November 29, 2013

Weekend Tribune Metro Rail: On the fast track

Agrahayan 15, 1420 Muharram 24, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 245

9

International

Sport

14

Maoists routed, Nepali Congress likely to win

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

Fans don Ronaldo masks to support Ballon d’Or bid

18 burn victims suffering as their respiratory systems were damaged in fire

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

One of the victims of an arson attack on a running bus in the capital is writhing in pain on a stretcher in the DMCH burn unit

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Many DCs seek security from government

Spate of sabotage, bomb and arson attacks continue

Karim and n Mohosinul Rabiul Islam

n Tribune Report

Field-level administrations from different districts have sought for additional security from the government, fearing that the leaders and activists

P2 EC: NO ARMY NOW of the BNP-led opposition alliance may launch more attacks on them ahead of the elections.

Around 25 deputy commissioners

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

The opposition’s countrywide blockade programme elapsed its third day yesterday amid clashes, sabotages on railway service and attacks on people, law enforcers and vehicles with petrol

P2

GERMAN EMBASSY: EXPLOSION

bombs leaving three people dead and several hundred others including policemen injured.

Of the incidents, burn injuries to

Mastermind of Ramu attacks arrested n Julfikar Ali Manik

n Mohammad Jamil Khan

and a divisional commissioner expressed concerns about security of their families through fax messages to the Cabinet Division and the public administration ministry in the last three days, said officials who supervise the field administration.

“The deputy commissioners may seek security but there is nothing to be worried,” Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Their concerns would be conveyed

Violence also kills businesses

16 pages with 8-page business tabloid plus 32-page weekend supplement | Price: Tk10

Running bus set on fire, one killed The third day of the opposition-sponsored blockade yesterday saw another arson attack on a bus in which one person was killed and 18 received severe burn injuries as their bus was set on fire by pickets at Shahbagh in the evening.

Mohammad Nahid, 18, son of Sohrawardi Morol, from Shibchar area succumbed to his injuries around 10pm at the ICU of the burn unit at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Doctors said 53% of Nahid’s respiratory system was damaged by the fire.

Nineteen passengers were severely injured as the Bihanga Paribahan bus of Sadarghat-Mirpur route came under attack around 6pm as two pickets on a motorcycle threw a petrol bomb on the running vehicle near Matsya Bhaban.

As fire spread quickly, the driver stopped the bus and many passengers were able to get out of it.

Law enforcers and local people took the injured to the DMCH where doctors had a tough time attending to so many burn victims at a time.

Samanta Lal Sen, coordinator of the DMCH burn and plastic surgery unit, told the Dhaka Tribune that they primarily found that the fire had affected the victims’ respiratory systems and their condition had been critical.

“We have already shifted two patients to the ICU and seven others to the High Deficiency Unit,” he said, adding that teams were working to provide the best possible service.

The burn and plastic surgery unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital was filled with the wails of people.

Of the victims, Masuma Akter, 32, senior officer of Rupali Bank and wife of Mahbub, received 17% burn injury and was shifted to the ICU. She was on her way home at Tejgaon from Bangshal.

Garment worker from Savar Mohammad Robin, 22, son of Abdus Salam, was also shifted to the ICU with 59% burn injuries.

Business

19 passengers of a bus near Matsya Bhaban and a bomb attack in front of the German embassy were the most significant in Dhaka, while attacks with petrol bombs, handmade bombs and gunpowder left many people suffering from burn injuries.

Among the 19 critically injured victims, one died in a hospital later.

The two other victims are Shahidul Islam, 28, general secretary of Palash unit Chhatra League, and Anwar Hossain Anu, an activist of the same unit in  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Three special teams of Cox’s Bazar district police in a combined effort yesterday arrested Bandarban’s Naikhyongchhari upazila Chairman Tofail Ahmed, who in the eye of lawmen is one of the masterminds of last year’s rampage against the Buddhist community in Ramu.

Tofail had gone into hiding few weeks after the unprecedented communal attack in Ramu on September 29 last year. Police raided his home and the remote hilly places in Bandarban to catch him, but had failed.

Though the accused does not hold any portfolio in Jamaat-e-Islami’s local unit, he is widely known to be closely associated with its leaders.

Yesterday, Tofail suddenly appeared at the upazila office. Police arrested him when it was around half past noon.

During the arrest, as police said, Tofail was claiming that he had secured ad interim bail from the High Court in a case with Ramu police station.

Cox’s Bazar Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Azad Mia told the Dhaka Tribune over phone that Tofail had obtained bail in one of the 19 cases filed in connection with the attacks in Ramu and Ukhiya upazilas.

Tofail was a suspected accused in three cases related to the Ramu mayhem, the SP said adding that police yesterday shown him arrested in two cases.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, November 29, 2013

Bomb explodes in front of German embassy

PM: BNP chief should come to the street n BSS

Ambassador Conze for release of 5 BNP leaders Shahariar Zaman and n Sheikh Kailash Sarkar Bombs were exploded in front of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany located in the capital’s Gulshan, hours after the Ambassador Albrecht Conze advocated release of five top opposition BNP leaders from jail.

Sources and police officials said unidentified criminals fled the scene after hurling the bombs, which exploded on the Road-55 in front of the German Embassy office on Gulshan’s North Avenue around 5:30pm.

Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge at the Gulshan police station, confirmed the incident of explosions, saying: “A bomb exploded on Road 55 just before the Magrib prayers.”

“Unidentified criminals hurled the bomb from a running vehicle and sped away before police reached the spot,” said the OC. He said they could not arrest anyone, and no case was filed yet in this connection.

Earlier on the day, the German ambassador, following a meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, said: “I urged the minister to do everything for the release of the senior BNP leaders, who have been in prison for quite some time”.

He said some of them were his friends, and he knew very well that they would not be able to do anything of the sort that is being reproached to them by the attorney general.

The government arrested five senior BNP leaders including Moudud Ahmed

and MK Anwar recently.

The German envoy said the government and opposition should take steps to bring down the political temperature.

Conze assured the foreign minister that the European Union in this special period was totally impartial and kept strict equidistance from both parties.

“I have assured the foreign minister that the EU, like most other trusted friends of Bangladesh including Canada, Australia, China and many Asian nations in this special period is totally impartial and keeps strict equidistance from both parties.”

He believed that it was the way how foreign countries should act when such delicate thing as general election is ahead in a country where election time is particularly agitated.

“That means we are very clear in condemning political violence that leads to young boys burning in rickshaws and other people not arriving on time in hospital and not being treated and having died because of hartal and similar political action that carries other names,” he said, adding it was unacceptable.

About the UN Assistant Secretary General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco’s visit to Dhaka, he said: “It comes at the last moment but may be it comes at the right moment.”

He hoped that responsible actions would be taken by the both sides before his arrival and, during his visit, some major progress could be achieved. l

Tax offices, banks open on weekend

n Tribune Report

Aiming to provide tax clearance certificate to the 10th parliamentary polls’ candidates, the National Board of Revenue will keep its income tax offices

open today and tomorrow, the NBR said yesterday.

Banks across the country will remain open tomorrow to facilitate the nomination filling process for the upcoming national elections. l

A burn victim is being taken care of at the DMCH burn unit yesterday

Police can tackle violence, no army now Reza Chowdhury and n Kamran Mohammad Zakaria Election Commission’s meeting on law and order on Thursday could not decide on deployment of army as police and other forces assured that they could tackle political violence.

One of the election commissioners spoke in favour of immediate army deployment to allay the fear of candidates and voters but officials representing police, Rab, BGB, Coast Guard, Ansar and other forces assured violence would diminish in the days to come.

The meeting, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, decided that the commission would sit with the returning officers to assess the situation at the grassroots and ask for troops, possibly after December 2.

Kazi Rakibuddin told reporters that a peaceful election was still possible.

Principle staff officer of armed forces division Lieutenant General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq told the meeting that they could deploy the army according to the demand and decision of the Election Commission.

“Police have assured us that they can tackle the situation. They have

been carrying out search operations to bust the arms-making factories and recover ammunition. So, the number of such incidents would diminish gradually,” said Kazi Rakibuddin.

The CEC said he was still optimistic about a settlement on polls-time arrangement between the two major political parties. “If the agreement is reached, everything will be fine.”

Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad said the EC usually deploy army five to seven days ahead of the polls date. “We will deploy the armed forces at the right time.”

“The armed forces division has assured us that they are ready to help us conduct the polls in a peaceful way”.

Asked whether the deployment of army would create controversy if the opposition boycott polls, the CEC said: “There is no controversy over army deployment during the polls.”

The working paper presented at the meeting, obtained by the Dhaka Tribune, reads that the commission proposed deployment of army as an “aid to the civil power”. The army should not play any role inside the polling centres or vote counting rooms, it says.

The commission proposed stationing one battalion of army in the district headquarters as striking force and two

Spate of sabotage, bomb

Running bus set on fire, one killed

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

Narsingdi. They were hacked to death in a clash with the supporters of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. Over 10 people were also injured during the clash that took place around 8pm near Paiksha Noor Mohsin High School.

Critically injured Md Yiasin Mollah, 28, general secretary of Pachdona union unit Chhatra League, was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Bombs were exploded in front of the German embassy in the capital’s Gulshan Avenue, hours after Ambassador Albrecht Conze advocated release of five top BNP leaders from jail. Police said unidentified criminals had hurled the bombs from a running vehicle.

In Chittagong, police arrested 40 people including BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Adviser Mir Nasir Uddin and central Organising Secretary Golam Akbar Khandakar.

Although rail communications started to be normal defying risks of subversive acts, the services were affected in different districts causing sufferings to the passengers.

BNP acting secretary general Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday claimed that the arson attacks had been carried out by the ruling party supporters.

Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi claimed that over 350 people had been arrested and more than 900 injured in attacks by police and “ruling party cadres.”

During the three-day blockade, at least 19 people were killed while dozens of others are fighting for life at hospitals because of serious burn injuries.

In Noakhali, at least 20 people were injured as police fired rubber bullets and teargas canisters. Some 15 people were detained for torching and damaging government offices and vehicles.

In Patuakhali, clashes in phases left over 50 people, including five policemen, injured at Telikhali of Sadar upazila.

Police in Chandpur town arrested eight people for setting railway tracks on fire. Blockade supporters torched a filling station on Kushtia-Rajbari Highway near Kushtia town early yesterday.

Over 1,000 passengers of four trains had to remain stranded in Bogra as BNP-Jamaat men cut off 71 feet of the railway tracks early yesterday.

They also damaged around 20 vehicles in the town.

Police arrested Bogra town Jubo Dal

President and municipal Councillor Masud Rana with 40 crude bombs, huge bomb-making materials and several sharp weapons at a rented house in the town’s Malotinagar in the afternoon.

In Brahmanbaria, miscreants hurled four homemade bombs at Sylhet-bound Parabat Express around 11am. Police detained two people.

Opposition activists in Lalmonirhat dismantled fishplates at Mahendra Nagar halting train communications for around five hours. They also vandalised Mahendra Nagar station. In the town, 10 people were injured as blockade supporters clashed with the police.

BGB personnel were deployed.

In Comilla, Udayan Express was derailed early yesterday at Ashoktala as miscreants had removed fishplates of the tracks. For this, Chittagong’s rail communication with Dhaka and Sylhet was snapped for nearly 11 hours.

In Rajshahi, at least 10 people were injured in a clash at Shalbagan Bazar on Rajshahi-Naogaon highway in the morning. Blockade supporters also damaged an armoured car using petrol bombs.

Police in Barisal town fired rubber bullets and teargas shells around 8am when the picketers torched three trucks.

The opposition’s shutdown in Jessore town was enforced yesterday without any violence because of tight security.

In Sirajganj, around 35 people were injured in separate clashes between police and Jamaat-Shibir activists during a daylong hartal in the town, Enayetpur and Chandidasgati of Sadar upazila. A mobile court sentenced one Shibir activist to three months’ imprisonment.

In Sitakunda, BNP-Jamaat cadres attacked and looted residences of three ruling party leaders in Kazipara of Chhalimpur union early yesterday. At least 20 people were injured at that time. Eleven of them sustained bullet injuries.

Acts of vandalism and arson were reported from different parts of the capital. Police arrested 19 people from different areas while mobile courts sentenced three people.

Opposition supporters torched a bus around 9:30am in the city’s Dhanmondi. Few minutes later, a bus was torched at Motijheel and around noon, another bus was set ablaze in New Market area.

At 9am, there were reports that some vehicles had been damaged and an auto-rickshaw set on fire at Rayerbagh.

But the police could not confirm it. l

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Nahid came to the capital to buy winter clothes at Framgate but he could not reach there as fire burnt 18% of his body. He said he was in the middle section of the bus and heard the sound of petrol bomb exploding.

The driver had driven the bus away from the spot of the attack and parked it at a safe place, but fire had already spread on the bus, he said.

“It was a planned attack. In primary investigation, we learnt that the fire was caused by a petrol bomb,” Maruf Hossain, deputy commissioner of po-

lice of Raman Division, told the Dhaka Tribune.

Driver Mahbub Hasan, 35, from Gaibandha, also got 30% of his body burnt in the incident bus conductor Mohammad Hafizul, 22, from Mirpur, suffered 18% burn.

Abu Talha, 42, a small businessman from Meherpur, received 21% burn, Mohammad Shamim, 30, son of Ali Akbar from Munshiganj, who works at a cloth shop at Kaliganj, suffered 15% burn, Rajaul Islam, 23, staff of Pacific Fan company, from Tejgaon, suffered 25% burn, vegetable trader from Joy-

to four platoons of army at the upzila towns, according to the paper.

Home secretary CQK Mustaq Ahmed, Inspector General of Police Hassan Mahmood Khandker, director general of Rab Mokhlesur Rahman, BGB DG Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed, Director General of NSI Maj Gen (Retd) Manzur Ahmed, a director of DGFI Brig Gen Sirajul Islam Sikdar and the chief of Special Branch attended the meeting.

The meeting sources said, the inspector general of police said his forces had foiled a plan to carry out bomb attacks on 250 spots.

Maj Gen (Retd) Manzur Ahmed suggested that deployment of a huge number of Ansar members would help reduce the extent of violence as the force could help the law enforcers with information, said the commission officials.

Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed, the director general of the BGB, said he could contribute 10,000 BGB members.

Mokhlesur Rahman said the law enforcers should not patrol the main roads and streets, the forces should move to the localities to flush out the attackers and allay the fear of the people.

He suggested deployment of mobile teams in the localities. l

purhat Mohammad Amzad, 42, suffered 20% burn, and Shafiqul Islam, 37, junior officer of First Security Bank, from Amtola suffered 23% burn.

Advocate Khodeza Nasrin, 45, wife of advocate Rezaul Hassan, of Banglabzar received 21% burn injury, Wahidur Rahman Babu, 24, son of Waziullah and a Dhaka University student of political science, suffered 28% burn, Mohammad Nurunnabi, 55, assistant sub-inspector from Kamrangirchar, suffered 10% burn, and Susmita Sen, 16, a reporter of private television station ETV, received 11% burn injury, and

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the opposition leader was killing innocent people on the streets and pushed the country to a complete anarchy, but kept herself aloof from the street-agitation and living lavish life in the house.

“If you want to wage movement and test public support to your demand, you should come to the street,” the Awami League chief said at a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board at her Dhanmondi office.

She said the next election would be held at the right time. She bitterly criticised the BNP-Jamaat for their efforts to kill hundreds of people by derailing rail tracks.

Hasina said the opposition parties were hiring children to hurl bombs and engage them in subversive activities.

She also criticised the recent move of some eminent persons to request the president for his intervention to end the present political crisis.

The premier was hopeful about resolving the impasse through dialogue. l

Indian foreign secretary due on December 4 n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh is due to arrive at Dhaka on December 4 at the invitation of Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque.

“It will be a bilateral visit and she will also have an opportunity to familiarise herself with Bangladesh,” said a senior official of the foreign ministry.

This will be her first visit after she assumed the post of foreign secretary in August. In the foreign secretary level, entire gamut of issues will be discussed, he said.

“Bangladesh is likely to raise Land Boundary Agreement, Teesta deal, border killing and other areas of cooperation,” he added.

It is expected that she would call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia and Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali during her visit, the official said. l

her mother Gita Sen, 40, received 21% burn injury.

Apart from them, Jahangir Hossain, 45, an accountant from Goshairhat upazila, private car driver Abdur Razzak, 40, from Lakshmibazar, Riad, 23, and Nahid, 32, received 15% burn injury.

Soon after the incident, Shamsul Hoque Tuku, state minster for home, Hassan Mahmood Khandker, inspector general of police, and Benazir Ahmed, commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, visited the victims at the DMCH. l

Many DCs seek security from government  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

to the higher authorities, if needed, the top official said adding that some of the DCs might be transferred.

Sources at the Cabinet Division said the divisional commissioner of Rajshahi and DCs of Rajshahi, Bogra, Chittagong, Joypurhat, Sirajganj, Natore, Chapainawabganj, Tangail, Comilla, Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Thakurgaon, Manikganj, Lakshmipur, Lalmonirhat, Barguna, Patuakhali, Gazipur, Kishoreganj, Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka among others have sent letters.

The divisional commissioner of Rajshahi said in his letter that six out eight

districts in the division were vulnerable to subversive activities. So it was necessary to provide additional forces to ensure security in those districts.

He also recommended that the government deploy army soon for the sake of election preparation and to maintain law and order.

The Election Commission has already decided to deploy army during the election period.

Some of the DCs’ said in their letters that they were afraid of carrying out their routine duties as the activists of the opposition had been carrying out sabotage and violence. Some of them

have already sent their family members to Dhaka from their work places.

Abdul Hai, deputy secretary of the Cabinet Division, admitted getting the letters but denied to elaborate on the matter.

The DCs have expressed concerns at a time when the BNP-led 18-party alliance observes countrywide road, rail and waterway blockade amid severe attacks on lawmen, people and public property. The opposition is protesting the election schedule declared by the EC last week without a political consensus between the Awami League and the BNP.

More than a dozen general people, including some political activists of both the opposition and ruling parties, have died in the last few days.

The pickets in many areas also tried to set fire to field offices of the EC, upazila nirbahi officers (UNO) and police stations.

The cabinet secretary said: “We are aware of the security measures of the field-level administration. All kinds of preventive measures will be taken. But we do not want to keep the field-level officers who are afraid of attacks in their office. They are not fit to work as deputy commissioners.” l

Mastermind of Ramu attacks arrested  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

He was also shown arrested in five other cases filed with Cox’s Bazar town model police station in connection with attack on police and violence in the town carried out by members of Jamaat and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Cox’s Bazar police will produce Tofail before a district court today with a remand prayer.

“He [Tofail] is a big shot; he masterminded all these subversive activities,” the SP claimed. “We have proof of his involvement with the attack on Buddhist community in Ramu.”

Tofail had hired people and brought them to Ramu to attack on the Buddhist temples and also played role to make the attacks worse, Azad said.

Jamaat had clashed with police and carried out subversive activities in the town on February 15 and February 28 after the verdict in Delwar Hossain Sayedee’s war crimes case.

“We are certain that he has very close relation with Jamaat,” said Azad, though they did not have information whether Tofail holds any post in any organisational committee of the Jamaat.

Tofail Ahmed: His nephew Moktadir instigated Ramu locals by showing a fake Facebook page

While investigating the Ramu attacks last year, this correspondent talked with Tofail and his relatives. He had denied his involvement with Jamaat but said he was in Islami Chhatra Shibir, student wing of the party, when he was at Chittagong University.

Azad also anticipated that Tofail had also been involved in crimes in and around the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

He might smuggled and supplied arms and explosives to the Jamaat-Shibir men for committing subversive activities in Cox’s Bazar, and Satkania and Lohagora areas of Chittagong in the recent times. He might be involved with the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), an insurgent group, said the district police chief.

“We have information that he was also trying to bring more arms ahead of opposition’s blockade and hartal programmes,” he said.

Last year, Cox’s Bazar police were informed from sources that the accused had been under the shelter of the RSO men. On information, police had raided some places in Bandarban but fell in a trap by the RSO men in a remote area.

They somehow managed to escape, but did not get Tofail.

Soon after the Ramu mayhem, Cox’s Bazar police also suspected RSO’s hand behind the attacks when 12 Buddhist pagodas were burnt in Ramu and six more including some hundred year old Bihars (places of worship) vandalised.

The Ramu mayhem began from a small mobile repair shop of Omar Faruk, a youth at Fakirabazar. He claimed to this correspondent last year that his friend Abdul Moktadir, student of a private polytechnic institute in Chittagong, came to his shop in the evening of September 29 and showed him Uttam Barua’s Facebook containing a photo insulting the Qur’an.

However, investigations revealed that Faruk and Moktadir showed fabricated image of Uttam’s Facebook page to instigate local people.

Moktadir had gone to his uncle Tofail’s place in Naikhyongchhari few days before the mayhem and returned to Ramu on September 28. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Friday, November 29, 2013

Politics to take a turn next week n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The upcoming week will determine the fate of the country’s political future as the both the ruling and opposition parties are still adamant on their stances over the next parliamentary polls, say political observers.

There will be diplomatic moves, too, which they hope might ease the prevailing political deadlock although there is a slim chance for a dialogue.

The coming week will also see the major decision on sending foreign polls observers.

With the submission of nomination papers ending on December 2, this will create an electoral atmosphere in the country as all aspirants will start going to their constituencies for campaigning.

Leaders of the BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance, which has already formed election resistance committees across the country, will also start working from that day. They might announce programmes like laying siege to the Election Commission.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, political observer Miznur Rahman Shelley predicted the next week to be “delicate” and a “vital turning point” with so many incidents taking place.

“The ongoing crisis might intensify in the question of polls-time government that might lead to further violence in spite of the activities of the diplomats, United Nations and civil society members. But their advice will not resolve the crisis as the political parties seem to be determined about their stances. The outcome ultimately depends upon them,” Shelley said.

Meanwhile, UN envoy Oscar Fernandez-Taranco will visit Dhaka on December 6-10. The assistant secretary-general of the Political Affairs Department will have meetings with the Election Commission officials and Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque, an official of the foreign ministry said.

The meeting with the EC would discuss how the UN could help hold the next election.

Taranco’s previous visit to Dhaka saw the possibility for a dialogue to take place, but the hopes vanished with his departure.

German Ambassador in Dhaka Albrecht Conze yesterday expressed hope that the major political parties would go for a “responsible action” before Taranco’s arrival and the visit may create scopes for some major progress.

The opposition alliance has already decided to impose non-stop hartals or blockades from Saturday or Sunday to mount pressure on the government to meet its demand for an election under a non-partisan interim administration.

A number of senior opposition leaders said they did not want to give the ongoing movement a big pause as the grassroots were cheered up and showed their strength in the streets during the 71-hour blockade, especially in isolating the capital from the rest of the country.

Abdul Moyeen Khan, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said the political scenario of Bangladesh had obviously taken a completely new turn following the announcement of the polls schedule.

“While such step which seems to have been dictated by the government has by no means facilitated the process of the dialogue, I would not completely rule out that option as the diplomatic community as well as the United Nations are trying their best to come to a negotiated settlement of the political impasse,” he said.

The former minister said the real solution still lied with the prime minister – whether or not she is reconciled to accept the verdict of the people in the forthcoming elections.

At least 17 were killed during the opposition alliance’s nationwide blockade, which saw confrontational politics at grassroots as most of the deceased belonged to it. The opposition forces have claimed eight of the victims were there activists.

Awami League leaders, however, said the next week would be crucial for the political parties as the nation would see politics getting a direction.

“After the submission of nomination papers, an electoral atmosphere will prevail across the country and people will resist the BNP’s violence as people want elections,” Mahabub-Ul-Alam Hanif, joint secretary general of the Awami League, told the Dhaka Tribune. l

Ershad, Zafar ‘expel’ each other from party n Manik Miazee

BGB officials stand guard under the Jatrabari flyover during the third day of the 18-party alliance blockade

Hundreds suffer as rail schedules collapse, government beefs up security in railways n Tribune Report Railway schedule was highly impeded by the pickets yesterday causing immense suffering to hundreds of commuters.

The pickets displaced fishplates on the railway tracks at Ashoktola in Comilla which caused derailment of the engine of two compartments of Sylhet-bound “Udyon Express” from Chittagong during early hours yesterday, said railway sources.

As a result, six trains including the Dhaka-bound “Turna Express”, which left Chittagong Railway Station the previous night, “Mahanagar Pravati” and “Subarna Express”, from the station for same destination, and Chandpur-bound “Sagarika Express”, which left the station in the morning, remained stranded at different stations, said AA Shamsul Alam, station manager of Chittagong Railway Station.

Later, the railway tracks were restored in the afternoon after around 11 hour into the incident, he said.

Bangladesh Railway (East zone) au-

Mir Nasir, Golam Akbar arrested; five senior leaders’ bail prayer rejected n Tribune Report

Police arrested BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s adviser Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin and the party’s central Organising Secretary Golam Akbar Khandakar yesterday.

Police picked Mir Nasir up from Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong around 9:25pm after receiving information from the airport immigration when he attempted to go to the capital by air, Abdullah Hel Baki, deputy commissioner (DC) of south zone in Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), told the Dhaka Tribune.

Earlier, police arrested Golam Akbar

Khandakar in the morning from the port city while a Chittagong court sent the BNP leader to jail rejecting bail prayer.

Police also arrested at least 40 leaders and activists of BNP and its allies yesterday. Seven cases were filed accusing around 2500 people, including the top leaders of BNP and Jamaat, in connection with Wednesday’s violence during the blockade programme in the city and elsewhere in the district.

BNP leaders Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin, Golam Akbar Khandakar, Dr Shahadat Hossain and Aslam Chowdhury and Jamaat leader ANM Shamsul Islam MP

are among the accused in the cases.

Meanwhile, a Dhaka court yesterday rejected the bail pleas of five BNP senior leaders in two cases, filed for “attempting to kill lawmen and provoking violence” and damaging and setting fire to vehicles.

Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Jahurul Haque passed the order after hearing the bail plea yesterday.

The five leaders are BNP Standing Committee members Moudud Ahmed, MK Anwar and Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Advisor Abdul Awal Mintoo and Special Assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas. l

thorities suspended the Dhaka-bound “Mahanagar Godhuli” as “Udyon Express” could not arrive in the station from Dhaka. No Chittagong-bound train could arrive at the station till 5pm, said a high official of Bangladesh Railway (East Zone), seeking anonymity.

During visit at the Chittagong Railway Station, Dhaka Tribune found many of the commuters returning their tickets because of the change in schedule.

Kamal Hossain, a businessman of Reazuddin Bazar in Chittagong city, told the Dhaka Tribune that he was compelled to return his ticket for “Mahanagar Goshuli” as departure of the train was suspended.

“I have to go to the capital as my mother is serious, but no means are available now. Rail was safe but it also became unavailable and disruptive because of the political unrest,” he said.

Nahima Akhter, a resident of city’s Baluchhara area, said railway communication had become disruptive and risky.

She has been trying to go to Dhaka for last three days and had to return her

Two prosecution witnesses in the war crimes case against fugitive Zahid Hossain Khokon alias Khokon Razakar yesterday described at the war tribunal killings and lootings in Faridpur during the 1971 Liberation War. With them, the prosecution has placed at the International Crimes Tribunal 1 nine witnesses in the case in four days.

The eighth witness, Md Hafizur Rahman Chanu, said Khokon had killed 18 villagers including five of his family members in village Kodalia under Nagarkanda upazila on May 30, 1971 when the accused went to the village with the Pakistan occupation army.

Seeing them, some 60 villagers including the witness’ family hid themselves in a low-lying land. From there, they saw the strangers looting their houses and torching those. “At that time, my two year old sister Shiuli Akhter suddenly cried out and the razakars located us.”

He recalled that the attackers separated the villagers into three groups – men, youths and women with their children. They forced the men’s group to carry looted goods to Nagarkanda, the youths were kept in an open field while the women at a separate place on the southern side of the house of Sattar Mia. Chanu said he had heard gunshots from that part of the village and two other places. Around 2pm, his father with the men group returned home and began to search the women who were separated.

As they went near Sattar’s house, they discovered 16 bullet-hit bodies. The witness said he could identify the bodies of his sister Rexena, aunties Firoza Begum and Rahima Begum, cousin Koli Akhter and grandmother Boru Khatun.

He also told the tribunal about the murders of Afzal Mia and Shukur Sheikh.

Earlier, the son of Afzal testified at the tribunal against Khokon. All the witnesses said

Contempt hearing against channel 24 on Dec 24 n Udisa Islam The International Crimes Tribunal 1 yesterday asked journalist Mahfuz Ullah to appear before it on December 1 as he had never appeared before the court since September 26.

The tribunal that day issued a notice upon Channel 24 author-

ities, represented by its managing director, and seven others wanting to know why contempt proceedings would not be initiated against them for deliberately criticising the trial process in a talk-show. Yesterday, the tribunal said it would hear the matter in presence of all the accused on December 24. l

tickets two times meanwhile.

Two drivers of Noakhali-bound “Noakhali Express” and Kishorgonj-bound “Egarosindhur Pravati” from Dhaka got injured as the pickets allegedly hurled brick chips at the running train, said the sources.

Earlier, the train schedule was reshuffled in the first 48-hour of the blockade enforced by the opposition.

Md Rokanujjaman, divisional commercial officer in Chittagong, Bangladesh Railway (East Zone), said the pickets target the railway as trains cannot leave its track suddenly. As a result the and damage is severe.

The government has deployed around 5,000 Ansars at 632 vulnerable points as additional security force for the railways throughout the country, in the wake of of the increasing number of incidents of railway sabotage.

The steps were taken to ensure the safety of the passengers, prevent rail sabotage and protect the assets of the railway, Railway Minister Mohammad Mojibul Haque said yesterday. l

Eminent citizens worried over events unfolding n Tribune Report Eminent citizens in two separate statements yesterday expressed their concern over the way things had panned out in the country’s political scene, with the two major political parties sharply divided and finding no middle ground to reach a consensus.

“From their behaviour it appears that they want to come or cling to power at any cost,” a statement signed by 33 citizens said, while the other statement, by 18 people, also echoed similar concerns.

The citizens said: “The security of people’s lives is at stake. No effort by

Witnesses: Khokon Razakar killed 18 in Nagarkanda n Udisa Islam

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Khokon had been present during the crimes at Nagarkanda. They also claimed that Khokon became the local razakar commander after his brother Zafar’s death in a close combat.

Md Alauddin Sheikh, 56, the ninth prosecution witness, said on May 29, 1971, three Pakistani army men had been killed in a battle between freedom fighters in village Chanderhat under Nagarkanda.

Two days later, the army went to the village to find the bodies. Failed to get any, they burnt alive three villagers – ailing Pijir Uddin, Sadek and Afaz Uddin. “When they went to Nagarkanda, we ran to those houses and buried the bodies.”

After their depositions, state defence counsel Md Abdus Shukur Khan cross examined them separately. When the counsel claimed that Khokon had fought with freedom fighters, the witnesses denied the suggestion.

The tribunal later fixed December 3 for placing next witness. l

the law enforcement agencies proved enough to put a stop to the political violence.”

Among the signatories to the statements are Prof Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, Prof Jamilur Reza Choudhury, Prof Harun-or-Rashid, SM Al-Hossaini, M Hafizuddin Khan, ASM Shahjahan, 1952 language movement veteran Abdul Matin, Akbar Ali Khan, CM Shafi Sami, Rasheda K Chowdhury, Barrister Rafiq-ul Haque, Prof Abdul Matin Patwari, Prof Ajay Roy, Selina Hossain, Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, Syed Abul Maksud, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, Prof Syed Monjurul Islam, and Prof Syed Anwar Hossain. l

Jatiya Party leader Kazi Zafar Ahmed, who had joined former military dictator HM Ershad’s cabinet dissolving his own party in 1980s and defended all his undemocratic steps, now says he was a victim of his political guru’s “autocracy.”

Former president Ershad yesterday expelled Kazi Zafar for making frequent statements against him “violating the party charter.”

Ershad told reporters that he was the “all in all” of the Jatiya Party.

“Kazi Zafar is no more with the party.

I have signed his expulsion order and it was already sent to him,” Ershad said.

At 2pm, only an hour after Ershad had expelled him, Kazi Zafar sent him a suspension letter claiming that he was the “all-in-all” of the Jatiya Party, not Ershad. But he also mentioned in the printed letter in handwriting that he had “expelled” the party chief.

Section 39 of JP charter says the party chairman can suspend from or induct anyone in his party without any consultation. “This section has made the Jatiya Party charter into an Ershad-tantra [rules of Ershad],” Kazi Zafar said.

One of the 42-member JP presidium body, Kazi Zafar said the section 37 authorised him to suspend the chairman by calling a special council of the party, which would soon approve the suspension order.

The section stipulates that if twothirds of the presidium members agree, the chairman can be removed.

Kazi Zafar said: “You [Ershad] have continuously conducted talks with the BNP for the last one year and recently handed over a list of your choice of candidates twice for election. I do not have information on any such shameful incident in politics.

“If the party chief wants to suspend any person using his special powers, he will have to discuss it with the presidium members and have to submit a report before the presidium members why he has dismissed him/her,” Zafar said.

He also claimed a majority of the presidium members were with him and they would expel Ershad through the special council within a day or two.

“To save the party from Ershad’s undemocratic behaviour, I am ready to bring the issue before a court, if needed.”

Kazi Zafar has reportedly prepared a list of 42 presidium members, central leaders and MPs who are said to be loyal to him. The Dhaka Tribune has obtained the list.

Earlier on Saturday, Zafar claimed that his leader Ershad had betrayed the nation by joining the polls-time government.

