Delhi Summit Decisions : Ministries asked to expedite implementation

The meeting could not give any directives on the much-talked about duty-free access of 47 Bangladeshi items to Indian market.

The Prime Minister’s Office has asked the ministries concerned to expedite the process of implementation of the decisions made at the Bangladesh-India summit in January.Sources close to the PMO said a high-level meeting on Wednesday directed the secretaries of the relevant ministries to take necessary steps and also prepare progress reports on implementation of the decisions before the prime minister sits with them soon.(The New Age BD)Improving road connectivity with India, allowing water transit through Ashuganj port, power trade, receiving loans pledged by New Delhi and duty-free access of Bangladeshi commodities to Indian market are the key areas covered by the joint communiqué issued by Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.Wednesday’s meeting presided over by the prime minister’s economic affairs adviser Mashiur Rahman, asked the bureaucrats to undertake maximum efforts to implement the decisions and sit with each other to work out ways to remove hurdles.A tripartite or even four-party meeting involving Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan may be organised to make arrangement for direct transport services, recommended the meeting asking the communications ministry to work on it.‘Such a meeting can pave the way for understanding and working out a modality for introduction of something like direct bus services. Bangladesh or Bhutan can convince India to agree to transit for the land-locked Himalayan state,’ said an official. The official said that the economic relations division had been asked to contact the Indian side about how Bangladesh could receive a $100 million loan pledged by the Indian government.The shipping ministry has been asked to prepare its report on use of Ashuganj port for transport of Indian goods as per the communiqué.Currently, a joint team is assessing the state of infrastructures on the spot for transport of ‘over dimensional cargo’ from Ashuganj to Agartala before making an estimate of costs.The meeting could not give any directives on the much-talked about duty-free access of 47 Bangladeshi items to Indian market.However, denying having any such list, a source in the commerce ministry said Dhaka would now focus on reduction in the number of Bangladeshi items in India’s negative list for getting market access at zero duty.Among others, secretaries of the ministries of foreign affairs, communications, industries, shipping, cultural affairs and home affairs and also the economic relations division were present at the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office.

BDR has overcome difficulties: DG: Curtailed Darbar held at Peelkhana

Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Director General MajorGeneral Mainul islam addressing Special Darbar at Peelkhanaon Wednesday on the occasion of Bangladesh Rifles Week-2010.

Director General of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Major General Mainul Islam yesterday said that the border force had fought and overcome many of the difficulties it faced since the bloody mutiny erupted during Rifles Week a year ago.The BDR director general was addressing the annual BDR Darbar yesterday, which began at around 11am, in an auditorium next to the Darbar Hall. The Darbar was held as part of the annual Bangladesh Rifles Week programme, which has been curtailed to a single day this year, as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the BDR mutiny that was sparked during the annual event in February last year.BDR regained people's confidence in the last one year since the mutiny, which is the main achievement of the force, he mentioned. All civil and military officers of the BDR, including JCOs and NCOs, were present at the special Darbar that started at about 11:00am at a multipurpose shed, which is used for practicing indoor games.The Darbar was not held at BDR Darbar Hall as a special court has been set up there for holding mutiny trial.The Director General recalled the incident that took place in the Darbar Hall on February 25-26 last year. "The heinous killings and mutiny have belitled us before the nation," he said."We are observing the curtailed BDR week this year showing respect to the army officers killed during the Peelkhana mutiny and hatred towards those who commited the crime." He also expressed gratitude to the role of the prime minister in tackling the mutiny and violence in a democratic way.Though many people think that BDR is weak on the borders, the force is not weak at all now, the Director General said. At present, BSF has more border outposts than the BDR, he said and added that Bangladesh would also increase the number of its outposts and reduce system loss.In this context, he said the work is underway to set up 90 new outposts.BDR officers and jawans, who carried out their duties in 2009 exceptionally well, received awards on the occasion that ended at about 12:20pm.Special dinner was served and milad and doa Mahfil held at the BDR hostels at Peelkhana.The BDR mutiny on February 25-26 last year erupted during a Darbar arranged for a similar occasion. The mutineers killed 74 people, including 57 army officials, and the mutiny also spread to other BDR units in the country. This is the second Darbar being held there after the mutiny. The first one was held on August 17 last year.The Government has approved a new name, Border Guards Bangladesh, a new uniform, insignia and organogram for the border force as part of its reformation in wake of the mutiny. Maj Gen Islam asked the border guards to work hard so that they could regain their previous reputation. He said arms and firearms were recovered from many residences after the mutiny, but no witness was coming forward to give testimony on the mater. Regarding the "demands" of the border guards, which the mutineers had expressed last year, the Director General said: "Demands cannot be realised by terrorism, commiting so many killings." He said the criminals must be punished. "How can anyone be spared?" "The jawans who were present in last year's Darbar were weak hearted. If they had taken action such tragedy would not have taken place."

