Students in Bangladesh staged protests and blocked major roads Monday after an undergraduate was beaten to death, allegedly by ruling party activists, for criticising the government over a water-sharing deal with India.

Protests broke out at several universities in Dhaka and the northern city of Rajshahi following the killing of Abrar Fahad of the&nbsp;Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.

Students chanted slogans demanding "justice" and blocked major roads in the two cities. Teachers joined some of the protests.

Dhaka deputy police commissioner Munstasirul Islam told AFP that Fahad was beaten to death and that ruling party activists were in custody for questioning.

His body was found in his university dorm and media quoted other residents as saying that members of the student wing of the ruling Awami League had interrogated and beaten him.

Ashikul Islam Bitu, a vice-president of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), told NTV that Fahad had been questioned over alleged links to an Islamist party's youth group.

After examining CCTV footage, police detained nine men from the same dorm, at least five of whom were BCL activists, local police chief Sohrab Hossain said.

He added that the victim's father has filed a murder case.

Fahad put up a post on Facebook that went viral hours before his death. In it, he criticised the government for signing an accord that allowed India to take water from a river that lies on the boundary the two countries share.

The BCL has earned notoriety in recent years after some of its members were accused of killing, violence and extortion.

Last year its members allegedly used violence to suppress a major anti-government student protest.&nbsp;

Those protests were sparked by anger over road safety after a student was killed by a speeding bus.&nbsp;

Last month the BCL president and general secretary were sacked over allegations they tried to extort money from the head of a state-run university.

Students in Bangladesh staged protests and blocked major roads Monday after an undergraduate was beaten to death, allegedly by ruling party activists, for criticising the government over a water-sharing deal with India.

Students in Bangladesh staged protests and blocked major roads Monday after an undergraduate was beaten to death, allegedly by ruling party activists, for criticising the government over a water-sharing deal with India. Protests broke out at several universities in Dhaka and the northern city of Rajshahi following the killing of Abrar Fahad of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Students chanted slogans demanding "justice" and blocked major roads in the two cities. Teachers joined some of the protests. Dhaka deputy police commissioner Munstasirul Islam told AFP that Fahad was beaten to death and that ruling party activists were in custody for questioning. His body was found in his university dorm and media quoted other residents as saying that members of the student wing of the ruling Awami League had interrogated and beaten him. Ashikul Islam Bitu, a vice-president of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), told NTV that Fahad had been questioned over alleged links to an Islamist party's youth group. After examining CCTV footage, police detained nine men from the same dorm, at least five of whom were BCL activists, local police chief Sohrab Hossain said. He added that the victim's father has filed a murder case. Fahad put up a post on Facebook that went viral hours before his death. In it, he criticised the government for signing an accord that allowed India to take water from a river that lies on the boundary the two countries share. The BCL has earned notoriety in recent years after some of its members were accused of killing, violence and extortion. Last year its members allegedly used violence to suppress a major anti-government student protest. Those protests were sparked by anger over road safety after a student was killed by a speeding bus. Last month the BCL president and general secretary were sacked over allegations they tried to extort money from the head of a state-run university.

Bangladesh student killing sparks university protests

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed a range of issues including a direct flight between Agartala and Dhaka.

"Delighted to attend the Dinner with Hon`ble PM of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina ji hosted by High commissioner of Bangladesh at New Delhi tonight," Deb tweeted.

The Chief Minister said he had a "fruitful interaction" with Hasina regarding various issues related to Indo-Bangladesh relations.

"Since Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh various bilateral issues related to Tripura and Bangladesh was also discussed. Most importantly after my request Madam Hasina also shown interest for an international flight from Dhaka to Agartala," he said.

Sources said that Bangladesh Prime Minister has given mutual consent after Deb put his demand to start a direct flight between Dhaka and Agartala.

He said Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a good bond and making friendly relation of both the countries including economic development.

Sources said that the Chief Minister urged the Bangladesh Prime Minister regarding BBIN services.

To this, Hasina informed Deb that they are going positive in this regard.

An agreement in this regard is likely to be announced soon. Sources said that Bangladesh is also ready to declare with GOI Sonamura Waterways as International Protocol rout.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed a range of issues including a direct flight between Agartala and Dhaka.

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Thursday met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed a range of issues including a direct flight between Agartala and Dhaka. "Delighted to attend the Dinner with Hon`ble PM of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina ji hosted by High commissioner of Bangladesh at New Delhi tonight," Deb tweeted. The Chief Minister said he had a "fruitful interaction" with Hasina regarding various issues related to Indo-Bangladesh relations. "Since Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh various bilateral issues related to Tripura and Bangladesh was also discussed. Most importantly after my request Madam Hasina also shown interest for an international flight from Dhaka to Agartala," he said. Sources said that Bangladesh Prime Minister has given mutual consent after Deb put his demand to start a direct flight between Dhaka and Agartala. He said Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a good bond and making friendly relation of both the countries including economic development. Sources said that the Chief Minister urged the Bangladesh Prime Minister regarding BBIN services. To this, Hasina informed Deb that they are going positive in this regard. An agreement in this regard is likely to be announced soon. Sources said that Bangladesh is also ready to declare with GOI Sonamura Waterways as International Protocol rout.

Tripura CM meets Hasina, discusses range of issues including direct flight between Dhaka, Agartala

Ride-sharing motorbike services are surging in popularity in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-bangladesh-reiterate-zero-tolerance-approach-against-terrorism-252550">Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka</a>, where nightmare traffic often means that walking is faster than travelling by car or bus.

Congestion in Dhaka, one of the world's most crowded cities with a population of 20 million, eats up 3.2 million working hours per day, according to a 2017 World Bank study. Average traffic speeds have dropped to 7km per hour from 21km/h over the last decade, only slightly faster than the average walking speed.

The debut of app-based ride-sharing services in May 2015 has helped to alleviate this problem. These days, service providers like Uber Technologies Inc, Pathao, Shohoz and OBHAI transport hundreds of thousands of people every day on motorcycles, navigating narrow alleys and congested traffic lanes.

"Sharing a bike ride saves me a lot of time, I can reach anywhere on time," said Khadija Khan, a private-sector employee who often hitches a bike ride.

The ride-sharing industry <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-to-fence-rohingya-camps-in-further-crackdown-252243">in Bangladesh</a> is worth an estimated 22 billion taka ($260 million) and accounts for about 23 per cent of the transport sector in the country, according to a 2018 study by the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI).

Local motorcycle ride-sharing service Pathao now has over five million users and more than 200,000 registered drivers, according to its chief executive, Hassan M. Elius.

"A trip which previously used to take two hours with uncomfortable rides on rickshaws and buses now only takes 40 minutes," Elius said. "That not only saves time but also increases productivity."

The advent of motorbike sharing apps is not only providing relief to commuters used to wasting hours in gridlocked traffic,&nbsp;it is also creating employment opportunities for thousands.

"For a young man like me from a low-income family, it is a big source of income," said student Lokman Hossain, who owns a motorbike.

However, unskilled bike drivers and reckless driving are often cited as one of the main reasons for a recent spike in traffic accidents in Bangladesh. More than 4,000 people die in road accidents each year, one of the world's highest rates.

Massive student protests sparked by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/two-rohingya-killed-in-gun-battle-with-bangladesh-border-guards-252365">death</a>&nbsp;of two teenagers mowed down by a speeding bus in the capital last July led to street battles and the use of tear gas and rubber bullets by police.

The following month, the country's cabinet approved raising the maximum jail sentence for rash driving deaths to five years from three.

Ride-sharing motorbike services are surging in popularity in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka, where nightmare traffic often means that walking is faster than travelling by car or bus.

Ride-sharing motorbike services are surging in popularity in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka, where nightmare traffic often means that walking is faster than travelling by car or bus. Congestion in Dhaka, one of the world's most crowded cities with a population of 20 million, eats up 3.2 million working hours per day, according to a 2017 World Bank study. Average traffic speeds have dropped to 7km per hour from 21km/h over the last decade, only slightly faster than the average walking speed. The debut of app-based ride-sharing services in May 2015 has helped to alleviate this problem. These days, service providers like Uber Technologies Inc, Pathao, Shohoz and OBHAI transport hundreds of thousands of people every day on motorcycles, navigating narrow alleys and congested traffic lanes. "Sharing a bike ride saves me a lot of time, I can reach anywhere on time," said Khadija Khan, a private-sector employee who often hitches a bike ride. The ride-sharing industry in Bangladesh is worth an estimated 22 billion taka ($260 million) and accounts for about 23 per cent of the transport sector in the country, according to a 2018 study by the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI). Local motorcycle ride-sharing service Pathao now has over five million users and more than 200,000 registered drivers, according to its chief executive, Hassan M. Elius. "A trip which previously used to take two hours with uncomfortable rides on rickshaws and buses now only takes 40 minutes," Elius said. "That not only saves time but also increases productivity." The advent of motorbike sharing apps is not only providing relief to commuters used to wasting hours in gridlocked traffic, it is also creating employment opportunities for thousands. "For a young man like me from a low-income family, it is a big source of income," said student Lokman Hossain, who owns a motorbike. However, unskilled bike drivers and reckless driving are often cited as one of the main reasons for a recent spike in traffic accidents in Bangladesh. More than 4,000 people die in road accidents each year, one of the world's highest rates. Massive student protests sparked by the death of two teenagers mowed down by a speeding bus in the capital last July led to street battles and the use of tear gas and rubber bullets by police. The following month, the country's cabinet approved raising the maximum jail sentence for rash driving deaths to five years from three.

Motorbike ridesharing services surge in popularity in Dhaka

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-hasina-accuses-myanmar-of-defying-promise-over-repatriation-of-rohingyas-225839">Bangladesh's prime minister has blamed Myanmar</a> for the failure of a recent attempt to repatriate Rohingya refugees, saying its neighbouring country did not do enough to win the community's trust.

The comments from Sheikh Hasina came three weeks after a fresh push to return the Muslim minority to Myanmar's conflict-scarred Rakhine state that fell flat when no-one turned up.

Some 740,000 Rohingya fled their villages in Rakhine following a military crackdown in August 2017, joining nearly 200,000 already living in squalid camps across the border in southeast Bangladesh.

"We've seen Myanmar could not win Rohingya's trust in creating a conducive situation (in Rakhine) for their dignified return," Hasina said in parliament late Wednesday.

"We had full preparation, but still the repatriation did not start uncertainty looms over Rohingya getting back their homes, land and other properties."

Hasina said she had asked other Asian nations including China, India, and Japan to help resolve the crisis.

Her comments reflect Dhaka's frustration over the lack of a resolution to the refugee crisis.

A previous repatriation offer was rejected by Rohingya leaders in October.

Watch: Bangladesh Feels ISI Could recruit from Rohingya Camps

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-bangladesh-feels-isi-could-recruit-from-rohingya-camps-246739/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Her government has also started to crack down on activity in the camps amid a recent outbreak of violence and rising tensions with locals.

Dhaka has imposed a virtual internet blackout in the camps in the border towns of Teknaf and Ukhia by cutting access to 3G and 4G mobile internet networks.

Expects have said 2G networks are too slow for internet use.

Rohingya leaders have repeatedly said the refugees will not return to their homeland unless their safety is ensured, their rights and citizenship are granted and they are allowed to resettle in their villages.

The Rohingya are not recognised as an official minority by the Myanmar government, which considers them Bengali interlopers despite many families having lived in the country for generations.

Bangladesh's prime minister has blamed Myanmar for the failure of a recent attempt to repatriate Rohingya refugees, saying its neighbouring country did not do enough to win the community's trust.

Bangladesh's prime minister has blamed Myanmar for the failure of a recent attempt to repatriate Rohingya refugees, saying its neighbouring country did not do enough to win the community's trust. The comments from Sheikh Hasina came three weeks after a fresh push to return the Muslim minority to Myanmar's conflict-scarred Rakhine state that fell flat when no-one turned up. Some 740,000 Rohingya fled their villages in Rakhine following a military crackdown in August 2017, joining nearly 200,000 already living in squalid camps across the border in southeast Bangladesh. "We've seen Myanmar could not win Rohingya's trust in creating a conducive situation (in Rakhine) for their dignified return," Hasina said in parliament late Wednesday. "We had full preparation, but still the repatriation did not start uncertainty looms over Rohingya getting back their homes, land and other properties." Hasina said she had asked other Asian nations including China, India, and Japan to help resolve the crisis. Her comments reflect Dhaka's frustration over the lack of a resolution to the refugee crisis. A previous repatriation offer was rejected by Rohingya leaders in October. Watch: Bangladesh Feels ISI Could recruit from Rohingya Camps Her government has also started to crack down on activity in the camps amid a recent outbreak of violence and rising tensions with locals. Dhaka has imposed a virtual internet blackout in the camps in the border towns of Teknaf and Ukhia by cutting access to 3G and 4G mobile internet networks. Expects have said 2G networks are too slow for internet use. Rohingya leaders have repeatedly said the refugees will not return to their homeland unless their safety is ensured, their rights and citizenship are granted and they are allowed to resettle in their villages. The Rohingya are not recognised as an official minority by the Myanmar government, which considers them Bengali interlopers despite many families having lived in the country for generations.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina blames Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation failure

Bangladesh on Thursday said it has banned two aid agencies from Rohingya camps in the country's southeast, alleging they were telling refugees to reject repatriation to their homeland in Myanmar.