“Ershad made the decision to join the interim cabinet without consulting the party’s highest policymaking body. Thus he made himself and those who joined the newly-formed cabinet unwanted,” Kazi Zafar said.

Kazi Zafar’s United Peoples’ Party (UPP) was a part of the BNP-led seven-party alliance when protests had been mounted against Ershad in the early 1980s. But he later left the alliance and joined Ershad’s cabinet under martial law regime. He served as commerce minister, deputy prime minister and finally as the prime minister under Ershad. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, November 29, 2013

Health ministry to provide free AIDS treatment Five public hospitals to be brought under the scheme initially from January, other to follow suit

n Moniruzzaman Uzzal The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) is going to introduce a free health service for HIV/AIDS patients in the public hospitals starting on January 1, 2014. Five medical collegehospitals in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Sylhet and Rajshahi would be brought under the scheme primarily with the others to follow suit, officials said.

The ministry may sign an agreement with three NGOs any day soon, which will be responsible for monitoring and supervising the service. The organisations are Ashar Alo Society, Mukto Akash and CAAP (Confidential Approach to Aids Prevention).

However, several top officials of the NGOs said the initiative may not have likely effects because of the ministry’s lack of preparation in this regard.

For one, they argued, the doctors, nurses and supporting staff of the hospitals should be given special training before introducing the service, so that they can provide proper health care to

people living with HIV (PLWHIV). For another, lack of adequate machinery and equipment.

It has been learnt that the ministry had bought eight modern “CD-4 Cell Machines” – necessary for HIV positive patients – for different public hospitals about four years ago, but only four of them have remained functional because of the scarcity of reagents.

But MM Niazuddin, secretary of MOHFW, is hopeful they can ensure quality health service for the HIV patients.

“They are many challenges to overcome, the most important one being the social stigma attached to those contacting HV. They continue to face discrimination even though 24 years had lapsed since the first HIV positive case was detected in the country. But we are hopeful we can ensure quality service for them,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat on the eve of the World AIDS Day-2013, which will be observed on December 1 with the theme “Getting to Zero”. However, the

newly appointed Health Minister Rowshan Ershad was conspicuously absent from the conference although she was scheduled to be there.

In his address, the health secretary said, “HIV/AIDS is just a disease and anyone suffering from a disease should not be seen as a criminal or pitied upon. They deserve to live like any normal citizens.” He stressed the need for increased awareness of the disease and removing disparity based on diseases.

Highlighting the overall scenario of the disease, he said HIV prevalence in the country was still low. Only 2,871 HIV-positive patients have been found in Bangladesh since 1989 when the first case of its kind was detected. Amongst them, 1,204 become AIDS patients and 390 of them died.

He also said Bangladesh had been selected as the organising country of the International Congress on Aids in Asia and the Specific (ICAAP), scheduled to be held in 2015. The latest data on HIV will be announced on the AIDS Day. l

PAY SCALE OF BANGLADESH BANK, 4 SOBS DPE files case for PSC ‘question leak’ Finance Division seeks claims directives from high-ups n Tribune Report banks’ pay scale to their boards of diThe Directorate of Primary Education n Asif Showkat Kallol rectors for implementation. The boards (DPE) has filed a case under the ICT act, alleging that question papers of the Primary Terminal Examinations, also known as Primary School Certificate (PSC) examination, had been leaked.

The DPE’s Director Mahbubun Nahar filed the case on Wednesday with Mirpur police station.

Additional Secretary of primary and mass education ministry SM Ashraful Islam, who is heading a three- member probe team on the allegations of question paper leak, confirmed the matter to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Ashraful said they had information that question paper was leaked through a facebook page and so the case was filed under the ICT act to investigate the matter.

Since the start of the Primary Terminal Examination on November 20, there had been many allegations of question paper leaks. Many guardians told the Dhaka Tribune that they had heard about other people getting the question papers on the day before the examinations.

The question papers were also allegedly available on social media sites.

At least two people have so far been arrested in connection with these claims.

On November 23, the primary and mass education ministry formed a highpowered probe body which was asked to submit its report in 15 working days. l

Execution of the pay scale for Bangladesh Bank depends on exempting it from the Services (Reorganisation and Conditions) Act 1975, which is not easy as parliament is not in session now.

An official of the finance ministry yesterday said they were also holding off the pay scale for the four stateowned commercial banks as “it is not fair to execute only one of the pay scales.”

The Finance Division is now waiting for directives from the government high-ups. The matter was discussed at a meeting between Finance Minister AMA Muhith and Bank and Financial Institutions Division (BFID) Secretary Dr Aslam Alam on Wednesday.

Aslam Alam yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune that the Banking Division would send letters to the boards of directors of the four banks – Sonali, Rupali, Agrani and Janata – on Sunday, asking them to execute the pay scale.

“We will send the recommendations of the secretary committee on the four

will also resolve the provident fund and salary discriminations,” he said.

“We know the newly recruited staff members of these banks are interested in the new pay scale, but I have conducted a survey and it revealed that 60% of the older staff were against it.”

Finance Secretary Fazle Kabir said three days ago that the BFID would execute the pay scale through the boards of the four banks.

The Bangladesh Bank pay scale was sent to the law ministry for vetting.

After the ministry gives its approval, it will be sent for the prime minister’s nod.

The Finance Division had declined to implement the pay scale of the four state-owned commercial banks as it found no law under which a common pay scale for the banks could be materialised.

Currently, the four banks have roughly 90,000 officers and employees while the central bank employs about 6,000. l

A significant number of vehicles can be seen to move on the capital’s Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue yesterday on the third day of the 18-party enforced countrywide blockade RAJIB DHAR

Indictment hearing JU left-leaning teachers in Adilur, Elan case protest teachers’ movement deferred the misuse of home ruling system, and JU Correspondent n ensuring the accountability of teachers n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu The left-leaning teachers of Jahangir- and bringing back the educational and A Dhaka tribunal yesterday deferred the hearing on charge framing until December 18 against Odhikar Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan and its Director AKM Nasiruddin Elan in connection with a cyber crime case.

Judge AKM Shamsul Alam of the Cyber Crime Tribunal of Dhaka gave the order as Elan could not be produced before the court because of the opposition’s blockade programme. The tribunal also ordered the authorities concerned to release the items seized from the Odhikar office. Defence pleader Md Asaduzzaman filed a petition in this regard.

Adilur, who is now on bail from the High Court since October 11, was present at the court. Elan also secured bail last week, but is yet to be released from jail.

On September 11, the tribunal took into cognisance the charges of publishing “fake, distorted and defamatory” information against Adilur and Elan under the ICT Act. The DB on September 4 submitted the charges after investigation for distorting facts about the eviction drive against Hefazat-e-Islam at Shapla Chattar on May 5. l

n JU Correspondent

Dry weather likely n UNB

City

High

Low

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

30.2 29.5 29.9 28.8 30.5 30.2 31.8 31.5

17.2 21.8 14.6 17.0 18.0 17.0 16.5 24.0

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Jumma Asr Magrib Esha

5:04am 6:22am 11:47am 3:34pm 5:10pm 6:30pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

cultural environment on the campus.

They also declared to hold an assembly on the JU Shaheed Minar premises tomorrow at 11am.

Furthermore, the united forum, backed by ousted VC Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir and pro-BNP teachers, had been protesting, launching a total blockade to the registrar building. They demand for the VC panel polls under the current Senate, which is dominated by the teachers appointed by Prof Kabir.

The forum kept confined acting VC Prof MA Matin and Pro-VC Prof Afsar Ahmed at the administrative office since November 20, saying that they would not release them till the declaration of VC panel polls in line with the Jahangirnagar University Act. Meanwhile, several hundred proBNP teachers, officers and employees of the university, under the banner of “JU Jatiyatabadi Shikkhok-Kormokorta-Karmachari Forum,” yesterday formed a human chain, demanding cancellation of the schedule of the 10th parliamentary polls and to restore the caretaker government system. l

Gunshots exchanged in BCL factional clash at JU

WEATHER

Rain or thundershowers is likely to occur at one or two places over Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong and Dhaka divisions until 6pm today.

Weather might remain dry with partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, Met office said.

Night temperature may rise slightly and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

The sun sets in the capital at 5:11pm today and rises at 6:23am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 31.8 degree Celsius was recorded at Sylhet and lowest 14.0 degrees at Mymensingh yesterday.

Highest and lowest temperatures recorded in some major cities yesterday were:

nagar University yesterday staged demonstration on the campus, demanding an end of the ongoing teachers’ movement and release of the confined acting VC and pro-VC. Under the banner of “Shikkhak Mancha,” the teachers launched the demonstration with the slogan “Save Jahangirnagar” against the ongoing movement of the “Teachers-Students and OfficersEmployees United Forum” that demands removal of the incumbent VC and declaration of the VC panel election.

Shikkhak Mancha Convener Prof Naseem Akter Hossain said: “We are demonstrating to save the university from some monsters who have made hostile the entire university and its future for their personal interests.”

The mancha also declared their sixpoint demand: creating co-existence of all students’ organisations on the campus and holding ammunition free Jucsu polls, continuing the practice of democracy in the university, keeping academic activities of the university out of purview of any movement, reforming the senate body immediately, stopping

A wrecked private car in the middle of the Airport Road in the capital after an accident yesterday morning. The driver lost control over the vehicle and hit an Army person riding a bicycle who later died DHAKA TRIBUNE

Two factions of Jahangirnagar University unit Bangladesh Chhatra League yesterday exchanged several rounds of gunshots on the campus locking in a clash over a trivial issue.

At least six BCL activists of both sides were injured during the chase and counter chase between the two groups. However, no one was reported to receive bullet injury.

Witness said Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall unit BCL leaders and activists, led by university unit BCL Vice-President Ruhul Amin and its Organising Secretary Faisal Hossain Dipu, launched an attack on Al-Beruni hall around 4:15pm.

Earlier around 12:30pm, Al-Beruni unit BCL President Mohabbot Amin Shishir allegedly assaulted Redwan, a BCL activist of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall, near the old arts building of the university.

Later, around 150-200 BCL leaders

and activists of Mir Mosharraf Hossain hall with lethal weapons launched attacked on Al-Beruni hall in the afternoon, triggering the fierce clash.

Ariful Haque, Mridul and Israfil of Al-Beruni Hall, and Ashfiq Sarker, Shamim and Arif of Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall were injured and took preliminary treatment from the university’s medical centre.

Later, university unit BCL President Mahmudur Rahman Jony and General Secretary Rajib Ahmed Rasel immediately took the situation under control.

Jony claimed that there was no connection of Chhatra League leaders and activists in the clash, adding that if any BCL leaders and activists were found involved with the clash, the BCL would take action according to the rules.

JU Proctor Prof Md Muzibur Rahman said a probe committee would be formed and necessary steps would be taken following the probe report. l

Pakistani held with 15m HALL-MARK-SONALI BANK SCAM ACC to quiz top Sonali Bank officials Indian rupees n n

Kailash Sarkar

A Pakistani national was arrested by the customs officials at Shahjalal International Airport yesterday with around 15m Indian rupees.

Md Imtiyaz Alam of Karachi was arrested around 6:30am after he arrived at the airport on an Etihad Airlines flight from Abu Dhabi, said customs officials.

Zakiya Sultana, commissioner of the customs department, said: “Acting on a tip-off, we watched his movement.

When he crossed the green channel,

we found Rs14.47m in his luggage. The amount was mostly in Rs1,000 notes.”

She said they were yet to know Imtiyaz’s destination.

Kamrul Hasan, assistant commissioner of customs, said they were not yet sure if the Indian rupees were fake or real.

He said: “We suspect that the currencies were destined for India through the land border.”

The detained Pakistani was handed over to Airport police station and a case was filed in this connection, he added. l

Syed Samiul Basher Anik

The Anti-Corruption Commission is set to quiz top nine officials of the Sonali Bank Limited for their alleged involvement in the embezzlement of over Tk3.72bn in funded loan by five business entities of Hall-Mark Group, an ACC official said.

The accused officials were Sonali Bank’s then general managers Noni Gopal Nath, Sabita Siraj (PRL) and ANM Masrurul Huda Siraji, deputy general manager Kaniz Fatema Chowdhury, assistant general managers Ashraf Ali Pat-

wary, M Kamrul Hossain Khan and M Saiful Hasan, M Khurshid Alam and executive officer Mohammad Abdul Matin.

The commission yesterday served notices asking all of them to appear before the commission on December 8 for quizzing, the source said.

Violating the bank’s rules, officials from the Sonali Bank and five business entities of Hall-Mark Group embezzled the money during October 2011 and May 2012 from the Ruposhi Bangla branch of the bank.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bank joint directors Monir Ahammad Shikder and

M Siddiqur Rahman Molla, deputy directors M Anwar Hossain, M Rezaul Islam, M Hasan Askari Bhuiyan and Kazi Arifur Rahman, Assistant Director Muhammad Abdullah Al Mamun were requested to appear as witnesses at the ACC headquarters on December 4.

The ACC also asked top bosses of five business entities of Hall-Mark Group to appear before the commission on December 2 to give statements.

The ACC filed 26 cases on January 1 against 17 Sonali Bank officials and 18 Hall-Mark officials on charge of swindling over Tk3.5bn from the Sonali Bank. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Heritage

Friday, November 29, 2013

5

The epitome of India When it comes to tourists wanting to experience South Asia, Bangladesh has everything that India has to offer ... in a shorter tour

A

n Tim Steel t one-twentieth the size of its dominating, even domineering, neighbour, Bangladesh is far more accessible for exploring; much of which the tourism industry in India boasts.

The neophyte India tourist faces a complexity of planning for exploration of all that the “Incredible India” advertising offers; the main attractions like those of few other destinations. At 1.2 million square miles, it is a puzzle to know where to begin.

Scanning the online promotion of attractions, the list seems endless.

Mountains, beaches, forests, deserts; wildlife, heritage, cuisine, cultural diversity; palaces, temples ... the obvious question is, “So, where do I start?”

If heritage, cuisine and shopping experiences top the list of attractions to most better educated and more affluent international travellers, then Bangladesh is an easy place to begin sampling the great Indian experience

Few tourists can ever feel that they have fully explored all that the country has to offer. This is not least because the distances between the attractions are enormous, although the travel may be sold as part of the experience, be it aboard Mughal Express, or endless, more prosaic, rail journeys.

Even such experiences eat chunks out of time-limited schedules.

What better way, then, to take an excursion through all that the subcontinent has to offer, than in the lands in which so much of the heritage began, and where all such attractions, but the deserts, can be readily explored?

Bangladesh.

If heritage, cuisine and shopping experiences top the list of attractions to most better educated and more affluent international travellers, then Bangladesh is an easy place to begin sampling the great Indian experience.

That the Ganges basin was one of the earliest cradles of a developing civilisation is beyond doubt. That the lands of the Ganges delta were both a part of that heritage, and provided a crossroads for the trade that also developed internationally, there is also no doubt. That the international trade was across the Ganges basin, into the Himalayan communities as well as China, and both south east Asia, and

around India as far as Arabia, and beyond, from at least the middle of the first millennium BCE, is also beyond reasonable doubt.

It could well be that treasure hunting might well add to the appeal of exploring the microcosm in Bangladesh, of the great sweep of Indian history.

Certainly, India has become adept at conserving, packaging and presenting its heritage. Bangladesh has scarcely even begun to do so, but the fact that it is all there, to be found by the fascinated visitor, makes such travel, perhaps, even more appealing, as a voyage of exploration and discovery.

The ancient history of Ganges basin is certainly well-represented in Bangladesh at such sites as Wari Bateshwar and Mahasthangarh.

Hindu, Jain and Buddhist evolution is also to be seen, with sites, such as Paharpur and Dinajpur, at their heart.

Small gems such as the Hindu temples in Shirajganj, Puthia and Kanthaji, and Rajbari such as those at Natore and Puthia may not rank with the Mughal masterpieces such as those in Chapai Nawabganj, or the magnificent Lalbagh Fort, a Mughal construct which requires only the restoration of its water gardens to rival, in the opinion of some, even the masterly Taj Mahal. But with Mughal and preMughal mosques aplenty, everywhere, and superb memories of the Raj, like Curzon Hall, the Supreme Court and Chittagong’s Courts to rival any in the rest of India, there is not much lacking to reveal that rich heritage.

As for palaces, well, with over 120, like those of India, in varying states of repair, from those of Mughal origin to some of early 20th century, there are more per square kilometre to explore than India could even imagine! And that excludes still hidden treasures like the Sultan’s palace at Sonargoan, so vividly described by Zheng He, the early 15th century visitor, a piece of

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

heritage that lies, so far, undiscovered beneath the deep alluvial soil!

Forbes magazine may regard the emerging ancient city of Bagerhat as one of the world’s “lost” cities, but they seem unaware of the potential for many more.

Having myself, after a decade or so of overflying from the places to the east where my business took me, finally taken a plunge into India, and realised that it might take decades to decide which bits I like and which I didn’t, I wish I myself had found such an opportunity as I now realise that Bangladesh represents to sample a rich heritage, culture, cuisine and shopping prospect, all within a startlingly stimulating and lovely environment.

From the visible sites and ramparts of ancient cities, such as Wari Bateshwar and Bhitagarh, through the excavated remains of the Buddhist and Hindu heritage, to the architectural masterpieces of pre-Mughal, Mughal and Raj periods, it is all to be found in Bangladesh. With the addition of some of the finest examples, worldwide, of more contemporary architecture, such as Parliament building in Dhaka, or Bard at Comilla.

Such tasters of heritage, with added culture, the foundations of the

world’s favourite cuisine, and superb shopping, one wonders whether, after Bangladesh, the visitor would wish to travel anywhere else in South Asia!

When it comes to forests, mountains and beaches, well, Bangladesh may only be able to show the last echoes of the Himalayan range in the Bandarban, but these same foothills have all that north India can offer. Anyway, the distant prospect of moun-

Bangladesh. And far more accessible than those communities of India!

So, for the non-masochist, trekking in the Bandarban is a generally more pleasant experience.

The larger part of the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger, the world’s largest mangrove forest, lies in the south of Bangladesh, and in Lawachara rainforest, vestiges of one of the great original refuges of the tiger, in the

With more than 40 differing groups of tribal citizens, and an ancient history as a crossroads of international trade, it is not only the identified 120 varieties of water craft, with influences from across the ancient world, to intrigue, where this diversity of many peoples live, work, and entertain in their own, traditional manner

tains is all many tourists can ask, and, after all, on a clear day, even Everest is said to be visible from Bangladesh’s northern border near Panchargarh, close by the site of the fascinating Bhitagarh.

There are tribal communities and all, in the hills, at most a mere hour or so drive from a convenient airport in

PHOTO: SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

north east. The plantations, forests and tea gardens of the north and east are regularly hosts to wandering elephant groups.

Then there are the beaches. Well, Bangladesh is, after all, a land of beaches, of rivers, lakes and sea, including the 120 km beach between historic Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf, in the south east. All of the beaches, the consequence of the outflow of the waters of the more than 700 rivers, tributaries and distributaries of the world’s largest river delta system; the delta of the world famous Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.

As for the cultural diversity, well, with more than 40 differing groups of tribal citizens, and an ancient history as a crossroads of international trade, it is not only the identified 120 varieties of water craft, with influences from across the ancient world, to intrigue, where this diversity of many peoples live, work, and entertain in their own, traditional manner.

Ancient crafts, in silk, cotton, wool, silver, gold, brass and terracotta, rival, for shoppers, the markets full of the international fashions produced by the world leading garment manufacturing industry, with designer labels

aplenty in shops that rival Oxford Street or Fifth Avenue.

What is not to like in thriving Bangladesh?

Well, perhaps the traffic, and poor service standards everywhere; but in that experience, too, Bangladesh can offer a taster for much of the India experience.

To many people around the world, Bangladesh seems more like a poverty stricken, disaster prone, adjunct to modern India. It is doubtful if anyone has ever considered that, in their thirst for experience and knowledge, many would find the thirst most accessibly slaked in two weeks in Bangladesh.

From Bangladesh if determined, take a further three days to travel onward to such as Agra and Fatepur Sikhri to view the ultimate in the great Mughal art and architecture, which is uniquely Indian in the ancient meaning, before partition, for which such as Dhaka and Chapai Nawabganj has prepared them. l Tim Steel is a communications, marketing and tourism consultant.

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, November 29, 2013

Pakshey divisional railway crippled with irregularities n Our Correspondent, Rajbari Shackled in multiple problems, including shortage of manpower, railway engines, and compartments, the Pakshey divisional railway has assumed a vulnerable structure failing to deliver due services to passengers.

An acute shortage of engines has made the situation worse leading to severe sufferings to passengers.

The railway lines and stations are closing down one after another in the division as a result of the acute manpower crisis leaving the department vulnerable. Despite repeated pleas, little initiative has been taken so far to address the crisis, allege sources in the As a consequence of the anomalies, railway lines connecting Kalukhali and Bhatiyapara and Rajbari and Faridpur under the Rajbari district were closed down till date.

However, the Kalukhali-Bhatiyapara line has recently reopened after eight years.

Train movement on Rajbari-Faridpur route, Khankhanapur, Bashantopur, Amirabad , Sheebrampur, Ombikapur, Faridpur ,Faridpur college Bhakhunda, Talma , Pukuriya, Surju Nagar Ramdiya , Arkhandi Naliya Zamalpur MadhuKhali, Ghorakhali, Shatoir Bashpur Kasiahani , and Bhatiya Para are suspended.

Because of the closing down of Rajbari –Daulatdia station much inconvenience has been caused to the passengers.

A total of 156 out of 450 railway stations in the country have already been closed down, as a result, the trains cannot depart on time causing much inconvenience to the passengers, according to sources in the Railway information department.

A total of 900 posts of different categories including station master, guard, driver, gate men and operational staff have been lying vacant for a long time, said the sources.

Five more stations via kalukhali ,

Belgachi , Surjanagor, Rajbari, and Panchuriya were closed for the deterioration of the route, department sources said.

Additional Director General (operations) of Bangladesh Railway Mohammad Shajahan told this correspondent: “We are trying to solve the man power crisis. As per our official decision we have called upon a retired station master to rejoin for the sake of the country with some payment but they are not agreeing to our proposal. As a result, we cannot manage a skilled station master.”

Passengers of this zone said they were losing interest in traveling by trains.

According to sources, everyday six pairs of trains depart from the Rajbari railway station. One pair commutes from Goalondo Ghat Railway station to Poradaho railway station, the other pair runs from Goalondo Ghat to Rajshahi, one pair from Goalondo ghat to Parbotipur junction. Two pairs of shuttle trains run up-down between Rajbari

to Goalondo Daulatdia Ghat. One pair of inter-city Modhumati Express train commutes from Rajbari to Rajshahi.

Sources from Pakshey railway divisional office said: “The station masters do not have adequate training as a result accidents have taken place near Narsingdi area recently.”

“The load capacity of the railway tracks are also decreasing. Nowadays trains are taking longer than usual to reach the destination,” they said.

Because of the deteriorating condition of the railway tracks, train accidents have become a regular phenomenon in the west Zone.

Moreover, the department is incurring loss as nowadays people are preferring journey by bus than train to save time, said the sources.

“A Tk2.67bn development project has been undertaken to construct new lines from Kalukhali to Tungi para and Manchuria to Faridpur via Bhanga to Padma setu,” Rafiqul Alam, chief engineer of the project said. l

President calls for scout movement at all schools n BSS President Abdul Hamid yesterday urged all authorities concerned to introduce scout movement to all primary and secondary level public and private educational institutions for making the youth self independent and well educated.

“It is needed to form a scout team at every educational institution for building our gradually increasing youth community as worthy citizen,” he said while inaugurating the 42nd Annual Meeting of National Council of Bangladesh Scouts at Osmani Memorial Hall in the capital.

The president, who is also the chief Scout of the country, said the youth community would have to be brought up in a proper way to reach fruits of the country’s independence, achieved at the cost of lives of 3 million martyrs, to the people of all strata.

Noting that the government extended all its cooperation to strengthen the Bangladesh scouts movement, the president said the support would continue in days to come.

President Abdul Hamid asked au-

Two factories fined Tk6m for polluting environment n Tribune Report The government yesterday fined two companies around Tk6m on charges of polluting environment, a press statement said.

Md Alamgir, director (Enforcement) of the Department of Environment (DoE) made the penalty to these companies because of violating the condition of environmental clearance and not running the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) in their industries.

The enforcement department fined Tk4m to Mojumder Products Ltd (bran oil mill) at Sherpur of Bogra as the company had been polluting the environment by not running the ETP, rather releasing its affluent to the nearby agricultural and wet lands.

The DoE also fined Talha Textiles Tk2m as the company had been releasing its liquid wastage directly into the nearby river by stopping the ETP in the factory. The factory is located at Panchdona area of Narshingdi.

The DoE made the penalties yesterday at an on-call hearing held at the department’s office at Agargaon area in the capital. l

IU admission tests postponed n BSS Admission test for the first year honours courses in 2013-14 academic session of Islamic University (IU), scheduled to be held from November 30 to December 4, has been postponed following the 71-hour non-stop blockade programme.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Admission Test Committee, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof Abdul Hakim Sarker, held at the VC’s office on Wednesday.

Pro-VC Prof M Shahinoor Rahman, Registrar Dr Moslem Uddin, Proctor Prof M Jahangir Hossain, Students Adviser Prof M Mahbubur Rahman, all Units coordinators, among others, were present at the meeting.

Detail information of the new admission test schedules will be published on the university website www. iu.ac.bd as soon as the exam dates are finalised. l

Hundreds of trucks are stranded at Mohdipur in India as export and import activities with the country through Sonamasjid land port has remained closed for blockade

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Vegetable growers count loss for blockade RU authorities urge opposition to n Our Correspondent, Magura Vegetable growers in Magura are facing huge loss for the countrywide blockade enforced by the BNP-led 18-party alliance.

The district is known as one of the best vegetable producing areas of the country for years as it is situated on a high and fertile land and climatic conditions in most times remain much favourable.

According to Agriculture Extension Department, a total of 1,068 hectares of land has been brought under vegetables cultivation in the district this year.

Farmers of the district were happy as almost all the upazilas of the district have witnessed a good yield even before the start of the season.

Framers of the district mainly cul-

thorities concerned to involve youths in ongoing global dynamic trend of information technology for building a digital Bangladesh.

President Hamid lauded the activities of scouts in various fields like disaster management especially their efficient involvement in rescue operation and dead body management of Rana Plaza victims. Besides, the president appreciated the scouts for their rural level work on plantation, sanitation, health service and immunization through creating mass awareness.

“I urge all to involve scouts more in plantation programme to maintain environmental balance,” he said.

During the ceremony, 10 scouts were awarded “Silver Tiger,” while seven other “Silver Hilsha” for their outstanding contribution in the scouts movement.

The president congratulated the award winners and hoped that they would set an example for others in expanding scouts movement.

Bangladesh Scouts President Abdul Karim, Chief National Commissioner Abul Kalam Azad and Adviser Abu Hena also spoke on the occasion. l

tivate cabbages, cauliflowers, beans, gourds, balsam-apples, radishes, eggplants, tomato and spinach on their land.

After the harvest, the vegetables growers also started sending their agri-output to different kitchen market across the country by truck.

Growers said at least 50 vegetablesladen trucks were transported to the capital from the district every day.

But, not a single truck was loaded from the distrcit with vegetables after the opposition sponsored countrywide blockade started on Tuesday.

Consequently, a huge quantity of vegetables worth about Tk20m have been rotten for lack of preservation facilities.

Moreover, many growers are selling their vegetables at minimal prices in

the markets, fearing more hartal as well as blockade in the coming days.

Jiban Mitra, who is a vegetables grower at Ramangar village under Magura sadar upazila, yesterday said: “I have cultivated beans on five bighas of land. I could not sell my bean for the last three days due to the blockade.

“Bean of about Tk50,000 have been perished during the period,” he added.

Another farmer of Lakhikandar village under Magura sadar upazilla said: “After heavy loss from jute, I cultivated cauliflower on my land. I became optimistic as prices of cauliflower were good. But the on-going political unrest has shattered all of my dreams.”

Deputy Director of DAE Mokhlesur Rahman said after incurring huge loss vegetable growers may feel discourage to cultivate paddy on their land. l

refrain from violent programmes n RU Correspondent The authorities of Rajshahi University has urged the BNP-led 18-party alliance to refrain from convening any political programme during the university’s admission tests under academic session 2013-14 scheduled to be held from December 5 to December 9.

RU Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Mizanuddin, in the press conference at noon, made the call expressing deep concern over holding the admission tests.

Earlier, the tests were scheduled to be held from November 10 to 14 but because of 18-party enforced hartals, the authority had rescheduled the time.

The VC also said admission tests

were being held at all public universities in the country and some of them had already completed the exams.

He said: “I hope that the opposition Chief Begum Khaleda Zia will take the admission test of the university into consideration.”

The admission test of 47 departments under 8 faculties would be held under 16 shifts of 8 units. This year, about 168,224 students has applied for the admission tests.

RU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan, Public Relation Administrator Professor Elias Hossain, RU Proctor Prof Tarikul Hasan and RU Student Advisor Sadequl Arefin Matin addressed at the programme, among others. l

Tailor abducted in Jhenaidah; culprits demand Tk1m n Our Correspondent, Jhenaidah

Police collect bricks which were thrown by pickets during yesterday’s blockade in Chapainawabganj town

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Unknown miscreants had abducted a person from Hingra village under Harinakundu upazila of Jhenaidah Wednesday night and demanded Tk1m as ransom.

Nikhil Chandra Haldar, 35, who is a tailor in profession, hailed from the same village.

Mahibul Islam, officer-in-charge of Harinakundu police station, said a gang of 6-7 miscreants with a white microbus barricaded Nikhil, while he was returning home riding a bicycle around 9pm. Then the miscreants left for Chuadanga, he added.

Later, the gang demanded Tk1m as ransom over mobile phone, the OC said, adding that the law enforcers were trying to rescue Nikhil and arrest the culprits as soon as possible.

A case was filed with Harinakundu police station in this connection. l

Unesco chair on Community Media calls on DU VC n BSS Unesco Chair on community media Prof Vinod Pavarala called on Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique yesterday at the latter’s office.

DU Pro-VC (Administration) Prof Shahid Akhtar Hossain, DU Associate Prof of Mass Communication & Journalism Department and Commonwealth Scholar of University of London, UK, SM Shameem Reza and CEO of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication AHM Bazlur Rahman were present on the occasion.

During the meeting, they discussed matters of mutual interest especially possibilities of introducing community radio at the University of Dhaka in cooperation with the Unesco soon.

They also stressed the need for expansion of community radio in the country for improving its socio-economic condition.

The VC thanked the guests for their visit to Dhaka University and keen interest in its academic activities. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

‘Bicycle girls’ set up unique example in Panchagarh n Tribune Desk School and college going female students have set up a glaring example in eradicating superstition and gender disparity bringing about a social renaissance at Panchagarh villages.

The young girls, mostly from the low-income group rural farmers’ families, have been going to their schools and colleges and coming back homes riding on their bicycles daily setting up the unique example in Panchagarh, reports BSS. Widely known as ‘bicycle girls’ in the localities, they firmly believe the nation cannot achieve its desired development without mainstreaming the womenfolk with all sorts of socioeconomic and political activities equally with the men at all levels.

The girls said they wanted to become doctors, engineers, army and police officials, bureaucrats, teachers, politicians, scientists, researchers, computer specialists and professionals

after having higher education on their journeys to the future.

Accordion to sources in different educational intuitions, over 2,000 female students have now been going to their schools and colleges situated at Boda upazila town alone in Panchagarh by riding on bicycles after coming out from decades-old superstition.

“We have overcome the social barriers, odds, curses and superstition and come out to go to our schools and colleges and come back homes riding on bicycles in groups on the rural kutchapucca roads,” said students Monisha, Tithi, Khadija, Seema and Somapti.

Social workers of Panchagarh Zeba Afroza, Swapna Akhter and Shahidul Islam said the 20-km long Boda-Panchpeer road wear a descent look when the bicycle- rider girls cross Mirpara point, just one-kilometer off Boda town daily in the morning and afternoon.

Attired in white and deep green school dresses with school bags on shoulders, the girl students of Boda

Pilot Girls’ High School cross the point daily by riding on bicycles twice a day from 8 to 12-kilometer distances.

Most of them belong to the low-income group, small and marginal farmers’ families of Kumarpara, Senpara, Dangapara, Baniapara, Hindu Sarderpara, Mirpara, Sarkerpara, Shomsher Nagar, Pramanik Para and other villages in Boda upazila, they said.

“We want to be educated to build our careers before engaging ourselves in building a medium income digital Bangladesh as envisioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” said bicycle riders students of the school Rozina, Parveen, Nupur Rani and Sabina said.

Students Runa Sen, Joba Rani, Sabina, Shantona, Rashida and Jasmine said they do not face disturbance from the eve-teasers for riding bicycles in groups and their parents remain tension- free for their securities on both the ways.

Seema Rani wants to be a doctor, Rozina an engineer while Nuri wants

7

Friday, November 29, 2013

to become an army officer after being inspired by the speeches of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on occasions about ability and equal participation of women in the nation-building process.

Headmaster of Boda Pilot Girls High School Rabiul Alam said over 700 out of about 1,000 girl students of his institution ride on bicycles on their both ways creating a women renaissance in the area as the number continues increasing.

Currently, over 2,000 female students of Boda Pilot Girls’ High School, Boda Mohila College, Pramanikpara High School and Sarderpara Girls’ High School have been going to their institutions riding on bicycles in Boda upazila alone, he added.

