25 June 2014

Ashar 11, 1421 Shaaban 26, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 2, No 85

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

20 pages plus 8-page Treehouse children’s supplement | Price: Tk12 Jun 27, 2014

Jun 25, 2014

10pmNigeria vs Argentina 2am Korea Republic vs Belgium 10pmBosnia-Herzegovina vs Iran 2am Algeria vs Russia Jun 26, 2014

2am Honduras vs Switzerland Jun 28, 2014 [2nd round] 10pmBrazil vs Chile 2am Ecuador vs France 10pmUSA vs Germany

Treehouse | SHARING IS HAPPINESS

7 | STATE OF DEMOCRACY IN BANGLADESH

11 | WE WANT JUSTICE

WORLD CUP MATCHES

Nizami ‘illness’ relieves party and family War crimes verdict postponed for indefinite period; the Jamaat leader was not taken to hospital n Julfikar Ali Manik and Udisa Islam The counsels of top war crimes accused Motiur Rahman Nizami and one of his sons who were present at the tribunal were supposed to be worried about Nizami’s “sudden illness” at jail early yesterday. However, it appeared to be the reverse – there was no sign of anxiety on their faces; they were relaxed.

After the Dhaka Central Jail authorities informed the International Crimes Tribunal 1 that the accused Jamaat-e-Islami chief could not be brought before

In 2007-2008, Nizami was arrested on corruption charges, but at that time too, he was at the BSMMU claiming to be very ill it due to illness, the pronouncement of the judgement was further delayed for an indefinite period of time.

Nizami was one of the alleged war criminals who were arrested at the very beginning, when the tribunal had first started functioning back in 2010. But this case has repeatedly been delayed during the trial proceedings.

Even late last year, the case was kept awaiting a verdict. Since the tribunal chairman had retired before delivering the judgement, the tribunal had to rehear the arguments from both sides.

The wait was over when the tribunal announced the verdict date in a war crimes case against Nizami on Monday.

Journalists, observers, prosecution and defence lawyers all gathered at the tribunal, ignoring the morning’s rainfall.

Tight security measures were taken at the tribunal area as well as in the cap-

Nizami’s illness eases after verdict postponed n Ashif Islam Shaon and Mohammad Jamil Khan

He was totally fit on Monday evening after the verdict date was announced at noon. But he suddenly fell ill at midnight in Dhaka Central Jail, hours before the top war crimes accused was supposed to be taken to the International Crimes Tribunal.

Upon doctors’ advice, the jail authorities did not place him before the tribunal, and the verdict was postponed.

The tribunal considered it illogical to pronounce the judgement in absence of the accused. It also ordered the jail authorities to submit a full report on  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

ital. Huge numbers of police and BGB personnel were deployed across the country to tackle any possible anarchist actions taken by Jamaat as its activists had carried out violent activities before and after the pronouncement of verdicts against some of their other leaders.

Jamaat had earlier declared that they would call hartals on the every verdict day. But it did not do so for this case, which raised the eyebrows of many. The lack of announcements of shutdowns and Jamaat’s unusual silence since tribunal’s announcement of the verdict date were the main issues of discussion since Monday.

The gossips were there until yesterday morning when the newsmen and others started gathering at the tribunal, either to cover the judgement or to witness the proceedings. Photojournalists were also waiting to take pictures of Nizami’s arrival at the tribunal in the prison van.

But after some unusual delay, at one point information started coming from unconfirmed sources that Nizami might not be produced before the tribunal since he had suddenly fallen ill in prison that morning.

As per the law, the tribunal cannot deliver a verdict in the absence of an accused who is in custody.

The information of his illness surprised journalists, prosecutors and the tribunal staff.

When Nizami’s lawyers started arriving at the tribunal, they looked relieved, as if they had been aware of the matter beforehand.

Tariqul Islam, one of Nizami’s counsels who was entering the tribunal around 10am, said in reply to the questions from few journalists that Nizami had suddenly fallen ill that morning.

He also said the accused had been  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Uruguay’s Diego Godin celebrates after scoring the winner against Italy during their World Cup Group D match at the Dunas arena in Natal yesterday

‘Last-gasp Uruguay bite 10-man Italy’ n Reuters, Natal Defender Diego Godin scored a dramatic winner nine minutes from time to send Uruguay through to the World Cup last 16 with a 1-0 win over Italy on Tuesday which sent the four-times champions home.

The Italian players were still complaining to the referee after Uruguay striker Luis Suarez appeared to bite Giorgio Chiellini shortly before Godin rose to head in the winner.

“It was ridiculous not to send Suarez off,” Chiellini told Rai TV. “It is clear, clear-cut and then there was the obvious dive afterwards because he knew very well that he did

Voter turnout may turn out to be the key

3 | News

Al-Masum Molla n Mohammad back from Narayanganj

4 | News

ily has a runner - Selim Osman, brother of current Awami League MP Shamim Osman and late Nasim.

Local voters say it will not be a cakewalk for JaPa nominee Selim because they believe that independent candidate SM Akram has a fair chance of winning. They are citing the example of the 2011 Narayanganj City Corporation poll where “minnow” Selina Hayat Ivy took down goliath Shamim Osman.

However, for Akram to leave a mark, the challenge will be to ensure voter presence at the polling centres, local voters also say.

Although Akram is running on his  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Muhith changes mind on black money, tax-free income limit 15

something that he shouldn’t have done.”

The match was sparked into life just before the hour mark when Italy’s Marchisio was shown a straight red card for a foul on Egidio Arevalo Rios. Before the red card, it looked like Italy would succeed to progress along with group winners Costa Rica.

After 81 minutes, though, Godin rose above a scrum of players in the Italy box to power the ball into the net off his head and shoulder and give the Uruguayans a lead they never relinquished.

Italy, who had sat back in numbers before Marchisio’s dismissal, poured forward to try to rescue the situation but Andrea Pirlo’s 85th-minute free kick was their best chance and Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera swept it around the post. l

INSIDE

NARAYANGANJ BY-POLL

It could have been just another quiet by-poll; but recent events have given tomorrow’s Narayanganj 5 votes the centre stage, with not just contenders but general citizens thinking that voter turnout may end up deciding fates.

The constituency was vacated on April 30 with the death of Jatiya Party lawmaker Nasim Osman, who belonged to the mighty Osman family that has been making frequent news headlines since the sensational seven murders in the port city.

In this election too, the mighty fam-

Showkat Kallol and n Asif Syed Samiul Basher Anik The government is likely to make some changes to the proposed finance bill 2014, including increasing the tax-free income limit for individual taxpayers, and allowing the continuation of the opportunity to whiten undisclosed money.

The changes would be made before the bill’s passage in the parliament on June 28, a day before the usual schedule, sources said.

Amendments would also be made in other provisions including introducing a hike in tax exemption from dividend

REUTERS

income, excluding cost and management accountants from conducting audits, and exempting tax for family saving certificates of up to Tk5 lakh, the sources added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place her demands regarding the changes to Finance Minister AMA Muhith before the bill is amended and passed in the parliament between 4pm and 8pm on June 28. The budget for the FY2014-15 will be passed in the parliament on the following day.

Despite huge criticism from different sectors, the government is set  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

At least 74 people are known to be victims of forced disappearances during January-May this year.

Even though the Food Ministry got the approval for the formation of the safe food authority and appointment of its chairman and members, the implementation of the decision is still uncertain.

5 | News

Residents of the capital continue to suffer from reoccurring flash floods as many ambitious development projects of Wasa have failed to deliver any positive results.

6 | Nation

A vested quarter in Lakshmipur sadar upazila has allegedly been embezzling money allotted for Employment Generation Programme for the Poorest.

8 | World

The president of Iraq’s ethnic Kurdish region declared yesterday that “we are facing a new reality and a new Iraq” as the country considers new leadership for its Shiiteled government as an immediate step to curb a Sunni insurgent rampage.

GROUP A

Standings P 1 Costa Rica* 3 2 Uruguay* 3 3 Italy 3 4 England 3

W D 2 1 2 0 1 0 0 1

L 0 1 2 2

F 4 4 2 2

A 1 4 3 4

Pts 7 6 3 1

MATCH STATS

Italy’s Chiellini shows his shoulder, claiming he was bitten by Uruguay’s Suarez REUTERS

Goals scored Total shots Shots on target Corners Offsides Fouls committed Yellow cards Red cards Ball possession

Italy 0 9 5 3 3 19 2 1 56%

Uruguay 1 14 9 3 1 20 2 0 44%

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

36 criminals are under watch in Narayanganj! n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla Different intelligence agencies have identified some notorious people who might resort to violence during the Narayanganj-5 by-polls scheduled to be held on Thursday.

All of them are criminals listed under police and RAB watch-lists and many of them are not voters of the constituency.

The list was sent to the Home Ministry and to different law enforcement agencies so that they can be watched, said sources.

'Normally during elections, some people try to create anarchy.

We are aware of them and if anyone tries to do so, stern action will be taken' Mohid Uddin Khandker, superintendent of Narayanganj police, said they had already put a five-tier security system in place for a peaceful poll.

“A total of 4000 officials, including police and ansar, will be deployed to fend off any kind of unwanted situation. No one is beyond our suspicion and we are keeping an eye on every person in the area to ensure foolproof security,” he said.

Lt Col Anwar Latif Khan, commanding officer of RAB-11, told the Dhaka

Tribune that they had started election duty on June 21 and around 1000 officials of the elite force are working to ensure the people’s safety during the election.

“We have formed groups who will be deployed in every union,” he said adding that each group will comprise three-to-six patrol teams.

When asked if the elite force will keep an eye on any specific person or group he said: “Normally during elections, some people try to create anarchy. We are aware of them and if anyone tries to do so, stern action will be taken.”

Siddhirganj Jubo League Convener Matiur Rahman alias Sundar Moti, Fatulla Thana Jubo League President Meer Sohel, Truck Sramik leader Hazi Ripon, city BNP President Jahangir Alam, Organising Secretary Hasan Ahmed, district Jubo League Joint Secretary Shah Nizam, district Chhatra League former president Ehsanul Hasan alias Nipu, city Jubo Dal Joint Convener Moazzem Hossain alias Monti, city Swechchasebak League President Nazmul Alam alias Sajal, councilor of 18, 23, 24, 16 no wards Kamrul Hasan alias Munna, Dulal, Afzal Hossain, Killer Sentu, respectively, Goaira Arif, Mithu, Suhin, Sujon Molla, Jakir, Chunnu Shil, Kazi Sahin, Sukol, Kazi Zahir, Kazi Sahid, Khan Masud, Pakistani Babu, Tahsildar Kamal, Humayun Mridha, Mahbuba Sikdar, Baset, Sanaul alias Sanu, Azizul alias Aijja, Kutta Sumon, Shisir, Mohiuddin alias Atol, Noor Islam Chowdhury and Sharif were named on the law enforcers’ list. l

Muhith changes mind on black money, tax-free income limit  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

to allow legalisation of undisclosed money in different productive and income generating sectors, as well as for the purchase of land and residential apartments for the fiscal year 2014-15, through paying 10% penalty in addition to the regular 25% tax, officials of the Finance Ministry have said.

Although previous occasions Muhith had categorically ruled out the possibility of keeping the money whitening facility in the next fiscal year, he was forced to bow down to pressure from influential black money holders, the officials added.

However, investments on treasury bonds will not be allowed.

The tax on interest from investment on family saving certificates, commonly known as Poribar Sanchayapatra, will be exempted up to Tk5 lakh; along with previous proposals of exempting tax on interest from investment on pensioner saving certificate and wage earners bond up to Tk5 lakh.

Under the current income tax provisions, taxpayers have to pay 5% tax at source on their saving instruments.

The tax exemption limit on dividend income from share market will be set at up to Tk20,000 from the proposed Tk15,000, an NBR senior official has said.

Currently, investors can get tax exemption on dividend income of up to Tk10,000; and if the amount exceeds, they have to pay 10% tax on the higher incomes.

Meanwhile, cost and management accountants (CMAs) will not be allowed to conduct audit and certify financial reports, which the finance minister had proposed in the bill on June 5.

Currently, only chartered accountants are be allowed to conduct audit.

The government has primarily finalised the tax-free ceiling for individual taxpayers at Tk2.30 lakh; a Tk10,000 rise

compared to Tk2.20 lakh proposed by Muhith on June 5 in his budget speech.

The business chambers had been urging the government to increase the tax-free ceiling considering the inflation rate and living cost of marginal taxpayers.

The instructions were reportedly handed out by Muhith at a meeting with NBR officials on Sunday, before the minister left for Jeddah.

Regarding the payment of house rent through banking channels, NBR officials said the prime minister would appreciate the government’s plan and request the finance minister to incorporate the issue with the finance bill.

They said following the premier’s consent, Muhith would further describe the methods of payment of house rent through banking channel and the reasons behind the government’s move to bring changes in income tax rules for realising tax on house rent for preventing tax evasion.

Officials said the government is likely to make a provision for 50% fines in the income tax ordinance if house owners were found guilty of not receiving the house payment of over Tk25,000 through cheque.

Several lawmakers, particularly from the northern region, have reportedly sided with bidi manufacturers to pressure the finance minister to reduce tax on bidi.

In the last five years, no reform or change was made in the tax structure of handmade bidi considering the interests of local bidi manufacturers.

The current prices of 25 sticks non-filter and 20 sticks filter bidis are Tk5.354 and Tk6.052 respectively.

With a view to discourage smoking, the finance minister proposed fixing the price of 25 sticks non-filter bidis at Tk6.14 and 20 sticks filter bidis at Tk6.94. l

Gonojagoron Moncho activist shot in city n Adil Sakhawat

Gonojagoron Moncho activist Rakib Mamun was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in a critical condition after he was attacked by unknown miscreants in Shyamoli area. He was beaten up and shot MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

A Gonojagoron Moncho activist was shot yesterday by unknown criminals in the capital’s Shyamoli.

According to sources, Rakib Mamun, 28, from Gazipur, was attacked by miscreants when he was going to his office in the area. The criminals beat him up mercilessly with iron rods before shooting him. They also tried to severe tendons of the victim.

Later, upon receiving information,

his colleagues rushed him to DMCH. Rakib said: “I have changed my Facebook profile picture and put up a picture demanding death penalty for the war criminals. Maybe, the miscreants were following my activities.”

Police said the victim was an activist and blogger who writes against war criminals on his blog and Facebook page.

Rakib’s friends who went to the hospital after hearing the incident, alleged that he had been attacked by Jammat-shibir activists. No case was filed. l

Moncho factions condemn delay in verdict n DU Correspondent

Anti-razakar youth platform Gonojagoron Moncho has condemned the postponement of the verdict that was set to be announced yesterday in the case against Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami alleging that it was part of a conspiracy.

Three factions of the platform demonstrated at the Shahbagh intersection, soon after the postponement was announced at noon.

Imran H Sarker, leader of the plat-

form, said: “We have noticed from the very beginning that a conspiracy is being hatched over the war crimes trials and its verdicts. We sensed yesterday [Monday] that such a thing [postponement] may happen as the Jamaat was silent over the verdict date."

Sculptor Ferdousi Priyabhashini, a Birangona of the 1971 Liberation War, said conspiracy is going on. The verdict of Delawar Hossain Sayedee [pending at the Appellate Division] is also being delayed for more than a year. ” Chhatra Union General Secretary

Lucky Akhter, also a key Moncho organiser, termed the postponement “a government conspiracy.”

On the other hand, leader of a breakaway faction Kamal Pasha Chowdhury at a rally in Shahbagh blamed the defence of Nizami for continuously delaying the trial procedure citing lame excuses. He announced a protest rally for Friday at Shahbagh demanding quick trial of all war criminals.

Earlier in the morning, the two factions observed sit-in programmes at the Shahbagh Projonmo Chattar.

Another faction of Gonojagoron Moncho, under the banner of Shahbagh Movement, the leaders of which had sided with Imran since the beginning of the movement, also staged a demonstration at a separate spot of the Shahbagh intersection.

Several student organisations including Bangladesh Chhatra Moitri, Jasad Chhatra League, Bangladesh Chhatra Andolon, Basad Chhatra League, and Blogger and Online Activists (BOAN) took part in the demonstration under the banner. l

Bangladesh-born youth in UK calls for jihad n Tribune Report

A Bangladesh-born youth has been found calling the British Muslims to join jihad, in a recruitment video for the Islamic militant group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The youth who has been identified as Raqib lived at Aberdeen in the UK. BBC

revealed the youth’s identity in a video report early yesterday. The 13-minute video surfaced on Friday. The footage posted by accounts linked to the ISIS. The video shows them urging other British Muslims to join their war.

Quoting an acquaintance, the BBC report said Raqib had moved to the UK from Sylhet some years ago. The acquaintance

said he had not seen Raqib for the past couple of years and believed that his family had moved to Leicester.

Raqib is identified in the video as “Brother Abu Bara’ al Hindi.” He says: “Are you willing to sacrifice the fat job you’ve got, the big car you’ve got, the family you have? Are you willing to sacrifice this for the sake of Allah? Definitely!

Voter turnout may turn out to be the key  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

own in tomorrow’s poll, he has long been known for his affiliations with the ruling Awami League as a senior leader with a clean image.

Voters say chances are high that not only will he get the votes of a section of local ruling party supporters, but may also be blessed with anti-Awami League votes from BNP-Jamaat men,.

Akram left Awami League after the 2011 city polls and local residents said the prevailing anti-Osman sentiment would end up helping his cause immensely.

Then again, although the country will be keeping a close watch on the outcomes and virtually everyone in the port city is talking about the poll, this correspondent has seen very little enthusiasm among the voters about eventually going to the centres and practicing their franchise.

“Although plough [Selim’s electoral symbol] can be seen everywhere, he [Selim] does not have much support.

If the poll is free and fair, then pineap-

ple’s [Akram’s symbol] victory is inevitable,” said Abdul Hamid, who pulls rickshaw in the port city for a living.

Seeking anonymity, a local businessman said nobody was sure about how things will go on the voting day.

“Voters will see what happens in the morning session. If no major untoward incident takes place, then they may start going to the polling centers in the second half of the day. If that happens, then Akram should win,” the businessman said.

Although the BNP-Jamaat clan is boycotting this one too, the bipolarity that characterises national politics is also to be seen in this local election.

One part of the local politicians are campaigning for Selim Osman while the remaining part for Akram.

Sources said a number of senior and influential leaders of BNP-Jamaat have extended their support to Akram because they do not like the Osman family.

Although there is no specific directive for the supporters of BNP-Jamaat

about voting, interestingly, both Selim and Akram said they were confident about bagging their votes.

Selim Osman said: “I have taken to the field to win. Technique is important. We need proper passing and goal scoring.”

Saying that “vote banks” did not exist, he claimed that he was confident about getting mandates no matter which party they belonged to.

Talking to the contenders and local political leaders, the Dhaka Tribune has learnt that a section of Awami League supporters, who are mainly followers and activists of Shamim Osman; BNP supporters led by Narayanganj BNP president Taimur Alam Khandakar; and a group of businessmen have been working in favour of Selim Osman.

On the other hand, apart from BNP-Jamaat supporters, businessmen and section of Awami League supporters, Akram is also getting the support of city mayor Ivy’s supporters.

Although there is no visible presence of JaPa in the constituency, pres-

Nizami’s illness eases after verdict postponed  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

Nizami’s health condition as soon as possible.

