Intelligence confirms 2 sides joined forces to destabilise country: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday alleged that the ousted regime was financing groups seeking to stir labour unrest in factories, claiming intelligence reports showed the two sides had joined forces to create instability in Bangladesh.

“We have information from intelligence sources. You must have noticed that attempts have been made to stir up labour unrest in factories across several parts of the country. I want to say one thing clearly, in front of thousands of people, regarding this matter that the autocrats who have fled are the ones providing funding there,” he said while addressing a rally in Rajshahi.

Citing the intelligence reports, he said, “We say: ‘We will work, we will build, Bangladesh first.’ Those who do not believe in this slogan and principle are now involved in conspiracies.”

Tarique Rahman said the time had come for the people to remain vigilant so that no one can create disorder or obstruct the process of improving the economy and changing people’s fate.

He said the government is encouraging businesspeople and entrepreneurs to reopen closed mills and factories to create jobs and address unemployment.

Six closed industrial units have reopened in the past seven months, and the government aims to help workers return to work rather than remain unemployed, he said.

The government plans to reopen around 46 more closed factories nationwide between January and December next year to help workers earn a living and support themselves.

Tarique Rahman said the government plans to double every upazila health complex’s bed capacity from 50 to 100 within five years, adding separate beds for children and women and dialysis facilities for kidney patients to improve access to healthcare and spare rural people trips to distant towns for routine treatment.

PM provides Tk12cr incentives to 38,970 farmers

At the Rajshahi rally, Tarique Rahman launched a Tk12 crore incentive programme for 38,970 sugarcane farmers, transferring funds directly to their mobile accounts, and handed cheques to 15 farmers.

He arrived around 3:25pm. Chaired by BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the rally drew thousands of party leaders, activists and Hindu community members from across the region.

“People of different faiths have coexisted peacefully in our country for thousands of years. We must ensure that this tradition of harmony and peace continues for another thousand years,” he said while exchanging greetings with people at the historic Radha Gobinda Dharmasabha Temple there on the occasion of Maha Navami of Durga Puja.

After visiting Dharmasabha Temple, Rahman exchanged greetings with Hindu community members, pledging equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion, ethnicity or social status and an inclusive Bangladesh that leaves no one behind.

Stressing that the country’s overall development requires support from all sections of society, he said, “We cannot move forward leaving any community behind. We were born and raised here and our children will grow up here. So, let us work together to build the Bangladesh we aspire to.”

Tk1,810cr allocated for Rangpur city

Addressing a programme in Rangpur, he stressed national unity, equal rights regardless of faith and balanced development nationwide.

Tarique Rahman stressed that building the country in line with public aspirations requires unity, recalling how people of all faiths united during the Liberation War, democratic movements and the 2024 mass uprising.

He said Tk1,810 crore has been allocated at an Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting for the development of Rangpur city.

Initiatives have also been taken to develop necessary infrastructure, including roads, bridges, culverts, and educational institutions in the district’s upazilas, unions and villages through local government institutions, he said.

Amid attempts by some quarters to spread confusion, he urged people not to stir controversy over the 2024 mass uprising, saying the government wants everyone to benefit from it.

“We are working to bring a change in the past political practices and people’s support is imperative for attaining the goal,” said the prime minister.

The prime minister arrived at the temple at 12:04pm from Saidpur Airport, where he was welcomed with religious rituals and a dance performance by children.

He exchanged greetings with priests and devotees before receiving a crest from temple committee President Bhavatosh Sarkar and General Secretary Khokon Sarkar.

Later, the prime minister handed over a cheque of Tk10 lakh to the temple authorities for its further development.

Later, the prime minister arrived in Chattogram to visit the JM Sen Hall Durga Puja mandap and attend an organisational meeting of his party there.

He landed at Shah Amanat International Airport by a military aircraft at 7:40pm and, after completing all formalities, he went to the JM Sen Hall Puja mandap, where he exchanged greetings and held an interaction with members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja.

(1) Prime Minister (PM) Tarique Rahman addresses a roadside rally at Paglapir point on his way to Rangpur to visit a Durga Puja mandap on Maha Navami.

(2) PM hands over a cheque during the inauguration of an incentive disbursement programme for sugarcane farmers at a rally on the historical Madrasha Ground in Rajshahi.

(3) Tarique Rahman poses for a selfie with students of Saidpur Government Science College after stopping his motorcade in front of the college while traveling to Rangpur from Saidpur Airport in Nilphamari. 

BNP media cell