Bangladesh
National Consensus Commission Amends July Charter Amid Protests
The National Consensus Commission has announced an emergency amendment to the July National Charter 2025 following intense demonstrations by the “July Fighters” in front of the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) in Dhaka.
The announcement was made on Friday afternoon (17 October) by the commission’s vice-chairman, Professor Ali Riaz, at the South Plaza of the Parliament complex.
Professor Riaz said that after discussions with political parties, the fifth clause of the charter had been revised to reflect the demands of the July Fighters. The revised text pledges justice for victims of enforced disappearances, killings, and torture during the 16-year struggle against “fascism” before the July uprising, and state honors for those killed during the 2024 July–August mass movement. It also ensures legal protection, safety, and recognition for the families of the victims, along with monthly stipends, medical care, and rehabilitation for the injured.
“This amendment reflects the spirit of the July Fighters’ demands,” Professor Riaz said, adding that the commission would formally present its recommendations to the government. He emphasized that there was no disagreement between political parties and the commission on the issue.
Other members present at the event included Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Dr Md Ayub Mia, and the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant, Monir Haydar.
Earlier in the day, clashes broke out between protesters and police near the South Plaza, with several police vehicles damaged and fires lit on the road near the MPs’ hostel. Police later dispersed the demonstrators with batons. Despite the unrest, preparations for the charter signing ceremony continued in the afternoon.
Bangladesh’s High Court has upheld the death sentences of former police officials Pradeep Kumar Das and Liaqat Ali in the murder of retired Major Sinha Md Rashed Khan, describing Pradeep as the “mastermind” and principal planner of the killing. The 378-page verdict, delivered on 2 June, was uploaded to the Supreme Court website on 23 November.
The court observed that Pradeep was present at the scene and pressed his shoe-clad foot on Sinha’s chest and neck, ensuring his death—an allegation supported by witness testimonies and the post-mortem report. The court further noted that Liaqat Ali fired four shots at the unarmed victim in a premeditated manner, causing his death.
Stating that the trial court had correctly applied Section 302 of the Penal Code, the High Court upheld the earlier sentences: death for Pradeep and Liaqat, and life imprisonment for six others found guilty of conspiracy, aiding the crime, and sharing a common intention.
Major Sinha was shot dead at a police checkpoint in Shamlapur on 31 July 2020. The Cox’s Bazar court delivered the initial verdict on 31 January 2022. Following procedure, the death reference was sent to the High Court, while the convicts also filed appeals. With the High Court verdict now affirmed, the defence is expected to appeal to the Appellate Division once the certified copy is received.
Two people, including a van driver, were killed after a passenger bus struck a van in Chuadanga Sadar’s Alokdia Bazar on Sunday afternoon. Two others were injured, with both critically wounded victims transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
The deceased were identified as Parveen Akhter, 45, of Monirampur village in Alokdia Union, and van driver Ramzan Ali, 26, who later died on the way to the hospital. The injured—Israt from Rajapur and Shabdul from Jhenaidah’s Kotchandpur—remain under treatment.
According to police, the bus was travelling from Chuadanga to Meherpur when it rammed into the van from behind at Alokdia Bazar. One of the van passengers died on the spot. Rescue teams transported the injured to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, from where two were referred to Rajshahi due to their critical condition.
Additional Police Superintendent Mostafizur Rahman said legal procedures are underway and the bodies will be handed over to the families. The bus driver fled the scene after the accident.
Authorities in Meherpur have fined Nivalak Paints Bangladesh Ltd. Tk 200,000 for illegally producing paint. The penalty was imposed during a joint operation conducted by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and RAB on Sunday afternoon.
Mamunul Hasan, Assistant Director of the Consumer Rights Directorate in Meherpur, said the factory had been producing paint without proper authorization for an extended period. During the raid, officials found evidence supporting the violation and imposed the fine accordingly.
The same operation also penalized two other establishments: Shahin Traders was fined Tk 15,000 for selling oil and gas without a valid license, while New Bengal Foods was fined Tk 5,000 for producing bakery items in an unhygienic environment.
RAB-12 Meherpur Company Commander Lt. Wahiduzzaman and Food Safety Officer Riaz Mahmud were also present during the operation,
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