Earlier in the day, the jail authorities informed the tribunal’s registrar office through a letter that Nizami had been sick, AKM Nasiruddin Mahmud, registrar and spokesperson of the tribunal, confirmed to the Dhaka Tribune.

However, the Dhaka civil surgeon was not informed about the whole matter though he was supposed to know about such development for the prisoner.

After examination around 3:30pm yesterday, a two-member doctors’ team said Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami was having some physical complications and needed special intensive care. They said Nizami’s health condition was improving.

The doctors are assistant surgeons

If you sacrifice something for Allah, Allah will give you 700 times more than this.”

Two of the six fighters shown in the film urging Muslims to join a holy war have been identified as Nasser Muthana and Reyaad Khan from Cardiff.

The men are believed to be among 500 Britons fighting in the conflict in Syria. l

ident of the local unit of the party Abu Jaher said they had been working hard to ensure Selim’s victory.

Anwar Hossain, president of the local unit of Awami League, first filed for his candidacy but later pulled out obeying party orders. Although Anwar has not been actively working for Akram, his followers are.

District BNP chief Taimur, known for having close ties with the Osman family, is now abroad. BNP leaders said Taimur was asked to keep away from election.

However, ATM Kamal, secretary of district BNP, said: “We will not be on the side of any criminal. BNP will not vote for any criminal.”

The Osman family, which has always enjoyed long reign over Narayanganj, has often been associated with various crimes in the city.

The name of Shamim Osman, often called “godfather,” has been virtually linked with every major crime in the city including the Twoki murder and the more recent seven murders. l

of the prison hospital Shamsuddin Ahmed and Rafiqul Alam, said sources.

“Nizami has been kept under intensive care in a special room of the prison hospital. Doctors have conducted his ECG and blood tests, and found four complications – high blood pressure, diabetes, eyesight problem and pain in the spinal cord,” a top jail official told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday evening, seeking anonymity.

When Nizami was shifted to Dhaka Central Jail from Kashimpur High Security Jail Monday evening, he was fit.

Earlier, the accused had often informed the Kashimpur Jail authorities about his minor illness including diabetes. Doctors took care of the problems accordingly. Kashimpur Jail Superintendent Mizanur Rahman yesterday evening said: “The accused was fit when

we shifted him to Dhaka Central Jail.”

Asked if Nizami had faced any major illness during his stay in jail, he replied: “Not recently. He felt serious chest pain around a month back. Then we took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and he recovered quickly.”

The doctors that time said Nizami had diabetes, and cardiac and eye sight problems, he told the Dhaka Tribune.

Forman Ali, senior jail superintendent of the Dhaka prisons, said: “The accused first informed us about his illness around midnight. He was then taken to the jail hospital where two doctors conducted medical checkups in the presence of jail officials.”

Though the jail officials left the hospital around 3am, the doctors stayed there until 8am yesterday. They mentioned that Nizami’s physical condition

had not been improving.

“The same doctors conducted his check up in the afternoon after the verdict was postponed. They suggested keeping Nizami under close watch,” Forman said yesterday evening.

Asked why the accused was not shifted to any outside hospital for better treatment, he said: “Doctors did not prescribe so.” He also denied disclosing the details of the doctors’ advice.

However, when the Dhaka Tribune contacted the civil surgeon of Dhaka, Dr Abdul Malek, about the present health condition of Nizami, he said he had been unaware of the whole thing.

“Actually, I was not informed. Normally, the jail authorities inform me if any prisoner falls seriously ill. But this time they did not inform me. Doctors at the jail hospital handled the matter,” he said. l

said that judgement cannot be delivered in the absence of the accused who is in jail or in custody.

He also said the provision of exercising the judges’ inherent power would not be applicable in this case as “there is specific law or rules in this regard.”

The judges listened to the arguments and decided not to deliver the verdict in the absence of the accused.

After a short discussion with its members, the tribunal chairman pronounced their decision in open court: “Reviewing the submissions, we do not think it will be logical to deliver the verdict in the absence of the accused.

“So we are not delivering the verdict today. We will ask for a health report of the accused and keep the judgement CAV [case awaiting verdict].”

Shortly after the tribunal’s decision,

information was received that Nizami would not be taken to BSMMU since his health had not deteriorated further.

Eventually, he was not taken to any hospital outside the jail and the prison officials said in the afternoon that Nizami’s health had improved but he was being kept under special intensive care.

Freedom Fighter Dr Anwar Hossain, also the former VC of Jahangirnagar University, came to the tribunal to witness the historic judgement of Nizami, who is not only accused of committing crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War but also for the planned killing of intellectuals prior to the birth of Bangladesh on December 16.

Hossain was suspicious about the “sudden illness” of the top war crimes accused and the letter from the prison authorities.

“The letter should be examined and the government has to investigate this issue. We have been waiting for this day for the last seven months and if the accused suddenly falls sick, the authorities could bring him to the tribunal on a stretcher and the verdict could be pronounced,” he said.

During the military-backed caretaker regime, Nizami was arrested on corruption charges. At that time, he was at the BSMMU claiming to be very ill – a matter that become a big topic of discussion. But when he was freed on bail, he came out of the hospital and left the place while waving toward his party supporters from the sunroof of his SUV. It surprised everyone.

Former industries minister Nizami was sentenced to death in the sensational 10-truck arms haul case. l

Nizami 'illness' relieves party and family  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from the prison for treatment.

Tariqul added that the tribunal might not deliver the verdict in Nizami’s absence since the accused had been present at the tribunal for each day of the case proceedings.

At the same time, unconfirmed information revealed that the Dhaka Central Jail authorities had sent a letter to the tribunal registrar informing them of Nizami’s illness.

Though none could confirm the matter, it became clear that the letter had really arrived when the three judges of the tribunal sat at the bench at 11am.

The letter stated that Nizami had suddenly fallen sick at 1:20am. The doctors checked his blood pressure

again at 8am and announced him “physically unfit” to move.

Before the proceedings began, at 10:10am, Nizami’s son Nazib Momen responded to a Dhaka Tribune question saying, “I have just now heard about my father’s illness from the journalists.

I have no idea about the letter from the jail authorities.”

Momen, who is also a lawyer, looked very relaxed. When he was sure about the letter, he told Nizami’s counsels that there was “no way” the verdict would be delivered.

Many defence counsels were seen smiling yesterday, though usually the junior defence counsels arrived at the tribunal on verdict days with grim faces.

Though it was alleged that Nizami would be taken to the BSMMU for treatment, he was still in jail when the tribu-

nal proceedings started at 11am.

The tribunal – comprising of Chairman Justice M Enayetur Rahim and members Justice Jahangir Hossain and Justice Anwarul Haque – asked the conducting prosecutor Mohammad Ali to submit his argument regarding the prison authorities’ letter.

Ali prayed for the delivery of the verdict in Nizami’s absence. However, the prosecutor mentioned that according to a section of the tribunal law, Nizami had to be present at the tribunal at the time of the delivery of the verdict.

Citing another section, he argued that the judges could deliver the verdict using its inherent power.

Mizanul Islam, senior counsel for Nizami, opposed the prosecution’s argument. He stated repeatedly that there was a specific provision which

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

ASK: 74 people disappeared in five months n Abid Azad At least 74 people are known to be victims of forced disappearances from the month of January to May this year, according to Ain O Salish Kendra, a human rights organisation.

Of them, 23 were found dead, eight released and seven paraded before the media by the RAB. At least 68 people went missing in 2013, according to ASK. This was disclosed at a roundtable discussion organised by 'Moulik Odhikar Surakkha Committee' at BILIA auditorium in city's Dhanmondi yesterday.

At the discussion, 11 victims' families demanded the return of their relatives.

Ruhul Amin Chowdhury, a victim's father who lives in city's Shahinbagh, said: “On 4 December 2013, I handed over my son, Adnan, to some people who identified themselves as RAB members. They told me that they would return my son after interrogation, but I haven’t got my son back yet, dead or alive.”

“When contacted, RAB officials denied the allegation of my son's detention. So, I could not file any case or any general diary with Tejgaon police station,” he added.

“As RAB denied the allegation of my

brother's arrest, we went to the police station. The police told us that they would lodge a complaint if we do not mention the names of RAB members who picked up my brother,” said Sanjida Islam, younger sister of Sajedul Islam Sumon who disappeared from the same area.

Speakers at the discussion demanded that the government ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 2006.

So far 91 countries have signed the convention and 34 countries have ratified it, they added.

Dhaka University Professor Asif Nazrul urged the government to ratify the convention and said any excuse for disappearances would not be acceptable.

Nur Khan, the director of ASK, said: “Incidents of enforced disappearances not only take place in Narayanganj, but throughout the country. Eight people disappeared last December in the city.”

“Police do not want to register cases when victims' families go to any police station,” he added.

Prof CR Abrar of Dhaka University, lawyer Shahdeen Malik and Odhikar Secretary Adilur Rahman were also present. l

Rajshahi College Chhatra League President Robin Kumar Ghosh (wearing red punjabi) and Chhatra Dal President Murtuza Famin (wearing a green shirt, covering his mouth) force college officials to enrol candidates of their own choosing. BCL supporters allegedly also vandalised college properties yesterday after authorities had initially refused their demand of admitting students from a list of their preferred candidates AZAHAR UDDIN

Sense of insecurity grips Bihari community n Tazlina Zamila Khan

Family members of abduction victims address a roundtable at the city’s Bilia auditorium yesterday NASHIRUL ISLAM

India to supply 100MW power by year end n Aminur Rahman Rasel India will supply another 100 megawatts (MW) of power to Bangladesh from Tripura's Palatana power plant by the end of this year.

The decision came from the joint technical committee (JTC) meeting held yesterday in Dhaka regarding the setting up of a transmission line to supply 100 MW of electricity to Bangladesh from the Palatana power plant in Tripura.

The meeting of the JSC on Cooperation in Power Sector will be held in New Delhi in September The four-member JTC was formed by the Bangladesh and Indian governments earlier in April this year.

“At the meeting, Bangladesh and India expected to implement the power supply plan by the year end,” Chief Engineer of Power Development Board Md Mizanur Rahman, who attended the meeting as a JTC member, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. The JTC will also submit a report about its plan to implement the 100MW power project to the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) in two weeks.

The meeting of the JSC on Cooperation in Power Sector will be held in New Delhi in September. Mizan said there was a sub-station at Comilla south and this station needed to be upgraded in order to bring in the power from India.

“The meeting [of JTC] discussed the technical aspects of setting up the new connectivity transmission line across the border through Akhaura point on the Bangladesh side,” he added.

“We will need to construct a 52km line for power transmission, of which 30km will be inside Bangladesh and 22km will be inside India,” he said.

India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) runs the Palatana plant. l

The Bihari community is suffering from a great sense of insecurity as people loyal to Jalaluddin Bhantu, chairperson of Kurmitola Relief Committee, are threatening them with dire consequences.

The threat allegedly came after the Bihari people took a stand against the committee chairperson.

On June 21, a group of people led by “Napak” Raju allegedly set fire to the house of Said in Purbo Kurmitola Camp, commonly known as Raju Basti.

Riaz Uddin Ahmed, senior vice-president of Bangladeshi Bihari Rehabilitation Assembly of Kurmitola Branch blamed Bhantu chairman’s men for the arson attack saying: “If police arrest and take him on remand then the truth will come out.

“Bhantu's men are continuously threatening us to withdraw the case against the chairman. Although lawmaker Elias Mollah told us to sit together to solve the matter we will not do so without the presence of the lawmaker himself.”

Riaz said they cannot even believe people of their own community. “We are feeling insecure. It has been long 22 days since the electricity was cut off.”

Said whose house was set on fire, participated in a procession against the chairman on Friday, the day before the incident, demanding smooth supply of electricity and water.

Said filed a general dairy with Pallabi police station in connection on Monday.

“We were fast asleep. My son Hira,12, first realised that our house

was on fire and he began to scream. I saw the fire burning my house to ashes. The fire burnt my child’s hand and damaged my property worth Tk10,000Tk12,000.”

Said said he kept the door of his house open the night it was set on fire as there was no electricity.

Neaz Ahmed Khan, the chief patron of the Bangladeshi Bihari Rehabilitation Assembly, blamed the chairman for the fire too. Most of the people in the camp alleged that they were fed up with the extortion in the name of the relief committee.

“The chairman has around 8-10 thugs in every camp who are involved in criminal activities. The chairman also protects the drug peddlers in the camp,” he alleged.

Recently, the people in the camp

have submitted a complaint to the deputy commissioner urging him to cancel the committee as “it is not helping them in any way”.

The complaint submitted to the deputy commissioner labels Bhantu as the most corrupt person in the committee.

Earlier, the camp members submitted another letter of complaint to the deputy commissioner requesting him to cancel the chairmanship of Bhantu and arrest him immediately.

Bihari people also blamed Bhantu for creating conflict between Biharis and Bangalees.

Jalaluddin Bhantu however said: “We are trying to come to a mutual understanding. None of the allegations against me is true. But, truth will be revealed one day.” l

‘Judiciary maintaining Russian-Ukrainian joint venture picked to overhaul Ghorashal plant double-standards’ n Asif Showkat Kallol The Power Division has selected a joint venture firm from Russia and Ukraine for overhaul of unit number five of the 210MW Ghorashal Power Plant; a task that had been delayed for the last four years reportedly because there was not enough response to the two previous calls for tender.

Russian and Ukrainian joint venture M/S Consortium of Inter Rao-Engineering and LLC Kharkovenergoremond has been initially selected for the overhaul work which is expected to cost around Tk234.61 crore.

Power Division Secretary Monowar Islam yesterday sent a proposal on this regard to the Cabinet Division, which will be placed before meeting of the

cabinet committee on public purchase for approval.

Sources said the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) feared that a disaster might take place unless the unit was immediately repaired.

A BPDB investigation committee found that the unit five was at risk because it had not been renovated in the last 20 years since the Ghorashal plant became operational said a senior official of the ministry concerned.

The BPDB probe committee submitted its report to the Power Division four years ago, after probing an accident at the unit number four of the plant in 2008.

According to the Power Division proposal, the power plant has operated for 158,921 hours between 1994 and 2014, causing the plant's production capacity

to drop to 190MW from its original capacity of 210MW. Two previous tender invitations in 2010 and 2012 for the overhauling of the unit had to be cancelled as per the Public Procurement Regulation 2008, when both occasions saw only a single firm participating.

In 2013, the BPDB floated its third tender on this regard and eight firms participated; but only three firms were responsive.

The evaluation committee of the Power Division later selected the Russian and Ukrainian joint venture firm from the candidates.

In September 2013, the World Bank agreed to fund a BPDB project for the re-installation of the unit four of the Ghorashal Power Plant. l

Indian FM arrives tonight n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka tonight on a three-day goodwill visit at the invitation of her Bangladeshi counterpart, Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali. This will be Sushma's first foreign trip since assuming office last month as the newly-elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign minister, following Bharatiya Janata Party's landslide victory in the Indian general elections.

“Nothing substantial will happen during the visit, but this trip will be the foundation of future relationship between the two new governments,” said a senior official at the foreign ministry in Dhaka.

Sushma and Mahmood Ali will hold official talks at the foreign ministry tomorrow.

Bangladesh was expected to place

a water-sharing deal, ratification of a land boundary treaty and border killings for discussion at the talks, another official said.

“She will also deliver a lecture on Bangladesh-India relationship, arranged by BIISS tomorrow night,” the official added.

Sushma will also call on President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina tomorrow.

When asked whether the Indian minister would meet with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, the official said there was a possibility, but the government was not involved with it.

The Indian minister will meet opposition leader Rawshan Ershad and two advisers of the prime minister, Gowher Rizvi and Mashiur Rahman, on Friday morning.

An agreement for sharing the waters of the common Teesta river was supposed to be signed

during the visit of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka in 2011, but was not inked due to strong resistance from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

A land boundary agreement was signed in 1974.

Bangladesh ratified the treaty the same year, but India is yet to do so.

Former Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid placed a bill in parliament to amend India's constitution to pave the way for the ratification, but it is yet to be passed.

During election campaigning, the BJP had strongly opposed any move to hurriedly settle border disputes with Bangladesh.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Tariq A Karim met Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati last week ahead of Sushma's visit, the officials said. l

n Manik Miazee Jatiya Party President HM Ershad alleged yesterday that the judiciary operates under double-standards when pronouncing judgment on the countrymen.

“The people are not getting proper judgment and they have no security.

The judiciary hands down different verdicts for the rich and the poor,” JaPa President Ershad said.

He made these remarks while addressing an orientation programme of the newly-formed committee of Jatiya Chhatra Shomaj, an associate JaPa body for students, as the chief guest at the BMA auditorium in the capital’s Nayapaltan.

Later, Ershad, who is also special en-

voy to the Prime Minister, announced a formula titled “3J formula” to rid the country of the existing political situation.

3J stands for “Jatiya Party, Job and Justice,” which Ershad elaborated on, opining that the formula is a panacea for the problems, including the widespread riots and feuds, which prevail in the country.

The envoy claimed that JaPa is the real nationalist party, not BNP, stating that: “BNP is wholly confused at politics and people do not expect anything better from them.”

Terming himself an autocrat, Ershad said: “I arranged elections for the students at the universities, which is not found in the so-called democratic regime established by the parties [AL and BNP].” l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Safe food act still a far cry Food minister says the Law Ministry will approve the act before sending it to the prime minister

n Mohosinul Karim Even though the Food Ministry got the approval for the formation of the safe food authority and appointment of its chairman and members, the implementation of the decision is still uncertain.

Despite getting approval from the public administration and finance ministries, the Food Ministry would not be able to form the authority as the proposed food safety act is yet to be finalised.

It is now in the law ministry for approval and after that it will be sent to the prime minister, said Food Ministry’s Secretary Mushfeka Ikfat.

When asked about how long it may take to put the law in place, the secretary said: “We are trying to complete the process soon. The ministry is sincere but still it may take this year to complete it as we are lacking people

adept in the sector. We have to find them first.”

“The ministry will start comprehensive drive only after that. The safe food authority will look after the drive and ensure punishment for culprits following the provisions of the law,” she added.

When asked whether people have to wait until the drive begins to get rid of food adulteration and formalin treated food, Mushfeka said: “It is a major problem. It cannot be eliminated by carrying out some drives.”

According to the ministry, the draft of the food safety act prepared in February this year and finalised in May incorporated all the opinions from experts and citizens.

The law ministry is working on it.

The officials of the ministry are examining the loopholes of the act. Finally, they will consult with the stakeholders before finalising the draft, the ministry

Banks asked to open accounts for street and working children n Kamran Reza Chowdhury The government has directed the banks to open accounts for the street and working children to ensure the safety of their hard-earned money, Finance Minister AMA Muhith told parliament yesterday.

In response to a question from Awami League MP Didarul Alam (Chittagong-4), the minister said some non-governmental organisations and banks were working to open bank accounts for the street children.

“The main objective is to create opportunities for the working and street children to secure their earnings and to bring them under banking services,” Muhith said in the written scripts presented at the House.

The issue was not discussed further in parliament.

He said the move would enable the working and street children to get acquainted with socioeconomic issues.

The minister said the NGOs and the bank officials would work as their mentors to ensure proper utilisation of their deposits.

The culture of deposit would help reduce the possibility of being derailed and getting addicted to drugs and would thereby contribute to society’s development, said Finance Minister Muhith.

