13 Jan 2014

Poush 30, 1420 Rabiul Awal 11, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 290

LAND GRABBING IN BARISAL MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

20 pages | Price: Tk10

27% Grabbed Land 16,580 acres

73% Under Govt control 33,358.08 acres Government lands Directly owned 22,324 Vested properties 23,372 Total 45,696

Grabbed 1,540 15,310 16,850

Land recovered in 2013

3.78acres

9 | SISI CONSIDERS PRESIDENTIAL BID SLH/DT INFOGRAPHIC

B1 | NEW MARKETS BOOST RMG EXPORT 7 | 16,000 ACRES OF LAND GRABBED

24 first-timers for new cabinet Source: Barisal District Administration Land Registration and Revenue Department

Hasina brings back stalwarts, defends JaPa’s inclusion in national consensus govt Reza Chowdhury and n Kamran Emran Hossain Shaikh The Awami League yesterday formed a 49-member cabinet led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and inducting “opposition” Jatiya party representatives into the government, apparently to give people the impression that it was capable of facing the political challenges and restore normality in the country following the January 5 general election.

Hasina also dropped majority of the ministers from the previous cabinet for “incompetence” and “controversy,” and incorporated some fresh figures including four from the young generation to bring dynamism to the new council of ministers.

Half of the new cabinet, 24 individuals, has emerged as ministers for the first time.

Some party leaders got reward for “honesty” while some for serving the party for long. The premier also chose four members among the religious minorities.

Eleven ministers and two state ministers from the last cabinet, which numbered over 50, have been left out.

President Abdul Hamid administered oaths to the 29 ministers, 17 state  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

BNP goes to court to challenge January 5 election n Nazmus Sakib The BNP, who earlier vehemently opposed the court’s ruling that scrapped the caretaker government system, terming it ‘interference’, has moved to the High Court, asking it to cancel the just-concluded parliamentary polls.

The opposition party yesterday afternoon filed a writ petition, and also urged the court to pass an order requiring the government to hold a fresh election with the participation of all political parties and people.

Zainul Abdin Farroque, central publicity secretary of the BNP, yesterday afternoon registered the writ petition.

The petition says the oath of MPs is contrary to the constitution as articles 123(3) and 148(3) make it clear that taking an oath means assuming office, and the MPs of the 10th parliament cannot take over office until the ninth parliament expires on January 24.

Nasir Uddin Ahmed Ashim, the lawyer and central human rights secretary  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Leader of the Opposition Rawshan Ershad and PM’s Special Envoy HM Ershad share a light moment after the swearing in of the new cabinet members at Bangabhaban yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

‘Controversial’ ministers dropped from the cabinet n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Most of the members of the last cabinet, who the Awami League leaders think have given rise to controversies over the last five years, have been dropped from the newly-formed cabinet.

Awami League General Secretary and LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, who retained his portfolio, told reporters yesterday that those who had failed to properly carry out their duties during the previous term were not considered.

The ministers, who featured in the immediate past cabinet and were dropped either because they performed poorly or there were criminal or graft allegations against them, include Suranjit Sengupta, Hasan Mahmud, Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju, Dipu Moni, Shahara Khatun, AFM Ruhal Haque, Mostafa Faruque Mohammed, Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali, Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir, Rezaul Karim Hira, Abul Kalam Azad, Muhammad Faruk Khan, Abdur Razzaque, Afsarul Ameen, Abdul Latif Biswas and Ramesh Chandra Sen. GM Quader, commerce minister of the previous cabinet, could not win the election in his constituency.

Among the state ministers, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Mahbubur Rahman Talukdar, AB Tajul Islam, Ahad Ali Sarkar, Md Shahjahan Miah, Md Motahar Hos-

sain, Mozibur Rahman Fakir, Omor Faruk Chowdhury and Md Abdul Hyee lost their offices too.

Former state ministers Abdul Mannan Khan and Dipanker Talukder failed to win in the January 5 elections, while Muhammad Enamul Huq failed to get party nominations.

In April 2012, law enforcers caught one of the personal aides of former railway minister Suranjit Sengupta with Tk74 lakh undisclosed cash. The aide was allegedly carrying the money to Suranjit’s residence. Suranjit, who was included in the last cabinet following a reshuffle, was made a minister without portfolio after he decided to quit following the incident.

According to the affidavit that was placed with the Election Commission (EC), former environment minister Hasan Mahmud’s wife owned assets worth a staggering 2,290 times more than five years back.

Former state minister for water resources Mahbubur Rahman Talukdar now owns an astronomical 2,865 acres of land. Five years ago he owned only 20 acres.

Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju was shifted from the telecom ministry to the labour ministry following allegations that he was attached to illegal call termination  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

One killed, 25 injured in Now PM’s special envoy, Ershad BCL-Shibir clash at CU ready to join parliament n FM Mizanur Rahaman An Islami Chhatra Shibir activist was killed, and 25 others injured, in a clash between Bangladesh Chhatra League and Shibir men at Chittagong University yesterday afternoon. Of the injured, two are in critical condition.

The deceased was Mamun Hossain, a fourth year student of soil science, and also general secretary of Shah Amanat Hall unit of Shibir.

Campus sources said 25 to 26 persons, from both the sides, sustained injuries during the clashes.

Police and witnesses said the clash erupted around 1:45pm when Shibir men fired several gunshots from Amanat Hall as a procession of BCL was crossing the area.

Sources said BCL men equipped with firearms and sharp weapons entered the hall and clashed with Shibir men, and at least 50 rounds were exchanged in the firefight between groups during the incident.

INSIDE Interview

7 Dr Nusrat Rabbee, daughter of Dr Fazle Rabbee, a key witness in war crimes trial, talks about her vision of 1971, recent political turmoil, and Jamaat-e-Islami.

News

13 | BROTHERS SINK SHEIKH RUSSELL

5 The December-March period is considered the prime time for tourism in Bangladesh. Businessmen engaged in this sector usually earn huge profits that help keep their businesses afloat all year round.

AFM Nizamuddin, an assistant superintendent of police of Hathazari circle, told the Dhaka Tribune they had dispersed both the groups after firing, and that 18 Shibir men were arrested.

Jahirul Islam, a sub-inspector at the police outpost at the Chittagong Medical College Hospital, said five of the injured were rushed to the hospital. The on-duty doctors announced Mamun dead.

Shibir activists Rahat Hossain of the physics department, Amjad Hossain of the mathematics department and Shahshul Hoque Roki of botany and BCL activist Enamul Hoque of history, are undergoing treatment at the hospital. Rahat and Roki’s conditions were critical according to CMCH sources.

Mostafizur Rahman, the general secretary of the CU unit of Shibir, alleged that the BCL men had launched the attack in a “preplanned manner” with the assistance of law enforcers. “One of our leaders was killed and 15 others injured in the attack,” he said.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

n Kamran Reza Chowdhury

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad yesterday said he would attend the parliament sessions, though would not say anything about his sickness for which he had been at Combined Military Hospital since December 12.

The Dhaka Tribune talked to him when he was surrounded by intelligence officials who practically brought him to Bangabhaban, for the oath-taking ceremony of the new cabinet.

Many of his top leaders did not meet him at the garden where the guests had refreshments. Ruhul Amin Hawlader, the JaPa secretary general, and Abu Hossain Babla, however, were with him until he left the scene.

Rawshan Ershad, already selected as the opposition leader, met him, but the couple of 60 years had a very few words. Rawshan led her party to the election as Ershad first announced taking part in the elections and then seemed stubborn to boycott the polls.

He was allowed to go to his

Baridhara residence yesterday evening after the Cabinet Division issued a circular making him a special envoy to the prime minister.

“Where are you sir, are you fine?”

the Dhaka Tribune asked him as the intelligence officials were escorting him out of the Bangabhaban.

Ershad remained silent.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Ashraf: New government for five years n Tribune report

Bangladesh had performed tremendously in reducing the poverty rate, but the big challenge was to enhance the country’s domestic growth rate within the next couple of years, he said.

Muhith expressed hopes that the country’s growth rate would be good if the present government had total authority and power in 64 districts.

Saying the tender process for Padma Bridge would be completed within four months and the entire project completed within two years, Muhith assured that foreign donors were not concerned about the economic situation.

The minister also said it was a good feeling to be minister again, adding that he thought he had had a wonderful innings as the finance minister of the country over the last five years. l

Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday said the new government has assumed power for five years as per the constitution.

“Of course, we are here for five years.

You [journalists] please go through the constitution and then you will see what is there,” the UNB quoted the leader as saying. Ashraf made the remarks yesterday while talking to reporters at the lawn of Bangabhaban, soon after taking oath as a new minister.

About holding dialogue with BNP, he said the next election will be held when there will be a consensus. “But they [BNP] will have to cut ties with Jamaat and militancy. They will have to shun the path of destructive politics

too,” Ashraf added.

His comments came as Finance Minister AMA Muhith categorically said there was an offer for a mid-term election within a short time depending on political consensus.

Talking to reporters at his secretariat office after being sworn in as a minister, Muhith said there was a qualitative change in the recent election compared to last year’s polls.

“We have not been comfortable because of the low turnout in the recent poll as the main opposition party boycotted the election; but we have a good record for setting up a good election system in the last five years” he also said.

The minister also said the main challenge of Bangladesh would be to become a middle-income country within 2021.

Khaleda skips oathtaking ceremony n UNB

Six cabinet members face criminal charges

BNP Chairperson and immediate past opposition leader Khaleda Zia did not turn up at the swearing-in programme of the new cabinet at Bangabhaban yesterday.

Sources at the Cabinet Division said a letter was sent to the BNP chief inviting her to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the 49-member-cabinet led by Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.

Contacted, a BNP leader close to Khaleda also confirmed that they had received the invitation letter.

Khaleda lost her official portfolio as the opposition leader since the 18-party alliance led by the BNP boycotted the 10th parliamentary election on January 5.

More than 1,000 guests including foreign diplomats were invited to attend the function held at the Darbar Hall of the president’s residence and office at 3:30pm. l

n Syed Samiul Basher Anik

Manmohan congratulates Hasina n Tribune Report Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh telephoned Sheikh Hasina yesterday to congratulate her on assuming the office of the prime minister.

“Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh sent a message of felicitations to HE Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and also called her on the telephone this evening to convey his good wishes to her on assumption of the office of Prime Minister after the recent elections in Bangladesh,” said a statement issued by the Indian foreign ministry yesterday.

Manmohan also wished Hasina and the people of Bangladesh all success in the endeavour to strengthen the democratic institutions of the country.

A day after the 10th parliamentary election, the Indian government said poll was a constitutional requirement.

They were part of the internal and constitutional process of Bangladesh. l

At least six out of the 49 members of the newly formed cabinet are facing criminal charges, according to affidavits placed before the Election Commission before the January 5 poll.

The number of cases the members of the cabinet mentioned in their affidavits would have been much higher had the government not withdrawn many charges against after labeling them 'politically motivated'

Those six include four ministers: Tofail Ahmed, Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Hasanul Haque Inu and Anwar Hossain Manju. Among them, Manju is facing three graft charges, while the remaining three ministers have one charge each.

Of the remaining 23 ministers, 15 have faced charges before but do not have any right now, and eight of them have clean sheets.

The other two facing charges are state ministers Moshiur Rahman Ranga

ministers and two deputy ministers at Bangabhaban, in presence of a huge number of guests including ambassadors of the different resident missions in Bangladesh.

Out of the 300 seats, 153 MPs were elected unopposed while official figures showed less than 40% people cast their votes in the 10th parliamentary polls, which the BNP-led 18-party alliance boycotted.

The premier made Jatiya Party (JaPa) Chairman HM Ershad a special envoy of the government with the rank of a minister, his wife Rawshan Ershad the opposition leader, and made one other full minister and two state ministers from his party.

Similarly, she picked Rashed Khan Menon of the Workers’ Party, Anwar Hossain Manju of the Jatiya Party (Manju faction) and Hasanul Haq Inu of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) for the cabinet which the party leaders call a “government of national consensus.”

Experts and academicians say the induction of JaPa in the cabinet would make the 10th parliament an opposition-free legislature, which would not be critical of the Hasina government.

While talking to reporters at the Bangabhaban ground, Hasina defended her decision to include the JaPa members in the cabinet. “You always suggest we work together. Again, you criticise when we do so.”

4 aides reinstated as PM’s advisers; Towfiq, Modasser dropped n Mohosinul Karim and Rabiul Islam

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has appointed four advisers dismissing the previous six who were appointed during the poll-time government.

Among the six, only Foreign Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi and Security Affairs Adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique retained their offices yesterday.

HT Imam and Mashiur Rahman, who were public administration and economic affairs advisers to the prime minister during the grand alliance government period, have been reappointed as advisers.

The four advisers who were dropped are Shafique Ahmed, Dilip Barua, Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu and Anwar Hossain Manju.

However, Manju has secured his position in the new cabinet as environment and forest minister.

The Cabinet Division has issued separate orders regarding the shuffling of PM’s advisers.

Three other advisers to the premier who were left out of the poll-time government –Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Alauddin Ahmed and Syed Modasser Ali – have not been selected either as advisers or as cabinet members. l

Hasina: Will not bow to any pressure n BSS Ruling out giving in to any international pressure regarding the just-concluded parliamentary poll, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government would continue to work for the country.

“You know well that Sheikh Hasina does not succumb to any pressure whether it is national or international. The country is ours and the people are ours. We will continue the work that is needed for the country and the people,” she said while talking to reporters at Bangabhaban in the afternoon after taking oath as prime minister for the third time.

The prime minister mentioned that her government wanted to create a national consensus in a bid to save public life and property, ensure security to the minorities, stop political vengeance, maintain the flow of development, keeping trade, commerce, export and all political activities above all kinds of violent activities.

Hasina also sought cooperation of all to run the new government and reiterated her call to the BNP to sever ties with Jamaat-e-Islami and stop destructive acts that were impeding the normal life and livelihood of the people.

About dialogue with the BNP, the Awami League president said her government might take any steps for the

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

Arifur Rahman, the organising secretary of the university unit of BCL, denied the allegations and said the Shibir men attacked a BCL procession and injured 10 of their leaders and activists.

Pro-VC Iftekher Uddin said the authorities were holding an emergency meeting to determine a course of action.

ASP (north) Mohammed Shahidullah said a huge contingent of police and RAB had been deployed at the campus to avert further untoward incidents. The BCL procession had been brought out protesting the attack on Jalal Ahmed, office secretary of the university unit of BCL, in Sylhet on Saturday night. l

She said it was her government’s priority to bring normality to the country.

The AL president also inducted into the cabinet two top leaders – Tofail Ahmed and Amir Hossain Amu, whom she had not included in the 2009 cabinet, and scaled down demoted them, as they had demanded reforms in the party during the tenure of the military-backed caretaker government in 2007.

Hasina did not include any of her family members in the cabinet.

According to more than one sources close to the prime minister, Hasina thinks that the BNP-Jamaat may create obstacles in every step of the government through violence, in the name of movement. They will try to prove the government a failed one.

The premier has kept experienced politicians like Amu, Tofail, Mohammad Nasim, Menon, Inu and Abdul Latif Siddiqui in her cabinet to face the BNP and its allies both politically and authoritatively, the sources said.

Mayeen Uddin Khan Badal, a JSD lawmaker, told the Dhaka Tribune that the main challenge for the new government would be to unite the whole nation following the BNP-Jamaat alliance’s violent politics.

He opposed JaPa’s inclusion in the cabinet saying: “This [offering the opposition party a cabinet position] is an impossible practice. You will not find any [example] of such practice [else-

continuation of democracy. She, however, said, for this, the BNP would have to stop terrorist acts and militancy first.

About the Teesta water sharing and enclave issues with India, the prime minister said the issue of land boundary agreement with India was resolved and a bill in this regard had been placed in Indian parliament.

She said discussion with India about the Teesta and the enclave issues was underway. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee might oppose the Teesta treaty as “she sees the issue from her own point of view and I think she should come forward with an attitude of understanding as a neighbour,” Hasina said.

“Any problems can be resolved through bilateral discussion and I have no objection to talk to Mamata Banerjee.”

Hasina also reaffirmed that the trial of war criminals would continue.

She said the BNP had not performed its responsibility properly as main opposition party in strengthening democracy and maintaining the constitutional process. “The poll would have been more competitive while democracy would have got a firm footing, had they [BNP] joined the election.”

Hasina said Khaleda’s choosing the path of conflict and violence instead of democracy was very unfortunate for the nation which led to the deaths of many people from all classes. l

BNP goes to court  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

of the BNP, said the Election Commission issued the gazette notification in 289 constituencies with “malafide intention” which was an excuse of the ruling party to take the oaths before January 25.

However, if the premier advised the president to dissolve the ninth parliament, the question would not arise, he said.

The cabinet secretary, law secretary, prime minister office secretariat

secretary, chief election commissioner, election commissioners, speaker, parliament secretary and EC secretary were listed as the respondents to the petition of Farroque.

Earlier in the morning, a Supreme Court lawyer, in another writ, challenged the legality of the Election commission’s gazette notification of the results in 289 constituencies of the 10th parliamentary elections, the MP’s oath

Ershad ready to join parliament  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

Another reporter asked him: “How do you see the cabinet?”

“Good,” Ershad replied while walking towards the main entrance.

“As I have been elected MP, I have to go to parliament,” he said in response to a question put by the Dhaka Tribune on whether he would attend the parliament sessions.

The on-duty intelligence officials blocked the two reporters as they pro-

ceeded to ask more questions.

The former military dictator came to take oath as a lawmaker amid tight vigilance of the intelligence officials. He was debarred to talk to the reporters.

Mujibul Haque (Chunnu), who was one of the leaders to defy Ershad’s poll boycott decision, saw him and touched his feet. Ershad did not tell him anything.

Anisul Islam Mahmud, who refused to resign from the interim cabinet of Sheikh Hasina violating Ershad’s order,

1 killed, 25 injured ‘Controversial’ ministers dropped from the board

24 first-timers for new cabinet  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

and Mirza Azam.

Other than these two, M Mujibul Haque, Narayan Chandra Chondo, Biren Shikder and Junaid Ahmed Palak have faced charges before but do not have any right now. The rest of the 11 state ministers have never faced any charges.

Out of the two deputy ministers, Abdullah Al Islam Jacob has no charge against him right now, while no case has ever been filed against Arif Khan Joy, according to their affidavits.

However, the number of cases that the members of the cabinet mentioned in their affidavits would have been much higher had the government not withdrawn many charges against after labeling them "politically motivated."

According to home ministry officials, the Scrutiny Committee for Recommending the Withdrawal of Politically Motivated Cases, withdrew a total of 7,101 cases, including 345 filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, out of the 11,113 applications they received in the last four years.

The government, in August last year, decided to withdraw 72 more cases filed between 2001 and 2006, identifying them as politically-motivated and intended to harass the then opposition leaders and activists. l

Monday, January 13, 2014

taking, and the president’s call to form the new government.

Eunus Ali Akond, the lawyer, said the new MPs can take their oaths within 90 days of the first session of the parliament, according to the article 67 of the constitution, he said.

“As there is no time limit in the constitution and RPO, the EC may issue the notification after January 24,” said the petitioner. l

did not see him. Another leader Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu also skipped seeing him.

While walking out of the Bangabhaban, the JaPa chairman talked to Presidium member Salma Islam, another reformist leader who did not get berth in the new cabinet.

Earlier, Ershad came to witness the ceremony and sat in the front row of the Darbar Hall with wife Rawshan beside him. l

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

business, better known as illegal VoIP business. There were also allegations against him following a murder in his hometown Narsingdi.

Dipu Moni, the first female foreign minister in the country’s history, was widely criticised for her frequent overseas tours, that cost the government exchequer huge sums every time.

Shahara Khatun, the first female home minister in history, was Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s confidante, but there had always been questions regarding her efficiency as a minister.

She was made the post and telecommunications minister after she failed

to perform satisfactorily as the home minister.

AFM Ruhal Haque, while serving as the health minister over the last five years, was also involved in the telecom business. He used to run an International Gateway (IGW) that owed the government more than Tk50 crore and recently went off-air.

Mostafa Faruque Mohammed and Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali became ministers by chance after Tofail Ahmed and Rashed Khan Menon turned down offers to become ministers during the 2012 reshuffe of the cabinet. So, their exclusion from the new cabinet was not surprising.

Former law minister Shafique Ahmed and industries minister Dilip Barua, were appointed advisers to the prime minister.

Although dropped from the pollstime government, former state minister for land Mostafizur Rahman has been made full minister in the new cabinet. State Minister for Science Yeafesh Osman and State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze retained their portfolios.

Syed Abul Hossain and Tanzim Ahmed Sohel Taz, minister and state minister in the previous cabinet respectively, resigned from their posts.

The previous cabinet’s state min-

ister for women and children’s affairs Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was elected as the Speaker of Parliament.

A minister of the polls-time government, Rawshan Ershad has already been appointed the Leader of the Opposition in parliament. Poll-time minister ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader was not considered for the new cabinet either.

Former state ministers Salma Islam, Monnujan Sufian and Shamsul Hoque Tuku were also dropped.

Two former senior ministers AK Khandakar and Enamul Hoque Mustafa Shaheed withdraw from battle of ballots because of their old age. l

where], that is what I can say as student of political science.”

The government would, of course, try to consolidate its authority and bring normality.

Menon, the civil aviation minister, told the Dhaka Tribune that the government had been capable of handling the violent politics of the BNP-Jamaat.

“In future, the BNP-Jamaat will launch more agitation. So, we need experienced politicians to face them. We want to assure the people that this government will ensure good governance,” he said.

He said the new government had a blend of experienced politicians and young leaders.

“Jatiya Party’s inclusion in the cabinet will make the government stronger.

We can face the opposition’s agitations and violent politics well in future. Bitter criticism in parliament will make the government unpopular,” Mujibul Haque (Chunnu), a JaPa lawmaker who was made state minister for labour and employment, told the Dhaka Tribune.

Senior AL lawmaker Rahmat Ali told the Dhaka Tribune that the people thought the government might not last long as it had happened in the past.

“But Sheikh Hasina has formed an inclusive cabinet that will earn people’s confidence through good governance, ultimately benefitting the party,” he said.

Following the ceremony, AL General

Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said the present government would be in office for a full five years.

The ministers of the previous cabinet who were not picked for the new cabinet had failed to discharge their duties, said the LGRD minister. The prime minister would maintain a “zero tolerance” approach to corruption.

He also said Hasina would investigate the alleged corruption of any new ministers, and, if proved, would take action.

Asked about Syed Ashraf’s comment on the ministers left out, former food minister Abdu Razzaq told the Dhaka Tribune that he could make such remarks as the party’s general secretary.

“We are not in the cabinet as Sheikh Hasina tried to separate the government from the party. So, many of the former ministers holding important party positions were dropped,” Dipu Moni, a former foreign minister and the AL’s organising secretary, told the Dhaka Tribune.

Meanwhile, many of the members of the previous cabinet were seen looking shocked at Bangabhaban. Many junior MPs were also shocked to see first time MPs in the new cabinet.

Former state minister for home Shamsul Haque Tuku sat at the last corner of the ceremonial hall. He sat unmoved with eyes closed while the cabinet secretary was calling the names of new ministers.

Former telecom, and also home minister, Shahara Khatun was seen sleeping during the ceremony.

Former leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League and MP from Faridpur Abdur Rahman, who on Saturday told the Dhaka Tribune that he desired to be a minister, also sat in the far corner of the Darbar Hall.

He was muttering with a stiff face as the cabinet secretary announced the names of Shahriar Alam and Zunaid Ahmed Palak as state ministers.

One Jubo Mahila League leader was seen patting her forehead telling one of her fellow colleagues that the junior MPs had been really lucky. “All is for luck, for luck,” she said.

After taking oaths, most of the new ministers touched the feet of party President and Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina.

Party sources said as reward for “honesty and successes,” the premier kept in office AMA Muhith, Matia Chowdhury, Syed Ashraf, Mujibul Haq, Mustafizur Rahman Fizar, Yeafesh Osman in her cabinet. Obaidul Quader, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Quamrul Islam were chosen for their role in the last five years.

Mymensingh MP Matior Rahman, Emaz Uddin Pramanik and Shamsur Rahman Sharif were chosen to honour their contribution for the party for long years.

Hasina made Saifuzzaman Chow-

dhury Javed a state minister to keep her word she had given to his father Akhteruzzaman Chowdhury Babu while he was undergoing treatment in Singapore.

Anisul Haq, chief prosecutor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman murder case and also son of late Serajul Haq who was close to Bangabandhu, has become MP and minister for the first time ever.

Junaid Ahmed Palak, Shahriar Alam, Mirza Azam, Abdullah Al Islam and Arif Khan Joy were picked up among the new generation lawmakers.

Biren Sikder, Promode Mankin, Narayan Chandra Chondo and Bir Bahadur were made ministers as they represent different religions.

Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, AKM Mozammel Haq and Syed Mohsin Ali, among others, have been chosen from regional perspective.

Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury told the Dhaka Tribune that the prime minister had shaped the cabinet with the combination of experienced and new leaders with a view to take Bangladesh ahead.

About dropping the controversial leaders, she said: “The prime minister has already announced not to allow anyone who is controversial and connected with corruption...To be fair before the people, she [Hasina] did not allow anyone even having far connection with corruption.” l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Monday, January 13, 2014

Half of the members are first-timers n Tribune Report

Ministers of the new government take oath yesterday at Ganabhaban, administered by President Abdul Hamid

PMO

MINISTERS GET PORTFOLIOS

PM yet to distribute home, foreign ministries n Mohosinul Karim and Rabiul Islam Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday distributed portfolios among ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers of the new cabinet with home and foreign ministries undeclared.

The Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification, distributing the portfolios immediately after the cabinet members were sworn into office yesterday.

Hasina took the responsibilities of the Cabinet Division, public administration ministry, defence ministry, and the Armed Forces Division. A gazette notification signed by Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan was issued yesterday in this regard.

According to the rules of business, the ministries or divisions which were not placed under any minister or state minister would go to the prime minister. l

Sheikh Hasina

Abul Maal Abdul Muhith Amir Hossain Amu Tofail Ahmed Matia Chowdhury Abdul Latif Siddiqui Mohammad Nasim Syed Ashraful Islam Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain Rashed Khan Menon Matiur Rahman Mosharraf Hossain AKM Mozammel Haque Mohammad Sayedul Haque Emaj Uddin Pramanik Obaidul Quader Hasanul Haq Inu Anisul Islam Mahmud Anwar Hossain Nurul Islam Nahid Shahjahan Khan Anisul Haque Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya

Prime Minister Cabinet Division Public Administration Ministry Defence Ministry Armed Forces Division Ministers Finance Ministry Industries Ministry Commerce Ministry Agriculture Ministry Posts and Telecommunications Ministry ICT Ministry Health and Family Welfare Ministry LGRD Ministry Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Religious Affairs Ministry Housing and Public Works Ministry Liberation War Affairs Ministry Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Textile and Jute Ministry Communications Ministry Information Ministry Water Resources Ministry Environment and Forests Ministry Education Ministry Shipping Ministry Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Disaster Management and Relief Ministry

Md Mojibul Haque AHM Mostafa Kamal Mustafizur Rahman Asaduzzaman Noor Syed Mohsin Ali Shamsur Rahman Sharif Md Kamrul Islam Md Mujibul Haque Chunnu Yeafes Osman MA Mannan Mirza Azam Promod Mankin Bir Bahadur Ushoi Singh Tonchonga Narayan Chandra Chando Biren Sikder Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal Ismat Ara Sadek Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed Meher Afroz Chumki Mashiur Rahman Ranga Shahriar Alam Zahid Malek Nasrul Hamidul Haque Bipu Junayed Ahmed Palak Abdullah Al Islam Jacob Arif Khan Joy

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Black day: BNP

Businessmen, lawyers majority in new cabinet

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

n Syed Samiul Basher Anik Of the 49 members of the Hasina-led newly formed cabinet 18 said they run businesses while 11 identified themselves as lawyer in their affidavits placed before the Election Commission ahead of the parliamentary poll.

Among the ministers Tofail Ahmed runs agriculture and share business, Rashed Khan Menon is the chairman and managing director of two companies respectively, Anisul Islam Mahmud is a textile and garment manufacturer and exporter, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya is managing director of two companies and owner of Rituchakra Traders, Asaduzzaman Noor is vice-chairman of Asiatic Group and managing director of Desh Telivision Limited, Syed Mohsin Ali runs sawmill business, while Mohammad Nasim, Engineer Mosharrof Hossain, Emazuddin Pramanik and Shahjahan Khan mentioned business as their profession.

From the list of state ministers, Mujibul Haque Chunnu runs business (also a lawyer), Mirza Azam is owner of two companies, Promod Mankin is an importer (also a lawyer), Bir Bahadur Ushoi Singh Tanchangya has rubber business, Narayan Chandra Chand has brickfield business, Asaduzzaman Khan owns a company and serve as a managing director at another one, Shahjahan Khan runs transport business, Zahid Malek is a chairman of four companies and Saifuzzaman Chowdhury is a businessman.

Both the deputy ministers – Arif Khan Joy and Abdullah Al Islam Jacob – are businessman by profession.

Lawyers from the new cabinet are Mujibul Haque Chunnu, Amir Hossain Amu, AKM Mojammel Haque, Sayedul Haque, Anisul Haque, Mujibul Haque, Mostafizur Rahman, Kamrul Islam, Promod Mankin, Sri Biren Shikder, and Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

Those who mentioned politics as their profession are AMA Muhith, Hasanul Haque Inu (also an engineer), Nurul Islam Nahid, MA Mannan, AHM Mustafa Kamal, Abdul Latif Siddique and Obaidul Quader.

