Aminur Rahman wrote. 
 
Three suicides of young women have also been linked to watching Kiranmala in the past year, according to local media, after their parents reportedly refused to buy them an expensive dress worn by the princess. 
 
(AFP)

What started as two villagers arguing in a restaurant escalated until police had to disperse a heated crowd with rubber bullets and tear gas

A brawl broke out between villagers in eastern Bangladesh arguing over the plot of an Indian fantasy television serial, leaving 100 people injured, police said on Friday. The villagers had gathered at a restaurant in Habiganj district on Wednesday night to watch Kiranmala, a famous Bengali-language show about a warrior princess who saves mankind from evil, when the dispute erupted. Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd as the argument escalated throughout the night, with angry viewers vandalising the restaurant in Dhol village and attacking each other with sticks and knives. "Two men got involved into an argument over the story of the episode, which later turned into a group skirmish," local police chief Yasinul Haque told AFP. "During the fight, the angry mob vandalised the restaurant and continued the fight on Thursday morning," he said. At least 100 people were injured during the brawl in the village 176 kilometres (109 miles) north-east of Dhaka, Haque said, with 15 requiring hospital treatment. Several Bangladeshis blasted the government on social media for allowing the broadcast of Indian television channels, which they claim "spread degenerate culture" in the Muslim-majority nation. "It is very sad we are fighting over mere acting. Channels should be filtered," Facebook user Aminur Rahman wrote. Three suicides of young women have also been linked to watching Kiranmala in the past year, according to local media, after their parents reportedly refused to buy them an expensive dress worn by the princess. (AFP)

Fight over plot of Indian TV show leaves 100 Bangladeshis injured

Asserting that Pakistan has time and again been involved with domestic terrorist networks, Bangladesh information minister Hasanul Haq Inu today said Islamabad still continues with its policy of harbouring terrorists, adding that it is very sad development associated with the South Asian region. 
 
Inu, who is currently on an official visit to India, told ANI, &quot;Pakistan from the days of liberation was aggressive. They were involved in war crimes and atrocities. So after that, for the long 45 years, Pakistan has not changed much. Though we have developed diplomatic relations and we are part of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) process.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Inu also accused Pakistan of being involved with the domestic home-grown terrorist networks of Bangladesh. He said that this was the reason why Bangladeshi authorities had to ask Pakistani authorities to withdraw certain diplomats from Bangladesh. 
 
&quot;We think that Pakistan is still continuing a policy of harbouring terrorism, that is very sad for the subcontinent,&quot; he added. 
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On the progress of investigation to the recent terror attacks in his country, he said, &quot;The status of Gulshan and Sholakia attacks is that we have unearthed and found what organisation they belong to, and what we have found is that belong to a domestic organisation of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh(JMB) and there is no connection with any foreign terrorist network whatsoever.&quot; 
 
He added the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks were totally planned and executed by home-grown terrorist networks. 
 
The deadly attack last month killed 20 people, including nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, one Bangladeshi American and two Bangladeshis at Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan, after assailants stormed the cafe and took people hostage. 
 
The 12-hour-long hostage crisis at the cafe ended after a two-hour long assault by armed forces` commandos killing six gunmen. 
 
The Sholakia attack came days after when three suspected assailants attacked the Eidgah where thousands had gathered to offer Eid prayers.&nbsp; 
 
(ANI)&nbsp;

Information minister Hasanul Haq Inu claimed Pakistan was involved with Bangladesh's home-grown terrorist networks

Asserting that Pakistan has time and again been involved with domestic terrorist networks, Bangladesh information minister Hasanul Haq Inu today said Islamabad still continues with its policy of harbouring terrorists, adding that it is very sad development associated with the South Asian region. Inu, who is currently on an official visit to India, told ANI, "Pakistan from the days of liberation was aggressive. They were involved in war crimes and atrocities. So after that, for the long 45 years, Pakistan has not changed much. Though we have developed diplomatic relations and we are part of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) process." Inu also accused Pakistan of being involved with the domestic home-grown terrorist networks of Bangladesh. He said that this was the reason why Bangladeshi authorities had to ask Pakistani authorities to withdraw certain diplomats from Bangladesh. "We think that Pakistan is still continuing a policy of harbouring terrorism, that is very sad for the subcontinent," he added. "We think that Pakistan is still continuing a policy of harbouring terrorism, that is very sad for the subcontinent." On the progress of investigation to the recent terror attacks in his country, he said, "The status of Gulshan and Sholakia attacks is that we have unearthed and found what organisation they belong to, and what we have found is that belong to a domestic organisation of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh(JMB) and there is no connection with any foreign terrorist network whatsoever." He added the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks were totally planned and executed by home-grown terrorist networks. The deadly attack last month killed 20 people, including nine Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, one Bangladeshi American and two Bangladeshis at Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan, after assailants stormed the cafe and took people hostage. The 12-hour-long hostage crisis at the cafe ended after a two-hour long assault by armed forces` commandos killing six gunmen. The Sholakia attack came days after when three suspected assailants attacked the Eidgah where thousands had gathered to offer Eid prayers. (ANI)

Bangladesh accuses Pakistan of harbouring terrorists

A Bangladeshi court today issued arrest warrants against 67 BNP leaders and activists, including top aides of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, in a case related to last year&#39;s violent campaign spearheaded by the opposition party in which more than 100 people died. 
 
&quot;The court issued the warrant taking into cognizance a case against them under the (tough) Special Powers Act,&quot; an official of Metropolitan Sessions Judges Court said.&nbsp;Justice Kamrul Hossain Mollah passed the order after accepting the charges pressed against 93 people but issued the warrants against 67 people, including BNP&#39;s vice chairman and former minister Selima Rahman, Zia&#39;s press secretary Maruf Kamal Sohel and her special aide Shimul Biswas.&nbsp; 
 
The court directed the police to submit a report on October 10 on the execution of the warrants.&nbsp;Legal experts, however, said the accused might seek the reversal of the order by a High Court. 
 
Police earlier said that the 67 people were accused of attacking and damaging buses and cars and obstructing police in discharging duties in a particular incident at Mugda area of the capital in February last year.&nbsp;More than 100 people died in arson attacks on vehicles. 
 
