Dhaka: Various international organizations have expressed concern over the interim government's three-phase cancellation of the accreditation cards of 167 journalists. The list includes the names of many professional and active journalists and editors.

The British media 'Independent' reported this news in a report on Thursday (November 14).

The report mentioned that Reporters Without Borders, in a statement, said that the interim government's move to cancel the accreditation cards of journalists encourages 'self-censorship'.

They also said that although a committee was formed to monitor various cases of harassment against journalists, they do not understand the reason for canceling the accreditation cards within a week of the formation of the committee.

It cited a statement by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and said that the steps of canceling the accreditation cards, along with various incidents of threats and attacks against newspapers, indicates an anti-people authoritarian regime.

In addition, citing the statement of the Editors' Council of Bangladesh, the report said that the Editors' Council believes that the Ministry of Information has the right to review any misuse of accreditation cards. However, the move to cancel press accreditation cards indiscriminately without specific allegations and evidence of crime is a threat to the freedom of the media and an obstacle to ensuring a democratic environment.

This creates a risk of creating a regulatory environment including censorship in the media, which is also contrary to the original spirit of the July-August coup. The Editors' Council sees the matter as a repetition of the undemocratic practices of the past ultra-regulatory structure.

It is worth noting that Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 due to the student-people movement. At the same time, the long-standing Awami League regime collapsed. Then on August 8, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Immediately after taking office, the chief adviser pledged to restore democracy and uphold a free press. In an interview, he said, "Write and criticize as you please." If you don't write, how will we know what is happening and what isn't?

The current interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has stated that implementing the reforms that have been taken in various sectors including politics, economy and administration is not very easy. The organization claims that the skyrocketing expectations of the people are one of the challenges of the interim government.

On the occasion of the 100 days of the interim government, the ICG expressed this opinion on Thursday (November 14) night in a report titled 'A New Era in Bangladesh? The First Hundred Days of Reform'.

The report states that Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 due to the mass uprising of students and the people. Then on August 8, an interim government was formed with Dr. Muhammad Yunus as its chief adviser.

The interim government has already taken initiatives to reform various important institutions of the country including the political, economic, administrative, election commission, and education sectors. However, not all reforms are possible in this short period of time.

The report also said that reforms in important areas should be made visible to the people. Then the people's support can be maintained.

Otherwise, the interim government will fail. And if the interim government fails this time, Bangladesh will return to its previous state. Or if the situation goes out of control, military rule will begin in the country.

Considering all the circumstances, the organization also advised the current interim government of Bangladesh to maintain national unity with other political parties to succeed.

Important reforms should be made and elections should be held with the help of other political parties. Because, as long as this government wants to retain power, the demand for elections will become more intense, this international organization said.

In this case, the ICG sees BNP as a threat due to the absence of Awami League in the political arena because in the past history of the country, both Awami League and BNP have adopted methods to destabilize the country for elections.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser to the Health Ministry Dr. Sayedur Rahman who has been given executive responsibility, said that unique ID cards will be given along with rehabilitation to those injured in the July-August mass uprising.

He said this after a meeting of 6 advisers with students and the public injured in the July-August mass uprising at the conference room of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the Secretariat on Thursday (November 14) evening.

Stating that these processes will be completed by December, Dr. Sayedur Rahman said that a written outline will be given within the next five days. They will be implemented according to the timeline given in the outline.

He said that the injured will have a unique ID card. After it is prepared, all benefits will be ensured. In terms of treatment, they will receive free treatment from all government institutions for life. The government will also pay full or partial expenses in private hospitals with which the government has an agreement.

He also said that all the expenses incurred personally so far will be refunded if proper information is provided. Those who have lost their eyesight will be properly trained and supported, along with their educational qualifications and abilities. Those who have been paralyzed will be given the best possible treatment.

He said that after November 17, there will be a support center. All kinds of solutions will be tried from there. All government hospitals will have dedicated beds for the treatment of the injured. All hospitals in Dhaka will be brought under a network. All processes will be completed by December. Negligence in this regard will not be tolerated in any way. If necessary, advanced treatment will be arranged abroad.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam said that short-term measures will be taken for the treatment and rehabilitation of those injured in the uprising by December. Later, long-term steps will be taken step by step.

He said that the state has to face many crises. However, the martyrs and injured in the uprising are the government's top priority. There was a misunderstanding on Wednesday. It was resolved at night. They have been met before. They are being contacted at various times, formally and informally.

The information adviser said, "All martyrs and injured are related to the state and the nation. It is also the duty of political parties to work with the martyrs and injured. Let us all not neglect such duties. This government will be able to ensure maximum facilities to the injured and martyred families. They also have this belief." 

On November 15, 2007, Cyclone Sidr hit Patuakhali. In a single day, about 466 people lost their lives in the district and 211 are still missing. About Tk. 3,200 crore was lost, and more than 1,00,000 people in the district were displaced. Although reconstruction efforts have begun after Sidr, the terrible memories of Sidr still create fear in the minds of local residents.

Sidr caused extensive damage in Patuakhali. Houses, roads, schools, colleges, and the fisheries sector were almost completely destroyed. The fisheries sector in particular suffered major damage, which had a long-term impact on the district's economy. Moreover, the cyclone caused embankments to erode, causing water logging in vast areas. The district administration and various NGOs jointly started reconstruction efforts, but the damage caused by Sidr could not be completely overcome. Local residents are still in fear, remembering the terrible memories of Sidr.

A local resident of Patuakhali, Md. Selim (45), said, 'I can't forget the day of Sidr. I lost a lot that day. Even when now the weather is bad, I still feel like Sidr will come again.'

A 61-year-old woman, Jahanara Begum, still gets shocked when she remembers the terrible devastation of Sidr. She said, 'Everything in my house was destroyed. I still feel scared when I remember the times of Sidr.'

Another resident, Anwar Hossain (52), said, 'After losing everything, when we were slowly getting up, it felt like nothing would happen. Even though the situation is much better now, the fear of Sidr remains in our minds.'

Rahima Begum (60), a mother who lost her son, said, 'My son went missing on the night of Sidr. I searched a lot, but I couldn't find him anywhere. When I remember that night, I still burst into tears. I never found my child, but I still hope that he will return.'

After Sidr, disaster management in Patuakhali has improved a lot. Currently, the number of cyclone shelters in the coastal areas has increased and various programs are being taken to increase awareness among people during disasters. The local administration is working on constructing cyclone shelters and repairing embankments. The people of this region are now more prepared for disasters like Sidr.

However, Sidr in 2007 was a terrible chapter for Patuakhali district, the damage and memories of which remain in the minds of people even today.