HC drops proceedings against Hasina in 3 cases

The High Court on Thursday quashed the proceedings against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in three corruption cases involving Bangabandhu Novo Theatre.
The cases were filed during the regime of BNP-led four party alliance government.
The court also declared filing of the cases illegal.
The court found that the cases were filed against Hasina with intention to harass her.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chairman's approval for investigating into the cases was illegal since now defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption (Bac) boss Suntan Hossain Khan had alone taken the decision, the court said.
The ACC functions as a composite body and its chairman alone could not take any decision, the court observed.
The high court pronounced the verdict upon three separate writ petitions filed by Hasina challenging the ACC boss's approval to the investigation.
On March 27, 2002 the Bac filed the three cases with Tejgaon police station accusing Hasina and some of her cabinet members on charges of corruption and irregularities in the novo theatre project.

Grand alliance govt has faced grand failure: Khaleda

Newly elected president of Dhaka Lawyers Association Sanaullah Mia presents a bouquet to BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office on Wednesday.

Leader of the opposition and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has said that the grand alliance government has faced grand failure and as a result the country is passing through a difficult time. "The government could not fulfill even a single electoral pledges it had made to the people" she said.Begum Zia made the remarks while addressing the newly elected pro-BNP office bearers of Dhaka Zila Bar Association who met her at her Gulshan office on Wednesday evening under the leadership of Sanaullah Mia.The opposition leader blasted the government for its utter failures to resolve the burning problems of the people and said they have increased the power tariff again at a time when the citizens are suffering bitterly from power, water and gas crises besides rising cost of living due to unchecked price spiral. She said, the government is responsible for price hike and deterioration of law and order situation. She further said that there are thieves among the government party MPs and leaders and that the country will face disaster if the stealing continue unchecked. This government is a party government and autocratic in nature, so it is working for the party and not for the people."It is the prime duty of the government to ensure local and foreign investment and generate employment. But instead of doing that the government is engaged as politicization, terminating employees and making officials OSD. Over 400 people including army and police officers have been made OSD. The government is leading the country on the road to BAKSAL system", she added.She also alleged that the government is politicising the judiciary and there is no rule of law in the country."We have no other option but to go for movement with a view to establishing true democracy and rule of law" she said and expressed the hope that the people will be with BNP in its struggle for their causes.UNB adds: Opposition leader Khaleda Zia accused the government of politicizing the judiciary where the judges feel disappointed in administering justice, resulting in what she said lawlessness."There is nothing called the rule of law in the country. The behavior of the Attorney-General is unfortunate. The judges feel frustrated," she said Khaleda alleged that the government has been installed in power by external forces to serve their interests. "The only way to salvage the country from this repressive regime is launch a united movement," she told the lawyer-leaders.

PM unhappy with slow pace of development works

Unhappy with a slow pace in public works, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday directed government officials to implement development projects as fast as possible with the spirit of patriotism and love for the common people.She said development projects are not being implemented in keeping with the nation's and government's aspirations."Development is not taking place at such pace as we want. The pace of development is slow to a large extent. But why?" The Prime Minister questioned at a function of development cadres. Indicating a shift in the national development strategy, she said the present government wants to go back to Five-Year Plan from the present PRSP (poverty-reduction strategy paper), known as a donor-prescribed development paradigm.The Prime Minister came up with the observations and future development-planning methodology at the opening function of the silver-jubilee celebrations of the National Academy for Planning and Development (NAPD) at the city's Osmani auditorium.With Planning Minister Air Vice-Marshal (Retd) AK Khandaker in the chair, the function was also addressed by Adviser to the Prime Minister HT Imam, Planning Ministry Secretary Md. Habib Ullah Majumder and NAPD Director-General Dr MA Kamal. The Prime Minister was given a crest by the organizers.Hasina in her inaugural speech also informed her audience that the government is going to formulate Civil Service Act with a focus on training for government officials for their skill building in keeping with the present-day national development priorities and needs.She regretted that the government is holding regular ECNEC meeting and finalizing various development projects but the projects are not being implemented in line with the expectations."It seems that there are weaknesses in formulating and implementing development projects. Such things cannot continue anymore," she clearly stated.Official figures show 35 percent of the Tk 30,500 original Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the current 2009-10 fiscal year could be implemented in seven months to January. Hasina said all government officials must work with a sense and feeling of responsibility and accountability towards the people.She further deplored that some of the government officials lack pro-people mentality though there are many others who give their best in the efforts for bringing prosperity in people's life through implementing the government schemes."It cannot be that we only go on enjoying fruits of the hard labor of the masses like farmers and laborers-we have many things to give back to those who through their round-the-clock work have kept our economy vibrant and strong," she said.Hasina disclosed that she came to know that directors of many development projects do not even go to field level to monitor the progress on projects and programmes.She urged the authorities concerned to be more attentive and caring in formulating and implementing projects and programmes, keeping in mind greater public interest.