The BNP-led four-party alliance boycotted the January 2014 general elections, saying polls with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina&#39;s government in power would not be credible.&nbsp;And the main opposition party outside the Parliament waged a protracted and violent street campaign, coinciding with the first anniversary of the second consecutive term of the incumbent regime. 
 
BNP and its right-wing allies had enforced a nationwide blockade last year. Zia and 50 other leaders and activists of her party were charged earlier in a Dhaka court in two cases over the violence. Police accused her of instigating party activists to torch buses and trigger explosions. 
 
(PTI)

Police said thoe accused attacked buses and cars, and obstructed police, in an incident which killed more than 100 people

A Bangladeshi court today issued arrest warrants against 67 BNP leaders and activists, including top aides of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, in a case related to last year's violent campaign spearheaded by the opposition party in which more than 100 people died. "The court issued the warrant taking into cognizance a case against them under the (tough) Special Powers Act," an official of Metropolitan Sessions Judges Court said. Justice Kamrul Hossain Mollah passed the order after accepting the charges pressed against 93 people but issued the warrants against 67 people, including BNP's vice chairman and former minister Selima Rahman, Zia's press secretary Maruf Kamal Sohel and her special aide Shimul Biswas. The court directed the police to submit a report on October 10 on the execution of the warrants. Legal experts, however, said the accused might seek the reversal of the order by a High Court. Police earlier said that the 67 people were accused of attacking and damaging buses and cars and obstructing police in discharging duties in a particular incident at Mugda area of the capital in February last year. More than 100 people died in arson attacks on vehicles. The BNP-led four-party alliance boycotted the January 2014 general elections, saying polls with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government in power would not be credible. And the main opposition party outside the Parliament waged a protracted and violent street campaign, coinciding with the first anniversary of the second consecutive term of the incumbent regime. BNP and its right-wing allies had enforced a nationwide blockade last year. Zia and 50 other leaders and activists of her party were charged earlier in a Dhaka court in two cases over the violence. Police accused her of instigating party activists to torch buses and trigger explosions. (PTI)

Bangladesh court issues arrest warrants for 67 opposition leaders and activists

An elephant thought to have travelled at least 1,700 kilometres from India into Bangladesh after becoming separated from its herd by floods died today despite last-ditch efforts to save him. 
 
The distressed animal was tranquillised three times in sometimes dramatic bids to try to transport him to a safari park in Bangladesh, after he washed across the border in late June. 
 
He was eventually given huge amounts of saline and chained in a paddy field in a northern village to help him recover, but he was &quot;too weak and tired&quot; from his ordeal, officials said.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;It breathed its last at around&nbsp;7am&nbsp;(0100 GMT),&quot; the government&#39;s chief wildlife conservator Ashit Ranjan Paul told AFP. 
 
&quot;We have given our highest effort to save the animal. At least 10 forest rangers, vets and policemen have constantly followed it for the last 48 days. But our luck is bad,&quot; he said. 
 
Paul said the animal likely travelled more than 1,700 kilometres (1,060 miles) from the northeastern Indian state of Assam after being separated from his herd in severe flooding. 
 
The animal ran amok and charged into a pond after Bangladesh forest officials hit him with a tranquilliser dart last Thursday. 
 
Local villagers jumped into the pond to save the four-tonne animal from drowning by stopping it from toppling into the water. 
 
A mahout was also critically injured during another rescue effort&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;after being kicked by the again tranquillised elephant. 
 
Local media blamed excessive tranquillising for the animal&#39;s death, saying he became too weak to stand. 
 
But Paul said the long journey was responsible, adding that rescue efforts had been hampered by the thousands of curious villagers following him. 
 
&quot;In the end, it became too tired by travelling such a great length. It had been separated from its herd for some two months and did not get the nutrients that it needed,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;Thousands of villagers followed it everyday as it entered into Bangladesh and then travelled to villages and river islands across the Brahmaputra river.&quot; 
 
(AFP) 
 
&nbsp;

The animal was tranquillised three times in bids to try to transport him to a safari park, after he washed across the border in late June

An elephant thought to have travelled at least 1,700 kilometres from India into Bangladesh after becoming separated from its herd by floods died today despite last-ditch efforts to save him. The distressed animal was tranquillised three times in sometimes dramatic bids to try to transport him to a safari park in Bangladesh, after he washed across the border in late June. He was eventually given huge amounts of saline and chained in a paddy field in a northern village to help him recover, but he was "too weak and tired" from his ordeal, officials said. "It breathed its last at around 7am (0100 GMT)," the government's chief wildlife conservator Ashit Ranjan Paul told AFP. "We have given our highest effort to save the animal. At least 10 forest rangers, vets and policemen have constantly followed it for the last 48 days. But our luck is bad," he said. Paul said the animal likely travelled more than 1,700 kilometres (1,060 miles) from the northeastern Indian state of Assam after being separated from his herd in severe flooding. The animal ran amok and charged into a pond after Bangladesh forest officials hit him with a tranquilliser dart last Thursday. Local villagers jumped into the pond to save the four-tonne animal from drowning by stopping it from toppling into the water. A mahout was also critically injured during another rescue effort on Monday after being kicked by the again tranquillised elephant. Local media blamed excessive tranquillising for the animal's death, saying he became too weak to stand. But Paul said the long journey was responsible, adding that rescue efforts had been hampered by the thousands of curious villagers following him. "In the end, it became too tired by travelling such a great length. It had been separated from its herd for some two months and did not get the nutrients that it needed," he said. "Thousands of villagers followed it everyday as it entered into Bangladesh and then travelled to villages and river islands across the Brahmaputra river." (AFP)

Flood-hit elephant that travelled 1,700 km dies in Bangladesh

A three-member team of investigators from Bangladesh arrived in&nbsp;the eastern Indian state of West Bengal on Monday evening to 
interrogate arrested ISIS suspect Musa and probe him over his&nbsp;Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) links.&nbsp; 
 
The members are from Bangladesh&rsquo;s anti-terror agency &ndash; Rapid&nbsp;Action Battalion (RAB), who are not only going to interrogate Musa on not&nbsp;his links with terror outfit JMB but also to explore his role in Dhaka&rsquo;s Gulshan attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery. 
 