Syed Ashraful Islam and Meher Afrose in their affidavits said they are social workers.

Anwar Hossain Manju said he was working as the adviser to the prime minister. Khandker Mosharrof Hossain is chief technical adviser of the ILO, Shamsur Rahman Sharif is a tenant farmer and Ismat Ara Sadek a housewife.

However, Motia Chwodhury, Shahriar Alam and Nasrul Hamid did not say anything about their professions in their affidavits. l

Comprising more than half the cabinet, 24 individuals have emerged as ministers in the new cabinet for the first time.

The first-time ministers are Syed Mohsin Ali, Prof Motiur Rahman, Asaduzzaman Noor, AHM Mostafa Kamal, Anisul Haque, Shamsur Rahman Sharif, Emajuddin Pramanik, Sayedul Haque, Quamrul Islam and AKM Mojammel Haque.

The first-time state ministers are Shahriar Alam, Mirza Azam, Junayed Ahmed Palak, Ismat Ara Sadek, Mashiur Rahman Ranga, Nasrul Hamidul Haque Bipu, MA Mannan, Zahid Malik, Bir Bahadur, Narayan Chandra Chanda, Biren Sikdar, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. Arif Khan Joy and Abdullah al Islam Jacob are the two first-time deputy ministers.

Conducted by Cabinet Secretary M Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, the oath-taking ceremony began at 3:30pm and ended at 3:58pm at the Bangabhaban.

The 10th general election was held on January 5 amid boycott by main opposition BNP. The Awami League secured absolute majority in the election bagging 232 seats – 105 contested and 127 uncontested.

The Jatiya Party emerged as the second biggest in parliament bagging 33 seats – 13 contested and 20 uncontested.

On Saturday, the Parliament Secretariat published a gazette notification confirming Rawshan Ershad as the Leader of the Opposition of the 10th parliament. l

Army officials yesterday disassemble an outpost on the Rajshahi-Cantonment bypass road ahead of the 10th parliamentary election DHAKA TRIBUNE

BLAST CASE

Charges pressed against Fakhrul, 11 other BNP activists n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday took cognisance of the charges made against BNP acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and 11 other party leaders and activists in a case filed with Motijheel police station in the capital.

Sub-Inspector KM Azijul Haque of Detective Branch of police pressed the charge sheet making 28 individuals prosecution witnesses.

According to the charge sheet, demonstrators from the rally organised by the BNP-Jamaat alliance hurled crude bombs at the on-duty lawmen from DIT road in Motijheel on December 6 of 2012.

Motijheel police station Sub-Inspector Mokarram Hossain filed a case accusing the 12, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir under the Explosive Substances Act. General Recording Officer Sub-Inspector SM Gaffarul Alam of the CMM court said the charge sheet was pressed on December 14 last year, but Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbubur Rahman signed it only yesterday, the day he fixed for hearing.

Gaffarul told the Dhaka Tribune now the case document would be transferred to the metropolitan sessions court for further proceedings.

The other charge-sheeted accused are Md Ahsan Habib, general secretary

of Motijheel thana unit BNP, Saifullah Khaleq, its president, Md Saifullah, Md Rokonuzzaman, Md Alauddin Manik, Atiqur Rahman, Abul Kalam Azad, Golam Hossain, Md Sajib, Md Noor Islam and Md Quamruzzaman.

All of the accused are on bail now.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir obtained bail from the High Court and the rest from the CMM court.

As per the case statement, the BNP-Jamaat activists brought out a procession at Dainik Bangla intersection of Motijheel on December 06, 2012.

At one stage, the demonstrators hurled 3/4 crude bombs at the on-duty police and prevented the law enforcers from discharging their duties. l

Tribunal dismisses case against Bagerhat lawyers n Udisa Islam The case against two Bagerhat lawyers, also notary public, was dismissed yesterday with observations made by the war crimes tribunal regarding authorisation of affidavits.

The International Crimes Tribunal 2 also adjourned the proceedings in the case against Jamaat leader AKM Yusuf until January 15. The defence yesterday completed cross-examination of the 19th prosecution witness, Abdul Latif Hawlader.

On the affidavits, the tribunal said: “No affidavits can be made while a criminal case is pending at a court.”

It also said the notary public concerned had to be specifically sure about the content of the affidavits and the person related to the affidavits.

The same tribunal on November 17 had summoned Sheikh Abdul Wadud and Shamima Akter for clarifying their roles in preparing the affidavit for a prosecution witness who disowned it before the tribunal.

Yesterday, the tribunal exempted

them from personal appearance.

The tribunal dismissed the case with some directives as “both of the lawyers sought unconditional apology for their fault,” said Gazi H Tamim, a junior counsel for Yusuf.

The accused Jamaat leader is facing the trial on 13 counts of crimes against humanity including genocide, murders, arson attacks, abduction, torture in confinement, forced conversion of Hindu people and their deportation committed at different places in Bagerhat during the 1971 Liberation War. l

Hours after the swearing-in of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s new cabinet yesterday, BNP, the main opposition party in the 9th parliament, claimed that a journey towards an “autocratic regime” had begun in the country.

“Today is a black day for Bangladesh.

By swearing in this illegal and immoral government, the era of demeaning democracy has begun,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP acting secretary general said in a press release yesterday.

A BNP-led 18-party alliance boycotted the 10th general elections as their demand of holding the polls under a non-partisan interim government was ignored. BNP also termed the January 5 elections as “farcical”.

The alliance held a series of hartals and blockades in support of its demand. A countrywide rail, road and waterway blockade was underway during yesterday’s oath-taking ceremony at the Bangabhaban.

Condemning the new cabinet, the BNP statement demanded immediate resignation of the “illegal” government,

and transfer of power to a neutral caretaker government to oversee fresh elections that will be inclusive and credible.

The BNP spokesperson also said the new government did not have the support of 95 percent of the people of the country.

“A blackened autocratic journey has started, burying the spirit of democracy,” Fakhrul said.

“Again, Bangladesh has been thrown into the dark in a planned way. Democracy-loving people of the country will never give legitimacy to this government,” he added.

Fakhrul also alleged that when BNP was moving towards establishing peace and democracy in the country, Awami League started walking the path of autocracy, burying all democratic norms and morality.

According to the Election Commission, 153 of the 300 parliamentary seats were won uncontested, while voter turnout was about 40% in the 139 constituencies where polling took place last Sunday. Elections in eight other constituencies were suspended and rescheduled for January 16. l

2 JCD men give ‘confessional’ statement in arson case n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu Two Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists yesterday gave confessional statements in a case filed for arson attack on a police-requisitioned bus in the capital’s Bangla Motor intersection on December 24, which left one constable dead and two others injured.

Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Erfan Ullah recorded the statement of the JCD activist Rabiul Islam Nayan while Magistrate Shahariar Mahmud Adnan recorded the statement of another JCD activist Anup Chandra Roy. Earlier in the day, Detective Branch Sub-Inspector Bahauddin Faruki, investigation officer of the case, produced the two accused before the CMM court and filed petition for taking confessional statements in the case.

After recording their statements, the court sent the JCD activists to jail.

Earlier, Kalabagan police had identified Rabiul Islam Nayan, 26, JCD joint convener of Mohammadpur thana unit, JCD activists Anupam Chandra Roy, 24, and Jobayer Hossain, 22, on January 6 when they were blasting crude bombs on CR Dutta road near the private television channel Bangla Vision office in the city.

A case was filed with Kalabagan police station accusing them of blasting bombs.

Later, they were shown arrested in the case linked with the Bangla Motor incident after Nayan and Anup had confessed their involvement with the incidence, DB sources said.

On December 25, Sub-Inspector Nazrul Islam of Ramna police station filed a case in connection with the Bangla Motor arson attack against BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with 20 other leaders and activists of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Monday, January 13, 2014

Blockade ends without major incident n Tribune Report The last day of the 18-party nationwide communication blockade, resuming after a two-day pause early yesterday, passed without any major incident.

The day was almost eventless barring a few stray incidents of violence and detention occurring mostly outside the capital. In the capital, the major thoroughfares, rail stations and bus and launch terminals were crowded with commuters like the day before.

In the capital, two policemen and lawyers sustained injuries in separate incidents of bomb attack near Jagannath University and the Judge’s Court respectively Inter-district buses have left for their destinations in time without hassles while the situation in the districts returned to normal by the afternoon.

With no new protest programme yet announced by the BNP-led alliance, the situation is likely to remain normal until after the Eid-e-Miladunnabi holiday on January 14.

In the capital, two policemen and lawyers sustained injuries in separate incidents of bomb attack near Jagannath University and the Judge’s Court respectively.

The two lawyers – Uzzal Sarkar, 32, and his associate Sirajul Islam, 26 – and police constable Md Hasan were injured in front of the Judge’s Court around 2:30pm while traffic constable Abul Bashar were injured

near Jagannath University.

All the injured were first admitted to the National Medical College and Hospital and subsequently to DMCH. Except for these incidents, Dhaka passed almost an eventless day with uninterrupted traffic flow on the streets.

Sirajganj is one of the few districts where pro-blockade activists engaged in disruptive activities.

The district’s Deputy Assistant Land Officer Md Enamul Haque, 35, suffered critical injuries after the CNG-run autorickshaw carrying him was attacked by pickets.

“He was on his way to office when pickets hurled a petrol bomb at the vehicle at Bagbati union. The driver lost control of the auto and hit a roadside structure,” said Hasan Ali, a colleague of Enamul.

He was then rushed to a local clinic where doctors referred him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

Activists also hurled bombs at a police van in Shaheedganj, vandalised a truck and burnt tires elsewhere in the district town. However, no casualties were reported.

Police detained a total of 13 activists after daylong raids in various places of the district, said Sub-Inspector Anis Ahmed of Sirajganj Sadar police station.

According to reports sent by our correspondents, processions in support of the blockade were held in Laxmipur, Chandpur, Dinajpur, Gaibandha and Kurigram districts.

At least 20 activists were arrested in Chittagong and Chandpur while four Jamaat loyalists including a UP chairman arrested in the Kolaria upazila. l

Jamuna Group chief sued for demeaning RAB n Kailash Sarkar

Commuters struggle through the mud at Chittagong’s Guptachhara port during ebb tide. The jetty at the port broke down only two years after construction BANGLA NEWS

A case was filed against Jamuna Group chief Nurul Islam Babul yesterday for providing employees uniforms similar to Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

Twelve security guards of the Jamuna Group were held for wearing Rab look-alike uniforms despite repeated warnings. Rab 1 held the twelve youths from Jamuna Future Park, located in capital’s Baridhara area, and produced them before a Dhaka court.

Rab 1 Deputy Assistant Director Karim Uddin filed a case against Jamuna Group chief Nurul Islam Babul and the 12 detainees in this connection.

The case alleged that those uniforms created confusion among the public and demeaned the image of the elite law enforcement agency. Rab 1 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Kismat Haiyat told the Dhaka Tribune that several warnings were provided earlier advising a change to the uniform. l

Charge framing in Zia Trust case deferred n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

A Dhaka court yesterday deferred the hearing on charge framing against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and others in connection with the Zia Charitable Trust graft and Zia Orphanage Trust graft cases.

Judge (acting) Md Rezaul Islam of the Special Judge’s Court 3 passed the order after Khaleda’s lawyer submitted a petition seeking adjournment on the hearing.

In the petition hearing, Khaleda’s lawyer Md Sanaullah Miah said the former prime minister could not appear before the court due to lack of proper security.

“She is not the opposition leader now, and the government has already withdrawn the special security given

to the opposition leader, so she cannot appear before the court during the blockade programme,” the counsel said.

Anti-Corruption Commission lawyer Mosharraf Hossain Kajol appeared for the state and opposed the prayers.

Bench assistant of the court Md Ariful Islam told the Dhaka Tribune: “So far the charge framing in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case has been deferred 40 times and in Zia Charitable Trust graft case seven times.”

However, after the hearing the court granted time to the defence and the court also set February 16 as the date for charge framing against the accused.

Zia Charitable Trust graft case

On January 15, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Jahrul Haque

took cognisance of charges against Khaleda and three others in the case.

The other accused are Khaleda Zia’s former political secretary Harris Chowdhury, his former assistant personal secretary Ziaul Islam Munna and Manirul Islam Khan, the former personal secretary of Sadeque Hossain Khoka.

Of them, Harris Chowdhury left the country in 2007 and has been staying abroad since. He was mentioned in the charge sheet as an “absconding accused” while Ziaul and Monirul are now on bail.

ACC Deputy Director Harunur Rashid, the investigation officer of the case, pressed charges against the accused on January 16, 2012.

According to the case statement, a 2,809 square metre piece of land in the city’s Kakrail area was bought by

the trust from one Suraiya Khanam in January 2005, for Tk65.2m.

ACC alleged that Tk12.5m of the amount came from outside the trust’s known sources of income.

Zia Orphanage Trust graft case

The other accused in this case are Mominur Rahman, nephew of Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda’s former principal secretary Dr Kamaluddin Siddique and former BNP lawmakers Kazi Salimul Haque and Sharfuddin Ahmed.

Salimul Haque Kamal and Sharfuddin Ahmed were present in the court during the hearing while Tarique Rahman has been in London since 2008.

Khaleda last appeared before the court on January 15, last year when she secured a permanent bail in the graft case. l

RU admission tests Jan 23-27 n RU Correspondent

3 companies fined for polluting environment

The schedule of admission tests for the first year honours courses at Rajshahi University (RU) under session 2013-14 has been rescheduled for the fifth time due to recent countrywide hartals and blockades.

Professor Eliyas Hossain, public relations administrator of the university said; “The tests have been rescheduled to be held from January 23 to January 27.”

The decision was taken yesterday noon in a meeting of sub-committee for holding the tests while the Vice Chancellor Prof Mizanuddin presided over, Hossain also said.

The schedule will be available on the newspapers and the university website at www.admission.ru.ac.bd l

n Abu Bakar Siddique

WEATHER

Light rain likely n UNB Weather may remain mainly dry with partly cloudy sky over the country until 6pm today.

Moderate fog might occur over the country during midnight till morning, Met Office said.

Night temperature may fall by 1-2 degree Celsius and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

The sun sets in the capital at 5:31pm today and rises at 6:44am tomorrow.

Country’s highest temperature 28.5 degree Celsius was recorded in Cox’s Bazar and lowest 11.0 degrees in Rangamati yesterday.

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

High

Low

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

25.0 24.2 24.4 25.0 23.5 24.1 26.7 28.5

16.4 13.0 13.4 12.6 15.0 13.5 14.6 12.4

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

5:24am 6:42am 12:07am 3:55pm 5:31pm 6:51pm

Source: IslamicFinder.org

A delegation of FBCCI visits burn victims at DMCH and provide financial aides yesterday

BANGLA NEWS

The government yesterday slapped Tk92 lakh worth of fines on three companies for polluting the environment.

The largest individual fine of Tk50 lakh was handed to Digital Power & Associates, a power generating company which is a sister concern of Orion Group located at Narayanganj’s Fatullah.

Fines worth Tk37 lakh was also handed to Nowab Abdul Malek Jute Mills (BD) Ltd located at Kanchpur in Narayonganj, while Ayman Textile and Hosiery Ltd at Chnadra in Gazipur was fined Tk5 lakh.

Md Alamgir, director (enforcement) of the Department of Environment (DoE), handed the penalties to the companies as all of them had been violating the environment rules and regulations while carrying out their productions.

The DoE handed the penalties yesterday at a hearing at the department’s office in the capital’s Agargaon area.

Regarding the penalty to Digital

Power & Associates, the DoE said the company had started its infrastructure development without having any site clearance from the environment department, which was mandatory for a red category industry.

In addition, the company did not maintain the mandatory regulation of having environment impact assessment (EIA), although it had already completed about 95% of its infrastructure development, the DoE added.

It is mentionable that the chemical affluent of heavy fuel oil – that is used in the plant generation industries – devastates bio-diversity by polluting the earth and water.

The enforcement department of the DoE also fined Tk37 lakh to Nowab Abdul Malek Jute Mill for operating its production without an environmental clearance and for having an inadequate number of dust collectors.

The DoE also handed a Tk5 lakh fine to Ayman Textiles as the company had been operating without any effluent treatment plant. l

High Court issues rule on Cox’s Bazar and Moheshkahli jetties

Five murdered in five districts n Tribune Report

n Nazmus Sakib

At least five people including a teenager were murdered in Narayanganj, Cox’s Bazar, Sirajganj and Lakshmipur in last two days.

Police recovered body of an unidentified young woman, 25, in Narayanganj sadar upazila Saturday.

Although police claimed that the incident was a suicide, locals alleged that the victim was murdered, reports our Narayanganj correspondent.

In Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya, elder brother had allegedly hacked his younger brother to death over land dispute.

Sources said Moktar Ahmed, 35, succumbed to his injuries yesterday after Islam Mia, 50, elder brother hacked him on Saturday.

In Sirajganj, police recovered the body of a cattle trader on Saturday night.

The deceased, Hasan Ali, 48, hailed from Kaliya Kandapara village under Sadar upazila, reports our Sirajganj correspondent.

A school student was beaten to death centring land dispute in Mollar Hat area of Raipur upazila under Laxmipur district early yesterday.

The deceased, Md Salman Shah, 16, was a tenth grade student of LKH High School of the upazila. l

The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking why not handing over the jetties of Cox’s Bazar’s Kasturaghat, Moheshkhali and Adinath Mandir to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority should not be declared illegal.

The bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice Md Habibul Gani asked the deputy commissioner of Cox’s Bazar and twelve others to reply to the rule within four weeks after hearing a public interest litigation registered by Raihanul Mustafa, an inhabitant of Moheshkhali and a Supreme Court lawyer.

Though the government, after demarcating Cox’s Bazar (Kasturaghat) river port’s boundary, in a gazette notification on February 6, 2010 ordered to hand over the three jetties to BIWTA, the concerned authorities and the DC have not yet complied.

The litigation said people were suffering badly as the staff appointed by

the DC were illegally extracting heavy tolls from them. It also said there had been no development of the Kasturghat jetty, which was still made of wood.

Supreme Court lawyer Ziaur Rahman contended for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Mukhlesur Rahman represented the government. l

CTG ARMS HAUL CASE

Court to announce date for verdict today n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong A Chittagong court will announce the date for delivering verdict in two cases related to the recovery of 10-truck arms and ammunition today.

Public Prosecutor (PP) Kamal Uddin Ahmed said the tribunal would declare the date for announcing the much-awaited verdict in the cases on completion of verbal arguments by the defence lawyers.

“The nation will at last be able to see the result of the prolonged trial in the cases,” he said, adding that they were

optimistic of getting the verdict within few weeks.

Earlier, Judge SM Mojibur Rahman of Chittagong Metropolitan Special Tribunal 1 ordered the defence lawyers to complete their argument by today, while the Kamal Uddin Ahmed concluded his argument yesterday.

The PP, however, sought two more days for submitting his elaborate argument in written form, which was granted by the court.

On April 2, 2004, the police seized 4,930 types of sophisticated firearms, 27,020 grenades, 840 rocket launchers,

300 rockets, 2,000 grenade launching tubes, 6,392 magazines and 11,40,520 bullets when they were being loaded on to 10 trucks from two engine-boats at the jetty of the Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Limited (CUFL).

Ahadur Rahman, the then Karnaphuli police officer-in-charge, filed the two cases on April 3, 2004 in connection with the incident, which were transferred to the criminal investigation department of police after 22 days.

The CID on June 26, 2011 submitted supplementary charge sheets following further investigation into

the cases on a court directive.

Former industries minister Nizamee, former state minister for home Babar, former director generals of National Security Intelligence Maj Gen (retd) Rezzakul Haider Chowdhury and Brig Gen (retd) Abdur Rahim, former NSI directors Wing Commander (retd) Shahabuddin Ahmed and Maj (retd) Liakat Hossain, and field officer Akbar Hossain, former managing director of CUFL Mohshin Talukder and its former general manager AKM Enamul Haque have remained behind the bars in the cases. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Angarpota-Dahagram residents still hostage to Tin Bigha Corridor The corridor gate remains closed for an hour daily though declared for a 24-hour open Following a mass agitation by the man of Dahagram, told the Dhaka Triresidents. n Mohammad Jamil Khan, back claveThere is little scope for one to get a Angarpota-Dahagram residents, the bune he kept in touch with the higher from Angarpota, Dahagram

People of Angarpota-Dahagram are yet to enjoy their full-fledged freedom even 42 years after Bangladesh’s independence as the access to the enclave through Tin Bigha Corridor is controlled by the Indian Border Security Forces.

The BSF keeps the Tin Bigha Corridor gate closed for one hour daily for hoisting the Indian national flag in the morning and taking it down in the evening.

The enclave remains disconnected from Bangladesh during the formalities.

Separated by the Tin Bigha Corridor belonging to the Indian territory, Angarpota-Dahagram has virtually no link with the mainland Bangladesh, and for that reason, no sustainable development had taken place here, except a mere community clinic, a school and a market at Dahagram.

People in the area are highly deprived of healthcare facilities to a large extent.

The name-only clinic is far too little to provide health services to the en-

doctor at the clinic and any medicine except painkillers.

For better treatment, patients have to travel across 15 miles to see doctors at Patgram upazila.

The Dhaka Tribune on December 26 at Dahagram bazar met Anguri Begum who was on her way to Patgram with her four-year-old girl suffering from stomach ache.

Asked about the problem, she said the clinic failed to provide her with any treatment, and then, she was going to Patgram to see a doctor.

Lying on the eastern bank of Teesta with an area of 32 square miles Angorpota and Dahagram are among the most fertile areas of Bangladesh.

The enclave is gifted with arable land for growing rice, jute and tobacco and is self-sufficient in food.

Despite the fact that the enclave belongs to Bangladesh, none can enter there without India’s permission as the access route to the enclave through Tin Bigha Corridor is controlled by the BSF.

gate of Tin Bigha corridor used to be kept open for six hours a day from June 26, 1992 to 1999.

Later on April 27, 2001, it was decided that the gate would remain open for 12 hours, and around 17,000 inhabitants availed themselves of the opportunity.

Since September 08, 2011, they began to enjoy a 24-hour entry-exit facility.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited the area on October 19, 2011, and formally declared that the gate would remain open round the clock.

Though the gate was all-time open, the inhabitants alleged that they had to face BSF harassment as the forces stopped passenger buses and other good-laden vehicles in the name of checking.

A flyover was scheduled to be built in the area to facilitate people’s access to their territory at their own sweet will without BSF permission, but to no avail.

There was hardly any progress of flyover construction sighted while visiting the area.

Contacted, Habibur Rahman, chair-

5

Monday, January 13, 2014

authorities concerned for flyover construction and hoped that steps would be taken soon.

Locals alleged that the BSF kept the gate closed for nothing at sunrise and sunset. Is it appropriate that the corridor gate should be kept closed for one hour only flag-related formalities? some locals asked this correspondent, who contacted the BSF of Tin Bigha corridor to know about the matter, but the Indian Border Security Forces failed to come up with satisfactory answers.

The BSF directed him to talk to their high-ups for comments.

Mohammad Junaed Ali, camp incharge of Patgram Border Guard Bangladesh, told the Dhaka Tribune the main problem being that the BSF controlled the corridor gate.

It is hard to believe that people in the area face any problem from the closure of the gate, he said.

“If we hear any problem, our forces settle down the matter, taking necessary steps,” he added. l

JU VC likely to resign today n Mahadi Al Hasnat Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Prof M Anwar Hossain yesterday announced to quit the post as he has been barred to enter the campus for over a month in the face of agitation by a section of teachers demanding his resignation.

Prof Anwar in the afternoon told the Dhaka Tribune: “I have decided to resign from the post and asked for an appointment of President and JU Chancellor Abdul Hamid [today]. I will submit my resign letter to him if he is available.”

The former Dhaka University professor said: “I am an elected vice-chancellor. No one can bring me down from my position unless I resign voluntarily.”

He has been conducting office at a rented house in Uttara since the first week of December.

A section of pro-Awami League teachers loyal to ousted VC Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir in collaboration with pro-BNP teachers launched the movement against Prof Anwar as he had failed to mete out punishment for unruly leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League for assaulting a teacher.

General Secretary of the unit Rajib Ahmed Rasel reportedly assaulted an economics department lecturer and

Tourism sector reaches its nadir in Gazipur

43rd founding anniversary of JU observed n JU Correspondent

n Our Correspondent, Gazipur Four months of the year, December to March, are considered the prime time for tourism in Bangladesh. Businessmen engaged in this sector usually earn huge profits that help keep their businesses afloat all year round.

But this season they are seeing the nadir of their business profits because of the recent political unrest, especially the continuous spell of hartals and blockades. Many businessmen are paying salary to their staff out of their capital funds.

Misi Construction has leased Gazipur National Park from the forest department this year at Tk73 lakh.

Masudul Haq of Misi Construction said there are more than 50 picnic spots in Gazipur. “Our construction company used to earn Tk10 lakh to Tk15 lakh during December to March.

That amount is earned just from the entrance fee of tourists and vehicles.”

He said there were 36 staffers working for the company, and that the company needed Tk2.16 lakh every month to pay their salaries.

Since tourists are not coming to the park – fearing subversive activities such as arson attack, vandalism and bomb blasts – the company has to pay salaries and other maintenance costs of the park from its own funds.

“We have to pay the lease cost to the government every year, whether we earn a profit or not,” he added.

Nurul Islam, manager of Sea Gull picnic spot located in Singardighi area of Sripur upazila of the district, said during peak season they usually did not have enough space to accommodate the huge rush of picnic clients, but this year was the opposite, as the picnic spot was almost vacant.

Abul Hossain, manager of the Khamar Bari picnic spot situated at Hotapara, said they had yet to get any bookings this month.

“We have to pay Tk1.5 lakh to 13 staff

A vacant field of Khamarbari picnic spot every month. But we could earn only Tk12,000 so far this year,” he added.

“I usually earn Tk3000 daily at peak time from which I can easily support my family during the rest of the year.

Now I get Tk500 only. Hartals and blockades have snatched away everything of us”, said Billal Hossain, who runs a tea stall in front of the Khamar Bari picnic spot.

Nazrul Islam, proprietor of Nipun Decorator at Monipur Bazaar, said he

DHAKA TRIBUNE

had earned Tk2.25 lakh in the previous year.

“The turmoil political situation has become the biggest obstacle to our earnings”, he added.

Manager of Puspodam resort and picnic spot Biplob, said the spot had the capacity to provide space for two parties daily. The monthly income of the spot, during the prime season, was minimum of Tk15 lakh.

“This year, we have to pay the

monthly remuneration of Tk1.80 lakh to our 30 staff from the funds of the owner,” he said.

“Hasina-Khaleda are responsible for marring our business. Will they meet our economic demands?” said Alam Hossain, an infuriated shopkeeper in front of Puspodam resort and picnic spot. He also said, the daily income of the picnic spot last season was Tk10,000, while now it is only Tk2,000.

President of Sreepur Tourism Khon-

also a Syndicate member on April 6.

Though the VC suspended him immediately for six months, he later withdrew the punishment.

Since then, the protesting teachers were agitating against the VC under different banners bringing some 18 allegations against him and boycotted classes and examinations several times.

The administrative office of the university was locked for over 60 days in the last nine months.

On December 3, agitating teachers confined the VC at his residence for the second time while police rescued him on December 5 and send him to Dhaka.

Since then, agitating teachers had sealed and locked his residence on the campus and barred him from entering the campus premises.

Then president and JU chancellor Zillur Rahman appointed Prof Anwar on May 20, 2012 as Prof Shariff was forced to step down on May 17 following protests on the campus over the murder of Zubair Ahmed and the Chhatra League’s attack on university’s cultural activists.

Taking the charge of the university, Prof Anwar arranged the VC panel election on July 20 and he was re-appointed by the chancellor on July 24 from a three-member elected panel. l

daker Masud Rana said a group of tourists, comprising 40 people, had planned to travel hill tracts of Chittagong on December 19 last year – but have shifted to January 24 due to the political unrest.

Principal (acting) Nurunnubi Akhond of Muktijoddha Rahmat Ali University College, situated at Shripur, said the college authority had abandoned the plan to hold the annual excursion because of political unrest. l

Students, teachers and employees of Jahangirnagar University yesterday celebrated 43rd founding anniversary of the university with glee and festivity.

Marking the day, the university authority organised a programme at the business faculty premises and brought out a rally.

The two pro vice-chancellors of the university Prof M A Matin (education) and Prof Afsar Ahmad (education) inaugurated the programme around 10am by hoisting the national flag and the JU flag and releasing balloons.

Prof Afsar Ahmed convened members of the “JU family” to come forward regardless of difference in views to promote the university.

He said: “All of us have to work jointly in order to attain the goal of this university which is aged same as our country.”

Prof M A Matin said: “Since inception the university has been making its mark through merit and achievements both in national and international arena.

“We already have introduced several new departments and we have plans to open more to connect with the outside world.”

Different departments, institutes, students’ cultural and political organisations joined in the rally with colourful placards, posters, and banners.

Hundreds of students of JU School and College also joined the rally that marched towards the Selim Al Deen Muktomancha.

However, Prof Anwar Hossain, vice-chancellor of the university, remained absent in the celebration following agitation of a group of teachers.

The agitating teachers of the university, under the banner of “JU Teachers-Students and Officers-Employees United Forum” also brought out a rally on the occasion. l

Locals demand renovation Local AL leader grabs primary school land of a road in Barisal n Our Correspondent, Barisal

n Our Correspondent, Barisal Local people formed a human chain and held rally yesterday with a call for immediate step to save and repair Raj Kumar Ghosh Road at Nabagram in Barisal city.

