Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organized a massive two-kilometer-long human chain in Satkhira on Wednesday (October 15) to press home its five-point demand. The demonstration, which stretched from Khulna Road intersection to Itagachha Hat intersection, drew several thousand party leaders, activists, and local residents.

The party’s key demands include:

1. Establishing a legal foundation for the July Charter,

2. Holding elections for both houses of Parliament under the Proportional Representation (PR) system,

3. Ensuring a level playing field for free and fair elections,

4. Bringing to justice those responsible for oppression, corruption, and mass killings under the “fascist regime,” and

5. Banning the activities of the ruling 14-Party Alliance and its ally, the Jatiya Party, labeling them as accomplices of authoritarianism.

Addressing the main gathering, Jamaat’s central Majlis-e-Shura member and district Ameer Ustad Shahidul Islam Mukul said, “These five demands represent the people’s aspirations for freedom. Once implemented, they will establish true democracy and guarantee citizens’ fundamental rights.”

Simultaneous human chains were also held at Khulna Road intersection, Court Road, New Market intersection, and Tufan More.

• The Khulna Road program was presided over by district Jamaat Assistant Secretary Professor Omar Faruk,

• In front of the court, the event was led by Sadar Jamaat Secretary Maulana Habibur Rahman,

• At New Market, Shahidul Islam Mukul delivered his address, and

• At Tufan More, district Secretary Maulana Azizur Rahman attended as chief guest.

Maulana Azizur Rahman said, “Thousands of people have peacefully taken to the streets to raise their voices. If the government refuses to listen to the people’s language, then the people will speak in a language the government understands.”

Professor Omar Faruk added, “Jamaat-e-Islami is a party of the people. Our movement is not for any individual or family but for the nation’s welfare.”

Speakers also argued that those opposing the July Charter were using baseless excuses, claiming a pre-election referendum might cause complications. “In reality,” they said, “the referendum will serve as preparation for the national election — helping people see who truly supports democracy.”

District leaders urged the government to hold the referendum by November and conduct the national election in February based on the July Charter. “Otherwise,” they warned, “the people’s movement will expand further.”

The two-kilometer stretch from Khulna Road to Itagachha turned vibrant with banners, festoons, and slogans during the peaceful demonstration. Organizers described the event as “the beginning of a mass movement against the government’s policy of repression.”

The devastating fire at a chemical warehouse in Old Dhaka’s Churihatta claimed 71 lives. More than six and a half years have passed since that tragedy, yet experts continue to warn that the area remains dangerously unsafe. Sixteen years earlier, the horrific Nimtoli blaze killed 124 people and injured many more. Despite repeated warnings and tragic losses, authorities have yet to learn their lesson. On Tuesday (October 14), another fire broke out at a garments factory and chemical warehouse in Mirpur, killing 16 people and injuring many others. Officials fear the death toll could rise further. It took firefighters over nine hours to bring the blaze under partial control, with assistance from the Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, RAB, and volunteer groups.

Experts and explosion specialists warn that Dhaka has effectively turned into a “city of bombs,” where a major disaster could occur at any moment. They fear that unless immediate action is taken, the capital’s narrow lanes may once again turn into death traps.

Former officials from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) note that earlier drives to evict hazardous chemical warehouses from Old Dhaka, Mirpur, and Uttara had been launched by the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) under the previous government — but those efforts have since vanished. Mirpur was already identified as a high-risk zone, they add, suggesting the latest tragedy could have been prevented with proper caution.

A former BUET explosives expert stated, “Dhaka is now like a city sitting on an atom bomb. People can be burned to ashes at any time — something unheard of in other countries. Yet, chemical explosions keep happening, and we remain indifferent.”

Dr. Mohammad Touhidul Haque, Professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka, echoed the concern: “People in Dhaka are practically living with a time bomb. Every failed attempt to relocate these chemical depots costs us more lives — often those of our working class and loved ones.”

According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence, Bangladesh recorded 27,624 fire and explosion incidents in 2023, causing property damage worth over Tk 7.92 billion and killing 102 people. In 2024, the number of incidents stood at 26,659, leaving 140 dead and 341 injured. In just the first seven months of 2025, at least 154 people have already died in similar incidents.