Acting on a tip-off from India&rsquo;s central security and intelligence&nbsp;agencies, CID West Bengal had arrested&nbsp;Musa alias Md Masiuddin from the Burdwan railway station in West&nbsp;Bengal on board a train when he was about to travel to Birbhum&nbsp;district in July this year.&nbsp; 
 
One improvised gun and a 13-inch dagger, besides fake currency&nbsp;notes of Afghanistan and Syria were seized from his possession.&nbsp; 
 
His arrest came soon after the terror attacks in Bangladesh&rsquo;s&nbsp;Dhaka. 
 
He came under the scanner after his e-mails and calls were traced&nbsp;to Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Syria. Officials in the&nbsp;investigating agency highlighted that he had been in touch with several&nbsp;ISIS operatives in Syria through the social networking sites like&nbsp;Facebook and Twitter. Initial investigations had revealed that he had&nbsp;also been in touch with several JMB operatives in Bangladesh. 
 
Soon, the case was taken up by National Investigation Agency (NIA)&nbsp;and Musa was taken into custody. 
 
In March 2015, Musa had met a JMB leader from Bangladesh, Abu&nbsp;Suleiman in India&rsquo;s eastern state of West Bengal during his&nbsp;sister&rsquo;s wedding. 
 
Musa had been in touch with Suleiman over Facebook, but Suleiman&nbsp;had expressed his wish to meet Musa in person. Later, Musa invited&nbsp;him to attend his sister&rsquo;s wedding held in Bengal.

After the meeting, Musa had agreed to work with Suleiman on the&nbsp;issue of Islamic State and the spread of jihad in India.&nbsp;Suleiman had even asked Musa to chose non-Muslim targets,&nbsp;especially US-nationals and behead them. 
 
Meanwhile, Suleiman is on the run as the Indian and&nbsp;Bangladeshi governments continue their search for him. 
 
(DNA)

The members from Bangladesh?s anti-terror agency will also explore Musa's links with terror outfit JMB

A three-member team of investigators from Bangladesh arrived in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal on Monday evening to interrogate arrested ISIS suspect Musa and probe him over his Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) links. The members are from Bangladesh’s anti-terror agency – Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), who are not only going to interrogate Musa on not his links with terror outfit JMB but also to explore his role in Dhaka’s Gulshan attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery. Acting on a tip-off from India’s central security and intelligence agencies, CID West Bengal had arrested Musa alias Md Masiuddin from the Burdwan railway station in West Bengal on board a train when he was about to travel to Birbhum district in July this year. One improvised gun and a 13-inch dagger, besides fake currency notes of Afghanistan and Syria were seized from his possession. His arrest came soon after the terror attacks in Bangladesh’s Dhaka. He came under the scanner after his e-mails and calls were traced to Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Syria. Officials in the investigating agency highlighted that he had been in touch with several ISIS operatives in Syria through the social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Initial investigations had revealed that he had also been in touch with several JMB operatives in Bangladesh. Soon, the case was taken up by National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Musa was taken into custody. In March 2015, Musa had met a JMB leader from Bangladesh, Abu Suleiman in India’s eastern state of West Bengal during his sister’s wedding. Musa had been in touch with Suleiman over Facebook, but Suleiman had expressed his wish to meet Musa in person. Later, Musa invited him to attend his sister’s wedding held in Bengal. After the meeting, Musa had agreed to work with Suleiman on the issue of Islamic State and the spread of jihad in India. Suleiman had even asked Musa to chose non-Muslim targets, especially US-nationals and behead them. Meanwhile, Suleiman is on the run as the Indian and Bangladeshi governments continue their search for him. (DNA)

Bangladeshi investigators arrive in India to interrogate
ISIS suspect Musa over Dhaka attack

Bangladeshi and Indian rescuers pulled two Indian fishermen alive today from the Bay of Bengal one day after their trawler capsized, but 10 others were still missing, officials said. 
 
Five bodies have also been recovered, as naval and coast guard rescuers search an area just south of the huge Sundarbans mangrove forest that straddles both countries. 
 
&quot;So far two fishermen were rescued alive and we recovered five bodies,&quot; Tapushi Rabeya, a Bangladesh defence ministry spokesperson, told AFP. 
 
The trawler sent out a distress signal in rough seas on Saturday, some 40 nautical miles (70 kilometres) south of Hiron Point, a docking station in the Sundarbans. 
 
Rescuers have located the sunken boat but efforts to find the fishermen were being hampered by continuing bad weather. 
 
Two Bangladesh naval ships, three coast guard speedboats and a maritime patrol plane have been deployed in the search. 
 
&quot;Indian coastguards and patrol aircraft have also joined us in the rescue mission,&quot; a senior naval officer told AFP. 
 
&quot;The sunken vessel has been located and the Bangladeshi and Indian rescue teams were trying to salvage it. But the rescue efforts have been hampered by very rough seas,&quot; he said. 
 
The Sundarbans is the world&#39;s largest mangrove forest and the Hiron docking station is popular with both fishermen and tourists. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp;

The fishermen were rescued alive today from the Bay of Bengal, a day after their trawler capsized

Bangladeshi and Indian rescuers pulled two Indian fishermen alive today from the Bay of Bengal one day after their trawler capsized, but 10 others were still missing, officials said. Five bodies have also been recovered, as naval and coast guard rescuers search an area just south of the huge Sundarbans mangrove forest that straddles both countries. "So far two fishermen were rescued alive and we recovered five bodies," Tapushi Rabeya, a Bangladesh defence ministry spokesperson, told AFP. The trawler sent out a distress signal in rough seas on Saturday, some 40 nautical miles (70 kilometres) south of Hiron Point, a docking station in the Sundarbans. Rescuers have located the sunken boat but efforts to find the fishermen were being hampered by continuing bad weather. Two Bangladesh naval ships, three coast guard speedboats and a maritime patrol plane have been deployed in the search. "Indian coastguards and patrol aircraft have also joined us in the rescue mission," a senior naval officer told AFP. "The sunken vessel has been located and the Bangladeshi and Indian rescue teams were trying to salvage it. But the rescue efforts have been hampered by very rough seas," he said. The Sundarbans is the world's largest mangrove forest and the Hiron docking station is popular with both fishermen and tourists. (AFP)

Rescuers find 2 Indian fishermen in Bangladesh, 10 still missing

Seventeen fishermen were missing Saturday after an Indian trawler sank off the coast of Bangladesh, officials said, sparking a major search effort in the Bay of Bengal. 
 