BSS, Rangpur

The char women, who lived in utter miseries even few years back, overcame their differences and jealousy on petty issues in an exceptional manner for accelerating their developments, empowerment and building a better future for their children.
They have done it by observing the World Love Day (Valentine Day) in an exceptional manner and cemented their social relations and love through exchanging flower and litchi saplings among themselves on last February 14 for accelerating their advancements.
Under the ongoing Char Livelihood Programme (CLP) of Rangpur- Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS), the women living in remote Kawniar Char village under Roumari upazila on the Brahmaputra bed in Kurigram achieved mentionable success since 2008.
They remained deprived of basic human rights for decades together and many of their good initiatives became unsuccessful for petty differences and jealousy that led to severe sequels and quarrels frequently among them hindering their unity and developments.
But, now they have become strongly united to eradicate their differences and jealousy and vowed to boycott en masse social curses like child marriage, dowry, polygamy, divorce, human trafficking, violence against women and children for their own interests.
Under the CLP assistances, the char women have largely changed their fates by achieving self-reliance and empowerment through various income-generating activities and improved their infrastructures, livelihoods and have been educating their children. Side by side, they have already achieved successes in bringing down school drop outs and their population growth rate by adopting family planning and brought the rate of maternal and neonatal deaths to the minimum.
They are thinking for a better future of their children by building a developed digital Bangladesh, but still then, minor differences, jealousy, enmities and petty issues among them had been hampering their social relations and overall advancements.
Considering these circumstances, the CLP and RDRS took special initiatives for reducing the differences, gaps and minor enmities among the char women, who are neighbours of each other, by arranging an exceptional Valentine Day.
Accordingly, the women of Kawniar Char village were motivated for resolving their minor issues, enmities, sequels and cementing their relations by exchanging saplings of rose and litchi plants on February 14 last.
The special occasion was arranged at nearby Char Goytapara Registered Non- government Primary School where 150 beneficiary women members of the ongoing CLP activities being conducted by RDRS actively took part.

Char women united for building better future of their children

BSS, Rangpur

The char women, who lived in utter miseries even few years back, overcame their differences and jealousy on petty issues in an exceptional manner for accelerating their developments, empowerment and building a better future for their children.
They have done it by observing the World Love Day (Valentine Day) in an exceptional manner and cemented their social relations and love through exchanging flower and litchi saplings among themselves on last February 14 for accelerating their advancements.
Under the ongoing Char Livelihood Programme (CLP) of Rangpur- Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS), the women living in remote Kawniar Char village under Roumari upazila on the Brahmaputra bed in Kurigram achieved mentionable success since 2008.
They remained deprived of basic human rights for decades together and many of their good initiatives became unsuccessful for petty differences and jealousy that led to severe sequels and quarrels frequently among them hindering their unity and developments.
But, now they have become strongly united to eradicate their differences and jealousy and vowed to boycott en masse social curses like child marriage, dowry, polygamy, divorce, human trafficking, violence against women and children for their own interests.
Under the CLP assistances, the char women have largely changed their fates by achieving self-reliance and empowerment through various income-generating activities and improved their infrastructures, livelihoods and have been educating their children. Side by side, they have already achieved successes in bringing down school drop outs and their population growth rate by adopting family planning and brought the rate of maternal and neonatal deaths to the minimum.
They are thinking for a better future of their children by building a developed digital Bangladesh, but still then, minor differences, jealousy, enmities and petty issues among them had been hampering their social relations and overall advancements.
Considering these circumstances, the CLP and RDRS took special initiatives for reducing the differences, gaps and minor enmities among the char women, who are neighbours of each other, by arranging an exceptional Valentine Day.
Accordingly, the women of Kawniar Char village were motivated for resolving their minor issues, enmities, sequels and cementing their relations by exchanging saplings of rose and litchi plants on February 14 last.
The special occasion was arranged at nearby Char Goytapara Registered Non- government Primary School where 150 beneficiary women members of the ongoing CLP activities being conducted by RDRS actively took part.

Three killed, 8 injured in road accidents

Rangpur
Three persons including two young boys were killed and eight others injured in two separate road accents at different places in the district last evening, eyewitnesses and police sources said.
Two passengers of a rickshaw van were killed and six others injured when a Dinajpur bound passenger bus from Barishal rammed the rickshaw van at Chiklee Bazaar point on the Dinajpur-Rangpur highway under Taraganj upazila in Rangpur.
Passenger of the rickshaw van Habibullah, 15, of nearby Horiapara village in Syedpur upazila of Nilphamari, was killed on the spot and seven others including van passengers and pedestrians were seriously injured in the accident. After admission at Taraganj Upazila Health Complex, another van passenger Kajal, 16, an incumbent HSC examinee, of Doalipara village in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur succumbed to his injuries and six injured persons are now undergoing treatment there. One Mofiz Mian, 60, of village Etakumari in Pirgachha upazila was killed and his wife Jarina Begum, 50, and rickshaw- puller Golam Mostafa, 30, were injured when a truck hit their rickshaw at Monurchhara point on the Rangpur-Sundarganj road here.

1000 UPs to be in fibre optic network in a year: Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurating "Digital
Bangladesh: Plan of Connecting People" conference at Hotel
Radisson in the city on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said her government has taken massive programmes to bring all Union Parishad offices under fibre optic network for introducing improved communications system in rural Bangladesh.

"Initially, 100 Union Parishad offices have been selected for connecting those with fibre optic network while more 1,000 Union Parishads would be brought under the network to this end within the next one year," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the "Digital Bangladesh: Plan of Connecting People" organised by Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications at Radisson Water Garden Hotel in the capital yesterday morning.

Internationally reputed IT expert and Computer Scientist Sajib Ahmed Wazed presented theme paper on the topic in the function presided over by Posts and Telecommunications Minister Raji Uddin Ahmed Raju. Among others, Secretary General of International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Dr Hamadoun I Toure, Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Maj Gen (Rtd) Zia Ahmed and Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Sunil Kanti Bose spoke on the occasion.