Children having the bank accounts would be able to get loans from the banks concerned after turning 18 years and could then develop themselves as small business entrepreneurs. l

1 to hang, 2 get life terms for killing NTV video editor n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday sentenced a man to death and two others to life imprisonment for their involvement in the 2009 killing of Atikul Islam Atik, a video editor at the private satellite channel, NTV. Judge Nuruzzaman of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal 2, handed down the verdict in the presence of the three accused yesterday afternoon.

The main accused, Md Shakil Shikdar, from Nalchiti in Jhalakati, was given the death penalty, while Abdullah Mohammad Ibne Ali Sarkar Nahid of Raipura in Narsingdi and Md Forkan of Patuakhali were sentenced to rigorous life terms. The convicts were also fined Tk50, 000 each.

The court also sentenced another accused, Md Khokon, in absentia to three years in jail and fined him Tk5,000. It also ordered an arrest warrant against Khokon, who has been on the run since getting out on bail from the High Court.

According to the case statement, on February 13, 2009, Shakil, accompanied by Nahid and Forkan, shot Atik and stole his motorcycle near the cap-

ital’s Moghbazar rail crossing when he was returning home from his office at Karwan Bazar.

Passersby rushed the victim to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

After yesterday’s ruling, the defense counsel claimed that they did not get justice, and would appeal against the sentences in the Supreme Court.

While the prosecution side said they were content with the verdict as the accused had confessed to carrying out the killing as premeditated murder.

Following the killing, Atik’s brother, Md Abu Bakar Siddik, filed a murder case with Ramna police station.

Police later arrested four suspects from different parts of the city. Nahid and Shakil confessed before a magistrate that they, along with two other accomplices, had killed Atik for his motorbike.

On August 9, 2009, the investigation officer of the case, Detective Branch Inspector Abul Khayer, submitted a charge-sheet against the four accused.

The court framed charges against them on October 6, 2010.

Some 27 prosecution witnesses testified during the trial. l

officials said.

They said the public administration and finance ministries have already given their opinion on formation of the safe food authority and appointment of its chairman and members.

The status of the chairman and members, their qualifications, terms and conditions of contractual appointment and financial benefits have already been fixed by the two ministries.

A total of 13 ministries and division will work under the food safety authority. The chairman and members of the authority will be appointed on contractual basis.

The authority will not set up any testing laboratory. The existing laboratories of different authorities will be used for testing adulterated foods.

The government enacted the safe food act in last November, 2013 to prevent food adulteration. l

Armed criminals loot Tk30 lakh n Adil Sakhawat At least four people received bullet wounds in the capital's Kallanpur yesterday when criminals opened fired and snatched Tk30 lakh from them.

Witnesses said six criminals on two motorcycles intercepted the private car carrying the four individuals and opened fired at the car. Later, they snatched the bag containing the money and fled the scene. The victims are Jakaria Khan, 30, Shamsur Rahman, 40, Akhter Hossain, 35, and Belal Uddin, 28.

“The four victims are officials of Multi National Development Company Limited, a housing firm. They were heading back to their office at the capital's Panthapath area after withdrawing Tk20 lakh from Islami Bank's Darus Salam branch in the afternoon,” said Sub Inspector Asif Iqbal of Mirpur police station.

Mirpur police station OC Salah Uddin said: “One should inform police while transporting huge amount of money.

We are trying to arrest the culprits.” l

JU economics department violates university admission rules n Mahadi Al Hasnat The economics department at Jahangirnagar University (JU) has enrolled a student who was not direct in line on the waiting list, violating the admission rules of the university and depriving a legitimate applicant.

The crisis began as the chairman of the admission committee of the department permitted an applicant who was the 17th in the waiting list instead of another applicant whose position was 14th.

Tanzin Ara from Narsingdi was the legitimate applicant for the last vacant seat. Applicants were supposed to apply for their admission within 12pm on Monday. Tanzin had informed the department through botany department teacher Shamima Nasrin Jolly around 11:30am that she (Tanzin) might get late because of bad weather and requested to consider her situation. Later, Shamima found that another applicant was enrolled in that vacant seat.

JU Pro-VC Abul Hossain said a probe body would be formed to investigate the matter and authorities would take actions following the probe report. l

Mentally challenged children take part in a race during the Summer Sports Competition at Physical Training College ground at Mohammadpur. The event was organised by Jatiya Protibondhi Forum and National Sports Council yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

CHITTAGONG PRISONER MURDER

Accused jail officials interrogated n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong A three-member Chittagong Metropolitan Police investigation team visited Chittagong Central Jail yesterday and interrogated some accused jail officials including Senior Jail Superintendent Md Sagir Mia regarding the murder case of prisoner Md Zakir Hossain.

The team also recorded the statements of Prison Guard Mohammad Alamgir who had first spotted Zakir’s hanging body and three other prisoners who used to live with Zakir. Plaintiff Md Yakub Ali will make his statement at the DB office today. Moreover, the CMP investigation team examined the official register and documents about Zakir and his treatment.

Deputy Commissioner of DB Kushum Dewan, who is leading the inquiry team, said: “If necessary, we will visit this jail again.”

Two other CMP inquiry team members are Additional Deputy Commission-

er (ADC) Babul Akhter of DB and ADC (Prosecution) Md Rezaul Masud of CMP. The body of Zakir Hosssain, prisoner number 8385/A, was found hanging from the railing of the second floor stairs of the jail building on June 3 at around 8:30pm. The jail authority called it a suicidal incident.

The family members of Zakir, who was awarded 14 years of imprisonment in an abduction case, however, have been claiming that he had been killed after being tortured by the jail personnel.

On June 8, Md Yiakub Kaisar, Zakir Hosssain’s younger brother, lodged a murder case with the court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, accusing nine personnel of Chittagong Central Jail including its Senior Jail Superintendent Md Sagir Mia. Taking the complaint into cognisance, the court ordered DC Kushum Dewan of DB to investigate the matter.

The nine accused in the murder case are Sagir Mia, jailer Nesar Ahmed, jail

hospital physician Dr Mostafizur Rahman, former subedars Amju Mia and Humayun Kabir, chief jail guards Mohammad Hossain and Abdur Rashid and jail guards Mohammad Alam and Ziabul Islam.

Of them, Amju Mia and Humayun Kabir had got stand release from the jail, Ziabul Islam and Mohammad Alamgir had been suspended and a departmental case has been filed against Mohammad Hossain and Abdur Rashid for their negligence during duty.

Asim Kanti Paul, deputy inspector general (DIG) of prisons in Chittagong, had formed a three-member probe committee with himself in the lead and the senior jail super had formed another three-member probe body led by the Jail Hospital doctor, to look into Zakir’s death.

Both of the inquiry bodies submitted their reports to the higher authorities saying that Zakir Hossain had committed suicide due to mental depression. l

Foreign minister emphasises quality education n Tribune Report Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali yesterday said quality education needed to be focused to minimise the difference in development between the East and the West.

Addressing the Merit Scholarship at East West University in the capital, the minister also said: “We need to ensure UN's MDGs agenda about education for all. Through quality education, we may turn Bangladesh into an enlightened and knowledge-based society.

“To achieve that goal, higher educa-

tional institutions of the private sector can play a major role. However, most of the private universities had failed to fulfil the demand. Only a few institutions like East West University are exceptions.”

Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin, chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the university and former governor of Bangladesh Bank, stated that women also headed quality education to contribute to the establishment of gender equality. He informed that at East West University female students were 30% of the total students, but got over 60% of the scholarships. l

BTCL officer attains PhD n Tribune Report Syed Enayetur Rahman, chief superintendent of International Telegraph Office, Dhaka of Bangladesh Telecommunication Limited (BTCL) has attained PhD degree in Physics from Chittagong University.

The subject of his thesis was “Natural Radioactivity and Gamma-ray Attenuation Coefficients of Tropical Hardwoods.”

Enayetur Rahman is a life-long member of “Maizbhandari Academy,” a

research organisation based on Sufism.

He was the vice-president of the Central Committee and general secretary of Chittagong University unit Bangladesh Chhatra Shomiti.

Professor Mozaffor Ahmed, former advisor of the provisional government of Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War, had congratulated Enayetur Rahman in a statement for his attainment of the degree. l

MA Kashem reelected as NSFEC chairman

n Tribune Report

MA Kashem, a founder life member of the North South Foundation (NSF), has been unanimously re-elected as the chairman of the Endowment Committee of the Foundation at its 22nd Annual General Meeting held on Thursday.

He has been serving in this position for the sixth consecutive terms. He served as the chairman of the Endowment Committee total 14 times, including as its founder chairman. Kashem also served as the chairman of the Board of Governors of the Foundation for two terms. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

5

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Ambitious projects fail to end flash floods n Abu Hayat Mahmud Residents of the capital continue to suffer from reoccurring flash floods as many ambitious development projects undertaken by the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) has failed to deliver any positive results.

This monsoon, city dwellers suffered when overnight showers submerged several low-lying areas in the capital where inundated and the stagnant water caused havoc in daily lives.

Areas like Shukrabad, Indira Road, Rajabazar, Mouchak, Malibagh, Moghbazar, Shantinagar, Badda, Baridhara, Notun Bazar, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Rayerbazar, Hazaribagh, Old Dhaka, Sayedabad and Jatrabari areas went

knee-deep under water, leaving the city dwellers living in waterlogged conditions for several days.

Most residents blamed negligence and irregularities at the Dhaka Wasa for the dire state of the city’s drainage and sewerage lines, which have now become incapable of routing excess water out of the capital.

“Many streets in our area have gone underwater after a light shower in the morning. Now, we cannot find buses or vehicles to take us to our workplace,” said Rumana Akhtar, a resident of Shukrabad and an employee of a private firm.

“This scenario had been going on for years, but the authorities have yet to take any measures in this regard,” she added.

Although Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan had directed the local government body to address waterlogging problems in the capital, Dhaka Wasa was yet to show any positive results in this regard.

As per the directive, Dhaka Wasa installed pumping stations in Kallyanpur, Dholaikhal, Rampura and Kamlapur to drain off rainwater over the years, however, the effort produced no satisfactory outcome.

According to Wasa, the major part of its drainage system consists of canals, rivers and lakes to reroute the extra water out of the capital. It also uses a storm drainage network of around 261.39 square kilometres around the city.

The major canal system in and around the capital are the Degun-Ibrahimur-Kallyanpur canal that drains out to the Turag River, the Dhanmondi-Paribagh-Gulshan-Banani-Mohakhali-Begunbari canal that drains out to the Balu River, the Segunbagicha-Gerani-Dholaikhal canal that drains out to the Balu and Buriganga rivers.

The government body also undertook the Dhaka Water Supply and Sanitation project, in association with the World Bank, in 2008 to reclaim 26 canals from grabbers. That project, too, has remained fruitless.

According to Wasa sources, there were originally 65 canals, but with the course of time, the number came down to 43. Of the remaining, some 20

canals have already died out, many of them have been filled up with garbage and the rest are gradually being encroached on by land grabbers.

When contacted, Dhaka Wasa Deputy Managing Director (Administration) Md Ataur Rahman termed the waterlogging a temporary problem and blamed fund shortages for the poor conditions of the drainage and sewerage system in the city.

“We have already contacted different donor agencies for their support to develop this sector in Dhaka,” he added.

Ataur also blamed the city people for dumping of waste in the canals and drains, thereby preventing the free flow of water. l

14 Indian horses imported for police n Our Correspondent, Jessore

Seminar on hygienic food held at CU n CU Correspondent

WEATHER

A woman who lives at a slum at the Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital arranges bunches of Kodom flowers yesterday to sell

n Our Correspondent, Gazipur The couple, who sustained burn injuries from a fire that broke out at their residence in Gazipur, died yesterday at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

According to the DMCH sources, Jewel Hossain, 25, and his wife Munni Begum, 22, died yesterday afternoon, seven days after they and their only child Famim Hossain sustained burn injuries on June 17.

They were rushed to DMCH in critical conditions, where Fahim suc-

n Our Correspondent, Barisal

cumbed to his injuries.

Local sources said the fire had originated from a mosquito coil at about 4am while the victims were in asleep in their room.

Jewel Hossain, a garment worker, had been living in Degerchala area under Gazipur City Corporation with his family for the last three years.

Mozzammel Haque, inspector of DMCH police outpost, told the Dhaka Tribune that relatives of the deceased had taken their bodies away to their village home for burial. l

The protection pillar of Shaheed Abdur Rob Serniabad Bridge, popularly known as Dapdapia Bridge, over Kirtankhola River was damaged gravely, endangering the main bridge that connects six districts of southern region.

A Jhalakati-bound tugboat hit one the pillars of the bridge around 4pm on Monday, said Abdur Razzak, work assistant in-charge of the bridge under Roads and Highways Barisal division.

Delwar Hossain, sub-assistant engineer R&H Barisal office, said they had tried to seize the tugboat, but failed.

He said they had informed higher authority to estimate the damage and repair the pillar immediately.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 6:50PM SUN RISES 5:13AM FORECAST FOR TODAY 35°

Chittagong

32°

27°

Rajshahi

37°

29°

Rangpur

33°

27°

Khulna

36°

27°

Barisal

35°

28°

Sylhet

34°

26°

Cox’s Bazar

31°

27°

29°

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

33.0ºC Rajshahi

22.6ºC Srimangal

Source: Accuweather/UNB

Bangladesh Army personnel demolish illegal establishments from the Hatirjheel area in the capital yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Obaidul: Padma bridge does not belong to any political party Correspondent, n Our Madaripur

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

3:45am 5:12am 12:01am 4:42pm 6:50pm 8:18pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

“Padma bridge doesn’t belong to a party rather it is a national asset,” said Communication Minister Obaidul Kader at a meeting held yesterday in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur.

The minister also said: “Padma bridge is not a property of Awami League, although it will be constructed during the party’s tenure.”

Obaidul Kader went to visit the Padma Multi-purpose Bridge Rehabilitation Centre in Bakhrerkandi area under Shibchar upazila in the district around 12pm yesterday and attended a meeting organised by the local administration in association with bridge’s officials, military officials and local public representatives.

“Our economy will be stronger and that will ultimately benefit our people. The bridge is being built

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Police arrested an Islami Chhatra Shibir activist after a sudden procession was brought out by the party’s leaders and activists on the Rajshahi University campus yesterday.

The arrested Mehedi Hasan is a Master’s student of the Islamic studies department of the university.

According to the witnesses, over a hundred Shibir activists, led by Shibir RU unit’s Organising Secretary Shoyeb Shahriar, brought out a procession around 9am, starting from the backyard of the university’s central library and ending in front of the third science building on the campus.

Upon receiving information, police rushed to the campus, noting their presence, the Shibir activists left the campus at once.

Later, police arrested Mehedi while conducting a drive on the campus.

When contacted, Alamgir Hossain, OC of Motihar police station, told the Dhaka Tribune that police had arrested a Shibir activist who was currently under primary interrogation. l

Dapdapia bridge at risk

Gazipur fire victim couple die at DMCH

THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN

Dhaka

Secondary schools and madrasas in the country will remain closed from June 29 to August 6 for the occasions of Ramadan, Shab-e-Qadr, Juma-tul-Wida and Eid ul Fitr.

The Ministries of Education and of Primary and Mass Education issued separate orders in this regard.

Subodh Chandra Dhali, deputy chief information officer of the Education Ministry, confirmed that the ministry had issued the order yesterday.

The vacation for Ramadan and Eidul-Fitr usually begins from Ramadan 10.

However, this year it was decided that the vacation would start at the beginning of Ramadan when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rejected the education minister’s proposal to continue classes until Ramadan 10 on June 16. l

Shibir brings out procession in RU, one arrested n RU Correspondent

The government imported 14 trained horses from India for the Bangladesh police through the Benapole land port on Monday evening.

Apurba Hasan, officer in-charge of Benapole port police station confirmed the news to reporters.

Police and port sources said the horses had been kept on the Benapole port police station premises on Monday evening and were shifted to the capital’s Rajarbagh police lines that night.

The horses were imported at a cost of $25,300, said customs sources. The horses were transported to the capital on three trucks, sources added. l

The speakers at a seminar held in Chittagong University yesterday said most of the general people in our country are not aware that consumption of oil with their food might make them vulnerable to being infected with severe diseases.

They also said a section of dishonest businessmen were lacing the daily food and fruits with chemicals like formalin to make petty financial gains and were thereby putting the public’s health in grave danger.

The seminar was organised by Chittagong University Teachers’ Association (CUTA) yesterday at the library auditorium of the CU campus, regarding hygienic food and good health. Professor Dr Md Jahurul Alam Chowdhury of chemistry department present an article titled “Hygienic Food and Good Health: Air Oxidation of Edible Oil is the Silent Human Killer.”

Professor Benu Kumar Dey, president of CUTA chaired the seminar while Professor Anwarul Azim Arif, CU vice chancellor, was the chief guest and Professor Dr Iftekhar Uddin Chouwdhury attended the seminar as the special guest. l

Ramadan vacation in schools starts from Sunday n Mushfique Wadud

in public interest and the Awami League government is supervising the construction as an incumbent administration,” the minister added.

Among others, local Lawmaker BM Mojammel Haque, Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Jillar Rahman, Brig General Sayeed Anwarul Islam, Shafiqul Islam, project director of Padma bridge, GSM Jafarullah, deputy commissioner of Madaripur, were present at the meeting. l

Md Khaled Shaheed, executive engineer R&H Barisal said he along with Emdad Hossain, additional chief engineer, AKM Mainuddin, superintending engineer of the department, visited the spot yesterday.

The main pillar of the bridge would endanger if the damaged one is not repaired within a short time.

“We wrote a letter to the bridge maintenance department suggesting doing the repairing works as early as possible, the executive engineer said.

The bridge was constructed at the cost of Tk233 core under a Bangladesh-Kuwait-China joint venture four years ago.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the bridge for all types of vehicles on February 22, 2011.

The bridge has eased the road communications between Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Noakhali, Lakshmipur and Bhola in the region.

The bridge has also connected Chittagong and Mongla sea port with Barisal region.

China Zhontie Major Bridge Engineering Group Company Limited with the help of the Project Builders Limited of Bangladesh and Copra Construction Enterprises WLL of Kuwait constructed the bridge under supervision of Arab Consulting Engineers of Egypt, Kuwait Construct International Company and Design Development and Construction Company of Bangladesh under the Roads and Highways department of ministry of communication. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Major loot in Lakshmipur Sadar upazila EGPP projects n Our Correspondent, Lakshmipur

A vested quarter in Lakshmipur sadar upazila has allegedly been embezzling the money allotted by the government under Employment Generation Program for the Poorest (EGPP), a social safety net programme.

Besides, there was a big irregularities in the rural development projects

as well, said sources in the upazila.

Through the projects, the government implement the development works in the rural areas in line with benefiting the rural ultra-poor people.

As a result, public money is going to the pocket of the evildoers depriving the poverty-stricken people.

Sources in the upazila said they pocketed the money of some EGPP

projects with half-works done. In some cases, they withdrew EGPP money not doing anything virtually.

Earlier, most of the money allotted for the projects was withdrawn by showing those done just in papers.

During the FY 2013-2014, there was an allotment of 1,234,250 metric tonne wheat worth Tk24,364,233 under the EGPP while there was about

Firefighters along with local people try to rescue a bus which fell into a river at Kalihati upazila in Tangail yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Four killed in road accidents n Tribune Report

At least four people, including a police official, were killed in road accidents yesterday in Tangail and Brahmanbaria districts.