Two Bangladesh Navy ships and a patrol aircraft were deployed after a distress signal was sent from a ship travelling with the sunken fishing boat, called Maha Gouri, a Navy official told AFP speaking on condition of anonymity. 
 
&quot;The fishing trawler sank in the Bay of Bengal just 40 nautical miles (70 kilometres) north of Hiron Point in the Sundarbans,&quot; the official said. 
 
He said waters were choppy Saturday afternoon when the distress call was sent. 
 
Another official confirmed the number of missing after the boat sank in the Bay of Bengal, the world&#39;s largest bay. 
 
&quot;Seventeen fishermen were missing after the trawler sank today,&quot; Tapushi Rabeya, a Defence Ministry spokesman, told AFP. 
 
Sundarbans is the world&#39;s largest mangrove forest that straddles the India-Bangladesh border and the Hiron Point docking station is popular among both fishermen and tourists. 
 
(AFP)

Two Bangladesh Navy ships and a patrol aircraft were deployed after a distress signal was sent from a ship

Seventeen fishermen were missing Saturday after an Indian trawler sank off the coast of Bangladesh, officials said, sparking a major search effort in the Bay of Bengal. Two Bangladesh Navy ships and a patrol aircraft were deployed after a distress signal was sent from a ship travelling with the sunken fishing boat, called Maha Gouri, a Navy official told AFP speaking on condition of anonymity. "The fishing trawler sank in the Bay of Bengal just 40 nautical miles (70 kilometres) north of Hiron Point in the Sundarbans," the official said. He said waters were choppy Saturday afternoon when the distress call was sent. Another official confirmed the number of missing after the boat sank in the Bay of Bengal, the world's largest bay. "Seventeen fishermen were missing after the trawler sank today," Tapushi Rabeya, a Defence Ministry spokesman, told AFP. Sundarbans is the world's largest mangrove forest that straddles the India-Bangladesh border and the Hiron Point docking station is popular among both fishermen and tourists. (AFP)

17 missing after Indian trawler sinks off Bangladesh

Bangladesh has kicked out a North Korean diplomat after he was caught smuggling more than one million cigarettes as well as electronics into the country in a shipping container, Dhaka officials said Monday. 
 
Han Son Ik, the first secretary of the North Korean embassy in Dhaka, has been ordered to leave the country after failing to declare the goods worth nearly half a million dollars to customs. 
 
Bangladesh foreign secretary Shahidul Haque confirmed the order had been made to the North Koreans, but declined to give a timetable for his departure. Local media said he had been ordered by leave by Monday. 
 
&quot;We have asked North Korea to take him back for violating diplomatic norms,&quot; Haque, Bangladesh&#39;s top foreign bureaucrat, told AFP, declining to give details. A senior customs official told AFP the North Korean used his diplomatic immunity earlier this month to import the goods which were suspected destined for the blackmarket. 
 
&quot;The diplomat declared that his cargo contained food and soft drinks. But when we opened the cargo, we found 1.6 million stalks of expensive cigarettes and electronics,&quot; Moinul Khan, head of intelligence at Bangladesh customs, told AFP. &quot;At market prices these products are valued at 35 million Taka ($430,000). We suspect that he brought the products to sell to local smuggling gangs,&quot; he said. 
 
AFP was unable to immediately contact the North Korean embassy for comment. In March last year, another North Korean diplomat was forced to apologise after he was caught at Dhaka airport trying to smuggle nearly 27 kilograms (60 pounds) of gold, worth $1.7 million, into the country. In 2012, customs authorities issued a 2.5-million taka fine after seizing illegal wines from another North Korean envoy. 
 
Last year, a North Korean restaurant in Dhaka was shut down after officials found it was selling wine and drugs such as Viagra without permission. 
 
(AFP)

Han Son Ik has been ordered to leave the country after failing to declare the goods worth nearly half a million dollars to customs

Bangladesh has kicked out a North Korean diplomat after he was caught smuggling more than one million cigarettes as well as electronics into the country in a shipping container, Dhaka officials said Monday. Han Son Ik, the first secretary of the North Korean embassy in Dhaka, has been ordered to leave the country after failing to declare the goods worth nearly half a million dollars to customs. Bangladesh foreign secretary Shahidul Haque confirmed the order had been made to the North Koreans, but declined to give a timetable for his departure. Local media said he had been ordered by leave by Monday. "We have asked North Korea to take him back for violating diplomatic norms," Haque, Bangladesh's top foreign bureaucrat, told AFP, declining to give details. A senior customs official told AFP the North Korean used his diplomatic immunity earlier this month to import the goods which were suspected destined for the blackmarket. "The diplomat declared that his cargo contained food and soft drinks. But when we opened the cargo, we found 1.6 million stalks of expensive cigarettes and electronics," Moinul Khan, head of intelligence at Bangladesh customs, told AFP. "At market prices these products are valued at 35 million Taka ($430,000). We suspect that he brought the products to sell to local smuggling gangs," he said. AFP was unable to immediately contact the North Korean embassy for comment. In March last year, another North Korean diplomat was forced to apologise after he was caught at Dhaka airport trying to smuggle nearly 27 kilograms (60 pounds) of gold, worth $1.7 million, into the country. In 2012, customs authorities issued a 2.5-million taka fine after seizing illegal wines from another North Korean envoy. Last year, a North Korean restaurant in Dhaka was shut down after officials found it was selling wine and drugs such as Viagra without permission. (AFP)

Bangladesh kicks out North Korea diplomat over smuggling

More than a month after the attack on Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka sent shockwaves across Bangladesh, two photographs of a British citizen who was at the cafe on the fateful night have surfaced, where he is seen with one of the supected perpetrators.&nbsp; 
 
The photographs show Briton Hasnat Karim, a university teacher, and Canadian university student Tahmid Hasib, along with one of the gunmen, Rohan Imtiaz, who attacked the cafe, Bangladesh newspaper, the Daily Star, has reported. 
 