The move came amid growing impatience from Dhaka about the presence of the refugees in the country, two years after some 740,000 were driven over the border by a military crackdown on the Muslim minority.

The latest repatriation attempt by Bangladesh and Myanmar two weeks ago, the second in less than a year, failed with not a single refugee volunteering to cross the border back home.

US-based Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and local organisation Al Markaz ul Islami were accused by the government's NGO Affairs Bureau of "instigating" the stateless minority against the recent repatriation attempt.

Kamal Hossain, the government administrator of Cox's Bazar district where the refugee camps are located, said Dhaka had issued a notice for the NGOs to immediately stop their activities across the country.

"The administration is taking action accordingly to the issued order," he told AFP, adding that the NGO Affairs Bureau also ordered bank transactions by the two agencies to be halted.

More than 130 aid agencies work in the three dozen squalid camps in Cox's Bazar, where the 740,000 Rohingya fled to, joining some 200,000 others already living here.

Foreign Minister 'A K Abdul Momen' last week said Dhaka would crackdown on aid agencies if they "do something going beyond their terms and references".

The Rohingya have refused to go home until Myanmar gives them guarantees of safety and citizenship status.

Tensions have ratcheted up in the camps in recent weeks as refugees marked the two-year anniversary of the 2017 exodus.

Four refugees have also been killed in the fallout over the murder of local ruling party official Omar Faruk, which police blame on Rohingya hitmen.

Bangladesh on Thursday said it has banned two aid agencies from Rohingya camps in the country's southeast, alleging they were telling refugees to reject repatriation to their homeland in Myanmar.

Bangladesh on Thursday said it has banned two aid agencies from Rohingya camps in the country's southeast, alleging they were telling refugees to reject repatriation to their homeland in Myanmar. The move came amid growing impatience from Dhaka about the presence of the refugees in the country, two years after some 740,000 were driven over the border by a military crackdown on the Muslim minority. The latest repatriation attempt by Bangladesh and Myanmar two weeks ago, the second in less than a year, failed with not a single refugee volunteering to cross the border back home. US-based Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and local organisation Al Markaz ul Islami were accused by the government's NGO Affairs Bureau of "instigating" the stateless minority against the recent repatriation attempt. Kamal Hossain, the government administrator of Cox's Bazar district where the refugee camps are located, said Dhaka had issued a notice for the NGOs to immediately stop their activities across the country. "The administration is taking action accordingly to the issued order," he told AFP, adding that the NGO Affairs Bureau also ordered bank transactions by the two agencies to be halted. More than 130 aid agencies work in the three dozen squalid camps in Cox's Bazar, where the 740,000 Rohingya fled to, joining some 200,000 others already living here. Foreign Minister 'A K Abdul Momen' last week said Dhaka would crackdown on aid agencies if they "do something going beyond their terms and references". The Rohingya have refused to go home until Myanmar gives them guarantees of safety and citizenship status. Tensions have ratcheted up in the camps in recent weeks as refugees marked the two-year anniversary of the 2017 exodus. Four refugees have also been killed in the fallout over the murder of local ruling party official Omar Faruk, which police blame on Rohingya hitmen.

Bangladesh bans two aid agencies from Rohingya refugee camps

Former Bangladeshi students are turning to social media to detail allegations of "rampant" sex abuse at the hands of teachers and older pupils in Islamic schools, breaking their silence on a taboo topic in the conservative country.

Child abuse in madrasas has long gone unreported in Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation where hardline Islamist groups draw their support from the tens of thousands of schools across the nation of 169 million people.

But in the wake of a brutal murder of a teenage girl who was burnt to death in April after accusing her headteacher of sexual assault, such incidents have been subject to national scrutiny and debate for the first time.

In July alone, at least five madrasa teachers have been arrested on rape charges against boys and girls under their care.

Several senior students were also held by police over the rape and beheading of an 11-year-old orphan, while a Dhaka cleric and seminary teacher was charged with sexually assaulting a dozen boys aged between 12 and 19.

The accusations reveal how students from poorer and rural backgrounds, whose parents send them to madrasas as they are more affordable than secular schools, are disproportionately affected by the abuse.

Rights activists said the assaults -- which range from violent rapes to forcible kissing -- are so pervasive that the cases reported in the media are just the tip of the iceberg.

"For years these crimes eluded spotlight due to sensitivity of the subject," Abdus Shahid, the head of child rights' group Bangladesh Shishu Odhikar Forum, told AFP.

"Devout Muslims send children to madrasas, but they don't speak up about these crimes as they feel it would harm these key religious institutions."

'Widespread and rampant'

Hojaifa al Mamduh, who studied in three madrasas in the capital Dhaka, published a series of posts on Facebook in July detailing the abuses endured by students including himself.

The assaults were "so widespread in the madrasas, every student who has studied there knows about it", Al Mamduh, now a journalism student at a Dhaka University, told AFP.

"Many madrasa teachers I know consider sex with children a lesser crime than consensual extramarital sex with women. Since they live in the same dormitories, the perpetrators can easily hide their crimes and put pressure on their poor students to keep mum."

The 23-year-old's posts generated heated debate in the country, and he was personally threatened.

He was accused of being "an agent of Jews and Christians" and smearing the "sacred image" of a madrasa by one social media user.

Another reminded him of the fate of Avijit Roy, a top Bangladeshi atheist blogger and writer who was hacked to death by Islamist extremists in 2015.

But his posts encouraged others to share their own experiences of alleged sex crimes.

Mostakimbillah Masum, who published his story on a feminist website, said he was "first raped by an elder student in my madrasa when I was just seven".

The 25-year-old told AFP that another one of his rapists was "a teacher who made me unconscious and raped me. It traumatised me permanently".

"Dozens of madrasa students I know were either raped or witnessed rapes and sexual assaults of their fellow students," he added. "It is so rampant almost every madrasa has a fair share of such stories."

Culture of impunity

Madrasa teachers have strongly denied the allegations, calling them "negative propaganda".

Mahfuzul Haq, a principal of a madrasa in Mohammadpur where Al Mamduh studied, told AFP "one or two isolated incidents can happen" as there were 20,000 madrasas in the South Asian nation.

"Those who don't like to study in madrasas are spreading these stories," he added.

A spokesman for hardline Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islami, which represents a coalition of thousands of madrasas, said his organisation told a recent conference of 1,200 principals to take "tough stand against any sex crimes".

However, there has been growing acknowledgment of the alleged offences.

Pro-Islamic website Fateh24.com, viewed as a voice for the madrasas, pointed out in a report that children were at risk in smaller seminaries run by just one or two teachers and that had no oversight from governing bodies.

Editor Iftekhar Jamil, a former madrasa student and teacher, added that the cases were "not isolated" incidents and called for closed-circuit cameras to be installed in students' sleeping quarters.

"Instead of looking for conspiracies, these madrasas must take up responsibility and adopt an action plan to tackle these crimes," he told AFP.

Former Bangladeshi students are turning to social media to detail allegations of "rampant" sex abuse at the hands of teachers and older pupils in Islamic schools, breaking their silence on a taboo topic in the conservative country.

Former Bangladeshi students are turning to social media to detail allegations of "rampant" sex abuse at the hands of teachers and older pupils in Islamic schools, breaking their silence on a taboo topic in the conservative country. Child abuse in madrasas has long gone unreported in Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation where hardline Islamist groups draw their support from the tens of thousands of schools across the nation of 169 million people. But in the wake of a brutal murder of a teenage girl who was burnt to death in April after accusing her headteacher of sexual assault, such incidents have been subject to national scrutiny and debate for the first time. In July alone, at least five madrasa teachers have been arrested on rape charges against boys and girls under their care. Several senior students were also held by police over the rape and beheading of an 11-year-old orphan, while a Dhaka cleric and seminary teacher was charged with sexually assaulting a dozen boys aged between 12 and 19. The accusations reveal how students from poorer and rural backgrounds, whose parents send them to madrasas as they are more affordable than secular schools, are disproportionately affected by the abuse. Rights activists said the assaults -- which range from violent rapes to forcible kissing -- are so pervasive that the cases reported in the media are just the tip of the iceberg. "For years these crimes eluded spotlight due to sensitivity of the subject," Abdus Shahid, the head of child rights' group Bangladesh Shishu Odhikar Forum, told AFP. "Devout Muslims send children to madrasas, but they don't speak up about these crimes as they feel it would harm these key religious institutions." 'Widespread and rampant' Hojaifa al Mamduh, who studied in three madrasas in the capital Dhaka, published a series of posts on Facebook in July detailing the abuses endured by students including himself. The assaults were "so widespread in the madrasas, every student who has studied there knows about it", Al Mamduh, now a journalism student at a Dhaka University, told AFP. "Many madrasa teachers I know consider sex with children a lesser crime than consensual extramarital sex with women. Since they live in the same dormitories, the perpetrators can easily hide their crimes and put pressure on their poor students to keep mum." The 23-year-old's posts generated heated debate in the country, and he was personally threatened. He was accused of being "an agent of Jews and Christians" and smearing the "sacred image" of a madrasa by one social media user. Another reminded him of the fate of Avijit Roy, a top Bangladeshi atheist blogger and writer who was hacked to death by Islamist extremists in 2015. But his posts encouraged others to share their own experiences of alleged sex crimes. Mostakimbillah Masum, who published his story on a feminist website, said he was "first raped by an elder student in my madrasa when I was just seven". The 25-year-old told AFP that another one of his rapists was "a teacher who made me unconscious and raped me. It traumatised me permanently". "Dozens of madrasa students I know were either raped or witnessed rapes and sexual assaults of their fellow students," he added. "It is so rampant almost every madrasa has a fair share of such stories." Culture of impunity Madrasa teachers have strongly denied the allegations, calling them "negative propaganda". Mahfuzul Haq, a principal of a madrasa in Mohammadpur where Al Mamduh studied, told AFP "one or two isolated incidents can happen" as there were 20,000 madrasas in the South Asian nation. "Those who don't like to study in madrasas are spreading these stories," he added. A spokesman for hardline Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islami, which represents a coalition of thousands of madrasas, said his organisation told a recent conference of 1,200 principals to take "tough stand against any sex crimes". However, there has been growing acknowledgment of the alleged offences. Pro-Islamic website Fateh24.com, viewed as a voice for the madrasas, pointed out in a report that children were at risk in smaller seminaries run by just one or two teachers and that had no oversight from governing bodies. Editor Iftekhar Jamil, a former madrasa student and teacher, added that the cases were "not isolated" incidents and called for closed-circuit cameras to be installed in students' sleeping quarters. "Instead of looking for conspiracies, these madrasas must take up responsibility and adopt an action plan to tackle these crimes," he told AFP.

Bangladeshis speak up about 'rampant' rapes in Islamic schools

Myanmar on Friday pushed the blame for its second failed attempt to repatriate the Rohingya in Bangladesh, a day after not a single refugee turned up to return to conflict-scarred Rakhine state.&nbsp;

The Myanmar military waged a brutal crackdown on the stateless Muslim minority in western Rakhine state, leading to an exodus of more than 740,000 Rohingya to neighbouring Bangladesh.&nbsp;

The region remains riven by religious and ethnic conflict.&nbsp;

The Rohingya who stayed remain confined in squalid camps or villages with no freedom of movement.

Despite a 2017 pact signed by the two countries, the first repatriation efforts have failed, with virtually no Rohingya agreeing to return without guarantees of safety and citizenship.

A fresh push was to begin Thursday, with both governments vowing to repatriate nearly 3,500 Rohingya, but this again fell flat when no one turned up for buses intended to ferry them across the border.&nbsp;

Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued the blame game on Friday.&nbsp;

"Smooth repatriation for the displaced persons would require the adherence to the bilateral agreement," the state-run New Light of Myanmar said.

The ministry put the onus on Bangladesh for failing to distribute the correct paperwork, so-called "verification forms" to potential returnees a controversial form of ID that falls short of granting Rohingya citizenship.