The Prime Minister said under the scheme all hospitals and schools would be brought under computer network to ensure health services of the people as well as making the country's education system time befiting and modern one to cope with the present IT based world.

In this context, she said computer with wave camera and internet facilities has been provided to all upazila hospitals while 1,500 laptops were distributed among the country's educational institutes so far towards fulfilling the government vision to make a digital Bangladesh by 2021.

Sheikh Hasina said her government will set up computer labs in all educational institutes in phases to this end.

Listing her government's various pragmatic steps for expansion of IT across the country, she said computer labs have so far been set up in 128 upazila across the country and this would be expanded up to all upazila in phases for connecting people with communications network.

Sheikh Hasina said Community E-Centre has been set up in five upazilas of the country so far and in phases all upazilas would be brought under the programmes gradually.

The Prime Minister said her government has already approved ICT Policy-2009 and formulated ICT Act-2009 to expedite the process in flourishing ICT industry in the country.

Elaborating her government's vision for expansion of IT across the country, she said it has taken a programme to set up "e-Centre for Rural Community" in 8,500 post offices in different nock and corners in Bangladesh.

She said steps have been taken to provide modern video conferencing facilities connecting cabinet, all 64 Deputy Commissioners, seven Divisional Commissioners offices with the Prime Minister's office to facilitate communications among them.

However, she said necessary infrastructures are being built to set up Hi-Tech Park in Gazipur along with strengthening telecommunications network to bring the entire country into e-Governance.

The Prime Minister expressed the hope that an IT based Bangladesh would be built up with the concerted efforts under public and private sectors partnership saying that it not possible only by the government to implement these huge programmes.

Sheikh Hasina expressed her vow to build a modern and prosperous Bangladesh based on knowledge and technology by the year of 2021 when Bangladesh will celebrate the Golden Jubilee of its independence.

Calling upon all to come forward to build a modern and technology base Bangladesh, she said the dreams would come true if all concerned work unitedly to this end.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary General of International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Dr Hamadoun I Toure said inclusion of digital technology would be a key of Bangladesh's development in the next decade (2010-2020).

"Bangladesh will lag behind in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially in health and education sectors if it is not included in the digital technology in the present technology based modern world," he asserted.

Appreciating the steps taken by the present government of Bangladesh to turn the country into a digital one, Toure said the Vision-2021 of the government will come true under the able leadership of Sheikh Hasina. "I see a leadership in the country puting in place to build a digital Bangladesh by 2021," he added.

Pointing to rise of various types of cyber crimes in the present digital world, the ITU chief underlined the need for taking concerted efforts to prevent the crimes like child pornography and global terrorism.

In this context, he stressed on formulating technical framework to this end. He said that ITU will provide all out support and to work with Bangladesh to implement its vision for building a digital Bangladesh by 2021.

In his theme paper, Sajib Ahmed Wazed termed telecommunications, as a backbone of digital Bangladesh saying that establishment of digital Bangladesh is simple impossible without improvement of telecommunications.

He said digital Bangladesh means to build a happy and prosperous country free from hunger and poverty as well as connecting people in all development programmes.

Sajib Wazed, the son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina elaborated technical aspects of the government's plans and programmes to make a digital Bangladesh by 2021 and how to provide government services electronically to the people.

In this context, he referred the present government's programmes to introduce e-governance, seting up IT parks, providing IT education and IT outsourcing towards building a digital Bangladesh.

Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated Digital Bangladesh "Building Generations Geniuses" by pressing a buton of computer.

Ministers, Advisers to the Prime Minister, Parliament members, IT experts and high government officials were present in the function.

Imrul Kayes playing a reverse sweeps shot against England during the second ODI at Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.




An undefeated 110 by Eoin Morgan propelled England to earn a narrow two-wicket win over Bangladesh in the second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday.

Morgan played 104 deliveries in his match winning innings, which was ornamented with eight fours and two huge sixes.

Chaasing Bangladesh's quite remarkable 260 for the loss of six wickets in the alloted 50 overs, England reached the winning target making 261 for the loss of eight wickets when they had just seven balls to spare.

England lost their early three wickets for 68 runs. Then, Eoin Morgan and Alastair Cook added 40 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Cook returned to the dressing room scoring 60 off 61 amid seven fours and a sixer when England's total was 108 for the loss of four wickets.

Later, Morgan and Mat Prior put on together 90 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Prior was trapped leg before wicket by spinner Abdur Razzak hiting 42 off 58 including four fours. Spinner Shakib Al Hasan and Abdur Razzak dominated over the English batsmen but Morgan fought against Bangladesh bowlers to sail home.

Shakib Al Hasan and Abdur Razzak harpooned altogether six wickets sharing three wickets each for 32 and 52 runs respectively.

Besides, Mahmudullah Riyad and Shafiul Islam picked up one wicket each at the cost of 30 and 55 runs respectively.

With yesterday's win, England already won the three-match ODI series 2-0.

Earlier, two half centuries by Mushfiqur Rahim and Imrul Kayes guided Bangladesh to make a fighting score.

Imrul Kayes and Tamim Iqbal, the two openers of Bangladesh made a modest start adding together 46 runs in the opening stand before Tamim Iqbal was caught at the mid-wicket by Alastair Cook off Stuart Broad scoring 30. Iqbal hit four shots through the ropes in his 25-ball knock.