The report points out Hasnat went to the restaurant with his wife and two children, according to family members, to celebrate the birthday of one of his daughters on July 3 when the bakery was attacked.&nbsp; 
 
The assailants, however, allowed the family to leave, before the siege, said the newspaper report.&nbsp; 
 
In the photographs, the millitant and Tahmid are seen holding firearms while talking with Hasnat at the rooftop of the cafe.&nbsp; 
 
The Daily Star report underlines that Hasnat and Tahmid were granted remand on August 4 for eight days after police sought a 10-day remand for each claiming that they &ldquo;instigated&rdquo; the Gulshan caf? attackers.&nbsp; 
 
(WION)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The photographs show Briton Hasnat Karim, a university teacher and Canadian student Tahmid Hasib, along with alleged gunman Rohan Imtiaz

More than a month after the attack on Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka sent shockwaves across Bangladesh, two photographs of a British citizen who was at the cafe on the fateful night have surfaced, where he is seen with one of the supected perpetrators. The photographs show Briton Hasnat Karim, a university teacher, and Canadian university student Tahmid Hasib, along with one of the gunmen, Rohan Imtiaz, who attacked the cafe, Bangladesh newspaper, the Daily Star, has reported. The report points out Hasnat went to the restaurant with his wife and two children, according to family members, to celebrate the birthday of one of his daughters on July 3 when the bakery was attacked. The assailants, however, allowed the family to leave, before the siege, said the newspaper report. In the photographs, the millitant and Tahmid are seen holding firearms while talking with Hasnat at the rooftop of the cafe. The Daily Star report underlines that Hasnat and Tahmid were granted remand on August 4 for eight days after police sought a 10-day remand for each claiming that they “instigated” the Gulshan caf? attackers. (WION)

British teacher suspected of instigating Dhaka attackers seen with 'terrorist' in new photos: Daily Star

Bangladesh has shut down dozens of online news services including those of pro-opposition media, an official said today, sparking accusations of government censorship. 
 
The head of the national telecoms regulator said he ordered the closures late Thursday night, citing &quot;objectionable contents&quot;. 
 
&quot;We&#39;ve shut down 32 news portals and websites following instructions from an intelligence agency,&quot; Bangladesh Telecommunications and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chairman Shahjahan Mahmood, told AFP. 
 
He said the list included Sheershanews.com, a popular website known for its fast news coverage, and amardeshonline, a news portal linked to a pro-opposition Bengali daily that the government shut down in 2013. 
 
The crackdown comes after the government banned live television coverage of Islamist extremist attacks in the wake of last month&#39;s deadly assault on a cafe in which 22 people were killed including 18 foreigners. 
 
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina publicly criticised the coverage of the attack and told private broadcasters to be more responsible. 
 
The head of Sheershanews Ekramul Hoque said he was stunned by the move, which would mean about 100 journalists losing their jobs. 
 
&quot;We think it&#39;s a direct assault on the country&#39;s freedom of press. The government is shutting down the news organisations they don&#39;t like. They want total control of the media,&quot; Hoque said. 
 
&quot;By closing down these news portals, the government is sending a clear message to all media firms that they won&#39;t tolerate any news organisation that does not follow their line,&quot; he said. 
 
Sheershanews was drawing up to 200 million hits a month this year. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The crackdown comes after government banned live television coverage of Islamist extremist attacks in wake of last month's cafe attack

Bangladesh has shut down dozens of online news services including those of pro-opposition media, an official said today, sparking accusations of government censorship. The head of the national telecoms regulator said he ordered the closures late Thursday night, citing "objectionable contents". "We've shut down 32 news portals and websites following instructions from an intelligence agency," Bangladesh Telecommunications and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chairman Shahjahan Mahmood, told AFP. He said the list included Sheershanews.com, a popular website known for its fast news coverage, and amardeshonline, a news portal linked to a pro-opposition Bengali daily that the government shut down in 2013. The crackdown comes after the government banned live television coverage of Islamist extremist attacks in the wake of last month's deadly assault on a cafe in which 22 people were killed including 18 foreigners. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina publicly criticised the coverage of the attack and told private broadcasters to be more responsible. The head of Sheershanews Ekramul Hoque said he was stunned by the move, which would mean about 100 journalists losing their jobs. "We think it's a direct assault on the country's freedom of press. The government is shutting down the news organisations they don't like. They want total control of the media," Hoque said. "By closing down these news portals, the government is sending a clear message to all media firms that they won't tolerate any news organisation that does not follow their line," he said. Sheershanews was drawing up to 200 million hits a month this year. (AFP)

Bangladesh clamps down on 'objectionable' news sites ?

Bangladesh police said today a suspected Islamist extremist accused of carrying out a deadly attack on a prayer rally last month has been shot dead in a gunfight while in their custody. 
 
Shafiul Islam Don was being driven to a police station late Thursday when the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) vehicle carrying him came under attack by suspected fellow extremists. 
 
The 22-year-old was killed in the gunfight that ensued, local RAB commander Shariful Islam told AFP. 
 
&quot;The attackers opened fire as they tried to snatch Don. We fired back in retaliation,&quot; said Islam. 
 
&quot;After a brief gunfight, they fled the scene. We found Don and another person`s body from the spot.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Police had arrested Don at the scene of last month&#39;s attack at a prayer ceremony marking the end of Muslim holy month of Ramadan.&nbsp; 
 
Three people were killed in the attack in Sholakia town, which came just a week after suspected extremists killed 22 people including 18 foreigners at an upscale cafe in Dhaka. 
 
Islam said he was a member of Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), which authorities accuse of being behind a wave of killings of foreigners and religious minorities in recent years. 
 
Islam said Don had confessed in custody to taking part in several recent killings targeting people from religious minorities in the mainly Muslim country. 
 
Police have said a faction of the JMB led by a 30-year-old Canadian of Bangladeshi origin is behind the latest attacks. 
 
Many of its members are drawn from rich families and have vowed allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group. 
 
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has launched a major crackdown on Islamist extremism since the cafe attack.&nbsp; 
 
At least 17 suspected Islamist extremists were killed in the last five weeks and a number of militants were arrested. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp;

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has launched a major crackdown on Islamist extremism since the Dhaka cafe attack?