Similarly, hundreds of female students are also going to their educational institutions riding on their bicycles in the other four upazilas of Panchagarh with firm determination to become worthy citizens after being educated, Zeba Afroza said. l

UPDF leader, lawyer murdered in Chittagong n Tribune Report Two people including, leader of United Peoples Democratic Front, was killed in separate incidents in Chittagong yesterday.

A leader of United Peoples Democratic Front was gunned down at Morakoila village under Manikchhari upazila in Khagrachhari.

Officer-in-Charge of Manikchhari police station Kesob Chakraborty said a group miscreants numbering eight to 10 had opened fire on Gopal Chakma, 30, son of Bijoy Chakma, when he was chatting in a tea stall.

Police rushed to the spot and sent the body to Khagrachhari Adhunik Sadar Hospital for autopsy, OC Keshob Chakraborty said, adding that Gopal might be killed over establishing supremacy in the area.

Press Secretary of UPDF Niron Chakma blamed Santu Larma led Parbattya Chattagram Jana Sanghity Samity members for the killing and urged administration to arrest the criminals as early as possible.

Assistant Press Secretary of PCJSS

Sajib Chakma denied their involvement with the UPDF leader killing.

Meanwhile, a senior lawyer was hacked to death at his home village in the Banshkhali upazila of Chittagong late Wednesday. Md Shah Alam, 50, son of late Saber Ali, was a legal practitioner at the Chittagong Judges’ Court.

No one was arrested in connection with the murder yet but police suspect it could be related to discords over proprietorship of a piece of land.

Confirming the incident, Kamrul Islam, officer in charge of Banshkhali police station, said unidentified miscreants armed with sharp weapons swooped on Shah Alam around 11:30pm, near his home in the Ilsha village, leaving him dead on the spot.

“Our primary investigation suggests that disputes over land could be behind the murder,” he said, noting that Alam had been involved with the politics of Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

The body was sent to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination. l

Soybean farming starts at Barind track on experimental basis n Tribune Report Soybean farming has started for the first time on experimental basis at the barind tract in Rajshahi.

Shariful Islam, farmer of Kodomshahar under Godagari upazila of the district, came up with the initiative and this year, he has been cultivating the cash crop on 2.676 hectares (20 bighas) of land with supervision of Barind Centre of On-Farm Research Division of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI).

“We have provided seeds of BARI Soybean variety along with other farming technologies and strategies to him.

We are expecting yield of four to five maunds from per bigha of land,” said Saifuzzaman, scientific assistant of the centre.

Market price of the crop would

be Tk3,000 to 3,500 per maund, he added.

He said soybean farming needed minimum use of fertiliser and insecticides, and irrigation was also not needed which would give a scope of more profit in less cost in water-stress condition.

Al Mahmud, another scientific officer, said they had expected the farmer to be benefited more through such farming than other crops.

In future, farming of soybean would be more familiar alongside other crops as other farmers were likely to come forward towards this farming, he added.

He said there was an enormous prospect of expansion of soybean farming in the barind tract comprising the districts of Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Naogaon. l

Activists of the BNP-led 18-party alliance set fire to an auto-rickshaw on CNB road in Barisal city yesterday, the third day of the countrywide blockade enforced by the opposition, protesting announcement of election schedule FOCUS BANGLA

Filariasis elimination programme at Rangpur jail Shibir men torch vehicle in Noakhali n Tribune Desk The authorities of Rangpur City Corporation with the assistances of the Directorate of Health yesterday launched the National Filariasis Elimination Programme at Rangpur Central Jail.

The programme was launched through administering Diethylcarbamazine Citrate 120 milligram tablets to several inmates as a part of the ongoing 10-day mass tablet administering campaign begun on November 21.

With Senior Jail Super of RCJ Mizanur Rahman in the chair, Civil Sur-

geon of Rangpur Dr Reajul Islam formally launched the programme at a function, reports BSS. Assistant Surgeon of the jail Dr Afzal Hossain Talukder, RCC Councilor Akram Hossain and Health Inspector of RCC Abdul Kaiyum were present as special guests.

The health officials discussed the reasons behind spreading of the curable disease and briefed effectiveness of the long-term Multi-Drug Therapy treatment method.

They said the common people could get rid of filariasis disease and lead nor-

mal life through eliminating mosquito reproduction by adopting preventive measures for improving the hygienic condition in surrounding environment.

Under the programme, 716,900 people in RCC area will be given the tablets till tomorrow with one tablet for each of the 2-8 years age group children and two tablets for each 8-12 years age group children and three tablets to each above 12 years age group.

The health workers and volunteers of RCC have been visiting door to door daily with the tablets from 9am to 5pm. l

RU employee’s tendons cut in Rajshahi n Tribune Desk

Employees of railway repair tracks uprooted by miscreants in the early hours of yesterday in Bogra DHAKA TRIBUNE

Three killed in road accidents n Tribune Report Three people were killed in separate road accidents in Natore and Chapainawabganj.

Two cement traders were killed in a road accident in Ahammedpur bazar area of Baraigram upazila in Natore in the early hours of yesterday.

The deceased were identified as Shahin, 20, son of Saiful Islam of village Boro-Baroihatty of Singra upazila in the district and Jashim, 25, son of Abdul Hamid of village Dhanura of Tanore police station of Rajshahi.

Masud Parvez, officer in charge of

Banpara highway police outpost, said a cement laden Rajshahi-bound truck turned turtle as its front wheel punctured in the area around 4:30am, leaving the two dead on the spot.

The bodies were sent to Natore Adhunik Sadar Hospital morgue for post mortem examination. No case was filed.

In Chapainawabganj, a truck helper died after falling from a running truck at Kansat under Shibganj upazila on Wednesday night.

The victim was identified as Biplob, 28, son of Manik Miah of Amin Bazar area in Savar police station. l

Activists of Jamaat-Shibir have allegedly cut the tendons of an employee of the Rajshahi University on Wednesday night.

Campus sources said injured Selim Reja Khan Selu had been admitted to the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, reports BSS. Abdul Majid, officer-in-charge of Matihar police station, said tendons of his left hand and two fingers of the right had been chopped off and he also sustained head injuries.

He said a group of men attacked Selim nearby his home at the city’s Binodpur area around 11pm.

Kamruzzaman Chanchal of RU Employees’ Association said:”Selim used to be involved with Chhatra League.

The attack was the handiwork of Shibir.”

He said the men encircled Selim and attacked him with sharp weapons before leaving him in a pool of blood.

OC Majid said family members have blamed the local Jamaat-Shibir activists for the attack.

Meanwhile, Ziauddin Bablu, Publicity Secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir’s RU unit, denied the charge and told local journalists that the attack might be an outcome of a local dispute. l

n Our Correspondent, Noakhali Jamaat-Shibir activists torched vehicle in Noakhali in sadar upazila after police detained 13 picketers in the area yesterday morning.

A police team conducted a drive and detained 13 picketers from the Municipality market and Dutterhat areas, suspecting them of picketing after some rickshaws were vandalised in the area around 9:30am.

Sadar police station Officer-in-charge Mosharraf Hossain Torofdar informed the Dhaka Tribune of

the detention. Following the detention, Jamaat-Shibir picketers torched a van of Department of Narcotics Control at around 12pm, police super Anisur Rahman told Dhaka Tribune.

Fire spread in the area when the gas cylinder of the DB police van exploded after the businessmen set it on fire.

Firefighters from Maijdee fire service rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control after 30 minutes.

Later, police fired several rounds bullets to disperse the crowd. Locals sources had earlier claimed that businessmen had set the vehicle on fire. l

Hartal observed in Satkhira n Tribune Desk A half-day hartal, enforced by local Jamaat-e-Islami protesting the killing of a party activist in police firing in Sadar upazila, was observed peacefully in the district yesterday.

The hartal supporters brought out several processions in different parts of the district town in the morning. No long-route buses left the town.

Vehicular movement was less than normal. Owners of the roadside shops kept their shutters down. l

8 Fighting rages near Damascus, missile hits Raqa

n AFP, Beirut

Rebels and loyalists clashed on two key fronts near Damascus, as a missile hit Raqa city in northern Syria early Thursday, killing six people and wounding 30, a monitor said.

The frontline battles raged around the Qalamoun area that links Damascus to the central city of Homs and east of the capital where rebels are fighting to break a year-long siege, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The early morning clashes were especially fierce around Qalamoun’s Deir Attiyeh which rebels, including jihadist fighters, seized from the army last week, said the Britain-based group.

In Eastern Ghouta, east of Damascus, battles raged in the Marj area days after rebels launched an offensive aimed at breaking the siege on opposition-held areas. In the northern city of Raqa, a surface-to-surface missile launched overnight from Damascus province killed at least six people and wounded at least 30 others, including two women, the monitor said. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Sri Lanka says ‘nothing to hide’ as counts war dead n AFP, Colombo Sri Lanka said it had “nothing to hide” Thursday as it began compiling a death toll from its war against Tamil separatists, after allegations of mass killings of civilians. While rights activists expressed scepticism at the project, organisers said it would reveal the true cost of one of Asia’s bloodiest conflicts which ended when troops routed the Tamil Tiger rebels in May 2009.

The start of the six-month “census” comes after the dispute over the scale of the killings in the final phases of the conflict dominated a Commonwealth summit hosted by Sri Lanka earlier this month. UN bodies have said as many as 40,000 civilians may have died in the final weeks of combat – a claim that has been repeatedly rejected by President Mahinda Rajapakse and his mainly ethnic Sinhalese regime.

“The government has nothing to hide,” P.B Abeykoon, the top civil ser-

vant in the ministry of public administration, who will supervise the census, told a press conference Thursday.

The president announced the start of the census on his website in a brief statement on Wednesday evening.

The statement said the department of census and statistics would conduct what it called an “island-wide census to assess the loss of human life and damage to property,” adding that work would begin on November 28.

The six-month census would see some 16,000 officials fan out across the island to conduct the survey in more than 14,000 villages, including in the mainly Tamil north of the island.

Rajapakse has previously insisted no civilians died in the finale to the war and has said there was no need for international investigators to conduct their own separate inquiry.

But international pressure has been steadily building and Rajapakse was sorely embarrassed when the lead-

ers of Canada, India and Mauritius all boycotted the Commonwealth meet in protest at Colombo’s rights record.

Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron did attend but he infuriated Rajapakse by paying an historic visit to the war-torn Jaffna region.

After meeting survivors and relatives who had lost loved ones during the war, Cameron warned he would lead a push for an international probe unless Sri Lanka produces credible results of its own by March.

Asked about the claims of 40,000 civilian deaths, Abeykoon said the census showed the government’s determination to seek the truth.

“Why should we go for a census if we have anything to hide? We are trying to get a clear picture for ourselves,” he said. But a leading rights group countered that Sri Lanka has set up several investigations in the past into deaths and disappearances but has not released the findings. l

15 killed as Iraq struggles to stem unrest

n AFP, Baghdad

Attacks in Iraq on Thursday killed 15 people as a senior police officer escaped assassination, the latest in a surge of violence nationwide that authorities have failed to stem.It comes just months before a general election and has forced Baghdad to appeal for international help in battling militancy.

In the restive city of Tikrit, north of Baghdad, a car bomb targeting Salaheddin provincial police chief Major General Juma al-Dulaimi killed three civilians and wounded two others, police and medical sources said. And a suicide car bombing at a police checkpoint near Samarra, also in Salaheddin, killed three police including a first lieutenant and wounded three more, according to officials. Meanwhile in Baghdad, a roadside bomb targeting a patrol of Sahwa anti-Al-Qaeda-militiamen killed two people, one of them a Sahwa fighter, and two other bombs elsewhere in the capital left four people dead. l

This handout file photograph received from 2009 is said to be of troops walking amongst debris inside the war zone on May 17, 2009 when they helped evacuate the last of the Tamil civilians from the area AFP

Friday, November 29, 2013

Déjà vu: Protest law, jail terms boost Egypt opposition n AFP, Cairo Restrictions on protests and 11-year jail terms for girl demonstrators are reviving Egypt’s autocratic past, say activists and erstwhile supporters of the government in place after Islamist president Mohamed Morsi’s overthrow.

The military, the real power even after it formally appointed a civilian government, remains wildly popular, and many Egyptians care more for stability amid an economic downturn than for rowdy protests.

But even supporters of the army-installed government and secular activists who viewed it as a lesser evil after Morsi’s divisive rule say it has gone too far with a law that bans all but police-sanctioned protests.

And the sight of more than a dozen white-clad women and girls behind bars on Wednesday, as an Alexandria court sentenced them to 11 years in prison for allegedly taking part in a violent protest in October, proved too much for some.

Putting the law into practice, police violently dispersed two small protests by secular demonstrators on Tuesday, arresting some of Egypt’s most prominent female activists before dumping them on a desert road at night.

The activists had been protesting against a clause in the new draft constitution that allows the military to try civilians before summary tribunals.

The prosecution service has ordered the arrest of two leading secular activists, Alaa Abdel Fattah and Ahmed Maher, for allegedly inciting the protests.

Both were prominent dissidents under Morsi.

“Deja vu, I’m about to hand myself in to the authorities again on Saturday,” Abdel Fattah wrote on Facebook.

He had been arrested under Morsi’s predecessor Hosni Mubarak, the transitional military junta that ruled after Mubarak’s overthrow and also during Morsi’s year in office.

In the months since the army removed Morsi after mass protests demanding his resignation, more than

1,000 of his supporters have been killed in a police crackdown, and thousands have been arrested.

But the latest restrictions have galvanised secular activists.

Hamdeen Sabbahi, a former presidential candidate and a leading dissident under Morsi, called on the interim president to pardon the seven girls sentenced alongside 14 women and to repeal the protest law.

“I call on president Adly Mansour to use his powers to pardon the girls sentenced to 11 years,” he wrote on his Twitter account.

The harsh sentences, which may be overturned or reduced on appeal, left some Egyptians who had protested against Morsi concerned that their rights were being stripped away, said Mohammed Sayyed, a cafe waiter in the upscale Cairo suburb of Maadi.

“What this means is that we as Egyptians have no rights,” he said.

Gehad Gamal, an insurance agency employee, said the court’s judgment revived memories of Mubarak, who was overthrown in a 2011 uprising.

“Those sentences took us back to Mubarak’s era, with restrictions on political rights,” she said, adding that she too had opposed Morsi. The government has not commented on the prison terms, says it will not reconsider the protest law for now and plans to implement it to the letter, a cabinet official told AFP. But the increasing backlash may strain the unlikely coalition of security hawks and liberal democrats who the military appointed to lead the country ahead of elections next year, and could also provoke the very unrest the law is aimed at quelling, said analyst Issandr El Amrani.

“This strains relations inside the cabinet,” said El Amrani, north Africa project director for the International Crisis Group.

“Rather than consolidate the transition, it weakens it. It alienates even supporters of the government,” he said.

“For the past three years, police brutality has been the cause of much of the political turmoil. You keep going through a cycle.” l

Report: US spied on Toronto

Women driver ‘ban guards against evil’

n AP, Toronto

n AFP, Riyadh

Canadian authorities allowed the National Security Agency to spy in the country during the G8 and G20 summits in Ontario in 2010, CBC News reported late Wednesday, citing documents shared by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.

The national broadcaster’s website said the documents show that the NSA used the US Embassy in Ottawa as a command post for a nearly weeklong spying operation while President Barack Obama and other foreign leaders were in Canada in June 2010.

CBC reported that the documents

don’t mention precise targets of the US spying operation but say that plans were “closely coordinated with the Canadian partner.” The report Wednesday did not publish the documents.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Jason MacDonald, late Wednesday said, “We do not comment on operational matters related to national security.”

A spokeswoman for Canada’s equivalent of the NSA, the Communications Security Establishment Canada, said they could not comment on the operations of Canada or its allies.

“Under the law, CSEC does not target Canadians anywhere or any person

in Canada through its foreign intelligence activities,” the spokeswoman, Lauri Sullivan, said. A Canadian civil liberties group, OpenMedia.ca, quickly objected. “It’s ... clear this spying was aimed at supporting US policy goals during a highly contentious summit,” executive director Steve Anderson said in a statement. “This is sure to cause huge damage to Canada’s relationships with our other G-20 partners.”

Reports in other media have said the NSA allegedly monitored German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cell phone, swept up millions of French telephone records and hacked the computer network of Brazil’s state-run oil company Petrobras. l

Vietnam Communist Party reasserts role in amended charter

Iran sanctions eased, but pinch still felt

Vietnamese lawmakers on Thursday approved a new version of the country’s constitution that upholds the ruling Communist Party’s dominant political and economic role. “This is an historic moment,” said Nguyen Sinh Hung, chairman of the National Assembly, after the charter was approved by 486 votes out of 488 deputies present, with two abstentions.

The amendments make minor tweaks to the constitution but crucially reaffirm the central role of the Communist Party – which has been enshrined in the document since it was first approved in 1946.

But the process of amending the charter had raised hopes of real change after it was opened to public debate, sparking fierce discussion on topics usually taboo in the nation.

A group of leading academics in January submitted a petition calling for multiparty democracy, respect for human rights, private land ownership and an apolitical army that served the people not the party.

The main demand of the academics and many online commentators was for the abolition of Article 4, the clause that protects the party’s power, and for a clear separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. But that section has not been removed, according to a version of the constitution read out in parliament, although a final amended text was not available early Thursday. l

n AP, Dubai

n AFP, Hanoi

The sanctions relief offered to Iran by the US and five world powers has begun to get the gears of commerce slowly turning again in an economy that remains in shambles.

The Obama Administration estimates relief from some sanctions in exchange for a temporary pause in Iran’s nuclear enrichment program will amount to just $7bn. That’s a meager amount for the economy of a nation of nearly 80 million people — it’s less than one month’s

worth of Iran’s oil production and just 7% of Iran’s overseas cash that remains frozen under the sanctions.

Still, Iranians see the move as a much needed step toward a more normal economy after years of crippling inflation and job losses. The Iranian economy was already struggling under the weight of corruption, mismanagement and costly food, energy and cash subsides for the poor when the US and Europe broadened economic sanctions against Iran to include its crucial oil and banking sectors in late 2011. l

Iranians hold posters of President Hassan Rouhani, while welcoming Iranian nuclear negotiators upon their arrival from Geneva at the Mehrabad airport in Tehran, Iran AP

The grand mufti of Saudi Arabia said a ban on women driving in the conservative Gulf state protects society from “evil,” in remarks published in the press on Thursday.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah alSheikh, in a speech delivered Wednesday in the western city of Medina, said the issue of giving women the right to drive should not be “one of society’s major concerns.”

The kingdom’s most senior cleric called for “the matter to be considered from the perspective of protecting society from evil” which, according to

IAEA says NKorea images suggest reactor restart n AFP, Vienna Activities observed at North Korea’s Yongbyon site indicate an effort to restart a reactor that could provide it with weapons-grade plutonium, the UN atomic agency said Thursday.

“The Agency continues to monitor developments at the Yongbyon site, mainly through satellite imagery,” International Atomic Energy Agency head Yukiya Amano said.

“Activities have been observed at the site that are consistent with an effort to restart the ... reactor,” Amano told a closed-door regular meeting of the IAEA’s board of governors.

North Korea kicked out IAEA inspectors in 2009.

South Korea’s spy agency the National Intelligence Service (NIS) said on October 8 in a report to parliament that the reactor had resumed operations.

This followed the release of satellite imagery by the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University and the Institute for Science and International Security showing activity at the site.

Yongbyon was shut down in July 2007 and Pyongyang began disabling key plants there, publicly demolishing the plutonium reactor’s cooling tower in 2008.

Pyongyang carried out its third nuclear test in February, sparking international condemnation and raising tensions on the Korean peninsula for months. l

him, included letting women drive.

His comments came as activists said they had been assured by Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef that authorities were reassessing the controversial Saudi ban on women drivers.

“Rest assured that the issue is being discussed, and expect a good outcome,” the minister was quoted as saying on Wednesday by Aziza al-Yusef, who met him along with fellow activist Hala al-Dosari.

The absolute monarchy is the only country in the world where women are barred from driving, a regulation that has drawn condemnation from the international community.

Prince Mohammed stressed that the ban was “a matter to be decided by the legislative authority,” Yusef told AFP.

The kingdom’s most senior cleric called for ‘the matter to be considered from the perspective of protecting society from evil’ At least 16 women were stopped by police during a driving protest day last month, and were fined and forced along with their male guardians to promise to obey the kingdom’s laws. l

WORLD WATCH Japanese switched at birth would like to ‘roll back clock’

A 60-year-old Japanese man switched at birth says he would like to “roll back the clock,” days after winning a lawsuit against the hospital that mistakenly cast him into a life of poverty. The man told a packed Tokyo press conference that he was shell-shocked when he learnt the truth, saying his life would have been starkly different. The man was not identified. A Tokyo district court this week ordered the hospital to pay 38m yen ($374,000) in damages over its 1953 blunder which saw the man switched with another baby boy who was delivered just 13 minutes later. The decades-old mistake was uncovered when the wealthy family’s three younger brothers had DNA testing done on their oldest sibling – who looked nothing like them – after their parents died. They checked hospital records and confirmed the identity of their biological eldest brother last year. The four are now working on building a relationship to make up for lost time.

Roadside bombs kill 6 Afghan civilians

Afghan officials say two roadside bombs have killed six civilians in the country’s eastern Nangarhar province. The chief of the province’s Achin district, Rahman Momand, said the explosions took place Thursday. He says the first bomb blew up as a car drove over it, killing the driver.

Momand says another detonated by remote control killed five people who rushed to help. Roadside bombs planted by insurgents are the number one cause of violent deaths for Afghan civilians.

Russia: Last Greenpeace detainee granted bail

A Russian court has granted bail to the last of 30 Greenpeace activists who were detained at sea during a protest against oil drilling in the Arctic. The court in St. Petersburg on Thursday set bail for Australian Collin Russell at 2m rubles ($61,500). Russell was the only activist denied bail at the start of the hearings last week. The 30 were detained following an attempt by some of the activists to scale an offshore drilling platform owned by state-owned natural gas giant Gazprom. All but Russell have been released pending trial. They were initially accused of piracy, but authorities later revised that charge to hooliganism.

Beijing destroys barbecue grills to cut pollution

Beijing is waging a war against air pollution, one barbecue at a time. Authorities in the capital have destroyed more than 500 open-air barbecues “to cut PM2.5” — the tiny particulate matter in the air that can enter deep into the lungs.

Photos carried by state media showed workers on Tuesday cutting pieces of metal with sparks flying as city wardens looked on. Citizens online ridiculed the exercise, suggesting authorities should focus on bigger sources of pollution. A media officer at Beijing’s Xicheng district administration bureau said the hundreds of barbecue grills were confiscated over a three-month campaign and cut up so they couldn’t be used again. She refused to give her name, as is common with Chinese officials.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Maoists routed, Nepali Congress likely to win n

AFP, Kathmandu

Nepal’s Maoist party, which swept the country’s first post-war polls in 2008, was routed in a second election earlier this month and the Nepali Congress is emerging as winner, partial results showed Thursday.

The Maoists, who swapped guns for politics after a 10-year “People’s War” against the state, won just 26 seats out of 240 up for grabs in the first round of counting.

The Nepali Congress, one of the oldest parties which led pro-democracy protests in the 1950s, won 105 seats while the Unified Marxist-Leninist party secured 91 seats, according to a final first-round toll.

Before the vote, many analysts said voters were disillusioned with the Maoists after years of political drift that also saw their former revolutionary leaders develop a taste for luxury once in power.

A second round of counting, in which another 335 seats will be decided, also places the Nepali Congress as the largest party, according to an incomplete tally published on Thursday.

Senior Maoist leaders Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as Prachanda, and Hisila

Yami, wife of former premier Baburam Bhattarai, both finished a distant third in their Kathmandu constituencies.

Reacting to their expected poor showing, the Maoists last week alleged ballot-rigging and threatened to boycott the vote-counting.

But one of their senior leaders told AFP on Tuesday the party was ready

to “accept the people’s mandate”, an apparent retreat from its earlier rejection.

The Maoists fought for 10 years until a peace agreement in 2006 which ended royal rule and ushered in a secular republic, with Prachanda becoming Nepal’s first post-war prime minister. l

Pakistani Taliban warns against Tendulkar hype n Tribune International Desk The Pakistani Taliban has warned the Pakistani media to stop praising Indian cricket player Sachin Tendulkar, who retired last week from a stellar 24-years career in cricket.

In a video posted on YouTube, Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid urged Pakistanis to be “patriotic” and in-

stead support Pakistan’s national cricket team captain Misbah-ul-Haq, although he is “pathetic,” the BBC has reported.

“An Indian sportsman whose name is Tendulkar was praised by the Pakistani media and in fact a lot of Pakistanis [also] complimented him,” the BBC quoted Shahid as saying. “At the same time [the media] showed disapproval of Misbahul-Haq. [But...] Even though Tendulkar

India sex assault case spotlights powerful predators n Reuters, Delhi The man at the centre of a sexual assault scandal that has whipped India’s media into a frenzy is no average Joe. Tarun Tejpal is one of India’s most powerful journalists, and accusations that he sexually assaulted a colleague have uncovered what lawyers say is an often buried truth - such violence is common in the highest echelons of society.

An investigation into Tejpal, who denies the accusations, has dominated headlines for eight days as news outlets follow every twist and turn. It comes days after similar accusations were made by an intern against a retired Supreme Court judge.

For Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising, both cases show how hard it is for women to press complaints against colleagues in the workplace, particularly if they are powerful individuals not used to having their authority challenged.

Yet they also present authorities with a rare opportunity to demonstrate that no one is above the law – that sexual abuse, no matter who it involves, will be dealt with thoroughly and, if proven, properly punished.

“I think sexual harassment in the work place is pervasive in India, yet the culture of silence is huge,” Jaising, a senior legal adviser to the Indian government, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The allegations against Tejpal, the 50-yearold founder and editor-in-chief of India’s leading investigative magazine Tehelka, surfaced on the Internet last week when an email from a 23-year-old female journalist to her superior was leaked.

The woman, whose identity has not been revealed, accused Tejpal of assaulting her on two occasions in a hotel elevator.

The journalist did not press charges against Tejpal, but police launched an investigation based on media reports.

Tejpal could be booked for outraging the modesty of a woman and rape.

Tejpal admitted in a leaked email to the magazine’s management that an “unfortunate incident” had occurred between himself and the journalist, describing it as “a bad lapse of judgment.” But in a more recent statement to a Delhi court he called what happened consensual.

Cases Come To Light In recent months, the media have focused on alleged abuses within the upper echelons of Indian society.

The legal fraternity was shaken after a young lawyer said a retired Supreme Court judge had sexually harassed her in a Delhi hotel room last year while she was an intern.

50 police hurt in Tunisia strike violence

Two Singaporeans arrested for hacking president’s website

n AFP, Siliana

Two Singaporean men have been arrested for allegedly defacing the president’s website during a recent rash of cyber attacks in the city-state, police said Thursday.

The men, aged 17 and 42, were arrested following a complaint lodged by the website administrators of the Istana, the official residence of President Tony Tan. The website was hacked and displayed a crude image in the early hours of November 8, about an hour after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s website displayed mocking messages and pictures from activist hackers’ group Anonymous.

Police said the two attacks are unrelated to each other. l

Fifty Tunisian policeman were injured in clashes with protesters in the marginalised town of Siliana where a general strike degenerated into violence, the interior ministry said Thursday.

The violence broke out on Wednesday as the town observed a strike to mark the first anniversary of riots that left more than 300 people injured, and as strikes were held in two other regions amid rising social discontent and political deadlock.

The police “managed to control the situation only using tear gas in extreme cases,” the ministry said, while insisting that all those who take part in or incited the violence would be prosecuted.

Supporters of the Nepali Congress party celebrate with their party flag outside a vote counting center after initial results showed their candidates winning in Katmandu AP

About three months ago, a Hindu guru popularly known as Asaram Bapu was arrested for sexually molesting an ailing girl child on the pretext of exorcising evil spirits said to be inhabiting her body.

Asaram calls the charges fabricated.

But it is the Tejpal case, above all, that has revived the intense debate about violence against women first triggered by the gang rape and murder of a woman on a Delhi bus 11 months ago.

Today, New Delhi police have seen a rise in rape reports, which they claim is due partly to victims’ greater willingness to complain.

There were 1,036 cases of rape reported in the capital this year by August 15, an increase of nearly 2-1/2 times from 433 cases in the corresponding period last year, police data show.

India’s parliament passed a law to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace in February, although similar public and private sector guidelines had been in place for more than 16 years.

The new law covers women working in the informal sector and requires employers to set up internal complaints panels, although Jaising said the guidelines had been ignored.

“The two cases – one of the intern and the journalist – we notice a failure of the institutions,” she said.

“Neither the Supreme Court of India nor Tehelka reported what clearly constituted cognizable offences to the police.”

is a great sportsman you should not praise him, as it is against the national interests of the country.

The news comes at a particularly tricky time given the Taliban’s newly elected leader, and Tendulkar’s retirement which took over both the Indian and international media last week given his tremendous popularity in international cricket. l

Indian magazine chief quits over handling of sex case

n AFP, New Delhi The managing editor of Indian investigative magazine Tehelka quit Thursday after coming under fire over her handling of allegations that the publication’s founder sexually assaulted a reporter.

In an email to staff, Shoma Chaudhury denied being part of a “cover-up” to protect Tehelka’s founder and editor Tarun Tejpal who is under investigation over claims he sexually assaulted the woman twice in a hotel in the holiday state of Goa. The alleged victim, who has since resigned from the English-language monthly magazine, first made the allegations against Tejpal in a detailed email to Chaudhury.

Scores of supporters from India’s opposition BJP party, which regards the magazine as biased, held a noisy protest outside Chaudhury’s home and demanded her arrest. l

9

Friday, November 29, 2013

Earlier, a medical source said the hospital in Siliana treated 32 people injured in Wednesday’s clashes, nearly all of them Tunisian police, adding that they had all since been discharged.

Violence also broke out in the poor central town of Gafsa, where protesters torched the local headquarters of the ruling Islamist party Ennahda after trying to break into the governor’s office.

In his first reaction to the violence, Islamist Prime Minister Ali Larayedh told Tunisian media he “regretted” that the protesters had “assaulted members of the security forces, looted buildings and tried to invade public offices.”

The unrest erupted as hundreds of demonstrators marked the first anniversary of anti-government marches. l

n AFP, Singapore

Protest-hit Thai Prime Minister survives no confidence vote n AFP, Bangkok Thailand’s embattled prime minister easily survived a parliamentary no confidence vote Thursday as opposition protesters kept up their fight to try to topple her government by besieging major ministries.

The demonstrations are the biggest since mass rallies three years ago which descended into the kingdom’s worst civil strife in decades with more than 90 people killed and nearly 1,900 wounded.

Lawmakers in the ruling party-dominated lower house rejected the censure motion 297-134, according to speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont.

The motion was filed by the opposition Democrat Party, which alleges

widespread corruption in government and accuses Yingluck of acting as a puppet for her brother, the ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Yingluck – who denies the accusations – delivered a televised national address following the vote, urging demonstrators to end their rallies.

“I propose to protesters to stop protesting and leave government offices so the civil service can move forward,” she said.

“The government does not want confrontation and is ready to cooperate with everybody to find a solution,” she added.

Protesters are demanding the end of the “Thaksin regime” and want to replace the government with an un-

China’s rumour crackdown has ‘cleaned internet’ n Reuters, Beijing China’s campaign against online rumours, which critics say is crushing free speech, has been highly successful in “cleaning” the Internet, a top official of the country’s internet regulator said on Thursday.

China has the world’s most sophisticated online censorship system, known outside the country as the Great Firewall. It blocks many social media websites, such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and others, along with many sites hosted in Taiwan and those of rights groups and some foreign media agencies.

The crackdown on online rumours is really intended to quash anti-government discourse, activists say. High profile users of Sina Weibo, China’s Twitter-like microblog, have been targeted, apparently for political speech.

In a rare public appearance, Ren

Xianliang, vice minister of the State Internet Information Office, emphasised China’s commitment to scrubbing the web of content it deemed critical or offensive.

“The fight against rumours has received a positive response and has been quite effective,” he said.

“The Internet has become clean.

The frequency of slander has declined, but it has not impacted the orderly flow of information.”

Although social media has become a platform for users to voice complaints and criticism about the government, authorities force domestic internet firms to delete user-posted content they consider too politically sensitive.

China will work to strengthen regulation of the internet by training local internet regulators and net companies, Ren added, and further “manage” search and microblogs as well as Tencent’s popular WeChat app. l

elected “people’s council” – a demand Yingluck said was impossible under the constitution.

Thaksin, a billionaire tycoon-turned-politician, is adored by many of the country’s rural and urban working class.

But he is hated by many southerners, middle-class Thais and the Bangkok elite, who see him as corrupt and a threat to the monarchy.

The protests have triggered growing international concern, with UN leader Ban Ki-moon the latest world leader to voice alarm.

Ban “is concerned by the rising political tensions in Bangkok,” said his spokesman Martin Nesirky as protests spread beyond the Thai capital. l

British man found guilty for murder in Thailand

n AP, Phuket, Thailand

A Thai court on Thursday sentenced a British kickboxer to 25 years in jail for the murder of a former US Marine on a resort island in 2010. The Phuket provincial court found Lee Aldhouse guilty of stabbing to death ex-Marine Dashawn Longfellow after being beaten by the American during a brawl at a Phuket bar.

The court reduced Aldhouse’s sentence from a life sentence because he pleaded guilty. Aldhouse was a semi-professional kickboxer who fought under the nickname “Pitbull.”