People from the all section of life, including teachers and students of Sabera Khatun School took part in the human chain.

Speakers at the rally said as heavy vehicles such as truck and lorry run on the road to load and unload materials of a nearby pharmaceutical company, the

road was damaged soon after it renovation work. So it is necessary to repair the road as soon as possible because students of Sabera Khatun School use the road while going to school.

They also alleged that the 600 feet long protection wall which constructed by the Barisal City Corporation at a cost of Tk 20 lakh was collapsed within few days as the city authority built the wall with sub-standard materials.

BCC Mayor Ahsan Habib Kamal said he had visited the spot asked the officials to issue show cause notice against the pharmaceutical company. l

RMG workers’ salary robbed n Our Correspondent, Gazipur Robbers looted Tk14,00000 from Sanghar Text Ltd – a readymade garment factory in Shibrampur area under Gazipur Sadar upazila on January 10.

The factory Assistant General Manager Mohiuddin Ahmed said the cash

was withdrawn from Islami Bank in Jirani Bazar near Ashulia to pay the salary of garment workers.

A gang of six robbers took away the amount of money at gunpoint while the manager and four other garment officials were going to the factory riding an easy bike. l

Joynul Abedin, a local Awami League leader and ward councillor of the Barisal City Corporation is allegedly grabbing lands from a school premises in the city and constructing his personal offices on them.

He has also threatened journalists and ordered his cadres not to allow any reporter inside his territory.

After visiting the spot in Razzak Smriti Colony in KDC Ghat area under ward-10, workers and cadres of Joynul were found constructing personal office, workstation and Sramik League office occupying the Bastuhara Government Primary School premises and playground.

Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation was the legal owner of the land on the bank of Kirtankhola River which was previously used for loading and unloading food grains, fertilisers, and agricultural equipments, said Principal of the school Shahana Begum.

About three decades ago the district administration gave 100X150 feet area of the land on lease to construct the primary school with a small play-

Constructions of a concrete building by grabbing the playground of KDC Razzak Memorial Colony Bastuhara School continues under the direction of Barisal city’s Ward 10 Councillor Joynal yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE ground for the local poor kids, Shahana said.

Joynul, the three-time elected councillor of the ward, controls dens of the drug peddlers and criminals in a slum in the KDC Ghat area, alleged locals.

He was also infamous for working under any political party that comes to power to stay under a political shelter, they also alleged.

He had been grabbing the land since long by using his political power, alleged Sahadat Hossain a local resident.

Recently when the school authority started to construct a toilet for the children with the aid of UNICEF, Joynul obstructed the work by driving away the construction workers with his goons, the school authority alleged.

Joynul assaulted two local journal-

ists on Saturday when they went to the spot to collect information and photos of the illegal grabbing of the land.

Later the they were rescued by their colleagues.

The Awami League leader blatantly ordered his cadres for not allowing any journalist inside his territory. He threatened that if any journalist was found in the area trying to act against him, they would be beaten and then handed to police framed as a drug peddler, said the assaulted reporters.

When asked about his activities, Joynal claimed that he was doing everything with permission from the concerned authority.

“I am not constructing anything on my private land. If I construct anything on the public land and government does not oppose that then why the journalists should poke their noses inside the matter,” Joynul told.

Shohidul Alam, deputy commissioner of Barisal, said he had sought permission from the administration and district primary education authority to conduct a coordinated drive to evict the illegal grabbers from the school premises immediately. l

15,000 rice mills workers in hardship n Our Correspondent, Magura At least 15,000 workers in 4000 rice mills in the district are passing days in financial hardship due to non-stop hartals and blockades.

According to sources, 90 percent mills in the district are now out of operation. The workers are facing hardship as they work on daily basis payment.

The mill owners said due to hartals and blockades, transporting of rice was being hampered. Earlier Tk 12,000 was given to a trucker to transport rice from Magura to Dhaka. But now a trucker is demanding Tk 30,000 to Tk 35,000.

Morjina Begum, a rice mill worker in Akshi village said; “I work in the mill on daily basis payment.”

“As I have no work for a month, I am facing extreme hardship,” she said.

Hashiara Khatun a rice mill worker in Jagdal village said; “I am running my family with the money taking loan from a local NGO as I am jobless for a month.”

Shabana Khatun, a rice mill worker in Nanduali village said; “About 50 workers in the village are passing days in hardship.” l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Monday, January 13, 2014

16,000 acres of government land remain grabbed in Barisal Only about four acres recovered this year n Our Correspondent, Barisal LAND GRABBING IN BARISAL Over 16,000-acre government land worth Tk160 crore remains occupied by grabbers in 10 upazilas under the district while only 3.78-acre has been recovered this year.

According to Barisal district administration, land registration and revenue departments, 16,863 of 45,696 acres of government land were encroached upon by a section of influential occupants.

The government owns 22,324 acres of land while the remaining 23,372 are vested property at the government disposal amounting to 45,696 acres.

Of the 16,863 acres, 1,553 include arable and non-arable land while the rest 15,310 are vested property.

The district Sadar upazila has 216 acres of agricultural and non-agricultural land and 489 vested property while Bakerganj 135 acres and 3,550 vested property, Babuganj 58 acres and

27% Grabbed Land 16,580 acres

73% Under Govt control 33,358.08 acres Government lands Directly owned 22,324 Vested properties 23,372 Total 45,696

Grabbed 1,540 15,310 16,850

Land recovered in 2013

3.78acres

SLH/DT INFOGRAPHIC

6

Source: Barisal District Administration Land Registration and Revenue Department

3,121 vested property, Banaripara 14 acres and 1,885 vested land, Gournadi 45 acres and 1,714 vested property, Ujirpur one acre and 861 vested land, Ago-

iljhara 13 acres and 794 vested property, Muladi two acres and 1,992 vested property, Mehendiganj 206 acres and 106 vested property and Hizla 850

Schoolboy beaten to death in Lakshmipur n Tribune Report

acres and 798 vested property accounting for 45,696 acres.

Only five decimals of agricultural and non-agricultural government land are in Sadar, 50 in Bakerganj, 31 in Babuganj, 10 in Banaripara, 35 in Gournadi, 10 in Ujirpur, two in Agoiljhara, 10 in Muladi, 25 decimals in Mehendiganj and two acres in Hizla upazila recovered in this year.

The vast amount of government land was grabbed by politically influential persons.

No land from the illegal occupants of the vested properties, which were actually at the government disposal had been recovered yet, acknowledged additional Deputy Commissioner (revenue) Md Wahiduzzaman.

Wahiduzzaman said different types of legal framework, political influence and shortage of manpower in land department were causes of the government failure to recover those land from the illegal occupants. l

Growers expect good potato yield in Rajshahi n Tribune Report

Students form a human chain in Goplaganj town yesterday, condemning attacks on Hidus in different parts of the country

ACC starts probing case against former Bogra DC n Tribune Report The Anti-Corruption Commission has started investigation of a land grabbing case against former deputy commissioner of Bogra and joint secretary of Home Ministry, Iftekharul Islam Khan, and six others.

The ACC have been recruiting probe officials for investigating the case.

ACC Additional Director Faruq Ahmed, who was given the responsibility to probe the case last month, said Nawabganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahbub Rahman was also an accused in the land grabbing case.

Earlier on November 7 last year, the ACC filed a case with Bogra Sadar Thana against six people, including Iftekharul Islam Khan. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

200 trees burnt as miscreants set orchard on fire in Chuadanga n Tribune Report At least 200 mahogany trees along with huge betel leaves were gutted as miscreants set fire to a betel leaf garden at Dwinnathpur village in Sadar upazila early yesterday.

Locals said a group of miscreants torched the betel leaf garden on a two bighas of land owned by Abdul Hamid, pouring petrol in the early hours.

The fire burned down the whole garden and the mahogany trees, reports UNB. Abdul Hamid alleged that his rivals torched the betel leaf garden in a planned way.

He also claimed that the extent of losses caused by the fire would exceed Tk50 lakh. He lodged a written complaint with sadar police station.

Ershadul Kabir, officer-in-charge of Sadar police station, said they had launched a drive to arrest the miscreants. l

Seedbed fair held in Kurigram n Our Correspondent, Kurigram Neighbouring people gather at the courtyard of a national award winning farmer as unidentified miscreants set his house on fire at Jogonthpur village of Ishwardi upazila in Pabna in the early hours of yesterday Dhaka Tribune

National award winning farmer’s house set on fire n Our Correspondent, Pabna A farmer’s house was set on fire by group of unidentified criminals early yesterday in Jogonthpur village of Pabna’s Ishwardi upazila.

According to sources, a gang of criminals hurled petrol bombs at the residence of Siddikur Rahman Moyez around 1am which initiated the fire.

The farmer’s family claimed that valuables worth Tk12 lakh were gutted in the fire, including two cows and goats.

Fire service sources said they went to the spot after receiving information and doused the fire after an hour’s effort.

Siddikur Rahman, a Bangabandhu Agriculture Award winning farmer, alleged that his brother along with his men had set fire to the house as they had previous enmity over family property.

Officer-in-Charge Biman Kumar Das of Ishwardi police station said a case was filed by Moyez against his brother and 13 others for setting fire to his residence. Police arrested a suspect from the village later in the morning, he added.

Pabna Deputy Commissioner Kazi Ashraf Uddin along with the officers of local administration visited the house in the morning. l

A seedbed fair was organised yesterday at Moulvibazar area of the district’s Prosadkaloa village in the sadar upazila with an aim to aware farmers of methods in saving their crops during the cold weather.

The fair was an initiative of StrasaIrri project of private organisation, Solidarity, and had the motto “Save Seedbed from Cold, Get Better Harvest.”

In the presence of at least 150 farmers, the procedure to save seedbed with polythene was demonstrated in one acre of land of Dasherhat Chora after a discussion meeting as the second spell of cold would bring drizzle, dense fog and cold weather which might harm the seedbeds of the areas.

Agricultural Extension Department Deputy Director Protip Kumar Mondol, Executive Director of Solidarity Harunur-Rashid Lal, crops production specialist of Agricultural Extension Directorate Bidhu Bishon Roy, sadar upazila Agricultural Officer Mojnur Rahman, Deputy Assistant Agricultural Officer Sahadat Hossain attended the fair, among others. l

Farmers are very much hopeful about superb production of potato in Rajshahi region as overall climatic condition remains favorable during its cultivation period.

To recoup the loss incurred in the previous year caused by low market price, the farmers in the current season have cultivated potato on more land than the target fixed by the Department of Agriculture Extension everywhere in eight districts under Rajshahi division.

Saleh Ahemd, upazila agriculture officer, said the farmers were expecting better yield as there was no major natural calamity that can damage its outputs.

However, the cold wave that sweeping in the region for the last couple of days makes the potato growers apprehended over their farming.

Most of the growers’ harvested better yields of potato in last two to three

years and they also obtained expected sale proceeds in the harvesting stage.

“I had sold out an 85-kg potato bag at Taka 750 to 800 in previous season.

But, afterwards the price had declined abnormally. Many farmers incurred huge loss,” said Ziarul Haque, a farmer of Baya village under Paba upazila.

In that situation, many of them apprehended that the acreage might be reduced. But that not happened. To recoup the previous year’s loss, the farmers cultivated potato on more lands in this season, reports BSS. Abdur Rahim, a farmer of Bargachhi village, said both acreage and yield were boosted up in the wake of favorable climatic condition and availability of standard seed in the region.

This season, he along with his sons cultivated potato on around 150 bigha of land. “We are very much optimistic over our outcomes as the weather was absolutely supportive.” l

A schoolboy was beaten to death allegedly by his neighbours at Charkachhia Mollarhat village in Raipur upazila early yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Salman Shah, 16, student of Class X of LKH High School and son of Imam Hossain of the village, reports UNB. Local people said there was a longstanding dispute between Imam Hossain and Taslim Chowdhury over a piece of land.

As Taslim and his people tried to damage the road of Imam Hossain’s house Imam and his son Salman tried to resist them, triggering a clash in the morning.

Salman was beaten to death during the clash while Imam sustained injuries. Imam Hossain was rushed to a local hospital.

Police arrested Ali Ahmed, Rony, Taher and Humayun Kabir in this connection.

Police recovered the Salman’s body and sent it to hospital morgue for autopsy. A case was filed. l

Six women rescued while being trafficked to India n Our Correspondent, Satkhira Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) rescued six women in Satkhira Sadar upazila while they were being trafficked to India through Bhomra border area yesterday.

The rescued women are—Rikta Begum,23, of Ajimpur area, Surman Begum, 18, of Mirpur area in Dhaka, Tania Khatun, 18, Suborno Begum, 21, Sima Akhter, 17 of Bhola district and Porshi Khatun, 22, of Natore district.

Lt Col KM Imam Ahsan said a team of BGB had rescued them while they were being trafficked to India.

Satkhira police station Officer-inCharge Enamul Haque said the rescued women were RMG workers.

The traffickers brought them to the border area in the name of giving good job in India.

The BGB men could not arrest the traffickers. The women were handed over to the police station. l

Extension of Dhaka Shishu Hospital Project Dhaka Shishu Hospital Sher-E-Bangla Nagar Dhaka-1207 Tender No. 001/2013-14

Invitation for Tender

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Project Name Agency Procuring entity name Invitation for Completion of work Invitation Ref No. Fiscal year Procurement method Budget and source of funds Tender last selling date Tender closing date and time Tender opening date and time Name & Address of the office

14

Selling tender document

15

Receiving tender document

16

Opening tender document

17

Price of tender schedule

18

Short description

Date: 12/01/2014

Extension of Dhaka Shishu Hospital Project.

Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka.

Project Director, EDSHP, Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka-1207.

Medical Equipments & others instruments.

12 (Twelve) weeks from the date of contract signing.

DSH. Ex. Project/2013-14/98,99 2013-2014 OTM, National GOB 30/01/2014, 2:00PM 01/02/2014, 12:00PM 01/02/2014, 1:00PM Office of the Project Director, EDSHP, Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka-1207.

1. Office of the Project Director, EDSHP, Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka-1207.

1. Office of the Project Director, EDSHP, Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka-1207 2. Sher-E-Bangla Nagar Police Station, Dhaka.

Office of the Project Director, EDSHP, Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka-1207.

Tk. 5,000 (Five thousand) only

Tender security

Eligibility of tenderedr (Detail are in the schedule)

Medical equip- 2.5% tender security of the quoted amount Stated in Tender Data Sheet ments & others from any schedule Bank by Pay Order in faInstruments vour of extension of Dhaka Shishu Hospital Project (EDSHP)

Package No. G-01

19 20 21

Name of official inviting tender Designation of official inviting tender Address of official inviting tender

22 23

Contract details of official inviting tender Special instruction

Prof. Dr. Md. Abdul Aziz Project Director.

Office of the Project Director, EDSHP, Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka-1207.

02-9104211-20.

1. If the date of selling, receiving & opening of tender is disturbed under any unavoidable circumstances, the next working day will be applicable.

2. Tenderer will have to supply the requisite goods on priority and necessary basis of the procurement authority within schedule time after issuing work order upon availability of fund. And the Item/Quantity may be increase/decrease as per allotment.

3. Authority reserves the right to accept or reject all the tenders.

This tender notice can be seen at www.dhakashishuhospital.org/tender

Project Director

DG-03/14(9”x4c)

Extension of Dhaka Shishu Hosptial Project Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka-1207.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Interview

7

Monday, January 13, 2014

‘Fundamentalism flourishes when democracy slowly falls apart’ Dr Nusrat Rabbee, daughter of Dr Fazle Rabbee, a biostatistician, and a key witness in the war crimes trial, talks about her vision of 1971, the recent political turmoil, and Jamaat-e-Islami

D

n Udisa islam r Nusrat Rabbee is the daughter of martyred intellectual Dr Mohammed Fazle Rabbee and Dr Jahan Ara Rabbee. She is an expert working in biotechnology in the San Francisco Bay Area and is also a faculty member of the Department of Statistics, University of California, Berkeley. She holds a PhD in Biostatistics from Harvard University. Dr Rabbee has been writing, and demanding proper justice for the murder of her father, in the Bangladeshi media for over a decade.

She was summoned and later served as the nation’s key witness in the trial for the assassination of the intellectuals in 1971 by Jamaat-e-Islami men and the Pakistan army. The accused for the intellectual extermination were Choudhury Mueenuddin and Ashrafuzzman Khan, both residing outside of Bangladesh.

Do martyrs like shaheed Dr Mohammed Fazle Rabbee, Dr Alim Chowdhury, or Prof Munier Chowdhury belong to a political party? Can they be “claimed” by any political party?

I think martyrs are national treasures.

They belong to the glorious history of mankind. I can speak for my father, Dr Rabbee only. He is a martyred hero who believed in the freedom and the right to self-determination of Bengalis.

He supported any and all political parties, activists or groups that believed in helping the cause. He was the personal physician of the Sheikh Mujib family. He respected Sheikh Shahib a lot and supported him strongly, but he never considered himself an Awami Leaguer exclusively. He was first and foremost a cardiologist who thought about the well-being of his country. He was a visionary with the skills needed to rebuild the country ravaged in 1971.

That is why the Pakistanis killed him.

My mother, the late Dr Jahan Ara Rabbee, never belonged to any political party either. She despised the idea.

A well-known figure and a working physician, she earned the respect of all parties – with the exception of notorious culprits of Jamaat who actually strategised my father’s killing. She was held in high regard both by Sheikh Mujib and President Zia. I am not the daughter of politicians – only of two such illustrious, hard-working and historic citizens of Bangladesh. From them and my own scientific career, I have learned to think about the long-term well being of the country. I am always interested in being a good global citizen and understanding the role of ordinary citizens in strengthening constitutional democracy.

What is the vision of 1971?

There are many definitions. But the foremost is that we have a country where the ordinary man or woman is free – free of poverty and oppression. Today I see Bangladesh divided between activists and Jamaat. It is the common people who are caught in the crossfire. Every day the newspaper reports atrocities from unchecked violence. A little girl whose wrist was blown up by a blast, or a schoolboy whose body was found drenched in blood – these are common stories from the past year. We are becoming desensitised to this picture. Frankly I am outraged because I see no difference between this and the killings in 1971.

The vision of 1971 has not been achieved. We cannot put the lives and livelihoods of common people at risk for political gains. It does not matter what the goal is. We cannot have a country where various interests are using common people out on the streets

A file photo of a demonstration against the Pakistani atrocities, staged in the United States by expatrate intellectuals in 1971 as fodder. We need a government, an opposition party and a strong law enforcement system – a total infrastructure committed to providing basic security, safety, and the right to go to work or school safely for all people.

This is 2014. And we don’t have it.

If Jamaat is behind all the chaos today, what do you propose as a solution given the current situation?

Bangladesh is not a place for radical, extremist, fundamentalist Islam. It never has been. Millions died for the birth of this country. We are rooted in secularism both before and after 1971. We are a country where each person is free to worship the god or deity of his choice. There are plenty of compassionate, respectful Muslims in Bangladesh and that is a good thing.

Jamaat is not their voice. Jamaat needs to be outlawed for their heinous, evil role in 1971 – aiding and abetting the genocide perpetrated by the Pakistani army against Bengalis. Just on this basis alone this organisation ought to be permanently dismantled and outlawed in Bangladesh.

Our opposition party, BNP, is in alliance with Jamaat. So how will it work?

It will work because no party can form an alliance with a heinous organisation that is illegal. For example in Germany no political parties (even conservative Christian ones) can form an alliance with Nazis. So BNP will forge alliances with other legal, existing parties. There are also strong freedom fighters within BNP, and they could come forward to assume active roles. Our country needs at least two main political parties for a stable democratic framework and we need a viable opposition party to Awami League, just to check and balance our constitution.

What will happen if the current two parties cannot reach an agreement?

We must learn from world history.

Today we are connected by the Internet, and learning is quite easy. We the citizens should understand that fundamentalism flourishes when democracy slowly falls apart. We need only look at Iran and Afghanistan. So in the bitter fight between our two parties, we are giving way to a very dark force. That

is the price we are paying for all the mutual blame. It is quite serious.

We need to hold the two parties accountable to come to an agreement on the basic premise of stopping the violence and outlawing Jamaat. In the US, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike stand against the attacks on 9/11. There is no cancer destroying the body from the inside in the US. Why should it be any different for Bangladesh? There is no excuse for any citizen of Bangladesh not to stand against the atrocities of 1971 or of today!

Many have voiced the need for a third political party – what do you think about that?

There is always that potential. A third party, as long as it acknowledges and adopts the principles of the birth of Bangladesh, could be extremely good for the long-term sustainability of Bangladeshi national politics. We have many challenges to tackle ahead of us: The energy crisis, the opportunity to lead Bangladesh into a higher tier of economics, the improvement of health and population control policies, and strict enforcement of such policies.

Wages for garment workers, for those working in the Middle East, must meet international standards. We should lobby for increase in wages. In addition, climate consciousness and continued improvements in education are high priorities. We need leaders who are busy making, approving and implementing plans for what we need to do today to have a vastly improved situation by 2030, 2050, 2075 or 3000.

Do you think a third party would work?

I don’t know. When Muslim League came into power, nobody thought it would work. When Awami League came into power, nobody thought it would work. When BNP came into existence, none believed it would continue. Yet here we are. If there is a clear vision and agenda that separates a third party from the current two, I think many Bangladeshis would hail its emergence. Bangladesh is unique in the sub-continent in being a secular, Muslim country, in having made enormous gains despite many challenges, in having elected two powerful women

for the last two decades. Anything is possible. Many would welcome a positive change.

So you don’t think the current two-party political system will work?

I am not a politician and never will be. If the current two parties, together with help from courts and the judicial system, can work out a way where they can actually come to governance and then leave gracefully when their respective term is up, then I think Bangladeshis will work with these two alliance parties. However if the current instability, violence and deadlock continue, then it will not work. It is not a matter of my opinion, – it is a scientific law. Any system that is driving the country towards a shutdown is a failed system. Either the dark force of fundamentalism will eventually reign over this region or a better, more safe and a healthier system will take over the failing system.

What should the ordinary citizen do?

I think we should raise the expectation of where Bangladesh should be in the future. First, we have to take personal responsibility for this: Working creatively in our jobs, schools, homes and institutions and always be thinking about improving our collective status as a country.

No improvement is insignificant or too small. For example, paying for the formal education of a domestic worker is a huge contribution in my opinion. Politicians will not solve all our problems. We need strong citizens and organisations working towards the betterment of Bangladesh.

Second, we have to hold our governments, political leaders, courts, and bureaucracies to higher standards.

This means we have to become sensitised to what is happening. Denial is not the answer – change is. Do we care when we see so many buses being set on fire? Who will pay for this? Why don’t the transportation companies sue the terrorists? We have to ask questions and then allow answers to emerge from society. Gonojagoron Moncho is an example of a spontaneous movement such as this. l Udisa Islam is a reporter working for Dhaka Tribune.

COURTESY

A third party, as long as it acknowledges and adopts the principles of the birth of Bangladesh, could be extremely good for the long-term sustainability of Bangladeshi national politics

Dr Nusrat Rabbee

DHAKA TRIBUNE

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Egypt army chief considers presidential bid n Agencies Egypt’s army chief has indicated that he may run for president in elections slated for later this year, according to state media.

General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who led a military coup last July to depose the country’s first democratically-elected leader, Mohamed Morsi, said on Saturday that he would run for the top post if the Egyptian people and army want him to.

“If I run then it must be at the request of the people and with a mandate from my army... We work in a democracy,” Sisi said during an army seminar in Cairo.

Egyptian military officers told AFP news agency that Sisi had support within the army to stand in the election.

Sisi’s comments come only days ahead of a referendum on a new Egyptian constitution scheduled for January 14-15.

The referendum will lead the way for parliamentary and presidential elections, as mandated by a political roadmap set up by the country’s military-led interim government.

Samer Shehata, a professor of Middle East politics at the University of Oklahoma in the United States, told Al Jazeera: “If there arems andms of people who participate [in the referendum] ... he’ll see that as an indication, I think, of a run for the presidency.”

The referendum marks the first time Egyptians will vote since Morsi’s removal and is largely seen to be as much a public vote of confidence in Sisi as in the charter itself.

Egyptian state news agency, MENA, quoted Sisi on Saturday urging Egyptians to “assume national responsibility and turn out in force to vote in the constitutional referendum in order to correct the democratic path and build a modern democratic state.”

The military general is a polarising

Monday, January 13, 2014

Explosion outside baghdad bus terminal kills nine n Reuters A car bomb exploded outside a bus terminal in central Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least nine people and wounding 16, police and medics said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack at the Allawi al-Hillah bus terminal but Sunni Islamist insurgents have been gaining ground over the past year in the western province of Anbar bordering Syria, where the militant group is also active.

On January 1, militants seized control of two cities in Sunni-dominated Anbar, raising the stakes in a confrontation with the Shi’ite-led govern-

ment, which has vowed to eradicate al Qaeda in Iraq.

The Iraqi army has deployed tanks and artillery around one of those cities, Falluja, threatening to storm the town unless local tribesmen expel gunmen from the al Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Ramadi, the provincial capital, was retaken by the army with the help of tribes in the area.

Bloodshed in Iraq has returned to its highest level in five years, a surge of violence partly fuelled by the war that began in Syria some months before US forces ended their nine-year occupation of Iraq in 2011. l

Libya’s deputy industry minister shot dead n Agencies

Egypt’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi figure in Egypt, supported by people who called for Morsi’s removal in mass protests last July, and hated by those who backed the deposed former president.

Morsi’s supporters have held frequent protests calling for his rein-

AFP

statement. They have been met by a widespread crackdown from security forces, and thousands have been arrested.

Sisi’s candidacy for president could further deepen the divisions between many Egyptians. l

Libya’s deputy industry minister, Hassan al-Droui, was shot dead during a visit to his hometown of Sirte, east of Tripoli, security and hospital sources said.

The identity of the shooters was not immediately known, but the official’s death was the first assassination of a member of the transitional government since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s government in October 2011.

Droui was killed near Mekmdas market in central Sirte after evening prayers yesterday, media coordinator for the Tripoli Security Directorate, Essam Naas, confirmed to local newspaper, Libya Herald.

“Hassan al-Droui, the deputy minister for industry, was killed by unknown attackers overnight, during a visit to his native city of Sirte,” a security official told AFP news agency.

“Unidentified gunmen sprayed bullets on Mr Droui in central Sirte,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

An official at the city’s Ibn Sina hospital confirmed the deputy minister’s death and added that he had suffered bullet wounds to several parts of his body.

Droui was a former member of the National Transitional Council, the political arm of the rebellion that brought an end to Gaddafi’s 42-year rule.

He was appointed deputy minister for industry by the transitional government’s first prime minister, Abdelrahim al-Kib, and kept his job when Ali Zeidan took over.

Droui’s hometown, which lies on the Mediterranean coast about 400 kilometres east of the capital Tripoli, was the last government bastion to fall into rebel hands in 2011.

Since the collapse of Gaddafi’s autocratic government, Libya has been plagued by sporadic violence, including a string of assassinations targeting top army and security officials.

Fighting between rival tribes in southern Libya killed 19 people on Saturday and wounded another 20, a local official said. l

Two Golden Dawn MPs imprisoned in Greece n Agencies Two more politicians from the far-right Golden Dawn party have been jailed on charges of playing a pivotal role in a criminal organisation.

A third member of the party is facing similar accusations and will testified to prosecutors yesterday.

Giorgos Germenis and Panayiotis Iliopoulos have previously been charged with joining and directing a criminal organisation as part of a government crackdown on the party, which it has branded a “neo-Nazi criminal gang.”

According to the state-run Athens News Agency (ANA), a witness said Germenis allegedly had the role of an “army major” in the recruitment and training of new members as well as in migrant attacks.

Another politician, Stathis Boukouras, who faces the same charges, also appeared before magistrates but his fate regarding jail will be decided on Sunday.

Three members of the party, including Golden Dawn leader Nikos Michaloliakos and his deputy, have been jailed since October.

A further three, including Ilias Kasidiaris, the party spokesman, have already been charged in connection with an investigation following the murder of an anti-fascist musician in September.

All three MPs, who had their parliamentary immunity lifted, denied the charges on Saturday, with Iliopoulos claiming that Golden Dawn is not a criminal organisation and that “assault militias don’t exist.”

About 150 extreme-right supporters, among them Michaloliakos’s wife and daughter, chanted slogans and held flags outside the magistrate’s office in the afternoon..

“The terrorists are walking free,” Ilias Kasidiaris said referring to the recent escape while on a furlough of far-left militant Christodoulos Xiros, member of the 17 November organisation, designated a terrorist group. l

Ukrainians rally amid fury at opposition leader’s beating

UN eyes increased Iran Body of Israel’s Ariel Sharon lies in state presence for nuclear deal n

n AFP, Kiev

n Reuters

Pro-Western Ukrainians started gathering for a fresh rally in the heart of Kiev yesterday amid swelling anger over the bloody beating of prominent former minister turned opposition leader Yuriy Lutsenko.

The 49-year-old member of jailed ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko’s cabinet was transferred out of intensive care late Saturday after being attacked by truncheon-wielding police during a small protest the night before.

“He received about 10 blows to the head,” the former interior minister’s spokeswoman said.

Nearly 20 protesters were injured in all when they tried to prevent the police from moving to jail three activists who were sentenced to six years for allegedly plotting to blow up a statue of Soviet founder Lenin in 2011.

It marked the first use of force against a leader of Ukraine’s latest wave of pro-Western protests and threatened to reignite the worst political crisis of President Viktor Yanukovych’s four-year rule. l

The UN atomic watchdog is considering increasing its presence in Iran to better handle a bigger workload in verifying Tehran is implementing a landmark deal with world powers to curb its nuclear programme, diplomats said.