Bangladesh police said today a suspected Islamist extremist accused of carrying out a deadly attack on a prayer rally last month has been shot dead in a gunfight while in their custody. Shafiul Islam Don was being driven to a police station late Thursday when the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) vehicle carrying him came under attack by suspected fellow extremists. The 22-year-old was killed in the gunfight that ensued, local RAB commander Shariful Islam told AFP. "The attackers opened fire as they tried to snatch Don. We fired back in retaliation," said Islam. "After a brief gunfight, they fled the scene. We found Don and another person`s body from the spot." Police had arrested Don at the scene of last month's attack at a prayer ceremony marking the end of Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Three people were killed in the attack in Sholakia town, which came just a week after suspected extremists killed 22 people including 18 foreigners at an upscale cafe in Dhaka. Islam said he was a member of Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), which authorities accuse of being behind a wave of killings of foreigners and religious minorities in recent years. Islam said Don had confessed in custody to taking part in several recent killings targeting people from religious minorities in the mainly Muslim country. Police have said a faction of the JMB led by a 30-year-old Canadian of Bangladeshi origin is behind the latest attacks. Many of its members are drawn from rich families and have vowed allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has launched a major crackdown on Islamist extremism since the cafe attack. At least 17 suspected Islamist extremists were killed in the last five weeks and a number of militants were arrested. (AFP)

Bangladesh terror attack suspect dies in gun battle: Police

Officials from the Bangladesh central bank are visiting Manila this week to pressure the authorities in the Philippines to find ways to return the $63 million that is still missing out of the funds stolen from its account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York earlier this year, two people close to Bangladesh Bank said. 
 
Unknown cyber criminals tried to steal nearly $1 billion from the Bangladesh Bank account between Feb. 4 and Feb. 5, and succeeded in transferring $81 million to four accounts at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC) in Manila. Only about $18 million has been recovered. 
 
The&nbsp;Bangladeshi&nbsp;officials&nbsp;are alleging that the&nbsp;money&nbsp;was allowed to disappear into the casino industry in the Philippines, where investigators say it was laundered, because of systemic failures at RCBC, the two sources said. 
 
Bangladesh Bank is relying on internal RCBC documents to buttress its assertion that the Filipino bank&rsquo;s Jupiter Street branch in Manila ignored suspicions raised by some RCBC officials when the money was first remitted to the accounts on Feb. 5, and then delayed acting on requests from RCBC&rsquo;s head office to freeze the funds on Feb. 9, said one of the sources in Dhaka. 
 
RCBC did not respond to requests for comment, but its then president Lorenzo Tan told a Senate hearing in March that the incident was &quot;some judgment error from the people on the ground&quot;. 
 
&quot;I think what happened here is we had the IT controls, the human controls. But unfortunately, it failed in the end, in the execution,&quot; said Tan, who subsequently resigned. &quot;Yes, we are sorry this happened, but you know, it is human error, human judgment or intentional.&quot; 
 
The Bangladeshi delegation consists of Debaprosad Debnath and Abdul Rab from Bangladesh Bank&#39;s financial intelligence unit, Bangladesh Bank lawyer Ajmalul Hossain, and Bangladesh&#39;s ambassador to the Philippines, John Gomes. 
 
They plan to meet with officials from the anti-money-laundering council in Manila, the Philippines&#39; department of justice, the central bank of the Philippines and from RCBC over the next four days, said the sources. 
 
Bangladesh Bank spokesman Subhankar Saha declined to say if the bank had plans to sue RCBC, but added it was trying to recover the money with the help of the Philippines&#39; central bank. 
 
RCBS blamed its own employees 
 
RCBC has previously blamed its own employees for the ease with which the money left the bank, including the manager of the branch in question. But the Dhaka source said the Bangladesh Bank believes the failures extend beyond individual officers and that RCBC allowed itself to be used as a conduit for the illegal transfer of stolen money. 
 
Bangladesh Bank claims the documents show that RCBC should be accountable for the losses. The documents, which have been reviewed by Reuters, include emails between RCBC managers at the time of the heist in February as well as memos and emails to various RCBC officials during a subsequent internal investigation. 
 
They show that RCBC had frozen the accounts concerned at its Jupiter Street branch in Manila for about an hour on Friday Feb. 5 because of questions from some bank officials about where the money had come from, where it was going, and whether the transfers were legitimate. 
 
At 6.27 pm on that day, a temporary hold was placed on the accounts at the branch, pending further investigation into the &quot;validity of the remittances and nature of the funds&quot;, according to one memo that was sent on March 21 by the head of RCBC&rsquo;s human resources group, Rowena F. Subido, to Ismael S. Reyes, its national sales director for retail banking. 
 
Some officials at RCBC&#39;s headquarters, also in Manila, had questioned the transfers after about $22.7 million of the money was withdrawn from one of the accounts in cash at 3.16 pm that day only to be then deposited to another account that was opened at around 3 pm that day at the same branch, according to the notice sent to Reyes. 
 
However, the hold on the accounts was shortlived. By around 7.30 pm it was lifted after then Jupiter Branch Business Manager Maia Deguito&#39;s &quot;representation to her superiors&quot; that the transactions were legitimate, according to another memo sent to Reyes. Deguito was fired by the bank earlier this year and is under investigation by the Philippines&#39; anti-money laundering council. 
 
Ferdinand Topacio, lawyer for Deguito, said that RCBC could not escape blame by singling out employees for mistakes. &quot;If she had any fault, she was negligent and she was naive,&quot; Topacio said. He said RCBC did not act urgently on the stop payment requests from the Bangladesh central bank. 
 
The documents show that when the bank reopened on Tuesday, Feb. 9 after the Chinese New Year holiday, RCBC&#39;s settlements department received messages as early as 9.15 am from Bangladesh Bank, alerting it about the fraud. It sent four emails, between 10.59 am and 11.30 am, to its Jupiter Street branch, asking it to recall or freeze the remaining funds, the documents show. The reasons for the delay in sending those emails could not be ascertained. 
 
The branch processed withdrawals, totalling $58.15 million, between 10.24 am and 11.35 am, the documents show. According to former Senator Sergio Osmena, who led a Philippines&#39; Senate probe into the events, only $15.2 million of this was withdrawn before 11.19 a.m. 
 