After dismissal of Tamim, Aftab Ahmed came to the crease but his innings was short-lived as he was clean bowled by Tim Bresnan scoring only four runs when the team's total was 56 for the loss of two wickets.

Then, wicketkeeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and Imrul Kayes put on together valuable 90 runs for the third wicket partnership before Imrul was caught at the short cover by Paul Collingwood of Graeme Swann when the board was showing 146 for the loss of three wickets.

Kayes knocked a painstaking 63 facing 113 balls with four strokes across the fence.

Mushfiqur Rahim, the most successful batsman for the hosts, hit 76 off 88 balls including five fours. Mushfiqur fulfilled his sixth ODI half century using 66 deliveries with three fours while Kayes touched the fifty-run land mark capitalising 94 balls.

It was Kayes' second ODI half century in his career so far.

After departure of Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan arrived at the crease but he was caught and bowled by Graeme Swann scoring only 14 when Bangladesh's score was 166 for four Later, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad built another notable partnership for the home side. They added 45 runs in the fifth wicket stand before Mushfiqur was caught at the short mid-on by Luke Wright off Tim Bresnan when the team's total was 211 for the loss of five wickets. Bresnan struck again and he bowled Mahmudllah Riyad for 28.

Naeem Islam and Suhrwardi Shuvo remained undefeated with 18 and 14 runs respectively. Tim Bresnan finished at 3 for 52 while Graeme Swann scalped two in the space of 52.

Stuart Broad took one wicket instead of 34 runs.

Flag hoisting day observed

Flag hoisting day was observed on Dhaka University campus on Tuesday, marking the 40th anniversary of the momentous occasion.


Dhaka University students celebrated 40th anniversary of national flag hoisting day on the university campus.

Marking the day, a cultural function was arranged in front of the Arts Building, where ASM Abdur Rab, former VP of DUCSU, hoisted national flag on March 2, 1971.

DU Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Pro VC Prof Harun-or-Rashid, Treasurer Prof Mijanur Rahman, DU Teachers` Association President Khandakar Bazlur Rahman, former VP of DUCSU Mahfuza Khanam, Mujahidul Islam Selim, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, former GS Morshed Ali and Khairul Kabir Khokon were present in the programme.

The members of 'Joydhani Cultural Organisation' rendered popular songs, which were famous during the Liberation War.

In the function, students took oath conducted by Mahfuza Khanam in order to maintain the country's sovereignty.

Mahfuza Khanam urged the students to keep their promise and work for the development of the country.

Touhid and some other 'Mutiny leaders' being grilled

A Dhaka court gave the CID seven days Wednesday to question the alleged leader of the Feb 25-26 BDR mutiny, DAD Touhidul Alam, and four others. The five, arrested by RAB the day before, were produced before the CMM's Court at noon, in bullet-proof vests and helmets with hands cuffed behind their backs.

CID officials had requested to remand them 10 days for interrogation. Dhaka chief metropolitan Md Abdur Rahim granted seven days, reports Bdnews24 from Dhaka

CID officials had already begun grilling the five after Rapid Action Battalion handed them over after their arrest. "They have already faced primary questioning," CID official Abdul Qahhar Akhand had told bdnews24.com before the five were taken to court.

Touhid, a deputy assistant director of the border force, had led a 'rebel team' in negotiations with the government during 33-hour mutiny that was quelled last Thursday. Two days later, the government sued him and five others, charging them with treason, murder, arson and looting. DAD Abdur Rahim, arrested and remanded alongside Touhid, was also named in the case filed by Lalbagh police on Feb 28.

The other three in remand—Habilder Azad Ali, Nayek Md Feroz Ahmed and Sepoy Zahir Hossain—were not among those initially named in the case that also accuses over 1,000 'unnamed' BDR men.

Shibir Rooms at Another Hall Raided

Cocktails, 500 more jihadi books seized at RU

Police along with university officials yesterday raided several rooms of Islami Chhatra Shibir men at Shah Makhdoom Hall and recovered five cocktails.

During the raid the law enforcers also found leaflets and photo album and seized over 500 jihadi books including one titled 'Juddhaporader Ovijog Banoat Mithya Uddheshha Pronodita (allegations of war crime against Jamaat and Jamaat leaders are false and motivated)'.

The hall authorities said they also sealed off 10 Shibir-controlled rooms including that of hall unit Shibir president Ahad Ali Sarkar and secretary Anisur Rahman who are also the prime accused in Bangladesh Chhatra League worker Faruque Hossain killing case.

However, none was arrested in this connection during the five -hour raid till 2:30pm, the hall authorities said.

Shah Makhdoom Hall provost Prof Dulal Chandra Roy told reporters that they raided the rooms on receipt of allegation from the general students that Shibir men have kept weapons in their (Shibir) rooms during the campus violence on February 9.

Meanwhile, BCL leaders alleged that the hall authorities have a 'secret deal' with Shibir cadres who allegedly killed Faruque Hossain on February 9.

They said the hall authorities also keep regular link with the hall unit Shibir president and secretary who had led the Shibir attack on BCL activists at Shah Makhdoom Hall in the early hours of February 9.