"This procedure was not adhered to," it said, adding Bangladesh had also "ignored" a request to expedite the return of more than 400 Hindu refugees.

The ministry confirmed China and Japan had facilitated the repatriation, and it had been the Chinese government that informed them earlier this month of Bangladesh's intent to re-start the process.

Dhaka is eager for the Rohingya's return, with its resources severely strained by nearly a million refugees living in camps.

Thursday's no-show by the refugees was "very disappointing" for Bangladesh, said foreign minister AK Abdul Momen.

He added the Rohingya were taking the country "hostage" by insisting on their demands for citizenship.

But rights groups warn that conditions are not right for repatriation, and UN investigators say the 2017 violence warrants the prosecution of top generals for "genocide".&nbsp;

Any Rohingya returning to Myanmar "will be going back into a situation of persecution", Christopher Sidoti, a UN fact-finding team member, told this week.

The Myanmar military is also currently locked in fierce fighting with the Arakan Army, a group claiming to fight for autonomy for the ethnic Rakhine people.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Myanmar on Friday pushed the blame for its second failed attempt to repatriate the Rohingya in Bangladesh, a day after not a single refugee turned up to return to conflict-scarred Rakhine state.

Myanmar on Friday pushed the blame for its second failed attempt to repatriate the Rohingya in Bangladesh, a day after not a single refugee turned up to return to conflict-scarred Rakhine state. The Myanmar military waged a brutal crackdown on the stateless Muslim minority in western Rakhine state, leading to an exodus of more than 740,000 Rohingya to neighbouring Bangladesh. The region remains riven by religious and ethnic conflict. The Rohingya who stayed remain confined in squalid camps or villages with no freedom of movement. Despite a 2017 pact signed by the two countries, the first repatriation efforts have failed, with virtually no Rohingya agreeing to return without guarantees of safety and citizenship. A fresh push was to begin Thursday, with both governments vowing to repatriate nearly 3,500 Rohingya, but this again fell flat when no one turned up for buses intended to ferry them across the border. Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued the blame game on Friday. "Smooth repatriation for the displaced persons would require the adherence to the bilateral agreement," the state-run New Light of Myanmar said. The ministry put the onus on Bangladesh for failing to distribute the correct paperwork, so-called "verification forms" to potential returnees a controversial form of ID that falls short of granting Rohingya citizenship. "This procedure was not adhered to," it said, adding Bangladesh had also "ignored" a request to expedite the return of more than 400 Hindu refugees. The ministry confirmed China and Japan had facilitated the repatriation, and it had been the Chinese government that informed them earlier this month of Bangladesh's intent to re-start the process. Dhaka is eager for the Rohingya's return, with its resources severely strained by nearly a million refugees living in camps. Thursday's no-show by the refugees was "very disappointing" for Bangladesh, said foreign minister AK Abdul Momen. He added the Rohingya were taking the country "hostage" by insisting on their demands for citizenship. But rights groups warn that conditions are not right for repatriation, and UN investigators say the 2017 violence warrants the prosecution of top generals for "genocide". Any Rohingya returning to Myanmar "will be going back into a situation of persecution", Christopher Sidoti, a UN fact-finding team member, told this week. The Myanmar military is also currently locked in fierce fighting with the Arakan Army, a group claiming to fight for autonomy for the ethnic Rakhine people.

Myanmar blames Rohingya repatriation failure on Bangladesh

After a meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart A K Abdul Momen, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said there is "no change" in India's position on the proposed Teesta water-sharing agreement between New Delhi and Dhaka.

"We have a position. We have a commitment to that position. There is no change," he told the media after his meeting with Momen at the state guest house Jamuna, reported Dhaka Tribune.

Sharing of water of the Teesta River, which originates from Sikkim and flows through West Bengal to merge with the Brahmaputra in Assam and Jamuna in Bangladesh, is the most contentious issue between New Delhi and Dhaka. While Bangladesh has demanded 50 per cent of the river's water supply from December to March, India has claimed a share of 55 per cent.

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Bangladesh: Speaking to media after bilateral discussions, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said that he had a fruitful interaction with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen 
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Previously, the Teesta water agreement was slated to be inked between the two countries on September 6, 2011, during the visit of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka.

But the proposed deal was called off after repeated objections by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The water-sharing issue was once again discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Dhaka in June 2015.

Modi had assured his Bangladeshi counterpart, Shiekh Hasina, that the waters of the river would be shared while looking forward to achieving a quick resolution to the issue.

Jaishnakar, who is on a three-day visit to Bangladesh, held "fruitful interaction" with Momen on a wide range of bilateral issues including Rohingyas and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming visit to New Delhi in October.

The External Affairs Minister said India is looking forward to host her. Jaishankar described Bangladesh-India relations as a model for other South Asian countries.

"Speaking to the media after the bilateral discussions #JamunaGuestHouse, EAM @DrSJaishankar said that he had a fruitful interaction with Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. @AKAbdulMomen and that #India is looking forward to host Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Hasina in #NewDelhi in October," the Indian Embassy in Bangladesh tweeted.

While speaking on the issue of Rohingyas, Jaishankar said Bangladesh and India have agreed upon their "safe, speedy and sustainable <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/un-agency-bangladesh-begin-survey-of-rohingya-over-return-to-myanmar-244372">return" to Myanmar</a>.

More than 700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar's western Rakhine state after a military crackdown that started in August last year. Many of them entered Bangladesh and are living there since then.

Jaishankar is scheduled to meet Hasina. Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, Riva Ganguly Das, will be hosting a private dinner for the minister tonight.&nbsp;

After a meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart A K Abdul Momen, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said there is "no change" in India's position on the proposed Teesta water-sharing agreement between New Delhi and Dhaka.

After a meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart A K Abdul Momen, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said there is "no change" in India's position on the proposed Teesta water-sharing agreement between New Delhi and Dhaka. "We have a position. We have a commitment to that position. There is no change," he told the media after his meeting with Momen at the state guest house Jamuna, reported Dhaka Tribune. Sharing of water of the Teesta River, which originates from Sikkim and flows through West Bengal to merge with the Brahmaputra in Assam and Jamuna in Bangladesh, is the most contentious issue between New Delhi and Dhaka. While Bangladesh has demanded 50 per cent of the river's water supply from December to March, India has claimed a share of 55 per cent. Bangladesh: Speaking to media after bilateral discussions, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said that he had a fruitful interaction with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and India is looking forward to host Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi in October. pic.twitter.com/rF5QDtA5Kc — ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2019 × Previously, the Teesta water agreement was slated to be inked between the two countries on September 6, 2011, during the visit of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka. But the proposed deal was called off after repeated objections by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The water-sharing issue was once again discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Dhaka in June 2015. Modi had assured his Bangladeshi counterpart, Shiekh Hasina, that the waters of the river would be shared while looking forward to achieving a quick resolution to the issue. Jaishnakar, who is on a three-day visit to Bangladesh, held "fruitful interaction" with Momen on a wide range of bilateral issues including Rohingyas and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming visit to New Delhi in October. The External Affairs Minister said India is looking forward to host her. Jaishankar described Bangladesh-India relations as a model for other South Asian countries. "Speaking to the media after the bilateral discussions #JamunaGuestHouse, EAM @DrSJaishankar said that he had a fruitful interaction with Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. @AKAbdulMomen and that #India is looking forward to host Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Hasina in #NewDelhi in October," the Indian Embassy in Bangladesh tweeted. While speaking on the issue of Rohingyas, Jaishankar said Bangladesh and India have agreed upon their "safe, speedy and sustainable return" to Myanmar. More than 700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar's western Rakhine state after a military crackdown that started in August last year. Many of them entered Bangladesh and are living there since then. Jaishankar is scheduled to meet Hasina. Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka, Riva Ganguly Das, will be hosting a private dinner for the minister tonight.

'No change' in Teesta water-sharing agreement with Bangladesh: S Jaishankar

At least 10,000 people are homeless after a massive fire swept through a crowded slum in the Bangladesh capital and destroyed thousands of shanties, officials said Sunday.

The fire broke out at in Dhaka's Mirpur neighbourhood late on Friday and razed around 2,000 mostly tin shacks, fire services official Ershad Hossain told AFP.

"I could not salvage a single thing. I don't know what will I do," 58-year-old Abdul Hamid, who ran a tea stall inside the slum, told AFP as he broke down in tears.

Authorities eventually got the blaze under control and no-one was killed, although several people had minor injuries, firefighters said.

Many residents -- largely low-income garment factory workers -- were not in the slum as they had left their homes to celebrate the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday with their families.

"Otherwise, the damage would have been bigger," local police chief Golam Rabbani said.

Around 10,000 people have taken refuge in crammed camps at nearby schools closed for the weeklong holiday, according to Hossain.

"We are providing them with food, water, mobile toilets, and electricity supply," municipal official Shafiul Azam told AFP, adding that authorities were trying to find permanent accommodation.

Some families have erected tarpaulins to shelter them from bouts of rain during the monsoon season, but the wet conditions have turned the fields muddy.

Experts say fires are frequent in Dhaka due to lax safety measures.

At least 100 people have been killed so far this year in building fires across the densely populated metropolitan city.

In 2012, a fire swept through a nine-storey garment factory near Dhaka killing 111 workers. An investigation found it was caused by sabotage and that managers at the plant had prevented victims from escaping.

A 2010 fire in Nimtoli, one of the most densely populated districts of the capital, killed 123 people.

At least 10,000 people are homeless after a massive fire swept through a crowded slum in the Bangladesh capital and destroyed thousands of shanties, officials said Sunday.

At least 10,000 people are homeless after a massive fire swept through a crowded slum in the Bangladesh capital and destroyed thousands of shanties, officials said Sunday. The fire broke out at in Dhaka's Mirpur neighbourhood late on Friday and razed around 2,000 mostly tin shacks, fire services official Ershad Hossain told AFP. "I could not salvage a single thing. I don't know what will I do," 58-year-old Abdul Hamid, who ran a tea stall inside the slum, told AFP as he broke down in tears. Authorities eventually got the blaze under control and no-one was killed, although several people had minor injuries, firefighters said. Many residents -- largely low-income garment factory workers -- were not in the slum as they had left their homes to celebrate the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday with their families. "Otherwise, the damage would have been bigger," local police chief Golam Rabbani said. Around 10,000 people have taken refuge in crammed camps at nearby schools closed for the weeklong holiday, according to Hossain. "We are providing them with food, water, mobile toilets, and electricity supply," municipal official Shafiul Azam told AFP, adding that authorities were trying to find permanent accommodation. Some families have erected tarpaulins to shelter them from bouts of rain during the monsoon season, but the wet conditions have turned the fields muddy. Experts say fires are frequent in Dhaka due to lax safety measures. At least 100 people have been killed so far this year in building fires across the densely populated metropolitan city. In 2012, a fire swept through a nine-storey garment factory near Dhaka killing 111 workers. An investigation found it was caused by sabotage and that managers at the plant had prevented victims from escaping. A 2010 fire in Nimtoli, one of the most densely populated districts of the capital, killed 123 people.

At least 10,000 homeless after fire razes Bangladesh slum

Malaysian authorities have initiated an investigation against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/islamic-preacher-zakir-naik-not-to-return-to-india-soon-2289">controversial preacher Zakir Naik </a>over his intent to provoke a peace breach while making alleged and sensitive remarks on the Hindus and Chinese residing in the Muslim-majority nation.

"We have opened an investigation paper based on a report made in Gombak. Around 115 reports have been lodged on the matter so far," said Federal CID director Huzir Mohamed was quoted as saying by The Strait Times during a press conference last Thursday at the Selangor police headquarters here.

Zakir had asked the Malaysian Chinese to "go back" first, as they were the "old guests" of the country, during a religious talk titled "Executive Talk Bersama Dr Zakir Naik" in Kota Baru, Kelantan, in response to calls for his deportation.

His speech at the same venue was also condemned by many parties after he compared the Hindus in Malaysia to the Muslims in India, saying that the Hindus here enjoyed more than 100 per cent rights in Malaysia compared to Muslims in India.

In the wake of Naik`s remarks, the Malaysian Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has further decided to issue statements that Naik will no longer be allowed to stay in Malaysia.

"We have expressed our position which is that action must be taken and that Zakir Naik should no longer be allowed to remain in Malaysia," said Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran in a joint statement cited by Al Jazeera.

"The Prime Minister has taken note of our concerns. We leave it to him to consider the position and to decide soonest possible what will be done to deal with the problem," the statement read.

Naik had earlier also alleged that the Hindus in Malaysia are more loyal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi than Mahathir Mohamad.

Naik, who was granted permanent residency in Malaysia by the previous government, has been living in the country for the last three years.