Faced with an expanded role as a result of the November 24 accord, the International Atomic Energy Agency is likely to need more inspectors in Iran and is also examining whether to set up a small, temporary office there, they said. While IAEA inspectors frequently travel to Iran to make sure there is no diversion of nuclear material for military purposes, they do not now have any such operational base.

It was unclear whether the UN agency had already raised the matter with Iran, which would need to approve it.

The extent of IAEA monitoring can be controversial in the Islamic Republic, which in the past has accused the Vienna-based watchdog of acting like a Western-manipulated intelligence agency and of leaking confidential information to adversaries seeking to

Agencies

sabotage its nuclear programme.

But relations have improved since the June election of a relative moderate, Hassan Rouhani, as Iranian president, paving the way for a diplomatic thaw with the West later in the year.

“I don’t think it would be sensitive,” a Western diplomat in the Austrian capital said. “It should be seen as a natural corollary to daily access. If staff are there every day they should be able to have an office.”

The IAEA will see its work increase under the interim agreement between Iran and the six major powers because its inspectors will be the ones checking that Tehran lives up to its side of the sixmonth deal to halt sensitive nuclear work.

It says it is analysing what this will mean in terms of extra costs and manpower, but has not yet given details. It remains unclear when the implementation will start, but diplomats say the aim is later this month.

The IAEA has one to two teams of two inspectors each on the ground in Iran virtually every day of the year, staying in hotels, but that number is now set to increase. l

The body of former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon lay in state yesterday in front of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, after his body was driven under police escort to Jerusalem. President Shimon Peres placed a wreath near the coffin, which was wrapped in a blue and white Israeli flag. The body was driven to the Knesset from an army base near the hospital outside Tel Aviv where Sharon died on Saturday.

“The public will be able to pay its respects until 18:00 (16:00 GMT),” the prime minister’s office said. Thousands of Israelis are expected to pay tribute at the Knesset, police said. A state memorial is planned for Monday with the participation of Israeli and world leaders, the prime minister’s office said.

US Vice President Joe Biden, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Czech Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and others will attend, it added. Afterwards Sharon’s body will be taken by military convoy for burial at his ranch.

One of Israel’s most controversial figures, Sharon had been in a coma for eight years after a devastating stroke incapacitated him at the peak of

Thousands march in Bilbao in support of ETA

his political power.

Celebrated as a military hero by some, recognised as a pragmatic politician by others and despised as a bloodthirsty criminal by his foes, Sharon was a polarising figure at home and abroad.

News of his death and tales of his exploits dominated Israel’s newspapers and TV stations on Sunday. Sharon’s career stretched across Israel’s 65year existence and his life was closely

n Agencies

Thousands of people march in a demonstration in Bilbao ETA is blamed for 829 killings in its four-decade campaign for an independent Basque homeland in northern Spain and south-western France.

Sensitivities flared last month when prisoners’ groups pushed for conces-

sions from authorities, outraging victims’ families.

A judge at Madrid’s top criminal court on Friday issued a ruling prohibiting a demonstration that was called explicitly in support of the prisoners, say-

REUTERS

intertwined with the country’s history.

As one of Israel’s most famous generals, Sharon was known for bold tactics and an occasional refusal to obey orders. Sharon was once known chiefly as a ruthless military leader who fought in all of Israel’s major wars, before switching to politics in 1973 and championing the development of Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. l

CAR ex-leader heads for exile in Benin

n AFP

Tens of thousands of protesters in Spain’s Basque Country have defied Madrid by holding a mass demonstration marked by tensions over jailed members of the armed separatist group ETA. Crowds filled the streets in the northern city of Bilbao on Saturday in a march for “human rights, understanding and peace,” after a judge banned another demonstration planned to demand concessions for the prisoners.

The treatment of imprisoned ETA convicts is one of the most delicate issues in a standoff between the authorities and western Europe’s last major armed secessionist movement.

Organisers had called for a silent demo but cries of “Basque prisoners home!” rang out and demonstrators applauded prisoners’ family members who marched with white scarves around their necks.

Spanish and French leaders refuse to negotiate with ETA, which is branded a terrorist organisation by the European Union and the United States.

Israelis pay their last respects to former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon

REUTERS

ing it was organised by a banned group.

Basque nationalist and separatist political parties then weighed in, calling a new “rights” march on Saturday evening, which drew many supporters of the prisoners. l

The Central African Republic’s former President Michel Djotodia has travelled to Benin where he will go into exile, a day after he resigned under pressure from regional leaders.

An AFP reporter at Cotonou airport said Djotodia arrived on Saturday afternoon and was met by Benin’s foreign minister, Nassirou Bako Arifari, who earlier confirmed that the ex-leader was headed there.

“Benin accepts to welcome him at the request of member states of the Economic Community of Central African States and it is our contribution to the search for peace in central Africa,” Arifari told AFP. Djotodia, a rebel leader from the country’s north, seized power in March with the help of thousands of fighters.

He has since been accused by the international community of failing to tackle months of sectarian violence which has driven am people - more

than a fifth of the country’s population - from their homes.

He resigned along with his prime minister at an emergency summit in neighbouring Chad on Friday.

Peacekeepers reported fresh clashes overnight to Saturday between the mainly-Muslim rebel group Seleka, which brought Djotodia to power, and Christian militia.

“But I can confirm that a good part of the shooting was warning shots from us to disperse looters who were targeting Muslim homes and shops,” an officer in the African peacekeeping mission said, asking not to be named.

The local Red Cross said it had collected three bodies from the streets after violence overnight.

“We don’t understand why we keep killing each other, looting and sowing destruction amongst civilians, even after the politicians people wanted out had stepped down,” said Ahamat Deliriss, vice president of the Islamic Council. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

International

Bangkok braces for protest shutdown Thai authorities have decided to deploy more than 14,000 troops and police on Bangkok’s streets as anti-government protesters, led by former opposition politician Suthep Thaugsuban, plan on shutting down the capital for between 15 and 20 days starting Monday.

Paralysing Bangkok is the latest bid in a two-month attempt by protesters to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, amid the military’s insistance to remain neutral.

The turmoil is the latest episode in an eight-year conflict that pits Bangkok’s middle class and royalist establishment against the mostly poorer, rural supporters of Yingluck and her brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was overthrown in a military coup in 2006.

Protesters, who accuse the Shinawatra family of corruption and nepotism, have asked the army at the early stages of protests to side with them.

“We need to be careful about our comments,” Colonel Winthai Suwari, Thai Army spokesman, told Al Jazeera.

“What we say can ignite and inspire, even create, a situation that will force the army to step in.”

Yingluck called a snap election for Feb. 2, but this failed to placate protesters, who want her government to resign to make way for an unelected people’s council to oversee political reform.

Anti-government protesters wave flags as their group arrives to block one of the city’s key intersections as a part of their attempt to ‘shutdown’ Bangkok REUTERS Fears of more clashes between rival factions escalated after pro-government “red shirts” announced they would stage their own march on Monday in provinces neighbouring Bangkok.

Amid fears of escalating trouble, security forces have been deployed across the capital to protect key sites including the prime minister’s office, Bangkok’s main airport and the city’s water and electricity authorities.

Many Thais believe the military will soon step in to break the political deadlock, especially if the protests turn even more violent, and rumours of an

Five killed by bomb targeting Pakistan politician

India’s ‘handgun for women’ sparks fury

n AFP, Peshawar

A Indian handgun designed for women and named after the victim of a fatal gang-rape in Delhi was condemned by rights activists on Sunday as a disgrace to her memory. The lightweight .32 calibre revolver was developed by the staterun Indian Ordnance Factory (IOF) and can fit inside a small purse or handbag, according to a newspaper report.

The factory in the northern city of Kanpur has received 20 orders since the titanium-alloy, six-shot gun – costing 122,360 rupees ($1,976) – was launched earlier this month, the Times of India said on Friday.

“At least 80% of the bookings are from women,” IOF general manager Abdul Hameed told the newspaper, adding that more orders were expected soon.

“Expectedly, the weapon has received a very good response,” he said.

The gun is called “Nirbheek” meaning “fearless” in Hindi and was intended as a tribute to the 23-year-old student whose brutal attack in India’s capital in December 2012 sparked outrage about the levels of violence against women in India. The student was given the nickname Nirbhaya (also meaning fearless) by the media and authorities after the attack because she could not be named under Indian law.

But activists said the gun showed Indian authorities “completely misunderstood” how they were supposed to protect women from high levels of violence across the country. “It really is an insult to the memory of Nirbhaya,” said Binalakshmi Nepram, founder of the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network said Sunday. l

A bomb attack on the convoy of a ruling party politician in northwest Pakistan killed five policemen and wounded four others yesterday, officials said.

The incident took place in the Martoong area of Swat valley, which the Taliban controlled from 2007-2009, as the convoy of Amir Muqam, an adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, passed through.

“At least five policemen were killed and four others were wounded,” senior police official Abdullah Khan told AFP. The dead and wounded were travelling in the security car that was leading the convoy, he said, adding that police were investigating the precise

n Agencies

impending coup have intensified.

“Worries over another coup have fed rumours of secret meetings and high-level plots. And then last month this from the army chief,” Al Jazeera’s Scott Heidler reported from Bangkok.

“Previous coups have left Thailand in worse shape than before the military stepped in.”

The army has staged or attempted 18 coups in 81 years, but it has tried to remain neutral this time.

The country’s top general called for calm ahead of the city-wide protests and ordered troops to stay neutral in the crisis. l

9

Monday, January 13, 2014

circumstances of the blast.

Another senior police official, Gulzar Khan, confirmed the attack, which was later condemned in a statement by the prime minister’s office.

Muqam told AFP that he was safe but distraught over the loss of the men in his security detail.

“I thank God for saving my life. I am very sad over the loss of my people who gave their lives while protecting me,” he said. He said that he was travelling in the area with some 15 vehicles in his convoy as part of campaign efforts for local elections.

“This is not the first attack on me.

This is the sixth attack, but I will not be deterred from carrying out my political activities,” he added. l

Distressed Devyani leaves children behind in US n AFP, New Delhi An Indian diplomat at the centre of a bitter row with the United States told yesterday of her “immense stress” at leaving behind her young family in New York, and vowed to clear her name.

Indian consulate official Devyani Khobragade was allowed to leave the United States on Friday after a monthlong dispute over her arrest and stripsearch on suspicion of visa fraud involving her domestic servant.

Khobragade was granted full dip-

lomatic immunity and allowed to fly back to India – just hours after charges were filed in court alleging she lodged false documents to obtain a visa for her servant and then underpaid her.

Khobragade, 39, told an Indian newspaper of her anguish at leaving behind her daughters, aged seven and four, in New York along with her husband, a US citizen, who works as an academic.

“I wonder if I will be able to ever reunite with my family, my husband, my little kids. I miss them,” Khobragade told The Sunday Express. l

n AFP, New Delhi

Sri Lanka president to test popularity with local polls n AFP, Colombo Sri Lanka yesterday called snap local elections seen as a gauge of President Mahinda Rajapakse’s popularity ahead of national polls expected to be held later this year, officials said.

The southern and western provincial councils, the highest level of local government, have been dissolved, clearing the way for local elections almost a year before they were due, officials said.

“The election dates will be announced by the elections commissioner, but they are likely to be towards the end of March,” an official of Rajapakse’s office said, asking not to be named.

“This will be a crucial test for the president,” the official added.

Rajapakse is expected to win the polls that will take place in the ethnic Sinhalese-majority heartland where he enjoys strong support for crushing Tamil rebels and ending Sri Lanka’s decades-long war in 2009.

But Rajapakse, who has maintained an iron grip on power since 2009, is hoping for a landslide victory, giving him enough momentum to call national elections, according to experts and local media.

Domestic media have speculated

Powerful cyclone rips through Tonga islands n Agencies Authorities are searching remote islands for cyclone victims after the most powerful storm to hit Tonga in decades tore through the South Pacific archipelago, flattening homes and leaving at least one person dead. Relief efforts on Sunday were concentrating on the Ha’apai islands, between the main island of Tongatapu in the south and the Vava’u islands to the north, said Leveni Aho, Tonga’s director of emergencies.

Authorities had been unable to make telephone contact with 23 islands that account for most of the inhabited islands in the Ha’apai group, Aho said.

Ha’apai governor Tu’i Ha’angana said he could see from one side of the island to the other, and “that’s how devastated it is.” Cyclone Ian hit Tonga with gusts of up to 287km per hour on Saturday, putting it in category five, the most severe type of cyclone. It was later downgraded to category four, and on Sunday the storm was tracking southeast away from Tonga. Two navy patrol boats carrying tarpaulins, tents and other emergency supplies had left Tongatapu to bring help to victims who were cut off in the Ha’apai islands. The islands are home to 8,000 people, most of whom live on the devastated islands of Lifuka, where one person died, and Foa. l

that Rajapakse, who is in the fourth year of a six-year term, may call a snap presidential poll later in 2014 if voter support is still high and to capitalise on a splintered opposition.

The two local polls also come as the UN Human Rights Council is set to examine in March allegations that up to 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed mainly by the security forces - in the final months of the separatist war.

International criticism over alleged war crimes has boosted Rajapakse’s image at home, where many Sinhalese consider him a patriot for ending the conflict that killed over 100,000 people.

Rajapakse faces little political opposition at home as his main rival, the United National Party, remains locked in a crippling internal power struggle.

In 2010, Rajapakse amended the constitution, removing the two-term limit on a president and clearing the way for him to run for office for any number of terms.

Rajapakse and his party rarely lose elections, but suffered defeat in September when the main ethnic Tamil party won a landslide victory at local polls for the northern provincial council in the Tamil-dominated former war zone. l

People play football at sunset at Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro

China ships enter waters off disputed islands

Chinese ships and aircraft have attempted to demonstrate Beijing’s claims to the islands REUTERS

n Agencies Japan’s defence minister has vowed to defend the country’s territory after three Chinese government ships entered disputed waters off Tokyo-controlled islands in the East China Sea. The Chinese coastguard vessels

sailed at about 8:30am local time yesterday (2330 GMT on Saturday) into territorial waters off one of the Senkaku islands, which China also claims and calls the Diaoyus, Japan’s coastguard said. The ships left less than two hours later.

“We can never overlook repeated

incursions into territorial waters,” Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters.

“We need to make diplomatic efforts on one hand. We also want to firmly defend our country’s territorial sea and land with the self-defence forces cooperating with the coastguard,” he said.

Chinese state-owned ships and aircraft approach the disputed islands from time to time in an effort to demonstrate Beijing’s territorial claims, especially after Japan nationalised some of the islands in September 2012.

Sunday marked the first time Chinese ships were spotted there since December 29, when three coastguard ships entered the zone and stayed for about three hours, Japanese officials said.

Japanese coastguard patrol boats have tried to chase Chinese vessels away, fuelling tensions that some fear could spiral into an armed clash. Japan’s conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has vowed no compromise on the sovereignty of the islands and recently announced a boost in military spending.

Tensions were heightened in recent months after Beijing announced an air defence identification zone covering a large swathe of the East China Sea, including the disputed islands. l

AFP

N Korea slams ‘militarist maniac’ Japanese PM n AFP, Seoul North Korea yesterday lashed out at Japan’s hawkish prime minister for seeking to revise Tokyo’s pacifist post-World War II constitution, calling Shinzo Abe a “militarist maniac.”

In a New Year comment Abe said the country’s constitution – which limits its military to self-defence – could be amended by 2020, days after his visit to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo enraged Asian neighbours.

China and South Korea see the Yasukuni Shrine as a brutal reminder of Japan’s war-time aggression and failure to repent for its history China and South Korea see the Yasukuni Shrine as a brutal reminder of Japan’s war-time aggression and failure to repent for its history.

The visit also angered the North, which last month slammed the conservative Japanese leader of “reckless behaviours” that would push Japan into “self-destruction.”

The North’s ruling party newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, on Sunday heaped further criticism on Abe for the New

Year message, warning that Tokyo’s leaders should “behave themselves.”

“What Abe said was dangerous outbursts which brought to light the true colours of a militarist maniac,” it said in an editorial.

Accusing the prime minister of seeking to “bring back the era... when the Japanese imperialists could dominate Asia,” the paper claimed that Tokyo was taking the path of “self-destruction.”

“If the present ruling forces of Japan have even an iota of reasonable thinking, they should face up to the reality and behave themselves,” it said.

The communist state has habitually slammed Tokyo for failing to repent for its 1910-45 occupation of the Korean peninsula and what it calls Japan’s rising military ambitions.

The North’s nuclear and missile programmes have raised longstanding security concerns in Japan, which last month announced it will boost its military budget, spending $240bn between 2014 and 2019 to buy fighter jets and other military hardware.

The move drew a typically angry response from the North, which called it a “crafty and sinister attempt to justify Japan’s arms build-up and reinvasion scheme.” l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Letters to

www.dhakatribune.com

Blockade respite welcome

the Editor

LETTER OF THE DAY

Khandaker Mahbub arrested

Need for adding technical disciplines to colleges/universities/madrasas

W

e welcome the BNP’s statement that it is postponing its indefinite blockade from Monday morning until further notice.

Earlier reports on Saturday had suggested that there would be a pause for only two days.

Clearly this move should have been taken sooner as the announcement still comes too late for the many people who have suffered death and injury during the blockades and strikes of the last two months.

Nonetheless, it is welcome news for the people of the country that the BNP has reconsidered its calls for a nonstop blockade. Public life and business have been severely hurt by the violence associated with constant blockades, so the announcement is good news and should help towards getting the economy back on track.

As the shadow of blockades lifts, hopes are also boosted for the revival of talks to peacefully end the deadlock. The government should act on the positive step taken by the BNP to ensure a conducive climate for meaningful talks to take place.

The election and political crisis have drawn much international attention and there are reports of international donors expressing concerns about the election to the point of reviewing their support for projects involving the Bangladesh parliament. The government needs to address these concerns as well.

We hope that the suspension of blockades this week will provide a window of opportunity for all parties to resolve issues in the national interest. The country cannot afford to return to more blockades and turmoil.

The government should act on the positive step taken by the BNP to ensure a conducive climate for meaningful talks to take place

Wi-fi hotspots can be a boon

T

Monday, January 13, 2014

January 7

January 10

About 40,000 foreigners (mostly from our neighbouring countries) work in the Bangladeshi garment industry. Why should Bangladesh spend so much of its precious foreign currency when it already has the required workforce?

We have millions of meritorious students enrolled in our madrasa system, but I am unsure if they learn about anything other than religion. I request the authorities of our colleges, universities, and madrasas to please add some productive disciplines to their curriculum, such as Industrial Management, etc.

Dr Emarat Hossain Pannah

Abdullah Kaisar Good job.

Ashfaq Islam Good job?! Why can’t you see that these incidents are destroying the very fabric of our democracy?

Om Ar But why was he arrested?

A feminist response

January 5 muslim pare child rearing to a form of slavery.

Feminism is never going to solve the problem Yes, to educating women. Yes, to treating them because feminists can’t even agree on what they as equals. But consider the fact that they have anwant. Most are still trying to convert women into other job. Being a mother. We should respect that men when it comes to duties, while objectifying job. It’s the first priority. If people want equality themselves by keeping the physical side intact. they’re going to have to find a way to work around There is an answer but no one’s going to like it. :) that. Give women less hours with equal pay.

We are driven by the need to prove that we have Equality will only come with respecting womsomething. Why? Perhaps it’s because it gives us en. Not by making them feel inferior about taking the false perception of possessing some form of care of their children. Not by leaving their children power. No matter how negligible or meaningless a to grow up by themselves, in daycare, with a maid, form it exists in. or with television, while the mother focuses on her career. That’s how demanding the workplace is. shalikh Feminism is the root cause of breaking up families. muslim: 1) Feminists don’t want to impose one Less hours with equal pay (or maybe more pay single opinion on everybody. Different people if someone really does care). :) It exists in some want different things, and they have to solve their countries already. We need to stop living for money problems differently. As long as the goal is power and careers, and realise that being a mother is also parity, you’re in line with feminism. a job. Respect women for it because it isn’t easy.

2) Why would anyone want to be a man?? No thanks! We do want social powers. That doesn’t make shalikh everyone a “man,” that just makes everyone equal. muslim: There are feminists that choose to rear children, or not to have any. If an adult brings muslim a child into this world, he or she has to take shalikh: And how does someone achieve power parresponsibility for that. Children don’t stop women ity? By having a job and money? Why can’t we refrom living life fully. Patriarchy and its agents spect people who don’t have those? We have been use children as an excuse to shackle women into brainwashed into thinking those are the only things serving the system and its many lords. that matter. And sadly the ones being affected the most are ones who don’t have a strong enough muslim voice. The children. It’s a war between men and shalikh: I’m sorry I wasn’t aware that the readers conwomen up to the extent that some feminists comsider choosing to not have children as normal. My bad.

All killers should be punished, not only war criminals January 10

he government is planning to establish 100,000 wi-fi hotspots in rural areas of the country. This is a welcome move with the potential to create enormous opportunities for people in rural areas.

Although by some estimates Bangladesh has over 33 million internet users, most are concentrated in urban areas and higher income groups. Improving rural access and providing internet connectivity free of cost to poorer users is vitally needed to reduce the digital divide that exists between different groups.

Not only can this improve the lives of millions by enabling better access to important services in remote areas, it can also act as a catalyst for economic development.

Most users in the country already make use of innovative mobile phone connections to access internet services in healthcare, agriculture, education, banking and other commercial activities. There is considerable scope to build on this experience further.

The ICT ministry needs to keep in mind that ensuring proper implementation will be key to the success of initiatives to boost wi-fi connectivity. Collaboration with telecom companies that have extensive global experience in this area can help in this regard.

At the same time, it is also important to work on improving education and training on technology usage. This should include boosting programs to make more computers available in schools. A properly coordinated approach can help to tackle the digital divide and maximise the benefits of access to the internet for all users.

Samia Khan God only knows where this place is headed to.

We should keep in mind that if we want the trials of war criminals, then we should also demand the trials of all criminals, no matter what political party they are in, and even those who are killing

their rivals. But if we confined our demand for punishment of only war criminals, then we are also criminals.

Nazrul Islam

Shohel Rana Rony Om Ar: No reason, but I bet a reason will be created after taking him custody.

Om Ar So this is how it will go on. Anyone can be taken off the street as a culprit, while the whole country is trapped in a hellish prison.

West unhappy with polls January 7

Zaidul Islam This is absolutely our own doing. Maybe some country will be happy or unhappy. But so what?

K M Noor Boksh The West should not interfere in our internal matters.

Jalis Mahmood Arif Are the people of this nation truly happy with this election?

Siam Ashraful The poll was free, farcical, but nowhere near neutral. It is riddled with fake voters, and in a sense, a voter-less election, as very few people went to vote. This new government is illegal because most of their MPs were not elected by the people’s votes.

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

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Ensuring proper implementation will be key to the success of initiatives to boost wi-fi connectivity

PEANUTS

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU ACROSS 1 Rotate (4) 4 Wired enclosures (5) 9 Land measure (3) 11 Grotto (4) 12 Trap (5) 13 Augury (4) 14 Tear (4) 15 Worker in stone (5) 19 Concise (5) 21 Level (4) 25 Prong (4) 26 Entertain (5) 28 Love god (4) 29 Female deer (3) 30 Talks wildly (5) 31 Tidings (4)

DOWN 1 Job undertaken (4) 2 Rounded vase (3) 3 Kingdom (5) 5 Fruit of the oak (6) 6 Sport (4) 7 Parallel (4) 8 Transmits (5) 10 Stanza (5) 16 Bear witness to (6) 17 Keyboard instrument (5) 18 Following (5) 20 Ooze out (5) 22 Italian monetary unit (4) 23 In a short time (4) 24 Honey makers (4) 27 Female pig (3)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS Crossword

How to solve Sudoku: Fill in the blank spaces with the numbers 1 – 9. Every row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain all nine digits with no number repeating.

Code-Cracker

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

Monday, January 13, 2014

11

Backing Bangladesh n Suhasini Haidar

B

y every account, the January 5 election, Bangladesh’s 10th so far, was a low point for democracy. The boycott of the opposition alliance meant half the seats Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League won were uncontested, and about half of the remainder were against unknown candidates with estimates of the turnout just 22-30% of the voting population. Hasina has now returned to a parliament that echoes only with her voice, but the voice is a hollow one, like the victory itself.

India is too close a neighbour to play a partisan role in favouring any political party in Bangladesh It’s high time we broke out of this cycle

FOCUS BANGLA

The postman knocks twice

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n Yusuf Choudhry nation divided, says the Western press. Could it be true? The Economist thinks so. Prophetic words – “only one-third (of the Bangladeshis) want the two battling Begums barred from politics. Badly as they serve their country, it (the country) cannot seem to do without them,” (The Economist, December 21, 2013).

What’s going on? Certainly the cycle is all too familiar to the voters. A party wins the election with a bang. Lots of rejoicing takes place on getting rid of the old corrupt regime. A year into the new administration, corruption continues like inflation. Disillusion sets in, yearning for change starts anew, and the tormentors are kicked out after five.

The cycle goes on and on, and Bangladesh lives through the insanity of doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

“Can this ever end?” asks one of my close friends, a true well-wisher.

Good question. Ask this of the people of Bangladesh who are supposed to be politically savvy. History does not seem to bear that out, just as the opinion of The Economist.

Perhaps a psychoanalysis of the Bangladeshi mind would explain this conundrum. We do not have undis-

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puted national heroes like George Washington, Winston Churchill, or Nelson Mandela, nor do we truly want to embrace Gandhi or Sher-e-Bangla as our heroes (they are so pre-1971). So we heap our admiration on the two liberators of Bangladesh – Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and General Ziaur Rahman.

was because some thought that he was the murderer of Sheikh Mujib, but they also thought of him as a deliverer of sorts from the ill-doings of the time. Rather paradoxical, because in the aftermath of BAKSAL, didn’t some want to (at least in their minds) assassinate the Sheikh, and didn’t the people rush to embrace the next

The cycle goes on and on, and Bangladesh lives through the insanity of doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results Unfortunately, they exist at two opposite ends of public opinion. One cannot really like one without disliking the other. To a non-Bangladeshi, this is puzzling. After all, weren’t both of them responsible for the creation of Bangladesh? Didn’t both fulfill the mandate of delivering the oppressed nation from its tormenters? So true, yet so ignored. Half the country that supports one thinks that the other was a fiend.

In the case of Sheikh Mujib, he fell from esteem like Napoleon, but was not forgotten because he indeed was the father of the nation. In the case of Ziaur Rahman, his fall from grace

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dictator after the cruel demise of Ziaur Rahman?

Now it is really a moot issue whether Ziaur Rahman, who in turn got murdered by another force, was the cause of Sheikh Mujib’s death, or whether he was the victim. The point is, the country should make up its mind where to relegate these two pre-eminent figures of its history. One would think preferably to history alone.

Leadership is not genetically transferable, and dynastic succession spawns mediocrity. The mindless surrender of public ethos to the warring progeny of two good but dead men could only tear the country apart, as it is now. Isn’t it

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time for the country to give its demised heroes the eternal rest they deserve and bring a closure on the grief of their demise? And if it still cannot make up its mind on who to worship and who to reproach, it should simply acknowledge both to be their saviours, one way or the other, and move on.

Sadly, this has not happened nor seems to be happening. So the 5-year cycle of amore and disdain with the political successors of both leaders go on. This love-hate relationship has grown to a point where we eagerly await the change of the guards every five years, and the inevitable hegemony that comes with it in predictable cyclical manner like booms and busts. When the passion of “throwing the bums out” is riding high, nobody seems to remember the last time they felt the same.

I have often pondered on my friend’s question about where this would end. I couldn’t find the answer for so long because I thought alone.

But now I see it clearly. Only when the people of Bangladesh together understand that enough is enough will it end for both the warring Begums. We got this chance twice. Will there be a third time? l Yusuf Choudhry is a former civil servant in Bangladesh and is currently a professor at American University, Washington DC.

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Croissants and some forbidden passion n Towheed Feroze

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lease admit it: Things that have been restricted by social norms always taste better; that’s why the heady feeling of a secret liaison stimulates more than the socially correct relationship.

Forgive me if I have offended the die-hard advocates of conventional love, but the fact remains, secret affairs always make the news, sell papers, get tongues wagging, entertain us during gossip sessions, and maybe, just maybe, ignite some hidden desire in that norm-abiding conventional person.

columns had something saucy and hot to counter the cold spell sweeping most of the countries.

To be honest, we may just begin to look at Francoise Hollande from a new angle. He might have appeared a boring, stale leftist in the past, but eh alors! He is anything but.

Interestingly, the wicked behaviour of world leaders hardly detracts from their image – they do get the “rogue” labelled on them, and when it comes to the topic of women, there may be a few raised eyebrows, but there is never a complete disapproval.

Society, in a very perplexing way, acknowledges the Don Juan among

The wicked behaviour of world leaders hardly detracts from their image – they get the ‘rogue’ labelled on them, but there is never a complete disapproval We all love to fantasise, though some may never have the audacity to give fantasies the touch of reality.

So, why this topic of promises and dark passion behind the velvet curtain? Blame the French premier!

Very apt, one has to say.

Cheese, croissant, roses and clandestine meetings – somehow all this just has to be packaged by the tri-colour. Under any other flag, this spicy blend might look a little incongruous, even vile.

However, when news broke that France’s leftist president was captured on camera, heading to meet his lady love, an actress, riding a bike, news

mortals – even the denunciation is laced with an undertone of admiration.

