4 dead and16 detained in communal violence in Bangladesh
October 15, 2021, 12:16 am

4 dead and16 detained in communal violence in Bangladesh

Bangladesh-Hefazat-e-islam movement-Dhaka/Pixabay

The Bangladesh police confirmed to IANS on Thursday, a total of 16 persons have been detained in Chandpur and Chittagong in connection with the cases filed over attacks on Durga Puja ‘mandaps’ and police-mob clashes in Chandpur’s Hajiganj upazila on Wednesday night that left four persons dead.

The We For News reported, the local administration has imposed Section 144 in Hajiganj Bazar area after the attack on police personnel.

It said, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised strong action against those involved in provoking communal disturbances by spreading fake photos of the Quran being placed at the feet of a Hindu deity in a Comilla temple during Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Hindus here.

The photos, extensively posted on social media, provoked disturbances across the country. Four rioters were killed in police firing at Chandpur when they went to attack temples and vandalised the Durga Puja pandals, and a large hue and cry was raised by radical Islamists demanding to stop the Durga Puja festival, alleging “insult to Islam”.

Two separate probe bodies have been formed, while the police detained seven persons in connection with the incident in Chandpur, besides detaining nine persons over the attacks on puja venues and Hindu homes in Cox’s Bazar.

They had vandalised the main entrance of the venue, but couldn’t damage much of the main place of worship in Cox’s Bazar, the police told IANS. The assailants also marched in some other parts of Cox’s Bazar, the police added.

Hasina said: “Some people are religiously blind and they always want to create communal conflicts. These people belong not only to the Muslim community, but also to all other religions. If we all work together, they can’t commit any harm."

Two separate probe bodies have been formed, one by the local administration and the other by the district police, to look into the incident,” Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the Home Minister of Bangladesh, told IANS on Thursday.

He said: “We have identified some persons in connection with the Cumilla incident. Our detective agencies will arrest them soon."

Mohammad Harunur Rashid, the officer in-charge of Hajiganj police station, confirmed the deaths of four persons in the police-mob clashes, who have been identified as Al Amin (18), Yasin Hossain (15), Shamim (19) and Bubul (30). The bodies will be handed over to the families after autopsy.

Milan Mahmud, Superintendent of Chandpur police, said, “A total of 139 rounds of bullet were fired as stones were thrown at the temple and policemen were attacked. As many as 23 policemen, including Additional Police Super Sohel Mahmud and Hajiganj OC Harunur Rashid, were injured. Among them, eight are being treated at the Hajiganj health complex.”

On Wednesday night, a mob under the banner of ‘Towhidi Janata’ pelted stones at the Lakkhinarayan Akhara, a temple, and clashed with the police. At one point, the police opened fire on the militants’ rally, which left four persons dead.

Durga Puja pandals were also vandalised in Chandpur, Chittagong, Chapainawabganj and Moulvibazar.

Source: wefornews

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.