He is facing charges of inciting communal disharmony and committing unlawful activities in India.

He is also facing probe both in India and Bangladesh in connection with the terror attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka in July 2016.

The two suspects in the terror attack had claimed that they were inspired by Naik's radical preaching.

India said it has made a formal request to Malaysia and will continue to pursue his extradition.

However, Mohamad had recently said that his country has the right not to extradite Naik, for similar reasons that Australia had turned down his country's request to extradite Sirul Azhar Umar in 2015.&nbsp;

He also said that Naik believes that he would not be accorded justice in India.

Muslims make up about 60 per cent of its 32 million people. The rest are mostly ethnic Chinese and Indians, most of whom are Hindus.

Malaysian authorities have initiated an investigation against controversial preacher Zakir Naik over his intent to provoke a peace breach while making alleged and sensitive remarks on the Hindus and Chinese residing in the Muslim-majority nation.

Malaysian authorities have initiated an investigation against controversial preacher Zakir Naik over his intent to provoke a peace breach while making alleged and sensitive remarks on the Hindus and Chinese residing in the Muslim-majority nation. "We have opened an investigation paper based on a report made in Gombak. Around 115 reports have been lodged on the matter so far," said Federal CID director Huzir Mohamed was quoted as saying by The Strait Times during a press conference last Thursday at the Selangor police headquarters here. Zakir had asked the Malaysian Chinese to "go back" first, as they were the "old guests" of the country, during a religious talk titled "Executive Talk Bersama Dr Zakir Naik" in Kota Baru, Kelantan, in response to calls for his deportation. His speech at the same venue was also condemned by many parties after he compared the Hindus in Malaysia to the Muslims in India, saying that the Hindus here enjoyed more than 100 per cent rights in Malaysia compared to Muslims in India. In the wake of Naik`s remarks, the Malaysian Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has further decided to issue statements that Naik will no longer be allowed to stay in Malaysia. "We have expressed our position which is that action must be taken and that Zakir Naik should no longer be allowed to remain in Malaysia," said Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran in a joint statement cited by Al Jazeera. "The Prime Minister has taken note of our concerns. We leave it to him to consider the position and to decide soonest possible what will be done to deal with the problem," the statement read. Naik had earlier also alleged that the Hindus in Malaysia are more loyal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi than Mahathir Mohamad. Naik, who was granted permanent residency in Malaysia by the previous government, has been living in the country for the last three years. He is facing charges of inciting communal disharmony and committing unlawful activities in India. He is also facing probe both in India and Bangladesh in connection with the terror attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka in July 2016. The two suspects in the terror attack had claimed that they were inspired by Naik's radical preaching. India said it has made a formal request to Malaysia and will continue to pursue his extradition. However, Mohamad had recently said that his country has the right not to extradite Naik, for similar reasons that Australia had turned down his country's request to extradite Sirul Azhar Umar in 2015. He also said that Naik believes that he would not be accorded justice in India. Muslims make up about 60 per cent of its 32 million people. The rest are mostly ethnic Chinese and Indians, most of whom are Hindus.

Malaysia probes Zakir Naik over inflammatory speeches

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-faces-worst-ever-dengue-fever-outbreak-239918">At least 40 people have died in Bangladesh</a>'s worst-ever outbreak of dengue, officials said Tuesday, as overburdened hospitals struggled to treat thousands of patients.

Outbreaks of the mosquito-borne viral infection, which causes flu-like symptoms but can be deadly if it develops into a hemorrhagic fever, usually occur in the South Asian nation during the monsoon season between June and September but this year the disease has reached epidemic proportions.

More than 44,000 people have been admitted to hospitals with the illness since January, including some 2,100 on Monday alone, said health ministry official Ayesha Akhter.&nbsp;

"We have confirmed 40 dengue-related casualties so far to Monday," she told AFP.

Local media put the number much higher, reporting that the death toll passed 100 last week.

The week-long holiday marking the Muslim festival of Eid-al-Adha has seen hundreds of thousands of people leaving Bangladeshi cities to return to their family homes in the countryside, raising concerns that the disease will spread further.&nbsp;

The country's health minister said the outbreak was "gradually reducing" while inaugurating an emergency dengue ward at a public hospital in Dhaka this week.

For the first time on record, holidays for all public health workers have been cancelled to help respond to the crisis, said health ministry director-general Abul Kalam Azad.

"It is getting very tough to cope up with the amount of work pressure," one medical officer told AFP.

At least 40 people have died in Bangladesh's worst-ever outbreak of dengue, officials said Tuesday, as overburdened hospitals struggled to treat thousands of patients.

At least 40 people have died in Bangladesh's worst-ever outbreak of dengue, officials said Tuesday, as overburdened hospitals struggled to treat thousands of patients. Outbreaks of the mosquito-borne viral infection, which causes flu-like symptoms but can be deadly if it develops into a hemorrhagic fever, usually occur in the South Asian nation during the monsoon season between June and September but this year the disease has reached epidemic proportions. More than 44,000 people have been admitted to hospitals with the illness since January, including some 2,100 on Monday alone, said health ministry official Ayesha Akhter. "We have confirmed 40 dengue-related casualties so far to Monday," she told AFP. Local media put the number much higher, reporting that the death toll passed 100 last week. The week-long holiday marking the Muslim festival of Eid-al-Adha has seen hundreds of thousands of people leaving Bangladeshi cities to return to their family homes in the countryside, raising concerns that the disease will spread further. The country's health minister said the outbreak was "gradually reducing" while inaugurating an emergency dengue ward at a public hospital in Dhaka this week. For the first time on record, holidays for all public health workers have been cancelled to help respond to the crisis, said health ministry director-general Abul Kalam Azad. "It is getting very tough to cope up with the amount of work pressure," one medical officer told AFP.

At least 40 dead in Bangladesh's worst-ever dengue outbreak

Five-year-old Mohammad Ahnaf lies in a makeshift bed in the balcony of a major hospital in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, fighting for his life as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-faces-worst-ever-dengue-fever-outbreak-239918">dengue fever</a> ravages his little body.

But his mother Shimul Akhter knows he is one of the lucky ones as Bangladesh grapples with its worst-ever outbreak of the viral fever -- 23 have died and many cannot get access to medical help at all.&nbsp;

Since January, almost 30,000 people have been hospitalised with the disease nationwide, and in the past week, some 2,000 patients a day have been admitted to hospitals.&nbsp;

"The situation is like an epidemic. But no-one is admitting it," one expert, who asked to remain anonymous, told AFP adding the real number of those with dengue was likely to be several times higher than official figures, which are based on limited data.

Panic is setting in. Such is the terror of those with symptoms that medical staff have been attacked as they try to stretch the meagre resources around and in some cases armed guards have been called in for protection.

Facilities are struggling to cope with the influx -- mattresses line every inch of spare floor extending beyond wards into corridors and balconies.

Dengue, which causes flu-like symptoms, can be deadly if it develops into a hemorrhagic fever. There is no vaccine or any specific medicine to treat dengue, according to the World Health Organisation.

'People panic'

Authorities are worried the situation is set to worsen.

With the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holidays, the fever could spread to remote villages as tens of millions of people head back to rural areas to celebrate the Muslim festival.

At Suhrawardi Medical College Hospital in central Dhaka where Ahnaf has been admitted, all the wards are full of dengue patients.

New arrivals are given whatever open space is available in the hospital.

"There is no bed available inside the wards. Too many patients are getting admitted and too many patients have been sent back," Akhter said.

"But Allah was kind, we got a bed in the balcony after waiting for hours," the 30-year-old added.

At the hospital's diagnosis centre, hundreds of people -- many clutching sick babies in their laps -- queued up to take dengue tests.

"Doctors decide which dengue patient should be admitted to hospital and who would take treatment at home.&nbsp;

"But people's attitude towards dengue has changed. They are panicked and everyone wants to get admitted in the hospital," explained Suhrawardi's director Uttam Kumar Barua, adding that exhausted medical teams had been working round the clock for weeks.&nbsp;

Outside, people crowd pharmacies to buy mosquito repellents, with some stores running out of supplies in recent days. Other residents say the ointments and sprays are now being sold at exorbitant prices.

'National disaster'

The head of Bangladesh's National Health Rights Society, renowned doctor Rashid-e-Mahbub, said the "national disaster" was in part caused by the lack of anti-mosquito measures before the annual monsoon season.

Leading virologist Saifullah Munshi added that a construction boom in Dhaka, unplanned urbanisation and climate change -- which has caused a spike in humidity and intermittent rains -- had created ideal breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito, which spreads the disease.

The country's health department said some 23 people have died so far, although it has cautioned the official fatality figures are low due to a slow validation process.&nbsp;

But mass-circulation Bengali daily Prothom Alo said the death toll was nearly 100.

Meanwhile, Akhter fears for her family's health. The hospital doesn't have a dedicated paediatric intensive care unit to handle severe cases such as Mohammad.

Her other son, who is just three years old, is also starting to feel feverish.

She says: "We are very much scared. My elder boy is still not out of danger. Now he (younger son) felt warm this morning. I hope he has not caught dengue."

Five-year-old Mohammad Ahnaf lies in a makeshift bed in the balcony of a major hospital in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, fighting for his life as dengue fever ravages his little body.

Five-year-old Mohammad Ahnaf lies in a makeshift bed in the balcony of a major hospital in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, fighting for his life as dengue fever ravages his little body. But his mother Shimul Akhter knows he is one of the lucky ones as Bangladesh grapples with its worst-ever outbreak of the viral fever -- 23 have died and many cannot get access to medical help at all. Since January, almost 30,000 people have been hospitalised with the disease nationwide, and in the past week, some 2,000 patients a day have been admitted to hospitals. "The situation is like an epidemic. But no-one is admitting it," one expert, who asked to remain anonymous, told AFP adding the real number of those with dengue was likely to be several times higher than official figures, which are based on limited data. Panic is setting in. Such is the terror of those with symptoms that medical staff have been attacked as they try to stretch the meagre resources around and in some cases armed guards have been called in for protection. Facilities are struggling to cope with the influx -- mattresses line every inch of spare floor extending beyond wards into corridors and balconies. Dengue, which causes flu-like symptoms, can be deadly if it develops into a hemorrhagic fever. There is no vaccine or any specific medicine to treat dengue, according to the World Health Organisation. 'People panic' Authorities are worried the situation is set to worsen. With the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holidays, the fever could spread to remote villages as tens of millions of people head back to rural areas to celebrate the Muslim festival. At Suhrawardi Medical College Hospital in central Dhaka where Ahnaf has been admitted, all the wards are full of dengue patients. New arrivals are given whatever open space is available in the hospital. "There is no bed available inside the wards. Too many patients are getting admitted and too many patients have been sent back," Akhter said. "But Allah was kind, we got a bed in the balcony after waiting for hours," the 30-year-old added. At the hospital's diagnosis centre, hundreds of people -- many clutching sick babies in their laps -- queued up to take dengue tests. "Doctors decide which dengue patient should be admitted to hospital and who would take treatment at home. "But people's attitude towards dengue has changed. They are panicked and everyone wants to get admitted in the hospital," explained Suhrawardi's director Uttam Kumar Barua, adding that exhausted medical teams had been working round the clock for weeks. Outside, people crowd pharmacies to buy mosquito repellents, with some stores running out of supplies in recent days. Other residents say the ointments and sprays are now being sold at exorbitant prices. 'National disaster' The head of Bangladesh's National Health Rights Society, renowned doctor Rashid-e-Mahbub, said the "national disaster" was in part caused by the lack of anti-mosquito measures before the annual monsoon season. Leading virologist Saifullah Munshi added that a construction boom in Dhaka, unplanned urbanisation and climate change -- which has caused a spike in humidity and intermittent rains -- had created ideal breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito, which spreads the disease. The country's health department said some 23 people have died so far, although it has cautioned the official fatality figures are low due to a slow validation process. But mass-circulation Bengali daily Prothom Alo said the death toll was nearly 100. Meanwhile, Akhter fears for her family's health. The hospital doesn't have a dedicated paediatric intensive care unit to handle severe cases such as Mohammad. Her other son, who is just three years old, is also starting to feel feverish. She says: "We are very much scared. My elder boy is still not out of danger. Now he (younger son) felt warm this morning. I hope he has not caught dengue."

'We are scared': Deadly dengue outbreak overwhelms Bangladesh

Bangladesh is facing its worst-ever dengue fever outbreak.

The mosquito-borne viral infection has spread across the country with 61 out of 64 districts reporting dengue cases by late Tuesday.

The country capital Dhaka has registered the highest number of deaths in the case.

The viral has so far claimed the lives of fourteen&nbsp;people.