Refuting the BCL allegations, provost Dulal Chandra Roy said the hall unit Shibir president Ahad Ali Sarkar contacted him over mobile phone once or twice after the February 9 incident .

“I have informed all about my talks with the Shibir leader to the high officials of law enforcers immediately”, the provost told reporters.

Earlier on February 9 morning, a group of Shibir cadres allegedly hacked BCL activist Faruque Hossain, also a final year student of mathematics department, to death at Shah Makhdoom Hall. Motihar police recovered the body of Faruk from inside a manhole on the day.

According to the police, Faruk was hacked in the television room of Shah Mokhdum Hall around 2:00am and dumped into the manhole.

Around 100 others were wounded in overnight clashes between BCL and Shibir activists.

BDR Darbar begins at Pilkhana

A special Darbar of the director general of the Bangladesh Rifles began Wednesday morning at its Pilkhana headquarters in the capital.

BDR official sources said DG Maj Gen Mainul Islam is presiding over the programme that started shortly before 11:00am. All top-ranking BDR officers are attending the function.

This year, the programme is being held at a multipurpose shed, which is used for practicing indoor games, instead of the Darbar Hall as a special court has been set up at the hall for holding BDR mutineers trial.

The authorities have curtailed this year's BDR week to a day from seven days.

Special dinner will be served and milad and doa Mahfil held at the BDR hostels at Pilkhana.

BDR officers and personnel, who carried out their duties in 2009 exceptionally well, will also receive awards on the occasion.

The BDR mutiny on February 25-26 last year erupted during a Darbar arranged for a similar occasion. The mutineers killed 74 people including 57 army officials and the mutiny spread to other BDR units in the country.

This is the second Darbar being held there after the mutiny. The first one was held on August 17 last year.

18 villages flooded as embankment in Khulna collapses

Over 10,000 families of 18 villages in Sutarkhali and Kamarkhola unions under Dakope upazila of Khulna district have been rendered homeless due to flooding caused by embankment collapse on Monday and early yesterday.

Vast tracts of croplands have also gone under knee-deep water as two newly constructed embankments on both sides of Nalian River of Dakope upazila collapsed under the pressure of strong currents of Nalian and Shibsha rivers.

Seventy to 80 ponds and shrimp enclosures have overflowed, said Dakope upazila parishad Chairman Sheikh Abul Hossain.

Water Development Board (WDB) authorities did not use materials properly as required for sustaining them, the upazila chairman said.

Lack of proper monitoring and maintenance by WDB also made the newly constructed embankments vulnerable to collapse by high tides, said UNO Kazi Atiur Rahman.

The homeless people are staying on open spaces of other embankments and high places.

The affected 18 villages of the unions are Nalian, Baintala, Gunari, Madhayam Gunari, Kalabogi, Uttarpara, Dakkhin Nalian, Purbo Gunari, Katabunia, Keorhatala, Majhipara, Golbunia, Jaliakhali, Bhitebhanga, Srinagar, Sutarkhali, Nalian Madhyapara and Telirkona.

Breaches developed in the embankments as furious tides rose up to 6 to 7 feet higher than normal levels, said Engineer Anowar Hossain of Water Development Board (WDB).

The government had allocated Tk 12 crore for reconstruction of 21-kilometre-long 34 embankments and ten closures in Kamarkhola and Sutarkhali unions that were badly hit by cyclonic storm Aila on May 25 last year, he said.

Contractors who won the bid for reconstruction of embankments started their works on February 13 and it completed at the end of the month.

Expressing ignorance about whether contractors did their works properly as specified in the tender schedule, engineer Anowar Hossain said, "I cannot say right at this moment why embankments developed breaches so soon and collapsed afterwards."

"The government must give special attention to Aila-hit Dakope that largely contributes to shrimp production and revenue earnings from forest resources.

All possible steps must be taken on top priority basis to save the upazila from devastation by frequent natural calamities and vagaries of nature," Upazila Chairman Abul Hossain said.

Food Minister Abdur Razzak is scheduled to visit Dakope upazila today, officials said.

Govt plans incentives for science

The government is planning special incentives for science teachers and students in secondary schools and madrassahs, education ministry officials said on Sunday.
The incentives will include monetary benefits and higher training for teachers and scholarship and opportunities of overseas education for science students.
The plan is aimed at arresting the process of decline in the number of science students at secondary and higher secondary levels, the officials concerned told New Age.
The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, after a series of discussions on relevance of special incentives, recently sent a proposal in this regard to the education ministry.
Statistics show the number of students of science group has been declining over the years while the number of students of business studies is increasing, said Professor Noman-ur-Rashid, director general of the directorate.
‘We are thinking about giving special incentives under a project to science teachers and special scholarship for meritorious students who want take up science subjects in Class IX,’ he said. ‘If special incentives are given to science teachers and students, we strongly believe they will be encouraged to study science.’
In the existing system, a student needs to choose science, humanities or business studies courses in Class IX.
They take Secondary School Certificate examinations after two years of studies.
The percentage of science examinees in secondary school certificate exams in 1990 was 42.21 while it declined to 22.32 in 2010, according to official statistics.
In the Higher Secondary Certificate exams of 1990, the percentage of science examinees was 28.13 and that percentage came down to 19.41 in 2008.
As for small number of science students in schools in remote, rural areas, an education ministry official said they could not get additional tutoring outside classrooms because of poverty and lack of awareness among guardians.
‘Students in rural areas are afraid of taking up science subjects as there is a shortage of teachers and they need to take private tuition,’ said Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, professor of computer science in Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.
‘It is a dangerous sign that we as a nation are walking backwards while others are developing fast with science-based basic education.’