He had been living on-and-off in Phuket, where 23-year-old Longfellow was also studying the sport while vacationing in Thailand. Aldhouse was extradited to Thailand last year after his appeal had been rejected by Britain’s High Court, making him the first criminal suspect ever extradited from England to the Southeast Asian country under a 1911 extradition treaty. l

HANGING BY HOPE

Serious Allegations In the case of the retired judge, Stella James, an intern at the time of the alleged incident last December, noted in a blog posting on November 6 that it occurred, ironically, during huge protests over the gang rape case.

She said she had not come forward earlier because she did not want to ruin the judge’s reputation, but now felt “a responsibility to ensure that other young girls were not put in a similar situation.”

Rebecca Mammen John, a prominent Supreme Court lawyer, said she had heard of many such cases.

“I’ve heard complaints made by junior lawyers against their seniors, I’ve heard serious allegations made against judges by interns,” she said.

The vast majority of victims are still too scared to speak up, say rights activists, despite the high-profile sexual abuse cases in the headlines.

“Women are not encouraged to come forward,” said Rebecca Reichmann Tavares, India representative of UN Women. “They are encouraged to just try to forget it.” l

Typhoon survivors rest inside the Archangel Parish church turned evacuation centre in Basay, Samar province on November 28. The Philippines’ economy expanded 7.0 percent year-onyear in the third quarter, but a series of storms curbed growth and a devastating typhoon this month will slow momentum further, the government said on November 28 AFP

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Friday, November 29, 2013

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

This carnage has to stop

EU parliament for transparent election in BD

Jamaat threatens to burn 56,000 square miles

If we are a truly independent country, then we don’t need any outsider to tell us what to do.

That is the main problem in Bangladesh these days, not the politicians. Whenever there is a problem our political leaders go running to their sponsors and beg for their help.

Ahmed Azwad Imtiaz

November 23

November 22

T

he opposition’s ongoing countrywide blockade has seen scores killed and many injured. Shockingly, 19 people were critically burnt as a bus was torched in the capital yesterday evening. These appalling acts of violence committed since the announcement of the election schedule have raised the death toll up to 18, while the fates of many burn victims remain uncertain.

In addition to the arson and crude bomb attacks, this week’s blockade has seen criminal behaviour of a different sort. At least 20 people have been injured by the derailment of trains. Such The BNP would win deliberate sabotage of roads and more credibility railway lines doesn’t just bring and support for the country’s transport and its arguments if it economic activity to a halt, but disassociated itself cynically threatens human life. from such acts, rather The police have been placed than threatening a under extra strain as escalating levels of bomb and arson nonstop shutdown attacks have caused fear among next week the general public and dozens of people have been injured in violent clashes.

While the opposition has every right to protest, we strongly condemn acts of violence and sabotage. The BNP would win more credibility and support for its arguments if it disassociated itself from such acts, rather than threatening a nonstop shutdown next week.

Recklessly endangering the lives of innocent people, and causing such damage to the economy, are not in the interest of the nation or the opposition as they do not make the protest look legitimate. These acts of carnage and sabotage must stop if it wishes to give its protests legitimacy.

Build long term trust in our financial markets

S

peaking at the foundation stone ceremony of the new Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission building earlier this week, the prime minister supported measures to build trust in the financial markets and to alert investors to risks.

The governor of the Bangladesh Bank has also spoken on how confidence in the stock market has been undermined by past scandals such as those involving the Hall-mark and Bismillah groups.

Ad-hoc measures alone are not sufficient to deter those who wish to bend the rules or to attract higher levels of long-term institutional investors into providing capital Unless the authorities for Bangladeshi companies. fulfil their promise of Unless the authorities fulfil holding to account their promise of holding to acthose responsible, count those responsible, many many prudent prudent investors may choose investors may choose to continue to avoid the stock to continue to avoid market. the stock market The authorities have announced a 10 year plan to build confidence and develop the capital markets. These include sensible steps to plug gaps in the system by limiting the level of risk that banks can take to invest in the stock market directly and through loans. It also includes moves to improve transparency so that all investors, large and small, have full access to price sensitive information and that rules are properly enforced.

Whether the establishment of a tribunal to speed up cases relating to the capital market can help achieve these goals remains to be seen. As with other problems, defects in the system are down more to the ineffective implementation of rules, not the lack of regulations.

Investors need independent assurance that the market is fully accountable and transparent.

CROSSWORD

Diagnosis of a share-taker government

Be Heard

Write to us at: Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email us at: letters@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion@dhakatribune.com Visit our website: www.dhakatribune.com Come join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

DOWN 1 Frighten from (5) 2 United (3) 4 Machine for weaving (4) 5 Tree (3) 6 Frequently (5) 8 Roof’s projecting edge (5) 9 Baptismal vessel (4) 12 Irritable (5) 14 Dry (4) 15 Ointment (5) 17 Echo sounder (5) 18 Target (4) 20 Joke (3) 22 Greek letter (3)

bility of unbiased interest towards the nation.

Consider the last paragraph of this article: “There is scope for change and improvement; and a more open, sincere and inclusive approach with the goal of an all-party election in mind can put an end to the painful and costly stalemate that exists in the country right now.” Don’t we all want that?

How do we know that the government is not open, or sincere?? So, vague statements like these only creates more and more confusion which we do not need at this point. People are dying out there, and a nation with so much hope is getting destroyed.

We have to be very careful and responsible.

Ehsan Abdullah The government, at present is very much a caretaker government of elected people, which may eventually take the shape of a “share-taker” government after the elections, if the stakeholders so decide. The political parties, with representation in parliament, willing to participate in the forthcoming general election, qualify for a berth in the cabinet to oversee what goes on in the elections.

Shape and size are not important so long as it can be “covered” by the Constitution. And the BNP joining in would make the caretaker character of the government above reproach.

So far as the credibility of the election is concerned, voters would determine that, as they did in 1970, when AL won a landslide victory and the NAP, a major all-Pakistan party with a strong foothold in East Pakistan, stayed out of the election process.

Waliul Haque Khondker

Sobuj Momin

Riaz helps his mother collect withered leaves from Dhaka-Mawa Highway November 23

Can’t control my tears when I see this. Surely, Allah has destined something good for them here or in the hereafter.

Nahida Shahrin I am speechless!

Hanif Repon

BNP threatens to paralyse country

President can still play a role

November 23

I thought it was already paralysed due to the politicians in power.

Ruhela Sharmin Choudhury

November 20

I don’t think the president, in spite of his good will, can do anything effective.

Why is the BNP silent about this?

nds

And they want to rule the country? Pathetic.

Mikail Sattar

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEANUTS

CODE-CRACKER ACROSS 1 Female deer (3) 3 Colour (4) 6 Augury (4) 7 Golf mound (3) 9 Lather (4) 10 Neckwear (3) 11 Minute particle (4) 13 Bird (5) 16 Reposes (5) 18 Essential part (4) 19 Lubricant (3) 20 Virtuous (4) 21 Japanese monetary unit (3) 23 Domesticated (4) 24 Precious metal (4) 25 Spoil (3)

Better still they can leave the 56,000 sq miles and go elsewhere, and leave us alone.

Arch Bishop

November 22

Out of all the criticism of the current form of interim government, the author of this article mentioned “the cabinet entries look less like a new government and more like a cabinet reshuffle, which is unlikely to convince the opposition or the public that this is an election-time government.”

Well, that is why the opposition needed to join the interim government. How else can a government appeal to the opposition? For two years, the government has been inviting the opposition for talks. We all saw their role in the parliament and recently also witnessed their response to the prime minister’s personal phone call to the opposition leader. All these criticisms about this government and their intentions, but why don’t BNP or the likes of this author come up with a clear 4 to 5-point or even 10 point demands? What is it that the government can do??

It’s not fair to continuously blame the government for everything. I agree it is the responsibility of the government to unite the country and opposition, but does the opposition get exempt from any responsibility?? I am looking forward for definitive demands, or advice to the government on what else they can do or what it is the opposition wants!

Rather than demanding the return of the caretaker system as only rhetoric, which actually they have opposed before – they themselves rejected the system of the ex-supreme court justice to be the head of the caretaker system – they need to sit for dialogue, rather than destroying the country.

And believe that the role of the civil society and the intellectual community must uphold the responsi-

Not at all surprising! They can say so because Bangladesh is not their country (which has been evident from their actions).

Saki Choudhury

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS Crossword

Sudoku

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Friday, November 29, 2013

Ticfa: Pluses and minuses n Barrister Harun ur Rashid

I

There is no excuse for this

S

T

R

DHAKA TRIBUNE

A

I

G

H

T

T

A

L

K

Enough is enough

T

n Zafar Sobhan he op-ed I was planning to write will have to remain unfinished. It is 7:30pm on Thursday night and news has just recently come in of 19 people burned, four critically, as a passenger bus was torched in the heart of the capital little over an hour ago.

By the time you are reading this, more information will have come to light, possibly more people will have been reported injured, and, most tragic of all, the death count will most likely have begun.

Already 17 people had been killed in the violence on Tuesday and Wednesday, and what this latest atrocity shows is that the end is not in sight.

At a time like this, there is nothing else that it is really possible for me write about. This is not the time to dispassionately discuss the merits of the interim government versus the caretaker government system, the election schedule, or the constitution, or the rights and the wrongs of each party’s position.

There will be time enough to resume debate on those issues in the coming days and weeks. But today we need to focus on the continuing horror that the people of this country are suffering through in the name of political

L

A

R

differences. There can be no question that we are deep in the midst of a crisis that shows no signs of coming to an end any time soon.

It would be easy to lay all the blame for the current carnage at the feet of the opposition, and there can be no question that that is where the lion’s share of the guilt for the recent spate of death and destruction can be found.

It seems axiomatic to me that when you announce that you will cripple transportation in the country that you are responsible when train tracks are subsequently cut and buses firebombed.

argument and we all know it.

The opposition’s entire election strategy hinges on the mayhem that they or their fellow travelers can cause, and the more damage they can cause the country, the stronger their case.

If they didn’t think so, they wouldn’t have undertaken such programs in the first place. So who can believe them now when they cry crocodile tears for the dead and maimed and feign shock and horror at the death count?

The government is in a no-win situation. It surely cannot and indeed

With the tensions at the level they are now, I am not even sure that there is any way back. But before we go beyond the point of no return, let there be a cease-fire between the warring factions

There can be no excuse for unleashing this reign of terror on the Bangladeshi people and nothing can justify what the opposition has put us all through these last few months. They will argue that they have nothing to do with the violence and in any case that they cannot control the criminal element in their ranks or among their associates.

But this is an unconvincing line of

G

E

should not back down in the face of this kind of terrorism, and there can be no other word to adequately describe what it is now contending with. But at the same time, the question remains as to whether it has the moral authority or political legitimacy or indeed even popular support to take the measures needed to bring order and security to the country.

R

T

I think it will have no choice but to come down with an iron hand. But whether crying havoc and letting slip the dogs of war will have the intended result remains to be seen. In the short run, it may lead to even more destruction as the opposition would be sure to go down fighting and the government would need to rely on its own goon squad in addition to law enforcement authorities. It won’t be pretty.

Crucially, restoring order and security might well be a task that is beyond the capability of the law enforcement services, and if the president is forced to declare a state of emergency, then this will by definition throw the upcoming elections into uncertainty and redraw the political landscape in ways that no one wants.

It should never have come to this.

With the tensions at the level they are now, I am not even sure that there is any way back. But before we go beyond the point of no return, let there be a cease-fire between the warring factions, and let us take one last shot at reaching a political compromise.

It may already be too late and certainly any compromise would be distasteful to either side. But the alternative is what we are living through today, or worse. l Zafar Sobhan is the Editor, Dhaka Tribune.

H

A

t is reported that Bangladesh has signed the Trade and Investment Co-operation Framework Agreement (Ticfa) with the US in Washington DC on November 25. Bangladesh Commerce Secretary and Deputy USTR Wendy Cutler signed it on behalf of their countries. The Bangladesh cabinet endorsed Ticfa in June after negotiating with Washington for almost a decade.

The Ticfa is not a binding contract.

It is a framework for establishing a forum between the US and Bangladesh to tap business and investment potentials of both countries. Bilateral meetings will be held once a year between the two governments under this institutional platform The agreement emphasises on prohibition of protectionist trade policies, and in the 16-parargraph preamble, the protection of intellectual property rights, the role of the international anti-corruption convention and its importance, the protection of labour rights (including in the EPZ areas) and WTO commitments of both countries are stipulated It cannot be denied that Bangladesh seeks trade and investment from the US and other countries. Most economists say that investment up to 34% of the GDP (currently GDP of Bangladesh stands at $130 billion) is needed in the next three to five years to cut poverty and to become a middle-income country by 2021. In this respect, private international capital flows, particularly foreign direct investment (FDI) are vital complements to national development efforts.

During the last 42 years, as per the latest Bangladesh Bank survey report, foreign direct investment (FDI) from the US stands in 7th position with $25.6 million in January-June 2012.

Majority of the FDI came in the gas and petroleum sectors ($13.5 million) followed by banking ($8.9 million).

To promote trade and attract investment from the US, it is desirable to have an institutional bilateral forum in which both sides at least annually can sit to explore the potentials for furthering trade and investment in Bangladesh.

In its absence, the US argues that trade and investment to Bangladesh will be slow. They also argue that they have established such bilateral forums with many countries including Sri Lanka.

According to some economists, the Ticfa will: Work to remove impediments to bilateral trade and investment, increase US investment, promote technological know-how in Bangladesh, promote labour rights according to ILO standards, and make efforts to curb corruption.

Those who are in favour of this agreement argue that there needs to be a forum where the two countries may discuss trade-related and investment issues on a regular basis, and it is up to the skill and capacity of negotiators

N

L

of Bangladesh how to get favourable facilities from the US. The US cannot unilaterally impose unfavourable facilities on Bangladesh.

It is amply demonstrated that since 2002, the agreement was under negotiation with Bangladesh and the US has to change the name of Tifa to Ticfa in case of Bangladesh.

It is reported that both parties are to meet in January in Dhaka to discuss the future course of US investment and trade-related issues. Bangladesh may also raise the duty-free and quota-free entry of ready made garments to the US market. The suspension by the US of GSP facilities to Bangladesh will come up in December but if the decision is negative then this issue will also come up for discussion in the January meeting.

If Washington provides Bangladesh the duty-free and quota-free access to its products enjoyed by more than 30 other “least developed countries,” the US would at a stroke contribute more to economic security and women’s empowerment than it has with years of aid shipments. There is no guarantee in the Ticfa regarding duty-free access of garments to the US.

The Ticfa is not a binding contract. It is a framework for establishing a forum between the US and Bangladesh

With regard to trade with the US, during the fiscal year 2011-12 the bilateral trade volume was reported to be $5.8 billion with the second-highest position with a trade surplus of $4.4 billion, constituting 25% of total exports and imported from the US goods worth about $1.09 billion. The balance of trade is heavily in Bangladesh’s favour.

Despite being a LDC, it is noted Bangladeshi garment exporters continue to pay about 15.3% duties to the US. It is reported that in 2012, these tariffs have yielded Washington $749.7 million from Bangladesh which pays more to the US as duties than it gets aid annually from the US. China and France pay much less tariffs (5%) for their goods to the US. It sounds illogical but it is true.

The word “trade” occurs in the Ticfa title, but it seems, the US has given more emphasis on services sector in which the private sector of the US is interested to invest in Bangladesh.

This remains a concern to Bangladesh investors. In Bangladesh economy services sector plays a significant role and at present this sector constitutes 49% of the economy.

Critics allege that Bangladesh has signed TICFA this time to please the US and it is a politically motivated decision ahead of the polls in the country.

Barrister Harun ur Rashid is former Bangladesh ambassador to the UN, Geneva.

I

F

In a television jungle n Ekram Kabir

A

wise man once said: “Trees are beautiful, but too many trees make a jungle.” This saying has been respected by everyone in every country, in every era. That, we believe, is normal. Any possible deviation from this course becomes a messy affair in everything we try to accomplish.

This is exactly what popped up in our minds when we read the news of more new private television channels being allowed to operate in the Bangladesh media world. And that too, in political consideration. A few businessmen did get a few licences, but most of the permissions were given to politically active persons.

A friend of mine has a different view. He says this jungle will take the shape of a beautiful forest when there will be tough competition centring on content It’s nothing short of a piece of good news that Bangladesh is opening up to the world as far as the media is concerned, especially the broadcast media.

Anyone in this country has the right to acquire a licence for a TV channel.

Information on and about Bangladesh would be disseminated across the world. True. But when “only” ministers, junior ministers, political advisers and political workers get to succeed

in acquiring licences for TV channels, questions are asked.

Here’s the question: “Why doesn’t the government issue TV licences to the professionals, for that matter, to the journalists?” The answer, perhaps, is quite simple: “Because the ‘poor journalists’ don’t have the means to make a TV channel up and running.”

“Hey, you! Poor (service holder) journalist, you wouldn’t ever have the wealth to launch a TV channel that would cost more than Tk100m! Shut up and do your job, and let us run the media business!”

This exactly would, perhaps, be the reply to journalists who’d seek a TV licence. Only a few professionals have succeeded to get such clearances: Channel i, Ekattor TV, and Shomoy TV. They, perhaps, succeeded as they got lucky and possibly had some “connections” with the political machinery.

That’s how the number of TV channels in this 55-square-kilometre area became more than one score, of which, four broadcast news, and the rest air both news and entertainment programs. There’s one more getting ready for a 24/7 news operation and one for programs in mixed nature.

But when the number of channels is about 35 or more, what would they do?

Two/three more news channels, and ten/eleven program channels? What different things would the news channels broadcast? And what would we watch on the news+program channels?

terials would suffer and along with it, the audience would surely suffer.

However, apart from this restive period for our TV channels, our industry has grown to a great proportion. When we first started working for Ekushey TV about 13 years back, no one had imagined our industry would grow like this.

Anyone in this country has the right to acquire a licence for a TV channel. But when ‘only’ ministers, junior ministers, political advisers and political workers get to succeed in acquiring licences for TV channels, questions are asked

As far as airing the programs is concerned, there’s hardly anything new.

When someone launches a program with a different nature, everyone keeps no stone unturned to copy it. So, we’re not showing much creativity in generating interesting stuff. The fortunate persons who are getting licences are hardly considering a new type of TV channel, say a full-time education TV or a channel on environmental issues. Specialised TV, we believe, would excel in Bangladesh.

Then comes the question of human resources in the 35+ TV channels. The

existing TV channels are already struck with the human resources problem, as the number of journalists/workers doesn’t match the number of stations.

Respective stations have been trying hard to keep their staff as the new channels are trying to hire them.

So, we see that creating a pool of human resources is also important along with allowing more licences for TV stations. Many would say that once they go on air, they would create their own human resources by training them up. Maybe it’s true, but in the process, the quality of broadcast ma-

We’re now crossing our boyhood and we hope the TV media is likely to grow further with many more interesting things to watch on air. But we need to overcome the problem of lack of watchable content. And more channels going on air would make the situation messier.

But a friend of mine has a different view. He says this jungle will take the shape of a beautiful forest when there will be tough competition centring on content. He thinks only the ones with quality and credibility would survive, and the rest would perish, and only then, it would become a nice garden.

I also hope so. l Ekram Kabir is Executive Editor of Natunbarta.com.

E

12

Entertainment

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Friday, November 29, 2013

BENGAL CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 2013 Today’s Indian artistes

Bangladeshi artistes in focus

Vidushi Alarmel Valli

Pandit Purbayan Chatterjee

Recipient of awards such as Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, the Grande Medaille de la Ville de Paris Award and many others, graceful dancer Vidushi Alarmel Valli will present Bharatnatyam tonight. In last year’s Bengal Classical Music Festival, she presented four dance pieces and her performance brought an exquisitely heightened dimension to the show.

Sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee is noted for melding traditional Indian classical music with contemporary world music genres. At the age of 15, he received the President of India Award for Best Instrumentalist. He has also received the Aditya Vikram Birla Award for Excellence. Chatterjee has also been honored with the Rasoi Award by Rotary International in 1995.

Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty’s list of awards and honors is monumental. He is the first Fellow to have received a Gold Medal from ITC-SRA, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000, the Padma Shri Award in 2011 and he was also the first recipient of the Kumar Gandharva Award for the Best Musician of India under 45. His performance last year on the same platform made a strong bond between him and the audience of Bangladesh and undoubtedly he is one of the major attractions of tonight’s show.

Saket Sahu

Winner of ITC Sangeet Research Academy Promising Artistes award in 2007, young violin player Saket Sahu is all set to enthrall Dhaka audience here in the second day of the festival today. Recipient of a number of awards, Sahu joined the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in May 2009 as a disciple of Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty under whom he is mastering the gayaki ang.

Ustad Rais Khan Veteran sitarist Ustad Rais Khan is a direct descendant, through thirty generations, of the court musician to the Mughal Emperor in the 15th century. By the age of nine he became an established artist of Hindustani classical music. Khan’s compelling presence and a unique and inimitable style of playing has captivated audiences all over the world. Ustad Rais Khan has also been involved with the Indian Film music industry for nearly 30 years.

Vidushi Bombay Jayashri

Born into a distinguished family of musicians, Carnatic vocal Bombay Jayashri Ramnath represents the fourth generation of music practitioners in her family. Jayashri has the rare privilege of being the first Carnatic classical performer in the Opera House in Durban and the Russian Opera House in Helsinki, Finland. In 2013 she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in the film Life of Pi. Her illustrious background promises to give a mesmerising performance tonight.

TODAY IN DHAKA Film

Pacific Rim in 3D Purno dhorgho prem kahini Riddick The Conjuring Titanic (3D) Level 8, Bashundhara City Panthapath

Exhibition

Very Graphic: The Art of Storytelling in Graphic Detail Group Exhibition Time:12pm – 6pm Bengal Art Lounge 60 Gulshan Avenue Gulshan 1

Theatre

Troupe Prangonemor’s 10 year celebration ‘Droho Prem Nari’ Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm Dance and Music Centre Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Shegunbagicha

ON TV COMEDY 2:30pm Comedy Central Anger Management

8:30pm Star World The Neighbours

Adharer Oboshan airs today n Entertainment Desk Telefilm Adharer Oboshan will air today at 2:35pm on NTV. Written by Maruf Rahman and directed by Mahfuz Ahmed, the telefilm features Mahfuz Ahmed, Nipun, Arsha, Rakhi and many more. The story opens with a business tycoon, Sakib who wakes up at midnight and sees a man having same physical features of himself sitting in

front of him. Sakib was shocked to see his mirror image.

He discovers the person looks like him, but he is wearing cheap clothes and is quite clumsy in nature. The replica of Sakib talks to him about different subjects. But, Sakib does not see the man when he is surrounded by people, he appears only when Sakib is alone. Sakib’s life gets scattered after the arrival of his doppelganger. l

DRAMA 8:30pm Colors Balika Vadhu

9:30pm Star Plus

Diya aur bati hum

MISC 10:30am Vh1

American Music Awards 2013

9:30pm AXN Top Gear

SI Tutul and band Dhrubotara to perform at IGCC n

Entertainment Desk

Renowned singer, song-writer and Bangladeshi music composer, SI Tutul and his band Dhrubotara will perform at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Gulshan today at 6:30pm. The programme is organised by IGCC in association with Asian Paints, IRCON and Marico Bangladesh.

SI Tutul is a prominent exponent of the songs in contemporary genres. He started his musical career at a young age and has written and composed music for most of his songs. In 2005, he gained nationwide popularity for his songs in the much-acclaimed film Bachelor. In particular, the song Keu Prem Kore which was composed and sung by him, was a big hit.

Tutul was awarded the National Award as the best music director for the film Daruchini Dip in 2007. He again won the National Award in 2010 as the best male playback singer for the song Bukeri Bhetore Joton Koria. Tutul also composed music for the song Amar Majhe Nei Ekhon Ami for which

renowned singers Samina Chowdhury and Asif Akbar won the National Film Award. He was also awarded at the International Film Festival in Chennai in 2006 for his music composition for the film Nirontor. He has been hailed by Channel i as “Shurer Karigor.”

Internationally, Tutul has performed all around the world in countries such as USA, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan, Bangkok, Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain, among others. l

Music

Tribute to U2 by Nemesis Time: 7pm – 9pm Red Shift Coffee Lounge Radius Centre 5th Floor, Bay’s Galleria 57 Gulshan Avenue Gulshan

We will get a better generation with better taste: Asit Dey n Saddam Hossain Hriyad Àsit Dey was born in 1966 in Mymensingh. His days in music started back in his early childhood, His father Pandit Mithun Dey, a renowned classical vocalist (Gwalior Gharana) and tabla player (Farrukabad and Benaras Gharana), introduced him to it. In his teenage years, recordings by Ustad Amir Khan playing over the Akashvani radio mesmerized him. Later, his passion for music took him to Delhi-based Shri Ram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, where he started vocal training to Srimati Shanti Sharma. His performances earned him a seat under the tutelage of Pandit Amarnath, the foremost disciple of maestro Ustad Amir Khan. Now, he teaches Hindustani classical vocal at Chhayanaut and in the Department of Music at the University of Development Alternative (UODA) in Dhaka.

What are you going to perform today?

I have not yet decided which raga I will perform. There will be a violin performance before my part. So I will be doing something in synchronisation so that the harmony doesn’t get off. Also the mood of the night will help me decide. What I thought is I might be playing something among raga Yeaman or Purya-Kalyan.

Badal Chowdhury will be playing tabla and Bijon Chandra Mistry will be on harmonium with me.

How do you prepare, your voice I mean?

Well, the seasons are changing. So I need to stay alert and take extra care of my voice so that I can perform my best.

What is your evaluation on the audience of classical music in Bangladesh?

The audience here haven’t yet made an ear for classical music. But things are gradually improving recently. Pro-

Asit Dey

SADIA MARIUM

grammes are regularly being organised now-a-days. Yet this Bengal Classical Music Festival is really grand. In fact, it’s one of the biggest ones in the world now. Such shows have an appeal and a regular continuation will help building a strong audience base. Their hunger for good music will increase and that will affect the musicians to stretch their limits.

Overall we will get a better generation with better taste.

If you are requested to advise one suggestion to change the scenario here, what would you suggest?

I would suggest for a Government directive, through relevant ministries, to allot mandatory air-time for at least 30 minutes of classical music every week in each television and radio channel. If that can be done, nothing more will be needed to alternate the scenario. Listening to good music will shape the demand for such music. And the ailing genre will get a new life. l

Aranyak to premiere Swapnopothik today n Entertainment Desk Popular theatre troupe Aranyak will premiere its newest play Swapnopothik today at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at 7pm.

The touching play is based on the Savar tragedy that snatched normalcy from the lives of a staggering number of people. Key factors that led to the tragedy will be shown through performances, set in the backdrop of the innovative set design and a heartwarming script.

The misdemeanors of factory owners who built illegal death traps, politicians bribed to look the other way and large retailers hiding behind policies that deem them untouchable are portrayed in the production. The tragic tale of the victims, their rescue and the role of police and media will also be shown in an adept manner.

The play is written by Harun Rashid and directed by thespian Mamunur Rashid. Thandu Raihan is the light designer of the production, set designing

was done by Foyez Zahir and renowned dancer Warda Rihab, who is the director of Dhriti Nartanalaya, is in charge of the choreography. The cast of the production is comprised of popular theatre actors Mamunur Rashid, Momena Chowdhury, Tamalika Karmaker,

Arif Ahmed Apel, Abu Hasib Masuduzzaman, Chitra Chobi, Shaju, Kamrul, Monir Zaman. Almost fifty actors of Aranyak will act in the massive production that tells a heartbreaking tale of the incident that brought devastation and loss upon thousands of life. l

MSNBC cancelles Alec Baldwin’s show n Entertainment Desk Following a confrontation with paparazzi outside of his New York City home—allegedly swearing at a paparazzo using slangs offensive towards gay people — MSNBC suspended Alec Baldwin’s show, and now they have cancelled it.

A source at MSNBC said: “The decision has been made. He’s gone. The [parent company] Comcast guys have decided. Word is spreading through the building.”

The tabloid also listed off other reasons he was allegedly dismissed— one source claims he insisted on taking over a makeup room “being used by a woman with cancer who is sensitive to hairspray.

When Baldwin was told he couldn’t have his way, he allegedly bellowed at the top of his lungs, ‘I don’t give a fuck if she has cancer or not, I want that fucking makeup room.’”

While talking about the cancellation, Bald-

win states: “There’s nothing you can do when you get thrown in this washing machine, nothing. You know?

Nothing. All you end up doing is just defending yourself all day long.”

Regarding today’s Post story, Baldwin said, “People who I worked with that I cared about— these people were all very supportive of the show.

Now there was somebody on

the staff who I did not want to work with. There was somebody on the staff who I thought wasn’t a good fit for me. And I wouldn’t rule out if that person went to the Post and gave them that story. These stories with the Post, the way they work, they have to have some kernel of truth. So if I complained, as I did, I said to them... I didn’t ask for a humidifier, I asked for humidification. So we had a day where... my voice would crack, it was heavily air conditioned, I found it tough to talk. I did not demand someone put a humidifier in. And the woman using that dressing room, I was told she’s allergic to some chemical, no one ever ever ever said to me that somebody had cancer, and I never said ‘I don’t give a fuck...’”

Baldwin also spoke at length about MSNBC and the future of his podcast (or rather, the end of his podcast).l

Did you know?

In defeating CSKA Moscow, Bayern Munich have become the first team in Champions League history to win 10 games in a row

Sport

Friday, November 29, 2013

14 Fans don Ronaldo masks to support Ballon d’Or bid

14 World Cup stadium death may force delay

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

15 Reformed Stokes ready for England call

Federation Cup quarters bodily shifted

KEY PAIRS FOR THE CONTENDERS

FILE PHOTOS

n Shishir Hoque

Gazi Tank will be looking forward to their all-round combination of Dutch cricketer Ryan ten Doeschate and Mahmudullah while (R) Mominul Haque and English Dawid Malan remain the key batting pair for Prime Doleshwar

The first quarterfinal of the Walton Federation Cup between Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Mohammedan Sporting Club yesterday was postponed due to security concern and instead the match, which promises to be a thrilling encounter, was bodily shifted to today.

All the quarterfinal fixtures were bodily shifted meaning the latest powerhouse Sheikh Jamal and Mohammedan will face eachother today at 5:00pm.

The second quarterfinal between Abahani Limited and Soccer Club Feni will be held on Saturday same time.

It was learnt that the law enforcers refused to provide the security for the game after the countrywide ongoing blockade was extended to 5am on Friday. Earlier, the blockade was supposed to end at 5pm on Thursday. The law enforcers said to BFF that they had to be involved in other activities including extensive security for the President’s house and they don’t have enough force to provide security for Bangabandhu National Stadium.

As the game was between traditional crowd-pullers Mohammedan and new Bangladesh Premier League powerhouse Sheikh Jamal, a good number of crowds were seen gathering around the stadium to watch the game who didn’t know the game had been postponed.

“The blockade was supposed to end at 5pm today (Thursday), but it was later extended to Friday which we were informed at around 11-12pm yesterday (Wednesday). Today we talked to police and came to the decision that the game should be postponed,” said BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag.

“The Dhaka Metropoliton Police agreed to give maximum five or six policemen to ensure the security, but it was not enough to ensure the protection at the stadium,” added Shohag. l

Gazi, Doleshwar fight for DPL glory

Bangladesh ranked 156th

n Mazhar Uddin

Despite not playing a single game last month, Bangladesh jumped six places to 156th in the latest Fifa/Coca-Cola World Ranking published on Thursday.

Bangladesh were ranked 166th in September following a dismal performance in the Saff Championship where they crashed out from the group stage.

They were 162nd last month, but despite not playing a game since then, they climbed six places up to 156th ahead of Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Saff champions Afghanistan also climbed four places to 129th – the highest ranking for a South Asian team. India and Maldives jumped six and eight places respectively to sit at 148th and 149th.

Nepal are 165th, Sri Lanka 108th and Pakistan 167th in the latest rankings.l

The final match of the Walton Dhaka Premier League (DPL) between Gazi Tank and Prime Doleshwar turned out to be a decider for the league title at the Mirpur Shere-Bangla National Stadium today with both teams having 20 points after fourteen matches.

Two other matches will also be played as Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club take on Kalabagan CA played at the BKSP 2 ground while Mohammedan Sporting Club face Prime Bank CC at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.

The last few matches of the su-

BCB names U-19 squad n Minhaz Uddin Khan A 14-member Under-19 squad for the upcoming Youth ODI series against West Indies U-19 at home was announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board yesterday. The visitors will reach Dhaka on December 2 and play seven Youth ODIs in their 19-day tour.

The series will begin at Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS) on December 6 while the board plans to hold the third ODI at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar given the venue is ready. The selected cricketers are asked to report to the Sahara-BCB NCA by today evening. l

SQUAD Mehedy Hassan (Capt), Jasimuddin (WK), Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Mosaddek Hossain, Saeed Sarkar, Joyraj Sheik, Abu Hider, Rifat Pradhan, Mustafizur Rahman, Nihad-UzZaman, Jubair Hossain, Rahatul Ferdous.

Stand-by Zakir Hasan, Sifat Islam, Nahid Hasan, Prosenjit Das, Munim Shahriar, Md Sumon

per league stage created much drama as Gazi Tank looked set to clinch the league but lost to Mohammedan by 54 runs in their last match while Doleshwar won their match against Kalabagan CA to keep their hopes alive.