According to our Tangail correspondent, three people were killed and 28 others injured when their bus plunged into a river at Pouli area in Kalihati upazila on the Dhaka-Bangabandu Bridge Highway.

Additional Superintended of Police

300 houses damaged as tornado lashes Satkhira correspondent, n Our Satkhira Around 300 houses were damaged as a tornado lashed seven villages of Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira yesterday morning.

Local sources said the storm had swept over Harinagar, Bhetkhali, Mirgang, Parsemari, Hetalkhali, Jotindranagar, Golakhali and Chunkuri around 10:30am. However, no casualty was reported.

Abul Kashem Moral, chairman of Munshiganj union parishad, told the Dhaka Tribune that the storm coupled with rain hit the villages and damaged around 300 houses, including thatched and semi-pacca structures.

Besides, several educational institutions and crops on vast tracks of land were damaged and a number of trees uprooted during the storm.

“Many residents of these villages are now staying under the open sky,” he said, adding that immediate relief was needed for them.

Rahima Bewa, a resident of Harinagar village, said she along with her five family members had been staying under a tree since yesterday morning.

“We need urgent relief as our food grains have been washed up by rainwater,” she added.

Tabibur Rahman, Shyamnagar upazila nirbahi officer, said they were yet to estimate the losses caused by the storm.

“After estimating the losses, we will take initiatives to help the affected people,” he said. l

Pankaj Chandra said the accident had taken place when the Dhaka-bound RK Paribahan bus coming from Bagra plunged into the Elengjani River after breaking through the Pouli Bridge railing when attempting to overtake another bus around 1pm. The incident left one dead and 30 injured.

The injured were taken to Tangail Medical College Hospital where two of them later died.

Post and Telecommunication minister Abdul Latif Siddiki, Superintended

of Police Saleh Mohammed Tanvir and Deputy Commissioner Mahbub Hossen visited the spot.

Our Brahmanbaria correspondent said a police official had been killed in a road accident on the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway in front of Ashuganj police station.

Additional Superintended of Polic Zahidul Islam said SI Nasiruddin Sahrif died when a passenger bus had run him over while he was riding his motorcycle.

The body was sent to a hospital morgue. l

Tk2.5 crore for the development projects.

Several sadar upazila EGPP project committee members wishing anonymity said about 25-30 percent money of a project had to give the project implementation official as bribe to get the work while the local ruling party leaders get 35-40 percent money, because of which the assigned-contrac-

tors were not been able to do the tasks wholly.

Sadar upazila EGPP project implementation official Siaful Islam denied the allegation of bribe, saying that “It is true that there were some irregularities in the projects, but allegation of no works done is wholly false.”

Contacted, Lakshmipur Sadar upazila chairman AKM Salah Uddin

Tipo said he found nothing when he, being informed of the irregularities, visited some projects under the programme.

“I have also heard that most of the money of those projects was distributed as well. I urge upon the higher authorities to take immediate steps against the offenders,” the chairman continued. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

7

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

The state of democracy in Bangladesh The third of a three-part series on the current state of democracy, the challenges it faces, and the future

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia being obstructed from leaving her house before the January 10 elections

I

n Rounaq Jahan

t was the politics of confrontation and exclusion practised by the two major parties, the AL and the BNP, which was identified as the most deadly legacy of our electoral democracy.

The confrontational politics not only deadlocked resolution of all contested issues as the two parties refused to engage in any political dialogue, it also led to repeated violent clashes between the supporters of the two major parties, often resulting in murders and grievous injuries. Vendetta and violence marked inter-party as well as intra-party contestations. In the initial years of elected governments, the incidence of political violence was confined to the less well known party workers but as the confrontation between the two major political forces intensified, top level leaders were targeted for assassination.

For example, on August 21, 2004, a grenade attack at an AL rally in the capital city, Dhaka, killed 23 people in-

Electoral politics has increasingly become dependent on patronage politics where money and mastaans have played a dominant role

cluding senior AL leader Ivy Rahman.

Though the AL chief Sheikh Hasina was targeted, she narrowly escaped death but with some injuries. On January 27, 2005, another AL leader, SAMS Kibria, a former finance minister was assassinated while addressing a public meeting in his constituency in Sylhet.

During the last five years of the AL-led grand alliance government (2009-2013), the style of political confrontation has become less lethal as there was no incidence of killing of top leaders. However, other means were used to silence the opposition.

Top leaders of the opposition were repeatedly taken into prison, and the BNP chief, Khaleda Zia, was prevented from going out of her house for several days during the tenth parliamentary elections.

Let us now turn to the question that is agitating all of us. What is the way out?

Again, there is no simple answer, and there is no magic bullet. Following the 10th parliamentary elections, the most discussed issue is the organisation of a credible parliamentary election participated by both major parties. While organisation of such an election is necessary to establish the representative credentials of the

government, it is not so that the organisation of a free and participatory election would solve our deep-seated problems that have repeatedly derailed our democratic journey.

Before coming to an agreement about the next parliamentary elections, the two sides first need to, at a minimum, agree to give up the practice of “winner-takes all” political culture, and commit themselves to discard the politics of vendetta and violence.

It is preferable to take a long term view about curing our political malaise, and if there has to be a one-sentence answer, it is: The main challenge now, and it has been there for quite sometime, is to implement measures to “democratise” our electoral democracy.

The Challenge of ‘democratising’ electoral democracy “Democratising” electoral democracy has been identified as a major challenge not only for Bangladesh but also for all countries in South Asia. Indeed, various studies assessing the quality of democracy in different regions of the world have noted the poor quality of many electoral democracies. Some of these democracies have developed features of what Fareed Zakaria has called “illiberal democracy.” In some others, such as in Latin America, progress has been made in routinising democratic elections and reducing the power of the military, but checks on the power of the executive have been limited.

Studies on South Asia have highlighted the influence of criminal elements, mastaans (hooligans) and people with black money, in electoral and party politics. Governance style of all South Asian states, whether unitary or federal have tended to be highly centralised and accountability on the whole has been weak.

In Bangladesh, academics and civil and political party activists have been advocating for a long time specific proposals of reforms to improve the quality of our electoral democracy.

The most widely discussed reform ideas encompass democratising party and electoral politics. This should be our priority.

Democratising party and electoral politics Lack of internal democracy within the political parties has long been identified as a major constraint inhibiting consolidation of democracy in Bangladesh. Dynastic inheritance has emerged as the dominant route to party leadership positions.

Two dynastic inheritors, Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia have headed the two main parties, the Awami League and the BNP, for more than 30 years, Sheikh Hasina as the daughter of the AL leader and the founding father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Khaleda Zia as the widow of Ziaur Rahman, founder of the BNP. These two women have been the uncontested leaders of their respective parties since the early 1980s

NASHIRUL ISLAM

taking all key decisions.

The third major party, Jatiya Party has also been headed by its founder, Lt General HM Ershad since 1986, and at present the leadership of the parliamentary party has been transferred to his wife Roushan Ershad. The Islamist party Jamat-e-Islami has also been led essentially by two leaders – Ghulam Azam (1992-2000) and Matiur Rahman Nizami (2000-2010).

Though the rules of organisation of all these parties provide for various processes of grassroots consultations, in practice decision-making is controlled by the top party leadership.

The office bearers of various tiers of party organisation and the candidates seeking party nominations for election, depend on the support of the top party leadership.

The party agenda and election manifesto tend to be designed by a few professionals in consultation with a few leaders and are rarely exposed to debate within the party or with the public. There is very little debate and discussion within party forums about various policy issues. Political parties recruit a large number of party workers but they are mostly used as mobilisers during election campaigns or for public agitation campaigns.

The deficiencies of political parties have generated many reform proposals over the last 10 years regarding party financing, recruitment, leadership, decision-making process, representation of groups, and interests and so on.

However, the major parties have not taken any concrete action.

Apart from the Awami League, the other two parties, the BNP and the JP do not bother to organise party council meetings. Since its inception, the BNP has organised only five party council meetings (one in every six years) though the party constitution stipulates council meetings once in every three years. There was a gap of 16 years between the BNP’s last two council meetings held in 1993 and 2009.

The AL has been more regular in organising its triennial council meetings, but these meetings are generally big public shows where the party president (and in the last two meetings the general secretary) is unanimously elected through voice vote. The council then authorises the party president to select all other office holders.

The top party leadership, in the three major parties, AL, BNP and the JP, has the final say in selecting candidates for elections, and can ignore the recommendations of the grassroots committees. Though policies and strategies are discussed in central party decision making bodies, the final decisions are, again often left to the party chief. At local levels, party activists mainly spend time planning celebration of special days, or organising rallies.

Inter-party and intra-party violence is endemic amongst all parties. Various human rights organisations have regularly reported on high level of violence such as killings and injuries as a result of clashes between party activists. Generally, students and youth organisations associated with political parties engage in violent clashes.

Some of this violence occurs between parties and some are happening within parties. In many cases, the conflicts are not due to ideological differences, but due to struggles over distribution of patronage. Recent data collected for my study on political parties, show that incidence of intra-party violence is generally higher than inter-party violence. Additionally, incidence of intra-party violence is higher within ruling parties compared to opposition parties. This implies that most of the intra-party violence is caused by factional feuds over grabbing of business contracts or other patronage deals.

Over the years, electoral politics has increasingly become dependent on patronage politics where money and mastaans have played a dominant role. Elections have become a costly process. While in the earlier years businessmen used to donate funds to election campaigns, they have increasingly become directly involved in electoral politics as candidates. For

specific actions regarding party financing and control of political violence which have been proposed by civil society and political activists. These need to be further refined and pushed as priority agenda for adoption by the political parties and the government.

The last word It is not easy to predict the future of democracy in Bangladesh. There is no doubt that we have overwhelming popular support for a democratic system of governance. This support has been strengthened during the two years of rule by the military-backed “caretaker” government when all major players came to the realisation that there was no other alternative but to return to electoral democracy.

We had hoped that with our renewed democratic journey in 2009, we would be able to break away from many of our past undemocratic practices and take bold steps to democratise our electoral democracy.

The main challenge now, and it has been there for quite sometime, is to implement measures to ‘democratise’ our electoral democracy.

example, the percentage of businessmen as members of parliament has steadily increased from 24% in 1973 to 48% in 1996 to 57% in 2001 and 56% in 2008.

Mastaans have also emerged as a political resource and are used widely by all parties to ensure retention of authority in various constituencies as well as state patronage to access public resources. The student and youth fronts of the parties are dominated by mastaans who have frequently turned campuses of educational institutions into battlefields.

Many of these mastaans later become party bosses. In various constituencies successive elected governments have used law agencies to protect their own mastaans, and drive away the mastaans of the opposition. The mastaans have used their immunity from law enforcement to extract toll from various business and construction contracts. The dominance of money and mastaans have excluded the participation of two important groups, women and the income-poor, from electoral politics since neither group commands these two resources; yet it is the women and the income-poor who constitute the majority of the voting population.

The nexus between politicians, businessmen, mastaans and the law enforcement agencies has, thus, become embedded in our political system during the period of electoral democracy.

Some of the reform proposals geared towards minimising the influence of money and criminal elements in political parties and electoral politics were adopted by the election commission in its guidelines for the 2008 parliamentary elections. These measures helped in the nomination and election of a number of women and also a number of relatively clean candidates.

However, there are still many more

At a minimum, we had hoped that the two main political parties and their two supreme leaders have learnt some lessons and would be able to come to some agreement about the basic rules of the game of electoral democracy.

Unfortunately, it appears that the two main parties and their leadership are still on a confrontational path, and they cannot even agree on the ground rules for parliamentary elections.

Fortunately, for us there is a growing awareness amongst the citizens that we have to do away with the past patterns of bad politics that have stood in the way of good governance. People are increasingly showing their disapproval of old style confrontational politics. It is this shift in popular will, an overwhelming desire to see our past undemocratic patterns broken, and the beginning of a new era of accountable and responsive governance that makes me hopeful about the prospects of our democratic renewal.

Who should take the leadership of this project of democratising the political parties and electoral politics?

Obviously, the primary responsibility falls on the shoulders of the party leaders and activists. They cannot continue the rhetoric of being the sole champions of democracy unless they practise what they preach. They need to first put their own houses in order.

They need to introduce democracy within their respective parties and in electoral politics.

The media, civil society and the academics also have a very important role to play. They need to be independent in collecting information and take up positions based on facts. They need to tell the truth to power. l This article is based on the second Mozaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Memorial Lecture by Rounaq Jahan, delivered on February 3, 2014. A former faculty of Dhaka University, Professor Jahan teaches and researches at Columbia University.

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Kurdish leader cites ‘new reality’ in Iraq n AP, Irbil, Iraq The president of Iraq’s ethnic Kurdish region declared yesterday that “we are facing a new reality and a new Iraq” as the country considers new leadership for its Shiite-led government as an immediate step to curb a Sunni insurgent rampage.

The comments by Kurdish President Massoud Barzani came as he met with visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry, who is pushing the central government in Baghdad to at least adopt new policies that would give more authority to Iraq’s minority Sunnis and Kurds.

Kerry has repeatedly said that it’s up to Iraqis — not the US or other nations — to select their leaders. But he also has noted bitterness and growing impatience among all of Iraq’s major sects and ethnic groups with the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Barzani told Kerry that Kurds are seeking “a solution for the crisis that we have witnessed.”

Kerry said at the start of an hourlong private meeting that the Kurdish security forces known as peshmerga have been “really critical” in helping restrain the advance of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, a Sunni insurgency that has overtaken several key areas in Iraq’s west and north, and is pushing the country toward civil war.

“This is a very critical time for Iraq, and the government formation challenge is the central challenge that we face,” Kerry said. He said Iraqi leaders

An Iraqi army band performs at the main recruiting center during a recruiting drive for men to volunteer for military service in Baghdad, Iraq, after authorities urged Iraqis to help battle insurgents AP must “produce the broad-based, inclusive government that all the Iraqis I have talked to are demanding.”

The US believes a new power-sharing agreement in Baghdad would soothe anger directed at the majority Shiite government that has fueled ISIL. Iraq’s population is about 60 percent Shiite Muslim, whose leaders rose to

US to face multibillion-dollar bill from climate change n Reuters, US Annual property losses from hurricanes and other coastal storms of $35 billion; a decline in crop yields of 14 percent, costing corn and wheat farmers tens of billions of dollars; heat wave-driven demand for electricity costing utility customers up to $12 billion per year.

These are among the economic costs that climate change is expected to exact in the United States over the next 25 years, according to a bipartisan report released yesterday. And that’s just for starters: The price tag could soar to hundreds of billions by 2100.

Commissioned by a group chaired by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Secretary of the Treasury and Goldman Sachs alum Henry Paulson, and environmentalist and financier Tom Steyer, the analysis “is the most detailed ever of the potential economic effects of climate change on the US,” said climatologist Michael Oppenheimer of Princeton University.

The report lands three weeks after President Barack Obama ordered US regulators to take their strongest steps ever to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including requiring power plants to cut carbon dioxide emissions to 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.

Called “Risky Business,” the report projects climate impacts at scales as small as individual counties. Its conclusions about crop losses and other consequences are

Sisi ‘will not interfere’ in court verdicts n Agencies

The future of three al-Jazeera journalists jailed in Egypt looks bleaker after Egypt’s strongman president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, refused a pardon, ignoring pleas from Barack Obama to release them and other political prisoners. “We will not interfere in judicial rulings,” Sisi said yesterday morning. “We must respect judicial rulings and not criticise them even if others do not understand this.”

Australian Peter Greste, Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed were jailed for between seven and 10 years on Monday for endangering Egypt’s national security, alongside four students and activists.

Two British al-Jazeera journalists and a Dutch freelancer were sentenced to a decade in jail in absentia – despite the prosecution, according to trial observers Amnesty International, failing “to produce a single shred of solid evidence”.

Sisi’s failure to intervene means that a lengthy appeals process – which may not begin until October – is the only legal recourse left available to Greste and his colleagues. While Sisi would placate international critics with a pardon, inside Egypt he would gain little, with many applauding the convictions.

Al-Jazeera has been portrayed as an enemy of the state. l

based not on computer projections, which climate-change skeptics routinely attack, but on data from past heat waves.

It paints a grim picture of economic loss. “Our economy is vulnerable to an overwhelming number of risks from climate change,” Paulson said in a statement, including from sea-level rise and from heat waves that will cause deaths, reduce labor productivity and strain power grids.

By mid-century, $66 billion to $106 billion worth of coastal property will likely be below sea level. There is a 5 percent chance that by 2100 the losses will reach $700 billion, with average annual losses from rising oceans of $42 billion to $108 billion along the Eastern Seaboard and Gulf of Mexico.

Extreme heat, especially in the Southwest, Southeast and upper Midwest, will slash labor productivity as people are unable to work outdoors at construction and other jobs for sustained periods. The analysis goes further than previous work, said Princeton’s Oppenheimer, by identifying places that will be “unsuited for outdoor activity.”

Demand for electricity will surge as people need air conditioning just to survive, straining generation and transmission capacity. That will likely require the construction of up to 95 gigawatts of generation capacity over the next 5 to 25 years, or roughly 200 average-size coal or natural gas power plants.

As utilities add the construction costs to customers’ bills, people and businesses will pay $8.5 billion to $30 billion more every year by the middle of the century. l

power with US help after the 2003 fall of former president Saddam Hussein, a Sunni.

“A united Iraq is a stronger Iraq,” Kerry said in an interview broadcast on NBC’s “Today” show Tuesday. He told ABC, “This is an opportunity for Iraq to come up with its own choice.” Kerry also said that neither President Barack

President Vladimir Putin asked Russia’s upper house yesterday to revoke the right it had granted him to order a military intervention in Ukraine in defence of Russian-speakers there, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The step seems certain to be welcomed by the West as a sign Moscow could be ready to help engineer a settlement in Ukraine’s largely Russian-speaking east, where a pro-Russian uprising against Kiev began in April.

Putin’s spokesman said Putin’s move was aimed at assisting the fledgling peace talks to end the conflict.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called it a “first practical step” following Putin’s statement of support last weekend for Poroshenko’s peace plan for eastern Ukraine.

In the March 1 resolution, the Federation Council had granted Putin the right to “use the Russian Federation’s Armed Forces on the territory of Ukraine until the social and political situation in that country normalises”.

That resolution, together with Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, helped to send East-West relations to their lowest ebb since the Cold War and led the United States and Eu-

n AP, Geneva

At least 1,075 people, the vast majority of them civilians, have been killed in Iraq during June as a Sunni insurgency overtakes key areas of the country, the United Nations said yesterday. According to the U.N. human rights team in Iraq, there were at least 757 civilians killed and 599 injured in Nineveh, Diyala and Salah alDin provinces from June 5-22, as troops led by Shiite-led government in Baghdad failed to stop the advance of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. “This figure — which should be viewed very much as a minimum — includes a number of verified summary executions and extra-judicial killings of civilians, police, and soldiers who were hors (de) combat,” said U.N. human rights office spokesman Rupert Colville, using the French term for soldiers who have signaled they are no longer combatants.

The Iraq team said another 318 people were killed and 590 injured during the same time in Baghdad and areas in the south, many of them from least six separate vehicle-borne bombs. It also is trying to verify what Colville called “a number of alleged human rights violations that have been taking place in Iraq” since ISIL’s advances in early June.