Arrest warrants issued against

Warrants were issued on Monday for the arrest of Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s two sons — Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman — in separate cases.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Court’s senior special judge, ANM Bashir Ullah, issued the warrants for the arrest of Arafat and former BNP state minister Fazlur Rahman Patal a few minutes after two tax evasion cases were filed by the National Board of Revenue against them.
Dhaka metropolitan magistrate Mehdi Hasan Talukdar issued the arrest warrant against Tarique, also the BNP’s senior vice-chairman, cancelling his bail petition in an extortion case filed against him in 2007.
The court issued the arrest warrant, cancelling the bail granted earlier to Tarique, as no legal step was taken for extending the period of his bail during the hearing of the case on Monday, said court sources.
The High Court on 2 December, 2009 withdrew the stay order it had issued on the proceedings in the extortion case after the charge-sheet was submitted to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka.
The general manager of Abdul Monem Ltd, Khairul Bashar, filed the case on 9 April, 2007 with the Shahbagh police station, accusing Tarique, his crony Giasuddin Al Mamun and four others of extorting Tk 5 crore from the construction firm.
Tarique is also facing at least a dozen cases filed during the regime of the military-controlled interim administration.
The special judge’s court issued the warrants against Arafat and Fazlur Rahman after hearing two cases filed by the National Board of Revenue.
Deputy tax commissioner Shahin Akhtar Hossain filed the case, accusing Arafat of dodging over Tk 52 lakh in tax from fiscal year 2002-2003 to 2006-2007.
On the other hand, deputy tax commissioner Mizanur Rahman sued former state minister Fazlur Rahman Patal, accusing him of evading over Tk 26 lakh in tax in fiscal year 2005-2006.
Both Tarique and Arafat are now abroad.
Tarique was released from the prison cell in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital on 3 September, 2008 after bail was granted by the High Court in all the 14 cases against him. He soon went to London for medical treatment and is still there.
Arafat on 19 July, 2008 went to Bangkok for medical treatment after being paroled on 17 July, 2008. Arafat’s parole was extended several times and he is reportedly still undergoing treatment there.

Remarks on Zia prompt walkout again

BNP-led opposition lawmakers on Tuesday walked out of the parliament protesting an Awami League lawmaker’s remark labeling late president Ziaur Rahman as a ‘killer’ and an ‘agent of ISI’, an intelligence agency of Pakistan.

Participating in the thanks giving motion on the president’s address, AL lawmaker Shafiqul Islam launched a blistering attack on Ziaur Rahman for his alleged role after August 1975.

Opposition lawmakers broke into protest and started shouting.

Amid noisy protest of opposition lawmakers, Shafiqul continued his speech. Opposition lawmakers then staged the walkout at 7:45 pm.

Before Shafiqul, BNP lawmaker Golam Mostafa alleged that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman mysteriously surrendered to Pakistani army on March 25, 1971 and hid himself in Pakistan.

The BNP lawmaker also made derogatory remarks on funeral of Bangabandhu.

Treasury bench lawmakers protested BNP lawmaker’s remark on Bangabandhu.

After the walkout, Deputy Speaker Col (retd) Shawkat Ali said it was very unfortunate that the opposition lawmakers walked out without giving him scope to say anything.

(Daily Star)

Death sentence under WCRP act unconstitutional

The High Court on Tuesday declared illegal and unconstitutional the provision of awarding death sentence under the Women and Children Repression Prevention (Special) Act 1995.

Section 6(2) of the act carried out the provision of awarding death sentence to any person for killing any woman or child after rape.

The bench comprising Justice Md Iman Ali and Justice Sheikh Abdul Awal delivered the verdict following a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) and Sukur Ali of Manikganj district, a condemned convict, challenging legality of the act.

The court also stayed the execution of death sentence of Sukur Ali, son of Hashem Mondal of Manikganj for two months. He was given capital punishment under the section in a rape and murder case filed in 1999.

In its verdict, the court observed that whatever is the nature of crimes, death penalty cannot be the only punishment for the criminals as per the constitutional provision.

The court said the circumstantial condition and credibility of evidences and witnesses should be taken into consideration in awarding punishment. If death is the only option for crimes the jurisdiction of the judges are restrained.

Advocate Ruhul Quddus, counsel for one of the petitioners, told reporters that under the criminal law the provision of death sentence should not be the only option as the punishment for the criminals.

From now death penalty should not be the only option for the criminals following the HC verdict, he added.

The Women and Children Repression Prevention (Special) Act 1995 has been replaced by the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000 with a provision of life-term imprisonment and capital punishment as an alternative.

On July 12, 2001, the Women and Children Repression Prevention Special Tribunal of Manikganj awarded capital punishment to Sukur Ali, now in Dhaka jail.

Later Sukur filed an appeal with the HC against the trial court verdict. But the HC on February 25, 2004 upheld the judgment of the trial court and the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court also upheld the HC verdict on February 23, 2005.