Around 15,369 patients have been diagnosed with the fever since January.&nbsp;Out of this over 9,683&nbsp;cases were registered in the month of July.&nbsp;

As of Tuesday, about 4,400 patients, including many children, were undergoing hospital treatment.&nbsp;

The figures&nbsp;show a sharp increase in the number of cases over the months.&nbsp;

Hospitals are flooded with patients, putting a severe strain on the country's already overwhelmed medical system.

&nbsp;

Bangladesh is facing its worst-ever dengue fever outbreak. The mosquito-borne viral infection has spread across the country with 61 out of 64 districts reporting dengue cases by late Tuesday.

Bangladesh is facing its worst-ever dengue fever outbreak. The mosquito-borne viral infection has spread across the country with 61 out of 64 districts reporting dengue cases by late Tuesday. The country capital Dhaka has registered the highest number of deaths in the case. The viral has so far claimed the lives of fourteen people. Around 15,369 patients have been diagnosed with the fever since January. Out of this over 9,683 cases were registered in the month of July. As of Tuesday, about 4,400 patients, including many children, were undergoing hospital treatment. The figures show a sharp increase in the number of cases over the months. Hospitals are flooded with patients, putting a severe strain on the country's already overwhelmed medical system.

Bangladesh faces worst ever Dengue fever outbreak

When we think of international borders between two countries, we often tend to come across either secured checkpoints or, perhaps, unremarkable, isolated, and imaginary dividers between the two pieces of land.

In this context, it would be very interesting to note that a house located on the zero-line (no fencing in an area of 385 yards) between India and Bangladesh is home to people who belong to the two different countries.&nbsp;

The house is located in Haripukur, on the India-Bangladesh border. Interestingly, the house draws attention as `Bangladesh` is written on the left wall while `India` on the other side.&nbsp;

This identification indicates that all dwellers in the house do not belong to the same country.

&nbsp;People share the same house, celebrate festivals together and continue their daily works without affecting anyone`s interest, despite vigilant security at all times.

The Border Security Force and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) keep their troops deployed on respective sides of the India-Bangladesh border. Speaking to ANI, BGB Major Nayeem commander said that they do not face much problem due to a cordial relationship with India but remain cautious at the same time.

The BSF too reiterated the same thing to ANI.BSF commander B.S. Negi told ANI that the BSF and the BGB ensure the security and safety of zero-line.

"There is no line between temples and mosques here, but people are not fear-free. They do feel some sort of restrictions due to round the clock presence of security forces. Bangladeshis and Indians have a separate mosque to offer Namaz prayers. Even before any celebration or festival security forces are intimated," Negi added.&nbsp;

When we think of international borders between two countries, we often tend to come across either secured checkpoints or, perhaps, unremarkable, isolated, and imaginary dividers between the two pieces of land.

When we think of international borders between two countries, we often tend to come across either secured checkpoints or, perhaps, unremarkable, isolated, and imaginary dividers between the two pieces of land. In this context, it would be very interesting to note that a house located on the zero-line (no fencing in an area of 385 yards) between India and Bangladesh is home to people who belong to the two different countries. The house is located in Haripukur, on the India-Bangladesh border. Interestingly, the house draws attention as `Bangladesh` is written on the left wall while `India` on the other side. This identification indicates that all dwellers in the house do not belong to the same country. People share the same house, celebrate festivals together and continue their daily works without affecting anyone`s interest, despite vigilant security at all times. The Border Security Force and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) keep their troops deployed on respective sides of the India-Bangladesh border. Speaking to ANI, BGB Major Nayeem commander said that they do not face much problem due to a cordial relationship with India but remain cautious at the same time. The BSF too reiterated the same thing to ANI.BSF commander B.S. Negi told ANI that the BSF and the BGB ensure the security and safety of zero-line. "There is no line between temples and mosques here, but people are not fear-free. They do feel some sort of restrictions due to round the clock presence of security forces. Bangladeshis and Indians have a separate mosque to offer Namaz prayers. Even before any celebration or festival security forces are intimated," Negi added.

House on Indo-Bangladesh border has dwellers from both countries

At least 10 people were killed in a northwestern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-hasina-accuses-myanmar-of-defying-promise-over-repatriation-of-rohingyas-225839">Bangladesh</a> town after a train hit a wedding party van at an unmanned crossing, officials said Monday.

The Dhaka-bound train hit the van in Ullahpara, some 145 kilometres (90 miles) away from the capital, as 14 people were returning home from a wedding ceremony, local police chief Koushik Ahmed said.

As the van neared an unmanned railway crossing without noticing the rushing train approaching, the crash occurred leaving eight people including the bride and the groom dead on spot.

"Another two (injured) died in the hospital and the rest were injured," he told AFP.

Fatal railway accidents are common in the South Asian country where some 40 percent of the approximately 2,500 rail crossings are unmanned.

According to the police, nearly 6,000 people died in railway accidents on the country's 2,800-kilometres (1,730-mile) rail network in the last six and a half years.

At least 10 people were killed in a northwestern Bangladesh town after a train hit a wedding party van at an unmanned crossing, officials said Monday. The Dhaka-bound train hit the van in Ullahpara, some 145 kilometres (90 miles) away from the capital, as 14 people were returning home from a wedding ceremony, local police chief Koushik Ahmed said.

At least 10 people were killed in a northwestern Bangladesh town after a train hit a wedding party van at an unmanned crossing, officials said Monday. The Dhaka-bound train hit the van in Ullahpara, some 145 kilometres (90 miles) away from the capital, as 14 people were returning home from a wedding ceremony, local police chief Koushik Ahmed said. As the van neared an unmanned railway crossing without noticing the rushing train approaching, the crash occurred leaving eight people including the bride and the groom dead on spot. "Another two (injured) died in the hospital and the rest were injured," he told AFP. Fatal railway accidents are common in the South Asian country where some 40 percent of the approximately 2,500 rail crossings are unmanned. According to the police, nearly 6,000 people died in railway accidents on the country's 2,800-kilometres (1,730-mile) rail network in the last six and a half years.

Ten dead after Bangladesh train strikes wedding party

Dozens of people protesting against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/bangladesh-raises-natural-gas-price-by-about-33-231828">Bangladeshi government's sudden decision to hike gas prices</a> by a third clashed on Sunday with police outside the energy ministry in Dhaka, protest leaders and police said.

Last month the state-run Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission announced it would raise natural gas prices by 32.8% on average for all users from July 1, the first day of the country's fiscal year.

Sunday's protest was organised by the Left Democratic Alliance (LDA), which said at least 15 of its members were injured during the confrontation with police.

"We tried to go to the office of the energy ministry to raise our concern over the gas price rise but police prevented and scuffled with us," said Ruhin Hossain, secretary of Bangladesh Communist Party which belongs to the LDA.

Police said officers tried to prevent protesters from breaking through a barricade and that it was unaware of anyone being injured.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said last week the price increases were necessary to sustain economic growth.

Dozens of people protesting against the Bangladeshi government's sudden decision to hike gas prices by a third clashed on Sunday with police outside the energy ministry in Dhaka, protest leaders and police said.

Dozens of people protesting against the Bangladeshi government's sudden decision to hike gas prices by a third clashed on Sunday with police outside the energy ministry in Dhaka, protest leaders and police said. Last month the state-run Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission announced it would raise natural gas prices by 32.8% on average for all users from July 1, the first day of the country's fiscal year. Sunday's protest was organised by the Left Democratic Alliance (LDA), which said at least 15 of its members were injured during the confrontation with police. "We tried to go to the office of the energy ministry to raise our concern over the gas price rise but police prevented and scuffled with us," said Ruhin Hossain, secretary of Bangladesh Communist Party which belongs to the LDA. Police said officers tried to prevent protesters from breaking through a barricade and that it was unaware of anyone being injured. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said last week the price increases were necessary to sustain economic growth.

Bangladesh: Dozens clash with police at gas price protest in Dhaka

At least ten people lost their lives after being struck by lightning across three districts in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-hasina-accuses-myanmar-of-defying-promise-over-repatriation-of-rohingyas-225839">Bangladesh</a> on Saturday.

Most of the people who died were farmworkers in the districts of Pabna, Mymensingh, and Chuadanga, according to Xinhua.

The Asian nation experiences lightning during this time of the year. Around 126 people have similarly lost their lives in the last two months, as per data compiled by a non-governmental organisation called 'Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum'.

&nbsp;

At least ten people lost their lives after being struck by lightning across three districts in Bangladesh on Saturday. Most of the people who died were farmworkers in the districts of Pabna, Mymensingh, and Chuadanga, according to Xinhua.

At least ten people lost their lives after being struck by lightning across three districts in Bangladesh on Saturday. Most of the people who died were farmworkers in the districts of Pabna, Mymensingh, and Chuadanga, according to Xinhua. The Asian nation experiences lightning during this time of the year. Around 126 people have similarly lost their lives in the last two months, as per data compiled by a non-governmental organisation called 'Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum'.

Ten dead after being struck by lightning in Bangladesh

A religious school's headteacher has been arrested for allegedly raping two girls and sexually molesting another six children under his care, Bangladeshi officials said Sunday.

Abul Khair Belali, 33, is the second principal of a madrassa -- a religious school -- to be arrested this week for allegedly raping students.

Belali, also an iman at a nearby mosque, was arrested Friday at the Kendua girls' madrassa after an 11-year-old student told her parents she had been raped by him, police chief Mohammad Rasheduzzaman said.

The school is also used as a dormitory by around 15 girls from the surrounding villages.

"On Saturday, he admitted that he raped at least two girl children aged eight and 11 and sexually molested another six girl children," Rasheduzzman told AFP.

The incident sparked protests in Kendua, roughly 120 kilometres north of Dhaka, with hundreds of people marching through the main street demanding punishment for the headteacher.

It comes after police last week arrested another madrassa head over alleged child rape in Fatulla, and two high school teachers in the central industrial town of Narayanganj for allegedly raping 20 students.

Rights groups raised concerns about the spike in the number of rape and sexual assaults in the Muslim-majority South Asian nation.

The Manusher Jonno Foundation, a local rights group, published a report in April saying 433 children were raped last year. Most were aged between seven and 12, it said.

The arrests have also raised questions on the safety of students in Bangladesh's thousands of residential madrassas, where mostly poor pupils live under the care of their teachers.

"We have noticed an alarming rise in sexual abuses of children, including the rapes of male children, in madrassas in recent years," Abdus Shahid, head of the Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum, a children rights group, told AFP. &nbsp;

He said "a culture of impunity" is partly to blame for the rise in sexual violence in the country, as only a few cases end in convictions.

The latest arrests come months after Bangladesh was shaken by the murder of 19-year-old Nusrat Jahan Rafi, burned to death on the alleged orders of the madrassa headteacher after she refused to withdraw a sexual assault charge against him.

A religious school's headteacher has been arrested for allegedly raping two girls and sexually molesting another six children under his care, Bangladeshi officials said Sunday.

A religious school's headteacher has been arrested for allegedly raping two girls and sexually molesting another six children under his care, Bangladeshi officials said Sunday. Abul Khair Belali, 33, is the second principal of a madrassa -- a religious school -- to be arrested this week for allegedly raping students. Belali, also an iman at a nearby mosque, was arrested Friday at the Kendua girls' madrassa after an 11-year-old student told her parents she had been raped by him, police chief Mohammad Rasheduzzaman said. The school is also used as a dormitory by around 15 girls from the surrounding villages. "On Saturday, he admitted that he raped at least two girl children aged eight and 11 and sexually molested another six girl children," Rasheduzzman told AFP. The incident sparked protests in Kendua, roughly 120 kilometres north of Dhaka, with hundreds of people marching through the main street demanding punishment for the headteacher. It comes after police last week arrested another madrassa head over alleged child rape in Fatulla, and two high school teachers in the central industrial town of Narayanganj for allegedly raping 20 students. Rights groups raised concerns about the spike in the number of rape and sexual assaults in the Muslim-majority South Asian nation. The Manusher Jonno Foundation, a local rights group, published a report in April saying 433 children were raped last year. Most were aged between seven and 12, it said. The arrests have also raised questions on the safety of students in Bangladesh's thousands of residential madrassas, where mostly poor pupils live under the care of their teachers. "We have noticed an alarming rise in sexual abuses of children, including the rapes of male children, in madrassas in recent years," Abdus Shahid, head of the Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum, a children rights group, told AFP. He said "a culture of impunity" is partly to blame for the rise in sexual violence in the country, as only a few cases end in convictions. The latest arrests come months after Bangladesh was shaken by the murder of 19-year-old Nusrat Jahan Rafi, burned to death on the alleged orders of the madrassa headteacher after she refused to withdraw a sexual assault charge against him.