&quot;RCBC did not perform its role properly,&quot; Bangladesh Bank&rsquo;s Saha said. &quot;RCBC is similarly liable as those parties who took money in their accounts.&quot; 
 
(Reuters) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

Unknown cyber criminals transferred $81 million from Bangladesh Bank to RSBC in Manila in February. Only $18 million has been recovered

Officials from the Bangladesh central bank are visiting Manila this week to pressure the authorities in the Philippines to find ways to return the $63 million that is still missing out of the funds stolen from its account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York earlier this year, two people close to Bangladesh Bank said. Unknown cyber criminals tried to steal nearly $1 billion from the Bangladesh Bank account between Feb. 4 and Feb. 5, and succeeded in transferring $81 million to four accounts at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC) in Manila. Only about $18 million has been recovered. The Bangladeshi officials are alleging that the money was allowed to disappear into the casino industry in the Philippines, where investigators say it was laundered, because of systemic failures at RCBC, the two sources said. Bangladesh Bank is relying on internal RCBC documents to buttress its assertion that the Filipino bank’s Jupiter Street branch in Manila ignored suspicions raised by some RCBC officials when the money was first remitted to the accounts on Feb. 5, and then delayed acting on requests from RCBC’s head office to freeze the funds on Feb. 9, said one of the sources in Dhaka. RCBC did not respond to requests for comment, but its then president Lorenzo Tan told a Senate hearing in March that the incident was "some judgment error from the people on the ground". "I think what happened here is we had the IT controls, the human controls. But unfortunately, it failed in the end, in the execution," said Tan, who subsequently resigned. "Yes, we are sorry this happened, but you know, it is human error, human judgment or intentional." The Bangladeshi delegation consists of Debaprosad Debnath and Abdul Rab from Bangladesh Bank's financial intelligence unit, Bangladesh Bank lawyer Ajmalul Hossain, and Bangladesh's ambassador to the Philippines, John Gomes. They plan to meet with officials from the anti-money-laundering council in Manila, the Philippines' department of justice, the central bank of the Philippines and from RCBC over the next four days, said the sources. Bangladesh Bank spokesman Subhankar Saha declined to say if the bank had plans to sue RCBC, but added it was trying to recover the money with the help of the Philippines' central bank. RCBS blamed its own employees RCBC has previously blamed its own employees for the ease with which the money left the bank, including the manager of the branch in question. But the Dhaka source said the Bangladesh Bank believes the failures extend beyond individual officers and that RCBC allowed itself to be used as a conduit for the illegal transfer of stolen money. Bangladesh Bank claims the documents show that RCBC should be accountable for the losses. The documents, which have been reviewed by Reuters, include emails between RCBC managers at the time of the heist in February as well as memos and emails to various RCBC officials during a subsequent internal investigation. They show that RCBC had frozen the accounts concerned at its Jupiter Street branch in Manila for about an hour on Friday Feb. 5 because of questions from some bank officials about where the money had come from, where it was going, and whether the transfers were legitimate. At 6.27 pm on that day, a temporary hold was placed on the accounts at the branch, pending further investigation into the "validity of the remittances and nature of the funds", according to one memo that was sent on March 21 by the head of RCBC’s human resources group, Rowena F. Subido, to Ismael S. Reyes, its national sales director for retail banking. Some officials at RCBC's headquarters, also in Manila, had questioned the transfers after about $22.7 million of the money was withdrawn from one of the accounts in cash at 3.16 pm that day only to be then deposited to another account that was opened at around 3 pm that day at the same branch, according to the notice sent to Reyes. However, the hold on the accounts was shortlived. By around 7.30 pm it was lifted after then Jupiter Branch Business Manager Maia Deguito's "representation to her superiors" that the transactions were legitimate, according to another memo sent to Reyes. Deguito was fired by the bank earlier this year and is under investigation by the Philippines' anti-money laundering council. Ferdinand Topacio, lawyer for Deguito, said that RCBC could not escape blame by singling out employees for mistakes. "If she had any fault, she was negligent and she was naive," Topacio said. He said RCBC did not act urgently on the stop payment requests from the Bangladesh central bank. The documents show that when the bank reopened on Tuesday, Feb. 9 after the Chinese New Year holiday, RCBC's settlements department received messages as early as 9.15 am from Bangladesh Bank, alerting it about the fraud. It sent four emails, between 10.59 am and 11.30 am, to its Jupiter Street branch, asking it to recall or freeze the remaining funds, the documents show. The reasons for the delay in sending those emails could not be ascertained. The branch processed withdrawals, totalling $58.15 million, between 10.24 am and 11.35 am, the documents show. According to former Senator Sergio Osmena, who led a Philippines' Senate probe into the events, only $15.2 million of this was withdrawn before 11.19 a.m. "RCBC did not perform its role properly," Bangladesh Bank’s Saha said. "RCBC is similarly liable as those parties who took money in their accounts." (Reuters)

Bangladesh officials visit Manila to seek recovery of bank heist money

A Bangladesh central bank team visiting Manila to recover $81 million stolen from its account in New York said it was close to getting back $15 million of the loot frozen by the Philippines, but first has to prove ownership of the cash to its hosts. 
 
Cyber criminals tried to steal nearly $1 billion from Bangladesh Bank&#39;s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in February, and succeeded in transferring $81 million to four accounts at Manila&#39;s Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC), which was then laundered through the city&#39;s casinos, according to investigators. 
 
Only about $18 million, including $2.7 million frozen by the Philippines&#39; casino regulator, has been accounted for. 
 
The Philippines&#39; Department of Justice (DoJ) has asked the Bangladesh Bank delegation to file a legal document staking its claim to $15 million of that, but the casino money will have to be pursued separately, said two sources close to the visiting team. 
 
&quot;We are in the final stages of recovering the $15 million, but for the rest we hope a (Philippines) senate hearing on the issue resumes so that we can get to know more details about the case,&quot; said John Gomes, Bangladesh&#39;s ambassador to the Philippines, who is helping the bank representatives on a four-day visit to Manila ending Friday. 
 
The last Philippines Senate hearing into the heist ended in May as a new government came to power under President Rodrigo Duterte. No date has been announced for a resumption. 
 
Bangladeshi officials say the money was able to disappear into the casino industry because of systemic failures at RCBC, not just individual error by some of its officers. 
 
Philippine central bank to fine RCBC&nbsp; 
 
The Philippine central bank said today it would fine RCBC 1 billion pesos ($21 million) in relation to failings over the heist, the largest amount it has ever approved &quot;as part of its supervisory enforcement actions&quot;. 
 
In March RCBC&#39;s then president Lorenzo Tan told a Senate hearing that there was &quot;some judgment error from the people on the ground&quot;. 
 
It said earlier today that the transfers were made based on authenticated instructions over payments network SWIFT, and the hackers had used stolen Bangladesh Bank credentials. 
 