BLAST and Sukur Ali filed a writ petition with the HC on December 2005 challenging constitutional validity of the section.

After two days of the writ, the court issued a rule upon the government to show cause as to why the provision of the act under which the case was filed and trial was done should not be declared unconstitutional and without lawful authority.

( Daily star )

Morgan hits ton Narrow win for England

Imrul Kayes playing a reverse sweeps shot against
England during the second ODI at Sher-e-Bangla Cricket
Stadium on Tuesday. Banglar Chokh



An undefeated 110 by Eoin Morgan propelled England to earn a narrow two-wicket win over Bangladesh in the second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday.

Morgan played 104 deliveries in his match winning innings, which was ornamented with eight fours and two huge sixes.

Chaasing Bangladesh's quite remarkable 260 for the loss of six wickets in the alloted 50 overs, England reached the winning target making 261 for the loss of eight wickets when they had just seven balls to spare.

England lost their early three wickets for 68 runs. Then, Eoin Morgan and Alastair Cook added 40 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Cook returned to the dressing room scoring 60 off 61 amid seven fours and a sixer when England's total was 108 for the loss of four wickets.

Later, Morgan and Mat Prior put on together 90 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Prior was trapped leg before wicket by spinner Abdur Razzak hiting 42 off 58 including four fours. Spinner Shakib Al Hasan and Abdur Razzak dominated over the English batsmen but Morgan fought against Bangladesh bowlers to sail home.

Shakib Al Hasan and Abdur Razzak harpooned altogether six wickets sharing three wickets each for 32 and 52 runs respectively.

Besides, Mahmudullah Riyad and Shafiul Islam picked up one wicket each at the cost of 30 and 55 runs respectively.

With yesterday's win, England already won the three-match ODI series 2-0.

Earlier, two half centuries by Mushfiqur Rahim and Imrul Kayes guided Bangladesh to make a fighting score.

Imrul Kayes and Tamim Iqbal, the two openers of Bangladesh made a modest start adding together 46 runs in the opening stand before Tamim Iqbal was caught at the mid-wicket by Alastair Cook off Stuart Broad scoring 30. Iqbal hit four shots through the ropes in his 25-ball knock.

After dismissal of Tamim, Aftab Ahmed came to the crease but his innings was short-lived as he was clean bowled by Tim Bresnan scoring only four runs when the team's total was 56 for the loss of two wickets.

Then, wicketkeeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and Imrul Kayes put on together valuable 90 runs for the third wicket partnership before Imrul was caught at the short cover by Paul Collingwood of Graeme Swann when the board was showing 146 for the loss of three wickets.

Kayes knocked a painstaking 63 facing 113 balls with four strokes across the fence.

Mushfiqur Rahim, the most successful batsman for the hosts, hit 76 off 88 balls including five fours. Mushfiqur fulfilled his sixth ODI half century using 66 deliveries with three fours while Kayes touched the fifty-run land mark capitalising 94 balls.

It was Kayes' second ODI half century in his career so far.

After departure of Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan arrived at the crease but he was caught and bowled by Graeme Swann scoring only 14 when Bangladesh's score was 166 for four Later, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad built another notable partnership for the home side. They added 45 runs in the fifth wicket stand before Mushfiqur was caught at the short mid-on by Luke Wright off Tim Bresnan when the team's total was 211 for the loss of five wickets. Bresnan struck again and he bowled Mahmudllah Riyad for 28.

Naeem Islam and Suhrwardi Shuvo remained undefeated with 18 and 14 runs respectively. Tim Bresnan finished at 3 for 52 while Graeme Swann scalped two in the space of 52.

Stuart Broad took one wicket instead of 34 runs.

National Icone of BANGLADESH

1 . The National Emblem of the People's Republic of Bangladesh is the national flower Shapla (water Lily) surrounded by two sheaves of rice, four stars and a bud with three tender leaves.

2 . The National Parliament (Sangsad Bhaban) is the seat of the government. Situated at the center of Dhaka city, it is an architectural wonder. It was designed by the famous American architect Louis Kahn

3 . The Water Lily (shapla) is the national flower of Bangladesh. It is found almost in every water body in the country.

4 . Shaheed Minar (Martyrs Memorial): It has always been the source of our national inspiration. We come here to commemorate Language Martyrs of 1952.

5 . The National Monument reminds of those who sacrificed their lives for the independence. Situated at Savar near Dhaka, it is a tourist spot. This monument is the symbol of independence of our beloved country, Bangladesh. The monument reminds of the sacrifice of millions. Their sacrifice gave Bangladesh an existence in the world map. As a nation we are known as peace loving and hospitable. The green flag of our country says how close we are to the nature. Purity of soul is all we care for no matter what your color or religion is.

6 . Worldwide Known Royal Bengal Tiger is the national animal of Bangladesh. This majestic beast finds its home in mangrove forests of the Sundarbans in the southern part of the country.

7 . The Doel ( magpie robin) is the national bird of Bangladesh. It is famous for its sweet look and melodious whistle and is found everywhere especially in rural Bangladesh.

8 . The Jackfruit [Kathal] is our national fruit. Thorny in outlook this fruit is big in size. The fruit is juicy and delicious. It is also widely consumed as curry.