Colville told reporters in Geneva that kidnappings of foreigners and others continue in the northern provinces and in Baghdad, including 48 Turkish citizens and 40 Indian nationals. l

60 females, 31 boys abducted in Nigeria n AP, Maiduguri, Nigeria Islamic extremists have abducted 60 more girls and women and 31 boys from villages in northeast Nigeria, witnesses said yesterday. Security forces denied the kidnappings. Nigeria’s government and military have been widely criticized for their slow response to the abductions of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped April 15.

There was no way to safely and independently confirm the report from Kummabza, 150 kilometers (95 miles) from Maiduguri, capital of Borno state and headquarters of a military state of emergency that has failed to curtail near-daily attacks by Boko Haram fighters.

Kummabza resident Aji Khalil said Tuesday the abductions took place Saturday in an attack in which four villagers were killed. Khalil is a member of one of the vigilante groups that have had some success in repelling Boko Haram attacks with primitive weapons.

A senior local councilor from the village’s Damboa local government told The Associated Press that abductions had occurred but insisted on anonymity because he was not authorized to give information to reporters. He said elderly survivors of the attack had walked some 25 kilometers (15 miles) to the relative safety of other villages.

The Damboa council secretary, Modu Mustapha, said he could not confirm or deny the abductions and directed a reporter to the council chairman, Alamin Mohammed, who did not

Kremlin: Putin renounces right to send troops to Ukraine n Reuters, Moscow

Obama nor the American people want a wholesale US intervention in Iraq.

And on CBS, he said the US “is trying to move this process forward in what I think is a thoughtful, focused, disciplined way so that we have a structure in Iraq which will give us the greatest capacity for success.”

Minority Sunnis who enjoyed far

more authority and privilege under Saddam than any other sect have long been bitter about the Shiite-led government. And al-Maliki has been personally accused of targeting Sunni leaders whom he considers his political opponents.

Iraqi Kurds had no love for Saddam, and were allowed to carve out a semi-autonomous region in Iraq’s north to protect themselves from his policies. But Barzani for years has feuded with al-Maliki, most recently over the Kurdish regional government’s decision to export oil through Turkey without giving Baghdad its required share of the profits.

The Kurdish region is home to several vast oil fields, which have reaped security and economic stability unmatched across the rest of the Iraq.

Barzani’s support is key to solving the current political crisis, because Kurds represent about 20 percent of Iraq’s population and usually vote as a unified bloc. That has made Kurds kingmakers in Iraq’s national political process.

Tuesday’s meeting in Irbil, the Kurdish capital, came a day after Kerry traveled to Baghdad to discuss potential options with Sunni and Shiite leaders, including al-Maliki. Kerry said after the Baghdad meetings that all the leaders agreed to start the process of seating a new government by July 1, which will advance a constitutionally-required timetable for distributing power among Iraq’s political blocs, which are divided by sect and ethnicity. l

UN: At least 1,075 killed in Iraq in June

rope to impose sanctions on Moscow.

European Union foreign ministers on Monday held out the prospect of further sanctions if Russia did not do more to support a peace process in eastern Ukraine, and also asked it to revoke the March 1 resolution.

Since then, rebels in eastern Ukraine have agreed to a temporary ceasefire to give time for peace talks in a forum where Russia is represented alongside the Kiev government and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Russian shares rose strongly, with the dollar-denominated RTS index <.IRTS> rising almost 1 percent immediately after the news, hitting levels not seen since mid-January, before the Ukraine crisis flared up in earnest. The rouble was also higher.

“The president has filed a proposal to the Federation Council on cancelling ... the resolution on the use of Russia’s Armed Forces on the territory of Ukraine,” the Kremlin said in a statement on its website.

Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said the chamber would discuss Putin’s request on June 25.

The deputy head of the chamber’s international affairs committee, Andrei Klimov, said he expected the resolution to pass, according to the RIA Novosti agency. l

In this May 14 file photo, people attend a vigil to mark one month since the girls of a government secondary school in Chibok were kidnapped, in Abuja, Nigeria. Islamic extremists have abducted 60 more girls and women and 31 boys, witnesses said yesterday AP answer phone calls or respond to text messages. The new kidnappings add to Nigeria’s crisis over the April kidnappings and the ongoing violence from the Islamic militant group Boko Haram.

A strategy to rescue the girls appears to have reached an impasse. Nigeria’s military has said it knows where they are but fears their abductors would kill them if any military action is taken. Boko Haram has been demanding

the release of detained members in exchange for its hostages but President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will not consider a swap.

Politics have bedeviled the issue, with many distracted by upcoming presidential elections in February 2015.

The first lady, Patience Jonathan, and some other supporters have claimed the reports of the April abductions of the schoolgirls were fabricated to dis-

credit her husband’s administration.

Last week, a presidential committee investigating the kidnappings stressed that they did in fact happen and clarified the number of students who have been kidnapped. It said there were 395 students at the school, 119 escaped during the siege of the school, another 57 escaped in the first couple of days of their abduction, leaving 219 unaccounted for. l

Watchdog: Last dangerous chemicals shipped from Syria n AFP, The Hague

The last of Syria’s declared chemical agents have been shipped from the war-torn country after months of delays and are en route for destruction at sea, the world’s chemical watchdog said.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the news Monday and said the successful completion of such a tricky exercise showed that, when there was the political will, “there can be progress towards peace”.

Speaking in New York, he praised several countries for their role, including China, Russia, Britain and the United States as well as Syria itself.

“As we speak, the ship (carrying the last chemicals) has just left the port (of Latakia),” Ahmet Uzumcu, head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, told journalists Monday in The Hague, where the OPCW is based.

“Removing the stockpile of precursor and other chemicals has been a fundamental condition in the programme

to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons,” Uzumcu said.

The Dutch head of the joint OPCW-UN mission, Sigrid Kaag, hailed the end of “the most operationally challenging task” in the international efforts to destroy Damascus’ chemical arsenal.

Syria had previously shipped out 92 percent of its stockpile of chemical weapons under the terms of a UNbacked and US-Russia brokered agreement to head off Western air strikes against the regime last year. l

Hamas: Unaware who snatched teens n AFP, Doha

Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal has denied having information about three Israeli teenagers thought to have been kidnapped by the Islamist movement in the West Bank, in an interview aired yesterday.

“Frankly, we do not have information about what happened,” the exiled head of Hamas’ politburo told Doha-based Al-Jazeera television.

Meshaal also slammed security coordination between the Palestinian Authority and Israel as a “disaster,” a week after

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas pledged to maintain such coordination.

Since the youths disappeared from a hitchhiking stop in the southern West Bank on June 12, Israel has rounded up hundreds of Palestinians in a bid to find them, while also dealing a crushing blow to Hamas’ West Bank network.

If the missing Israelis turn out to have been captured, their kidnapping would be “a logical and natural reaction to the violations of occupation forces,” Meshaal said, quoted by Al-Jazeera’s website.

“We support every resistance attack against the Israeli occupation, which has

to pay for its tyranny.”

Meshaal said the Palestinian Authority should abandon security coordination with Israel.

“It is unbelievable to reward Israel for its crimes through security coordination,” he said.

Abbas vowed during a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Saudi Arabia last week to maintain security coordination with Israel.

“It is in our interest to have security coordination with Israel because that would help protect us,” Abbas said at the time. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Thai junta critics launch campaign for democracy n Reuters, Bangkok Opponents of Thailand’s junta launched a campaign yesterday to restore democracy and “oppose the military dictatorship and its aristocratic network”, the first sign of organised resistance to the army since it seized power last month.

Jarupong Ruangsuwan, chairman of the Puea Thai Party that led the government ousted by the military, said in an open letter to fellow Thais that the military council had no legitimacy and cast doubt on its promise to transfer power back to civilian authorities at some point.

The military’s aim, he said, was to create “a new puppet structure whose sole purpose will be to re-entrench anti-democratic elements into Thailand’s body politic and to sabotage the development of Thai democracy”.

Most Western countries denounced the coup and demanded a return to civilian rule “Any such structure will need to be removed before a more democratic and civilised society can be built,” he added.

His movement, the letter said, sought “to oppose the military dictatorship and its aristocratic network and establish the people’s complete and unchallenged sovereignty”.

The military staged a bloodless coup in May, after months of protests had undermined the government of Yingluck Shinawatra. The protesters wanted to kick out Yingluck and change the electoral system to stop her influential brother, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, from ever controlling the government again.

Yingluck was removed by the Constitutional Court for abuse of power on May 7, leaving a rump cabinet that was then ousted in the coup on May 22.

Acting Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow dismissed the resistance group, telling reporters there was “only one legitimate government”.

Most Western countries denounced the coup and demanded a return to civilian rule. The United States and European Union have cut cooperation projects and cancelling diplomatic visits.

Thailand has been in crisis for almost a decade because of a power struggle between Thaksin and the royalist establishment backed by the army

and the middle class in Bangkok.

Thaksin, a billionaire former telecoms tycoon, is adored by the poor in the rural north and northeast, because of cheap healthcare and village development that raised their living standards when he was in office from 2001.

He was toppled in a coup in 2006 and has lived in exile since 2008 rather than serve jail time for an abuse of power conviction, but parties led by or loyal to him have won every election since 2001.

The junta moved quickly to neutralise resistance inside Thailand after its coup, briefly detaining hundreds of politicians and members of the pro-Thaksin “red shirt” movement and warning them not to work against the military government.

It was unclear how Jarupong’s movement, the Organisation of Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy, would oppose the junta and his letter did not reveal where it was based.

Jakrapob Penkair, a former spokesman for Thaksin, told Reuters from neighbouring Cambodia on June 5 that a movement was being formed outside Thailand to lead a campaign of civil disobedience. [ID:nL3N0OM2AJ] Cambodia’s long-serving prime minister, Hun Sen, is close to Thaksin, but his government has said it will not allow a Thai resistance movement to base itself in the country.

Thailand fears economic pain

Acting Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak had been due to brief reporters, alongside EU ambassador Jesus Miguel Sanz, on the measures adopted by the 28-nation bloc. But Sanz left immediately after the two met.

The EU, Thailand’s third largest trade partner and its second biggest investor, has suspended visits and trade talks and said it would consider “further possible measures”.

“What the EU has done impacts some sectors only. The private sector and tourism should continue as normal,” Sihasak said.

The US State Department last week downgraded Thailand to the lowest status on its list of countries trying to eliminate human trafficking.

There are mounting fears that the downgrade could hurt Thai exports, which account for more than 60 percent of gross domestic product, including its lucrative seafood industry.

Supan Mongkolsuthee, president of the Federation of Thai Industries, said frozen products and shrimp fishing could be affected.

“But I believe the US will not turn away Thai seafood products because the situation is not as bad as news reports make out,” he told a meeting on Monday. l

World

A F G H A N D E M O N ST R AT I O N

Afghan demonstrators shout slogans in support of presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah in Herat on June 24. A top Afghan election official accused of fraud resigned raising hopes of ending a political deadlock that threatens to derail the country’s presidential succession as NATO troops withdraw AFP

MH370 was under control until crash, officials find n Agencies

Woman or machine? New robots look creepily human

Investigators have concluded that Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which veered off course and disappeared on March 8, was probably not seriously damaged in the air and remained in controlled flight for hours after contact with it was lost, until it ran out of fuel over the southern Indian Ocean. Their conclusion, reached in the past few weeks, helped prompt the decision to move the focus of the search hundreds of miles to the southwest.

The main evidence for the conclusion lies in a re-examination of Malaysian military radar data and in a more detailed analysis of electronic “handshakes,” or pings, that the aircraft exchanged with an Inmarsat satellite over the Equator, senior officials involved in the investigation said. The altitude readings from the radar now appear to have been inaccurate, officials said.

The radar tracked the aircraft, a Boeing 777-200 with 239 people aboard, as it turned sharply off its scheduled northeastward flight path over the Gulf of Thailand and flew west across Peninsular Malaysia and the Strait of Malacca. The plane then passed beyond radar range near the northern tip of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Along the way, the plane soared as high as 45,000 feet, above its certified maximum altitude of 43,100 feet. l

The new robot guides at a Tokyo museum look so eerily human and speak so smoothly they almost outdo people — almost.

Japanese robotics expert Hiroshi Ishiguro, an Osaka University professor, says they will be useful for research on how people interact with robots and on what differentiates the person from the machine. “Making androids is about exploring what it means to be human,” he told reporters yesterday, “examining the question of what is emotion, what is awareness, what is thinking.”

In a demonstration, the remote-controlled machines moved their pink lips in time to a voice-over, twitched their eyebrows, blinked and swayed their heads from side to side. They stay seated but can move their hands. In a clear triumph, Kodomoroid read the news without stumbling once and recited complex tongue-twisters glibly.

The robot, designed with a girlish appearance, can use a variety of voices, such as a deep male voice one minute and a squeaky girly voice the next. The speech can be input by text, giving them perfect articulation, according to Ishiguro.

There were some glitches — such as the lips not moving at all while the robot spoke, or the Otonaroid announcer robot staying silent twice when asked to introduce itself.

But glitches are common with robots

n AP, Tokyo

Android robot Kodomoroid speaks during a press event at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation Miraikan in Tokyo AP because they are delicate gadgetry sensitive to their environment.

Kodomoroid and the woman robot Otonaroid were joined at the demonstration by the minimally designed Telenoid, a mannequin head with pointed arms that serves as a cuddly companion.

The two life-size robots, which have silicon skin and artificial muscles, will be on dis-

Hong Kong hits China’s gift causes big trouble for tiny Tonga back at China over What set off this reaction from Ton- blesome freebie: a 60-seater turboprop The absent coffee-drinkers are n AP, Nuku’alofa, Tonga mainly New Zealanders, the most com- ga’s wealthy neighbor and longtime Xian MA-60. Chickens poke about in democracy poll It’s almost 10 a.m., but the barista at mon visitors to these remote, poor and friend? A newer, more distant and even coarse tropical grass as Sau Tongi picks this tiny Pacific kingdom’s domestic air beautiful islands. The New Zealand air- wealthier friend — China — and its gift up his young son and looks through the n AFP, Hong Kong terminal has yet to make a single cup line that transported many of them has of a plane. It’s a tiny skirmish in a battle fence onto the runway. “I don’t know Hong Kong’s leader yesterday hit back at Chinese media criticism of an unofficial democracy poll in the city, softening his previous stance on the ballot after more than 700,000 people voted.

The turnout for the informal referendum has gone far beyond organisers’ expectations, as fears grow that Beijing will backtrack on its promise to allow Hong Kong’s voters to choose the leader they want.

Hong Kong’s chief executive Leung Chun-ying said Tuesday that voters had “expressed their hopes and demands” for elections of the city’s leader in 2017. He hit back at an editorial in China’s state-run Global Times newspaper condemning the poll as “an illegal farce” and saying that China’s massive 1.3 billion population outweighed opinions in Hong Kong.

“Global Times yesterday came out with a piece, headlined: ‘However many involved in illegal referendum, it can’t match 1.3 billion’ -- I don’t agree with that,” Leung said. “Nobody should place Hong Kong people in confrontation with mainland Chinese citizens.”

He also defended voters’ rights to have their say. “Many of the participating citizens have expressed their hopes and demands for the 2017 chief executive elections.” As of 1pm local time (0500 GMT) Tuesday, more than 732,000 people had taken part online, via mobile phones and at polling stations. l

of coffee. Molly Fatai says her wages at the cafe have been cut by a third since last year. Flights leaving for Tonga’s outer islands have been halved to two or three per day, except for Sundays, when there are no flights at all.

9

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

packed up and left, and New Zealand’s government is warning its citizens not to use the local carrier. “The economy of Tonga has suffered quite dramatically as a result,” said Stuart Perry, the general manager of Tourism Tonga.

for global influence with unintended consequences for this nation of just over 100,000 people.

At Tonga’s main airport, built by US Army contractors during World War II, maintenance crews work on the trou-

Fisher folk work on in shallow waters near Nuku’alofa, Tonga. New Zealand tourists attracted by the country’s beauty have been staying away due to a dispute over the safety of a plane built in China AP

what they are fixing. It’s a new plane,” he says. “I don’t think I’m going to fly on that plane. Better to be safe.”

When Tonga took delivery of the plane, worth perhaps $20 million including spare parts and training, it prompted New Zealand company Air Chathams to leave after five years rather than face what it considered to be subsidized competition. That left Real Tonga, which operates the MA-60, as the sole domestic operator.

The New Zealand government posted a travel advisory on its website, warning that MA-60 planes had been involved in several recent crashes in other countries and didn’t have recognized certification. New Zealand also withheld about $5 million in tourism aid.

Tonga has accused New Zealand of acting like a bully. It pointed out that New Zealand had not posted similar warnings for other countries operating MA-60s — something New Zealand says it will investigate. Tonga said the plane was properly certified by China and it planned to soon accept a second Chinese plane, a Harbin Y-12.

“We need all the planes we can get,” said Vili Cocker, Tonga’s civil aviation director. He said he didn’t know of anything China wants in return.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said China had provided the plane at the request of the Tongan government “as a matter of bilateral economic and technical cooperation.” l

play starting Wednesday, at Miraikan museum, or the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, in Tokyo, allowing the public to interact with them extensively.

Reflecting widespread opinion, Ishiguro said Japan leads the world in playful companion robots. But he acknowledged the nation was behind the US in military robots. l

UN: Surging environmental crime funds conflicts n Reuters, OSLO Surging environmental crime, from illegal logging to elephant poaching, is worth up to $213 billion a year and is helping to fund armed conflicts while cutting economic growth, a U.N. and Interpol report said yesterday.

The study, released during a U.N. meeting of environment ministers in Nairobi, called for tougher action to prevent crimes such as illegal logging, fishing, mining, dumping of toxic waste and trade in rare animals and plants.

“Many criminal networks are making phenomenal profits from environmental crime,” Achim Steiner, head of the United Nations Environment Program, told Reuters. “It is a financing machine.”

An “enormous increase” in environmental crime in recent years is helping to fund militias and insurgents while depriving developing nations of billions of dollars in revenues to help lift citizens from poverty, he said.

The study estimated that environmental crime was worth between $70 billion and $213 billion a year. By comparison, global development aid to poor nations totals $135 billion.

It estimated, for instance, that illicit trade in charcoal in Africa, where wood is a main source of energy, was worth $1.9 billion a year. Islamist al Shabaab insurgents in Somalia made millions of dollars by taxing charcoal at ports and roadblocks. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

CODE-CRACKER

Justice at last

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com

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e applaud the court’s decision to issue death sentences to eight members of the banned militant outfit Harkat-ul Jihad-al Islami, responsible for carrying out the bomb attacks in Ramna Batamul that killed 10 people 13 years ago. Their offence demands the most severe penalty of the land, and we hope the court’s verdict will be executed without delay.

On April 14, 2001, two powerful bombs were blasted in the midst of the Bengali New Year celebrations in the capital’s Ramna Park, killing seven people on the spot while three succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The court recently found 14 men guilty of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt – eight were given the death penalty – five are absconding – and six were sentenced to life imprisonment.

The culprits had reportedly carried out the attacks because the program was “anti-Islamic.” Using religion as an excuse for such heinous crimes is shameful, and in no way acceptable.

Family members and loved ones of the deceased have been awaiting justice for a very long time, and this verdict will perhaps bring them some consolation. We urge the authorities to do everything in their power to find the five absconders, and waste no time in carrying out the court’s verdict.