Gazi Tank looked dominant right from the start of the league while Doleshwar’s total team effort helped them to reach the top. However, Gazi skipper Mahmudullah is confident of winning the match but is wary about the Doleshwar side. “They are a good side, but if we can play to our reputations, we can surely win the match and the title,” he said.

There were a few injury concerns for Gazi Tank. Their leading wickettaker Arafat Sunny and the in-form Af-

tab Ahmed are suffering from injuries but the captain said both would be fit to play, “We had some injury concerns earlier with Sunny and Aftab but right

SUPER LEAGUE Teams Gazi Tank Prime DSC Sheikh Jamal Mohammedan Kalabagan CA Prime Bank

M W L N/R Pts RR 14 10 4 0 20 +0.563 14 10 4 0 20 +0.389 14 9 5 0 18 +0.650 14 9 5 0 18 -0.332 14 6 7 1 13 -0.766 14 6 8 0 12 +0.398

now they are fit and will play in the next match.”

Gazi Tank will be looking for inspiration from their skipper Mahmudullah, who smashed a hundred in their last

match, and their two foreign recruits, England’s Eion Morgan and Netherland’s Ryan ten Doeschate.

Doleshwar captain national discard Farhad Reza will be relying on national players Mominul Haque and Sohag Gazi as well as English cricketer Dawid Malan, who smashed century against Mohammedan in their last match.

“Our main strength is our team spirit and unity. Gazi Tank is a big team on papers and I have full respect for them but on our day, we can beat any side,” said Farhad.

Meanwhile national skipper Mushfiqur Rahim will be looking to finish the league on a high for Sheikh Jamal after performing well in the super league, with useful batting contributions in al-

most every game. On the other hand, Kalabagan CA, who surprised everyone by reaching the super six stage, will look to their youngsters at the BKSP 2 ground today.

Mohammedan will also look to finish the league with a win and with national pacer MashrafeMortaza, inform English cricketer Samit Patel and Sri Lankan batsman Upul Tharanga in their ranks, they have reason to be confident.

Meanwhile Prime Bank who played good cricket to reach the super six phase, failed to impress in the second round and will rely on English cricketer Ravi Bopara and the young Taibur Parvez to finish the league with a bang at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium. l

n Tribune Sports Desk

Saff Congress in Dhaka next year

Minister promises to resolve hockey crisis

n Shishir Hoque

State minister for youth and sports Mujibul Haque Chunnu yesterday assured Bangladesh Hockey Federation officials he would take the necessary steps to solve the problems facing them.

The executive committee of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation met the minister at his secretariat office and exchanged views about the present situation of Dhaka hockey.

Dhaka Mohammedan, Mariner Young’s, Wari and Bangladesh Sporting have refrained from taking part in any hockey activities in protest of the election that took place four months ago. Previously, they also refrained from contesting the elections over a number of issues and absented themselves from the premier division hockey league players’ transfers.

Khwaja Rahmatullah, the general secretary of the federation, said that all details of what has transpired since he took the job of secretary of the

The next Congress of the South Asian Football Federation (Saff ) will be held in Dhaka in mid February next year 2014, informed Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag yesterday.

It is expected that BFF president Kazi Salahuddin is set to retain the Saff presidency for the next four years and the decision is likely to be finalised during the congress.

The new schedule of Saff Congress in Dhaka was finalised in the Saff executive committee meeting held in Kuala Lumpur on November 24. Last time the Saff congress was held in Dhaka was in October 2009 where Salahuddin became the Saff president succeeding Ganesh Thapa, the president of All Nepal Football Association.

There will also be few changes in the executive committee of Saff as the vice-president posts will be extended

from two to three.

“The next Saff Congress will be held in Dhaka at the middle of February (2014). There could be three vice presidents in Saff. With president, three vice-president and 8 members from Saff countries there will be a 12-member committee,” informed Abu Nayeem Shohag yesterday.

As no one from the other eight Saff countries have yet expressed an interest in seeking the president post, Kazi Salahuddin is most likely to retain his post.

“There is yet no contender against him (Kazi Salahuddin) for the president post. So, I hope he will be re-elected as Saff president again,” added Shohag.

Meanwhile, if another contender were to appear by this time, the eight countries would vote, but if Salahuddin runs unopposed there will be no need for an election. Salahuddin was elected Saff president as an unopposed candidate in 2009. l

BHF executive committee met the newly appointed minister ad-hoc committee were submitted through the quota of National Sports n Raihan Mahmood to the minister. “We told him all the Council. possible details of how the ad-hoc committee ran the federation and later how the election took place, why the players were suspended. We also informed him that the majority of the We also informed him that the majority of the clubs have completed the players’ transfers.

He listened and assured us of taking the necessary steps to reach a proper solution. He may call both the parties within a few days clubs have completed the players’ transfers. He listened and assured us of taking the necessary steps to reach a proper solution. He may call both the parties within a few days,” said Rahmatullah.

Rahmatullah added that the dissident clubs have the options of those affiliated with the hockey federation executive committee

“There are two quotas of the members in the executive committee for the National Sports Council. I have asked the minister to provide those to the clubs who have declined to take part in the transfers,” he said.

However, Rahmatullah also tipped the minister about the consequence of dissolving an elected committee. “I told him that it would be same scenario if the elected committee is dissolved and an ad-hoc committee is installed in the federation. Who would guarantee that the clubs, who are now preparing to play in the premier league, will not boycott the ad-hoc committee?”

On Wednesday, officials from the four dissenting club and a number of national players who were suspended by the federation on disciplinary grounds met the newly appointed state minister for youth and placed their demands of dissolving the existing executive committee of the federation. l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Friday, November 29, 2013

ROONEY

VIDAL

BALE

IBRAHIMOVIC

AGUERO

BIG NAMES CARRY THEIR TEAMS

Goal frenzy as Real, United, PSG all advance n Reuters, London Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris St Germain reached the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday on a night when the goals flowed all over Europe with United the highest scorers in a 5-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen.

Real, Shakhtar Donetsk and Manchester City all scored four as 36 goals went in and the last 16 began to take shape with half the qualifiers known with one round of matches to play.

Real, United and PSG joined already qualified Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in the knockout stages.

Juventus, Benfica and Shakhtar all boosted their chances of joining them with the final round of matches to be played on Dec.10 and 11.

Holders Bayern, assured of their last16 place before Wednesday’s Group D matches, set a Champions League record of 10 successive wins with a 3-1 victory at CSKA Moscow which beat the record of nine established by Barcelona in 2002-03. Bayern won in the wintry Russian capital with goals from Arjen Robben, Mario Goetze and a Thomas Mueller penalty.

“Playing on this pitch today was a bit adventurous,” coach Pep Guardiola said when asked about the snow.

“It was difficult because the players had no grip, But over 90 minutes we were better than our opponents. Getting 10 wins in a row is very hard and I am proud of my players, the club and everyone involved.”

In warmer conditions in Madrid, Gareth Bale, the world’s most expensive player, opened the scoring with a stunning free kick in a 4-1 triumph over Galatasaray that ensured record nine-times European champions Real took top spot in Group B. Real were without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo but were too strong for the Turkish side even though defender Sergio Ramos was dismissed before halftime, the 17th red card of his Real career.

Coincidentally, Real also reached the knockout stage for the 17th successive season.

Juventus moved from bottom spot to second in the same group with a 3-1 win over FC Copenhagen in Turin, Arturo Vidal scoring a hat-trick that included two penalties.

“Its the first time I have scored three goals in a match in my career so I’m happy especially because we won,” the Chilean said.

The win moved Juve onto six points and they will advance if they avoid defeat at Galatasaray, who have four points, in their final match.

Manchester United scored their biggest away win in the Champions League by crushing Leverkusen 5-0 in Group A

with goals from Antonio Valencia, an own goal from Emir Spahic, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Nani.

Although he did not score, Wayne Rooney was outstanding while Ryan Giggs, two days before his 40th birthday, was also hugely impressive.

Giggs told Sky Sports: “It was a bonus to score five away from home. The front four were really quick and I am

still really enjoying it.”

Leverkusen slipped from second to third due to Shakhtar’s 4-0 victory over bottom club Real Sociedad.

Shakhtar, who have eight points, go to United in their last game on Dec. 10 while Leverkusen, who have seven

points, visit Sociedad, bottom and out of Europe altogether with one.

Leverkusen can still qualify if they beat Sociedad and Shakhtar fail to defeat United at Old Trafford.

Paris St Germain also made it through by beating Olympiakos Piraeus 2-1 in France after Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave them the lead with an early goal on his 100th Champions League appearance.

The match appeared to be going away from PSG when Marco Verratti was sent off early in the second half and Kostas Manolas equalised for the visitors with nine minutes left.

But Edinson Cavani sealed the win with an emphatic drive in the 90th minute to lift PSG on to 13 points.

While PSG were securing top spot in Group C, Benfica improved their chances in the same section with a late winner in a 3-2 victory at Anderlecht that took them up to seven, the same as Olympiakos.

The game swung both ways with Chancel Mbemba giving Anderlecht an early lead before he put through his own net seven minutes into the second half to put Benfica 2-1 up.

Anderlecht made it 2-2 with time running out which left Benfica facing the exit door until Rodrigo, who came on as an 87th minute substitute, hit the winner two minutes later.

Benfica can now qualify if their result in their last match at home to PSG is better than Olympiakos’s against Anderlecht.

Manchester City, who like Bayern had qualified before Wednesday’s games, beat Viktoria Plzen 4-2 thanks to two late goals from Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko.

Plzen had twice levelled on a night that ended with City scoring four to complete a remarkable scoring sequence at home with three, four, five, six and seven goals in their last five matches at the Etihad Stadium - albeit not in order. l

RESULTS

4-0

Real Sociedad

0-5

Man United

Juventus

3-1

FC Copenhagen

Real Madrid

4-1

Galatasaray

Anderlecht

2-3

PSG

2-1

Olympiakos

CSKA Moscow

1-3

Bayern Munich

Man City

4-2

Shakhtar

Adriano 37, Teixeira 48, Costa 68, 87

Leverkusen

Valencia 22, Spahic 30-og, Evans 65, Smalling 77, Nani 88

Vidal 29-p, 61-p, 63 Bale 37, Arbeloa 51, Di Maria 63, Isco 80 Mbemba 18, Bruno 77

Ibrahimovic 7, Cavani 90 Honda 62-p

Aguero 33-p, Nasri 65, Negredo 78, Dzeko 89

Mellberg 56 Bulut 38

Benfica

Matic 34, Rodri 90, Mbemba 52-og, Manolas 80

Robben 17, Goetze 56, Muller 65-p

Viktoria Plzen

Horava 43, Tecl 69

WC stadium death may force delay

Malaysian player accused of signing n AFP, Sao Paulo for two clubs n Reuters

Real Madrid's supporters display a giant banner depicting Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo to support his candidacy for the Golden Ball prior to the UEFA Champions League football match against Galatasaray SK at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday AFP

Fans don Ronaldo masks to support Ballon d’Or bid n AFP, Madrid Thousands of Real Madrid fans donned masks depicting the face of Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of their match with Galatasaray on Wednesday to support the Portuguese star’s bid to win the Ballon d’Or for the second time.

Supporters also held up a huge banner at the northern end of the Santiago Bernabeu saying “Cristiano Ronaldo, Ballon d’Or” alongside an image of the player’s face. The display comes in the wake of comments from FIFA president Sepp Blatter in which he described Ronaldo as a “commander” and mocked his demeanour on the field, whilst also saying he personally preferred Barcelona’s Lionel Messi as a player.

Those comments were met with consternation in Madrid, not least from Ronaldo himself who described the

comments as showing “the respect and consideration that FIFA has for me, for my club and my country.”

Ronaldo was not involved on the field for the first time this season as he sat the game out due to a slight muscle strain.

The injury is the only thing that has been able to stop his incredible goalscoring form this season as he has netted 32 times in 22 games for club and country.

That record has made him favourite to be crowned World Player of the Year come January, particularly since FIFA extended the closing date for votes to be cast by two weeks until this Friday, November 29.

Ronaldo won the award in 2008 after guiding Manchester United to Champions League glory, but has finished behind Messi in the voting every year since making his world record breaking move to Madrid four years ago.l

Malaysian club Selangor want stern action taken against Nazri Ahmad, who they claim signed for them 10 days ago only to see the defender join Super League rivals Kelantan on Monday.

The Selangor FA (FAS) said they had lodged a complaint with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) over the issue, with local media saying the player could face a one-year ban if found guilty of signing for both sides.

Kelantan said the 23-year-old had told them he had not signed for Selangor, who no longer want the fullback but are keen to see FAM hand out a punishment to prevent a repeat of the situation.

“We signed him for 18,000 Malaysian Ringgit ($5,600) a month salary and he was supposed to report for training on Sunday,” FAS secretary Rosman Mohd Ibrahim told the New Straits Times.

“We have handed the necessary documents, including the contract, as evidence to FAM. We are angry with Nazri and we no longer need him for next season. We, however, want FAM to take stern action against him as a lesson to others.”

FAM general-secretary Datuk Hamidin Mohd Ahmad said the case would be investigated by their players’ status committee.

Kelantan FA secretary Azman Ibrahim told the paper that FAM should do more to educate players about the issue but were adamant Nazri, the former Malaysian under-21 international who played on loan at Selangor in 2011, had not broken any rules.l

The fatal accident at a Brazilian World Cup stadium could mean that it misses a December 31 deadline for completion, authorities warned Wednesday.

Two workers died after a crane toppled over at Sao Paulo’s Itaquerao Stadium on Wednesday, the venue for the opening match of the 2014 World Cup finals.

Football’s world governing body FIFA has said all along that all 12 arenas hosting games for the first World Cup to be held in Brazil since 1950 must be ready by the end of the year.

And although lead contractor Odebrecht insisted Wednesday that the accident had not “compromised” the stadium’s structural integrity, others insisted safety now had to come be-

fore deadlines. Andres Sanchez, former chairman of Corinthians club, which owns the stadium, said the work could now face a delay.

“I don’t want to know about (FIFA), or anything else,” Sanchez said.

“We are worried about the families” of the victims, said Sanchez in response to reporters’ questions on whether the works completion calendar would be affected.

An AFP photographer at the scene saw the extent of the damage after a crane hoisting a 500-ton metallic piece to the top of the roof collapsed on part of the stand and a huge LED panel.

Civil defense officials said work on 30 percent of the site would be stopped, throwing the completion date into doubt at a site which Odebrecht said earlier this month was 94 percent com-

plete. The Sao Paulo state prosecutor opened an investigation which it prefaced by saying that work would be halted “if technical elements indicate it is necessary to suspend them.”

FIFA has said all along that the December 31 World Cup deadline is nonnegotiable.

The Sintrapav construction workers union called for an immediate halt to work pending the outcome of the investigation.

“This is the third accident in the past few months things have gone too far. It cannot be tolerated,” union chairman Antonio Bekeredjian told AFP. In June 2012 a 21-year-old stadium worker fell to his death at the new arena in the capital Brasilia and last March another death occurred at the Amazonas Arena in Manaus in the north. l

Fifa confirms South Africa’s friendly win over Spain n Reuters

Workers stare at damages after a crane fell across part of the metallic structure at the Arena de Sao Paulo stadium, still under construction, on Wednesday AFP

South Africa’s friendly win over Spain last week will be considered a full international despite the world and European champions fielding more than the permitted number of substitutes, soccer’s governing body Fifa said yesterday.

“Fifa can confirm that the South Africa-Spain friendly match ... remains an ‘A’ international, despite the fact that Spain allegedly used more than the maximum of six substitutes that the laws of the game stipulate can be used for such a match,” said Fifa in a statement. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

15

Friday, November 29, 2013

England set for more ‘chatter’ in Alice Springs

QUICK BYTES

Indifferent start for Siddikur Siddikur Rahman failed to start the Indonesia Open on a good note after the Bangladeshi golfer posted an equal-par 71 to share 43rd spot on the opening day at the Pantai Indah Kapuk course yesterday. After representing his country for the first time in World Cup Golf last week, Siddikur began the day in style with a birdie on the first and fourth holes, but then lost his way and carded three bogeys before carding a birdie on the 14th hole to keep his score on equal-par at the US$750,000 event.

Meanwhile, Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar charged into a two-shot lead after shooting an opening seven-under-par 64, in the country where he won his first Asian Tour title in 2009. Young guns Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand and Nicholas Fung of Malaysia, who finished tied fifth in the Philippines two weeks ago, continued to shine as they stayed two shots behind from Bhullar.

–Tribune Desk

n Reuters, Melbourne

Waly loses newborn New born boy of Abahani Limited’s national defender Waly Faisal passed away at a city hospital yesterday morning after suffering from jaundice. He was born on November 25, the day Abahani played Mohammedan in the Federation Cup. Abahani Limited players and officials expressed deep shock at the sudden death of Waly’s son and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.

–SH

Six held on suspicion of English lower league match-fixing

Police have arrested six men on suspicion of match-fixing in England, the National Criminal Agency (NCA) said on Wednesday, with the focus of attention on the lower leagues according to media reports. “The NCA is working closely with the Gambling Commission and the Football Association,” the NCA said in a statement. “The focus of the operation is a suspected international illegal betting syndicate.” The Daily Telegraph, which has been investigating matchfixing across the globe for months, reported that the men arrested included three footballers and a former Premier League player who is now an agent.

–Reuters

Russian torchbearer catches fire during Olympic relay

A former bobsledder taking part in Russia’s marathon Olympic torch relay ahead of next year’s Winter Games in Sochi briefly caught fire while carrying the flame in Siberia. Homemade footage of the incident posted on Russian websites on Thursday showed the left sleeve of 2006 Turin Winter Games bobsleigh team member Pyotr Makarchuk bursting into flames from what appeared to be a leak in the torch. Makarchuk was at that moment running up to the podium for a formal Olympic cauldron lighting ceremony late Wednesday in the western Siberian city of Abakan. The video footage ends the moment a man in the thick crowd can be heard shouting: “His sleeve is on fire!”

–AFP

No win, no car Hungarian football champions Gyori ETO found an original way to punish their players after an embarrassing defeat, by confiscating the keys to their high-end cars, a media report said Thursday. The management of the club, which took its fourth Hungarian league title last season, struck back after the team went down 3-0 last weekend against bottom-of-the-league side Mezokovesd-Zsory SE, the news portal kisalfold.hu reported. Gyori ETO slipped to sixth in the league table after the game. The players now see themselves deprived of the use of their Audi cars, which they received for free as the German carmaker is the club’s main sponsor.

The club declined to say when the keys would be returned to the players.

–AFP

England's cricketers Michael Carberry (R), Ben Stokes (2nd R), Steven Finn (L) and Monty Panesar engage in fielding training at Traeger Park in Alice Springs yesterday

Reformed Stokes ready for England call n

Reuters

Ben Stokes’ last tour of Australia ended in ignominy but the England all-rounder claims he is back with a new attitude and ready for a dream debut in the second Ashes test at Adelaide.

Stokes was sent home from an England Lions tour of Australia in February for repeated misdemeanours but the New Zealand-born player has worked hard enough since to be part of a threehorse race for the number six slot in the England batting lineup.

The position became available when

top-order batsman Jonathan Trott left the tour due to a stress-related issue earlier this week. “(There are) three guys who have the chance to get into that number six spot,” the 22-year-old Stokes told reporters on Thursday, a day ahead of the team’s two-day practice game in Alice Springs with the second test starting on Dec 5.

“Whether it’s me, or Gary Ballance or Jonny Bairstow... we’ve got the next two days to go out there and put our hand up,” Stokes added.

Determined to make the most of an audition against a Cricket Australia

Thunder sting Spurs to snap 11-game win streak n AFP, Oklahoma City Kevin Durant scored 24 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder snapped San Antonio’s 11-game NBA win streak with a 94-88 home victory Wednesday over the Spurs.

Spanish Olympian Serge Ibaka scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half to help the Thunder remain unbeaten on their home court this season.

The Thunder improved to 10-3 with their fifth win in a row and 7-0 at home this season, but Oklahoma City still trails Portland (13-2) by two games in the Northwest division.

The Spurs fell to 13-2, still 2.5 games atop second-place Houston in the Southwest division.

Thunder reserve Reggie Jackson matched a career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting.

French guard Tony Parker led the Spurs with 16 points and seven assists, while Kawhi Leonard contributed 14 points, 10 rebounds and four steals in a losing cause.

San Antonio clung to a 52-51 lead early in the second half when the Thunder ran off eight points in a row, a spurt that ended with a Durant slam dunk off a Russell Westbrook steal.

The Thunder stayed in front to the finish, although a 9-1 spurt by the Spurs pulled San Antonio within 79-76 on a Marco Belinelli jumper.

Oklahoma City scored seven of the next eight points, including a 3-point play by Durant and the Thunder went 6-of-6 at the free throw line in the final 80 seconds to seal the triumph. l

I’ll handle England myself, says Australia’s Lyon n Reuters, Melbourne Australia’s Nathan Lyon is confident he has the tools to spin England out in the second test in Adelaide and will not need much help from team mates rolling over a few part-time overs.

Lyon captured key wickets in Australia’s 381-run victory over the tourists in the first test but question marks remain over whether the 26-year-old has the game to close out a victory.

Some of the doubt stems from last year’s test series against South Africa when Australia needed six wickets on the last day at Adelaide Oval to win on a deteriorating pitch.

Lyon took only one wicket that day,

n AFP, Wellington

Veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul top-scored for a makeshift West Indies side in a tour match against a New Zealand XI in Lincoln on Thursday, just missing out on a century.

Chanderpaul, who notched up 150 Tests in India this month, hit 89 from 106 balls as the tourists took a narrow first innings lead over the New Zealanders.

The West Indies declared at 230 for six after Anurag Verma bowled Chanderpaul, putting them just three runs ahead of the New Zealand XI. Blacks Caps openers Hamish Rutherford (61) and Peter Fulton (32) make a good start in New Zealand’s second innings, cruising to 103 without loss at stumps. The West Indian team contains four New Zealanders, who were drafted in to make up the numbers as the rest of the Caribbean side wraps up a one-day series in India. l

n AFP, Port Elizabeth

Star Sports 1 ICC World T20 Qualifiers: 4:00PM 1st Semi: Afghanistan v Nepal 8:00PM 2nd Semi: UAE v Ireland Ten Golf 12:00PM Indonesian Open Day Two 06:00PM Alfred Dunhill Championship Day Two Ten Action

Flamengo players carry the trophy after winning the Copa do Brasil final match against Atletico Paranaense in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday REUTERS

with paceman Peter Siddle taking the leading role with three wickets but South Africa, led by test debutant Faf du Plessis, held on to save the game before routing Australia in Perth to win the series.

“I’ve learnt a fair amount playing a few test matches down there,” Lyon told reporters on Thursday.

“I’ve learnt a fair amount about my game and what I need to do and what I need to do to get better.

Lyon is famous for having worked as a curator at Adelaide Oval in 2010 before being spotted by local coach Darren Berry and completing a remarkable rise to the test team the following year.l

Chanderpaul shines in West Indies warm-up

Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and Unicef regional director for South Asia Karin Hulshof display a certificate declaring Tendulkar UNICEF ambassador for South Asia, in Mumbai, yesterday AP

Misbah hails Pakistan series victory

DAY’S WATCH

1:30AM French Ligue 1 2013/14 Olympique Marseille v Montpellier

Chairman’s XI, Stokes said being sent home for indiscipline served as a perfect wake-up call.

“I did set myself out to change it all around and get (team director) Andy Flower thinking ‘this guy’s serious in what he wants to do’,” he said.

“You put in the hard work and you get rewards. I looked at the bigger picture and thought ‘I’m in this profession to play at the highest level’.

“So it wasn’t hard to go away to make sure that I did those things because if I didn’t, I probably wouldn’t be where I am now.” l

AFP

If England think their two-day tour match in Alice Springs against a Chairman’s XI will be a quiet interlude from the red-hot Ashes series, Michael Beer says they are in for a surprise.

Two-test spinner Beer will captain a team of callow youths and battlers grafting on the fringes of their states against England for the match starting on Friday.

Australia were accused of taking the sledging too far in their emphatic 381run victory in the first test at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Beer said his team would also try to land a few verbal blows if it helped soften up the English ahead of the second test in Adelaide next week.

“Obviously if you’re playing against a cricket side and there’s any way you think to make them uncomfortable, you’ll do it,” Beer told reporters on Thursday.

“It’s aggressive and that’s the way we go about it.”

Beer, who made his test debut in a crushing loss to England in Sydney during the 2010-11 series, captained a Western Australia Chairman’s XI side against an England XI earlier this month in a three-day match that ended up a draw. l

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq hailed his country’s first win in a bilateral series against South Africa after they pulled off a thrilling one-run win in the second one-day international at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

Hashim Amla (98) and AB de Villiers (74) took South Africa to the brink of victory but South Africa could score only seven runs off the last nine balls, while losing two wickets.

Set to make 263 to win, they finished on 261 for six.

Misbah admitted that a win seemed unlikely with two overs to go.

He said: “But there is always pressure on the side batting second. We knew that we would have a chance if we had one good over so that South Africa needed more than a run a ball in the last over, especially if they had new batsmen at the crease.”

The good over was provided by off-

spinner Saeed Ajmal, who conceded only two runs in the penultimate over and finished with the wicket of Amla, caught at deep square leg going for a big hit.

Junaid Khan had JP Duminy caught in the deep off the second ball of the final over during which he conceded only three singles before the last ball went for four leg byes.

“It really means a lot to us to beat South Africa in a bilateral series for the first time, especially doing it in South Africa,” said Misbah.

It was especially satisfying because Pakistan were recently beaten 4-1 by the same opponents in the United Arab Emirates.

“It is a young side and now they believe they can win. That was what was lacking (in the previous series),” said Misbah.

In a match reduced to 45 overs a side by morning rain, South Africa had fallen well behind the required run rate when De Villiers joined Amla. l

Hong Kong, Netherlands through to World Twenty20 n Agencies Hong Kong took the fifth qualifier slot at the World Twenty20 tournament beating Papua New Guinea at Abu Dhabi today. A 29-run victory over PNG on the penultimate day of the ICC World T20 Qualifier meant they became the eight nation from the Asian region to book a ticket to Bangladesh in March next year.

Apart from the big names – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh – the UAE, Afghanistan and Nepal have already qualified.

Hong Kong were helped on the way mainly by a 48-run knock by Babar Hayat as they posted a total of 137 for the loss of eight wickets. In reply, PNG batsmen disappointed with seven players getting out for single-digit scores as they got bowled out for 108.

In the final of the six places up for grabs, Netherlands proved the better of Scotland winning by eight wickets. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Friday, November 29, 2013

ARSON ATTACK

Blind mother’s dream dashed Mozammel finally gives in n Mohammad Jamil Khan

Pickets set ablaze three trucks loaded with gas cylinders in Rupatali industrial area in Barisal causing damage of properties worth Tk7m

DHAKA TRIBUNE

LPG cylinder-laden truck torched in Barisal n Anisur Rahman Swapan, Barisal Barisal was luckily spared a massive industrial disaster yesterday, when three trucks –including one laden with 480 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders – were torched by pickets, at the gates of a chemical factory packed with a large stock of hydrochloric acid at Rupatali industrial area in the city.

Delwar Hossain, a local shopkeeper and a witness, said three trucks including one laden with the LPG cylinders were parked in front of the gates of Global Capsules and Chemical Industry and Nova Packaging of Opsonin Group on Wednesday night.

At around 11:35pm, some pickets poured petrol and set ablaze the tyres of the LPG-laden truck, Delwar added.

A 30-member team of Fire Service’s Barisal station fought the fire for over one-and-a-half hour before taming it at 1:20am yesterday, said Parimal Chan-

dra Kundu, assistant director of Barisal Fire Service station.

However, most of the LPG cylinders exploded and the fire rapidly spread to other vehicles parked in the adjacent area, gutted shop and trees, while the explosions also damaged structures of the chemical factory, causing damages of properties worth Tk7m, fire service officials said.

Witnesses said the local people fled the area in fear that an explosion would take place at the chemical factory.

Fire service official Parimal said if the huge stock of hydrochloric acid at the factory were to catch fire or be hit with the exploded LPG cylinders, then a deadly chemical disaster like the Bhopal tragedy could have taken place in Barisal.

Abdul Jalil, deputy production manager of Global Capsule and Chemical Company, admitted that there was a huge stock of hydrochloric acid and

other chemicals at the factory.

Sardar Giasuddun, LPG dealer and carrying contractor, said most of the 480 cylinders – worth Tk2m – exploded or had been damaged by the heat.

A 30-member team of Fire Service’s Barisal station fought the fire for over oneand-a-half hour before taming it at 1:20am yesterday, said Parimal Chandra Kundu He added that the cylinders were being carried from the LPG plant of Standard Asiatic Oil Company at Chittagong.

Abdus Salam, senior sales officer of Standard Asiatic Oil Company, acknowledged the facts and urged all not to touch or carry the remaining intact cylinders, until those were declared

safe by fire service experts.

Abdul Jalil, driver of the LPG-laden truck, said the vehicle had left Chittagong for Barisal five days ago and waited near Lahar Hat ferry terminal for two days because of the blockade.

After reaching Rupatali, the vehicle parked near two other trucks in front the factory waiting for the blockade hours to end.

“Then I went to my home nearby for taking food and rest, leaving the helper Sumon at the truck; and he later informed me about the torching of the vehicle by the pickets,” the driver said.

Sumon, the helper of the truck, said he was sleeping in the vehicle when the cries of the local people awakened him.

Finding the tyres of the vehicle set on fire Sumon immediately informed the driver, while the locals called the fire service. l

Another victim of mindless arson attack yesterday died while undergoing treatment at burn and plastic surgery unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in the early hours of Thursday.

Victim Mozammel Haque, 20, a human-hauler driver, died around 12:40am.

He received 60% burn injury as pickets set his vehicle on fire near South Banasree area on Tuesday night, the first day of the opposition-sponsored 71-hour blockade.

Mozammel comes from Nagoriahati Village of Sonargaon of Narayanganj. He was the youngest son of Piara Begum.

ABM Borhanuddin, on-duty doctor of ICU of the burn unit of DMCH, said the victim’s respiratory system was burnt deeper than the other parts of the body. Once it is damaged only a miracle can heal the patient.

Arju Mia, a rickshaw puller and father of the deceased, died from electrocution at Motijheel area, when Mozammel was only two years old. His mother Piara worked as a housemaid in different houses to raise up her children.

But the tragic irony is that after a couple of years Piara lost her vision.

Her sons Mohammad Sohel, 23, and Mozammel, 20, rented a little room at Rampura area. Both of them worked as human-hauler driver in turn as one had to look after their mother at home when the other is out on work, says Sazeda Begum, paternal aunt of the victim.

Mozamme’sl mother was unaware of the accident as she was told that Mozammel went out for work, she said: “I do not know how she will react after hearing the news of her son’s death.”

This correspondent met Sohel, brother of the victim, sitting in the burn unit of the DMCH with a blank expression drained and exhausted.

“It’s all up. We have gone into overdrive since our childhood because of my father’s untimely death. And now the Almighty God has taken away whatever we were left with,” he cursed his bad luck.

Asked about filing a case against the perpetrators, he said: “We are flat

broke and have to face many problems in life. Now we have no strength left.

What is the use of filing a case? Can it bring my brother, back?” his question reverberated through the burn unit of the DMCH. Next to Mozammel two more arson attack victims were writhing in pain on hospital beds. Of them, Mohammad Dulu Mia, a police nayek, received splinter injury while on duty at Joypurhat Bata intersection on Monday. He was lying unconscious.

Dr Pizush Kanti, the on-duty doctor of ICU, said they had taken out splinters but he was still unconscious as the splinters hit his nerves hard. Dulu has a daughter Ruku, 7, who reads in Class IX.

Saber Ali, 33, another critical patient, a CNG driver by profession, is undergoing treatment with 15% burn injury. He comes from Chondrapur, Sudarganj of Gaibandha.

Aleya Begum, wife of the victim, found sobbing hysterically in front of the burn unit gate.

“Please save my husband. We see on Television that CNG drivers die after arson attack ----- please save my husband,” she was rambling.

Meanwhile, six more people were admitted to the DMCH on the third day of countrywide blockade from different parts of the capital. Shajahan, 40, CNG driver came to DMCH at 12.30pm from Rajarbagh Police Line area after being hit by a brick chip on head.

Mithu, 25, an Independent Television staff, received splinter injury on face around 1:30pm in Farmgate area.

Sajedur Rahman, 50, Abu Naser Mia, 45, Sohel Rana, 22, Police Constable, Rasel, 10, and a street child had to take admission to the hospital with splinter injuries. l

Another Hindu village comes under Jamaat-Shibir attack

Tax return deadline to be extended up to December 31 n Syed Samiul Basher Anik n Our Correspondent, The National Board of Revenue will extend the deadline for submitting income tax returns again – this time up to December 31 – as response from the taxpayers has been very poor because of the ongoing political unrest.

The revenue authority received only around 600,000 returns as of last week, which shocked its officials.

“People were unable to file their returns because of frequent shutdowns and economic slowdown,” said NBR official.

NBR Chairman Ghulam Hussain received the approval of the extension from Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday evening.

NBR Senior Information Officer Syed A Momen told the Dhaka Tribune that the formal declaration of the fourth deadline would be made on December 1.

The original deadline was September 30. It was extended twice. There are 1.7 million valid TIN holders in the country, and around 1.3 million taxpayers submitted returns for the last fiscal year. l

Lalmonirhat

At least five shops and two houses of minority Hindu community people were vandalised and looted by Jamaat- Shibir men yesterday, the last day of the opposition-sponsored 71hour countrywide rail-road-waterways blockade.