Research by the Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA) shows that Old Dhaka alone houses around 25,000 chemical warehouses, with 15,000 of them located inside residential buildings. Across the capital, there are 30,000 to 35,000 such depots, over 4,850 of which have been marked as “high risk” by the Fire Service and other authorities.

While thousands of businesses are involved in the chemical trade, most operate illegally. Of the 25,000 warehouses in Old Dhaka, only about 2,500 have city corporation trade licenses. Two successive governments pledged to relocate the dangerous chemical stores from residential areas, but the promises never materialized.

After the 2019 Churihatta tragedy, DSCC launched eviction drives against illegal chemical warehouses. However, these were halted following requests from the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and never resumed.

A recent visit to Old Dhaka revealed alarming scenes: rows of plastic drums and sacks of flammable chemicals piled inside narrow shops beneath residential apartments. Tangled electric wires dangle dangerously overhead. Areas such as Armanitola, Lalbagh, Kotwali, Bangshal, and Chawkbazar all show the same deadly pattern.

Most residential buildings in these neighborhoods have chemical warehouses or small factories on the ground floor — storing substances such as glycerin, sodium anhydrous, sodium thiosulfate, hydrogen peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone, thinner, and isopropyl alcohol — any of which could trigger massive explosions.

Following the 2010 Nimtoli fire, a Home Ministry committee led by Additional Secretary Iqbal Khan Chowdhury issued 17 directives, including immediate removal of chemical warehouses. But those recommendations have remained shelved for 16 years.

When the 2019 Churihatta blaze struck, the Fire Service again made several key recommendations — including banning chemical storage in residential areas, widening narrow lanes to at least 20 feet, and installing street hydrants at fixed intervals to ensure adequate water supply. Nearly all remain unimplemented.

The long-proposed “Chemical Industrial Park” in Sonakanda, Keraniganj, planned on 20 acres of land in 2015, never progressed. The site has since been reassigned for an IT park.

Chemical traders acknowledge partial progress: some 30 to 40 of the most hazardous chemicals have been removed from Old Dhaka, but many others remain. “We are trying to be more cautious ourselves,” said Jahangir Alam and Nand Kumar Dutta, leaders of the Churihatta Association.

Palash Ahmed, a leader of the Bangladesh Plastic Traders Association, urged swift removal of all hazardous materials from Old Dhaka, saying, “We don’t want to see another Mirpur-like disaster. The public has suffered enough.”

Meanwhile, intelligence officials report that nine types of chemicals are currently imported into Bangladesh, but clear regulations exist for only three. The remaining six are handled and stored without oversight, sometimes used to disguise explosive or narcotic imports.

BAPA General Secretary Abdul Matin warned, “There are 25,000 to 30,000 illegal chemical warehouses across Dhaka. Unless they are removed, the risk of explosions and fires cannot be reduced.”

BUET Professor and explosives expert Dr. Ashiqur Rahman added, “Our biggest failure is that we never learn. Each tragedy is followed by a few weeks of concern — then everything is forgotten. We forgot Nimtoli, we forgot Churihatta, and soon we’ll forget Mirpur too.”

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury, Director (Operations & Maintenance) of the Fire Service, said, “After the Churihatta fire, our committee submitted several recommendations, but none were implemented. Had those been taken seriously, such incidents would have decreased significantly.”

He added, “We repeatedly warned against allowing chemical storage in residential areas. If our long-term recommendations had been acted upon, people wouldn’t have to die like this — as they did again in Mirpur.”

Rajshahi University is set to hold its long-awaited Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election tomorrow, marking the first such vote in 35 years. The campus is abuzz with excitement and political energy as students prepare to cast their ballots in a historic election expected to see fierce competition for the top three positions—Vice President (VP), General Secretary (GS), and Assistant General Secretary (AGS).Unlike the 1990 election, which was dominated by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), this year’s field appears wide open, with no single panel or candidate holding a clear lead. The contest promises to be unpredictable and closely fought.

A Charged Political Atmosphere

Campaigning has officially ended, but discussions among students continue to intensify over who will emerge as the new student leaders. A total of 11 full or partial panels and several independent candidates are contesting this election.

Voting will be held Thursday (October 16) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. across 17 centers in nine academic buildings, with results to be announced later in the evening at the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium.