Using religion as an excuse for such heinous crimes is in no way acceptable

AL has a responsibility too

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s we have editorialised before, the BNP’s admonition for calling a fresh agitation movement of hartals and blockades is senseless and damaging, one that is likely to result in the loss of life and property.

It is in the interest of the BNP as well as the Awami League – indeed the whole nation – if such violent and destructive activities can be avoided. However, in this regard, the BNP is not the only side that has a responsibility towards the nation.

The ruling AL must do all it can to avoid such violence being caused.

The AL should not reciprocate BNP’s threats with an equally stubborn refusal to negotiate.

It needs to give the BNP political space in which to operate.

The BNP has a right, for example, to hold peaceful protests or public rallies and meetings. It would not be right of the ruling government to crack down on any such non-destructive and legitimate forms of protest.

If the government deprives the opposition of its basic rights, our political situation will once again reach a gridlock – all too familiar for Bangladesh’s weary citizens. The government, in this instance, has to play the role of the responsible adult and create an environment where the public feels safe and the opposition feels that their voices have been heard.

If the government fails to do this, not only will the ruling party lose political capital but it will run the risk of ceding the political high ground to the opposition.

The AL should not reciprocate BNP’s threats with an equally stubborn refusal to negotiate

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Rape equals victory?

June 19

Ronnie This is an excellently written piece, aptly excoriating the recurrent and abhorrent rape analogies we sometimes hear in sport – indeed, quite often in the world of work and business, too, I’d add. I’m not on Facebook, and haven’t dropped into my Twitter account lately. So, I was not even aware of the latest despicable references (on those two sites) to rape to describe the nature of the Spain vs Netherlands game the other day. Gosh, what’s next? Spain is too sexy; they “asked for it”? *rolls eyes* The author is spot-on about how strenuous objections to these flippant rape references in sport are not a matter of “political correctness,” but contempt for this awful indulgence in mindless misogyny.

Neither football, nor the game’s civilised fans, and heaven knows definitely not rape victims, can have any tolerance for such callous and crass behaviour from people, whether online or offline.

RPC This author has managed to take an issue (that is contentious even in countries of the west) and present it to a Bangladeshi audience with great skill. The ability to show the harm of flippantly using the word rape, without ostracising or belittling perpetrators, is truly masterful. This needs more shares!

Alpha It’s just a word used to describe an overwhelming victory by today’s generation. Although better words can be used, I do not see how simply using the word suddenly disrespects all women/specific women who got raped. You’re connecting a small matter to a large matter without any visible link aside from the same word being used. Although this article is well written, I must respectfully disagree with your protest of the usage of this word. rpc Alpha: How can the word rape be used to describe an overwhelming victory? Do you not see the contradiction in this? There is something seriously wrong with your generation, dude. I must disrespectfully disagree with you.

Auntora The only thing I strongly disagree with is the claim that it is not about being politically correct; of course it is about being politically correct. It is not just bad taste to use “rape” to describe such stupid things; it is reprehensible and wrong.

Ronnie Auntora: It may seem a bit dodgy, I know. However, I’d argue that the writer’s condemning the rape

Fruit merchants urge end to drive against formalin June 21

Rodders Here is the thing. The merchants say they are not responsible for directly adulterating the fruits, vegetables, and other foods with poison. Fair enough. So why don’t they take responsibility and check the foods beforehand before putting them up for sale to customers? Put a little pressure on the suppliers, if you will? I just can’t fathom anyone who would have an ounce of sympathy for their “plight.”

references here is largely not about being “politically correct,” unless you’re an Indian politician who thinks rape is “sometimes right, and sometimes wrong.”

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 10 represents P so fill P every time the figure 10 appears.

You have one letter in the control grid to start you off. Enter it in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Zero-Agenda While the flippant use of the word “rape” often undermines the misery of those victimised, the idea is to not chastise those using that word inappropriately but make them understand the weight it carries. I applaud the author for opening this especially slimy can of worms. Let’s hope more people are made aware of this. terriblejudy Zero-Agenda: I agree. I don’t always dislike the people using the word in a positive manner, but it’s hurtful because people using it show they know nothing about rape and have no respect or sympathy for victims of it. Rape is still pretty taboo even if many now come forward with their stories. A violent assault, or a murder, isn’t necessarily taboo and something you hide from your friends and colleagues (except domestic abuse). When people use the word “rape” as a joke, they usually have no idea that they might be talking to someone who has been raped, or know someone close that’s been a victim of it. Just at work, I’ve experienced people making fun of rape victims in the paper, people joking “I’m not going to rape you,” and making similes to rape when talking about sport. It is not a good trend.

SUDOKU How to solve: 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.

TJ Why did it even occur to people to use the word “rape” to express defeat in a game or the word “frape” in the first place? It definitely shows how shallow we are as a society. We sympathise with the rape victims when we hear about their misfortunes, but we don’t think twice before using this word to express our joy over a trivial game or Facebook jokes.

Intishar jashim Do you understand that words change meaning over time? 50 years ago, using the term “grammar Nazi” (because of the word Nazi), would have left a lot of mouths gaping. Nowadays calling something uncool “gay” is also quite prevalent, that too in an era where a lot of places are legalising gay marriage. Context is also very important, in my opinion. guest Intishar jashim: I am sure you know that those fighting tirelessly for gay rights also believe that using “that’s so gay” should be stopped, as it demeans gay people. Your argument to justify one wrong with another is simply sad. So, listen up. “Calling something uncool, gay” is not cool.

What are we to do?

June 20 Sammy While what the author says has plenty of merit, he gets little sympathy from me. As long as he has been in Bangladesh, he has been a reliable booster of the very regime whose “base” feeds on jingoism against English-medium schools and private universities. He spent all of 2013 writing eloquently to defend the ruling party and attack the opposition.

Now that the ruling party has gained absolutist control of every sector in society, he is surprised that it wants its culturally jingoistic and economically socialistic base to call the shots?

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Quote (4) 3 Assists (5) 8 Soft sheepskin leather (4) 9 Comfortable (4) 11 Ugly old woman (5) 12 Morse element (4) 14 Bishop’s territory (3) 15 Carpentry tool (5) 18 Stop (5) 19 Old cloth measure (3) 21 Tide attaining least height (4) 24 Henhouse (5) 26 Vocal sound (4) 27 Scottish Gaelic language (4) 28 Dentures (5) 29 Footwear item (4)

DOWN 1 Bludgeon (4) 2 Dull heavy sound (4) 4 Make a mistake (3) 5 Unbound (5) 6 Window glass (4) 7 Show contempt (5) 10 Stare openmouthed (4) 11 Pursue (5) 13 Incline (5) 16 Tidy (4) 17 Headwear (5) 18 Shut (5) 20 Traditional learning (4) 22 Sport (4) 23 Period of time (4) 25 Become firm (3)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER Deceptive fruits and veggies in mellow colours

PEANUTS

June 20 SA Mansoor A photo of luscious fruits and vegetables may look alluring, but be sadly deceptive, as the foods could be infected with carbide or formalin. Who would know if they were tainted? No one but the farmer or trader, which makes them guilty of a crime.

It is a “no win” situation for the buyer.

Hence, let the authorities err towards caution, even if some uninfected fruits and vegetables are barred and destroyed.

They should show no mercy for the criminals who engage in carbide and formalin poisoning.

Hopefully, boiling and cooking the fruits and vegetables may eliminate the bad effects of the poisons. The authorities should also widely publicise any measures that can eliminate or reduce the effect of carbide and formalin poisoning.

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

The doyen takes his leave n Enayet Khan

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No scope for sympathy

MEHEDI HASAN

We want justice

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n Mohammad Ali Sattar hen justice is meted out, hope lights up.

After having lived with the wounds of losing dear ones, the court’s announcement of death sentences for the culprits responsible for the gruesome killing at the Ramna Batamul, some 13 years ago, restored some hope.

The verdict came limping after 13 years in wait, finally. Upon learning about the court ruling, the mother visited the grave of her blameless son, who had to part from her on that day, the day of the Pohela Boishakh blast, to inform the resting boy of the judgment.

The nation had witnessed the explosion, mutilated bodies taking the appearance of mountains of flesh and blood, the stench of burnt human tissue, and the absolute horror of the surroundings.

Two bombs went off during the celebrations of Bangla New Year, 1408 (April 14, 2001) at Ramna Batamul. 10 people were killed and dozens were injured. The incident followed three major bomb attacks in a span of only two years since March 1999.

A Dhaka court handed down the death penalty to eight militants of Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (Huji), including its top leader Mufti Abdul Hannan, for killing 10 people in the attack on the Chhayanaut function on the first day of the Bangla calendar in 2001.

Six other militants from the banned Islamist outfit were sentenced to life imprisonment for their involvement in the attacks.

The Pohela Boishakh celebrations, which Chhayanaut has been organising at the capital’s Ramna Batamul since the 1960s, have always drawn a large crowd every year.

We now know the modus operandi behind the attacks. How the militants and their cohorts worked the plan and then implemented it. A few simple questions take shape in every mind: Why this type of an attack? For what purpose? Why on that particular day?

It reminded us of the return of the dark souls of the extremists who, in the garb of religion, would try to prey on the Bengali culture of hospitality and warmth.

While declaring the verdict, the judge said: “Bomb attacks have been launched on people and organisations for political and other reasons in the past, such incidents have also happened in Bangladesh.” But this event is entirely unusual.

We would like to see the execution of the verdict sooner rather than later

A common answer would be that it was on a day when a large number of people would congregate in one place, and that too in festive mood, and safety measures would not be that stringent. And that the purpose was to scare people away from their very own cultural heritage.

It was a multipurpose strike, apparently. One, to scare people from celebrating national and cultural events, and two, to send erroneous signals to the people at large about the impending consequences for those who would not tag on to their transcript.

It was a challenge to the government of that time, and a mockery of law and order. The explosion and the killing, right in the middle of a cultural event, meant a lot more.

As reports started pouring out, we were bemused to learn that, after the occurrence, the Huji leader Mufti Hannan was assured of safety and free movement throughout the country. He was given a clean pass, at least for that moment. No one dared to touch him or the others.

If that is true, we wonder, how can we place our faith in our leaders and the custodians of law? The then home minister was allegedly associated in giving refuge to the criminals. This is virtually the state becoming the law breaker and the warden of criminals.

It should be noted that the infamous Bangla Bhai and Shaikh Abdur Rahman were hanged by the BNP government through a fairly quick trial.

Now that the case will travel to

higher courts, we would like to see the execution of the verdict sooner rather than later. Bangladesh should travel along the path of justice and not a single soul should die without justice.

Then we have August 21 grenade blast cases pending in the courts. We see big names appear here as well, including many top leaders and state actors of the then BNP government, along with the Huji militants.

Cases are also pending in the International courts for the trials of the 1971 human rights violators. The war crime trials are on, as we’ve observed. Verdicts are being announced at regular intervals, with one of the war criminals already being hanged.

We have more cases in the pipeline that require an immediate call. We have the Sagar-Runi case still shrouded in mystery. For reasons unknown, no motives have yet to be established, let alone seeing the culprits behind bars.

Let’s not forget the seven murders, and Towki’s killing in Narayanganj, the Ekram murder in Feni, and more across the country. Our plate is full with murder cases, committed both in the open and in secret. Our courts are logged up with files in the thousands while the jails are packed with prisoners of various colours.

These are trying times for the state, the administration, and the justice department, in demonstrating their understanding, their fortitude, and their pledge towards the rule of justice. We want justice. l

s much as it has been forced to redefine and refine itself in the face of a new age of accelerated technological progress, journalism has stood as one of the last remaining bastions for human excellence to stand out and make a difference. In an age of cloud computing and drone warfare, unmanned production lines and automated service, of brand loyalty and augmented reality, quality journalism still only lends itself to a set of very human attributes: Dogged perseverance, sound judgment, and an instinct for the underlying significance in a situation.

With the passing away of Mahbubul Alam, there can be no room for doubt that Bangladesh has lost a giant in his field who embodied all these attributes, but also much more. The sense of mourning is not confined to any one particular community or profession.

It is demonstrated in the unseemly political class, driven by divisiveness at literally every point, somehow united in their grief for a man who earned their respect. Over the last few years, as one would expect of Mahbubul Alam, he had overseen an orderly succession at The Independent, having edited it for 18 years from launch to Digital Era relaunch. Previously of course, in a career spanning more than 50 years, he had already risen to the top editorial position at BSS, at the now defunct weekly Dialogue, and The New Nation at its pomp. A thoroughly accomplished man, but what is more – humble, and generous to a fault throughout.

Yet it would be remiss to confine his towering presence within the plum positions he rose to occupy. With his patrician forbearance, Mahbubul Alam would forever be at the service of those who were younger than him, newer than him, nowhere near as experienced as him in the trade that he entered in 1957. Countless journalists, many of them now prominent in broadcast or print, developed their skills and temperament directly under his tutelage.

When UNB launched in 1988, far from viewing its arrival as a threat to BSS, he welcomed it

Mohammad Ali Sattar is a journalist and a DT columnist.

Once he recognised you as a member of the tribe, committed to furthering its cause in contributing to a more robust democratic dispensation, he was liable to share anything he had picked up from his days as a hack on countless assignments around the world, with anyone that could put it to good use.

I myself benefited from this generosity that was innate to the man – right

ence of Bangladesh. They could not buy property since then. The only thing they have is 64sqft rooms where 8-10 members of a family reside. Residents there are so confined that during the summer of 2006, five people died from the heat in the camps where the narrow lanes and small rooms make proper ventilation almost impossible.

The successive governments of Bangladesh since the independence refused to provide them with gas and other services. Though the camps in the capital get free electricity, the camps outside the capital hardly get that privilege. The water supply often becomes contaminated with sewerage and camp residents are left with no choice but to continue drinking it.

In these circumstances, 10 petitioners from the Geneva camp of Biharis filed a writ with the High Court of Bangladesh demanding citizenship that can assure their basic rights. On May 26, 2003, the High Court ruled in favour of the petitioners, declaring them Bangladeshi citizens.

On November 26, 2007, Stranded Pakistani Youth Rehabilitation Movement filed a similar writ petition seeking a HC order to recognise the Biharis living in 116 camps across the country as citizens of Bangladesh. On May 18, 2008, the HC ruled in favour of the Biharis and declared them as the citizens of Bangladesh. The Biharis, for

the first time in the history of Bangladesh, were able to cast their vote in the ninth national parliamentary elections in 2008.

Despite the HC ruling, the Biharis of Bangladesh are believed by many as stranded Pakistanis. No precise step was taken to rehabilitate these people in our society. Moreover, many Bangladeshis still believe that a Bihari does not deserve the basic rights of a Bangladeshi citizen. Biharis, with their different culture, language, and inglorious past of collaborating with the Pakistani army of occupation during the liberation war, struggled to mingle with Bangladeshis after independence.

The recent developments in the Bihari camp in the capital and the brutality against them remind us of how vulnerable this community is.

We Bangladeshis, even our national leaders like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, once fought for the partition of India.

And when it happened, both Pakistan and India had to take responsibility for hundreds of thousands of refugees.

After the direct action day proclaimed

by Jinnah that resulted in a violent riot named “the week of long knives,” these Urdu-speaking Muslims had to leave their homeland for a safer destination – Pakistan.

Bangladesh, once a part of Pakistan, has to admit its historical responsibility of providing a safe future to the

from the start of our friendship that spanned three decades. Even though he was twenty years my senior, we shared an affinity that was almost immediate, back in the 80s. Dhaka Courier, since coming out in 1984, had already caused a bit of a stir in the anemic English language press back then, and I was actively looking forward to setting up UNB as the country’s first private, fully digital news agency.

With the passing away of Mahbubul Alam, there can be no doubt that Bangladesh has lost a giant Mahbub bhai, as I called him, was then chief editor of BSS, the state-run agency that enjoyed a near monopoly over the news agenda. Even so, he was extremely forthcoming with his crisp advice and intelligent counsel, which is why I say he was generous to a fault. When UNB launched in 1988, far from viewing its arrival as a threat to BSS, he welcomed it. In doing so, he won over my heart by proving himself a man of journalism as much as one who lived off it. He recognised what was essentially a credibility deficit, in a news landscape where the state-run agency enjoyed a position of such dominance. A position from which the state could shape the narrative on several stories or issues of national importance, if only it chose to do so.

And in those days of military rule, the default position was almost always in the affirmative.

Following the advent of democracy in 1991, a long-deprived vitality seemed set to finally take hold in the country, and in the news environment in particular. Soon there was that boom of sorts in the newspaper industry as new titles hit the market.

When the country’s leading business conglomerate decided to have a slice of the media industry’s pie, they chose Mahbub bhai to lead them.

We continued to interact with warmth in various forums, not least the Wage Board and NOAB meetings.

Plus of course, The Independent has enjoyed a quite seamless relationship with UNB over the years. In what was surely one of the last public appearance of such a fulfilling life, in February he was a special guest at the UNB District Correspondents’ Annual Conference. There, he spoke with reassuring confidence about the future of our vocation, encouraging his audience to view the digital/online space as there for journalists to conquer. There were huge rewards to be won in doing so, he said.

It would also mark surely the first battle for Bangladeshi journalism fought without Mahbubul Alam. l Enayet Khan is a journalist.

The sitting ducks n Aaqib Md Shatil

S

yed Ali, a member of East Pakistan Rifles, revolted against Pakistan in 1971 and fought valiantly in the battle field of Sector-6. He was awarded the Bir Protik gallantry award after the independence of Bangladesh.

The recent developments in the Bihari camp in the capital and the brutality against them remind us of how vulnerable this community is This man was an Urdu-speaking Muslim who migrated from Bihar of India in 1947. Unlike others of his community, he joined the liberation war of Bangladesh and fought with great courage. After the liberation war, when he returned to home, he came to know that his wife and children were killed, allegedly by some freedom fighters.

Most of the male members of the Urdu-speaking Muslim community in Bangladesh supported the idea of a united Pakistan and collaborated with the Pakistani Army, but the other side of the story says there were a few others who believed that the Pakistanis were doing an injustice to us and

supported our movement.

When Bangladesh won its freedom, the Urdu-speaking Muslims were asked to leave Bangladesh for Pakistan. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman offered to swap the Urdu-speakers of Bangladesh with the stranded Bengalis in Pakistan. Pakistan let the stranded Bengalis return, but refused to take back the Urdu-speaking Muslims of Bangladesh.

Eventually, the fate of Urdu-speaking Muslims was decided when Aziz Ahmed, the foreign secretary of Pakistan, asked Dr Kamal Hossain, also the foreign minister of Bangladesh, to either push them to India, to where they came from, or throw all of them into the Bay of Bengal.

The Urdu-speaking Muslims of Bangladesh, commonly known as Biharis, who migrated from India during the partition, were encompassed in some 50 refugee camps after the liberation war ended. According to ActionAid, there are 116 such refugee camps in Bangladesh till date.

They do not qualify under the United Nations definition of refugees, and for almost 37 years, Biharis were denied Bangladeshi citizenship. They have been denied education, employment, medical care, and other basic rights for decades.

Most of the Biharis had to leave their properties after the independ-

300,000 Biharis by rehabilitating them in our society and making use of them in the workforce. We have assimilated the vested properties and all other lucrative outcomes of the partition, and used them to improve our economic condition. Now we have to look upon the other outcomes of the partition.

The chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, to develop the condition of Urdu-speaking Muslims in her state, passed the West Bengal Official Language (Amendment) Bill, 2012, which proposes that Urdu be used as an official language in districts, blocks, and sub-divisions where the Urdu-speaking population exceeds 10%. Even when BJP was out to drive the Bangladeshi migrants out of India, she batted in their favour. While on the other side of the Radcliff line, the authority is trying to utilise the migrant population, we are still in a dilemma.

Syed Ali was able to show his courage and liberate the country because his fellow Bengalis helped him by not suspecting him of being a double agent. We have to lend a hand to the Urdu-speaking Muslims of Bangladesh to come out of their filthy camps and work for a better and unified Bangladesh. l Aaqib Md Shatil is a blogger and member of Dhaka University Model United Nations Association.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Michael Jackson makes $700m since death n Entertainment Desk

Orsha wants to play villain n Hasan Mansoor Chatak

What do you look for in a life partner?

Nazia Haque Nusrat, also known as Orsha, is passing her heydays as one of the busiest actors of the small screen. Dhaka Tribune caught up with the starlet to learn about her aspirations and was surprised to hear that Orsha is tired of her “girl-next-door” image and wants to play the role of a villain. Maybe Heath Ledger, one of her favourite actor had something to do with her desire to try on the negative image.

Michael Jackson fans will place flowers on his grave in Los Angeles today to mark the fifth anniversary of his death, and half a decade on, the pop icon’s financial fortunes are positively blooming.

The self-proclaimed “King of Pop” was struggling to avoid bankruptcy when he died on June 25, 2009. At the time, he was in rehearsals for a series of comeback shows he hoped would resurrect his earlier considerable wealth.

But five years since, the Michael Jackson Estate – which runs his affairs on behalf of Jackson’s mother and three children – has earned over $700m, according to a new book about the singer’s business empire.

“Michael Jackson is making more money now, five years after his death, than he had been since the prime of his career,” Zack Greenburg, author of “Michael Jackson Inc.,” told AFP. Die-hard Jackson fans staged a flash mob on Sunday – more are expected to pay their respects today at the Forest Lawn cemetery just outside Los Angeles, where the pop megastar is buried.l

Nagorik’s new play to bring subcontinental flavours on stage

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

What is your dream role?

I want versatility in my experiences as an actor. I think that portraying a negative role will give me a wide breadth to explore my limits and help me gain more perspective.

Your favourite co-artists.

I enjoyed working with most my co-actors but my favourite among them are Raisul Islam Asad and Wahida Mallik Jolly. They are wonderful to work with and it is easier to get in sync with them when I am acting.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

Riaz and Nipun in three dramas this Eid

When I was a kid I was very fond of cartoons, but as I grew up, my priorities shifted to movies and I started fancying Heath Ledger and Johnny Depp.

I prefer an honest and simple person. Someone who acts pompous because of his intellectual abilities turns me off big time.

List your favourite leisure activities.

I love watching movies. I also enjoy drawing, listening to music and travel whenever I get a window of opportunity.

Tell us about your recent ventures.

We just finished shooting a drama titled “Shomoy O Durbin Durotto” directed by Setu Arif.

It will be aired during Eid. Azad Abul Kalam and Aparna are my co-artists in the drama.

Some of my other projects include “Life”

by Mehedi Bin Ashraf, “Infinity” with Arfan Mishu directed by Mahmud Didar, Shokal Ahmed’s untitled drama with Anisur Rahman Milon. I also had the opportunity of acting in the TV serial “Mago Tomar Jonno” by Mahfuz Ahmed, which is being aired at present.

Do you have any plans to act on the big screen?

Yes of course, but not at present. I want to take my time and gain more experience before stepping into the big screen.

Orsha came into the limelight through the beauty pageant “Lux Channel i Superstar 2009.” She came in fourth and won the title of “Close-Up Miss Beautiful Smile.” l

n Entertainment Desk Riaz and Nipun are about to appear in three dramas “Confusion,” “Superstar” and “Subhagomon” which will be aired during Eid. The drama “Confusion” is adapted by Ferdous from an international story and is directed by Abeer Khan. Ferdous’ production house Cinemascope is producing the play. Riaz and Nipun played the husband and wife on screen.

Last Tuesday, the shooting of the drama was completed in a location in Uttara and the TV play will be aired on Banglavision.

The other two dramas “Superstar” and “Subhagomon” is directed by Arif A Ahnaf and Shahidunnabi respectively. l

n Hasan Mansoor Chatak Theatre troupe Nagorik Natya Sampradaya is about to bring its 44th production on stage. The play titled “Nam Gotrohin Mantor Meyera” will be staged on June 26 at the National Natyashala of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The cast of the play includes Sara Zaker, her daughter Sriya Sharbojoya and Aupee Karim in the lead roles. It is based on three novellas

by Pakistani writer Saadat Hassan Manto and directed by Indian theatre activist Usha Ganguly.

In a press conference on June 23, Pantho Shahriar, the promotion and publication secretary of Nagorik Natya Sampra-

daya said: “The play will uphold the true flavour of the subcontinent. I believe it will emerge as a phenomena of cultural exchange between the countries.”

Usha Ganguly, director, actor and theatre activist adapted Manto’s “Kaali Shalwar,” “License” and “Hatak” for the unique production. The plot of the play revolves around three main characters Sultana, Sugondhi and Neeti. They have different stories to tell with one thing in common, the exploitation of women in society.

Pantho Shahriar, Mostafiz Shahin, Razib Dey and others form the rest of the cast. With this production, Aupee returns to stage after a hiatus of four years. l

TODAY IN DHAKA Exhibition:

Spinning Tales of Shadowist and Others

By Ashikur Rahman Turja Time: 3pm – 8pm Dhaka Art Centre, Time Line Time: 11am – 8pm Galleri Kaya

Prachi Desai trying to stick it out n Entertainment Desk Former TV actor Prachi Desai, who tried her hand at acting in Bollywood with “Rock On,” “Once Upon A Time In Mumbai” and few more, has been trying to shift her image from a cute girl to a sex bomb as soon she realised that the industry is more interested in the sensual.

The actor has tried a sultry avatar in an item song “Awari” for the upcoming film “Ek Villain.”

Prachi is the seductive dancer clad

Artistic Musings of Great Collector Nasir Ali Mamun Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Road No 16 Dhanmondi Dhaka Pop Expo 2014 Time: 2pm – 9pm The National Shooting Federation Hall, Gulshan 1

Film

X-Men: Days of Future Past The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (3D) Pompeii 300 Rise of an Empire Tarkata Time: 10am – 10pm Star Cineplex, Level 8 Bashundhara City 13/3 Ka Panthopath

Huma Qureshi to campaign for LGBT awareness

in a skimpy black blouse. She dances, rolls on the floor, even nicks her finger on a rose thorn.

The song is a melodious composition by the Pakistani band Soch. The song is sung by Adnan Dhool and Momina Mustehsan and composed by Rabbi Ahmed and Dhool.

Produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Motion Pictures and starring Sidharth Malhotra, Shraddha Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh in key roles, “Ek Villain” releases on June 27. l

n Entertainment Desk

A scene from the play titled ‘Waiting for Godot’ which staged by theatre troupe Palakar at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on June 23 SADIA MARIUM

Bangladesh-US Art Conclave n Entertainment Desk Gallery Twenty One in collaboration with the NY Art Connection presents “Bangladesh-US Art Conclave” with eight women artists from Bangladesh and five women artists from the US. The exhibition is going on at the NY Art Connection, Long Island and will remain open until June 30. The Bangladesh representatives are Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Rokeya Sultana, Maqsuda Iqbal Nipa, Shameem Subrana, Samina Nafeez, Bipasha Hayat, Afrozaa Jamil Konka, and Laila Sharmeen.

The exhibition also features music performance by Nicholas and Danielle Palumbo and poetry recitation by Erin Miller. Shameem Ahsan, consul general of Bangladesh in New York, Barbara Leone, president of Wet Paint Group, West Art Association Long Island, Shamima Suborna, director of Gallery of Twenty One and Khurshid Alam Saleem were present at the opening ceremony of the event. l

Actress Huma Qureshi has joined forces with a campaign called “Ishq ki Ijaazat” which will be launched online to spread awareness about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

“Ishq ki Ijaazat” is a film poem by Satyanshu and Devanshu Singh, and Qureshi is said to have rendered the poetry.

“I believe everyone should have the freedom to choose for thems e l v e s ,” Qureshi said in a statement.

“The initiative is not an angry statement against Article 377 that criminalises homosexuality. It is a poetic campaign to urge people to bring love out in the open and not about sexual preferences. It is about a basic right that every human being deserves to be able to love with dignity, and not prejudice,” the statement further said. l

Sp rt DHAKA TRIBUNE Wednesday, June 25, 2014

13

Scolari won’t take Chile lightly

Brazil coach Luiz Phelipe Scolari said he enjoyed the ups and downs of his team against a spirited Cameroon side and asked the media for storing the privacy after his side’s 4-1 win over the Indomitable Lions of Africa at the National Stadium, Brasilia on Monday.

The coach elaborately on the match and also focused upon the upcoming second round encounter against Chile.

“Standing by the pitch I enjoyed the pressure, the ups and downs with a high volume of adrenaline. I will see the match again tomorrow and design the next plans,” said Scolari.

The 65 year old probably lost his cool once in the first half when he fired hot words to David Luiz whose overlap created a big gap in the left flank when Marcelo was still in the Cameroon half and both Thiago Silva and Dani Alves were operating in the right. As a result, there was no one in front of Scolari apart from the Cameroon attackers.

Scolari’s subsequent angry reaction and the instructions he was giving Luiz were caught by the spider cam. “It is not fair to show all the human reactions to the media. The players and the coaches need some privacy. They are human beings,” said Big Phil.

The experienced coach figured out what went wrong for his team in the first half. “I saw my players being too quick which is not the way. They have to be more cool, serene and focused, and they were trying to do it all. We corrected it during the interval. You

saw how we corrected our long ball strategy. Oscar and Hulk were busy to collect the long ball, but we corrected the mistakes in the second half and produced a good performance. It was not 100 per cent but I am happy,” said Scolari.

He pinpointed Neymar’s role in the team. “We depend on Neymar like Argentina depend on (Lionel) Messi. The top level players make the difference in all teams and Neymar fits well in so much of what we do,” opined the coach. However, he did not forget to shower Cameroon with respect. “Judging by the way Cameroon have played, it is hard to believe that they lost all the three matches. They are a good side,” commented Scolari.

The Brazil coach also seemed to be relieved to see his team’s forward Fred register his name finally in the scoresheet. “I saw Fred before the match. He was an anxious man. I spoke to him. He was a bit down, but gradually he grew in confidence. I have full faith in him and I admit at the same time that he is not the Fred of the Confederation Cup. I must also add that he is playing in a little different position,” said Scolari.

When asked if he feels insecure with his defense, Scolarl reacted strongly.

“I don’t have a single drop of fear with my defense. I am fully confident about them. It was a difficult and different match,” opined the Big Phil.

Philpao thanked the Brazil fans for the support they have rendered towards the team. “I feel the tenderness, it’s amazing. It’s also wonderful to see how the fans cheer us up when we make a mistake. It’s incredible and we thank them for the support,” said Scolari.

Scolari warned his team ahead of its second round duel against Chile. “I have played against Chile two times before and I know how difficult a side they are. Some people think we will beat Chile easily but they are a quality side. They are a well organized South American team. If I had the chance to choose our opponent, I would not have chosen them,” concluded the 65 year old who previously won the 2002 World Cup as the coach of Brazil. l

Sheikh Jamal forward Sony Norde celebrates one of his three goals against Feni Soccer Club in the Nitol Tata Bangladesh Premier Football League at the BNS yesterday

Sk Jamal extend lead after easy win Sony Norde slammed his first hattrick in the Nitol-Tata Bangladesh Premier Football League this season as Sheikh Jamal extended the lead at the top of the points table following their 5-3 win over Feni Soccer Club at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The Haitian international also netted the fastest goal of the season when the star forward opened the scoring after just 25 seconds into the clock. Collecting a misplaced pass from a Feni defender, Sony smashed the ball past goalkeeper Masud Ahmed Uzzal to hit the back of the net.

Wedson Anselme thumped a screamer to double Sheikh Jamal’s lead in the eight minute. Running through the left flank, Emeka Darlington fed Wedson with a neat pass and the Hai-

tian striker fired home into the top left corner from 25 yards out. Sony netted his second of the evening in the 24th minute after placing the ball into the far post following a through pass from captain Mamunul Islam.

Feni pulled one back two minutes later through their Gambian forward Kabba Jobe before Emeka extended the lead for Sheikh Jamal in the 29th minute. Chuka Charles reduced the margin to 4-2 in the 37th minute heading in a Landing Darboe cross from the middle of the six-yard box.

Sony squandered an opportunity in the 42nd minute when he missed a penalty, hitting the crossbar after the Haitian was brought down by Liton inside the box. The Haitian, however, rectified his mistake and completed his hattrick eight minutes into the second half. Breaking into the left side of the penalty area, Sony took a shot from the

edge of the box that went past Uzzal.

It was Sony’s 11th goal of the season while Emeka remained the top-scorer with 20 strikes.

The goal-galore continued as Kabba made it 5-3 two minutes later from a free kick.

Table-toppers Sheikh Jamal now have a 10-point gap at the top of the table with 48 points from 21 matches while Feni are second from bottom with 13 points from 21 games.

Meanwhile in the other game of the day away at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong, Chittagong Abahani pipped Uttar Baridhara 1-0 courtesy a match-winning goal from Javed Khan in the 66th minute. Chittagong Abahani are eighth in the standings with 16 points from 21 matches while Uttar Baridhara are languishing at the bottom with 12 points from the same number of games. l

MUMIT M

India captain Dhoni summoned over Hindu court case Indian cricket captain M.S. Dhoni was ordered Tuesday to appear in court over a magazine front cover that allegedly hurt religious sentiments by depicting him as a Hindu god, a report said.

A court in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh summoned him to appear on an unspecified date to testify in the case relating to an April 2013 article in the Business Today magazine.

The front cover showed Dhoni as the multi-limbed Hindu god Vishnu who was seen holding various products which the hugely popular cricket star promotes.

Two local activists, reportedly members of a hardline Hindu nationalist organisation, complained to the court over the graphic. l

The curious case of Honduras supporters and jerseys in Dhaka

A potential buyer (R) looks at a Honduras jersey at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium on Sunday MUMIT M

Despite the dominance and unquestionable popularity of cricket in Bangladesh’s sports arena, it’d be futile to argue against the fact that it is actually World Cup football, which takes place every four years, is more appealing and exerts its irresistible global supremacy across all nations on earth, including Bangladesh. Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that the same old phenomenon in the form of football fever has gripped the nation this time also and issues of debate in every corner are related to Brazil or Argentina, Messi or Neymar, Germany or Spain. Needless to say, this fever will continue until the final whistle is blown on July 13’s finale at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

However, there has been something uniquely strange this time as far as the

football fans of Bangladesh are concerned.

Although the fans from this country are traditionally divided between Argentina or Brazil, a certain number of them who support either Brazil or Argentina, formed a humorous Facebook group (Honduras Football Team Supporters of Bangladesh) and crated an event page (We’re crazy fans of Honduras football team from Bangladesh) to show their support to Honduras, the lowest ranked team in World Cup 2014.

Although the event, where more than 47 thousand of football fans from Bangladesh belong to, initially carried a deliberate satirical undertone, it managed to catch the attention of Honduran people who mistook it for a positive gesture towards their team from the people of Bangladesh.

So this apparent love for Honduras in the virtual world found another form of expres-

sion as fans started ransacking the market for Honduras’s jerseys and flags. The shop owners in the capital’s Gulistan were also aware of the demands of this new species of customers and wisely stocked more jerseys of Honduras than many other participating countries in the World Cup and the details of this jersey business may surprise you.

Palash, who sells sports goods and body fitness equipments in a shop named ‘Life Care’ in the hockey stadium market in Gulistan, said they had so far sold more than 400 Honduras jerseys during the World Cup and the number was increasing everyday.

Their shop has both the home and away jerseys like most of the sport shops around them. He also added that the blue away jersey was the popular one as it outsold the home one which is white in color. Majority of his customers belonged to young

generation of Dhaka, but Palash winked and chuckled while adding, “There are many girls too.”

Fahad, a BBA student who was looking for a Honduras jersey in the footpath of Gulistan, is a Manchester United fan who started supporting England for David Beckham and now supports Honduras also.

“They are probably the weakest team in the World Cup but their jersey is cool,” said Fahad.

The jersey business has been so booming that apart from the shops selling sports equipments, electronics shops have also brought in jerseys exclusively for the World Cup. One such shop is Pacific Electronics located in the same area, which sells Honduras jerseys and told to this reporter that around 7-8 Honduras jerseys are sold everyday. l

Sri Lanka win England series thriller n AFP, Leeds Sri Lanka beat England by 100 runs, with just one ball to spare, to win the second Test at Headingley on Tuesday and so take the two-match series 1-0.

There were more than 20 overs remaining when last man James Anderson came into bat.

But he survived for 55 balls until, with only one delivery left in the match, he gloved a catch off paceman Shaminda Eranga to Rangana Herath at leg gully.

Defeat was tough on England’s Moeen Ali who batted for six-and-ahalf hours while making 108 not out -- his maiden Test century.

Sri Lanka players celebrate after taking the wicket of England’s last batsman James Anderson with the penultimate ball at Headingley yesterday AFP

England, set 350 for victory, were bowled out for 249 on the fifth and final day as Sri Lanka won a Test in England for only the third time in their history following victories at The Oval in 1998 and Trent Bridge in 2006.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews, who earlier in this match took a Testbest four for 44 with the ball, went on to make a superb Test-best 160, having shared an eighth-wicket stand of 149 with Herath (48) that gave the tourists the advantage.

England then suffered a spectacular collapse late Monday as they slumped to 57 for five in the face of paceman Dhammika Prasad’s four-wicket burst. l

A cricket game took place between blind cricketers from two teams at the Mohammadpur Physical Education College field yesterday. The game was organised by National Sports Council and National Handicap Forum. Under the Bangladesh Blind Cricket Council, the Bangladesh team participated in the last Blind World Cup SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

14

Sp rt DHAKA TRIBUNE Wednesday, June 25, 2014

World Cup getting harder: Neymar

BRAZIL TOP SCORERS

Name 1 Pelé 2 Zico

Goals Caps Average 77 92 0.84 66 88 0.75

3 Ronaldo

62

98

0.63

4 Romário

55

70

0.79

5 Bebeto

39

75

0.52

6 Neymar

35

52

0.67

7 Rivaldo 8 Jairzinho

34 33

74 81

0.46 0.40

33

98

0.33

32 32

39 54

0.82 0.59

Ronaldinho 10 Ademir Tostão

Gung-ho Brazil please fans but offer rivals hope The flicks and tricks returned along with the goals but no amount of Neymar magic can hide the defensive flaws that are hampering Brazil’s bid for a sixth World Cup. The Barcelona forward was centre stage as he revelled against the porous Cameroon backline to grab two goals in a 4-1 win on Monday that put the hosts through to a last-16 clash with Chile.

His back-heels, deft touches and crowd-pleasing antics in his 70 minute man-of-the-match display had a feverish home support at the Brasilia national stadium on their feet and in full voice.