Patgram Upazila Chhatra Shibir leaders Rana Islam reportedly led the attack on the Hindu people of Ghoshpara village under Patgram upazila around 9:30am.The spot is 5km off the upazila headquarters.

Another Hindu-populated village Shafinagar under the same upazila is just 3km away from Ghoshpara also came under attack

by BNP and Jamaat-Shibir men on October 27, the first day of the opposition-called 48-hour shutdown.

The vandals beat 12 women as the males fled the scene sensing the attack. They did not spare even the children during the attack.

Upazila administration and police rushed to the spot after three hours around 12:30pm, said locals.

Police arrested local Union Parishad Member and former Patgram upazila unit president of Chhatra Shibir Nazrul Islam on charge of aiding and abetting Rana Islam, said Patgram Police Station OC Sohrab Hossain.

About 200 to 250 Jamaat-Shibir activists and supporters led by Shibir leader Rana Islam brought out a procession in the area and they immediately swooped on Hindus’ shops and houses in the village, police said.

The Jamaat-Shibir men assaulted Devi Rani Ghosh, Anjoli Ghosh, Shilpi Rani Ghosh, Charu Bala Ghosh, Sandhya Rani Ghosh, Namita Rani Ghosh and others in the village, police added.

Villagers said the attackers damaged their properties worth about Tk20 lakh.

A number of aggrieved villagers alleged that some local Awami

League men too incited Jamaat-Shibir men to the violence.

Patgram Upazila Parishad Chairman Ruhul Amin Babul said the area is the safe den of Jamaat- Shibir men.

Taking the advantage of countrywide blockade programme they attacked the Hindus who are innocent and do not belong to any political party.

“They did so to create panic in the area and use that to their advantage.” Patgram Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rafiqul Haque confirmed the communal attack saying that administration would do everything possible to protect the minority community there.

OC Sohrab Hossain said Shibir leader Rana Islam is a most wanted criminal and police has conducted several drives to arrest him.

Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Habibur Rahman said he asked the UNO and OC to tackle the situation and arrest the criminals.

He will visit the spot and exchange views with Hindu people, he said. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207.

Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com

Continue to the Business section...

Business

B2 Robi concerned over political unrest

B3 GSP review may defer until March next

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

Business www.dhakatribune.com/business

BB posts observer at BASIC Bank n Jebun Nesa Alo Bangladesh Bank has posted an observer in the problem-ridden BASIC Bank to ensure enforcement of prudential regulations and help revive the bank from continuous financial deterioration.

The central bank took the decision and issued an order in this regard on Wednesday, deputing General Manager Ashok Kumar Dey of the Department of Banking Inspection as the observer with immediate effect.

Ashok Kumar Dey has been assigned to attend all the board meetings of the bank and observe the audit reports.

Bangladesh Bank signed a MoU (memorandum of understanding) with the bank on

DURING THE LAST THREE MONTHS Capital shortfall rose to Tk6bn from Tk1.82bn Provision deficit increased 50% to Tk3bn from Tk2bn Non-performing loan increased to Tk18bn from Tk9bn.

July 17 due to capital inadequacy, provision shortfall, continuous deterioration of profit, high rate of advance-deposit ratio, aggressive on loan disbursement, approval and renewal of loans, huge irregularities on loan rescheduling and lack of corporate governance in management.

The bank fell on risk due to failure in com-

pliance of prudential regulation in every case.

But, the bank failed to recover its financial health following the condition of MoU, rather all financial indicators deteriorated during July to September period.

Bangladesh Bank recently held a meeting with BASIC Bank internally to review the bank’s financial situation. After the meeting, the Bangladesh Bank took the decision to post an observer in the bank, said a Bangladesh Bank senior executive.

According to latest data, capital shortfall of the bank rose to Tk6bn during July-September period from Tk1.82bn.

Provision deficit increased around 50% to Tk3bn from Tk2bn and non-performing loan increased to Tk18bn from Tk9bn.

The proposed MoU that contains 26 conditions stipulates that BASIC Bank must improve its capital to 11% of its risk-weighted assets while the asset growth should not exceed the capital growth. In addition, the credit growth must not exceed the deposit growth.

The bank’s classified loans should be reduced to 5% of the total loan by December from the existing 17% while its credit growth should not exceed 10% annually and 2.5% quarterly.

The bank will also be asked to realise Tk2.12bn which is 30% of Tk7bn classified loans by December.

All the classified loans of the bank’s Dilkhusha, Gulshan and Shantinagar branches are required to be recovered by December following the MoU. l

Violence also kills businesses n Asif Showkat Kallol Businesses have become badly affected by the blockade programme called by the 18-party alliance since Monday.

During the blockade of rail, roads and waterways, supply of essential commodities has also been disrupted, leading to price hikes.

Those who count on daily earning from their small businesses to survive are the worst sufferers.

Such long blockades and hartals also lead to production halt in factories, which, the commerce ministry officials fear, might result in the increased dependency on imported items.

FBCCI adviser Manzur Ahmed said the country’s economy is now controlled by political decisions.

“This is bad for any country,” he said comparing the country right now with the sinking Titanic ship.

“Without political stability, the government cannot achieve any economic progress and business development.”

Meanwhile, the harvest of local onion already dropped the price significantly, which in recent time was skyrocketing.

But prolonged hartals and blockades comes as threatening again to soar the price, according to the commerce ministry officials.

Onion price soared again to Tk60 from Tk40 in just one week.

A Narayanganj-based salt trader Paritosh Kanti Saha said he was struggling to get a truck to ship his salt to northern districts yesterday. But he was refused by several truckers as they did not want to take any risk of coming under attack by the picketers.

Wholesalers sit idle at Karwan Bazar kitchen market in Dhaka on the third day of blockade “The price of a truck price is some Tk6 million. Who will take their trucks to the danger?” Paritosh understood the concerns of the truckers.

Few trucks dared to transport goods during hartals and blockades, but they charged much higher than the usual.

Such extra charges eventually hike the prices of essential commodities including vegetables and fishes.

“Small businesses are the worst victims in such political instability,” said Dr Shamsul Alam, member of general economic division of Planning Commission.

He said: “While the prices in rural areas decline, they go up in the urban areas as po-

RAJIB DHAR

litical turmoil has disrupted supply.”

Dr Alam however thinks the overall economy of the country will not be so affected by hartal and blockade programmes.

According to the economists, the more dependency on imported items and suspension of local production will cast a long-term impact on the economy.

They said if more imported items enter the country will lead to less generation of local employments and retardation of economic development.

Financial institutions also cannot operate during such programmes like hartal and blockade, which causes the increase of illegal financial transaction, the economists

pointed out.

Former adviser to caretaker government Dr Mirza Azizul Islam said blockades are breaking the supply chain of the country.

“Such disruption in supply reduces economic activities. As as result, the domestic production also slows down,” Dr Mirza Aziz emphasised.

Meanwhile, World Bank and Bain & Company jointly analysed the business implications of supply chain barriers recently.

The report presented in the World Economic Forum 2012 revealed a multinational consumer products company operating in Africa demonstrates that it is possible to take advantage of market opportunities in countries plagued by supply chain problems—as long as decision makers remain intently focused on mitigating the high risks and costs those barriers impose.

Africa is fraught with complexity for foreign companies hoping to capitalise on its strong growth potential, the report said.

It mentioned the continent is rife with political and social instability, economic mismanagement, mercurial regulatory regimes and persistent security concerns.

A lack of services and shoddy transportation infrastructure create massive inefficiencies that drive up prices.

The report added that a global packaged goods manufacturer has experienced the worst of many of these supply chain barriers.

Civil unrest in Nigeria has brought its operations to a temporary halt in the past, said the report, adding that sudden currency depreciations have cost it millions overnight.

In historically unstable markets like Zimbabwe and Malawi, the inability to trust credit agreements means business is done in cash. l

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

Robi concerned over political unrest Its revenue growth slows in Q3 compared to Q2 political situation in Bangladesh,” said Jon n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Fredrik Baksaas while attending ITU Tele-

ative impact of political instability.

But the operator reported 16% growth during the period compared to the same period last year.

In the third quarter this year, Robi earned Tk11.73bn revenue.

Robi made profit after tax of Tk1.42bn during these three months.

Commenting on the introduction of 3.5G services, the CFO pointed out that the revenue growth was “more significant because data and non-voice were driving the revenue growth for the first time.”

Data revenue growth was important at this point particularly because the company has invested a significant amount to expand its 3.5G services.

Robi has already made a major investment of Tk8.7bn to acquire 3G licence.

Its acting chief executive officer Matiul Islam Nowshad, executive vice president Mahmudur Rahman and other senior officials were also present. l

Mobile phone operator Robi is apprehending a negative impact of political turmoil on the earnings of the country’s telecommunication industry.

“It creates a huge impact on the total economy and the trade and commerce of the country, especially on telecom industry,” Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, chief financial officer of Robi, told a press conference in Dhaka yesterday.

The presser was organised to present the operator’s third quarterly financial report at its corporate office.

“As strikes continue, our revenue earnings are hampered badly,” said Mahtab Uddin.

Earlier, Telenor Group President Jon Fredrik Baksaas also expressed the same concern over the ongoing political situation in the country.

“We are very concerned about the current

com World in Thailand recently.

At the press conference yesterday, Robi, one of the leading mobile operators in Bangladesh, reported a slowdown in its revenue growth.

Dollar edges down in Asia after BoJ easing rally n AFP, Tokyo

Bangladesh urged to work on living wage

The dollar edged down in Asia yesterday after surging to a six-month high against the yen on Bank of Japan (BoJ) easing speculation, while dealers turn their attention to key eurozone inflation data.

The greenback bought 102.07 yen in Tokyo afternoon trade, down from 102.16 yen in New York Wednesday afternoon.

The euro was trading at multi-year highs, changing hands at 138.68 yen from 138.71 yen while it rose slightly to $1.3585 from $1.3576.

On Wednesday, the dollar soared past 102 yen to its highest level since May after a BoJ official hinted there was a potential to expand a massive stimulus drive unveiled in April.

Board member Sayuri Shirai said the central bank “should not hesitate” to take additional easing steps if needed, a move that tends to weigh on the yen.

Dealers said the dollar won support from relatively upbeat US economic data, stoking a move by investors into riskier assets and away from the yen, seen as a safe haven during times of uncertainty.

“Risk assets remained supported ahead of the US Thanksgiving holiday on the back of some better-than-expected economic releases,” Credit Agricole said.

Weekly jobless claims data came in better than forecast, while US durable goods orders were down 2.0 percent in October, when Washington was paralysed by a 16-day government shutdown.

But “it was the October data, during the government shutdown, so that softness is likely to be discounted”, National Australia Bank said.

“Good news on the labour market, with jobless claims lower than expected and consumer confidence was higher.” l

Speakers at a European conference have termed living wage as human rights and urged stakeholders of developing countries, including Bangladesh, to work together for making the living wage a reality.

The conference was jointly organised by the governments of Germany and the Netherlands on November 25 and 26 in Berlin, said a statement issued here yesterday.

Living wages as both a human right and a corporate responsibility was the theme of a two-day conference gathering government, manufacturing and labour specialists in the German capital.

A tripartite delegation from Bangladesh, composed of eleven members from the government of Bangladesh, trade bodies and trade unions, participated in the “European Conference on Living Wages.”

The delegation was headed by Atiqul Islam, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufactures & Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, a senior official from the Ministry of Planning. Dirk Niebel, German minister for economic cooperation and development, welcomed the delegation from Bangladesh.

The Dutch minister for foreign trade and

‘It creates a huge impact on the total economy and the trade and commerce of the country, especially on telecom industry’

It registered 1% revenue growth in the third quarter compared to second quarter this year.

Robi attributed the slowdown to the neg-

n Tribune Report

development cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen, highlighted the conference as an important step to move forward towards the realisation and implementation of “living wages” worldwide.

A living wage meets the basic needs of a worker and his or her family. This includes food, housing, clothing and other expenses such as education and medical costs.

BITF kicks off n Tribune Report A three-day international tourism fair began in Dhaka yesterday, aimed at drawing attention of international tourists to visit Bangladesh.

“It is a good initiative to promote Bangladesh to outside world through tourism,” Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Ruhul Amin Hawlader told the inaugural function of the fair at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Foundation for Tourism Development and Association of Travel Agents jointly organised the fair titled “Bangladesh International Tourism Fair – 2013” to be concluded on November 30.

Talking to reporters after the function, the minister expected that the fair would be successful in drawing the attention of international tourists to visit Bangladesh despite the ongoing political turmoil.

Participants from USA, Europe, Middle East and South Asia, including the Indian states, joined the fair.

There are 155 stalls to display products by travel agents, tour operators, hospitals, hotels and resorts, airlines, financial institutions, national tourism organisations, online sellers and other tourism service providers from 25 countries.

Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Bangladesh Tourism Board, Bangladesh Inbound Tour Operators Association and Bangladesh International Hotel Association provided supports to organise the fair.

Secretary of Civil Aviation and Tourism Khurshed Alam Chowdhury, FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed and Ambassadors of Indonesia, Myanmar, Maldives, Bhutan and Sri Lanka were also present, among the others. l

Living wages as both a human right and a corporate responsibility was the theme of a two-day conference gathering government, manufacturing and labour specialists in the German capital The conference aimed to coordinate different approaches by combining efforts to promote a living wage for a worker, which is internationally recognised as a human right.

A declaration of intent, based on the ILO convention and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, was elaborated and presented as a result of the conference.

The delegation from Bangladesh made numerous contributions and brought forward the discussions by bringing in different perspectives as well as concrete examples from the country. l

South Bangla Bank joins Q-Cash consortium n Tribune Business Desk South Bangla Agriculture and Commercial Bank recently signed an agreement with ITCL (Q-Cash), an ATM network service provider at the bank’s head office to join “Q-Cash Consortium.”

The agreement will connect the bank with over 3500+ ATM machines around the country and the card holders will be able to shop through 7000 POS, said a press release.

The bank’s chairman SM Amzad Hossain, manageing director and chief executive officer Md Rafiqul Islam and managing director ITCL Kazi Saifuddin Munir were also present at the ceremony. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

3

FIs asked to post directors’ information on BB web portal n Tribune Report

GSP review may defer until March next n Asif Showkat Kallol The review on regaining the US Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) for the local exporters might be deferred until March next from December due to delay of review by the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

“We have got the hints after the meeting with the USTR officials in Washington while signing Ticfa,” Commerce Secretary Mahbud

Banks asked to get clearance from clients in settling check n Tribune Report Bangladesh Bank has asked the commercial banks to receive “Positive Pay Instruction” in check settlement through Bangladesh Automated Clearing House (BACH) to protect forgery.

The banks must receive and save the record of pay instruction in case of check payment of Tk500,000 or above for individual account and Tk100,000 or above for all corporate or proprietorship institutions, said a circular issued yesterday.

The paying bank would be able to return the check showing “Advice not Received” if it does not get the instruction from the client.

Bangladesh Bank issued the instruction to protect forgery by printing fake checks, copying sign and changing the worth and client’s name in the check. l

Ahmed said yesterday, after returning to Dhaka from the US visit.

He said the US government suspended the GSP facilities of least development countries for review.

“We also discussed with the USTR officials about the efforts Bangladesh made to improve the working conditions in the readymade garment factories.”

Mahbub said they are satisfied with the progress of Bangladesh labour standard, but

it does not mean that Bangladeshi exporters would regain the GSP facilities.

The GSP status has been scrapped on June 27, citing serious shortcomings in labour rights and safety in factories after the Tazreen fire and Rana Plaza building collapse.

Earlier, the US authorities decided to review the GSP issue in December as Bangladesh has already made some improvements in workers’ rights and factory conditions. l

Stocks fall amid deepening political tension n Tribune Report Stocks fell amid volatility yesterday with trading activities dropping sharply as investors were nervous over the heightening political tension.

After gaining in the morning, the benchmark index, DSEX, ended at 4,230 with a fall of 38 points or 0.8%. The DS30 Index comprising blue chips was down 12 points or 0.8% to 1,503.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index, CSCX, shed 102 points to 8,282. The market witnessed lackluster trading as investors adopted “wait and see” policy because of recent political development, said a leading stock dealer.

The DSE turnover stood at Tk3.7bn, which is down 36.8% over the previous session and lowest in three weeks.

Losers took a lead strongly over the gainers as out of 281 issues traded, 89 advanced, 163 declined and 29 remained unchanged.

All the major sectors registered losses

with telecommunications declining highest by more than 1%.

“Fear and hesitation dominated the market sentiment, causing a squeeze in turnover,” said IDLC Investment in its market analysis.

Gradually, it said, a confirmation of trend reversal is building up in the market, creating nervousness among the investors, especially the late entrants.

Textile still ruled the trading as it made up 22% of the total turnover.

“Sudden drop in turnover in last three trading sessions indicated that investors are still staying on the sidelines and observing market movement,” said Lanka Bangla Securities.

Moreover, intra-day volatility of the index is making investors more confused about the direction of the market, it said.

“On the political front, confusion still remains regarding the imminent national election.” Delta Life Insurance continued to become turnover leader with shares worth Tk340m changing hands. l

Bangladesh Bank has asked the financial institutions to post their directors’ third quarter information on the central bank’s web portal through the Rationalised Input Template (RIT).

Bangladesh Bank issued a circular yesterday, asking the FIs to submit their directors December-base information by January 31 and, in case of any change in the board of directors, a hard copy of the information should be submitted to the central bank.

From now on, the companies will post this information on Bangladesh Bank web portal regularly, said the circular.

At the end of every quarter, companies have to submit the respective CSV file on the Bangladesh Bank web portal within 15 days of next month by filling RIT appropriately.

Newly elected and re-elected directors must be confirmed on the basis of CIB report that they are not defaulters.

Financial institutions has been instructed to inform if there is any changes in the board, update it on the own website and submit it to the Bangladesh Bank web portal within 7 days of the change.

Legal action would be taken in case of failure or delay to upload the information on the Bangladesh Bank web portal. l

US oil prices extend losses over stockpiles surge n AFP, Singapore US oil prices fell further in Asian trade yesterday as dealers focused on an unexpectedly large surge in stockpiles, stoking concerns about oversupply in the world’s biggest economy.

New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for January delivery was down 17 cents at $92.13 in mid-morning trade, after sinking $1.38 in New York trade on Wednesday to its lowest closing price since May 31.

European benchmark Brent North Sea crude for January rose 10 cents to $111.41.

The drop in WTI came after the US Energy Department on Wednesday reported that commercial stocks of crude oil increased by three million barrels last week, well above the 500,000 forecast by analysts in a Wall Street Journal survey.

Wednesday’s rise in stockpiles was the latest in a series of surprisingly large builds in recent weeks. Since September 13, commercial crude stocks have increased 35.8 million, or more than 10%.

“WTI crude oil suffered significant losses over the last two days, mostly driven by stockpiles concerns in the US,” Singapore-based Phillip Futures said in a note.

“High US stockpiles are likely to be contributed by persistent strong production in the nation,” it said, adding that output hit 8.02 million barrels in the week to November 22, the highest level since January 1989. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

Dubai wins battle to host Expo 2020 n AFP, Paris Dubai on Wednesday beat off opposition from Brazil, Russia and Turkey to win the right to host the 2020 World Expo.

The Gulf city beat Russia’s Ekaterinberg in the final round of voting to clinch a prestigious event that is credited with delivering a huge boost to tourism and business in the host city.

Dubai, the economic and transport hub of The United Arab Emirates, won 116 votes in the third round, comfortably beating Ekaterinberg with 47. There was one abstention.

The four candidate cities, which also included Brazil’s Sao Paulo and Turkey’s Izmir, had pulled out all the stops during 20 minute presentations before voting by the 168 member states of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE), which oversees the organisation of the events.

The Emirates kicked off the presentations

by pitching Dubai as a futuristic, glitzy city.

Emirates minister Reem Al Hashimi told the meeting that Dubai was a city “capable of hosting the world” and promised visitors an “unforgettable experience” if it won the bid.

The victory for Dubai - home to the world’s tallest tower, largest man-made island and one of the world’s busiest airports - means the World Expo will be hosted by an Arab country for the first time.

According to UAE officials, 40% of the estimated 227,000 new jobs expected to be created as a result of Expo will be in the tourism and travel sectors.

The site chosen for the event, is spread over 438 hectares (1,082 acres) and located between the international airports of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Emirates.

Brazil, which is already gearing up to welcome the World Cup next year and the Olympic Games in 2016, had roped in famed Brazilian composer and musician Gilberto Gil to

garner votes for its candidate city, Sao Paulo.

Gil played his versions of Bob Marley’s reggae hit “No Woman No Cry” and John Lennon’s “Imagine” in a short performance during the presentation. But it was in vain as Sao Paulo failed to get past the first round.

The World Expo, a modern-day successor to the Great Exhibitions of the 19th and early 20th centuries, showcases technology, architecture and culture.

Shanghai was the last host city and Milan is next in line in 2015. The Chinese city set a record by attracting a record 73 million victors to the event.

Izmir, a city on Turkey’s western coast, was eliminated in the second round of voting. It had already bid for a chance to host the 2015 Expo but lost out to Milan.

In Wednesday’s bid, Turkey showcased Izmir’s long association with medicine and healthcare, highlighting that it housed the first psychiatric hospital in ancient times.

Samsung’s marketing splurge doesn’t always bring bang-for-buck n Reuters Samsung Electronics Co is expected to spend around $14bn - more than Iceland’s GDP - on advertising and marketing this year, but it doesn’t always get value for money.

The outlay buys the South Korean technology giant publicity in TV and cinema ads, on billboards, and at sports and arts events from the Sydney Opera House to New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Google Inc spent less on buying Motorola’s handset business.

And Samsung, which has a market value of $227bn, has made no secret of keeping up its aggressive marketing and promotion splurge as it seeks to make its brand as aspirational as Apple Inc’s. But the money it’s spending doesn’t always bring the desired result.

Last month, a Samsung-sponsored shortfilm contest finale at the Sydney Opera House received poor reviews for blatant product placement in a series of ‘behind the scenes’ videos. In Britain, viewers panned a product placement deal with ITV’s popular X-Factor talent show. “Is this a singing competition or an extended Samsung advert?” asked Twitter user Ryan Browne.

Earlier this year, Samsung’s New York launch of its latest top-of-the-range Galaxy smartphone came under fire for being sexist, portraying giggling women chatting about jewelry and nail polish while the men discussed the new phone, and the company’s new fridge and washing machine launch in South Africa drew similar complaints as it featured swim-suit dancers.

“Samsung’s marketing is too much focused on projecting an image they aspire to: being innovative and ahead of the pack,” said Oh Jung-suk, associate professor at the business school of Seoul National University.

“They are failing to efficiently bridge the gap between the aspiration and how consumers actually respond to the campaign. It’s got to

be more aligned.”

Samsung spends a bigger chunk of its annual revenue on advertising and promotion than any other of the world’s top-20 companies by sales - 5.4%, according to Thomson Reuters data. Apple spends just 0.6%, and General Motors 3.5%.

“When your brand doesn’t have a clear identity, as is the case with Samsung, to keep spending is probably the best strategy,” said Moon Ji-hun, head of brand consultant Interbrand’s Korean operation. “But maintaining marketing spend at that level in the longer term wouldn’t bring much more benefit. No one can beat Samsung in terms of (ad) presence, and I doubt whether keeping investing at this level is effective.”

Samsung’s marketing is too much focused on projecting an image they aspire to: being innovative and ahead of the pack In a statement to Reuters, Samsung said it will “continue to leverage our brand power to maintain growth momentum, while focusing on optimizing the efficiency of our marketing activities,” reiterating recent comments by its co-CEO. “Our product innovation and marketing strategy have made Samsung the world’s most preferred smartphone brand,” JK Shin, who also heads the group’s mobile business, told investors recently. “Now we’ll move from the most preferred brand to become one of the world’s leading aspirational brands.

Samsung’s ‘Next Big Thing,’ and ‘It’s Time to Change’ marketing campaigns stress that its products are cutting-edge, and even trumpet its technology ‘world firsts’ before they’re ready for prime time, such as curved smartphones, available only in South Korea, and curved TVs that cost nearly $10,000.

For a company long seen as a follower, this is now a big sell on it being an innovator.

But, while Samsung has become the world’s biggest advertiser, spending $4.3bn on ads alone last year, its global brand value of $39.6bn is less than half that of Apple, which spent only $1bn on advertising, according to Interbrand and ad researcher Ad Age. To be sure, Samsung has a more diverse range of mobile products, which along with its chips and household appliance businesses need more marketing across different target audiences. But the heavy marketing spend suggests a need to convince consumers that it belongs at the top. Apple can afford to spend less as it already has that brand recognition, and cachet.

“The stronger, more differentiated the product, the less it needs to be propped up by advertising,” said Horace Dediu, founder of independent research firm Asymco and a former Nokia business development manager, referring to Apple’s ad spend.

Defending its marketing budget, Samsung can point to its lead in the global smartphone market - it sells one in every three smartphones and has more than double Apple’s market share. The Korean group’s savvy adverts mocking Apple devotees, and heavy investment in distribution channels have strengthened its Galaxy mobile brand.

“The Galaxy brand has established itself, and the Samsung brand is now much stronger than Android or any of the other OEM brands, except Apple,” said Benedict Evans, an independent technology and media consultant in London. “The underlying problem is that Samsung has established itself as a dependable quality brand, not a differentiated or premium quality product, so it does best where it’s not competing directly with Apple.”

Samsung works with a number of advertising agencies, including Publicis Groupe, Interpublic Group, and MDC Partners. l

Turkish Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu described Izmir, known as Smyrna for much of its history, as “the cradle of modern medicine”.

Izmir emerged as a flourishing international trading post as a crossroads between Europe and Asia. The city of about four million is a major tourist attraction with a palm-lined renovated waterfront, archaeological treasures and ancient ruins and nearby golden beaches.

Ekaterinberg’s pitch included a video appeal by Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev to “give Russia a chance”. Russia was trying to promote the industrial city as part of a bid to develop the Ural region into a hub for technology and innovation, and attract more tourists to this lesser-visited part of the country.

With a population of 1.4 million, Ekaterinburg is Russia’s fourth largest city and had hoped to capitalise on its recent endorsement by Forbes magazine as Russia’s best place to do business. l

Canada economy to pick up in 2014: IMF outlook n AFP, Ottawa Canada’s economy will strengthen in 2014 after lower than expected growth so far this year, the International Monetary Fund said Wednesday.

But it largely depends on the strength of the economic recovery in the United States - Canada’s largest trading partner - and the construction of new pipelines to alleviate oil export bottlenecks.

GDP growth of 1.6% is expected next year, accelerating to 2.25% in 2014, according to the IMF’s forecast.

So far this year, exports and business investment growth have “disappointed,” the IMF said in a report.

However, Canadian consumer spending has remained strong.

Machinery and equipment investment declined in the first half of 2013 and non-energy exports remained well below the levels reached after earlier recessions, owing to weak global demand and a strong Canadian dollar.

Pipeline limitations also weighed down energy exports.

As new pipelines are built, more and more Canadian heavy oil will be shipped to refineries and coastal ports for export overseas.

In the interim, oil companies are expected to increase shipping by rail.

The IMF warned, however, that “renewed political standoff over spending appropriations and the debt ceiling” in Washington, or a sudden hike in US interest rates could negatively affect the US recovery “and hence demand for Canadian exports.”

Protracted weakness in the European economy or lower-than-anticipated growth in emerging markets would also hurt Canadian export prospects, including through lower commodity prices.

The IMF also noted that Canadian household debt-to-income ratio reached a new high in mid-2013. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

5

World Bank says no money for nuclear power n United Nations

A shadow of the clenched fist of a protester is seen on a Chinese national flag during an anti-Japan protest outside the Japanese embassy in Beijing REUTERS

China’s reforms to hit investment trust industry hard: study n Reuters The breakneck pace of growth in China’s 10tn yuan ($1.64tn) investment trust industry is unsustainable and earnings risk drying up as the government steps up financial reforms that will change sources of revenue, research shows.

Close to 90% of revenues in the industry are at risk in the long run with about 40% of earnings forecast to disappear completely in five years, according to a study by consultant McKinsey & Company and Ping An Trust.

The sector, the second-biggest financial

industry in China after banks, earns most of its present income from financing riskier borrowers and helping banks and other institutions buy assets that they cannot invest in due to regulations.

But these revenue sources will vanish as China liberalizes its financial industry to let investors buy into a range of assets, and give riskier borrowers more access to credit, the research said.

“Just how big a role will be left for trust companies and at what margins is unclear,” the report said.

To survive, China’s trust firms will have to

remake themselves into companies similar to Goldman Sachs, specializing in investment banking, private wealth management and alternative asset management, said Stephan Binder, a director at McKinsey.

A part of China’s ballooning shadow banks, investment trusts have exploded on the back of a class of borrowers who cannot borrow from banks due to regulations or their risk profiles.

Trusts have stepped in to fill the void by linking borrowers to investors and savers seeking higher returns for their excess cash. l

The World Bank and United Nations on Wednesday appealed for billions of dollars to provide electricity for the poorest nations but said there would be no investment in nuclear power.

“We don’t do nuclear energy,” said World Bank president Jim Yong Kim as he and UN leader Ban Ki-moon outlined efforts to make sure all people have access to electricity by 2030. Kim said $600-$800bn a year will be needed to meet the campaign target of universal access to electricity, doubling energy efficiency and doubling the share of renewable energy by 2030.

In some countries, only 10% of the population has electricity.

So far, the campaign has a pledge of one billion dollars from the OPEC Fund for International Development, Bank of America has raised $500m through the world’s first ‘green bond’ and Norway has committed to spend two billion krone ($325m) on renewable energy efforts in 2014.

Kim said the World Bank is preparing energy plans for 42 countries that would be ready in June, but said any money raised would only go to new power sources.

“Nuclear power from country to country is an extremely political issue,” Kim told reporters. “The World Bank Group does not engage in providing support for nuclear power.

We think that this is an extremely difficult conversation that every country is continuing to have.

“And because we are really not in that business our focus is on finding ways of working in hydro electric power in geo-thermal, in solar, in wind,” he said.

“We are really focusing on increasing investment in those modalities and we don’t do nuclear energy.”

Kim highlighted private financing for power expansion in Nigeria and Ivory Coast and said efforts were being made to launch a similar deal for Myanmar, where the government has launched major reform efforts. l

Germany’s new minimum wage raises hopes for easier life n AFP, Frankfurt Security guard Holger Schleiffer hopes the introduction of a fixed minimum wage under Germany’s new coalition government will make his life that tiny bit easier.

The tall 51-year-old with closely cropped hair once ran his own security firm with 36 employees.

But for the past seven years, he has been scraping by, earning just 7.71 euros ($10.5 dollars) an hour as a guard with a major security firm in Frankfurt. “It’s difficult to get by,” Schleiffer said, without a hint of self-pity.

By working 60 hours a week and 240 hours a month, he takes home barely more than 1,800 euros.

And he is just one of 5.6 million people who earn less than the hourly 8.50 euros that will be Germany’s fixed minimum wage.

It was part of a deal hammered out overnight by Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD) to form a new left-right “grand” coalition government.

Boss of his own firm until 2001, he used to allow himself a monthly wage of 5,000 deutschmarks, or what would be around 2,500 euros today.

But those days proved short-lived, thanks to cut-throat competition in the sector and a falling out with his former business partner.

“I found myself bankrupt with 200,000 euros of debt,” the father of three said.

The money and work troubles cost him his marriage. He was on the dole for 18 months, doing odd jobs here and there, during which he sent off more than 100 job applications.

“I was over-qualified,” he fumed.

Finally, he got a job at his current firm, be-

ginning at 7.23 euros per hour.

“I wanted to get back into work as soon as possible. The pay was less than I’d hoped.

But I took it because there are people out there who work for even less,” he said.

‘Minimum wage won’t solve everything’ His wages have gone up only fractionally since then. After paying his debts, his rent for a tiny two-room flat and other costs, he has just 500 euros a month to feed and clothe himself.

“I can only shop in the discount supermarkets. I never go to the cinema or on holiday. I don’t have any money to set aside. And I’m not allowed to run up an overdraft. On top of that, I have to support my new girlfriend and pay for my daughter’s schooling,” he explained.

A committed member of the giant services sector union Verdi, Schleiffer said he is in favour of a fixed minimum wage.

Under the coalition deal, a national minimum wage of 8.50 euros an hour, which was a deal-breaker for the SPD, will take effect from January 1, 2015.

“It’s good news. I hope I’ll be able to live a bit more normally,” he said.

But he is careful not to get his hopes up too high. “You always hope that the end of the crisis is in sight. But in reality, it’s a lot more difficult than it seems.”

A nationwide fixed minimum wage “won’t solve all the problems. Rents are going up. I’ll have to pay more tax. And even 8.50 euros an hour is difficult to live on in Germany,” he said.