The Bangladeshi delegation consists of Debaprosad Debnath and Abdul Rab from Bangladesh Bank&#39;s financial intelligence unit, and Bangladesh Bank lawyer Ajmalul Hossain. They have already met the DoJ and officials from the anti-money-laundering council in Manila, and will be seeing central bank officials. 
 
The team has prepared an affidavit citing a letter by the New York Fed to the Philippines&#39; central bank, in which the Fed said the money was stolen from Bangladesh Bank&#39;s account. The affidavit will be given to the DoJ to file with a court, the sources said. 
 
Gomes told Reuters late on Thursday he hoped the $15 million would be returned in a month. He will hold a press conference on the issue later on Friday. 
 
&#39;Prove it&#39;s your money&#39;&nbsp; 
 
Ricardo J. Paras III, chief state counsel of the DoJ, told Reuters that it has already drafted court documents to begin recovery of the $15 million, but it was important for Bangladesh to prove it is their money. 
 
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), a government body that regulates casinos in the country, has promised to cooperate with Bangladesh Bank to help it recover the $2.7 million it has frozen, Gomes said. 
 
&quot;The money is with Solaire (Resort and Casino),&quot; PAGCOR President Alfredo Lim told Reuters. &quot;It will put us in a bad light if the money is not immediately released to them.&quot; 
 
Solaire, operated by Bloomberry Resorts Corp, has said about $29 million of the funds came to the casino and most was transferred to the accounts of two junket operators. 
 
Solaire did not immediately return requests for comment. 
 
The Bangladeshi sources said they were writing to President Duterte, whom Gomes has already met, formally seeking his help to recover all of the stolen money. 
 
Duterte spokesman Ernesto Abella said Bangladesh Bank should reach out to the president soon. 
 
The sources said Bangladesh Bank would take RCBC to court if these efforts fail to bear fruit. 
 
It is relying on internal RCBC documents to buttress its assertion that the bank&rsquo;s Jupiter Street branch in Manila ignored suspicions raised by some RCBC officials when the money was first remitted to the accounts on Feb. 5, and then delayed acting on requests from RCBC&rsquo;s head office to freeze the funds on Feb. 9. 
 
&quot;Going to court instead of the media and various Philippine government agencies is the proper procedure,&quot; RCBC said in a statement. 
 
&quot;Bangladesh should finish its own investigation to determine who the culprits were before concluding the theft was an outside job, without fault on their part.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Bangladesh hopes to recover $15 million, but only after it proves it's their money. Cash laundered through city casinos

A Bangladesh central bank team visiting Manila to recover $81 million stolen from its account in New York said it was close to getting back $15 million of the loot frozen by the Philippines, but first has to prove ownership of the cash to its hosts. Cyber criminals tried to steal nearly $1 billion from Bangladesh Bank's account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in February, and succeeded in transferring $81 million to four accounts at Manila's Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC), which was then laundered through the city's casinos, according to investigators. Only about $18 million, including $2.7 million frozen by the Philippines' casino regulator, has been accounted for. The Philippines' Department of Justice (DoJ) has asked the Bangladesh Bank delegation to file a legal document staking its claim to $15 million of that, but the casino money will have to be pursued separately, said two sources close to the visiting team. "We are in the final stages of recovering the $15 million, but for the rest we hope a (Philippines) senate hearing on the issue resumes so that we can get to know more details about the case," said John Gomes, Bangladesh's ambassador to the Philippines, who is helping the bank representatives on a four-day visit to Manila ending Friday. The last Philippines Senate hearing into the heist ended in May as a new government came to power under President Rodrigo Duterte. No date has been announced for a resumption. Bangladeshi officials say the money was able to disappear into the casino industry because of systemic failures at RCBC, not just individual error by some of its officers. Philippine central bank to fine RCBC The Philippine central bank said today it would fine RCBC 1 billion pesos ($21 million) in relation to failings over the heist, the largest amount it has ever approved "as part of its supervisory enforcement actions". In March RCBC's then president Lorenzo Tan told a Senate hearing that there was "some judgment error from the people on the ground". It said earlier today that the transfers were made based on authenticated instructions over payments network SWIFT, and the hackers had used stolen Bangladesh Bank credentials. The Bangladeshi delegation consists of Debaprosad Debnath and Abdul Rab from Bangladesh Bank's financial intelligence unit, and Bangladesh Bank lawyer Ajmalul Hossain. They have already met the DoJ and officials from the anti-money-laundering council in Manila, and will be seeing central bank officials. The team has prepared an affidavit citing a letter by the New York Fed to the Philippines' central bank, in which the Fed said the money was stolen from Bangladesh Bank's account. The affidavit will be given to the DoJ to file with a court, the sources said. Gomes told Reuters late on Thursday he hoped the $15 million would be returned in a month. He will hold a press conference on the issue later on Friday. 'Prove it's your money' Ricardo J. Paras III, chief state counsel of the DoJ, told Reuters that it has already drafted court documents to begin recovery of the $15 million, but it was important for Bangladesh to prove it is their money. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), a government body that regulates casinos in the country, has promised to cooperate with Bangladesh Bank to help it recover the $2.7 million it has frozen, Gomes said. "The money is with Solaire (Resort and Casino)," PAGCOR President Alfredo Lim told Reuters. "It will put us in a bad light if the money is not immediately released to them." Solaire, operated by Bloomberry Resorts Corp, has said about $29 million of the funds came to the casino and most was transferred to the accounts of two junket operators. Solaire did not immediately return requests for comment. The Bangladeshi sources said they were writing to President Duterte, whom Gomes has already met, formally seeking his help to recover all of the stolen money. Duterte spokesman Ernesto Abella said Bangladesh Bank should reach out to the president soon. The sources said Bangladesh Bank would take RCBC to court if these efforts fail to bear fruit. It is relying on internal RCBC documents to buttress its assertion that the bank’s Jupiter Street branch in Manila ignored suspicions raised by some RCBC officials when the money was first remitted to the accounts on Feb. 5, and then delayed acting on requests from RCBC’s head office to freeze the funds on Feb. 9. "Going to court instead of the media and various Philippine government agencies is the proper procedure," RCBC said in a statement. "Bangladesh should finish its own investigation to determine who the culprits were before concluding the theft was an outside job, without fault on their part." (Reuters)

Bangladesh bank heist: Cyber thieves siphon-off $81 million from New York account, transfer loot to Manila bank

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