Second Bangladesh religious headteacher arrested over child rapes

Bangladesh's high court has granted the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/climate-change-blights-childrens-lives-in-bangladesh-208060">country's rivers</a> the rights and status of "living entities" in a bid to save them from encroachment, a lawyer said Tuesday.

The court on Monday published a landmark verdict on a 2016 petition filed by a Dhaka-based rights group, saying all of the country's hundreds of rivers would now be treated as legal persons, litigator Manzil Murshid said.

"We filed the petition to save our rivers from powerful encroachers. The court has declared that all the rivers should now have the same rights as legal persons or living entities," he told AFP.

The verdict came just months after the country, much of it crisscrossed by thousands of streams, tributaries and rivers, became the fourth nation after Colombia, India and New Zealand to honour its waterways with such status.

The court appointed the country's River Conservation Commission as the legal guardian of all waterways and directed other state agencies to fully assist them.

Experts said the verdict would save rivers from illegal encroachment in the densely populated country of 165 million people and where land is precious as gold. 
They said many of the country's rivers are struggling to survive thanks to illegal sand dredging and large-scale industrial pollution.

"This verdict is very good news for us. We hope the commission can now work freely and save the rivers from premature deaths," said Sheikh Rokon, a spokesman for the Riverine People group.

He said the high court would empower the commission to take strict action against encroachers, polluters and illegal dredging companies.

National River Conservation Commission of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasinas-8-year-old-grandson-killed-in-shangri-la-hotel-blast-212627">Bangladesh</a> chairman Mujibur Rahman Howlader said the "unprecedented order would help the vast ecology and biodiversity" of Bangladesh's rich river system.

"We feel strengthened. It reminds us the rivers are not anybody's property. We can now enforce a zero-tolerance policy against encroachers," he told AFP.

Bangladesh's river transport authority has already started a massive eviction drive along the banks of the rivers around the capital Dhaka, demolishing over 4,000 illegal establishments since January.

The authorities have recovered some 190 acres (77 hectares) of land during the drive.

Most of Bangladesh's rivers are branches and tributaries of two main Himalayan rivers the Ganges and the Brahmaputra which flow through Bangladesh before reaching the Bay of Bengal.

Bangladesh's high court has granted the country's rivers the rights and status of "living entities" in a bid to save them from encroachment, a lawyer said Tuesday.

Bangladesh's high court has granted the country's rivers the rights and status of "living entities" in a bid to save them from encroachment, a lawyer said Tuesday. The court on Monday published a landmark verdict on a 2016 petition filed by a Dhaka-based rights group, saying all of the country's hundreds of rivers would now be treated as legal persons, litigator Manzil Murshid said. "We filed the petition to save our rivers from powerful encroachers. The court has declared that all the rivers should now have the same rights as legal persons or living entities," he told AFP. The verdict came just months after the country, much of it crisscrossed by thousands of streams, tributaries and rivers, became the fourth nation after Colombia, India and New Zealand to honour its waterways with such status. The court appointed the country's River Conservation Commission as the legal guardian of all waterways and directed other state agencies to fully assist them. Experts said the verdict would save rivers from illegal encroachment in the densely populated country of 165 million people and where land is precious as gold. They said many of the country's rivers are struggling to survive thanks to illegal sand dredging and large-scale industrial pollution. "This verdict is very good news for us. We hope the commission can now work freely and save the rivers from premature deaths," said Sheikh Rokon, a spokesman for the Riverine People group. He said the high court would empower the commission to take strict action against encroachers, polluters and illegal dredging companies. National River Conservation Commission of Bangladesh chairman Mujibur Rahman Howlader said the "unprecedented order would help the vast ecology and biodiversity" of Bangladesh's rich river system. "We feel strengthened. It reminds us the rivers are not anybody's property. We can now enforce a zero-tolerance policy against encroachers," he told AFP. Bangladesh's river transport authority has already started a massive eviction drive along the banks of the rivers around the capital Dhaka, demolishing over 4,000 illegal establishments since January. The authorities have recovered some 190 acres (77 hectares) of land during the drive. Most of Bangladesh's rivers are branches and tributaries of two main Himalayan rivers the Ganges and the Brahmaputra which flow through Bangladesh before reaching the Bay of Bengal.

Bangladesh declares its rivers 'legal persons'

A passenger train derailed in Bangladesh on Monday, killing at least five people and injuring more than 100, and there could be more casualties inside two carriages that fell into a canal, a police officer said.&nbsp;

The train was crossing a bridge on its way to the capital, Dhaka, from the eastern city of Sylhet when it went off the rails, police superintendent Mohammad Shahjalal said.&nbsp;

He said there could be more bodies in the carriages that were submerged in the canal. The derailment occurred near the Moulavi Bazar district, 210 km (130 miles) east of Dhaka.

Railway accidents occur relatively frequently in Bangladesh, many of them at unsupervised crossings.

A passenger train derailed in Bangladesh on Monday, killing at least five people and injuring more than 100, and there could be more casualties inside two carriages that fell into a canal, a police officer said.

A passenger train derailed in Bangladesh on Monday, killing at least five people and injuring more than 100, and there could be more casualties inside two carriages that fell into a canal, a police officer said. The train was crossing a bridge on its way to the capital, Dhaka, from the eastern city of Sylhet when it went off the rails, police superintendent Mohammad Shahjalal said. He said there could be more bodies in the carriages that were submerged in the canal. The derailment occurred near the Moulavi Bazar district, 210 km (130 miles) east of Dhaka. Railway accidents occur relatively frequently in Bangladesh, many of them at unsupervised crossings.

Bangladesh train derailment over canal kills five, injures 100: Police

A train plunged into a canal when the bridge it was travelling across gave way, killing four people and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-train-derailment-over-canal-kills-five-injures-100-police-229897">injuring 100 more in Bangladesh</a> on Monday.

Officials said part of the bridge collapsed as the express train went over, sending five cars crashing to the ground, with one of them landing in the water.

Scores of people were trapped in the accident at Kalaura, 300 kilometres (185 miles) from Dhaka.

Local people joined to fire and police teams in pulling the dead and injured out of the wreckage, Rashidul Hasan, a police superintendent, told AFP.

Regional government administrator Tofael Islam said part of the bridge gave way as the train was crossing.

Twenty-one of the injured were taken to a hospital in Sylhet, the nearest city, in serious condition.&nbsp;

Train services from Dhaka to the northeast were stopped because of the accident.

Train accidents are common in Bangladesh because of poor signalling and rundown tracks.&nbsp;

A train plunged into a canal when the bridge it was travelling across gave way, killing four people and injuring 100 more in Bangladesh on Monday. Officials said part of the bridge collapsed as the express train went over, sending five cars crashing to the ground, with one of them landing in the water.

A train plunged into a canal when the bridge it was travelling across gave way, killing four people and injuring 100 more in Bangladesh on Monday. Officials said part of the bridge collapsed as the express train went over, sending five cars crashing to the ground, with one of them landing in the water. Scores of people were trapped in the accident at Kalaura, 300 kilometres (185 miles) from Dhaka. Local people joined to fire and police teams in pulling the dead and injured out of the wreckage, Rashidul Hasan, a police superintendent, told AFP. Regional government administrator Tofael Islam said part of the bridge gave way as the train was crossing. Twenty-one of the injured were taken to a hospital in Sylhet, the nearest city, in serious condition. Train services from Dhaka to the northeast were stopped because of the accident. Train accidents are common in Bangladesh because of poor signalling and rundown tracks.

Train plunges after bridge collapses In Bangladesh, 4 Dead, over 100 hurt

Several thousand fishermen blocked <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-fishermen-protest-two-month-fishing-ban-221933">Bangladesh's busiest highway</a> Sunday, police said, as protests escalated over a two-month fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal.&nbsp;

The fishermen say the 65-day blockade, intended to replenish fish stocks --is driving them out of business.

Their one-hour protest at the coastal town of Sitakunda caused several kilometres of tailbacks on the main road linking the capital, Dhaka, to the second city of Chittagong.

Local police chief Suman Banik said the demonstration by 3,000 fishermen and their families was peaceful "but it caused a huge traffic jam on this busy highway".

The demonstrators only cleared the road after a government administrator and a local member of parliament promised to help.

The fishing ban runs from May 20 to July 23 and navy and coast guard vessels are patrolling the zone to prevent breaches.

Bangladesh frequently bans deep sea fishing and catches in coastal rivers to help stocks, but this is the longest imposed for seas near the coast and fishing communities are furious.

About 15 million people in the region directly or indirectly depend on Bangladesh's multi-billion dollar fishing industry. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Shyamol Palit, an organiser of the demonstration, said the ban has hit poor fishermen hard, especially the Hindu Joldas community.

More than 55,000 Joldas families live in the Chittagong region and are employed in coastal fishing mainly running their own small boats.

"The Joldas have taken loans to sailboats this season. This sudden and long embargo has put them in a debt trap," he said.

The government has announced it will provide free rice for nearly half a million families of badly-affected fishermen.&nbsp;

But Palit said the scheme is not wide enough and "you cannot run a family only with a sack of rice."

The ban has also hit the nearly one million Rohingya refugees who live in camps in Bangladesh after fleeing violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state in recent years.

The refugees are not officially allowed to work outside the camps, but thousands are secretly employed on trawlers owned by Bangladeshis.

Several thousand fishermen blocked Bangladesh's busiest highway Sunday, police said, as protests escalated over a two-month fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal. The fishermen say the 65-day blockade, intended to replenish fish stocks --is driving them out of business.

Several thousand fishermen blocked Bangladesh's busiest highway Sunday, police said, as protests escalated over a two-month fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal. The fishermen say the 65-day blockade, intended to replenish fish stocks --is driving them out of business. Their one-hour protest at the coastal town of Sitakunda caused several kilometres of tailbacks on the main road linking the capital, Dhaka, to the second city of Chittagong. Local police chief Suman Banik said the demonstration by 3,000 fishermen and their families was peaceful "but it caused a huge traffic jam on this busy highway". The demonstrators only cleared the road after a government administrator and a local member of parliament promised to help. The fishing ban runs from May 20 to July 23 and navy and coast guard vessels are patrolling the zone to prevent breaches. Bangladesh frequently bans deep sea fishing and catches in coastal rivers to help stocks, but this is the longest imposed for seas near the coast and fishing communities are furious. About 15 million people in the region directly or indirectly depend on Bangladesh's multi-billion dollar fishing industry. Shyamol Palit, an organiser of the demonstration, said the ban has hit poor fishermen hard, especially the Hindu Joldas community. More than 55,000 Joldas families live in the Chittagong region and are employed in coastal fishing mainly running their own small boats. "The Joldas have taken loans to sailboats this season. This sudden and long embargo has put them in a debt trap," he said. The government has announced it will provide free rice for nearly half a million families of badly-affected fishermen. But Palit said the scheme is not wide enough and "you cannot run a family only with a sack of rice." The ban has also hit the nearly one million Rohingya refugees who live in camps in Bangladesh after fleeing violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state in recent years. The refugees are not officially allowed to work outside the camps, but thousands are secretly employed on trawlers owned by Bangladeshis.

Bangladesh highway blocked as fishermen protest catch ban

An attack took place in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka in Malibagh Area. A Van of Dhaka police force attacked there. Islamic States took responsiblity for this attack. Three people were hurted in this attack.

Gravitas: Powerful Explosion Rocks Dhaka, ISIS Claimed Responsiblity

Diplomatic tension between Bangladesh and Pakistan intensified on Monday as Dhaka halted issuing the visa to its nationals, sources reported to WION. Pakistani nationals are not being issued a visa for the past seven days now, sources said. Visa section of Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad is also closed since last Monday.

Bangladesh, Pakistan diplomatic row intensifies over visa restriction

Eight Islamist extremists from a banned group were charged by Bangladesh police Sunday for the 2016 murders of two prominent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cuban-lgbt-activists-plan-alternate-parade-in-defiance-of-government-217929">gay rights activists.</a>

Dhaka police's counter-terrorism unit filed the charge-sheet against the eight men, saying they were members of Ansar al Islam, deputy commissioner of police Mohibul Islam Khan told AFP.

"Among them, four have been arrested and the rest are still at large," he said, adding the group was led by Syed Ziaul Haque, a sacked Bangladesh army major who was leading the extremist group.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Xulhaz Mannan, publisher of Bangladesh's first magazine for the gay and lesbian community, and fellow activist Mahbub Tonoy were hacked to death in a Dhaka apartment in April 2016 by unidentified men carrying machetes and guns.

Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) said it was behind the killings of the men, both aged 35, who it said had worked to "promote homosexuality" in Bangladesh.