Think of John F Kennedy – the US president who is said to have had tempestuous affairs even when the first lady was present at the White House. Though there is an allegation with strong hints that his selfish form of love was the cause for Marilyn Monroe’s untimely demise, fingers of accusation are never pointed at him.

On the contrary, the exploits of the president, as they come out from time to time, create a social uproar which only adds to the cult of the man.

There is an apocryphal tale

that during a meeting with Nikita Krushchev, the Soviet premier, JFK said that he needed “feminine company” every night – a hint that someone should be sent over since the US president was travelling alone.

Come to Bill Clinton whose innovative “cigar usage” is very much public knowledge. He lied blankly, got caught, but even then was re-elected.

When asked, women said flatly that the president’s southern charm was unassailable, indicating that a little “mischief,” even with cigars, could be overlooked.

After all, boys will be naughty boys!

Now when it comes to the issue of playing the likeable libertine, Bangladeshis can take some honours too.

A famous business tycoon hogged the headlines in the early ’80s for his love for the opposite sex. Newspapers regularly ran salacious stories of wives of influential people getting caught in the charm trap of the man. Once a reporter asked him why he had so many women in his life and the reply was: “I don’t call them, they come to me. What am I to do?”

Now who can trump that line? Reportedly, the same man had a fall-out with an autocrat over a woman!

In our society, the man who plays around is deemed “Choritroheen,” meaning he is without character, and often the English translation is “character-less,” though in my experience, I have never seen a choritroheen person ending up in the gutters (they only bite the dust in movies). Please, this does not mean I endorse illicit liaisons, but puzzlingly, the “players” always draw attraction. And respect!

One of my cousins, a dashing man

back from the US in the early ’90s, had plenty of friends, and whenever he brought his companions home, the domestic help of the house, plus his friends, were full of awe mixed with envy.

From a sociological perspective, this unconscious nod of approval is responsible for perpetuating the rather dubious belief that a man can have reckless fun disregarding the principles of feminine dignity, though the mere fact that such men are never condemned as major wrongdoers only goes to show that transgressing norms in matters of the heart is hardly called a grave offence.

Sorry to say, in the case of top leaders, such episodes only add to their magnetism. However, with France in economic difficulties, the photos of the top man relishing croissants in bed with an actress may not go down well with the general people.

When employment is hard to come by, raunchy gossip tastes bitter. If the country had been out of recession, the indiscretion would have been taken as a joke.

Meanwhile, we are curious to know what happened to the district commissioner who was rescued from a Dhaka flat belonging to a single woman earlier last month. Reportedly, upon hearing the man’s status, the police assistant commissioner rushed to the spot to rescue him and sent him back home.

Anyone want to send him croissants? l Towheed Feroze is a journalist currently working in the development sector.

Sheikh Hasina may have won a threefourths majority in parliament, but three-fourths of her electorate didn’t vote. For her rival, Khaleda Zia, there are parallels to her own victory in February 1996, when Hasina boycotted the polls, until widespread protests forced a second election that she won in June 1996.

While it is significant that India has backed the polls, it is equally important to notice that the United States slammed them, saying it is “disappointed,” and the United Kingdom, Australia and the European Union have called for another poll at the earliest. Hasina has also come under much criticism for putting Khaleda under a virtual house arrest in the lead-up to the elections, which Khaleda described as the “death of democracy.”

India has done well to defend Bangladesh from the international onslaught and from the comments of human rights organisations that have followed. There are several reasons why Hasina had no alternative but to hold elections. To begin with, Bangladesh would have been headed for a constitutional crisis if they had not been held in January. Hasina’s decision to hold them without a caretaker government at the helm was, in fact, mandated by the Supreme Court. Secondly, Hasina can hardly be blamed if other parties chose to boycott.

Hasina’s supporters would also argue that Bangladesh has seen some of the worst targeted violence in the run-up to these elections. More than 100 people have been killed in the past few months, in protests and clashes by members of the opposition, the violence driven largely by members of the Jamaat-e-Islami that was banned from politics five months ago.

Bearing the brunt of the antielection clashes have been the country’s minorities, notably Hindu villages where thousands have had their homes burned in Jessore and Southern Chittagong, and have been forced to take shelter in temples and neighbouring areas. Many have likened the targeting to the preliberation pogrom carried out by Jamaat leaders in 1971 that they are now facing war crimes tribunals over.

In taking them on, Hasina has faced formidable opposition, not just from within Bangladesh, but from the international community.

The US has consistently issued statements against Hasina’s government for the working of that tribunal, getting vocal support from British parliamentarians, and groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Hasina has stayed the course in supporting those trials, carrying out the execution of Jamaat leaders at no small cost to her image domestically and internationally.

Hasina has also risked losing some of Bangladesh’s biggest donors from Saudi Arabia after she took on NGOs that she claimed were funding jihadist activities by Jamaat cadres.

Given this situation, it would seem natural that many in India would call for South Block to play a protector’s role for Hasina and the AL, and balance out some of the pressures she faces. Yet, this too, would be a blunder.

India is too strategically powerful and too close a neighbour to play a partisan role in favouring any political party over another in Bangladesh.

For all but two of the past 22 years of post-army rule, it has been these two “begums” that have been in power. Despite its concerns over Khaleda’s and the BNP’s policies, India gains little by political partisanship.

Even in the run-up to the Bangladeshi elections, India’s open support for Hasina became the biggest reason for the criticism against her.

When Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh went to meet Jatiya Party chairman Hussain Muhammad Ershad to dissuade him from boycotting the polls, the move boomeranged badly.

At a press conference called directly after the meeting, Ershad announced that Ms Singh had told him India was “opposed to the rise of parties allied to the Jamaat-e-Islami,” and the rhetoric against India only rose with the perception that it was playing a larger role than Bangladeshis would want any foreign country to play.

In a recent article in the Dhaka Tribune titled, “Why India should rethink its Bangladesh policy,” social media activist Shafquat Rabbee criticises India for backing Hasina despite the crackdown by her on the opposition. The article says: “Many in Bangladesh now believe in the following grave accusations: That India is behind the day-to-day security protection of certain Bangladeshi leaders. India is carrying out stealth operations inside Bangladesh wearing Bangladeshi forces’ dresses. India has trained and sent special operations teams in Bangladesh. India is lobbying Western countries to take Sheikh Hasina’s side.” Clearly, the belief is outrageous and unfounded, but India must avoid the impression that it has put its hopes on only one political party or leader.

Instead, India must play a role that favours Bangladesh regardless of which party rules it, and the first step would be to simply keep its promises.

More than two years after Manmohan Singh made his historic visit to Dhaka along with several chief ministers, his promises of ratifying the Land Border Agreement, and of clearing the Teesta water settlement haven’t been fulfilled. Instead, in Bangladesh’s narrative, they are being seen as symbols of India’s unreliability, if not its perfidy.

On the economic front too, there is much India can do to back Bangladesh.

The violence of the past year has had a disastrous impact on its textiles industry that accounts for about 75% of its economy. According to the Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), export orders have come down by half in the past three months, and nearly $1bn worth of business could be at risk if the situation doesn’t improve by June 2014.

India’s garments exports business is a rival of Bangladesh’s, but there is no reason why India can’t pick up some of the slack in Bangladesh’s exports for its own retailers.

In the field of IT and telecommunications too, for example, Indian companies must be encouraged to invest in Bangladesh, which is poised for a second revolution once it speeds up its internet access.

In the bigger picture, the key to prosperity in both Bangladesh and India’s north-eastern states is the development of the highway and infrastructure corridors to the east.

The road to East Asia has been cut off for far too long, even as ASEAN countries have built wealth and interdependence through interconnectivity amongst themselves.

India must play a role that favours Bangladesh and the first step would be to simply keep its promises

None of these may be possible in the short run, even as Hasina prepares to grapple with the political crisis that the elections have thrown up. But as she reaches out to her rivals, and as Khaleda hints at a possible rethink on the alliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami, India must make its voice heard in favour of Bangladesh, the nation, rather than specific parties.

It would seem obvious that the current parliament would be a temporary one, until reconciliation is effected in Bangladesh’s polity, and all of Bangladesh heads to vote in the next election. For, as US political commentator Thomas Keane wrote recently: “The solution to bad elections isn’t no elections. It’s better elections.” l Suhasini Haidar is Foreign Editor, CNN-IBN. This article was first published in The Hindu.

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Theatre troupes organise festivals remembering Natyacharya n Entertainment Desk Tomorrow is the sixth death anniversary of the iconic theatre personality Natyacharya Selim Al Deen. Theatre troupes Dhaka Theatre and Swapnadal have chalked out two different festivals marking the occasion.

Swapnadal’s event will begin today with a discussion session on the life and works of the Natyacharya and a special seminar which will be held at the seminar room of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Tomorrow, the activists of Swapnadal will place wreathes at his grave on Jahangirnagar University campus. The troupe will stage Hargaj and Chitrangada respectively on January 15 and 16 at two venues of the BSA. Selim Al Deen Foundation in association with Dhaka Theatre and Gram Theatre is going to organise a three-day commemorative programme from January 14 to 16. The programme features a reading session, staging of Al Deen’s plays and more. On January 14, the programme will begin with offering floral wreathes at his grave at 10am, followed by a seminar at 3pm at the BSA. The next day, a reading session from

Selim Al Deen’s Nimojjon and Dinolipi will be held at 6:30pm at the Studio Theatre Hall of BSA. On January 16, Al Deen’s timeless play Dhaboman directed by Shimul Yousuf will be staged at the BSA main theatre hall at 6:30pm.

Selim Al Deen was the founder chairperson of Department of Drama and Dramatics at Jahangirnagar University. In his illustrious career, he immensely contributed to uphold the rich heritage of rural culture of Bangladesh through theatre. He is also considered as one of the pioneers of street theatre in the country.

He carried out extensive research for his doctoral dissertation in which he proved that the history of Bengali drama is older than that of the European one. During 1977 to 1979, he studied Bengali Jatra which prompted him to write his first unique drama Kittonkhola.

Success of Kittonkhola led to create his subsequent works including Boshon, Atotai, Saifulmulk Badiuzzaman, Keramat Mangal, Hat Hodai, Chaka and more.

In the post-Tagore era, his contribution to Bengali drama is considered to be unique. l

Monday, January 13, 2014

13TH DHAKA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

30 films to be screened today n Entertainment Desk

Thirty films including one Bangladeshi film will be screened today, on the third day of ongoing Dhaka International Film Festival at different venues across the capital.

The films cover six categories -“Retrospective,” “Cinema of the World,” “Children’s Film, “Women Filmmakers,” “Short and Independent Films Section,” and “Spiritual Films Section.” The festival features a competition in three categories- Asian and Australian and those of the six segments.

Five films will be screened today at the main auditorium of National Museum from 10am to 9pm in the “Cinema of the World” and “Retrospective and Tribute” categories–My Dog Killer

at 10:30am, Paani at 1pm, Spaghetti Story at 3pm, Dancing In The Dust at 5:30pm and Beautiful City at 7:30pm.

Nine foreign films from Short and Independent and Spiritual Section will be screened at the Sufia Kamal Auditorium from 10:30am to 9pm. These are Cinta Tapi Beda (Love in a Different Way) at 10:30am, Total Psychosis, and The Korean Dream from 1pm to 3pm, Between Two Worlds and Sikhs In Shep from 3pm to 5:30pm, Mohamed And The Fisherman, and The Long Farewell from 3pm to 5:30pm, The Sealed Secret at 5:30pm, Adjustment, Body and Soul, and Being With Apu from 7:30pm to 9pm.

From three sections, Australasian Competition, Woman Filmmaker, and Children Section,

A scene from Afghan Women Behind The Wheel

five films will be screened at the Public Library auditorium - The Rooster Trademark Paper at 10am, Irma Vep at 1pm, Dancing In The Dust at 3pm, Forgive Me at 5:30pm and Trapped at 7:30pm.

In the Australasian Competition category, four films including a Bangladeshi one will be screened at the Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, Udhao (Escape is not an Opinion) at 10am, Where is the Land at 12pm, Ekstra at 3pm and Innocents at 5pm.

Seven films will be screened from the Woman Filmmaker category at EMK Centre– Until When, and Let Them Eat Cake from 10am to 12pm, Ekti Choto Chobi, and Afghan Women Behind The Wheel from 12pm to 3pm, De Tu Ventana A La Mia at 3pm and Two Girls Against the Rain, and Salma at 5pm. l

A scene from Where is the Land

In conversation with jury member of DIFF Clementine Ederveen

From left, Bindu, Rownak and Shokh in Ami tumi Tumi Ami

n Hasan Mansoor Chatak

Do you follow any technique of filmmaking or make films your own way?

Yes, I like to make my films in my own way and of course I want to share my devotion for the South American literature, whose authors and artists have used much potential of imagination. Among them, Frida Cahlo is quite unique, for she was able to express her feelings and emotions with her wonderful works, she is my source of inspiration.

On her second visit to Bangladesh for attending the Dhaka International Film Festival, Dhaka Tribune caught up with film director and writer Clementine Ederveen, who is currently a jury member of the 13th DIFF. In the exclusive interview, Clementine shares her experience as a filmmaker and more.

Tell us about yourself and your work.

I am a film director, writer and producer from the Netherlands. Now I run my own production house for guiding young filmmakers and providing them with a platform to work on.

Previously, I have worked with other producing companies. So far, I have directed seven films with my company and most of them are films on Buddhism and its perspectives. I have chosen to work in the Buddhist outlook as it is a peaceful concept and is nonviolent. Very few works are available on this outlook, so, I have worked on various communities and countries such as Tibet, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.

Single episode drama Ami Tumi Tumi Ami will be aired tonight at 9:30pm on Channel 9. Written by Rownak Hasan and directed

by Syef Chandon, the drama features popular actors Bindu, Shokh, Promita, Russell, Fiton, Tunin and Rounak Hasan. The story is about three friends who get involved in a love triangle. Rownak is in love with Bindu. When he lets his feelings be known, Bindu responds with positive enthusiasm. Their common friend Shokh is also in love with Rownak and she is also unaware of the fact that Bindu and Rownak are involved. Rawnak finds in within his heart that it is indeed possible to love two women at the same time and later loses them both when they discover it.

Will you share a story of one of your films?

My film Kindness, a Letter from Tibet was

screened at Dhaka International Film Festival last year. The film portrays a young woman who lives in the Netherlands and faced dire situations in Tibet earlier. This film portrays an elaborate journey in the search of wisdom. I was unable to conduct shooting in Tibet, therefore I filmed it in Ladakh and the Netherlands.

As a woman filmmaker, did you face difficulties in the Netherlands or elsewhere?

I feel lucky that I was brought up in a country where I did not face such situations.

Yesterday, we talked about this issue at the International Conference on Women in Cinema and also the differentiation of cinematic language and technique of storytelling of women and men.

Dhaka International Film Festival is not new for you. How do you assess its arrangement, participation and prospect?

This is my second time here and I like the spirit, dynamics, effort of the festival, how it is arranged and the participation of all the people from Bangladesh. l

Suchitra Sen’s condition remains critical

Madhuri strikes terror in Gulaab Gang trailer

n Entertainment Desk

n Entertainment Desk

Bengali screen goddess Suchitra Sen’s condition deteriorated Saturday afternoon, prompting medics to rush emergency measures that stabilised her, a doctor said.

By the evening, the 82-year-old actress–under treatment at the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) of a nursing home here–was responding to non-intensive ventilation and other therapies, with her oxygen level going up.

Sen’s oxygen saturation level had dipped in the afternoon, necessitating intensive non-invasive oxygen support and endotracheal intubation.

“Because of cough accumulation in the neck area, we resorted to emergency procedures like the endo-tracheal tube [a tube inserted through the mouth to ensure free air passage]. She has responded to the therapies and is now stable,” said Subrata Maitra, one of the team of experts monitoring her at the Belle Vue Clinic.

Sen’s see-sawing health status had fans speculating about her being put on life support. However, the doctors scotched rumours.

She remains critical. Her blood tests are satisfactory and her vital organs are fine, said a doctor. However, her doctors ruled out any invasive ventilation (via tracheotomy) therapy for now.

“She is weak and needs oxygen support. She does not need life support,” said Abhirup Chakraborty, another doctor from the team. l

Madhuri Dixit-Nene, who had stayed away from the silver screen for seven long years strikes back and is impressing everyone with her stellar performance as Begum Para in Dedh Ishqiya, which has hit the theatres today. And if Dedh Ishqiya wasn’t enough, the dhak dhak girl seems to deliver once more in the form of Gulaab Gang that hits the theatres in March.

Whoever said that heroines in Bollywood are restricted by age was clearly wrong because the trailer of Gulaab Gang is out and Madhuri is roaring. In a two and a half minute trailer, Madhuri is seen doing some hardcore action scenes and delivering some hair-raising dialogues. On the other hand, there is Juhi Chawla, playing the role of a strong and mean politician and her character has shades of grey. It’s interesting to see Madhuri and Juhi together in a film as they both were once considered as rivals, who never even shared a hello with each other.

Produced by Anubhav Sinha and directed by Soumik Sen, Gulaab Gang is inspired by a group of women social activists (Gulabi Gang) in Bundelkhand and is based on women empowerment. Madhuri is portraying the character of the leader of this gang. l

Madhuri and Juhi share silver screen for the first time in Gulaab Gang

TODAY IN DHAKA Exhibition

Shilpacharya and his Outer World of Art Time: 12pm-8pm Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts House 42, Road 16 (New) / 27 (old) Dhanmondi DeReal Solo exhibition by Bahram

Time: 3pm – 8pm Dhaka Art Center (DAC) House-60, Road-7A, Dhanmondi

Film

Pacific Rim in 3D, Escape Plan The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Star Cineplex, Bashundhara City, Panthapath

13th Dhaka International Film Festival Time: 10am – 10pm Main Auditorium and Sufia Kamal Auditorium of National Museum, Public Library, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, EMK Center

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy

Ekti Raa Starring: Suchitra Sen and Uttam Kumar Time: 6:00pm – 8:30pm International Digital Cultural Archive,

Selim Ai Deen Commemorative festival

By Swapnadal Time: 3:00pm Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy

Gravity Blockbuster Cinemas Jamuna Future Park

Festival

Firoz Mahmud joins art symposium in Hong Kong n Entertainment Desk

Prominent artist Firoz Mahmud has participated in an art symposium titled In conjunction with No Country: Contemporary Art for South and Southeast Asia, which ended yesterday in Hong Kong.

Firoz Mahmud participated in the symposium as one of the 10 guest speakers.

Asia Society Hong Kong Center organised the event with the aim of contextualising the exhibition thesis as well as to enhance the exhibition experience. The symposium brought together scholars, curators, and artists to address the region’s complicated historical, political, and social entanglements through contemporary art.

Mahmud did PhD and research from Tokyo University of the Arts. He works in interdisciplinary media including installation, photography, video, painting and drawing on photograph. Most of his works are based on indigenous past and present, political ideas of nationalism, humour, belief and stratifications within daily life. l

Did you know?

Jermain Defoe has scored more goals as a Premier League substitute than any other player (22)

Sport

Monday, January 13, 2014

0 6 2 DAYS TO GO

14 Finch hundred powers Aussies past England

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

15 Man City ride Newcastle storm to go top

Biren Shikder new sports minister, Joy his deputy n Raihan Mahmood Biren Shikder, the lawmaker from Magura-2, was nominated as the new state minister for youth and sports yesterday.

Arif Khan Joy, the former national football captain and the current vice-president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) became the first deputy minister for youth and sports of the country.

Till date Joy is the only person with a sports background to attain any sports minister’s role in the history of the country. Joy retired from international football in 2008 and hanged his boots from local football in 2010. He also became a member of parliament for the first time in the just completed national elections.

Till date Joy is the only person with a sports background to attain any sports minister’s role in the history of the country

Brothers Union’s Rubel Miah (2R) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Sheikh Russell KC in their Bangladesh Premier League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday

Brothers teenager sinks Sk Russell n Shishir Hoque A stunning volley from teenager Rubel Miah ended Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra’s eight-match unbeaten run in the Bangladesh Premier League as the defending champions were handed a 0-1 defeat by a spirited Brothers Union side at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Sheikh Russell last tasted defeat in the previous season when they were beaten by Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited 11 months ago. Since then Russell won seven matches and drew once in the premier league. The last time Brothers had beaten Russell in the premier league was on March 2, 2012.

In their third league game, Russell dropped points for the first time while the points were the first for Brothers this season.

Brothers’ Ghanaian midfielder Issah Yousuf almost capitalised on the shaky start from the last-season treble win-

ners as he went close to scoring in the 20th minute. His shot inside the penalty area however went straight to the Russell goalkeeper Biplob.

Russell’s first real chance was squandered by national forward Mithun Chowdhury right at the half hour stroke when his attempted shot at goal went awfully wide of the target.

The men in blue struggled to find any space to initiate attacks and their frustration was eventually taking a toll on them. Brothers’ Nigerian forward Kester Akon slid the ball into the path of Victori Antoni from the right of the box but Russell defender Rezaul Karim Reza made a brilliant interception to block the effort and keep the game alive.

However, the Oranges were rewarded for their continuous dominance in the 73rd minute when Under-19 forward Rubel put them ahead with a spectacular strike from outside the box. Akon provided the pass on which Rubel unleashed a powerful right-footed volley past Biplob into the top right corner. l

Sri Lanka sends security committee to Dhaka early n Mazhar Uddin The two-member security committee of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) arrived Dhaka yesterday, a day earlier than scheduled, to inspect the venues for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka.

They have come according to plan where one of them is the vice-president of the board and the other member is their director Former SLC CEO Ajit Jayasekara and vice-president Mohan de Silva will be visiting the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong today and the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka later over the four days and they are likely to return on January 16.

Sylhet, the original venue for the first ODI on February 17, is not in their schedule, which effectively rules out the newly build stadium’s debut as an international venue.

The inspection is the final hurdle for

the tour, after the violence due to the political situation in Bangladesh raised security concerns.

SLC president Jayantha Dharmadasa said earlier this week that they would heed the inspection team’s recommendations before giving the green signal.

Earlier Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan informed that the Sri Lanka team will be arriving on January 24 for two Tests, Three ODIs and two T20 matches after attending the ICC meeting on January 9.

However, the BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury informed that the two member team will visit the venues and have a look at the security issues.

“They have come according to plan where one of them is the vicepresident of the board and the other member is their director,” said Nizamuddin.

The CEO also informed that the BCB will arrange all the security meetings for the visiting members of the Sri Lankan board. l

Naeem hails teamwork, Maruf not worried n Raihan Mahmood

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS Brothers

Rubel Miah 73

1-0

MUMIT M

Sk Russell

Yousuf loses a great 20” Issah opportunity to put his side

ahead. Receiving the ball from Jewel Rana, the Ghanaian shot straight to the goalkeeper Biplob Mithun Chowdhury takes a poor shot which goes wide of the target Youness Roux received a pass from Moroccan midfielder Mohamed Amine inside the danger zone, but his shot goes wide Nigerian forward Kester Akon slid the ball into the path of Victori Antoni from the right of the box but Russell’s Rezaul Karim blocks the effort GOAL! Brothers forward Rubel Miah’s powerful rightfooted volley beats Biplob on top right corner

31”

57”

62” 73”

Brothers Union’s Indian coach Syed Naeemuddin looked content after his team’s giant killing act against Sheikh Russell at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. His counterpart Maruful Haque, who missed six of his regular players due to injury, initially pointed out wasting the chances as the main cause behind his loss, but also blasted the referee for his poor handling of the match.

Naeemuddin said it was the total teamwork of his boys that paid the reward. “Before the match the message to the players was to unsettle the midfield of Russell and not to provide them many free spaces. I am happy to see the boys work hard to earn their first win and also the points,” he added.

Naeemuddin also thought that luck favoured them and said, “I feel we were also lucky as Russell came close on a number of occasions, but we kept our head cool and when we struck in a crucial time, I always believed that Brothers Union overall is a good team but still we are going through the preparation process, today’s victory is the

start of the long journey.”

Maruf, however, thought the defeat would not hamper his title aspirations as the league is long. “I missed French Maxim, Uruguayan Francisco, defender Rajani, Mamun Mia, midfielder Shakil and midfielder Imrul Hasan due to injury, however we created a number of chances but could not avail it, the defeat, I think would not do much damage as it is a long league and all the teams will have to go through these handicaps,” said Maruf.

However, Maruf, who has never been vocal against the referees, slammed the referee in an unusual gesture. “I would like to say that the refereeing was very inconsistent, my opponents physical approach was overlooked by him, he also denied us a penalty, the inconsistent refereeing unsettled my players throughout the match,” he said.

The teenager who changed the fate of the game, Rubel Miah, said, “I saw the post and thought of taking a fullfledged shot.” The forward, who was the scorer of the winning goal against Kuwait last year in the AFC U-19 Championships in Iraq, added that he “enjoyed the strike.” l

He first played for the national team in 2003 under Austrian coach George Kottan and carried a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s Saff Championship triumph in the same year. Joy, who captained the national team in 2005-06, was content with the latest role. “I urged the prime minister to keep me in the field of sports as I am a sportsman. I thank her for that, I am focused to develop the sports arena and with my full commitment towards it I will try to prove my worth and be the minster in future,” said Joy. Earlier, former national footballer Hafizuddin Ahmed served as the Water Resources minster while BNP leader Sadeque Hossain Khoka, a sports organiser, carried the role of a state minister for sports during 1991-96. l

Club Cup Hockey semis today n Raihan Mahmood Defending champions Usha and Sonali Bank are set for a competitive combat when the sides meet in the first semifinal of the UCB Club Cup Hockey at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium at 12:30pm today.

Usha are the clear favourites to go through, but Sonali Bank has a number of experienced players who would make the life hard for Usha.

The second semi-final between Abahani Limited and Ajax will be a duel of giant and dwarfs as Ajax does not possess the arsenal to restrict the blazing guns of the Sky Blues. The match starts at 2:30pm. Both Usha and Abahani will look forward to sharpen their skills ahead of the final scheduled on Wednesday. l

Nasir misses ton, Liton keeps East on track n Minhaz Uddin Khan Dismissal of BCB North Zone’s Nasir Hossain on 99 denied the first day of the first leg of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) see a milestone yesterday. North ended the day with 331 runs with two wickets in hand.

While in the other game it was Walton Central Zone skipper Mahmudullah’s four wickets that restricted Islami Bank East Zone to 301-9 on the first day.

BCB North v Prime Bank South

Nasir’s dismissal on 99 off 93 was the major disappointment for the North’s after they were asked to bat first at BKSP 3. Nasir and Farhad Reza joined for the seventh wicket to add crucial 141 runs, but the partnership ended with Nasir desperate to reach his cen-

SCORECARD, DAY 1

BCB North v Prime Bank South North Zone: 331/8 in 90 overs (Nasir 99, Farhad Reza 76*, Forhad Hossain 76, Robiul 3/35) Walton Central Vs Islami Bank East East Zone: 301/9 in 90.2 overs (Liton 79, Nazimuddin 57, Mahmudullah 4/67, Marshal 2/32)

tury with a quick single. He slammed 14 boundaries and two sixes.

Earlier North lost opening batsman Junaid Siddique for a duck in the second over, as they were 65 for two in the first session. Forhad Hossain and Naeem Islam added 78 runs for the third wicket. Forhad stood firm facing 163 balls to make 76 runs before being caught behind off Robiul Islam.

He, however, was not satisfied with the decision and showed his disapproval by not leaving the crease immediately. Forhad was later fined 10 percent of his match fee by match referee Raqibul Hassan for his action.

Coming in at number five Mushfiqur Rahim failed to make any impact as he lasted only four deliveries and got dismissed on zero which triggered a pressure on the North batting lineup.

At stumps Reza was unbeaten on 76 off 88 with Taijul Islam not out on 10 at the other end. South pacer Robiul Islam claimed three wickets while his skipper Abdur Razzak bagged two.

Walton Central v Islami Bank East

Skipper Mahmudullah led from the front with the ball picking four wickets for Central Zone.

The off-spinner made the first breakthrough by sending back the dangerous Tamim Iqbal in the 21st over

Soumya Sarker of Prime Bank South Zone on his way to break the stumps to dismiss Nasir Hossain of BCB North Zone during the first day of their Bangladesh Cricket League match at BKSP-3 yesterday COURTESY after the south paw faced 63 balls to score a calm 37.

Number three batsman Nafees Iqbal returned cheaply for two runs while Mominul Haque added only 32.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Kumar’s fifty shaped the East innings as he took

Jubayer Ahmed and added 77 runs for the sixth wicket. Liton struck 12 fours in his score of 79.

Leg-spinner Marshal Ayub and quickie Shahdat Hossain took two wickets each to support Mahmudullah with the ball. l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Rafter returns to play doubles with Hewitt n AFP, Melbourne Former US Open champion Pat Rafter is coming out of a 13-year retirement to partner Lleyton Hewitt in the doubles at the Australian Open.

The 41-year-old, who is also Australia’s non-playing Davis Cup captain, said Hewitt asked him to play doubles as he seeks extra matches depending on how he fares in the singles at the opening Grand Slam of the year.

Rafter hasn’t played since Australia’s Davis Cup final loss to France in Melbourne in 2001.

Rafter and Hewitt will face American Eric Butorac and South African Raven Klaasen in the doubles first round.

“I actually asked him a little while ago. He still hits a lot at the Davis Cup ties, works us out a bit,” Hewitt said on Sunday. It’s just a bit of fun. It will be nice on my off days, hopefully I’m still in the singles, on my off days to go out and play doubles with Pat.” Hewitt, who upset Roger Federer to win the Brisbane International final a week ago, has an opening round match with Italian 24th seed Andreas Seppi.