And next year will be an important one for him. “By the end of 2014 I should have finished paying off my debts. After that, I want to start again, but take it carefully,” Schleiffer said, adding that his dream is to work as a detective or be his own boss once again. l

6

Share

DHAKA TRIBUNE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

DSEBroadIndex:4230.73⇓0.89%,Turnover:3665.14M.Tk⇓36.84%,PE:13.03 Turnover4,148.84MTk.⇓35.36% 28November2013 MarketCap.2,044.56BTk.⇓0.82% CSEAllShareIndex:13098⇓1.46%,Turnover:483.70MTk.⇓21.49%,PE:12.81 Combined Turnover Leader Delta Life Insu. -A

CompanyCode | EPS | BV | Volume Traded (Share) DSE/CSE: ClosePrice ⇓/⇑ Chn % | Avg.Price | Hi / Lo

BANK ABBANK | 2.95 | 32.60 | Vol. 252447 D: 26.70 ⇓ 1.48% | 26.86 | 29.80 / 24.50 C: 26.80 ⇓ 0.74% | 26.75 | 27.00 / 26.40 CITYBANK | 1.15 | 25.97 | Vol. 518415 D: 20.20 ⇓ 2.42% | 20.30 | 21.00 / 18.70 C: 20.30 ⇓ 1.46% | 20.26 | 20.80 / 20.00 IFIC | 1.10 | 18.34 | Vol. 662861 D: 31.70 ⇓ 0.94% | 31.85 | 32.60 / 29.90 C: 31.70 ⇓ 0.63% | 31.85 | 32.50 / 31.50 ISLAMIBANK | 3.78 | 27.16 | Vol. 174570 D: 35.50 ⇓ 0.56% | 35.57 | 36.50 / 33.00 C: 35.70 ⇓ 0.56% | 35.70 | 35.90 / 35.50 NBL | 1.05 | 15.76 | Vol. 3335052 D: 12.00 ⇓ 2.44% | 12.07 | 13.00 / 11.50 C: 12.10 ⇓ 2.42% | 12.14 | 12.50 / 12.00 PUBALIBANK | 1.92 | 21.18 | Vol. 189471 D: 31.10 ⇓ 0.96% | 31.25 | 33.00 / 29.00 C: 31.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 30.98 | 31.50 / 30.80 RUPALIBANK | 6.70 | 64.27 | Vol. 9325 D: 63.70 ⇓ 0.31% | 63.73 | 64.90 / 60.00 C: 65.00 ⇑ 1.25% | 64.15 | 65.00 / 63.30 UCBL | 1.90 | 21.72 | Vol. 1609796 D: 24.40 ⇓ 0.81% | 24.44 | 25.00 / 22.90 C: 24.40 ⇓ 2.01% | 24.41 | 25.00 / 24.20 UTTARABANK | 3.42 | 26.97 | Vol. 313569 D: 30.70 ⇓ 0.32% | 30.62 | 32.00 / 28.00 C: 30.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 30.51 | 31.00 / 30.10 ICBIBANK | -1.60 | -13.03 | Vol. 128500 D: 6.20 ⇓ 1.59% | 6.28 | 6.40 / 6.20 C: 0.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 0.00 | 0.00 / 0.00 EBL | 3.91 | 28.22 | Vol. 63250 D: 28.10 ⇑ 0.36% | 28.03 | 29.50 / 27.00 C: 27.80 ⇓ 0.71% | 27.80 | 27.80 / 27.80 ALARABANK | 2.03 | 14.91 | Vol. 1589200 D: 18.80 ⇓ 0.53% | 18.78 | 19.40 / 17.10 C: 18.60 ⇓ 3.13% | 18.67 | 20.00 / 17.30 PRIMEBANK | 2.89 | 22.40 | Vol. 87313 D: 23.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 23.03 | 23.40 / 21.00 C: 22.90 ⇓ 3.38% | 22.91 | 23.00 / 22.90 SOUTHEASTB | 1.89 | 22.66 | Vol. 913034 D: 17.90 ⇓ 0.56% | 17.94 | 18.20 / 16.50 C: 17.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 17.83 | 18.00 / 17.70 DHAKABANK | 1.46 | 18.08 | Vol. 129333 D: 18.80 ⇓ 1.57% | 18.85 | 19.10 / 17.60 C: 18.80 ⇓ 3.09% | 18.98 | 19.30 / 18.80 NCCBANK | 1.90 | 15.88 | Vol. 507671 D: 13.80 ⇓ 0.72% | 13.75 | 14.40 / 12.60 C: 13.70 ⇓ 2.14% | 13.68 | 14.10 / 12.80 SIBL | 2.05 | 14.47 | Vol. 694363 D: 13.30 ⇓ 1.48% | 13.37 | 14.00 / 12.20 C: 13.40 ⇓ 2.90% | 13.44 | 13.60 / 13.30 DUTCHBANGL | 11.57 | 54.27 | Vol. 6500 D: 95.70 ⇓ 0.83% | 95.85 | 96.50 / 95.40 MTBL | 1.17 | 17.27 | Vol. 32117 D: 15.60 ⇓ 1.89% | 15.70 | 16.90 / 15.00 C: 15.70 ⇓ 1.88% | 15.75 | 16.00 / 15.70 STANDBANKL | 2.33 | 14.41 | Vol. 505271 D: 14.80 ⇓ 0.67% | 14.80 | 15.00 / 13.50 C: 14.60 ⇓ 2.67% | 14.67 | 15.00 / 14.50 ONEBANKLTD | 2.35 | 15.34 | Vol. 1212581 D: 16.10 ⇓ 1.23% | 16.17 | 17.50 / 15.00 C: 16.10 ⇓ 1.83% | 16.10 | 16.50 / 15.90 BANKASIA | 1.35 | 20.80 | Vol. 179245 D: 18.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 18.53 | 19.40 / 17.50 C: 18.70 ⇓ 1.06% | 18.69 | 19.00 / 18.60 MERCANBANK | 2.07 | 16.59 | Vol. 1200227 D: 15.50 ⇓ 1.27% | 15.47 | 16.30 / 14.20 C: 15.50 ⇓ 1.27% | 15.43 | 16.20 / 15.20 EXIMBANK | 1.80 | 14.31 | Vol. 698552 D: 12.70 ⇓ 0.78% | 12.73 | 13.00 / 11.60 C: 12.60 ⇓ 2.33% | 12.70 | 13.00 / 12.50 JAMUNABANK | 2.47 | 18.56 | Vol. 159568 D: 16.30 ⇓ 1.21% | 16.34 | 17.80 / 15.00 C: 15.80 ⇓ 1.86% | 15.93 | 16.00 / 15.00 BRACBANK | 1.51 | 24.87 | Vol. 287495 D: 30.70 ⇓ 1.29% | 30.90 | 31.50 / 29.00 C: 30.30 ⇓ 1.62% | 30.61 | 31.80 / 27.80 SHAHJABANK | 2.61 | 14.47 | Vol. 802317 D: 17.30 ⇓ 0.57% | 17.23 | 17.60 / 15.70 C: 17.10 ⇓ 1.16% | 16.96 | 17.50 / 16.70

Vol.

TO M. Tk.

% of TTL

Avg. P 263.68

1378650

63.52

8.76

R. N. Spinning-A

5322488

199.22

4.80

Paramount Textile Ltd.-N

3409250

190.18

4.58

Generation Next Fashions-A

4122890

132.84

Orion Pharma-N

1832220

115.66

37.43

C%

A%

CP

DSE Loser

C%

A%

CP

Standard Ceramic -A

DSE Gainer

6.04

5.75

38.60

Zeal Bangla Sugar-Z

-6.25

-6.25

7.50

Jute Spinners-A

5.98

4.63

79.80

Kohinoor Chem-A

-6.11

-6.25

355.00

55.78

Popular Life Insu.-A

5.84

4.36

230.10

BD Fixed Income MF-A

-5.38

-4.41

8.80

3.20

32.22

Legacy Footwear -A

5.46

8.12

36.70

Rahim Textile-A

-4.94

-4.21

221.40

2.79

63.13

Libra Infusions-A

4.56

4.56

390.00

Golden Harvest Agro-N

-4.60

-4.40

43.60

PREMIERBAN | 1.18 | 13.95 | Vol. 836897 D: 11.50 ⇓ 1.71% | 11.56 | 12.80 / 11.00 C: 11.50 ⇓ 0.86% | 11.45 | 11.70 / 11.30 TRUSTBANK | 0.50 | 18.00 | Vol. 81576 D: 19.40 ⇓ 2.51% | 19.45 | 20.00 / 18.00 C: 19.40 ⇓ 1.02% | 19.34 | 19.50 / 19.30 FIRSTSBANK | 1.85 | 13.89 | Vol. 712101 D: 15.20 ⇓ 1.30% | 15.38 | 16.00 / 14.00 C: 15.30 ⇓ 1.29% | 15.36 | 16.00 / 14.80 NON BANKING F I IDLC | 4.43 | 29.18 | Vol. 125031 D: 60.00 ⇓ 0.66% | 60.48 | 61.20 / 55.00 C: 60.60 ⇓ 0.82% | 60.71 | 61.10 / 60.50 ULC | 1.80 | 14.90 | Vol. 90110 D: 28.90 ⇓ 0.34% | 28.92 | 29.20 / 27.70 UTTARAFIN | 7.16 | 41.54 | Vol. 87057 D: 78.90 ⇓ 1.25% | 79.02 | 82.00 / 73.00 C: 78.90 ⇓ 1.99% | 79.37 | 82.20 / 78.50 MIDASFIN | 0.16 | 10.21 | Vol. 7050 D: 29.00 ⇓ 0.34% | 29.00 | 29.10 / 29.00 C: 27.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 25.00 | 27.50 / 27.50 FLEASEINT | 2.34 | 13.93 | Vol. 383620 D: 28.80 ⇓ 1.37% | 28.87 | 30.00 / 27.00 C: 28.80 ⇓ 2.04% | 28.93 | 29.10 / 28.70 PLFSL | 1.37 | 17.48 | Vol. 390307 D: 23.40 ⇓ 2.09% | 23.54 | 26.10 / 21.80 C: 23.60 ⇓ 1.67% | 23.69 | 24.10 / 23.50 PRIMEFIN | 0.87 | 17.88 | Vol. 112036 D: 23.70 ⇓ 0.84% | 23.86 | 24.30 / 21.90 C: 23.80 ⇓ 0.42% | 23.79 | 23.90 / 23.60 PREMIERLEA | 0.10 | 11.37 | Vol. 109860 D: 10.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 10.07 | 10.20 / 9.80 C: 10.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 10.08 | 10.20 / 10.00 ISLAMICFIN | 1.03 | 15.48 | Vol. 406984 D: 16.50 ⇓ 0.60% | 16.51 | 17.00 / 16.00 C: 16.50 ⇓ 1.20% | 16.54 | 16.70 / 16.40 LANKABAFIN | 1.61 | 31.07 | Vol. 265687 D: 53.00 ⇓ 0.19% | 53.27 | 54.90 / 51.00 C: 53.10 ⇓ 0.38% | 53.17 | 53.50 / 53.00 BIFC | 0.15 | 18.58 | Vol. 86426 D: 16.10 ⇓ 1.23% | 16.24 | 17.20 / 14.80 C: 16.20 ⇓ 1.82% | 16.18 | 16.20 / 16.10 IPDC | 1.23 | 19.43 | Vol. 39260 D: 18.00 ⇓ 2.17% | 18.06 | 18.50 / 16.90 UNIONCAP | 0.54 | 17.85 | Vol. 60308 D: 28.50 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.39 | 29.00 / 26.50 C: 28.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.82 | 29.00 / 28.50 BDFINANCE | 0.57 | 14.77 | Vol. 206871 D: 18.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 18.11 | 18.50 / 17.00 C: 18.20 ⇓ 1.09% | 18.06 | 18.30 / 18.00 ILFSL | 0.35 | 12.19 | Vol. 207896 D: 14.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 14.46 | 14.70 / 13.50 C: 14.50 ⇓ 1.36% | 14.53 | 15.60 / 14.40 PHOENIXFIN | 2.46 | 19.39 | Vol. 260554 D: 31.50 ⇓ 1.25% | 31.59 | 32.80 / 29.50 C: 31.40 ⇓ 3.09% | 31.39 | 31.70 / 31.10 FASFIN | 0.19 | 13.56 | Vol. 359015 D: 13.80 ⇑ 0.73% | 13.80 | 14.00 / 13.70 C: 13.70 ⇓ 0.72% | 13.74 | 13.90 / 13.60 DBH | 4.47 | 21.27 | Vol. 32750 D: 53.50 ⇓ 1.29% | 53.80 | 55.20 / 50.00 NHFIL | 0.57 | 12.70 | Vol. 215982 D: 29.90 ⇓ 1.64% | 30.07 | 31.00 / 29.80 C: 30.10 ⇓ 0.99% | 30.38 | 30.80 / 30.10 BAYLEASING | 0.72 | 25.55 | Vol. 121884 D: 28.30 ⇓ 0.70% | 28.43 | 28.90 / 26.00 C: 28.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 28.53 | 28.90 / 28.40 ICB | 89.23 | 607.74 | Vol. 3450 D: 1517 ⇓ 0.72% | 1529 | 1550 / 1510 C: 1511 ⇑ 1.06% | 1511 | 1511 / 1510 GSPFINANCE | 1.63 | 22.23 | Vol. 82378 D: 25.40 ⇓ 0.78% | 25.51 | 25.70 / 23.20 C: 25.40 ⇓ 1.55% | 25.50 | 25.60 / 25.30 FAREASTFIN | 0.68 | 13.64 | Vol. 778000 D: 13.90 ⇓ 0.71% | 13.92 | 14.00 / 13.80 C: 13.90 ⇓ 0.71% | 13.88 | 14.00 / 13.80 INVESTMENT 2NDICB | 44.10 | 253.11 | Vol. 400 D: 275.8 ⇓ 0.33% | 275.00 | 283.0 / 265.0 3RDICB | 26.16 | 235.16 | Vol. 1450 D: 195.2 ⇓ 1.86% | 195.17 | 196.1 / 195.0 6THICB | 10.99 | 60.14 | Vol. 19000 D: 52.80 ⇓ 1.68% | 52.92 | 53.30 / 52.70 C: 52.80 ⇑ 0.38% | 52.80 | 52.80 / 52.80

8THICB | 12.47 | 70.07 | Vol. 10000 D: 53.00 ⇓ 0.38% | 53.00 | 53.50 / 52.90 AIMS1STMF | 3.02 | 15.70 | Vol. 226550 D: 38.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 38.92 | 39.50 / 36.50 C: 39.00 ⇓ 0.51% | 38.70 | 39.00 / 38.50 ICBISLAMIC | 2.21 | 26.81 | Vol. 15000 D: 17.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 18.00 | 18.10 / 17.80 GRAMEEN1 | 6.26 | 33.23 | Vol. 220500 D: 43.10 ⇓ 1.60% | 43.16 | 44.00 / 42.70 C: 43.20 ⇓ 1.37% | 43.33 | 44.00 / 43.00 ICB1STNRB | 4.06 | 35.31 | Vol. 3500 D: 26.00 ⇑ 0.39% | 26.00 | 26.00 / 26.00 ICB2NDNRB | 2.49 | 16.24 | Vol. 146500 D: 9.90 ⇑ 0.00% | 9.92 | 10.00 / 9.90 C: 9.90 ⇓ 1.00% | 9.93 | 9.90 / 10.00 GRAMEENS2 | 2.17 | 16.41 | Vol. 408800 D: 16.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 16.24 | 16.50 / 16.00 C: 16.20 ⇓ 1.22% | 16.22 | 16.40 / 16.10 1STPRIMFMF | 0.64 | 11.63 | Vol. 590500 D: 21.10 ⇓ 2.76% | 21.43 | 21.90 / 21.10 C: 21.20 ⇓ 2.75% | 21.20 | 21.60 / 21.00 EBL1STMF | 0.55 | 12.62 | Vol. 438460 D: 7.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.05 | 7.40 / 6.50 C: 7.00 ⇓ 1.41% | 7.00 | 7.10 / 7.00 ICBAMCL2ND | 0.60 | 12.12 | Vol. 125000 D: 5.90 ⇓ 1.67% | 5.92 | 6.10 / 5.90 C: 5.90 ⇓ 1.67% | 5.92 | 6.00 / 5.90 ICBEPMF1S1 | 0.52 | 11.32 | Vol. 51000 D: 6.00 ⇓ 1.64% | 6.04 | 6.20 / 6.00 C: 6.10 ⇑ 1.67% | 6.10 | 6.10 / 6.10 TRUSTB1MF | 0.75 | 11.65 | Vol. 341324 D: 7.30 ⇓ 1.35% | 7.39 | 7.80 / 6.70 C: 7.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.40 | 7.50 / 7.30 PRIME1ICBA | 0.42 | 11.18 | Vol. 214000 D: 5.40 ⇓ 1.82% | 5.40 | 5.50 / 5.40 C: 5.50 ⇓ 1.79% | 5.45 | 5.50 / 5.40 DBH1STMF | -1.12 | 10.15 | Vol. 187500 D: 5.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.67 | 5.80 / 5.60 C: 5.60 ⇓ 1.75% | 5.69 | 5.80 / 5.60 IFIC1STMF | 0.83 | 11.88 | Vol. 112176 D: 6.50 ⇓ 1.52% | 6.57 | 7.00 / 6.00 C: 6.60 ⇓ 1.49% | 6.61 | 6.70 / 6.50 PF1STMF | 0.51 | 11.11 | Vol. 101000 D: 5.60 ⇓ 1.75% | 5.69 | 5.70 / 5.60 C: 5.60 ⇓ 1.75% | 5.56 | 5.70 / 5.50 ICB3RDNRB | 0.00 | 10.60 | Vol. 253000 D: 5.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.34 | 5.50 / 5.30 C: 5.30 ⇑ 1.92% | 5.31 | 5.40 / 5.30 1JANATAMF | 0.78 | 10.68 | Vol. 155000 D: 6.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.04 | 6.10 / 6.00 C: 6.10 ⇓ 1.61% | 6.14 | 6.20 / 6.10 GREENDELMF | -0.82 | 9.72 | Vol. 85000 D: 5.30 ⇓ 1.85% | 5.40 | 5.50 / 5.30 C: 5.40 ⇓ 1.82% | 5.46 | 5.50 / 5.40 POPULAR1MF | 0.77 | 11.38 | Vol. 312658 D: 6.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.14 | 6.30 / 5.50 C: 6.30 ⇑ 1.61% | 6.22 | 6.30 / 6.10 IFILISLMF1 | 0.00 | 10.45 | Vol. 327000 D: 5.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.87 | 5.90 / 5.80 C: 5.80 ⇓ 1.69% | 5.83 | 5.90 / 5.80 PHPMF1 | 0.63 | 10.92 | Vol. 590000 D: 5.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 5.66 | 5.80 / 5.60 C: 5.60 ⇓ 1.75% | 5.66 | 5.80 / 5.60 AIBL1STIMF | -0.07 | 9.25 | Vol. 28500 D: 7.00 ⇑ 1.45% | 7.02 | 7.20 / 6.80 C: 6.90 ⇓ 1.43% | 6.93 | 7.00 / 6.90 MBL1STMF | -0.16 | 9.08 | Vol. 43500 D: 6.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.21 | 6.30 / 6.20 SEBL1STMF | 0.94 | 11.85 | Vol. 462050 D: 7.90 ⇓ 1.25% | 7.94 | 8.20 / 7.20 C: 8.10 ⇑ 2.53% | 8.06 | 8.40 / 7.90 RELIANCE1 | 0.95 | 10.33 | Vol. 205150 D: 8.60 ⇓ 1.15% | 8.70 | 8.80 / 8.50 LRGLOBMF1 | 0.45 | 10.78 | Vol. 109000 D: 6.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.82 | 6.90 / 6.70 C: 6.70 ⇓ 2.90% | 6.70 | 6.70 / 6.70 ABB1STMF | 0.92 | 10.63 | Vol. 329630 D: 7.40 ⇑ 2.78% | 7.42 | 7.50 / 6.90 NLI1STMF | 1.17 | 12.22 | Vol. 559850 D: 9.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 9.07 | 9.30 / 8.30 C: 9.00 ⇑ 1.12% | 9.01 | 9.10 / 9.00 FBFIF | 1.30 | 10.27 | Vol. 4500 D: 8.80 ⇓ 5.38% | 8.89 | 9.00 / 8.70 NCCBLMF1 | 1.16 | 10.48 | Vol. 27000 D: 8.20 ⇓ 1.20% | 8.30 | 8.60 / 8.20

ICBSONALI1 | 0.00 | 10.39 | Vol. 451000 D: 8.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 8.01 | 8.10 / 8.00 C: 8.10 ⇓ 1.22% | 8.08 | 8.20 / 8.00 EXIM1STMF | 0.00 | 10.91 | Vol. 1500 D: 7.70 ⇓ 2.53% | 7.70 | 7.70 / 7.70 ENGINEERING AFTABAUTO | 4.03 | 56.91 | Vol. 351349 D: 103.0 ⇑ 0.19% | 102.83 | 104.9 / 93.00 C: 102.8 ⇓ 1.15% | 102.75 | 104.1 / 102.0 AZIZPIPES | 0.39 | -42.04 | Vol. 13500 D: 17.30 ⇓ 0.57% | 17.33 | 17.60 / 17.30 OLYMPIC | 5.23 | 14.73 | Vol. 295125 D: 153.8 ⇓ 2.10% | 155.55 | 158.0 / 153.5 C: 153.9 ⇓ 1.85% | 154.75 | 157.0 / 153.5 BDLAMPS | -5.31 | 37.07 | Vol. 8050 D: 127.3 ⇓ 1.77% | 127.73 | 128.6 / 126.8 C: 131.7 ⇑ 3.29% | 131.71 | 134.9 / 127.1 ECABLES | 2.04 | 18.87 | Vol. 5480 D: 80.00 ⇓ 0.62% | 80.00 | 80.00 / 80.00 C: 72.30 ⇓ 4.87% | 72.61 | 73.00 / 72.30 MONNOSTAF | 5.31 | 44.78 | Vol. 1000 D: 307.7 ⇓ 3.21% | 308.00 | 328.0 / 299.6 SINGERBD | 9.99 | 45.74 | Vol. 56674 D: 193.1 ⇑ 0.10% | 192.72 | 194.0 / 185.0 C: 193.0 ⇑ 0.21% | 191.48 | 193.0 / 190.1 ATLASBANG | 9.14 | 222.05 | Vol. 24980 D: 167.2 ⇑ 0.12% | 167.37 | 168.9 / 155.0 BDAUTOCA | -0.43 | 5.68 | Vol. 50328 D: 29.00 ⇑ 0.35% | 29.86 | 30.80 / 28.70 QSMDRYCELL | 1.06 | 52.31 | Vol. 182516 D: 35.10 ⇓ 2.50% | 35.31 | 38.00 / 34.00 C: 35.40 ⇓ 1.12% | 36.30 | 38.00 / 35.00 RENWICKJA | 5.77 | -31.13 | Vol. 12850 D: 140.0 ⇓ 2.10% | 140.93 | 144.2 / 139.1 NTLTUBES | 0.67 | 311.00 | Vol. 30400 D: 71.70 ⇓ 0.14% | 72.04 | 73.00 / 70.30 BDTHAI | 0.43 | 39.35 | Vol. 239570 D: 26.80 ⇓ 1.47% | 27.04 | 28.00 / 25.50 C: 27.00 ⇓ 1.10% | 27.09 | 27.90 / 26.90 ANWARGALV | 0.52 | 8.10 | Vol. 148500 D: 24.40 ⇑ 2.09% | 24.51 | 25.50 / 24.00 C: 24.50 ⇑ 2.08% | 24.59 | 25.00 / 24.10 RANFOUNDRY | 2.84 | 18.62 | Vol. 24000 D: 82.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 82.72 | 84.70 / 82.00 C: 76.70 ⇓ 8.58% | 76.70 | 76.70 / 76.70 SALAMCRST | 3.31 | 20.00 | Vol. 333000 D: 44.00 ⇓ 2.00% | 44.15 | 45.70 / 41.00 C: 43.90 ⇓ 2.01% | 43.88 | 44.30 / 43.50 GOLDENSON | 3.70 | 28.70 | Vol. 1146559 D: 50.40 ⇓ 2.51% | 50.62 | 52.00 / 47.00 C: 50.50 ⇓ 1.17% | 50.75 | 53.80 / 49.70 BSRMSTEEL | 3.06 | 19.53 | Vol. 208650 D: 72.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 71.13 | 73.00 / 68.00 C: 71.10 ⇓ 1.52% | 70.60 | 71.80 / 69.70 NAVANACNG | 4.09 | 27.04 | Vol. 125608 D: 67.60 ⇓ 0.88% | 67.34 | 70.00 / 62.00 C: 66.50 ⇓ 2.06% | 66.94 | 67.70 / 66.20 DESHBANDHU | 0.26 | 10.67 | Vol. 263318 D: 18.20 ⇓ 0.55% | 18.32 | 18.90 / 16.50 C: 18.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 18.40 | 18.70 / 18.10 GPHISPAT | 2.11 | 15.27 | Vol. 1397070 D: 60.50 ⇑ 4.31% | 59.42 | 62.40 / 52.20 C: 60.30 ⇑ 4.15% | 58.43 | 62.80 / 55.60 BENGALWTL | 3.85 | 24.30 | Vol. 1528000 D: 60.10 ⇑ 0.17% | 59.76 | 61.70 / 57.90 C: 60.00 ⇑ 0.33% | 59.81 | 61.80 / 57.10 BDBUILDING | 1.33 | 12.70 | Vol. 1435500 D: 66.10 ⇓ 4.06% | 66.80 | 70.00 / 64.80 C: 66.30 ⇓ 3.63% | 67.14 | 70.90 / 65.00 NPOLYMAR | 2.38 | 32.89 | Vol. 168450 D: 55.20 ⇑ 0.91% | 55.42 | 56.00 / 51.00 C: 54.50 ⇑ 3.61% | 54.80 | 55.50 / 54.00 FOOD & ALLIED APEXFOODS | 2.54 | 90.81 | Vol. 21800 D: 87.40 ⇓ 1.80% | 87.29 | 89.50 / 86.80 BANGAS | 7.20 | 50.27 | Vol. 45360 D: 442.9 ⇓ 0.49% | 448.33 | 460.0 / 434.9 C: 440.7 ⇓ 0.11% | 441.99 | 455.0 / 433.0 GEMINISEA | -15.39 | -5.70 | Vol. 3550 D: 159.9 ⇑ 3.29% | 159.44 | 163.0 / 151.0 NTC | 29.88 | 110.05 | Vol. 850 D: 809.2 ⇓ 0.71% | 809.41 | 810.0 / 806.0

ZEALBANGLA | -28.94 | -221.34 | Vol. 800 D: 7.50 ⇓ 6.25% | 7.50 | 8.10 / 7.30 AMCL(PRAN) | 6.85 | 57.14 | Vol. 51200 D: 181.8 ⇓ 0.98% | 182.12 | 184.7 / 180.1 C: 180.4 ⇓ 1.42% | 182.65 | 188.0 / 180.0 SHYAMPSUG | -45.77 | -396.49 | Vol. 2700 D: 6.70 ⇑ 1.52% | 6.67 | 7.00 / 6.60 FUWANGFOOD | 0.94 | 12.28 | Vol. 567578 D: 23.50 ⇓ 2.08% | 23.73 | 24.40 / 21.60 C: 23.50 ⇓ 2.08% | 23.81 | 24.20 / 23.40 MEGHNAPET | -0.50 | -1.52 | Vol. 20500 D: 6.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 6.63 | 6.70 / 6.50 MEGCONMILK | -7.48 | -23.70 | Vol. 47000 D: 7.10 ⇑ 1.43% | 7.13 | 7.20 / 7.10 BEACHHATCH | 1.01 | 12.48 | Vol. 633008 D: 21.10 ⇓ 1.40% | 21.44 | 22.50 / 19.40 C: 21.20 ⇓ 1.40% | 21.45 | 22.00 / 21.20 FINEFOODS | 0.05 | 10.63 | Vol. 567000 D: 18.70 ⇑ 2.75% | 18.87 | 19.40 / 18.20 C: 18.80 ⇑ 3.30% | 18.95 | 19.30 / 18.60 RDFOOD | 0.91 | 16.84 | Vol. 750876 D: 23.90 ⇓ 0.83% | 24.02 | 25.00 / 22.00 C: 23.90 ⇓ 0.83% | 24.01 | 24.40 / 23.70 GHAIL | 2.31 | 24.36 | Vol. 1066580 D: 43.60 ⇓ 4.60% | 44.13 | 46.20 / 41.50 C: 43.60 ⇓ 3.96% | 44.06 | 46.00 / 42.90 FUEL & POWER LINDEBD | 31.71 | 144.00 | Vol. 4600 D: 621.6 ⇓ 0.62% | 620.87 | 623.0 / 617.3 PADMAOIL | 27.62 | 79.74 | Vol. 111631 D: 314.0 ⇑ 0.32% | 314.04 | 316.8 / 295.0 C: 311.7 ⇓ 0.67% | 311.90 | 314.9 / 310.2 EASTRNLUB | 5.33 | 71.01 | Vol. 750 D: 310.1 ⇓ 0.51% | 310.67 | 320.0 / 307.1 BDWELDING | 0.33 | 16.82 | Vol. 393474 D: 21.80 ⇓ 1.80% | 21.95 | 22.50 / 21.00 C: 21.80 ⇓ 2.24% | 21.99 | 22.50 / 21.60 SUMITPOWER | 3.17 | 19.26 | Vol. 1407109 D: 39.50 ⇓ 2.47% | 39.68 | 42.00 / 37.00 C: 39.20 ⇓ 3.69% | 39.51 | 40.50 / 39.00 DESCO | 2.34 | 31.27 | Vol. 113065 D: 59.70 ⇓ 0.17% | 59.68 | 61.00 / 57.00 C: 59.70 ⇓ 0.83% | 60.47 | 64.40 / 59.50 POWERGRID | 2.19 | 63.69 | Vol. 365000 D: 56.60 ⇑ 0.89% | 56.26 | 57.00 / 55.20 C: 56.40 ⇑ 0.71% | 55.97 | 57.00 / 55.10 JAMUNAOIL | 21.81 | 72.05 | Vol. 430666 D: 243.3 ⇓ 0.57% | 243.13 | 247.0 / 232.0 C: 243.1 ⇓ 0.25% | 243.19 | 245.0 / 241.5 TITASGAS | 9.20 | 46.26 | Vol. 318046 D: 74.60 ⇑ 0.13% | 74.18 | 75.20 / 67.10 C: 74.70 ⇑ 0.95% | 74.19 | 74.80 / 73.10 KPCL | 4.73 | 15.86 | Vol. 531101 D: 50.10 ⇓ 3.47% | 50.58 | 52.30 / 48.00 C: 50.40 ⇓ 2.33% | 50.47 | 51.50 / 50.00 BEDL | 1.48 | 19.43 | Vol. 1302635 D: 32.90 ⇓ 1.79% | 32.84 | 35.00 / 30.20 C: 32.90 ⇓ 3.24% | 32.91 | 34.20 / 32.00 MJLBD | 2.73 | 30.24 | Vol. 85322 D: 73.00 ⇓ 0.41% | 72.90 | 75.00 / 67.00 C: 72.30 ⇓ 1.09% | 71.96 | 73.40 / 71.90 GBBPOWER | 1.86 | 22.63 | Vol. 1025558 D: 29.50 ⇓ 1.99% | 29.71 | 30.60 / 27.10 C: 29.50 ⇓ 2.32% | 29.72 | 30.70 / 28.00 SPPCL | 3.81 | 23.34 | Vol. 944870 D: 63.00 ⇓ 1.41% | 63.23 | 65.00 / 57.60 C: 63.30 ⇓ 1.56% | 63.20 | 64.10 / 62.60 JUTE JUTESPINN | -48.14 | -39.89 | Vol. 6900 D: 79.80 ⇑ 5.98% | 78.70 | 82.10 / 77.00 SONALIANSH | 5.54 | 218.80 | Vol. 5500 D: 133.9 ⇑ 0.60% | 134.00 | 136.0 / 132.5 TEXTILE AL-HAJTEX | 2.22 | 16.53 | Vol. 37465 D: 72.80 ⇓ 1.22% | 73.56 | 75.70 / 70.00 RAHIMTEXT | 4.65 | 56.68 | Vol. 3700 D: 221.4 ⇓ 4.94% | 223.51 | 229.0 / 218.0 SAIHAMTEX | 2.75 | 29.50 | Vol. 647400 D: 29.20 ⇓ 1.35% | 29.27 | 29.90 / 29.00 C: 29.20 ⇓ 2.01% | 29.35 | 30.00 / 29.10 MODERNDYE | 0.91 | 10.37 | Vol. 1200 D: 92.70 ⇓ 1.90% | 92.50 | 93.50 / 91.60