But Bangladesh police chiefs have said their murders bear the hallmarks of local Islamists, denying that international jihadist networks have a presence in the world's third largest Muslim-majority country.

Ansar al Islam -- also known as Ansarullah Bangla Team -- has been blamed for a series of murders since 2013, including of atheist writers, publishers, members of religious minorities, social activists and foreign aid workers.

Washington had condemned the killings of Tonoy and Mannan, who worked for US government aid organisation USAID. Both men had received threats from Islamists over their championing of gay rights.

Bangladesh launched a crackdown on Islamist extremism after attacks in July 2016, when IS-inspired militants stormed a Dhaka cafe killing 22 people, including 18 foreigners.

Since the 2016 attacks, security forces have staged nationwide raids in which, they say, nearly 100 members of two extremist Islamist groups have been killed. Hundreds of suspects have been detained.

The South Asian nation has also boosted security since April 21 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, which killed 258 and were carried out by jihadists affiliated to the Islamic State group.

Eight Islamist extremists from a banned group were charged by Bangladesh police Sunday for the 2016 murders of two prominent gay rights activists. Dhaka police's counter-terrorism unit filed the charge-sheet against the eight men, saying they were members of Ansar al Islam, deputy commissioner of police Mohibul Islam Khan told AFP.

Eight Islamist extremists from a banned group were charged by Bangladesh police Sunday for the 2016 murders of two prominent gay rights activists. Dhaka police's counter-terrorism unit filed the charge-sheet against the eight men, saying they were members of Ansar al Islam, deputy commissioner of police Mohibul Islam Khan told AFP. "Among them, four have been arrested and the rest are still at large," he said, adding the group was led by Syed Ziaul Haque, a sacked Bangladesh army major who was leading the extremist group. Xulhaz Mannan, publisher of Bangladesh's first magazine for the gay and lesbian community, and fellow activist Mahbub Tonoy were hacked to death in a Dhaka apartment in April 2016 by unidentified men carrying machetes and guns. Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) said it was behind the killings of the men, both aged 35, who it said had worked to "promote homosexuality" in Bangladesh. But Bangladesh police chiefs have said their murders bear the hallmarks of local Islamists, denying that international jihadist networks have a presence in the world's third largest Muslim-majority country. Ansar al Islam -- also known as Ansarullah Bangla Team -- has been blamed for a series of murders since 2013, including of atheist writers, publishers, members of religious minorities, social activists and foreign aid workers. Washington had condemned the killings of Tonoy and Mannan, who worked for US government aid organisation USAID. Both men had received threats from Islamists over their championing of gay rights. Bangladesh launched a crackdown on Islamist extremism after attacks in July 2016, when IS-inspired militants stormed a Dhaka cafe killing 22 people, including 18 foreigners. Since the 2016 attacks, security forces have staged nationwide raids in which, they say, nearly 100 members of two extremist Islamist groups have been killed. Hundreds of suspects have been detained. The South Asian nation has also boosted security since April 21 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, which killed 258 and were carried out by jihadists affiliated to the Islamic State group.

Bangladesh charges extremists over gay activist murders

Twenty-three teenage Rohingya girls were rescued after being brought from refugee camps to the capital Dhaka to be sent to Malaysia by air, Bangladesh police said Sunday.

Dhaka police also arrested four<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-jails-three-rohingya-extremists-for-10-years-214161"> human traffickers including a Rohingya couple</a> and recovered over 50 Bangladeshi passports from them on Saturday.

Police spokesman Mokhlesur Rahman said they raided a residence in the northern part of the city and found the teenagers hiding in a room behind a tailoring shop.

"They were promised jobs in Malaysia and brought from refugee camps in Cox's Bazar," he told AFP, referring to the Rohingya settlements in Bangladesh's southeastern coastal district.

The girls -- aged between 15 and 19 -- could have been potential victims of forced prostitution, the official said.

"We have filed cases against the four arrested persons and sent the girls back to their camps in Cox's Bazar," Rahman said.

Abul Khair, local police chief of Ukhiya, where Kutupalong, the largest refugee camp in the world, is situated, said he received the girls and would send them to their homes in the camps.

Some 740,000 Rohingya Muslims fled a brutal military clampdown in Myanmar in August 2017 and arrived in Bangladesh to join another 300,000 already living in the refugee camps.

Desperate for a better life and an economic future, the refugees including in particular teenage girls easily fall prey to human traffickers roaming in the overcrowded camps.

Thousands of the refugees have risked their lives travelling to Malaysia and Thailand -- mainly by boat -- when the Bay of Bengal is calm before monsoon season sets in at the end of May.

Bangladeshi authorities have stopped over 300 Rohingya this year alone from attempting such perilous boat journeys on rickety fishing boats.

Many have also attempted to fly to Malaysia and Middle Eastern countries by procuring Bangladeshi passports and travel documents.

Jishu Barua, an aid worker specialised in human trafficking prevention, said he dealt with 100 cases of human trafficking in the camps in the last six weeks.

"But this figure represents only a small portion of what is actually going on," he told AFP.

Twenty-three teenage Rohingya girls were rescued after being brought from refugee camps to the capital Dhaka to be sent to Malaysia by air, Bangladesh police said Sunday.

Twenty-three teenage Rohingya girls were rescued after being brought from refugee camps to the capital Dhaka to be sent to Malaysia by air, Bangladesh police said Sunday. Dhaka police also arrested four human traffickers including a Rohingya couple and recovered over 50 Bangladeshi passports from them on Saturday. Police spokesman Mokhlesur Rahman said they raided a residence in the northern part of the city and found the teenagers hiding in a room behind a tailoring shop. "They were promised jobs in Malaysia and brought from refugee camps in Cox's Bazar," he told AFP, referring to the Rohingya settlements in Bangladesh's southeastern coastal district. The girls -- aged between 15 and 19 -- could have been potential victims of forced prostitution, the official said. "We have filed cases against the four arrested persons and sent the girls back to their camps in Cox's Bazar," Rahman said. Abul Khair, local police chief of Ukhiya, where Kutupalong, the largest refugee camp in the world, is situated, said he received the girls and would send them to their homes in the camps. Some 740,000 Rohingya Muslims fled a brutal military clampdown in Myanmar in August 2017 and arrived in Bangladesh to join another 300,000 already living in the refugee camps. Desperate for a better life and an economic future, the refugees including in particular teenage girls easily fall prey to human traffickers roaming in the overcrowded camps. Thousands of the refugees have risked their lives travelling to Malaysia and Thailand -- mainly by boat -- when the Bay of Bengal is calm before monsoon season sets in at the end of May. Bangladeshi authorities have stopped over 300 Rohingya this year alone from attempting such perilous boat journeys on rickety fishing boats. Many have also attempted to fly to Malaysia and Middle Eastern countries by procuring Bangladeshi passports and travel documents. Jishu Barua, an aid worker specialised in human trafficking prevention, said he dealt with 100 cases of human trafficking in the camps in the last six weeks. "But this figure represents only a small portion of what is actually going on," he told AFP.

Bangladesh rescues 23 Rohingya girls from traffickers

Bangladesh has ordered some 27,000 schools to set up committees to prevent sexual violence, an official said Sunday, after a teenager who accused a teacher of sexual harassment was burned to death.

The killing of 19-year-old Nusrat Jahan Rafi has sparked outrage across the South Asian nation of 165 million people and put police action in the case under the spotlight.

Protesters in the capital <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bangladeshis-protest-after-sexually-assaulted-girl-burned-to-death-212060">Dhaka staged demonstrations for an 11th day</a> on Sunday, seeking "exemplary punishment" for the killers of the girl.

Police say she was lured to the rooftop of the Islamic seminary she attended in Feni, south of the capital, where her attackers ordered her to withdraw a police complaint against the head of the school.&nbsp;

When she refused, she was doused in kerosene and set on fire.

Rafi died in hospital on April 10 after suffering 80 per cent burns. At least 20 people, including the head teacher, have been arrested.

Activists say the murder has exposed a "culture of impunity" surrounding sex crimes against women and children, and that fact that those who report harassment often suffer a backlash.

Amid nationwide protests, the Bangladesh government has ordered more than 27,000 schools and colleges to form a five-member committee to prevent sexual violence, an official said.

"The committee will be led by female teachers. They will take steps to prevent sexual harassment and take up any complaints," the director of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, Shahedul Khabir Chowdhury, told AFP.

He said the committees were being formed by an order from the country's high court, which in 2009 laid down a set of guidelines to prevent sexual harassment of women and children at workplaces, schools and on the streets.

Rafi went to police in late March to report the harassment and a leaked video shows the local police station chief registering her complaint but dismissing it as "not a big deal".

Police said at least five of those under arrest, including three of Rafi's classmates, tied her up with a scarf before setting her on fire. They had planned to pass off the death as a suicide.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed that all those involved will face action and police say they are investigating why more was not done to protect Rafi.

More than 100 protesters at the country's elite Dhaka University held hands to form a human chain as part of continued demonstrations over the grisly murder.

"I joined the protest because Nusrat Rafi's murder was a wake-up call for all our women," Dhaka University student Antara Labiba told AFP.

"I am also a victim of sexual harassment. I think most women in Bangladesh face sexual harassment in their families, schools, markets and workplaces," she said.

The Manusher Jonno Foundation, a non-government group, says there have been at least 39 cases of children under 18 being raped in Bangladesh since April 2.

Another eight have been subjected to sexual harassment, the group says.

Bangladesh has ordered some 27,000 schools to set up committees to prevent sexual violence, an official said Sunday, after a teenager who accused a teacher of sexual harassment was burned to death.

Bangladesh has ordered some 27,000 schools to set up committees to prevent sexual violence, an official said Sunday, after a teenager who accused a teacher of sexual harassment was burned to death. The killing of 19-year-old Nusrat Jahan Rafi has sparked outrage across the South Asian nation of 165 million people and put police action in the case under the spotlight. Protesters in the capital Dhaka staged demonstrations for an 11th day on Sunday, seeking "exemplary punishment" for the killers of the girl. Police say she was lured to the rooftop of the Islamic seminary she attended in Feni, south of the capital, where her attackers ordered her to withdraw a police complaint against the head of the school. When she refused, she was doused in kerosene and set on fire. Rafi died in hospital on April 10 after suffering 80 per cent burns. At least 20 people, including the head teacher, have been arrested. Activists say the murder has exposed a "culture of impunity" surrounding sex crimes against women and children, and that fact that those who report harassment often suffer a backlash. Amid nationwide protests, the Bangladesh government has ordered more than 27,000 schools and colleges to form a five-member committee to prevent sexual violence, an official said. "The committee will be led by female teachers. They will take steps to prevent sexual harassment and take up any complaints," the director of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, Shahedul Khabir Chowdhury, told AFP. He said the committees were being formed by an order from the country's high court, which in 2009 laid down a set of guidelines to prevent sexual harassment of women and children at workplaces, schools and on the streets. Rafi went to police in late March to report the harassment and a leaked video shows the local police station chief registering her complaint but dismissing it as "not a big deal". Police said at least five of those under arrest, including three of Rafi's classmates, tied her up with a scarf before setting her on fire. They had planned to pass off the death as a suicide. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed that all those involved will face action and police say they are investigating why more was not done to protect Rafi. More than 100 protesters at the country's elite Dhaka University held hands to form a human chain as part of continued demonstrations over the grisly murder. "I joined the protest because Nusrat Rafi's murder was a wake-up call for all our women," Dhaka University student Antara Labiba told AFP. "I am also a victim of sexual harassment. I think most women in Bangladesh face sexual harassment in their families, schools, markets and workplaces," she said. The Manusher Jonno Foundation, a non-government group, says there have been at least 39 cases of children under 18 being raped in Bangladesh since April 2. Another eight have been subjected to sexual harassment, the group says.

Bangladesh puts anti-sexual harassment units in schools after girl's murder

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Demonstrations were held across the Bangladesh capital Saturday for the tenth consecutive day after a teenager who accused a head teacher of sexually harassing her was burned to death.

The killing of 19-year-old <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-girl-burned-to-death-on-teachers-order-police-211787&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj51NO2y97hAhWMQ48KHVg4A64QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1rDZUTHOcpqJFo-ACcYCFy">Nusrat Jahan Rafi </a>has sparked outrage across the South Asian nation and put police action in the case under the spotlight.

Protesters in Dhaka chanted slogans demanding the death sentence for the killers of the girl, who police say was lured to the rooftop of the Islamic seminary she attended in Feni, south of the capital.

Police said the attackers then ordered her to withdraw a police complaint against the head of the school. When she refused, she was doused in kerosene and set on fire.

