The cleansing drive in the ruling Awami League as well as inside the administration by Sheikh Hasina-led government were among the most appreciated and much-talked-about incidents during the outgoing year 2019. Rumours of child abduction for Padma Multipurpose Bridge construction purpose and price spiral of onion and salt were also among the much-talked-about incidents. The rumours were spread by the vested quarters in an evil attempt of destabilise the country in a planned way.
Besides, dengue fever took an epidemic form across the country and its severity continued almost all the year round while barbaric killings of madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi in Feni, BUET student Abrar Fahad and Rifat Sharif at Barguna also were among the other most discussed incidents of the year.
On the other hand, formation of the government by Bangladesh Awami League for the third consecutive terms, DUCSU election after 28 years and council of ruling Awami League and its different front organisations, cleansing drives, including drives against casino and corruption, punitive measures against Bangladesh’s champion cricketer Sakib Al Hasan, publication of a faulty list of Rajakars also remained as the talk of the country.
Govt formation by AL
Although the parliament election was held on 30 December 2018, the year 2019 began with the forming of government by the Awami League for third consecutive term. In the election, Awami League won with a landslide margin and formed government with Sheikh Hasina as the prime minister or head of the government. The Sheikh Hasina-led cabinet took oath on January 7.
Fire at Churihatta
A devastating fire broke out at a building at Churihatta of Chawk Bazaar in the capital on 21 February. The fire left at least 70 people killed and many others injured. The incident took place during the observation of International Mother Language Day at Central Shahid Minar and across the country as well.
Rumour and false news
In a desperate evil move to destabilise the country, the vested quarter spread rumours that children were being beheaded at the Padma Multipurpose Bridge site as the bridge needed human sacrifice for its perpetuation. At least eight people, including women, were beaten to death and many others were injured in separate ‘mob attacks’ across the country following rumours or false news about child abductions spread through the social media and online. The victims were targeted over rumours that human sacrifices were needed to build the Padma Multipurpose Bridge.
Rumours were spread that children were being beheaded as offerings to the under construction bridge site. According to Javed Patwary, Inspector General of Police (IGP), “Vigilante groups in turn lynched people they suspected of kidnappings. But none of the victims were involved in child abduction.”
Taslima Begum, a single mother of two children aged 11 and four, was among the eight people killed. More than 30 people were reportedly attacked over the rumours. Eight people were arrested over Taslima Begum's murder, and five others were held in connection with the rumours.
At least 25 YouTube channels, 60 Facebook pages and 10 websites accused of spreading the rumours have been shut down. In rural areas, police personnel had to use loudspeakers aimed at drowning out the rumours.
Rumour over Onion and Salt
Besides, rumours over scarcity of onion shook up the country. As part of the rumour, onion prices reached up to Tk 250. In this circumstance, the government had to import onion from different countries and sell them in the open market. Another rumour was spread over the salt. Thousands of people were seen purchasing salt in advance and at higher prices.
Dengue Fever
Dengue Fever appeared as an epidemic all over the year. At least 121 people died and around one lakh people suffered from the Aedes Mosquito-borne disease. All the hospitals and clinics remained crowded with the Dengue affected patients. A severe panic also gripped the people of the country.
Killing of Madrasa Student Nusrat Jahan Rafi
The country was shocked when Nusrat Jahan Rafi, a female secondary school certificate examinee of a Madrasa at Sonagazi in Feni district was set alive to fire by pouring kerosene on her body on April 6. She succumbed to her injuries after four days, on April 10, at the Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. The court completed its trial process within seven months and awarded capital punishment to 16 people, including the principal of the madrasa, Moulana Sirajuddowla, on October 24.
BUET Student Killing
The brutal killing of Abrar Fahad, a student of the Bangladesh University of Science and Technology (BUET) shook up the BUET and also the country people. Students from all the educational institutions of the country came down to the streets in protest against the incident. Following the incident, students’ politics at the BUET has been banned. The body of Fahad was found at the ground floor of Sher-e-Bangla Hall of BUET on October 7. He was tortured to death. A case was filed against 25 BUET students and most of the accused were arrested. Trial in this case is on.
Rifat Sharif Killing in Barguna
Another killing in Barguna also shook up the country. Rifat Sharif, 25, was hacked to death by a gang of criminal at broad daylight on June 26. A video footage of killing the boy was viral through the social media.
DUCSSU Election
After a long 28-year, the election of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) was held on March 11. In the election, Nurul Huq Nur was elected as the Vice-President (VP) defeating the candidate of ruling party’s students’ organisation Bangladesh Chhatra League.
Cleansing and anti-Casino Drives
As part of the cleansing drives by the government, it also launched drives against illegal casinos in capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country. As part of the drives, all the casinos have been shut down and sealed off the sporting clubs, which had been running such illegal
casinos and gambling activities.
Besides, a large number of businessmen, contractors, former and incumbent government officials were also arrested for their alleged involvement in gambling, tender manipulations, corruption and bribery. The ruling Awami League also expelled many of its leaders for their involvement in such illicit acts.
Sakib Al Hasan
A ban on Bangladesh National Cricketer Sakib Al Hasan for one year by the International Cricket Council (ICC) remained as a much-talked-about incident in Bangladesh and all over the world as well. Punitive measures against Sakib was taken as he did not inform the authorities of an offer by a gambler although it was his responsibility to do so as per rules of the ICC.
Ershad’s Death
Death of forms military dictator HM Ershad was also among the most discussed incident. He died on July 14 while he was 90 years old. He had come to power through a coup and had been in power for nine years till 1990.
Rajakars’ List
Severe criticisms raised all over the country when the government published a faulty list of Rajakars on 15 December, the day before the Victory Day. A large number of names of freedom fighters were included in the Rajakars’ list as the list was published without verification. At one stage, the government cancelled the list following criticism.