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Share

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

7

November 28, 2013 Sectotal Index: BANK: 36,732.96 ⇓ 1.39% NBFI: 20,053.17 ⇓ 0.99% INVS: 4,802.21 ⇓ 0.59% ENGG: 6,355.78 ⇓ 1.33% FOOD: 9,747.72 ⇓ 0.74% F&P: 10,435.62 ⇓ 0.92% TEXT: 3,520.44 ⇓ 1.54% PHAR: 18,139.02 ⇓ 1.37% PAPR: 1,032.55 ⇑ 0.27% SERV: 3,051.13 ⇓ 1.96% LEAT: 5,293.83 ⇑ 2.02% CERA: 532.32 ⇓ 0.92% CMNT: 4,286.24 ⇑ 0.18% INFO: 7,401.43 ⇓ 2.23% GINS: 9,241.70 ⇓ 0.86% LINS: 119,623.30 ⇓ 2.21% TELC: 1,337.88 ⇓ 1.10% MISC: 6,526.05 ⇓ 1.54% DSHGARME | 0.88 | 12.12 | Vol. 77900 D: 66.50 ⇑ 3.91% | 68.55 | 70.40 / 65.00 DULAMIACOT | -1.90 | -29.70 | Vol. 2300 D: 7.60 ⇑ 1.33% | 7.83 | 7.70 / 7.60 TALLUSPIN | 1.75 | 16.17 | Vol. 896160 D: 36.20 ⇓ 1.63% | 36.54 | 37.40 / 36.10 C: 36.30 ⇓ 1.36% | 36.48 | 37.40 / 36.00 APEXSPINN | 2.01 | 49.32 | Vol. 3600 D: 67.90 ⇓ 1.31% | 68.06 | 69.90 / 67.50 MITHUNKNIT | 2.87 | 20.53 | Vol. 62600 D: 72.20 ⇓ 1.23% | 72.40 | 73.10 / 71.50 C: 71.70 ⇓ 2.32% | 71.70 | 72.00 / 71.40 DELTASPINN | 3.06 | 26.84 | Vol. 340300 D: 29.80 ⇓ 1.32% | 29.99 | 30.60 / 28.80 C: 30.00 ⇓ 1.96% | 30.12 | 31.00 / 29.70 SONARGAON | 0.27 | 34.50 | Vol. 132500 D: 17.70 ⇓ 2.21% | 17.88 | 18.30 / 17.60 C: 17.90 ⇓ 3.24% | 17.95 | 18.00 / 17.90 PRIMETEX | 1.21 | 59.34 | Vol. 150000 D: 25.00 ⇓ 2.34% | 25.23 | 26.20 / 25.00 C: 25.00 ⇓ 3.10% | 25.15 | 25.70 / 24.80 ALLTEX | -1.26 | 8.10 | Vol. 489500 D: 7.40 ⇑ 1.37% | 7.39 | 7.50 / 7.30 C: 7.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.32 | 7.50 / 7.30 ANLIMAYARN | 1.36 | 11.99 | Vol. 315000 D: 26.10 ⇓ 0.38% | 26.44 | 27.10 / 26.00 C: 26.00 ⇓ 1.14% | 26.10 | 26.70 / 26.00 HRTEX | 2.08 | 14.92 | Vol. 441550 D: 41.00 ⇑ 1.23% | 40.98 | 42.20 / 40.00 C: 41.00 ⇓ 0.97% | 41.27 | 45.00 / 40.20 CMCKAMAL | 1.37 | 19.31 | Vol. 1318167 D: 33.50 ⇓ 3.74% | 33.95 | 37.00 / 31.50 SAFKOSPINN | 0.95 | 21.78 | Vol. 234921 D: 25.60 ⇓ 3.03% | 25.99 | 26.60 / 25.00 C: 25.70 ⇓ 3.02% | 25.87 | 26.40 / 25.50 SQUARETEXT | 4.32 | 31.82 | Vol. 89835 D: 92.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 92.29 | 93.10 / 88.00 C: 92.30 ⇑ 0.44% | 91.38 | 92.50 / 91.20 METROSPIN | 0.56 | 17.71 | Vol. 1756408 D: 22.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 22.49 | 23.30 / 19.90 C: 22.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 22.55 | 23.40 / 21.70 MAKSONSPIN | 0.16 | 20.55 | Vol. 4098563 D: 18.80 ⇓ 2.59% | 19.11 | 19.70 / 17.50 C: 18.80 ⇓ 3.59% | 19.21 | 19.70 / 18.70 RNSPIN | 2.80 | 16.58 | Vol. 5322488 D: 37.10 ⇓ 1.85% | 37.45 | 38.50 / 34.50 C: 37.00 ⇓ 2.37% | 37.32 | 38.50 / 36.90 BXSYNTH | 0.93 | 25.42 | Vol. 577318 D: 17.20 ⇓ 2.27% | 17.33 | 18.00 / 16.00 C: 17.10 ⇓ 3.39% | 17.21 | 17.70 / 16.90 MALEKSPIN | 2.81 | 43.48 | Vol. 1416015 D: 28.90 ⇓ 3.67% | 29.47 | 30.40 / 27.00 C: 28.90 ⇓ 3.34% | 29.32 | 30.00 / 28.70 ZAHINTEX | 1.20 | 31.07 | Vol. 204525 D: 27.20 ⇓ 1.81% | 27.34 | 28.00 / 26.00 C: 27.20 ⇓ 2.51% | 27.34 | 27.90 / 27.10 SAIHAMCOT | 1.92 | 23.62 | Vol. 632500 D: 25.20 ⇓ 1.56% | 25.31 | 25.70 / 25.10 C: 25.10 ⇓ 2.33% | 25.20 | 25.70 / 25.00 GENNEXT | 1.68 | 15.15 | Vol. 4122890 D: 32.40 ⇑ 1.57% | 32.20 | 33.00 / 28.80 C: 32.20 ⇑ 0.63% | 32.38 | 33.00 / 31.70 ARGONDENIM | 1.89 | 38.86 | Vol. 646320 D: 70.50 ⇓ 3.95% | 71.98 | 74.80 / 66.20 C: 71.20 ⇓ 2.73% | 71.57 | 73.00 / 70.50 FAMILYTEX | 3.72 | 14.68 | Vol. 261000 D: 52.30 ⇓ 1.88% | 52.71 | 54.00 / 52.10 C: 51.80 ⇓ 2.26% | 52.08 | 52.70 / 51.70 PTL | 2.25 | 21.72 | Vol. 3409250 D: 56.10 ⇑ 2.37% | 55.74 | 56.80 / 54.50 C: 56.20 ⇑ 2.37% | 55.90 | 56.70 / 54.60 PHARMACEUTICAL & CHEMICAL AMBEEPHA | 3.94 | 26.15 | Vol. 8012 D: 262.2 ⇓ 2.02% | 261.38 | 265.0 / 259.0 C: 256.0 ⇓ 3.61% | 260.77 | 276.0 / 242.4 BXPHARMA | 3.77 | 52.55 | Vol. 200301 D: 47.80 ⇓ 2.25% | 47.94 | 49.00 / 45.00 C: 47.40 ⇓ 2.87% | 47.65 | 48.50 / 47.00 GLAXOSMITH | 20.25 | 123.32 | Vol. 1050 D: 974.8 ⇑ 1.44% | 975.24 | 1000 / 947.1 ACI | -5.82 | 126.42 | Vol. 5793 D: 172.5 ⇓ 1.32% | 172.38 | 182.0 / 162.0 C: 172.0 ⇓ 0.12% | 172.00 | 172.0 / 172.0 RENATA | 33.57 | 138.83 | Vol. 4700 D: 731.1 ⇑ 0.22% | 730.21 | 734.3 / 727.5 RECKITTBEN | 27.16 | 78.89 | Vol. 50 D: 890.0 ⇓ 1.21% | 890.00 | 890.0 / 890.0

PHARMAID | 1.39 | 26.19 | Vol. 20800 D: 159.6 ⇓ 1.48% | 160.72 | 162.8 / 159.0 KOHINOOR | 11.46 | 15.99 | Vol. 565 D: 355.0 ⇓ 6.11% | 354.08 | 355.0 / 347.0 IBNSINA | 3.44 | 34.02 | Vol. 49800 D: 101.2 ⇓ 1.17% | 101.98 | 104.9 / 100.4 C: 101.6 ⇑ 0.10% | 102.34 | 105.6 / 100.0 LIBRAINFU | 4.21 | 1567.59 | Vol. 200 D: 390.0 ⇑ 4.56% | 390.00 | 390.0 / 390.0 ORIONINFU | 1.27 | 7.00 | Vol. 78000 D: 41.90 ⇓ 1.64% | 42.10 | 43.00 / 41.80 C: 41.90 ⇓ 1.87% | 42.48 | 43.00 / 41.70 SQURPHARMA | 6.93 | 37.18 | Vol. 211213 D: 193.3 ⇓ 0.46% | 193.21 | 197.0 / 180.0 C: 192.5 ⇓ 0.47% | 192.45 | 195.0 / 191.3 IMAMBUTTON | -1.51 | 4.16 | Vol. 11000 D: 7.50 ⇓ 1.32% | 7.50 | 7.50 / 7.50 C: 7.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 7.30 | 7.30 / 7.30 KEYACOSMET | 1.55 | 21.54 | Vol. 1675442 D: 27.20 ⇓ 3.20% | 27.38 | 29.00 / 25.50 C: 27.40 ⇓ 2.49% | 27.42 | 28.30 / 27.00 BERGERPBL | 32.46 | 100.20 | Vol. 350 D: 847.0 ⇑ 1.03% | 848.00 | 858.0 / 835.1 C: 801.0 ⇓ 2.32% | 801.00 | 801.0 / 801.0 ACIFORMULA | 3.33 | 38.08 | Vol. 17300 D: 73.40 ⇓ 2.00% | 73.45 | 74.80 / 70.20 C: 73.80 ⇓ 1.60% | 74.55 | 74.80 / 73.50 MARICO | 27.53 | 62.47 | Vol. 5950 D: 756.3 ⇓ 0.18% | 755.00 | 762.0 / 752.1 C: 750.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 750.00 | 750.0 / 750.0 BEACONPHAR | 0.04 | 12.01 | Vol. 742450 D: 13.40 ⇓ 2.19% | 13.41 | 13.70 / 12.50 C: 13.10 ⇓ 3.68% | 13.10 | 13.50 / 13.00 ACTIVEFINE | 3.23 | 13.89 | Vol. 213437 D: 83.90 ⇓ 0.71% | 83.74 | 87.00 / 82.00 C: 82.80 ⇓ 2.36% | 82.78 | 84.30 / 82.00 SALVOCHEM | 0.68 | 10.57 | Vol. 631463 D: 22.80 ⇓ 1.72% | 22.92 | 23.70 / 20.90 C: 22.90 ⇓ 1.72% | 22.89 | 23.20 / 22.50 GHCL | 2.14 | 57.31 | Vol. 879000 D: 55.40 ⇓ 4.32% | 56.29 | 59.00 / 54.80 C: 55.60 ⇓ 4.30% | 56.66 | 59.20 / 55.30 ORIONPHARM | 5.02 | 68.68 | Vol. 1832220 D: 62.40 ⇓ 4.15% | 63.14 | 67.00 / 58.60 C: 62.30 ⇓ 4.15% | 63.08 | 65.70 / 61.80 JMISMDL | 1.12 | 12.83 | Vol. 104000 D: 189.7 ⇑ 2.82% | 191.65 | 198.0 / 188.0 C: 191.2 ⇑ 2.52% | 192.69 | 198.0 / 188.0 CENTRALPHL | 1.62 | 12.24 | Vol. 2192480 D: 43.00 ⇓ 1.60% | 43.42 | 46.00 / 39.40 C: 42.90 ⇓ 2.28% | 43.36 | 45.60 / 42.00

BATASHOE | 49.12 | 135.53 | Vol. 7300 D: 724.2 ⇓ 0.26% | 722.83 | 726.9 / 720.1 C: 733.3 ⇑ 4.61% | 736.10 | 753.5 / 725.0 APEXADELFT | 23.01 | 203.26 | Vol. 28400 D: 375.0 ⇓ 0.48% | 374.61 | 385.0 / 373.0 SAMATALETH | 0.22 | 12.93 | Vol. 1000 D: 14.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 14.00 | 14.00 / 14.00 LEGACYFOOT | 0.63 | 17.19 | Vol. 1110063 D: 36.70 ⇑ 5.46% | 37.02 | 38.10 / 32.00 C: 36.90 ⇑ 6.03% | 36.85 | 38.00 / 34.90 CERAMIC MONNOCERA | 0.35 | 95.30 | Vol. 68300 D: 33.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 34.10 | 35.40 / 33.40 C: 34.10 ⇑ 4.28% | 34.84 | 35.00 / 33.60 STANCERAM | 1.12 | 15.49 | Vol. 500 D: 38.60 ⇑ 6.04% | 38.60 | 38.60 / 38.60 FUWANGCER | 0.65 | 12.70 | Vol. 3060135 D: 21.20 ⇑ 1.92% | 21.28 | 22.20 / 18.80 C: 21.30 ⇑ 1.91% | 21.38 | 22.00 / 20.80 SPCERAMICS | 0.62 | 30.92 | Vol. 733994 D: 18.90 ⇓ 0.53% | 18.96 | 19.70 / 17.50 C: 18.70 ⇓ 1.58% | 18.83 | 19.30 / 18.60 RAKCERAMIC | 1.98 | 16.76 | Vol. 157032 D: 52.20 ⇓ 1.69% | 52.52 | 54.00 / 48.00 C: 52.10 ⇓ 1.88% | 52.56 | 53.10 / 52.00 CEMENT HEIDELBCEM | 22.85 | 111.50 | Vol. 29850 D: 382.8 ⇓ 0.44% | 383.20 | 390.0 / 381.0 C: 387.3 ⇑ 1.39% | 387.33 | 388.0 / 387.0 CONFIDCEM | 6.23 | 90.76 | Vol. 105620 D: 121.3 ⇓ 0.57% | 121.52 | 123.2 / 119.0 C: 121.5 ⇓ 0.57% | 121.53 | 123.0 / 120.6 MEGHNACEM | 6.28 | 33.81 | Vol. 67400 D: 122.9 ⇓ 0.89% | 122.88 | 124.5 / 122.1 ARAMITCEM | 3.03 | 14.65 | Vol. 82200 D: 69.80 ⇓ 0.85% | 69.63 | 71.80 / 67.00 C: 70.10 ⇓ 1.13% | 70.07 | 70.20 / 70.00 LAFSURCEML | 1.60 | 7.22 | Vol. 1197000 D: 32.60 ⇑ 0.62% | 32.42 | 33.00 / 32.10 C: 32.40 ⇑ 0.00% | 32.13 | 32.50 / 32.00 MICEMENT | 4.48 | 37.67 | Vol. 130957 D: 82.60 ⇓ 1.08% | 82.82 | 83.90 / 76.00 C: 82.70 ⇓ 0.96% | 82.72 | 84.00 / 82.40 PREMIERCEM | 5.00 | 32.60 | Vol. 152600 D: 99.80 ⇑ 0.71% | 99.51 | 100.4 / 98.80 C: 100.0 ⇑ 0.60% | 99.62 | 99.90 / 100.0

SERVICE SAMORITA | 2.49 | 57.42 | Vol. 49000 D: 90.80 ⇓ 0.77% | 91.56 | 94.90 / 90.70 C: 90.20 ⇓ 1.42% | 90.15 | 90.20 / 90.10 SAPORTL | 1.23 | 38.39 | Vol. 713256 D: 30.00 ⇓ 2.60% | 30.12 | 32.00 / 27.90 C: 29.90 ⇓ 3.55% | 30.11 | 31.20 / 29.30 EHL | 2.81 | 18.44 | Vol. 320454 D: 52.50 ⇓ 0.38% | 52.50 | 55.80 / 51.80 C: 52.50 ⇓ 0.94% | 52.68 | 53.00 / 51.90

IT IINDUSTRIES ISNLTD | 0.28 | 17.31 | Vol. 105138 D: 17.10 ⇑ 0.59% | 17.24 | 17.70 / 16.00 C: 17.10 ⇑ 0.00% | 17.15 | 17.80 / 17.00 BDCOM | 1.40 | 14.41 | Vol. 324080 D: 26.00 ⇑ 1.96% | 25.78 | 26.30 / 24.50 C: 25.20 ⇓ 5.97% | 25.20 | 25.30 / 25.10 INTECH | 0.94 | 10.08 | Vol. 152790 D: 15.60 ⇓ 1.27% | 15.69 | 16.00 / 15.00 C: 15.80 ⇑ 0.00% | 15.79 | 16.00 / 15.50 AGNISYSL | 0.96 | 14.90 | Vol. 133655 D: 21.40 ⇓ 2.28% | 21.56 | 22.00 / 20.50 C: 21.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 21.70 | 22.10 / 20.00 DAFODILCOM | 0.85 | 10.99 | Vol. 368953 D: 13.30 ⇓ 1.48% | 13.41 | 14.80 / 12.50 C: 13.50 ⇓ 0.74% | 13.50 | 13.60 / 13.40 AAMRATECH | 1.33 | 19.91 | Vol. 1122050 D: 34.90 ⇓ 2.79% | 35.36 | 36.60 / 33.00 C: 34.80 ⇓ 3.33% | 35.32 | 36.80 / 34.60

LEATHER APEXTANRY | 6.57 | 69.38 | Vol. 80900 D: 119.3 ⇓ 1.08% | 119.51 | 122.9 / 118.5 C: 118.8 ⇓ 1.00% | 118.27 | 127.3 / 117.7

GENERAL INSURANCE BGIC | 1.65 | 20.33 | Vol. 22973 D: 29.80 ⇓ 0.67% | 29.81 | 30.40 / 28.00 C: 29.50 ⇓ 3.91% | 29.66 | 30.80 / 29.40

PAPER & PACKAGING HAKKANIPUL | 0.51 | 31.01 | Vol. 37000 D: 27.60 ⇑ 1.47% | 27.83 | 28.80 / 27.20 C: 28.60 ⇑ 4.00% | 28.42 | 29.40 / 27.40

GREENDELT | 4.05 | 64.44 | Vol. 166057 D: 84.80 ⇑ 4.05% | 84.31 | 88.00 / 76.00 C: 84.30 ⇑ 2.18% | 83.62 | 85.00 / 83.00 UNITEDINS | 2.47 | 21.04 | Vol. 3500 D: 43.20 ⇑ 0.00% | 43.14 | 43.90 / 43.00 PEOPLESINS | 2.05 | 20.72 | Vol. 72380 D: 35.10 ⇓ 2.23% | 35.24 | 36.20 / 34.00 C: 35.00 ⇓ 1.13% | 35.00 | 35.00 / 35.00 EASTERNINS | 2.22 | 35.88 | Vol. 9000 D: 37.90 ⇓ 1.04% | 38.02 | 38.20 / 37.90 C: 38.00 ⇓ 5.00% | 38.00 | 38.00 / 38.00 JANATAINS | 0.78 | 17.07 | Vol. 130630 D: 27.90 ⇓ 1.06% | 27.99 | 28.50 / 25.50 C: 27.90 ⇓ 0.36% | 27.91 | 28.20 / 27.80 PHENIXINS | 2.70 | 20.96 | Vol. 16577 D: 42.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 42.11 | 42.50 / 37.80 EASTLAND | 4.06 | 23.29 | Vol. 77800 D: 47.70 ⇓ 1.24% | 47.79 | 49.00 / 47.40 CENTRALINS | 1.54 | 19.04 | Vol. 29583 D: 29.40 ⇓ 0.68% | 29.51 | 29.60 / 28.00 C: 29.00 ⇓ 3.97% | 29.03 | 29.50 / 29.00 KARNAPHULI | 1.56 | 19.42 | Vol. 34000 D: 24.10 ⇓ 0.82% | 24.24 | 24.40 / 24.10 RUPALIINS | 2.76 | 23.38 | Vol. 52463 D: 33.80 ⇑ 0.60% | 33.75 | 34.20 / 33.30 C: 33.60 ⇓ 0.88% | 33.56 | 34.50 / 33.00 FEDERALINS | 1.10 | 10.98 | Vol. 61762 D: 24.60 ⇑ 0.41% | 24.49 | 25.00 / 22.10 C: 24.40 ⇓ 0.41% | 24.49 | 24.70 / 24.30 RELIANCINS | 3.93 | 61.52 | Vol. 1000 D: 70.00 ⇓ 4.11% | 70.00 | 70.10 / 70.00 PURABIGEN | 1.05 | 18.71 | Vol. 98299 D: 23.60 ⇑ 0.00% | 23.56 | 24.00 / 22.90 PRAGATIINS | 2.01 | 50.30 | Vol. 32 D: 57.70 ⇑ 0.00% | 62.50 | 60.00 / 57.70 PRIMEINSUR | 2.14 | 14.14 | Vol. 18750 D: 32.10 ⇓ 0.31% | 32.16 | 32.50 / 32.00 PIONEERINS | 3.11 | 23.84 | Vol. 15530 D: 67.20 ⇓ 0.15% | 67.16 | 68.00 / 65.00 MERCINS | 1.53 | 14.50 | Vol. 47077 D: 27.30 ⇓ 1.09% | 27.34 | 27.50 / 27.20 AGRANINS | 1.73 | 14.39 | Vol. 29506 D: 27.20 ⇓ 1.09% | 27.25 | 27.80 / 25.00 GLOBALINS | 1.09 | 11.78 | Vol. 61875 D: 28.00 ⇓ 2.10% | 28.09 | 28.50 / 27.00 NITOLINS | 2.59 | 15.41 | Vol. 18743 D: 33.90 ⇓ 0.29% | 33.93 | 34.10 / 32.00 ASIAPACINS | 1.84 | 13.76 | Vol. 15100 D: 30.50 ⇓ 0.33% | 30.55 | 30.80 / 28.00 C: 31.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 31.30 | 31.30 / 31.30 SONARBAINS | 1.68 | 13.38 | Vol. 60120 D: 24.60 ⇓ 1.60% | 24.72 | 25.00 / 23.50 C: 24.00 ⇓ 4.00% | 24.00 | 24.00 / 24.00 PARAMOUNT | 1.26 | 13.19 | Vol. 21664 D: 24.70 ⇓ 0.40% | 24.77 | 25.50 / 24.40 C: 24.30 ⇓ 1.62% | 24.30 | 24.30 / 24.30 CITYGENINS | 1.65 | 14.26 | Vol. 46570 D: 28.00 ⇓ 0.71% | 28.16 | 28.60 / 27.00 C: 28.20 ⇓ 1.05% | 28.39 | 28.60 / 28.20 CONTININS | 1.41 | 15.68 | Vol. 193033 D: 29.90 ⇓ 2.61% | 29.98 | 30.30 / 28.00 C: 30.00 ⇓ 0.33% | 30.00 | 30.10 / 30.00 TAKAFULINS | 2.19 | 15.17 | Vol. 149944 D: 38.60 ⇓ 1.03% | 38.85 | 40.00 / 38.00 C: 39.00 ⇓ 1.02% | 39.00 | 39.00 / 39.00 STANDARINS | 2.58 | 13.99 | Vol. 20500 D: 41.00 ⇓ 3.07% | 41.00 | 41.60 / 40.90 C: 40.00 ⇑ 0.00% | 40.00 | 40.00 / 40.00 NORTHRNINS | 1.77 | 11.15 | Vol. 46500 D: 41.70 ⇓ 1.42% | 41.87 | 42.30 / 41.60 C: 41.30 ⇓ 2.13% | 41.30 | 41.30 / 41.30 REPUBLIC | 2.14 | 12.42 | Vol. 110967 D: 42.50 ⇓ 0.70% | 42.61 | 43.00 / 40.00 C: 42.50 ⇓ 1.16% | 42.57 | 43.00 / 42.40 ASIAINS | 1.56 | 17.34 | Vol. 23741 D: 27.30 ⇑ 0.00% | 27.31 | 27.50 / 25.00 C: 27.60 ⇑ 0.36% | 27.61 | 28.00 / 27.50 ISLAMIINS | 1.29 | 11.96 | Vol. 14000 D: 33.20 ⇓ 2.06% | 33.26 | 33.90 / 33.00 C: 32.60 ⇓ 8.17% | 32.60 | 32.60 / 32.60 PROVATIINS | 1.90 | 14.30 | Vol. 37634 D: 28.30 ⇓ 0.35% | 28.32 | 30.20 / 25.80 C: 28.30 ⇓ 2.41% | 28.47 | 29.00 / 28.10

DHAKAINS | 2.84 | 18.02 | Vol. 48750 D: 41.20 ⇓ 1.20% | 41.23 | 42.00 / 40.80 C: 41.10 ⇓ 3.07% | 41.35 | 41.60 / 41.00 LIFE INSURANCE NATLIFEINS | 12.34 | 80.99 | Vol. 4326 D: 247.6 ⇓ 0.88% | 247.79 | 252.0 / 237.0 C: 250.0 ⇓ 0.60% | 250.00 | 250.0 / 250.0 DELTALIFE | 38.53 | 189.40 | Vol. 1378650 D: 263.5 ⇓ 4.56% | 263.36 | 276.9 / 253.0 C: 266.7 ⇓ 8.66% | 268.46 | 283.9 / 266.5 SANDHANINS | 2.39 | 28.22 | Vol. 34700 D: 70.50 ⇓ 1.12% | 71.07 | 72.00 / 70.30 C: 71.70 ⇑ 0.70% | 70.36 | 72.00 / 70.00 POPULARLIF | 3.70 | 715.41 | Vol. 28517 D: 230.1 ⇑ 5.84% | 226.95 | 235.0 / 215.0 FAREASTLIF | 9.21 | 60.79 | Vol. 63824 D: 98.50 ⇓ 0.10% | 97.81 | 100.0 / 88.80 C: 98.20 ⇑ 0.61% | 97.57 | 98.50 / 95.40 MEGHNALIFE | 10.82 | 48.87 | Vol. 48000 D: 107.1 ⇓ 1.38% | 107.61 | 111.0 / 106.6 C: 107.0 ⇓ 0.28% | 107.00 | 107.0 / 107.0 PROGRESLIF | 2.30 | 31.45 | Vol. 3000 D: 111.1 ⇓ 3.05% | 111.33 | 114.0 / 108.2 PRAGATILIF | 0.60 | 30.15 | Vol. 34683 D: 161.7 ⇑ 2.08% | 159.53 | 167.0 / 145.0 PRIMELIFE | 5.51 | 27.10 | Vol. 8993 D: 96.40 ⇓ 0.21% | 96.26 | 97.10 / 92.50 C: 103.9 ⇑ 0.00% | 108.00 | 103.9 / 103.9 RUPALILIFE | 3.75 | 31.25 | Vol. 47592 D: 102.5 ⇑ 0.69% | 102.39 | 103.5 / 91.80 PADMALIFE | 1.63 | 25.76 | Vol. 64380 D: 57.40 ⇑ 0.53% | 57.24 | 58.00 / 55.00 C: 57.40 ⇑ 0.88% | 57.02 | 58.00 / 56.80 SUNLIFEINS | 0.00 | 0.00 | Vol. 96500 D: 55.80 ⇓ 0.71% | 55.63 | 56.40 / 50.60 C: 55.50 ⇓ 0.36% | 54.88 | 55.60 / 54.70 TELECOM GP | 12.96 | 26.26 | Vol. 378392 D: 203.2 ⇓ 1.17% | 203.95 | 206.0 / 195.0 C: 202.2 ⇓ 1.32% | 202.56 | 205.0 / 200.2 BSCCL | 5.82 | 26.38 | Vol. 228980 D: 170.9 ⇑ 0.47% | 170.71 | 177.0 / 160.0 C: 169.6 ⇓ 0.29% | 169.28 | 171.0 / 168.1 TRAVEL & LEISURE UNITEDAIR | 1.10 | 12.87 | Vol. 4056338 D: 16.90 ⇓ 1.74% | 16.99 | 18.00 / 16.00 C: 16.90 ⇓ 1.74% | 17.01 | 17.40 / 16.70 UNIQUEHRL | 4.02 | 86.29 | Vol. 522200 D: 84.20 ⇓ 2.21% | 84.55 | 86.70 / 77.50 C: 84.10 ⇓ 2.32% | 84.44 | 87.00 / 83.70 MISCELLANEOUS ARAMIT | 16.07 | 99.93 | Vol. 7750 D: 338.1 ⇓ 0.38% | 344.05 | 356.0 / 336.0 C: 320.0 ⇑ 2.56% | 320.00 | 320.0 / 320.0 BSC | 1.77 | 565.82 | Vol. 52950 D: 432.3 ⇓ 1.54% | 434.72 | 444.5 / 430.5 C: 431.5 ⇓ 1.21% | 433.40 | 448.0 / 430.0 GQBALLPEN | 6.55 | 250.45 | Vol. 24630 D: 141.3 ⇓ 0.56% | 141.53 | 142.6 / 138.0 C: 140.9 ⇓ 1.47% | 141.15 | 142.0 / 140.9 USMANIAGL | 3.45 | 27.20 | Vol. 69800 D: 128.8 ⇓ 1.30% | 129.47 | 132.0 / 128.4 C: 126.2 ⇓ 2.02% | 125.94 | 130.0 / 124.0 BEXIMCO | 3.24 | 86.74 | Vol. 1966938 D: 34.60 ⇓ 2.54% | 34.74 | 37.00 / 32.00 C: 34.30 ⇓ 3.65% | 34.57 | 36.00 / 34.10 SINOBANGLA | 1.75 | 21.01 | Vol. 121500 D: 21.80 ⇓ 2.24% | 21.99 | 22.60 / 21.70 C: 21.80 ⇓ 3.11% | 21.83 | 22.20 / 21.00 MIRACLEIND | 0.09 | 14.41 | Vol. 153500 D: 15.30 ⇑ 2.00% | 15.40 | 15.80 / 15.10 C: 15.50 ⇑ 3.33% | 15.61 | 15.90 / 14.90 BOND IBBLPBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 55 D: 982.3 ⇓ 0.13% | 980.00 | 989.0 / 975.3 C: 1000 ⇑ 3.47% | 1000 | 1000 / 1000 ACIZCBOND | 0.00 | 1000.00 | Vol. 7466 D: 880.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 880.03 | 881.5 / 880.0 C: 880.0 ⇑ 0.00% | 844.36 | 880.0 / 820.0

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

Rural India economy under revival However it shows wider outlook glum n Reuters Pandurang Ghorpade has the weather to thank as he hands out celebratory sweets to neighbours eager for a ride on his prized new possession, a gleaming red tractor bought in anticipation of a bumper harvest.

“Unlike last year, there wasn’t any shortage of water this year,” Ghorpade said. “My earnings are likely to rise from sugar cane and ginger crops that have grown vigorously.”

The best monsoon in six years means similar scenes to the one in Shirdhon southeast of Mumbai are being played out across much of rural India, home to two-thirds of the 1.2 billion population.

It also means sales of tractors and motorbikes are surging, raising hopes this pick up in activity will spread and feed a wider revival in an economy that has slumped to its worst growth in a decade.

But the benefits may be fleeting because rural growth alone will not be enough to pull India’s economy out of the doldrums longer term. The countryside produces only a third of India’s gross domestic product and in the urban areas that drive growth, business in showrooms and shopping malls is still shrinking.

“As we sit in mid-November, we have not seen signs to suggest that there is a significant increase in output,” Tushar Poddar, chief India economist at Goldman Sachs, said in a conference call last week.

The economy is battling to recover from a significant slump. Growth slid in the fiscal year to March 2013 to just 5 percent, the lowest pace since 2002/03, as a stalled reform agenda prompted investors to flee. A vulnerable current account swelled to a record deficit, knocking the rupee to a record low.

Since then, rural demand and other encouraging signs - a revival in exports and a narrowing of the current account deficit have given India’s policymakers reason to think the worst of the two-year slump may be over.

Tractor sales in India rose nearly 29% in October from a year earlier, reaching a record high of 94,227 units. Sales of motorbikes, bought when farmers graduate from bicycles, jumped 18% in the same month.

Women work in a cauliflower field in Kolkata economy recover in the second half of the fiscal year ending on March 31.

But by the government’s own estimates, expansion for the full fiscal year could be as low as the 5% recorded last year, a far cry from the 8-9% growth rates the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has aspired to in recent years.

Some economists, such as Poddar, argue

Do I see a significant improvement in (investment) activity over the next three to four months? I would say we have not seen evidence to suggest that

Consumer goods companies like Hindustan Unilever and natural health care firm Dabur are trying to boost rural sales.

Helped by the boon, Dabur’s net profit jumped by 23% in the September quarter from a year earlier.

“We are seeing demand from rural India outpacing the urban markets,” Dabur said in its earnings release late last month.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram also sees the rural rebound and exports revival as encouraging, suggesting they would help the

even 5% may be ambitious. High inflation is impinging on urban demand and businesses are holding back investment until they can see the shape of a new Indian government due to be elected by May 2014.

The central bank under new governor Raghuram Rajan has already raised its policy interest rates twice to counter inflation, adding to borrowing costs.

The competing pressures on the economy are expected to be reflected in a report on Friday on India’s GDP for July to Septem-

REUTERS

ber. Although annual growth is seen rising to 4.6%, a little better than the previous quarter, the data will likely show the economy is not firing in all areas.

That is familiar to India’s largest utility vehicle maker Mahindra and Mahindra.

While the company’s tractor sales jumped 21% as the monsoon rains fell between July and September, sales of passenger vehicles including SUVs, mostly bought in the cities, slumped 25%.

Bright spots

Exports have gained sharply from the competitive boost from India’s weak currency, which is now above its record low but still near historically weak levels.

Overseas sales generate nearly a quarter of GDP and merchandise exports have been posting double-digit growth since July, the best run in nearly two years.

Textiles, in particular, have made the most of a weak rupee. Exports from the sector have grown an annual 12% this year compared with a 9% fall last year. Most garment exporters are either running at full capacity or have outsourced manufacturing jobs to meet rising overseas demand.

But the good times have so far not encouraged other industries to make the kinds of in-

vestment in adding production capacity that would help kickstart wider economic growth - partly because domestic demand remains depressed.

India’s iron and steel industry, for example, is relying on its idle capacity to sustain double-digit growth in overseas sales that it recorded between April and September.

Seshagiri Rao, joint managing director of JSW Steel, blamed subdued domestic demand from major steel consuming industries such as real estate, infrastructure and autos.

“This will have to come back again only then we will see steel consumption growth in India,” he said.

Weak investment lies at the heart of India’s economic malaise. Capital investments crawled at a decade-low of 1.7% last fiscal year. Goldman Sachs expects investment growth to slow further to 1.2% this fiscal year, dragging down overall economic growth to 4.3%.

To lift the sagging investment rate, the government has expedited clearances for big ticket infrastructure projects. But the impact on the ground has yet to be felt.

“Do I see a significant improvement in (investment) activity over the next three to four months? I would say we have not seen evidence to suggest that,” Poddar said. l