Rafi died in hospital on April 10 after suffering 80 per cent burns.

Eighteen people, including the head teacher, have been arrested.

Her death has set off demonstrations in several cities across the Muslim-majority country of 165 million.

Many believe the murder has exposed a "culture of impunity" surrounding sex crimes against women and children, while those who complain often feel a backlash.

"Rapes and sexual assaults have risen alarmingly in the country," protester M. Rahman Apu told AFP. "Nusrat Rafi's murder proves that the even the bravest of girls do not get justice.

"Instead she was murdered for daring to lodge a complaint against the perpetrator. Had police and the administration worked properly, she could have been protected," Apu said.

Party chief held&nbsp;

Garment union leader Kamrun Nahar, who had also joined the protests, said Rafi's murder has awakened the nation's conscience.

"We won't stop protests until the killers of Nusrat, and other perpetrators, are brought to book," Nahar said.

"We don't want any more of these grisly murders."

The 18 arrested include the seminary headmaster. One of those accused of the attack told a closed court earlier this week that the principal ordered the killing.

The local head of the ruling Awami League party has been detained for allegedly helping the killers.

Rafi went to police in late March to report the case. A leaked video shows the local police station chief registering her complaint but dismissing it as "not a big deal".

Police said at least five of those under arrest, including three of Rafi's classmates, tied her with a scarf before setting her on fire. They had planned to pass off the death as a suicide.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed that all those involved will face action and police say they are investigating why more was not done to protect Rafi.

The Manusher Jonno Foundation, a non-government group, says there have been at least 39 cases of children under 18 being raped since April 2.

Another eight have been subjected to sexual harassment, the groups say.

"Our system has failed," said Ship Hafiza, executive director of Bangladesh rights group Ain O Salish Kendra.

"Often we see that when there are rapes or sexual abuse of women or children, all the powerful people become a group to protect the perpetrators," she said.

Demonstrations were held across the Bangladesh capital Saturday for the tenth consecutive day after a teenager who accused a head teacher of sexually harassing her was burned to death.

Demonstrations were held across the Bangladesh capital Saturday for the tenth consecutive day after a teenager who accused a head teacher of sexually harassing her was burned to death. The killing of 19-year-old Nusrat Jahan Rafi has sparked outrage across the South Asian nation and put police action in the case under the spotlight. Protesters in Dhaka chanted slogans demanding the death sentence for the killers of the girl, who police say was lured to the rooftop of the Islamic seminary she attended in Feni, south of the capital. Police said the attackers then ordered her to withdraw a police complaint against the head of the school. When she refused, she was doused in kerosene and set on fire. Rafi died in hospital on April 10 after suffering 80 per cent burns. Eighteen people, including the head teacher, have been arrested. Her death has set off demonstrations in several cities across the Muslim-majority country of 165 million. Many believe the murder has exposed a "culture of impunity" surrounding sex crimes against women and children, while those who complain often feel a backlash. "Rapes and sexual assaults have risen alarmingly in the country," protester M. Rahman Apu told AFP. "Nusrat Rafi's murder proves that the even the bravest of girls do not get justice. "Instead she was murdered for daring to lodge a complaint against the perpetrator. Had police and the administration worked properly, she could have been protected," Apu said. Party chief held Garment union leader Kamrun Nahar, who had also joined the protests, said Rafi's murder has awakened the nation's conscience. "We won't stop protests until the killers of Nusrat, and other perpetrators, are brought to book," Nahar said. "We don't want any more of these grisly murders." The 18 arrested include the seminary headmaster. One of those accused of the attack told a closed court earlier this week that the principal ordered the killing. The local head of the ruling Awami League party has been detained for allegedly helping the killers. Rafi went to police in late March to report the case. A leaked video shows the local police station chief registering her complaint but dismissing it as "not a big deal". Police said at least five of those under arrest, including three of Rafi's classmates, tied her with a scarf before setting her on fire. They had planned to pass off the death as a suicide. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed that all those involved will face action and police say they are investigating why more was not done to protect Rafi. The Manusher Jonno Foundation, a non-government group, says there have been at least 39 cases of children under 18 being raped since April 2. Another eight have been subjected to sexual harassment, the groups say. "Our system has failed," said Ship Hafiza, executive director of Bangladesh rights group Ain O Salish Kendra. "Often we see that when there are rapes or sexual abuse of women or children, all the powerful people become a group to protect the perpetrators," she said.

Bangladeshis protest after sexually assaulted girl burned to death

Bangladeshis took to the streets on Sunday (April 14) to celebrate the first day of the Bengali New Year.

A procession of colourful floats organized by university students, moved amongst the crowds of revellers and security in Dhaka, as people in colourful clothes beat drums and danced.

The festival date is set according to the Bengali calendar and is on the first day of the first month of the year.

Across the border in various parts of India, the day is marked in some areas as a harvest festival.

Bangladeshis took to the streets on Sunday (April 14) to celebrate the first day of the Bengali New Year. A procession of colourful floats organized by university students, moved amongst the crowds of revellers and security in Dhaka, as people in colourful clothes beat drums and danced.

Bangladeshis took to the streets on Sunday (April 14) to celebrate the first day of the Bengali New Year. A procession of colourful floats organized by university students, moved amongst the crowds of revellers and security in Dhaka, as people in colourful clothes beat drums and danced. The festival date is set according to the Bengali calendar and is on the first day of the first month of the year. Across the border in various parts of India, the day is marked in some areas as a harvest festival.

Bangladesh marks the start of Bengali New Year

Desperate workers leaped to their deaths as a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fire-breaks-out-in-22-storey-building-in-bangladesh-several-feared-trapped-206273">huge fire tore through a Dhaka</a> office block Thursday, killing at least 19 people and trapping others in the latest major inferno to hit the Bangladesh capital.

Rescue workers warned the death toll could rise sharply as fire fighters recovered charred bodies from the complex where an unknown number of office <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fire-breaks-out-in-22-storey-building-in-bangladesh-several-feared-trapped-206273">workers were engulfed by intense smoke and flames</a>.

At least six people died after jumping from the 22-floor building, officials said.

Dhaka police chief Asaduzzaman Mia told reporters at least 73 people were injured and being treated in hospitals across Dhaka.

People were seen screaming for help as hundreds of panicked onlookers crowded the streets of the upmarket Banani commercial district.

Some workers slid down a television cable on the side of the building. Others grabbed ropes lowered by emergency service helicopters which pulled them out of the blaze.

The inferno erupted barely a month after at least 70 people were killed in Dhaka apartment buildings where illegally stored chemicals exploded.

The latest disaster brought new scenes of horror amid fears that the toll would rise. More than 100 ambulances were parked in streets around the building.

Shoikot Rahman heard colleagues raise the alarm and ran to safety before smoke and flames engulfed the building.

"When I heard a fire broke out in the building, I quickly rushed out," he told AFP. "Many of my colleagues are still trapped in the office."

Firefighters on long ladders smashed windows to create escape routes. More than one hour after the blaze erupted people could still be seen on the 13th and 14th floors desperately waving for help amid clouds of black smoke.

Army helicopters dangled ropes that victims grabbed so they could be lifted to safety, with crowds below cheering and applauding every time someone was rescued.

Rescuers kept at bay

Three hospitals reported that six men and women had died or arrived with fatal injuries after jumping from the office block. They included a Sri Lankan man whose body was taken to the army's Kurmitola Hospital.

Dilkhosh Ahmed at the Banani Clinic said one of the victims had attempted to use the television cable to climb down, but slipped and fell around the eighth floor.

A seventh death from burns was recorded at the Dhaka Medical College hospital.

Helicopters were deployed to drop water on the blaze as scores of firefighters backed by navy and air force specialists struggled to bring it under control.

A top fire official said the flames had been stopped from spreading to adjoining buildings.

"Teams have entered the building and they are scouring the floors for any remaining victims. The building did not have fire fighting equipment," said Lieutenant Colonel Julfikar Rahman of the Dhaka fire service told reporters.

Rescue crews were soon discovering bodies and carrying them out one after the other in white bags.

Some workers told of risky escapes.&nbsp;

"My uncle and two more people jumped from their floor. His hand and leg are broken and his eye is damaged," one man said without giving his name.

A man who gave his name as Jico said he had been working on the 19th floor. "The fire started in a restaurant on the sixth floor. We ran to the roof as soon as we heard about it and then used a wooden plank to get over to the next building."

Fire disasters regularly hit Bangladesh's major cities where safety standards are notoriously lax.&nbsp;

A massive blaze in Dhaka's old quarter on February 21 killed at least 70 people and injured 50 others.

Fire service officials said chemicals illegally stored in an apartment building exploded and set alight five buildings and nearby streets. That blaze took more than 12 hours to control.&nbsp;

A June 2010 fire in the nearby neighbourhood of Nimtoli, one of the most densely populated districts of the capital, killed 123 people.

In November 2012, a fire swept through a nine-story garment factory near Dhaka killing 111 workers. An investigation found it was caused by sabotage and that managers at the plant had prevented victims from escaping.

Experts said inspections of buildings in the city frequently found fire stairs blocked with stored goods and exit doors locked.

Desperate workers leaped to their deaths as a huge fire tore through a Dhaka office block Thursday, killing at least 19 people and trapping others in the latest major inferno to hit the Bangladesh capital.

Desperate workers leaped to their deaths as a huge fire tore through a Dhaka office block Thursday, killing at least 19 people and trapping others in the latest major inferno to hit the Bangladesh capital. Rescue workers warned the death toll could rise sharply as fire fighters recovered charred bodies from the complex where an unknown number of office workers were engulfed by intense smoke and flames. At least six people died after jumping from the 22-floor building, officials said. Dhaka police chief Asaduzzaman Mia told reporters at least 73 people were injured and being treated in hospitals across Dhaka. People were seen screaming for help as hundreds of panicked onlookers crowded the streets of the upmarket Banani commercial district. Some workers slid down a television cable on the side of the building. Others grabbed ropes lowered by emergency service helicopters which pulled them out of the blaze. The inferno erupted barely a month after at least 70 people were killed in Dhaka apartment buildings where illegally stored chemicals exploded. The latest disaster brought new scenes of horror amid fears that the toll would rise. More than 100 ambulances were parked in streets around the building. Shoikot Rahman heard colleagues raise the alarm and ran to safety before smoke and flames engulfed the building. "When I heard a fire broke out in the building, I quickly rushed out," he told AFP. "Many of my colleagues are still trapped in the office." Firefighters on long ladders smashed windows to create escape routes. More than one hour after the blaze erupted people could still be seen on the 13th and 14th floors desperately waving for help amid clouds of black smoke. Army helicopters dangled ropes that victims grabbed so they could be lifted to safety, with crowds below cheering and applauding every time someone was rescued. Rescuers kept at bay Three hospitals reported that six men and women had died or arrived with fatal injuries after jumping from the office block. They included a Sri Lankan man whose body was taken to the army's Kurmitola Hospital. Dilkhosh Ahmed at the Banani Clinic said one of the victims had attempted to use the television cable to climb down, but slipped and fell around the eighth floor. A seventh death from burns was recorded at the Dhaka Medical College hospital. Helicopters were deployed to drop water on the blaze as scores of firefighters backed by navy and air force specialists struggled to bring it under control. A top fire official said the flames had been stopped from spreading to adjoining buildings. "Teams have entered the building and they are scouring the floors for any remaining victims. The building did not have fire fighting equipment," said Lieutenant Colonel Julfikar Rahman of the Dhaka fire service told reporters. Rescue crews were soon discovering bodies and carrying them out one after the other in white bags. Some workers told of risky escapes. "My uncle and two more people jumped from their floor. His hand and leg are broken and his eye is damaged," one man said without giving his name. A man who gave his name as Jico said he had been working on the 19th floor. "The fire started in a restaurant on the sixth floor. We ran to the roof as soon as we heard about it and then used a wooden plank to get over to the next building." Fire disasters regularly hit Bangladesh's major cities where safety standards are notoriously lax. A massive blaze in Dhaka's old quarter on February 21 killed at least 70 people and injured 50 others. Fire service officials said chemicals illegally stored in an apartment building exploded and set alight five buildings and nearby streets. That blaze took more than 12 hours to control. A June 2010 fire in the nearby neighbourhood of Nimtoli, one of the most densely populated districts of the capital, killed 123 people. In November 2012, a fire swept through a nine-story garment factory near Dhaka killing 111 workers. An investigation found it was caused by sabotage and that managers at the plant had prevented victims from escaping. Experts said inspections of buildings in the city frequently found fire stairs blocked with stored goods and exit doors locked.

Dhaka office fire: Death toll rises to 19; several still trapped

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