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.