Renowned Bangladeshi photographer, activist rots in jail
Dhaka, Sep 10: Renowned Bangladeshi photographer and social activist Shahidul Alam has been languishing in jail for a month, his lawyer said on Monday, a day before a court is set to hear his bail petition.
The internationally-acclaimed photographer was arrested in the first week of August following his interview by a news channel in which he criticized the Bangladeshi government's violent response to a peaceful protest by students demanding greater road safety.
Alam's lawyer Jyotirmay Barua hoped that the court would rule in his favour on Tuesday. "There is a move to frustrate us. May be the government is annoyed with him for some reason," Barua told Efe news, adding that Alam would not be present at the hearing.
The lawyer added that a judge at the Metropolitan court in Dhaka had fixed the date for the hearing on September 11 although Alam was detained on August 6. Two petitions to bring forward the date of the hearing were rejected by the courts.
Alam's lawyers had also appealed to the Dhaka high court but it refused to look into the matter without providing any explanation, Barua said.
"This is embarrassing for the whole country. No one is able to speak here. If someone speaks up, he is facing jail or fine," the lawyer said, referring to the defamation charges against Alam.
The police accused the veteran photographer of defaming the government and spreading rumours on the social media regarding the demonstrations.
The photographer's family told Efe that they were concerned about his health, especially as Alam had accused the police of torturing him on the first day of his detention.
"The way he was picked up was unjust, his police remand was unjust. The High Court ordered an examination after he complained of torture but they (the authorities) instead checked his physical fitness," Alam's wife Rahnuma Ahmed said.
Alam was shifted to a new cell on last Friday, with better facilities, including attached bathroom, a bed, a chair and an access to library.
Alam's detention was globally condemned as a crackdown on free speech in Bangladesh.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Domestic LPG cylinder costlier by Rs 60, commercial up Rs 115 amid West Asia conflict
New Delhi (PTI): The prices of domestic LPG and commercial cylinders were hiked by a steep Rs 60 and Rs 114.5, respectively, amid rising energy costs linked to the West Asia conflict.
Non-subsidised LPG, the one that common household users other than the Ujjwala beneficiaries use in their kitchens, will now cost Rs 913 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi as against Rs 853 previously, according to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) website. This is the second increase in prices in less than a year.
Industry officials said the increase follows a steep rise in global energy prices since the breakout of military conflict in West Asia.
Despite the price increase, cooking gas in India is priced at the lowest when compared with neighbouring countries, they said.
The price increase, the website showed, is effective from March 7.
This is the second increase in rates in 11 months. Prices were last hiked by Rs 50 in April last year.
In Mumbai, non-subsidised LPG now costs Rs 912.50, Rs 939 in Kolkata and Rs 928.50 in Chennai, according to the IOC website.
Rates differ from state to state depending on the incidence of local sales tax or VAT.
Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries, the over 10 crore poor who have got free LPG connections since the scheme was launched in 2016, will continue to get a subsidy of Rs 300 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills in a year.
The price of commercial LPG, the one used by establishments such as hotels and restaurants, was increased by Rs 114.5 per 19-kg cylinder. It now costs Rs 1,883 in Delhi. This increase comes on top of the Rs 28 per 19-kg cylinder increase on March 1.
Commercial LPG rates have risen by Rs 302.50 this year.