Vice President (VP) Race

The VP contest is shaping up to be a neck-and-neck fight between Mostaqur Rahman Zahid, backed by Islami Chhatra Shibir, and Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir, supported by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD). Both have run strong, organized campaigns. Left-leaning candidate Fuad Ratul and Mehedi Maruf from the Chhatra Adhikar panel are also drawing attention, making the VP race one of the tightest in the field.

General Secretary (GS) Race

The GS position is seeing a three-way contest among Fahim Reza (Shibir-backed), Salauddin Ammar (former coordination leader), and Nafiu Islam Jibon (JCD-backed). Each has demonstrated significant organizational strength, leaving the outcome uncertain until the final count.

Assistant General Secretary (AGS) Race

The AGS post has also become heated, with Jaheen Biswas Esha (JCD-backed) and Salman Sabbir (Shibir-backed) emerging as strong contenders. The high-stakes competition across all three top positions is expected to draw a large turnout and long queues at the polling centers.

Candidates and Voter Information

According to the RUCSU Election Commission, 247 candidates are vying for 23 posts. Of these, 18 are contesting for VP, 13 for GS, and 16 for AGS. In addition, 58 candidates are running for five student representative posts in the university senate, while 597 candidates are contesting for 15 hall-level positions in 17 dormitories.

The total number of registered voters stands at 28,901, including 11,305 female and 17,596 male students. Each voter will cast 43 votes—23 for RUCSU, 5 for the Senate, and 15 for the Hall Union.

To accommodate the large electorate, 17 centers with 990 booths have been set up, each equipped with six color-coded ballot boxes and scanning machines under CCTV surveillance.

Campus Preparations and Security

A visit to the campus shows that polling booths have been fully prepared using white cloth, bamboo, and wood. Booths are located in academic buildings including Shaheed Hossain Siraji, Zuberi, and Rabindra Bhaban. Security has been tightened, and CCTV cameras have been installed in every booth.

The entire campus has transformed into an election arena with posters, banners, and vibrant campaigning. Candidates from Shibir, JCD, and independent panels have engaged directly with students. Female candidates have been visiting women’s dormitories, listening to students’ concerns and promoting their platforms.

Student Voices

Nasimul Muhit Ifat, a student, said: “After 35 long years, RUCSU is finally holding an election. The JCD- and Shibir-backed panels seem to have stronger organizational bases.”

Fariha Islam Mim, another student, remarked: “Voting is our democratic right. Although JCD and Shibir candidates dominate discussions, independent candidates also deserve attention.”

Papia Akter from the Mass Communication Department noted: “Independent candidates bring fresh perspectives and are talking about student issues beyond political influence.”

Siam, a Political Science student, said: “The JCD-backed panel has conducted a well-structured campaign, particularly in the VP and AGS races.”

Election Commission and Oversight

Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. F. Nazrul Islam stated that voting will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ballot boxes will be sealed at 8:30 a.m. in the presence of media representatives and candidates. No one will be allowed to enter polling centers after 4 p.m., and results will be announced the same evening.

He emphasized that all necessary preparations have been made to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and participatory election. “This election is not just a vote—it’s an opportunity to revive democratic practice, leadership development, and a sense of responsibility among students,” he said.

Professor Nazrul also called on the media to act responsibly, saying: “Transparency and peace depend greatly on fair media coverage. We expect journalists to perform their duties in a positive and impartial manner.”

Outlook

With Shibir and JCD-backed panels focusing on direct voter engagement and independents pledging student-centered leadership, tomorrow’s RUCSU election promises to be one of the most competitive, unpredictable, and energetic student elections in the university’s history.

Teachers demanding the nationalization of MPO-listed (Monthly Pay Order) educational institutions have announced a “Long March to Jamuna” if their demands are not met by Wednesday night. At around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday (October 15), the announcement was made by Professor Delwar Hossain Azizi, Member Secretary of the Alliance for the Nationalization of MPO-Listed Educational Institutions, after withdrawing their blockade at Shahbagh intersection.

He said, “If our demands are not met by tonight, we will begin our Long March to Jamuna at 12 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday). We urge the administration to cooperate with us as we have cooperated with them.”

Professor Azizi further stated, “Tomorrow, the Dakhil examination is scheduled to be held. If our demands remain unfulfilled, no classes or examinations will take place.”

Earlier in the day, the teachers had blocked the Shahbagh intersection to press home their demand for nationalization. After nearly four hours of demonstration, they lifted the blockade and returned to the Central Shaheed Minar in a protest procession.