“I obviously looked up to Pat a hell of a lot growing up. He really helped me out,” Hewitt said.

“It’s great that he’s Davis Cup captain for me now, as well. Most likely I’ll finish my career with him as Davis Cup captain, which is fantastic for me as well.”

Rafter, who won the U.S. Open in 1997 and 1998, said it would be fun to play with the two-time Grand Slam champion at their home Open.

“The hardest part about being around 40 is keeping your body in shape. It’s tough, I must admit,” Rafter said.

“You don’t look after yourself like you did. You’re not in the locker room all the time. It’s just a bit of fun. Doubles, half a court. I think I can do that.”

Asked if he would consider rekindling his Davis Cup partnership with Hewitt if they went well this week, Rafter was coy.

“I hope not. There would have to be food poisoning, sicknesses,” he said. l

SCORECARD, DAY 5 PAKISTAN 1ST INNINGS 165

Khurram Manzoor 73; N. Pradeep 3-62, R. Herath 3-26 SRI LANKA 1ST INNINGS 388

M. Jayawardene 129, Silva 95; Junaid Khan 3-102 PAKISTAN 2ND INNINGS

(overnight 330-7) Sarfraz Ahmed b Lakmal Bilawal Bhatti b Eranga Saeed Ajmal b Lakmal Rahat Ali c Prasanna b Lakmal Junaid Khan not out Extras: (b1, lb8) Total: (all out; 137.3 overs)

74 32 21 8 2 9 359

Bowling Lakmal 28.3-4-78-4, Pradeep 19-350-2, Herath 48-10-132-2, Eranga 36-9-74-2, Mathews 5-1-9-0, Sangakkara 1-0-7-0 SRI LANKA 2ND INNINGS

D. Karunaratne not out K. Silva lbw b Ajmal K. Sangakkara not out Extras: (b3, lb4, nb1) Total: (for one wkt; 46.2 overs)

62 58 9 8 137

Bowling Hafeez 8-3-22-0, Junaid 10-2-34-0 (1nb), Ali 11-1-29-0, Ajmal 17.2-5-45-1 Result Sri Lanka won by nine wickets

Sport

Safe hands Cech still Mr Reliable for Chelsea

Finch hundred powers Aussies past England n AFP, Melbourne A superb century from opener Aaron Finch helped Australia to a comprehensive sixwicket win over England in the first one-day international at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday.

After being dropped by Gary Ballance

SCORECARD ENGLAND

A. Cook c Haddin b McKay 4 I. Bell b Doherty 41 J. Root lbw b McKay 3 G. Ballance c Doherty b McKay 79 E. Morgan c Coulter-Nile b Maxwell 50 R. Bopara c Haddin b Coulter-Nile 17 B. Stokes b Faulkner 21 J. Buttler not out 34 T. Bresnan not out 16 Extras (w3 lb1) 4 Total (for 7 wickets, 50 overs) 269 Bowling McKay 10-0-44-3, Coulter-Nile 10-0-511, Maxwell 8-0-40-1, Doherty 7-0-29-1, Faulkner 10-0-68-1, Watson 5-0-36-0 AUSTRALIA

A. Finch c Ballance b Stokes D. Warner c Stokes b Root S. Watson b Jordan M. Clarke c Cook b Bresnan G. Bailey not out G. Maxwell not out Extras (w10 lb6) Total (for 4 wickets, 45.4 overs)

121 65 0 43 17 8 16 270

Bowling Rankin 8-0-53-0, Jordan 10-0-50-1, Bresnan 9.4-0-56-1, Stokes 10-0-64-1, Bopara 6-0-30-0, Root 2-0-11-1 Result Australia won by six wickets

when he was on just eight, Finch continued to blast 121 runs from 128 balls as Australia won with 4.2 overs to spare.

Finch rode his luck early in his innings but quickly seized control, racing to 50 from just 47 balls and outpacing opening partner David Warner.

Finch and Warner put on 163 for the opening wicket but not without some controversy.

Warner was given a reprieve by the television umpire when he was on 22 despite the Australian opener accepting that a low catch claimed by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler had carried.

Warner, who had walked to the boundary, was recalled to the middle and went on to make 65.

He was eventually dismissed holing out to Ed Stokes on the boundary off part-time spinner Joe Root, and when Chris Jordan bowled Shane Watson for a duck two runs later England had a slim hope of pegging Australia back.

But Finch and captain Michael Clarke (43) quickly took the game away from England with a 72-run partnership, which ended when Finch sliced a Stokes delivery to Ballance at third man.

Earlier, a patient 79 from Ballance and a whirlwind 50 from Eoin Morgan helped England to post what had looked like a competitive total.

Ballance, who came to the crease when England were struggling at 22-2, held the innings together before accelerating towards the end when quick runs were needed.

He shared in an 83-run partnership with Morgan, who blasted his 20th ODI halfcentury off just 47 balls with five fours and a towering six.

England had earlier won the toss, with

n Reuters

Apart from 2006 when he suffered a serious head injury, Petr Cech has rarely made the headlines in 10 years at Chelsea but his safe hands have underpinned a decade’s worth of silverware.

Of all the hundreds of millions of pounds pumped into the club by Russian owner Roman Abramovich, the seven million paid to French club Stade Rennes for Cech have arguably offered the greatest return.

When the lanky goalkeeper kept a clean sheet on his debut in 2004 - a 1-0 win over Manchester United - it was a portent of things to come.

Later that campaign, as Chelsea marched to their first top-flight English title for 50 years, the Czech Republic international set a then Premier League record of 1,025 minutes without conceding a goal.

He kept 21 clean sheets in all that season and 100 in the league in his first 180 games.

On Saturday, when Chelsea eased past Hull City 2-0 to go top of the league, he was at it again, taking his tally of shutouts to a club record 209, edging past Stamford Bridge great Peter Bonetti.

It was also his 150th clean sheet in the league and, at the relatively young age for a keeper of 31, Cech is heading towards the top-flight record of 170 held by David James.

“It is a great personal achievement, a great milestone, but I believe this number can grow and hopefully it will help us win another trophy,” said Cech who has three Premier Leagues and one Champions League among his title collection.

“The most important thing today was to get the three points but I was thinking in the second half I still have the clean sheet and in the end we had both the points and the clean sheet,” he told the club website (www.chelseafc.com).

“I am still young ... and I hope I can add some more clean sheets and we will see where the final number will stop.” l

skipper Alastair Cook having no hesitation in batting first on a flat MCG wicket.

But Cook’s miserable tour of Australia continued when he fell for four, edging Clint McKay to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

McKay struck again to remove the equally out of form Root, who was trapped in front leg before for three with the score on 22.

Ian Bell (41) tried to launch a rescue mission, hitting two fours and a six off Glenn Maxwell, but with the score on 62-2 he went for another heave over midwicket and was clean bowled by left arm spinner Xavier Doherty for 41.

That wicket brought Morgan to the crease and the Irishman played superbly, showing a confidence missing from the English Test players over the Ashes series.

Some big hitting late in the innings from Buttler (34) and Tim Bresnan (16) allowed England to reach a defendable total, but it was not enough against the rampant Australian batting line-up. l

Finch celebrates his 2nd century yesterday

Dominant Sri Lanka beat Atletico, Barca still tied after stalemate Pakistan in second Test n AFP, Madrid

n AFP, Dubai

Sri Lanka produced a professional performance to register their biggest victory over Pakistan by nine wickets in the second Test in Dubai, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Paceman Suranga Lakmal took all three wickets to fall on the fifth morning to finish with a career-best 4-78 to wrap up Pakistan’s second innings for 359 before Sri Lanka knocked off the meager 137-run target for one wicket.

In achieveing the victory, Sri Lanka also defied the cloudy weather in Dubai and rain forecast for later Sunday.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne (62 not out) hit the winning runs after putting on 124 for the first wicket with Kaushal Silva who fell after scoring 58.

Kumar Sangakkara remained unbeaten on nine.

Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews praised his bowlers.

“The bowlers did really well and the batsmen came to the party to set up this win,” said Mathews.

“That’s the beauty of Test cricket, we have to keep fighting despite the situation.”

Pakistan’s lowest defended target was 127 achieved against New Zealand at Hamilton in 1993, when they dismissed their opponents for 93 but Sri Lanka ensured the good work was not lost.

Sri Lanka had previously beaten Pakistan by eight wickets on two occasions in 45 Tests between the two nations.

In a surprise move Pakistan opened the bowling with off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez but both openers played with authority.

Silva hit five boundaries before trapped leg-before by Saeed Ajmal. Karunaratne hit eight boundaries off 125 balls. Ajmal was once again ineffective, having now taken five wickets in two matches.

Pakistan will be desperate to level the series in the third Test starting in Sharjah from Thursday to avoid their first-ever series defeat in United Arab Emirates, their adopted base for cricket since 2010 because of security fears back home.

The first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq criticised the Dubai stadium pitch. l

Giroud set to return

Everton fearful over Barkley absence

n AFP, Birmingham

n AFP, Liverpool

Olivier Giroud will return to boost Arsenal’s hopes of returning to the top of the Premier League when they travel to face Aston Villa today.

Chelsea’s victory at Hull on Saturday dislodged Arsene Wenger’s side from the summit, but a fourth successive league victory will ensure the Gunners are once again setting the pace in the title race by the time they leave Villa Park.

The prospect of Arsenal topping the table early in the new year was hard to imagine when they were booed off following the 3-1 home defeat to Villa on the opening day. But since that low point Arsenal have been transformed, with Giroud’s eight league goals a major factor in the north London club’s success.

The France forward has provided his side’s main goal-threat but concern about a lack of back-up was brought into focus when he missed the last two games to give him a much needed test.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Giroud, though, will be back at Villa Park and Wenger said: “Giroud needed a rest physically and he got one, and I am convinced he will come back refreshed and ready to score again.

“What is most important, for Olivier Giroud and for me, is the team produces a good collective performance.

“Whether he scores or somebody else, we have plenty of people who can score and for me it is always most important that we play the football we want to play, and after anybody can score in my team.”

With England winger Theo Walcott out for the season with a knee injury and Danish forward Nicklas Bendtner sidelined with an ankle injury, Wenger’s forward options are limited.

But the manager is confident the recent return of Lukas Podolski following a four-month absence with a hamstring problem can plug the gap.

“If there is one player you want to see in front of the goal in a shooting position, it is him because Podolski is certainly one of the best finishers I have ever seen,” Wenger said. l

Everton could be without rising midfield star Ross Barkley for several weeks due to a foot injury, manager Roberto Martinez revealed on Saturday.

The 20-year-old England international sustained a suspected broken toe in last weekend’s FA Cup win over Queens Park Rangers and sat out Saturday’s 2-0 defeat of Norwich City in the Premier League.

“We are going to assess him and it seems he is going to be out for a while.

It could be broken,” Martinez said.

“We are going to assess it to see if there was displacement or not. It is a very similar incident to the one Leighton Baines had. Before we say exactly what it is, that is the fear, that there could be a fracture in his toe.”

Everton left-back Baines spent a month out of action prior to Christmas after picking up a similar injury.

Despite Barkley’s injury, Martinez revealed that he would join the rest of the squad for a warm-weather training camp on the Spanish island next week. l

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona remain locked together on 50 points at the top of La Liga after a 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday.

Barca boss Gerardo Martino had named Lionel Messi and Neymar only on the substitutes bench on their respective returns from injury and illness.

However, after a first period devoid of clear-cut chances, Martino introduced Messi at half-time in place of the injured Andres Iniesta.

And the four-time World Player of the Year nearly proved decisive as only a fine save from Thibaut Courtois denied him from grabbing the winner nine minutes from time.

Both sides now lie six points clear of Real Madrid, but Los Blancos can reduce that gap with a win away to Espanyol on Sunday.

“A point is fine, although we would have liked to have won. We were playing against another very strong side, which hasn’t lost at home yet,” Martino said afterwards.

“We didn’t play our best match by any means, but we have nothing to castigate ourselves for either.”

Atletico boss Diego Simeone was

similarly content with a point he believes leaves Atletico very much in the hunt for the title.

“It was a game of few chances in which both sides tried to assert themselves with their own characteristics.

“It was as competitive and close a match as you would expect between the top two teams in the Spanish league.

RESULTS Athletic Bilbao

6-1

Celta Vigo

2-1

Valencia

Atletico Madrid

0-0 1-1

Barcelona

Mikel Rico 6, Herrera 10, Laporte 31, Aduriz 52, Ibai Gomez 68, 86-P Charles 50, 78

Elche

Herrera 82

Almeria

Barbosa 34

Parejo 23

Sevilla

Carrico 88

“Thanks to the great work of the players we have 50 points, which is a great total, and are in a privileged positon.”

Encouraged by a raucous home support, Atletico started the brighter and were unlucky not to be ahead after five minutes when Gerard Pique nearly turned Arda Turan’s cross into his own net following a wonderful solo run by the Turkish international.

Thereafter, though, chances were hard to come by in the first 45 minutes as Diego Costa and Pedro Rodriguez saw low efforts comfortably saved at either end.

As expected, Barcelona enjoyed the majority of possession, but without their star strike duo they lacked the spark necessary to create anything of note.

Indeed, it was the hosts who had the best opening of the first half on 28 minutes when Miranda flicked on Koke’s corner and Costa just couldn’t turn the ball home on the stretch at the back post.

Martino unsurprisingly responded at half-time by introducing Messi for the injured Iniesta, who had to be replaced after receiving a knock on his left knee.

The Argentine had made an instant impact as a substitute in his first appearance in two months as he scored twice against Getafe in the Copa del Rey in midweek.

However, his arrival didn’t signal an immediate turnaround in Barca’s fortunes as Atletico again started the half on the front foot and Costa drilled just wide after more good work from Turan.

Neymar was then introduced with 25 minutes remaining for the ineffective Alexis Sanchez. l

Barcelona's midfielder Xavi Hernandez (C) jumps for the ball past Atletico Madrid's forward David Villa (L) during their Spanish league match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on Saturday AFP

Sport

DHAKA TRIBUNE

15

Monday, January 13, 2014

Djoker happy to gamble on Becker n AFP, Melbourne

QUICK BYTES

BCL stand-by players named The Bangladesh Cricket Board yesterday declared the stand-by players for the ongoing Bangladesh Cricket League sides. The national selection panel named Ahmed and Rezaul Karim (Walton Central Zone), Tanvir Haider and Sajedul Islam (BCB North Zone), Tushar Imran and Dollar Mahmud (Prime Bank South Zone) and Rajin Salah and Aftab Ahmed (Islami Bank East Zone) as the stand-by players.

–Tribune Desk

Toronto-bound Defoe dismisses World Cup fears

Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe believes that his imminent move to Major League Soccer side Toronto FC will not jeopardise his chances of representing England at this year’s World Cup. Defoe, 31, is due to join Toronto on a four-year contract at the end of February for a reported fee of £8 million ($13.2 million, 9.6 million euros). England manager Roy Hodgson has previously expressed reservations about players plying their trade in North America, but Defoe sees no reason why he cannot be a member of the squad that goes to Brazil. “Hopefully the manager knows what I can do,” Defoe told Sky Sports News on Sunday. “I’m 31 and I’ve played in the Premiership my whole career. There’s not much more I need to prove.

–AFP

Everton bring McGeady back to Britain

Republic of Ireland international winger Aiden McGeady has joined Everton from Spartak Moscow, the Premier League club announced on Saturday. The 27-year-old former Celtic player arrives for an undisclosed fee and has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract, having spent a little over three years in the Russian capital. McGeady was presented to Everton’s fans prior to their 2-0 home win over Norwich City at Goodison Park on Saturday. Everton manager Roberto Martinez revealed afterwards that the club had intended to sign McGeady for next season, before the opportunity arose for him to arrive immediately.

Martinez said that Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic’s proposed transfer to Hull City had been another contributory factor.

“Full credit to the chairman and the board. We were talking to Aiden and we agreed for him to come next season,” Martinez explained.

–AFP

Iniesta injury fears eased Barcelona could have midfielder Andres Iniesta back in time for next weekend’s trip to Levante after the club revealed he had only suffered bruising on his left knee during their 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid on Saturday. Iniesta was withdrawn at half-time to make way for Lionel Messi having been on the end of a number of heavy challenges from Atletico players. Fortunately, though, tests carried out on Sunday morning revealed there has been no serious damage done with his return to action dependent on how he recovers over the next few days. The share of the spoils at the Vicente Calderon means both Barca and Atletico remain tied on points at the top of La Liga at the midway point of the campaign.

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH Sony Six 6:00AM NBA 2013-14 San Antonio v Minnesota Ten Sports Hero Hockey World League Final 2:30PM Newzealand v England 4:30PM Australia v Argentina 6:30PM Netherlands v Belgium 8:30PM Germany v India Star Sports HD2 2:00PM & 6:00AM (Tuesday) Australian Open Star Sports 4 11:30PM Fifa Ballon D’or 2013 Grand Finale 2:00AM English Premier League Aston Villa v Arsenal Star Sports HD1 1:45AM Italian Serie A Inter Milan v Chievo Verona

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko (L) celebrates after scoring against Newcastle United during their EPL match at St James' Park in Newcastle upon Tyne yesterday

City ride Newcastle storm to go top n AFP, London Manchester City took over at the top of the Premier League table after winning 2-0 against Newcastle United in a tempestuous encounter at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo claimed City’s goals, but the match’s defining incident occurred mid-way through the first half when Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote had a goal contentiously ruled out for offside.

Referee Mike Jones’s decision created a taut atmosphere inside the stadium, with fans jeering the officials and Newcastle manager Alan Pardew haranguing Jones as he left the pitch at half-time.

It was City’s sixth consecutive league win and lifted them above Chelsea at the summit, although they will lose their hold on first place if Arsenal win at Aston Villa on Monday.

Newcastle, meanwhile, remain in eighth place.

Bidding to avenge a 4-0 defeat at City on the season’s opening day, Newcastle began at a high tempo, but it took the visitors less than eight minutes to make

the breakthrough.

David Silva released Aleksandar Kolarov with an incisive pass down the inside-left channel and the Serbian left-back delivered a low cross that was clipped home by Dzeko.

There followed a moment of real controversy in the 34th minute, when Tiote thrashed a shot past Joe Hart from the edge of the box, only for referee Jones to

RESULTS Newcastle Played Saturday:

Man United

0-2

Man City

Dzeko 8, Negredo 90+5

2-0

Valencia 47, Welbeck 59

Swansea City

rule the goal out for offside after speaking to an assistant.

Yoan Gouffran, hovering in front of goal as Tiote shot, did not appear to have been interfering with play, and the angry mood in the ground was almost worsened when Silva volleyed narrowly wide from a corner.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini bolstered his midfield by introducing Jesus Navas in place of Dzeko early in the second half, as dissent from Newcastle’s fans continued to rain down

PSG extend lead at top n AFP, Paris

Paris Saint-Germain were not at their best in their first Ligue 1 game of 2014, but they still managed to extend their lead at the top of the table to five points after coming from behind to beat Ajaccio 2-1.

Ajaccio had taken the lead at the Stade Francois-Coty through an early Eduardo goal, but Ezequiel Lavezzi pulled the visitors level before the break and Blaise Matuidi headed in what proved to be the winner after 74 minutes.

It was not a classic performance from PSG, but they are now five points clear at the top of the table from Monaco, who were held to a 1-1 draw at

Montpellier on Friday.

“We knew this would be a difficult match. We needed to be on top of our game in the opening 20 minutes but we were not,” said Blanc. l

RESULTS Ajaccio

1-2

Bordeaux

0-1

Guingamp

0-0 2-0

Saint-Etienne

0-0 3-2

Nice

Eduardo 6

Lyon

Grenier 57, Gourcuff 76

Rennes Valenciennes Dossevi 33, 35, Majeed 55

PSG

Lavezzi 41, Matuidi 74

Toulouse

Braithwaite 53

Sochaux

Bastia

Romaric 72, Ilan 83

on the match officials. After Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul kept his side in the game with a point-blank save to repel a header from Negredo, the hosts began to push their visitors back.

Normal service was resumed as Manchester United beat Swansea City 2-0 on Saturday to avoid losing three successive home games for the first time in over 50 years.

The victory was a welcome one for manager David Moyes, but although it was United’s fifth win in six Premier League games, questions remain about their ability to revive their season sufficiently to challenge for the title.

They lacked creativity for the opening 45 minutes, when Swansea had the bulk of the possession, but the Welsh club failed to deal with the threat from Adnan Januzaj, who was involved in both goals. Danny Welbeck scored their second one and has now hit the target six times in six games, while Antonio Valencia was also on target at the start of the second half.

The threat from the Welsh club proved to be minimal and, ultimately, this was a comfortable victory for United, who closed to within nine points of leaders Chelsea, their next opponents. l

Defending champion Victoria Azarenka Sunday insisted she doesn’t care that Serena Williams is seen as favourite to win the Australian Open and indicated her motivation was high to beat the world number one.

Williams has been in sparkling form, losing just five matches last year and beating Azarenka in the final of the warm-up Brisbane International tournament this month.

It has seen her installed as firm favourite to dethrone Azarenka and claim a sixth Australian Open title, her first since 2010.

“I don’t really care about it, hon-

estly. I never cared about it,” the Belarusian told reporters, when asked if it

Big guns on target n AFP, Milan Juventus, Roma and Napoli hit 11 goals between them to deliver a blow to pursuers Fiorentina and Verona in Italy’s Serie A on Sunday.

Juventus had been looking for a club record of 11 successive wins and despite conceding a 21st minute opener to Pinilla the champions fought back in clinical fashion with Fernando Llorente netting twice in a 4-1 win at Cagliari.

Roma began the day eight points behind leaders Juve but had little trouble dispatching Genoa, who were reduced to 10 men before the hour, 4-0.

Alessandro Florenzi led the rout with a sublime overhead kick, with further goals coming courtesy of club captain Francesco Totti, Maicon and Mehdi Benatia.

Napoli were two points further adrift but despite a potentially tricky fixture returned from high-flying Verona with a precious 3-0 win.

Earlier in the day Torino and Fiorentina both created a host of chances but a scoreless draw in Turin meant Fiorentina, who remain fourth, are now five points behind Napoli, in third.

Juventus have been in fine form since a 4-2 defeat at Fiorentina at the end of October and, now with 52 points at the halfway stage, expectations that Antonio Conte’s men can become the

first side to break the 100-point barrier will only intensify.

At Rome’s Olympic Stadium Florenzi opened the scoring in spectacular fashion, sending an overhead kick past Mattia Perin as the ball rebounded from Totti’s freekick. Roma doubled their lead by the half hour, although when Totti scored his maiden goal of

RESULTS Atalanta

0-0 2-1

Cagliari

1-4

Verona

0-3

Napoli

Roma

4-0

Genoa

Torino

Denis 67-P, Moralez 86 Pinilla 21

Florenzi 25, Totti 30, Maicon 43, Benatia 52

Fiorentina Catania

Leto 89

Juventus

Llorente 31, 76, Marchisio 73, Lichsteiner 80

Mertens 27, Insigne 72, Dzemaili 76

the season from Gervinho’s cutback on the right it was largely down to a deflection from Thomas Manfredini.

The hosts looked to have wrapped up all three points before the half-time interval when Maicon bundled the ball past Perin from close range.

Confirmation came seven minutes after the restart when Mehdi Benatia headed past Perin from inside the sixyard box following a corner. l

De Villiers’ surgery a success, on track to face Aussies n Reuters, Cape Town South Africa wicketkeeper AB de Villiers had successful surgery on his injured hand on Friday and should be fit to take on Australia next month, Cricket South Africa said.

“He will start light rehab on Monday and is on track to be ready for the upcoming tour against Australia,” Saturday’s statement said.

De Villiers had a plate inserted into his left hand two years ago after breaking it while competing in the Indian Premier League, but it had recently caused discomfort forcing him to undergo more surgery. l

Azarenka shrugs off Serena favourite tag n AFP, Melbourne

AFP

Six-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic said he was happy to take a risk on his untried new coach Boris Becker Sunday as he prepared to enter a new era under the flamboyant German.

The defending Australian Open champion admitted adding Becker to his team, after his coach Marian Vajda requested more time with his family, was a potential gamble.

But he is excited about his new partnership with the six-time major-winner, who has hung up his commentator’s microphone to return to the tour.

“Whenever you make a change in life, it’s a potential risk, right? How is it going to affect you?” said Djokovic ahead of his title defence.

“But I don’t want to think from that perspective. I’m really excited about this cooperation. I’m excited about this partnership that I have with Boris that also has been approved and supported

by Marian, who is still in the team.

“They have a great communication.

All I see is positive results, and hope for that obviously. I cannot predict or promise anything now.”

Djokovic denied that Andy Murray’s successful partnership with Ivan Lendl had prompted him to hire Becker, a trend followed by Roger Federer (Stefan Edberg) and Kei Nishikori (Michael Chang) amongst others. l

bothered her that Williams was considered as the main title contender.

“I think the favourites, it’s predictions that you guys love to do. For us, it’s a matter of playing tennis and giving your best on the court.”

“But I think everybody is the one to beat here. We have such a high competition right now,” she said, when quizzed about Williams.

“You know, you always have to look out for every opponent you play. You cannot look past anybody because everybody is prepared, everybody wants it badly.

“Comparing to her (Williams) last season, of course, everybody will be motivated to beat her.” l

Walton became the jersey sponsor of Bangladesh Women's Kabaddi team yesterday

Women’s kabaddi team to play in India n Raihan Mahmood A 10-member Bangladesh Kabaddi team will participate in an Invitational Kabaddi tournament to be held at Narasapuram, West Godavari District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh from tomorrow.

SQUAD Shahnaz Parvin Maleka (capt), Shila, Shahin Ara, Baby, Poly, Rima, Juni Chakma, Shila Akter, Kochi Rani, Masuma Jannat Subimol Chandra Das (Coach), Jahirul Haque (Manager), Tofazzal Hossain (Team Leader)

The participation of the women’s kabaddi team is considered as a buildup for the Asian Games that will be held in Incheon, Korea in September.

Walton became the jersey sponsor while they will also provide some additional facilities to the team.

A total of 20 state teams from India will participate in the meet. However, the kabaddi team has not obtained the Indian visa yet and they are expected to receive it today.

“We have requested the tournament organisers to put our matches in the later part of the meet. If we obtain the visa tomorrow we will travel as earlier as possible,” said coach Subimol Chandra Das in a briefing at the BNS yesterday.

Both coach and the captain hoped the players earn valuable experience in the meet. “The standard of the many Indian state teams are almost same as the main Indian team. We will get valuable exposure from the tour,” said the captain Shanaz Parvin Maleka.

Additional director of Walton AFM Iqbal bin Anwar Dawn, Kabaddi Federation treasurer MA Mannan were also present on the occasion. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Monday, January 13, 2014

Police fail to protect minorities Around 278 houses and 495 temples came under attack in 2013 Jamil Khan, back n Mohammad from Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari Different investigation reports filed in connection with the recent attacks on minority communities have revealed that law enforcers failed to ensure proper security during the violence.

The Dhaka Tribune has received at least two different probe reports filed in two separate districts, which blamed the law enforcers for failing to provide security to the minority communities.

The role of police during the recent incidents of violence has also been questioned by rights groups and the victims themselves.

Rana Dash Gupto, general secretary of Bangladesh Hindu-BuddhaChristian Oikyo Parishad, told the Dhaka Tribune that police not only played a mysterious role in protecting the minority people, but were also found to be instigators behind the attacks.

Alleging the police of not being “serious” in filing cases or investigating the incidents, Rana also criticised the silence of both the ruling and opposition parties in taking action regarding the attacks on the minorities.

According to an annual report of human rights watchdog Ain o Salish Kendra, a total of 278 households, 208 business establishment and 495 temples and idols were attacked across the country in 2013.

Such attacks increased surrounding the January 5 parliamentary elections.

Visits to different areas in the northern districts of the country revealed discontent among the minority communities, regarding the lack of police protection.

In Nilphamari’s Ramganj village, the members of the Hindu community said they had to guard their temple with bow and arrows, in the absence of police security, as they had faced repeated attacks by Jamaat-Shibir men.

Mohammad Zubayedur Rahman, superintendent of police in Nilphamari, however told the Dhaka Tribune that there was nothing to fear from Jamaat-Shibir, adding that guarding the temple with arrows was done out of religious overzealousness.

The fears of Nilphamari residents was echoed in the voices of other Hindus living in Patgram and several other upazilas of Lalmonirhat.

Many of the locals said most of their family members had already left the country, while others had taken shelter at different places fearing further attacks. Many more were also trying to sell their properties and go to another country, members of the minority communities in the district said.

Habibur Rahman, police superintendent of Lalmonirhat, however said they had no information regarding minority groups having to stay outside their houses. Trying to assure people that the police had the situation almost

under control, Habibur said the search was on for the criminals who created violence.

A state-run intelligence agency had reportedly alerted the home ministry and police headquarters about potential attacks on the minority following the national election.

Although the police headquarters passed on the warning message to police superintendents of different districts, the absence of necessary security measures allowed attacks on the minority communities in several districts including Jessore, Dinajpur, Bogra, and Joypurhat.

In this regard, Inspector General of Police Hassan Mahmood Khandker said it would be illogical to claim that the police failed to provide security to the minority groups, as the law enforcers had been doing their duties properly.

However, he also said action would be taken if any irregularity was found in the police’s security response. l

Justice Habibur’s body to lie at Shaheed Minar today n Tribune Report The body of former chief justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman will be kept at the Central Shaheed Minar today for two hours from 10am for people to pay their last respects.

His body will be then taken to the Supreme Court premises for the first namaze-janaza. His second namaz-e-janaza will be held after Johr prayers at the Azad Mosque in the capital’s Gulshan.

Justice Habibur Rahman, also a former caretaker government chief, passed away Saturday night on his way to the United Hospital after falling ill at home.

His family said they planned to bury him at Banani graveyard later today.

Different organisations and individuals yesterday condoled Justice Habibur’s death. Many prominent citizens went to the hospital mortuary to see his body.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus in a message said people became helpless on losing a guide like Justice Habib.

Yunus said: “We could not imagine that he would leave us so suddenly. Those

who did not mix with him closely will not realise what a nice person he was. He was an innocent person with enormous intelligence.”

The Human Rights Forum said the nation had lost a justice with excellent sense, an intellectual, and a creative and committed non-communal personality.

The Transparency International Bangladesh said Justice Habib would be remembered for his contribution to upholding justice and as the chief adviser to the 1996 caretaker government.

Ain O Salish Kendra, Bangladesh Human Rights Commission, and Bangladesh College-University Teachers’ Association also expressed condolences at his passing.

The Communist Party of Bangladesh said Habibur Rahman played an important role in the 1952 Language Movement as a pro-left activist.

Justice Habibur Rahman retired in 1995 as the chief justice and served as the chief adviser to the polls-time caretaker government from March 31 to June 23, 1996. l

US to continue support n Tribune Report

Reiterating its position on the January 5 polls, the US has said its commitment to work with Bangladesh and its people remained “undamaged.”

“As the US Ambassador here, I’ll do everything I can to support Bangladesh to move forward,” US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena said, adding that he envisaged to see Bangladesh as the next “Asian Tiger.”

He was talking to reporters after emerging from the oath-taking ceremony at Bangabhaban.

Conveying the US’ disappointment with the results of the parliamentary election, he called on the ruling party, the BNP and other parties to immedi-

ately engage in a dialogue for holding a credible election as soon as possible.

“We’re not very convinced that the results are credible reflections of the wills of the people of Bangladesh. So, we look forward to elections,” he said, adding that it was disappointing because more than half of the seats went uncontested and others had only token opposition.

“I think the US has already spoken very clearly about the elections process,” the US envoy said.

On January 7, the US Department of State issued a statement, expressing displeasure over the election and encouraged the government and opposition parties to engage in dialogue to find a way to hold a free, fair, peaceful and credible election soon. l

‘Why is failure to control drug prices not illegal?’ n Nazmus Sakib The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking why the inaction and failure of senior health officials in controlling the price of life-saving drugs should not be declared illegal.

In response to a writ plea lodged by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh, as well as three Supreme Court lawyers, the bench Justice Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Justice ABM Altaf Hossain also ordered the health secretary to submit the full particulars of the Drug Control Committee within seven days.

It also sought explanation why the respondents should not be directed to control the price of medicine.

The health secretary, National Drug Advisory Council chairman, director generals of health department and National Consumer Rights Protection department, director of drug administration and president and secretary of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries were made respondents to respond to the rule. They have three weeks to respond.

Supreme Court lawyer Manzill Mur-

shid argued for the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Biswojit Roy represented the government.

“Without any precautions to save the health of the citizen, the respondents have sent the lives of the people to a dangerous situation, which is a violation of Article 18(1) of the constitution of Bangladesh. Moreover the right to life is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 32 of the constitution of Bangladesh, but it is being violated by the lack of access to drugs and medicines of lower and middle class people,” said the petition.

According to the Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009,the sale or proposal of sale of any product, drug and service at a higher price or rate than the price fixed by any law or rule, is defined as contrary to consumer rights, said the plea.

Manzill said: “The respondents have failed to perform their duties because of their inactions; they did not take any steps against the drugs’ manufactures, who have raised prices of drugs without following any proper legal procedure. Their actions caused serious sufferings to public health.” l

Students of Gojaria Adarsha Academy in Purba Chandrapur union in Feni take their classes under the open sky yesterday as their school, which was supposed to be used as a polling centre, was burnt down by anti-election miscreants. The criminals set fire to five schools on January 3 FOCUS BANGLA

6,240 doctors to be appointed through 33rd BCS Candidates to fill seats left vacant by inadequate number of freedom fighter quota applicants

n Moniruzzaman Uzzal With inadequate numbers of applicants vying for the freedom fighters quota each year, the Public Service Commission has reportedly decided to allow the health ministry to fill up the extra quota seats, which had been left vacant over the years.

The Dhaka Tribune has learnt that more than 4,000 posts for medical officers (assistant surgeons and dental surgeons) have been left vacant, because of the freedom fighters quota, during the past several years’ recruitment of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination of the PSC. Senior officials at the health ministry told the Dhaka Tribune that the PSC is set to recruit 6,240 doctors through

the 33rd BCS, to fill up the vacancies.

Several high-ups of the heath sector also said the PSC had, for the first time, given permission to the health ministry to fill up the 4,000 vacant freedom fighter quota posts, by drawing from the general pool.

Prof Dr Khondokar Md Sifayetullah, director general of the health directorate, confirmed this information and said the move would help to fill up the vacant posts of medical officers across the country.

He said the PSC, over the last five years, had made 818 appointments in the 28th BCS, 222 in the 29th BCS, 560 in the 30th BCS, 303 in the 31st BCS and 565 in the 32nd BCS. Moreover 4,133 assistant and dental surgeons had been appointed on an ad hoc basis.

Seeking anonymity, several senior health officials said the general pool was not large enough for the ministry to be able to fill up the 8,000 existing vacancies for medical officers.

The freedom fighters quota had become a major obstacle in the normal recruitment process, as well as hampering the smooth operation of different health programmes, they also claimed.

Dr Sifayetullah said the freedom fighters quota left similar vacancies in other ministries as well. After 42 years of independence, it was next to impossible to get enough applications for the freedom fighters quota, as only a very few dependants (grandsons and granddaughters) of freedom fighters now applied, he said.

Dr Md Shah Newaz, director (administration) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said the problem of vacancies would now be solved after a long wait.

The PSC granted permission after the health ministry placed a request letter seeking permission to re-consider freedom fighters quotas, to fill up the 4,000 vacant posts.

Although the PSC had advertised for the recruitment of 2,442 doctors for the 34th BCS, authorities would now recruit 6,240 doctors, said Dr Newaz, adding that the recruitment process had started and would be completed soon.

The health examination of the selected 6,240 doctors will start from today and continue until January 29. l

‘EC failed to prevent poll violence’ n Tribune Report

Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee leader Shahriar Kabir talks at a press conference on ‘Unprecedented Communal Persecution

by Jamaat-BNP: Task of the Government and Civil Society’ at DRU in the capital yesterday RAJIB DHAR

The Ekattorer Ghatok Dalal Nirmul Committee yesterday blamed the Election Commission and the administration for failing to take proper action to tackle the violence before, during and after the 10th national parliamentary polls.

The Election Commission did not deploy adequate law enforcement at the 13,000 poll centres it identified as risky, the committee said in a press release yesterday. It also said in most cases the Army was deployed on the highways.

No violence occurred during the 9th parliamentary polls in 2008, due to the presence of the army in the poll centres, it added. The committee demanded that the EC explain the absence of the army in in the risky areas.

Shahriar Kabir, the acting president of the committee, blamed police for failing to give support to victims in some cases, although he admitted that in most cases police, Border Guard of Ban-

gladesh (BGB) and Ansar personnel prevented violence and protected people.

The committee demanded the exemplary punishment of culprits who committed heinous attacks on the minorities. It said in some cases the Awami League activists also took part in the violence side by side with Jamaat-BNP activists, and demanded punishment for them too.

The acting president of the committee, blamed police for failing to give support to victims in some cases, although he admitted that in most cases police, Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) and Ansar personnel prevented violence and protected people The committee said it had visited many of the affected areas, but could not visit all of them because of the opposition’s blockade programme.

The pro-liberation organisation

urged the government to form a probe commission led by a retired justice to investigate the attacks.

It also urged the government to publish and implement the recommendations of the report of the Shahabuddin Commission, formed to investigate the attacks and human rights violations during the tenure of BNP-Jamaat in 2001-2006.

The committee demanded the army’s deployment and the foundation of permanent police stations in the already affected areas and other risky areas, in order to prevent violence.

It also urged the government to form a separate force consisting of skilled and well-trained members of the police, Rab, BGB and the army to counter the terrorism of Jamaat-Shibir.

The committee said the police force should also be increased in size and should be trained to tackle the worst situations, they urged the government to recruit at least 50,000 patriotic youths into the force. l

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Business

B3 Probe opened into

B4 Liar for hire? Fake

Meghna Condensed Milk price hike

CVs flood Indian job market

MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

New markets boost RMG export 3 deep-sea blocks ‘We will continue our drive to reach still untouched and unexplored markets’ n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi The country’s apparel exporters gradually penetrating into new markets thanks to their efforts in diversifying markets – a strategy to reduce dependence on the traditional market that often poses threat to the industry.

The apparel exports to the non-traditional markets registered a sharp growth by over 37% to US$1.37bn in the first half of the current fiscal year, braving the political turmoil throughout the year.

The manufacturers had earlier exported apparel products worth $977m during the same period (July-December) in 2012.

The comparatively new markets include Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Turkey.

Export to Turkey registered the highest growth as the value stood at $335m with a rise of 106.5% in the first half of the current financial year. It was followed by Russia 73%, Chile 32%, China 60%, India 53%. Only Brazil registered a negative growth by 4% to $89m compared to previous export value of $93m.

“The increased exports to the non-traditional markets will reduce to some extent the overwhelming dependency on the traditional markets,” exporters said.

The robust growth has been possible mainly because of the all-out efforts made by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) to explore new destinations for the apparel products, said Faruque Hassan, former vice president of BGMEA. “BGMEA and BKMEA had launched such a move to explore non-traditional markets in 2010 and the move is still on,’’ he said.

He said duty-free access to some markets and government cash incentives for searching new destinations for RMG products have finally yielded positive results in the

get lone bidder n Aminur Rahman Rasel

previously unexplored market.

If the government increases the cash incentives to 5% from existing 2%, it would help this sector to expand the exports further in the new markets, he added.

“Sharp export growth to those markets is not unexpected as we had been successfully able to introduce our products to them through our participation in various exhibitions across the globe,” Shubhashish Bose, vice president of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), told the Dhaka Tribune.

“We will continue our drive to reach still untouched and unexplored markets.”

Meanwhile, the country’s export to the major European Union countries also rose to over $7bn in July-December period of last year, which is 21.10% higher compared to the same period in previous year 2012.

Export to USA also rose to$2.5bn, a 13.25% rise compared to the value of $2.27bn of 2012.

Apart from that, Bangladeshi RMG products has fetched $499m from Canada, which is also 4.13% higher comparing to $479m earnings in the year 2012.

Apparel sector, the highest foreign currency earner,has also met around 50% target of $24bn set for the fiscal year-2013-14.

The country’s export earnings rose 16.6% to US$14.68bn in the first half of the current fiscal year, compared to $12.6bn in the July-December period of 2012.

RMG export posted over 20% growth to nearly $12bn in the first half of the current fiscal year compared to the same period of last year’s value of $10bn. l

US-based ConocoPhillips and Norway-based Statoil have jointly dropped the bidding documents for exploring oil and gas in three deep-sea blocks (12, 16 and 21) in the Bay of Bengal yesterday, the last day for bid submission.

It would be the first and only bid after amendment to the production sharing contract (PSC). No other company could be attracted yet to work under the amended PSC. “We hope to sign PSC after evaluation of their bidding, followed by necessary approval by the cabinet committee on economic affairs hopefully by the end of June,” Muhammad Imaduddin, Petrobangla director (PSC), told the Dhaka Tribune. “We thought we would receive tenders form at least two or three companies.”

If the contract is signed with the international oil companies, they will form a joint venture to operate in the blocks, he said. They recently submitted a joint tender to explore oil and gas in the Myanmar territory of the Bay. Meanwhile, Petrobangla is now ready to sign PSCs for three selected shallow sea blocks.

US-based ConocoPhillips submitted tenders for block 07 and India’s stateowned ONGC Videsh Ltd for blocks 04 and 09. To explore block 12, ConocoPhillips and Statoil would conduct 1,412-line-kilometres of mandatory 2D seismic survey while 775-line-kilometres in block 16 and 1,376-line-kilometres in block 21 in the first three years.

They would also conduct 2,000-line-kilometres of 2D or equivalent 3D seismic surveys and drill one exploratory well within the next two years in all the three blocks.

They would spend $109m for the exploratory well and other works in each of the blocks. They will deposit the amount as bank guarantee as proposed in the bidding, said the Petrobangla director. After the initial five-year period,

Political unrest slows ADP implementation

Home textiles export sees 6% fall

n Asif Showkat Kallol

The Country’s home textile exports have seen a 6% decline in the first half of the current fiscal year due to political unrest and inadequate supply of gas in the dyeing factories.

It also fell 9% short of the period’s target of $388.21m. The home textile export target was set at $831 for the whole fiscal.

In July-December period of the FY2013-14, home textiles fetched $350.20m, which is 6.30% lower compared to $375m for the same period of previous fiscal, EPB data showed.

“Home textile sector bears the brunt of political unrest, which caused the down trend in exports,” Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) first vice president Mohammad Hatem told the Dhaka Tribune.

Uninterrupted electricity and adequate gas supply is mostly needed in the dyeing units, but we lack it.

Resultantly, production has been hampered as well as the export volume, he added.

Home textiles saw the impact ear-

The ongoing political turmoil and uncertainty have largely affected economic activities and curbed investment appetite.

As a consequence, implementation of the annual development programme (ADP) suffered a setback while private credit growth and imports slowing down in the first six months of the current fiscal year.

The continued blockades and hartals enforced by the opposition political parties have virtually halted the pace of ADP execution – only 20% in the first five months of the current fiscal year. Bank borrowing reduced by Tk3,500 crore in the first half of the current fiscal.

“In fact, physical progress of the ADP implementation literally came to a complete halt as the country’s entire communication network remained almost suspended during the political programme such as blockades and hartals,” said an official of Planning Commission.

“Day labourers and project engineers could not event attend the project sites outside Dhaka for the last three months due to the lack of transportation facilities,” he added.

n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Pointing to the slower implementation of Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane highway, an official of the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) said the entire work of the road bogged down as the work totally depends on smooth transportation of construction materials.

The contractors were also unable to carry the much-needed materials to the sites, official added.

Of the Tk 65,872 crore earmarked for the ADP of the current fiscal year, only 13.156 crore or 20% could be spent during July –November period while Tk13,574 crore or 25% of the original ADP’s Tk55,000 crore was spent in the same period of the last fiscal year.

The demand for cash has been declined in the last six months because of government activities have stopped last six month including slow down the pace ADP implementation, according to the Bangladesh Bank data.

Net government borrowing from banking system stood at Tk4,570 crore during July –December period last year while it stood at Tk7,926 crore during the same period one year back. As per the central bank data, the government borrowing from banking system was Tk15,630 crore in the first six month of 2011-12 fiscal year. l

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105.2229

107.6614

INR

1.1801

1.3365

1.18

1.28

SAR

20.5361

21.0055

20.5335

21.0095

ly before RMG sector as it takes less than two months to execute orders while apparel secretor needs over four months, he added.

Increase in the prices of cotton, yarn and other raw materials acted as a catalyst to the declining trend of ex-

Though the government claimed uninterrupted gas and electricity supply, but inadequate supply of gas and power to industrial units severely hampered production and compelled us to spend more to generate energy by alternative means

ports, said a BGMEA director, wishing anonymity.

He said political unrest cast negative impact on production, which is another reason for the down trend in

export earnings.

Though the government claimed uninterrupted gas and electricity supply, but inadequate supply of gas and power to industrial units severely hampered production and compelled us to spend more to generate energy by alternative means, he noted.

Production cost has increased significantly over the last few years, which threw challenges before us as our competitors have opportunity to produce at lower cost, said Salam Murshedy, managing director of Envoy Textile.

GSP facilities to Pakistan by the European Union is a challenge for Bangladesh as they are stronger than us in terms of design and availability of raw materials, said Salam, who is also the president of Bangladesh Exporters Association (EAB).

Bangladesh’s export earnings rose 16.6% to US$14.68bn in the first half of the current fiscal year compared to $12.6bn in the July-December period of previous fiscal.

The knitwear and woven garments, the two largest export earners, posted 19.5% and 20% growth to over $5.9bn and nearly $6bn respectively. l

they would drill another exploratory well in each block subsequently.

The state-owned gas monopoly had first put a total of 12 blocks out for international tender on December 17, 2012 under “Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round 2012.” Of them, nine were in the shallow sea and three in the deep sea – covering 51,589 and 10,041 square kilometres respectively.

Petrobangla earlier suspended the bidding process for the deep sea blocks, allegedly upon requests from the interested IOCs. In October 2013, Petrobangla invited international tenders again, but not a single company had shown interest.

'We hope to sign PSC after evaluation of their bidding, followed by necessary approval by the cabinet committee on economic affairs hopefully by the end of June' During the first invitation, bid documents were collected by 16 IOCs – Statoil of Norway, Premier Oil of the UK, Shell, ConocoPhillips, Chevron, Anadarko Petroleum and ExxonMobil of the US, Australia-based Santos and Carnarvon, Singapore-based Kris Energy, China-based CNOOC and CNPC, India’s state-owned ONGC, Cairn India, TOTAL of France, and BAPCO of Bahrain.

In July 2013, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also in charge of the energy ministry, consented to an Energy and Mineral Resources Division proposal to amend the PSC for deep sea hydrocarbon blocks. According to the PSC, a contractor will be allowed 20 years for an oil field and 25 years for a gas field from the approval of the development plan.

In the PSC, there is no scope to export oil and gas, but gas can be sold to a third party inside Bangladesh.

Earlier, international bidding was called under the PSC in 1993, 1997 and 2008. l

Insurance companies asked to settle claims quickly n Tribune Report Insurance Development Regulatory Authority (IDRA) has asked the insurance companies to settle quickly the claims tabled after being affected by political violence.

Insurance companies should come forward with an attitude to assist their clients in danger, said a circular issued yesterday. It said lives, assets and vehicles of the people are in danger due to the political unrest across the country. The clients are submitting claims to the companies against the assets covered by insurance.

The authorities issued the order in the back drop of complains that the companies were making unnecessary delays in settling the claims – which is being considered as a trick only to discourage the clients to submit the claims. l

BSEC opens new department n Tribune Report Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has opened new department to make foreign investment in the stock market easier and faster.

At a meeting held recently, the regulator approved opening of the new department styled “International Affairs Department” headed by its Executive Director Farhad Ahmed.

The new department was opened after the BSEC has been upgraded to A-category from existing B-category, a feat that is being expected to bring some benefits for the country’s securities regulator in the international arena.

The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), an association of organisations that regulates the world’s securities and futures markets, has given this credit to the BSEC in December last year. “It is necessary to open an international affairs department to connect with other IOSCO members and to accelerate foreign investment as well,” said a BSEC official. l

B2

Turnover crosses Tk600cr n Tribune Report

Market participants were rebalancing their portfolio among scrips and sectors, centering on upcoming monetary policy statement and yearly corporate decelerations

The Chittagong Stock Exchange Selective Category Index, CSCX, closed at 8,732 with a rise of over 68 points.

The DSE turnover stood at almost Tk620 crore – the highest amount since December 22, 2013 and 19.7% higher over the previous session’s turnover. Engineering sector contributed over 21% of the total market turnover.

IDLC Investment, in its daily market analysis, said spike in indi-

DSE LOSERS

Rangpur Foundry -A Samata LeatheR -Z Monno Stafllers -A Paramount Textile Ltd.-N Argon Denims Limited-A Delta SpinnersA Rahima Food -Z Purabi G Insu.A IDLC Finance -A

Closing (% change) -3.97 -3.91 -3.57 -3.27 -3.23 -2.74 -2.65 -2.60 -2.39

CSE LOSERS Company AIBL 1st Is. M. F.-A CVO PetroChem RL-Z Union Capital -A SonarBangla Insu. -A Phoenix Finance-A Rangpur Foundry -A Pioneer Insur -A AMCL 2nd MF-A MBL 1st M. F.-A

Closing (% change) -5.80 -4.32 -4.03 -3.85 -3.83 -3.76 -3.45 -3.39 -2.90

4437.81800

(+) 0.68%

1576.77756

(+) 1.36%

13762.2258

(+) 0.72%

11366.3589

(+) 0.72%

8732.24600

(+) 0.79%

Average (% change) -1.91 -1.67 -1.72 0.33 0.30 1.29 0.24 -0.23 -1.87 Average (% change) -5.65 -4.06 -3.64 -3.77 -2.51 -1.88 -3.45 -2.39 -2.90

ANALYST

Closing average 103.77 27.59 300.00 54.48 80.39 43.94 79.02 26.53 70.17

Closing average 6.51 719.58 33.36 25.02 35.72 102.50 67.10 5.73 6.70

Closing

Closing

Bank NBFI Investment Engineering Food & Allied Fuel & Power Jute Textile Pharma & Chemical Paper & Packaging Service Leather Ceramic Cement Information Technology General Insurance Life Insurance Telecom Travel & Leisure Miscellaneous Debenture

DSE Million Taka 362.12 426.59 123.10 1295.57 239.55 915.88 2.23 795.18 694.52 0.98 37.36 186.49 57.67 176.17 49.16 88.10 299.62 150.58 131.69 162.62 0.30

Daily high

Traded Issues

289

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

193

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

93

CSE GAINERS

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

3

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,143.51

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

25.98

Turnover (Million Taka)

609.99

Turnover (Volume)

13,937,769

Number of Contract

221

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

123

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

94

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

3

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,053.43

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

24.89

Turnover in million

101.50 26.00 291.20 53.20 73.00 42.40 77.10 26.10 64.90

5.915 0.676 0.210 71.602 66.952 61.783 7.270 7.548 44.855

Turnover in million

Daily low

6.60 722.00 33.70 25.10 36.60 102.50 67.10 5.80 6.70

21,951

Traded Issues

Daily low

106.20 28.00 309.00 56.00 82.00 45.00 82.90 27.00 72.50

6.50 717.60 33.30 25.00 35.20 102.50 67.10 5.70 6.70

6.50 715.00 33.10 25.00 35.00 102.50 67.10 5.60 6.70

Latest EPS 3.03 -0.08 5.25 3.00 3.33 1.16 -0.64 0.76 3.00

Latest EPS

0.033 0.518 0.400 0.063 1.089 0.051 0.034 0.009 0.013

1.24 -6.76 0.28 1.85 2.60 3.03 5.75 1.04 1.48

Latest PE

% change 5.84 6.89 1.99 20.91 3.87 14.78 0.04 12.83 11.21 0.02 0.60 3.01 0.93 2.84 0.79 1.42 4.84 2.43 2.13 2.62 0.00

Million Taka 28.93 43.46 6.98 143.79 23.44 77.91 70.93 61.41 0.10 3.99 20.43 8.55 15.22 6.20 3.62 29.35 12.97 18.03 34.78 0.11

CSE

Company Miracle Industries -B Delta Brac HFCL-A Rupali Life Insur.-A Central Pharm-A National Life I -A National Polymer -A ApexAdelchi Ftr -A Apex Tannery -A Sinobangla Indu.-A Ambee Pharma -A

Closing (% change) 10.00 9.93 9.59 9.09 8.52 8.49 7.65 6.57 5.63 5.22

Average (% change) 9.02 7.68 5.57 6.28 8.52 7.12 7.57 4.60 5.71 5.14

Closing average 21.84 72.00 64.70 18.30 46.86 13.80 95.57 156.33 61.06 80.74

Closing average 21.88 63.94 125.57 47.03 331.00 61.81 527.08 146.29 33.72 286.23

Closing 22.00 72.00 66.60 19.30 48.00 14.00 95.90 167.00 62.70 81.90

Closing 22.00 66.40 128.00 48.00 331.00 62.60 527.50 149.20 33.80 286.20

Daily high 22.00 72.00 66.60 19.30 48.20 14.10 97.30 167.70 63.00 83.00

Daily high 22.00 66.40 128.10 48.40 331.00 63.00 527.50 150.00 34.20 289.00

Daily low 19.50 72.00 56.00 18.00 39.60 12.80 80.00 140.00 55.00 75.00

Daily low 20.90 61.40 111.00 40.50 331.00 58.60 520.00 143.10 32.90 280.00

Turnover in million 20.095 0.014 30.595 0.366 86.690 5.622 52.046 39.203 37.216 0.914

Turnover in million 3.773 2.129 0.782 10.823 3.310 2.029 13.915 3.014 3.742 0.253

Latest EPS

Latest PE

0.12 -10.24 4.72 -0.89 1.48 -4.60 1.84 2.38 2.24 4.59

Latest EPS

182.0 -ve 13.7 -ve 31.7 -ve 51.9 65.7 27.3 17.6

Latest PE

0.12 4.72 5.33 1.48 12.46 2.24 28.27 6.28 0.64 5.01

182.3 13.5 23.6 31.8 26.6 27.6 18.6 23.3 52.7 57.1

% change 4.74 7.12 1.14 23.57 3.84 12.77 0.00 11.62 10.06 0.02 0.65 3.35 1.40 2.50 1.02 0.59 4.81 2.12 2.95 5.70 0.02

Million Taka 391.05 470.05 130.08 1439.36 262.99 993.78 2.23 866.12 755.94 1.07 41.34 206.92 66.23 191.39 55.35 91.72 328.96 163.54 149.72 197.40 0.41

News from trade server

IPO Subscription: Emerald Oil Industries Limited subscription date 06-12 January 2014, NRB upto 21 Januray 2014. At per, face value taka 10 and market lot 500.

POWERGRID: 15% Cash, AGM: 25.01.2014, Time: 10:00 AM. RD: 01.12.2013.

EASTRNLUB: 30% Cash, AGM: 25.01.2014, RD: 04.12.2013.

Dividend/AGM

RIGHT SHARE: ARAMITCEM: Subscription 23.03.2014 to 17.04.2014. Record date for entitlement of rights share: 09.01.2014.

RUPALILIFE- Subscription 06.04.2014 to 05.05.2014. Record date for entitlement of rights share: 16.01.2014.

ECABLES: 10% cash, AGM: 01.03.2014, RD: 29.12.2013.

USMANIAGL: 11% Cash & 10% Stock, AGM: postponed, RD: 07.11.2013.

DESCO: 10% Cash & 15% Stock, AGM: 04.01.2014, RD: 05.11.2013.

JAMUNAOIL: 90% Cash & 10% Stock, AGM: 25.01.2014, RD: 04.12.2013.

SAVAREFR: No dividend, AGM: 30.01.2014, RD: 19.12.2013.

ANWARGALV: 7% Case for general shareholders, AGM: 13.01.2014, RD: 11.11.2013.

MPETROLEUM: 70% Cash & 20% Stock, AGM: 17.01.2014, RD: 28.11.2013.

PADMAOIL: 90% Cash, 10% Stock, AGM: 15.02.2014, RD: 23.12.2013.

SAMORITA: 30% Stock, AGM: 11.01.2014, RD: 25.11.2013.

Latest PE 5.3 -ve 119.1 13.5 13.7 33.8 11.7 5.5 4.5

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company

Total

Matin Spinning Mills Limited subscription date 26-30 January 2014, NRB upto 08 Feburay 2014. @ Tk. 37/-, face value taka 10 and market lot 200.

Approval for Issuance of Prospectus of Hwa Well Textiles (BD) Limited: Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has given consent for raising of capital through Initial Public Offer (IPO) and issuance of prospectus by Hwa Well Textiles (BD) Limited.

34.2 -ve 57.1 18.2 24.1 37.9 -ve 34.9 23.4

All eyes are now on annual corporate profitability and taking position accordingly

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

Daily high

136,051

10.00 9.92 9.90 9.66 9.09 8.53 8.36 8.09 7.92 7.34

Average (% change) 8.23 10.77 9.33 3.10 5.47 6.98 8.20 1.31 4.81 4.86

CSE key features January 12, 2014

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

101.50 27.00 294.40 53.30 78.00 42.60 77.20 26.20 69.30

128,263,146

Miracle Industries -B Northern Jute -Z Delta Brac HFCL-A Kay & Que (BD) -Z Central Pharm-A Meghna Con. Milk -B National Tubes -A PragatiLife Insu. -A National Polymer -A Reliance Insur -A

Closing (% change)

SUN

Weekly capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 20 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index :

6,195.48

Number of Contract

ces lured some witty investors to book profit, which forced broad index to close at 4,438.

Market participants were rebalancing their portfolio among scrips and sectors, centering on upcoming monetary policy statement and yearly corporate decelerations, it said.

Investors mostly concentrated on engineering, fuel & power and textile sectors. The combined turnover of the three sectors made up more than 50% of the DSE total turnover.

Lanka Bangla Securities said market has been making a smart gain mostly led by money market liquidity which would spur the institutional investment on stocks.

Positive macro data also boost market sentiment as December trade deficit narrowed by 35.71% in first five months of current fiscal year and interest rate tapered on short-term government securities, it said.

“All eyes are now on annual corporate profitability and taking position accordingly.”

Banks – the largest market capitalised sector – went up marginally by 0.12% and non-banking financial institutions lost 0.7%.

Gainers outpaced losers as out of 288 issues traded, 164 closed higher, 88 lower and 36 remained unchanged.

Golden Son was the most traded stock with a turnover of over Tk25 crore –followed by Olympic Industries, Summit Purbanchol Power.

The top three accounted for more than 11% of total market turnover. l

Stocks gained for the fourth straight session yesterday with the benchmark DSEX hitting more than seven-week high.

Investor participation in trading also increased as turnover crossed Tk600 crore after almost three weeks.

The DSEX gained 30 points or 0.7% to settle at 4,438 – highest since November 20 last year. The blue chip comprising index DS30 rose 21 points or 1.4% to 1,576.

Company

Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume)

Monday, January 13, 2014

DSE GAINERS

CSE key features January 12, 2014

DSEX HITS 7-WEEK HIGH

Company

Stock

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Golden Son -A Olympic Ind. -A S Purbanchol Power-N Appollo Ispat CL -N Bengal Windsor-N Delta Life Insu. -A Generation Next-A Orion Pharma-N Padma Oil Co. -A Active Fine Chem.-A

% change 5.75 6.91 1.91 21.15 3.86 14.60 0.03 12.73 11.11 0.02 0.61 3.04 0.97 2.81 0.81 1.35 4.83 2.40 2.20 2.90 0.01

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

LankaBangla Fin. -A Meghna Petroleum -A Square Pharma -A ApexAdelchi Ftr -A Summit Power -A BD Building Systems -A Keya Cosmetics -A Central Pharm-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Tallu Spinning -A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company Appollo Ispat CL -N Golden Son -A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A S Purbanchol Power-N Paramount Textile Ltd.-N Olympic Ind. -A Orion Pharma-N LankaBangla Fin. -A Delta Life Insu. -A ApexAdelchi Ftr -A

Generation Next-A Bengal Windsor-N

Volume shares 3,763,894 1,357,128 3,054,435 5,344,600 2,828,976 581,550 3,743,140 2,000,985 415,170 1,296,565

1,532,188 476,966 548,379 206,200 2,387,859 1,391,882 3,452,668 1,849,855 2,299,070 1,962,952

Volume shares 1,462,000 363,333 634,182 276,060 338,750 106,000 241,060 196,465 52,550 26,400

363,720 190,136

Value in million 252.36 225.44 223.78 200.68 192.60 159.19 136.82 127.80 126.87 121.75

117.17 115.01 112.48 108.20 105.43 103.63 95.44 86.69 84.90 78.62

% of total turnover 4.07 3.64 3.61 3.24 3.11 2.57 2.21 2.06 2.05 1.97

1.89 1.86 1.82 1.75 1.70 1.67 1.54 1.40 1.37 1.27

Daily closing 66.60 169.80 72.80 37.60 68.80 274.50 36.10 64.20 301.10 94.10

74.60 236.50 205.80 532.00 44.60 73.40 28.00 48.00 36.10 39.80

Price change -2.35 5.93 2.54 2.73 4.72 2.96 -1.90 2.23 2.07 2.39

Daily opening 68.20 160.30 71.00 36.60 65.70 266.60 36.80 62.80 295.00 91.90

75.80 236.80 202.40 499.50 43.00 73.80 27.70 44.00 36.40 39.40

-1.58 -0.13 1.68 6.51 3.72 -0.54 1.08 9.09 -0.82 1.02

Daily high 70.00 170.00 74.80 38.00 70.00 276.50 37.40 64.60 311.00 98.00

78.00 243.60 210.00 535.00 45.00 77.00 29.00 48.20 38.00 41.00

Daily low 62.00 155.00 67.00 36.70 60.00 268.00 33.30 57.00 280.00 85.00

69.00 230.00 190.00 503.30 39.00 66.80 25.00 39.60 33.50 35.50

Daily average 67.05 166.12 73.26 37.55 68.08 273.73 36.55 63.87 305.58 93.90

76.47 241.13 205.12 524.72 44.15 74.45 27.64 46.86 36.93 40.05

Value in million 54.86

% of total turnover 8.99

Daily closing 37.60

Price change 2.73

Daily opening 36.60

Daily high 38.10

Daily low 36.60

Daily average 37.53

24.38 23.45 20.26 18.53 17.76 15.42 15.12 14.35 13.91

4.00 3.84 3.32 3.04 2.91 2.53 2.48 2.35 2.28

66.40 36.50 73.30 53.70 169.50 64.40 75.60 273.50 527.50

-2.50 0.27 3.39 -3.24 5.15 2.71 -0.53 2.43 7.65

68.10 36.40 70.90 55.50 161.20 62.70 76.00 267.00 490.00

68.80 37.50 74.80 56.00 170.00 64.70 78.10 276.80 527.50

66.00 36.10 72.00 53.30 163.00 63.00 75.00 268.00 520.00

67.11 36.97 73.40 54.70 167.52 63.96 76.96 272.99 527.08

13.31 12.99

2.18 2.13

36.30 68.00

-1.89 2.56

37.00 66.30

37.40 69.00

36.20 67.10

36.58 68.34

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

B3

Monday, January 13, 2014

Probe opened into Meghna Condensed RFL top loser at DSE on profit booking Milk price hike n Tahmidur Rahman

n Tribune Report Dhaka Stock Exchange has opened an investigation into the “unusual price hike” of Meghna Condensed Milk Industries, a junk stock.

Yesterday, the company’s share price rose 5% to close at Tk13.6 a share and in the last two weeks it continued to rally and surged 70%. Its offer value is Tk10 each.

“DSE has formed an enquiry committee to investigate the unusual price movement of shares of Meghna Condensed Milk Industries Ltd,” DSE said in a statement yesterday.

According to its third quarter unaudited statement, the company has incurred losses of Tk1.84 crore from Tk1.27 crore in the same period a year ago. The figure shows the losses increased by 45% due to extremely high administrative and financing costs, according to the company’s balance sheet.

The excessive administrative costs are due to higher depreciations as seen

in the annual report of the year 2012.

The financing costs increased as the company took loans in 2001 for financing a project and to maintain the business operation.

The financing cost was growing as the company failed to pay its loan interest because of the poor perfor-

mance.

It borrowed Tk27.4 crore from Sonali Bank at 8% interest per annum in 2001 to finance the project, mortgaging its land, buildings, plant, machinery, finished goods and also personal guarantees of the directors. Currently, the amount of loan accumulated Tk63.6

crore as of March 31, 2013.

The company’s nine months (January-September) losses stood at Tk102.6 crore, a sharp increase of 158% from the losses of Tk39.8 crore it made in the same period a year earlier.

The accumulated losses are increasing despite rising sales because the management has to cope up with its annual financing cost, said an analyst.

On November 18 last year, the company’s auditor Ahmed Zaker & Co said the company is still to be regarded “Going Concern matters” and thus it is assumed that the entity has neither the intention nor the need to liquidate or curtail materially the scale of its operation.

“Going Concern” is a term for a company that has the resources needed in order to continue to operate indefinitely.

Established in 2001, Meghna Condensed Milk is a concern of Meghna Group of Industries. Fresh is the company’s brand. l

Rangpur Foundry Limited (RFL) was the worst loser at the Dhaka Stock Exchange yesterday as its stock price declined 3.3% on profit booking.

Its stocks closed at Tk102.2 each, which were traded as high as Tk106.2 and as low as Tk101.5 during the trading session. Total trade value of the stocks stood at Tk59.15 lakh.

The company’s stock prices rose Tk125.2 each in September last, which is the highest at least within last two years The “A” category company belonging to the engineering segment at the bourses saw a rise of 103.6% in stock price from Tk61.5 to Tk125.2 during last six months.

Brokers believe the price hike in the past months is now being adjusted.

“The company’s stock prices rose

Tk125.2 each in September last, which is the highest at least within last two years,” said a broker.

In the third quarter (July-Sept) of the current fiscal year, RFL posted net profit-after-tax of Tk75.1 lakh against Tk77.1lakh in the same period a year ago, according to its financial statement.

Similarly the company’s first nine months profit-after-tax in 2013 was Tk2.27 crore, a slight increase from Tk2.24 crore in the same period in 2012.

The company major products include water pump, cast iron products such as tubewell, spares, manhole cover, irrigation pump and others.

In 2012, sale of tubewell and spares contributed 69.5% or Tk52.39 crore to total sales of Tk75.4 crore.

The manufacturing company has given out cash dividend consistently through out the past decade ranging from 15% to 21% on its Tk10 face value.

According to audited report in 2012, the company had reported that its net asset value per share is Tk18.62. l

Libya oil crisis exacerbated by push for autonomy

GM counts on redesigned Canyon to pull sales from n AFP, Libya Libya is suffering a profound economic rivals and political crisis, running out of cash because autonomy-seekers are blockn Reuters ing key oil exports, while a movement General Motors Co will not mind if its new GMC Canyon steps on the toes of its larger cousin the Chevrolet Silverado, as long as the redesigned mid-sized pickup truck stomps on vehicle sales by other automakers.

Executives at the No. 1 US automaker are counting on the 2015 Canyon pickup when it debuts in the fall to be a “true conquest machine” that will attract full-size truck owners from rival brands.

Target buyers include those who want something smaller and people who currently drive crossover vehicles but want the utility of a truck.

Any sales Canyon pulls from the low end of the full-size Silverado should be minimal, GM believes.

The Canyon, scheduled to be unveiled on Sunday night ahead of the Detroit auto show this week, is meant to pull sales from Ford Motor Co’s F-150 and Chrysler Group’s Ram 1500 pickups, but it may also take sales from Silverado as well, said Tony DiSalle, US vice president of marketing for GMC. l

is afoot in congress to unseat the fragile government.

The oil-rich North African country has been shaken by political instability ever since long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi was unseated and killed in late 2011.

The government has failed to bring stability and security, with Libya’s many tribes flexing their muscles and militias who fought to overthrow Kadhafi refusing to give up their arms, instead carving out fiefdoms of their own.

The latest crisis erupted in July, when security guards at key oil terminals shut them down, accusing the authorities of corruption and demanding a more equitable distribution of oil revenues.

Production plunged to around 250,000 barrels per day from 1.5 million bpd, and the economy ministry estimates the treasury has lost more than $9bn (6.6bn euros) in revenue.

That is a heavy blow to a country that relies on hydrocarbon revenues

for 96% of its gross domestic product.

Production has since recovered to 546,000 bpd, but the crisis has taken its toll.

“The situation is becoming more and more critical,” observed an executive with a foreign bank operating in Tripoli, who asked not to be identified.

“The government risks having to resort to borrowing to pay its bills.”

The government has denied any corruption over its oil sales through the National Oil Co and has, in turn, blamed the protesters for seeking to line their own pockets.

More than two years after Kadhafi’s ouster, Libya has still not managed to adopt a new constitution, which would include a decision on how the country is to be administered geographically.

With independence, which followed World War II, Libya was divided into three regions - Cyrenaica in the east, Fezzan in the southwest and Tripolitania in the north. Those regions were done away with prior to Kadhafi seizing power in 1969, but they were not forgotten.

The situation was exacerbated in August, when campaigners for autonomy in Cyrenaica set up a regional “government”, which later received the backing of the striking guards.

Danger of a naval confrontation

On Wednesday, Abd Rabou al-Barassi, who heads its executive bureau, said oil exports would resume despite a government ban, raising the prospect of a confrontation with the navy.

Production plunged to around 250,000 barrels per day from 1.5 million bpd, and the economy ministry estimates the treasury has lost more than $9bn (6.6bn euros) in revenue.

“We announce our intention to trade in crude after the government failed to meet our demands,” Barassi said.

He said guards would provide protection for all vessels entering the port of Al-Sedra to prevent any repetition of an incident yesterday when the navy blocked two tankers from docking in the port to take on crude.

“We will protect tankers taking on crude from Al-Sedra from the moment they enter Libyan territorial waters until they leave,” Barassi said, raising the

prospect of a standoff at sea.

Prime Minister Ali Zeidan accused Barassi of attempting to “undermine national sovereignty.”

He warned that “any state, company, group or gang that tries to send a ship to Libya’s oil ports without authorisation or agreement with the NOC ... will face the necessary measures.”

He even spoke of the possibility of “sinking” any vessel in contravention of the order.

The loss of Libyan oil from the market has been one of the reasons why European crude oil prices have been stuck above $100 per barrel.

While the increased production and exports should help push down prices, the risk of further disruptions is unlikely to lead to a significant drop, especially as most analysts doubt Libya could quickly return to its previous full output level.

While Zeidan struggles with the political challenge from Cyrenaica, he is also threatened with a parliamentary revolt seeking to unseat him back in the capital.

In little over a year in power, his government has come in for regular criticism for failing to restore stability.

Several members of the General National Congress, Libya’s highest politi-

Institute of Hazrat Mohammad (SAW) organises 2014 Rabi-Ul-Awwal essay competition

NCC Bank opens new branch NCC Bank Limited (NCCBL) opened its 101st branch with online facility at Naria, Sariatpur recently. Naria Pourashava Mayor Md Haider Ali formally inaugurated the branch as chief guest.

NCCBL Senior Vice President and Head of Remittance and NRB Services Division A B M Jashim Udddin

Ahamed, Madaripur Branch Manager Md Mostafizur Rahman, Naria Bazar Bonik Samity President Md Dulal Bepary and local businessman Md Shafikul Alam attended the function as special guests while Naria Branch Manager M M Alamin presided over the function. l

DBBL hands over blankets to BB Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) handed over 5000 blankets to Bangladesh Bank (BB) for distribution amongst the cold hit poor people in different parts of the country to reduce their sufferings.

DBBL Managing Director K S Tabrez handed over a sample of the blankets to BB Deputy Governor S K Sur Chowd-

hury at BB head office in Dhaka recently. Executive Director M Mahfuzur Rahman, BB Governor’s secretariat General Manager A F M Asaduzzaman, Green Banking and CSR Department General Manager Md Khurshid Alam along with DBBL Deputy Managing Director Sayedul Hasan were present on the occasion. l

Institute of Hazrat Mohammad (SAW) organised an essay competition for visually impaired students from schools, colleges and universities throughout Bangladesh on the occasion of Rabi-ul-Awwal recently.

The competition aimed to generate awareness about the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) as an educator for mankind in building a peaceful and tolerant society.

National Human Rights Commission Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman graced the ceremony as the chief guest. Arab Republic of Egypt Embassy Ambassador HE Mahmoud Ezzat, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka High Commissioner H E WA Sarath K Weragoda, Institute of Hazrat Mohammad (SAW) President Lt Gen (Retd) M Nooruddin Khan, PSC, Chief Guest National Human Rights Commission Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman, The British Council Dhaka Director Rosemary Arnott, Centre on Integrated Rural Development the Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) Pilot Projects Director Hossain Shahbaz, Federal Republic of Germany Embassy First Secretary and Head of Development Cooperation Johannes Schneider, Grameenphone IT Ltd Chief Executive Officer Raihan Shamsi, and the State of Palestine Deputy Ambassador Faeq H Hamza and Google Country Consultant (Bangladesh) Kazi Monirul Kabir at were present as special guests.

The programme was sponsored

by Lake Shore Hotel, the prizes by Center for Zakat Management and Society for Social & Technological Support – Bangladesh and photography by Dee Click. l

cal authority, have been trying to bring down the government, but have so far not succeeded in securing the number of votes required.

On Tuesday, the GNC failed to agree on what action to take about Zeidan’s government, after a censure motion put forward by 72 out of the 200 lawmakers.

Zeidan said his critics are a “minority,” but that he would willingly step down if the assembly chose to replace him.

“I do not want to leave the country in a vacuum,” he said.

In the end, Libyan political analyst Fraj Najm said the GNC “is not in a position to bring down the government for the simple reason that (its members) are incapable of agreeing on a replacement.

The assembly itself, which was to have wrapped up its work in February with the adoption of a new constitution, is also under political fire. At the end of December, its members voted to extend its mandate for another 12 months.

Najm said “certain members of congress want to get rid of the government to justify the prolongation of their mandate and to present themselves as the sole masters of the ship.” l

Dollar drops across the board on weak US jobs data n Reuters

BEOL Gets New GM and Head of Finance and Accounts Bangladesh Edible Oil Limited (BEOL) has appointed Inam Ahmed as General Manager and Didar-Mohd Dabirul Islam as Head of Finance and Accounts recently. A Mechanical Engineer from BUET, Ahmed worked for highly reputed companies namely BSRM, Abdul Monem Ltd, Abul Khair Steels and Unilever before joining BEOL in Oct, 2011.

As GM, he will be responsible for overall BEOL business. BEOL is a subsidiary of Adani Wilmar Pte Ltd, Singapore.

Having served BEOL for over 22

years, Didar has successfully performed in various fields of Financial Management and Accounting including statutory areas of Tax and VAT compliance and Company’s Secretarial matters.

With an M Com in Accounting, he holds a Certificate of Completion of Services from ACNABIN, Chartered Accountants. Didar will be reporting to General Manager and will be a key figure in developing and implementing growth strategies for the company. l

NRBCB held its Annual Business Conference-2014 at a local Hotel in Dhaka recently. The Conference was inaugurated by NRBCB Chairman Engr Farasath Ali. The conference was also attended among others by the Vice Chairman and Executive Committee Chairman Dr Toufique Rahman Chowdhury, Audit Committee Chairman Mohammed Adnan Imam, Director Mohammed Manzurul Islam, Alternate Directors A M Saidur Rahman, M Habibur Rahman, Anwara Begum and Sponsors Dr Rafiqul Islam Khan, Md Shafiqul Islam, Sabbir Ahmed Mubin. Managing Director and CEO Dewan Mujibur Rahman, Additional Managing Director A S M Bulbul and Deputy Managing Director Md Shoaib Ahmed. All Divisional Heads and all branch managers were also present on the occasion

The dollar slumped on Friday, hitting a one-week low against a basket of other currencies, after a surprisingly weak US jobs report spurred in a rally in bonds.

US employers hired the fewest workers in almost three years in December, though the setback was likely to be temporary amid signs that cold weather conditions might have had an impact.

Still, the jobs data resulted in a rally in the bond market, pushing benchmark yields lower. Currencies often shift based on the difference between countries’ interest-rate levels, so lower yields makes the U.S. dollar somewhat less attractive.

The dollar index, which measures the dollar against six major currencies, fell to 80.533, a one-week low. It was last at 80.633, down 0.46%.

Against the yen, the dollar hit a twoweek low of 103.82 yen, last trading down 0.72% at 104.07 yen.

“The economists have looked at the numbers and have kind of downplayed some of this weakness, but the markets were taken by surprise,” said Vassili Serebriakov, currency strategist at BNP Paribas in New York.

“I think we’re still driven by the reactions in the rates market. You look at the trajectory in the front-end rates, and we’re sitting at the lows of the day.

The same goes for the 10 year,” he said.

US Treasury yields, which move inversely to the price of the bonds, fell while stocks pared earlier losses.

Currency speculators, however, boosted bets in favour of the US dollar in the latest week to their largest in four months at $21.11bn, according to data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission released on Friday.

That optimism on the dollar could change next week given Friday’s weak US payrolls number. l

B4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

Monday, January 13, 2014

Liar for hire? Fake CVs flood Indian job market n AFP, India Managers of an IT company in New Delhi were puzzled as they sifted through a pile of CVs - as many as 30 job seekers claimed to have worked previously for the same employer.

Unwilling to take any chances, the managers approached a firm of professional sleuths that specialises in screening background information given by prospective employees.

What emerged left them stunned.

The “employer” turned out to be an owner of a dingy one-room mobile repair shop who was pretending to be an HR manager of a fake IT firm.

In return for money, he answered verification calls and described how the candidates had worked for him previously doing data entry.

'One bad hire who gets through the system because the firm does not have a background check process in place will attract more entities with false and exaggerated claims. On average, between 10% to 15% of bad hires are identified by a standard background check process' “Our investigation revealed the conspiracy to show previous experience of three to four months for the candidates,” said Preeta Pradhan, a vice-president at background screening firm AuthBridge.

Forging qualifications, faking experience, and inventing companies - desperate candidates are resorting to all sorts of fraud to land jobs in a tough Indian employment market.

Low business confidence and high interest rates have led economic growth to plunge to the lowest in a decade, making private sector job opportunities harder to come by.

A survey by AuthBridge, which has screened millions of candidates, showed that nearly one in five had fudged some information on their CV in 2012-13.

As many as 51% submitted fake education documents.

Employee screening

Background screening was hardly heard of in India until the turn of the millennium, and has been largely driven by the outsourcing and IT industry, one of India’s biggest economic success stories.

Foreign companies taking their

Oil rebounds on dollar weakness, robust China demand n AFP, United States Global oil prices rebounded Friday from the prior day’s losses, finding support from robust demand data in China and dollar weakness after a disappointing US jobs report.

The main US futures contract, West Texas Intermediate for February delivery, finished the day at $92.72 a barrel, a gain of $1.06 from Thursday’s closing level.

The European benchmark, Brent North Sea crude for February, rose 86 cents to settle at $107.25 a barrel in London trade.

The WTI price had fallen Thursday to its lowest level since May 1, weighed down by high US crude and product stockpiles that suggested supplies continue to outpace demand. But on Friday, WTI pushed higher, solidly wiping out the prior day’s 67% loss.

The dollar traded lower after the US Labor Department reported a meager 74,000 jobs were added in the United States in December, far below the 197,000 consensus forecast.

Even the drop in the unemployment rate to 6.7%, from 7.0% in November, mainly reflected the fact that more people had given up looking for work.

The shockingly low job growth in the leading crude oil-consuming nation raised questions about the strength of the economy’s recovery.

The dollar was down 0.5% against the euro and 0.7% against the yen in afternoon trade.

“A weaker dollar, so stronger WTI,” said Carl Larry of Oil Outlooks and Opinion. A decline in the greenback makes dollar-priced crude oil more affordable, tending to boost demand.

Some analysts predicted that the poor jobs report would encourage the US Federal Reserve to move more slowly in winding down its stimulus program. The Fed began cutting asset purchases this month by $10bn to a monthly pace of $75bn. l

NEWS IN BRIEF US profits could bounce in 2014 if economy gains steam

back office operations to India wanted assurances that employees were reliable, while intense competition led to high staff turnover and huge recruitment needs.

The Indian Association of Professional Background Screeners pegs the size of the industry at about $32m annually and growing fast.

“With many people competing for the same opening, the temptation to fudge is quite strong,” M Aswathi, an HR manager in a leading IT company, told AFP. “They know that extra years of experience or a diploma from a top college could make it easier for them to grab a job or help them get a better pay package,” she said.

Figures from the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) show the number of qualified workers in the IT sector has risen 17% year on year, more than double the rate of growth in new jobs.

Those faking their CVs are mainly looking for lower entry-level jobs, although those seeking top positions have also been found resorting to fraudulent tactics, said Aswathi.

According to the AuthBridge survey, about 8% of offers made for leadership positions across industry in the last year were withdrawn because candidates provided false information.

A more robust US economy could lift 2014 profits and boost corporate spending, giving some comfort to investors worried about bloated stock prices. Faster economic growth should translate into better sales growth for the Standard & Poor’s 500 index, and that has investors watching the coming fourth-quarter earnings reports to see if chief executives sound more optimistic - and if they plan on spending the gigantic pile of cash they are hoarding. – Reuters

France’s Total to explore for shale in Britain Total, the French oil giant, is to become the first major firm to explore for shale gas in Britain, the Financial Times reported on Saturday, despite a ban on exploration in France. The firm will today announce a deal under which it will join an exploration licence in Lincolnshire, central England, currently operated by US company Ecorp, the newspaper said, citing people familiar with the matter.

– AFP

Accenture in line to take over Obamacare website: report The White House is poised to sign a year-long contract with global consulting firm Accenture, worth roughly $90m, to maintain the government’s trouble-plagued health insurance website, a report said Friday. – AFP

On-site verification

But catching the frauds has become more difficult, opening up a new market for companies such as Authbridge, US-based Rezource that also operates in India, and Supersoft Consultants.

They send officers to meet the references given by candidates and check the existence of companies at which applicants claim to have worked in the past.

“The need for background verifications will continue to grow as entities continue to fudge data and make false claims,” said Tejas Sanghvi from Supersoft, adding he expected the industry to grow by 15% per year.

Rezource meanwhile has compiled a list of 1,500 Indian companies that do not exist but give out employment letters to candidates for a price.

“One bad hire who gets through the system because the firm does not have a background check process in place will attract more entities with false and exaggerated claims,” said Sanghvi.

“On average, between 10% to 15% of bad hires are identified by a standard background check process,” Sanghvi told AFP. l

Indonesia bans nickel, bauxite concentrate exports under new rule Exports of Indonesian nickel and bauxite concentrates are prohibited under a new mineral export ban which came into effect yesterday and regulations passed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono do not change that, said a senior government official. The president in a last-minute regulation late Saturday allowed the exports of copper, lead, zinc, iron ore and manganese concentrate to continue despite the ban. – Reuters

Dollar drops after disappointing US jobs report The dollar tumbled against other major currencies Friday, driven lower after a surprisingly weak US jobs report cast doubt on the vigor of the nation’s economic recovery. – AFP

Lagarde: IMF to revise China 2013 trade passes $4tn upwards global growth n forecast AFP, China

n AFP, Nairobi The International Monetary Fund will revise upward its global growth forecast in about three weeks, Managing Director Christine Lagarde said January 7 in Nairobi.

“We will be revising upwards the global forecast of the economic growth,” she told a press conference in the Kenyan capital, adding that it would be premature to say any more.

Lagarde, who was wrapping up a two-day visit to Kenya, gave no reason for the revision.

When it issued its latest World Economic Outlook report in October, the IMF lowered its forecasts, saying that global growth “remains in low gear”.

It said it expected the global economy to grow 2.9% year-on-year in 2013 and 3.6% in 2014. That represented a downward revision of 0.3 and 0.2 percentage points, respectively, from its July estimates.

Emerging-market economies, although still accounting for most global growth, were losing more momentum than previously thought, the IMF said in November, although advanced economies, in particular the United States, were showing signs of picking up.

The fact that the US Federal Reserve has started to change the easy-money policy it had been pursuing has had the effect of slowing capital inflows to emerging-market economies as longterm yields in the United States and many other economies have risen, Lagarde said Tuesday.

The IMF chief dined with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday evening in the coastal city of Mombasa.

Her visit came a month after the final disbursement of a three-year, $750m support loan for Kenya that had backed major restructuring of economic policies and strengthening of the government’s financial position. l

International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde shakes hands with Kenyan Finance Minister Henry Rotich (right) during a joint press conference in Nairobi REUTERS

China’s annual trade in goods passed the $4tn mark for the first time in 2013, official data showed Friday, confirming its position as the globe’s biggest trading nation.

Exports from the world’s number two economy rose 7.9% to $2.21tn, while imports increased 7.3% to $1.95tn, the General Administration of Customs announced.

The trade surplus stood at $259.75bn, up 12.8% from 2012.

Total trade came to $4.16tn, an increase of 7.6%, just below the government’s eight percent target.

Nonetheless it was a record high and effectively confirmed a historic geo-economic shift, making China the world’s biggest trader of physical goods, not including services.

Reports last February said the United States’ total trade in goods was lower than China’s in 2012, but Customs said due to differences in calculation methods the change happened for the first time in 2013 -- although full US data for the year has yet to be released.

“It is very likely that China overtook the US to become the world’s largest trading country in goods in 2013 for the first time,” said Customs spokesman Zheng Yuesheng.

The European Union was China’s biggest trading partner, Customs said, followed by the United States, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Hong Kong and Japan.

Between them the traditional markets of the EU, US and Japan accounted for 33.5% of China’s trade, down 1.7 percentage points, suggesting emerging markets’ share of business was growing.

“Generally speaking, the environment for trade to grow in 2014 is likely to be better than 2013,” Zheng said, citing improvements in international demand and domestic economic factors.

For December, China’s trade surplus fell 17.4% to $25.64bn, Friday’s data showed, short of the median $32.2bn forecast in a survey of 13 economists

by The Wall Street Journal.

Exports increased 4.3% to $207.74bn

last month, while imports climbed 8.3% to $182.1bn.

Societe Generale economist Yao Wei in Hong Kong saw the better-than-expected gain in imports as a positive sign. “The upside surprise suggested that the domestic growth momentum was largely intact at year end,” Yao said in a report.

China’s 2013 trade performance came as the economy turned in a mixed performance, slowing during the first half of the year before showing some vigour in the final six months.

Worries over yuan strength

A government report last month cited in state media suggested gross domestic product (GDP) grew 7.6% in 2013, down from 7.7% in 2012, which was the worst performance in 13 years.

Wendy Chen, Shanghai-based economist at Nomura International, told AFP that “economic growth may have peaked in the third quarter and dropped back in the fourth quarter”.

“It will likely continue to be on a downward trend in the first two quarters of this year,” she added.

President Xi Jinping - who assumed office in March after becoming head of the ruling Communist Party in November 2012 -- wants to transform the economy to one in which domestic demand is the key growth driver, rather than public investment.

China economy Trade surplus $ billion

China’s yuan currency gained more than three percent against the dollar last year, hitting a series of record highs since Beijing launched its modern foreign exchange market in 1994.

The rise came despite worries over the economy and followed US political pressure to allow the yuan to appreciate.

Chinese exporters worry persistent yuan strength is hurting sales by making their products more expensive overseas.

On Friday, the yuan, also known as the renminbi (RMB), was quoted at 6.0522 to the dollar, near the symbolic 6.0 mark, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, meanwhile, closed down 0.71%.

“We are not as bullish on China’s external demand as we expect a strong RMB, rising labour costs, and weak emerging markets will continue to weigh on China’s exports,” Bank of America Merrill Lynch economist Lu Ting said in an analysis.

Attention will now turn to the release of China’s annual GDP figure on January 20.

Official figures last week showed manufacturing growth slowed in December for the first time in six months, suggesting the economy faced headwinds at the end of the year. l

Consumer price index % yearly

295.46

259.75 231.11

5.9

5.4 3.3

196.06 183.10 155.14

2.6 2.6

-0.7

2008 09

10

11

12

Source: Customs bureau, AFP

2013

2008

09

10

11

12

2013