They had come to see a victory delivered with style, having been denied that by a misfiring forward line and stout defensive effort from Mexico in the previous Group A goalless stalemate that had raised queries about their tournament favourite status.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari sent out the same side that fought back to beat Croatia 3-1 in their opener with a gameplan of overwhelming the already eliminated Africans.

Centre backs Thiago Silva and David Luiz and holding midfielder Luiz

Gustavo were the only ones protecting goalkeeper Julio Cesar for long periods as the other seven Brazilian players bombed forward in search for goals.

Even Luiz Gustavo abandoned his station in the 17th minute to pop up on the left wing and set up Neymar’s opener but the entertaining gung-ho

MATCH STATS Goals scored Total shots Shots on target Corners Offsides Fouls committed Yellow cards Red cards Ball possession

Cameroon 1 12 6 6 1 14 3 0 46%

Brazil 4 19 18 7 3 19 0 0 54%

display had its flaws against a side who had only shown fight amongst themselves in two opening defeats.

Cameroon grew in confidence as they routinely found space around the Brazilian penalty area and had long threatened an equaliser before Joel Matip was left free in the six-yard box to score in the 26th minute.

The goal came after Allan Nyom had once again escaped the attentions of marauding full back Dani Alves, with Benjamin Moukandjo enjoying similar space in behind Marcelo down the left in the first half for the underdogs.

A more composed attacking lineup might have made more of the opportunities the Cameroon side created.

Brazil, though, did not have to wonder about what-ifs.

In Neymar they have a confident forward delivering under the heavy weight of a nation’s expectation and he was unwilling to pass up any gift the opposition served up.

After a poor defensive clearance, Marcelo sent him through to put the hosts back in front with his fourth in three matches and the swagger and crowd noise returned before halftime.

Defender David Luiz, another who loves to burst forward, provided a cross from the left for Fred to head home a third goal but still Brazil seemed intent on keeping the game alive.

Scolari had introduced Fernandinho for the again disappointing Paulinho at the interval and Dani Alves was more cautious in the second period but the chances flowed for the Africans as Brazilian passes were misplaced.l

Brazilian sensation Neymar admitted while talking with the press on Monday that the World Cup is getting more competitive as it proceeds with each passing day after the conclusion of their final Group A game against Cameroon at the National Stadium in Brasilia.

The effect of the hard knock in the right foot incurred during the game was clearly evident as Neymar came to the stage barefooted, only the anklets were there and he was limping slightly.

Prodigiously talented, the 22-year old now has 35 international goals to his name in 52 appearances and is destined to be one of the all time greats if he continues his goalscoring spree for the Selecao. Only five players have scored more goals for Brazil than him - Pele (77), Zico (66), Ronaldo (62), Romario (55) and Bebeto (39).

Chile now stand in the way of the hosts as the South American nations are set to lock horns against each other in a round of 16 clash at Belo Horizonte on Saturday and Neymar stipulated that the Chileans will be tough opposition. “We have to play better. Chile are a tough opponent. As the World Cup moves ahead it is getting harder,” said the star striker.

Neymar also added that he had provided inspiration to his attacking partner Fred before the game got underway. Fred received severe criticism for his no-show in front of goal in the first two games against Croatia and Mexico.

“I asked Fred to be calm and patient. I

More to come from Dutch: Robben Man-of-the-match Arjen Robben warned there was more to come from a flying Dutch team after they made it three wins out of three at the World Cup in Brazil on Monday.

Late goals from Leroy Fer and Memphis Depay, who toe-poked home Robben’s cross, downed Chile 2-0 in Sao Paulo as the Netherlands finished top of Group B. The Netherlands also thrashed 2010 champions Spain 5-1 and overcame Australia 3-2 to raise hopes they could finally go all the way and win their first World Cup. “We have to take time to enjoy this fantastic result but it shouldn’t end here,” said Robben, who nearly scored one of the goals of the tournament after an electrifying run from deep.

“We have to change our mindset and look ahead because we really want to move forward.”

Coach Louis van Gaal was guarded over their chances of reaching a fourth World Cup final, citing uncontrollable factors like the debatable penalties they conceded against Spain and Australia.

“We’ll have to wait and see. I think it depends on so many factors and a team doesn’t always control all these elements,” Van Gaal said. l

told him that you will get a goal. Wait for your chance,” said an enthused Neymar.

Neymar shrugged off the existence of any pressure within the Selecao setup. “There is no pressure. I’ve always said there is no pressure when you are making a dream come true and doing something you have sought after since you were a kid. I’m now playing in matches that I always dreamed about.

“I just want to help my fellow players not only by scoring goals but doing whatever it takes on the pitch to help us win. We are on the right track and

TOP SCORERS IN WC 4

Neymar

Brazil

3

Karim Benzema

France

3

Thomas Mueller

Germany

3

Arjen Robben

Netherlands

3

Robin van Persie

Netherlands

3

Enner Valencia

Ecuador

the whole team is getting better and getting closer to our target,” added the Brazilian talisman.

Neymar emphasised the importance of teamwork rather than individual contributions and said the enterprising 4-1 victory over Cameroon was close to perfection. “It was our best game and not just because of the score. We all contributed, helping each other out on the pitch in the second half. The fans also played their part. We’re on the right track, improving all the time and hopefully getting closer to our goal,” concluded Neymar. l

Del Bosque won’t rush decision over future Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has insisted he will not rush into a decision on his future after his side ended their disappointing defence of the World Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over Australia on Monday.

The world and European champions had already been eliminated from the competition before the clash in Curitiba and Del Bosque said he is prepared to step aside if it is in the best interests of Spanish football.

“There is no deadline. The president (of the federation), the general secretary and myself will talk and look for the best solution for our football sensitively and calmly,” said the 63-year-old.

Prior to their elimination in Brazil, Del Bosque had led the most successful period in Spain’s history as they claimed their first World Cup in South Africa before retaining their European title in 2012.

And he said his players shouldn’t be castigated for their showing over the past 10 days given all they have done for their country over the past six years.

“I have been with the national team six years and throughout that time we have been the number one ranked side in the world,” he said.

“We have a group of players that

Croatians mourn end of World Cup dream Croatian fans on Tuesday were mourning their shattered World Cup dreams following the national side’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Mexico in Brazil.

The loss meant that Croatia’s interest in the competition was over with Brazil and Mexico advancing from Group A into the last 16.

“Goodbye dreams!,” commented the

MATCH STATS Goals scored Total shots Shots on target Corners Offsides Fouls committed Yellow cards Red cards Ball possession

Croatia 1 10 5 7 1 18 1 1 55%

Mexico 3 12 7 9 1 12 2 0 45%

state-run HRT television speaker after Guardado scored for a 2-0 lead for Mexico in the 75th minute.

Cafe terraces across Croatia as well as main squares in many towns were packed with people watching live broadcast of the match and hoping that their squad, known as the ‘Fiery Ones’ (Vatreni), would win to stay in the tournament.

“Mexico showed they were the better team .... notably in the second half.

I congratulate them,” coach Niko Kovac told HRT. “It was imperative that we won ... we tried everything but simply the opponent was better.

“We gave our maximum and it was not possible to do more,” the 42-yearold former Croatia captain concluded.

The clash had been dubbed as Croatia’s “Match of the Decade” opening up the possibility of a first appearance in the World Cup last 16 since 1998. l

have behaved and performed excellently. Now we have to lose with our heads held high and the future of the Spanish national team, as you saw today, is in good hands no matter who the coach is.”

And goalkeeper Pepe Reina backed Del Bosque to continue on for at least another two years.

“I hope he stays,” said the Liverpool goalkeeper.

“Sometimes you learn from the bad things more than good things. Most probably he has learned more from this World Cup than the last one.”

For Australia coach Ange Postecoglou a third defeat in as many games in Group B was especially disappointing after encouraging performances against Chile and the Netherlands.

“Obviously it is a very disappointing way for us to finish the tournament.

“Full credit to Spain, they are a very good football side and after the first 10 or 15 minutes, when I thought we started well, they controlled the game.

“We looked a little tired. We have faced three world class opponents and particularly today we struggled.”

Postecoglou has garnered plenty of praise, including from Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, for the way in which he has tried to revolutionise Australia’s style of play during his six-month spell in charge.l

WC IN NUMBERS The only shirt numbers yet to score a goal at the WC so far are 1, 2, 16, 22 and 23.

The shirt number to have contributed the most goals at this WC so far is 10 (20 goals), followed by 9 (15) & 13 (11).

Mexico have made it past the Group Stage in each of the last seven WC finals in which they’ve participated.

Brazil have finished top of their group for the ninth consecutive World Cup Rafael Marquez has scored a goal in each of the last 3 World Cups (left foot in 2006, right foot in 2010 & header in 2014) Brazil have scored 217 goals in 100 World Cup games, more than any other side.

Neymar scored the 100th goal of the 2014 World Cup against Cameroon (1-0) on Monday

Croatia’s goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa (L) reacts after Mexico scored third goal in their Group A match at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife on Monday AFP

David Villa has scored seven of Spain´s last 11 goals at the World Cup. *till Monday

Sp rt DHAKA TRIBUNE Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Super Eagles face Messi’s Argentina Nigeria face Lionel Messi’s already qualified Argentina in Porto Alegre on Wednesday with a first appearance in the last 16 since 1998 tantalisingly within the African champions’ grasp.

Tens of thousands of Messi fans are expected to make the trip up from Argentina to this southern port city for the closing Group F clash where a draw would secure the Nigerians the all important runners-up spot after Peter Odemwingie’s goal against Bosnia-Hercegovina in Cuiaba on Saturday ended the west Africans’ nine-match World Cup winless run.

Defeat to Argentina, who sit top with wins over Iran and Bosnia, could still see Stephen Keshi’s men prolong their stay in Brazil, if Iran fail to beat Bosnia up in Salvador.

And FIFA might even have to get out their straws for the drawing of lots should Iran win 1-0 and Nigeria lose by the same score, leaving the sides inseparable on points, goal difference, number of goals and head-to-head.

Argentina approach the game with their noses put out of joint by media criticism of their performances so far, with only Messi’s goals against Bosnia and Iran saving their blushes.

“Obviously it hurts when you hear people saying that they don’t like you, when people say different things to us,” Real Madrid forward Angel Di Maria said at the weekend.

Messi, who turns 27 on Tuesday, and his teammates have a significant incentive to notch up their third win here and top the table as that would mean likely avoiding Didier Des-

champs’s impressive France for a second round date instead with Group E’s runners-up, likely to Ecuador or Switzerland, although Honduras could still snatch that honour.

The two-time former champions may have failed to set the 2014 World Cup stage alight in their opening forays but Messi predicts the Argentine pot is slowly coming to the boil.

“We are not showing what we can do, but with a run of games I think we will get there,” said Barcelona’s four time World Player of the Year.

Messi’s priceless influence was noted yet again by coach Alejandro Sabella after his late

GROUP F

MP Argentina* 2 Nigeria 2 Iran 2 Bosnia 2

W D 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0

L GF GA Pts 0 3 1 6 0 1 0 4 1 0 1 1 2 1 3 0

coup de grace against Iran.

“All the players contributed to the victory but of course we have a genius who is called Messi. Fortunately he is Argentine -- everyone would like to have Messi but it is us who have him.

“Iran made life hard for us but with Messi, everything is possible.”

As Nigeria are surely about to discover.

Wednesday’s rivals have met on three previous occasions at the World Cup, with the Argentines prevailing each time, but Odemwingie says his team can cause Messi and company problems in the Beira-Rio stadium.

Odemwingie recounted a chat with a Brazilian fan on the street who told him that Nigeria would face Brazil in the final.

15

V NIGERIA

ARGENTINA

Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre 25 JUN 2014 - 13:00 Local (10:00PM BST)

FACT BOX Probable teams: Nigeria

1-Vincent Enyeama; 5-Efe Ambrose, 13-Juwon Oshaniwa, 22-Kenneth Omeruo, 2-Joseph Yobo; 10-John Obi Mikel, 17-Ogenzi Onazi, 11-Victor Moses, 7-Ahmed Musa; 8-Peter Odemwingie, 9-Emmanuel Emenike

“I told this guy ‘sure, why not?

We’ve got brilliant players, we haven’t reached our full potential yet’.”

The Stoke City player added: “We have a resilient defence, a creative midfield, and with our attack line we could bring problems to any defence in the world,” Veteran centre-back Joseph Yobo, who will earn his 100th cap if selected again, hailed Messi as “a legend” before quickly adding “but he’s only human” – something Albiceleste supporters might argue with. After Nigeria’s much-maligned goalless draw with Iran the media knives were out back in Lagos but Keshi said he’d never doubted his team. l

Argentina

1-Sergio Romero; 4-Pablo Zabaleta; 2-Ezequiel Garay; 16-Marcos Rojo; 17-Federico Fernandez; 5-Fernando Gago; 7-Angel Di Maria; 14-Javier Mascherano; 9-Gonzalo Higuain; 10-Lionel Messi; 20-Sergio Aguero.

Key stats:

Argentina have won the World Cup twice, in 1978 and 1986.

In previous Group F matches, Argentina beat Bosnia 2-1 and Iran 1-0 have already qualified for the Group of 16.

Nigeria are playing in their fifth World Cup. Their best performances were in 1994 and 1998, when they reached the Round of 16.

Nigeria drew with Iran in their opening Group F match then beat Bosnia 1-0. They need a point against Argentina to ensure going through in the event that Iran beat Bosnia.

Nigeria are reigning African champions.

Previous meetings

The two sides have met six times previously, with Argentina winning four times, Nigeria once, and one match ending in a draw.

France aim top spot, Ecuador hope to survive Iran chase goals to reach GROUP E

MP France 2 Ecuador 2 Switzerland 2 Honduras 2

W 2 1 1 0

D L GF GA Pts 0 0 8 2 6 0 1 3 3 3 0 1 4 6 3 0 2 1 5 0

FACT BOX Probable teams: France

1-Hugo Lloris, 2-Mathieu Debuchy, 4-Raphael Varane, 5-Mamadou Sakho, 3-Patrice Evra; 15-Bacary Sagna; 8-Mathieu Valbuena, 14-Blaise Matuidi, 19-Paul Pogba, 10-Karim Benzema; 9-Olivier Giroud.

Ecuador

22-Alexander Dominguez; 4-Juan Carlos Paredes, 2-Jorge Guagua, 3-Frickson Erazo, 10-Walter Ayovi; 16-Antonio Valencia, 14-Oswaldo Minda, 6-Cristian Noboa, 7-Jefferson Montero; 13-Enner Valencia, 11-Felipe Caicedo.

Key stats:

France need a point to guarantee top spot in Group E and a place in the last 16.

Ecuador, to gurantee a spot in the knockout round for only the second time, need to win and hope Switzerland do not rack up a high-scoring victory over Honduras that could.

Ecuador are appearing at their third World Cup after qualifying in 2002 and 2006.

France scored their 100th World Cup goal when they got their first against Switzerland on Friday.

Their tally stands at 104.

France seek to extend their rampant start to the World Cup on Wednesday when they need a point against Ecuador to secure top spot in Group E and further banish the memories of their implosion four years ago.

However, second-placed Ecuador will be desperate to pull off a shock win over the resurgent former world champions as they seek to book their own spot in the knockout stages ahead of Switzerland, who trail them on goal difference, and Honduras.

France lead the group with six points, followed by Ecuador and Switzerland on three points with Honduras bottom with no points after two defeats.

A win or draw for France would mean they will probably avoid meeting Argentina in their first knockout round match.

France coach Didier Deschamps has transformed the national team from the bad boys of the 2010 tournament in South Africa into a side drawing comparisons with the World Cup-winning side of 1998 on home soil.

In contrast to the lack of discipline four years ago, when the players went on strike and France were knocked out in the first stage, Deschamps has stamped his authority on the team, leaving top players on the bench when he sees the need.

Striker Olivier Giroud was surprisingly named as a substitute

V ECUADOR

FRANCE

Estadio do Maracana, Rio De Janeiro 25 JUN 2014 - 17:00 Local (2:00AM BST) for their first match against Honduras but returned to the team in style on Friday when he scored the opener and created another goal in the 5-2 rout of Switzerland.

He is likely to retain his starting place against Ecuador.

There could be a recall to the starting 11 for midfielder Paul Pogba who was relegated to the bench against

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Send us your photographs to WorldCupBD@dhakatribune.com

Switzerland after nearly getting sent off against Honduras.

Ecuador manager Reinaldo Rueda is likely to field the same team that beat Honduras 2-1 last week and revived their World Cup campaign after a lastgasp opening defeat by Switzerland.

Rueda told Reuters how that 2-1 loss had dealt a heavy blow to his players who are seeking to put Ecuador into the knockout phase of a World Cup for only the second time.

“They were difficult hours for the squad which is a young national team,” he said. “I think we felt the naivety that led to the goal and Switzerland’s win.”

The Swiss caught Ecuador on the counter-attack in stoppage time after winning the ball deep in their opponents’ half.

Rueda said he was keeping his fingers crossed that Honduras could pull off an upset and beat the Swiss, who are breathing down the necks of Ecuador in the group.

“Honduras are a team with character, experienced players, and I’m sure they will make it an intense match,” he said. l

Honduras aiming to provoke another Swiss miss Switzerland have a chance to put right their dramatic failure of 2010 on Wednesday when they again face bogey team Honduras for a place in the World Cup knock-outs.

The situation is eerily similar to four years ago, when the Swiss were in contention for the last 16 but missed out when they drew their last group game with the Central American minnows.

Previous meetings

France have played Ecuador once before in May 2008 when France won 2-0 on home soil in Grenoble.

V

DAY’S WATCH Fifa World Cup 2014 10:00PM Gazi TV & Maasranga TV Argentina v Nigeria 2:00AM BTV & Maasranga TV Honduras v Switzerland Gazi TV Ecuador v France Star Sports 1, 4 4:30PM, 6:00PM Wimbledon Championship Star Sport 2 12:00AM Natwest T20 Blast Glamorgan v Hampshire

HONDURAS

SWITZERLAND

Arena Amazonia, Manaus 25 JUN 2014 - 16:00 Local (2:00AM BST)

“Keep calm and support Netherlands”

Student

For more info visit our FB event page ‘World Cup in Bangladesh’ Photography Contest

This time around, having scaled the FIFA rankings to a dizzying sixth place, expectations are high for Ottmar Hitzfeld’s respected side.

But confidence was hit in last week’s 5-2 rout by France. Meanwhile, Honduras broke a 32-year World Cup finals goal drought in their 2-1 loss to Ecuador.

Switzerland currently trail Ecuador on goal difference. If France beat Ecuador, Switzerland need only a point from Honduras to qualify.

But if Ecuador win Switzerland must better their rivals result to advance.l

World Cup last 16 Ashkan Dejagah is confident Iran can end their goal-drought by beating Bos-

V BOSNIA

IRAN

Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador 25 JUN 2014 - 13:00 Local (10:00PM BST)

KEY STATS Bosnia are playing their first major tournament as an independent nation.

Iran’s 0-0 draw with Nigeria in their opening World Cup match in Brazil secured a first clean sheet since their debut in 1978.

Iran, playing in their fourth World Cup, have won only one match at a finals.

nia on Wednesday to reach the World Cup last 16.

Iran are third in Group F with one point after a goalless draw with Nigeria and the heartbreak of their 1-0 defeat to Argentina when Lionel Messi scored in added time.

In Salvador, the Iranians must beat Bosnia, who are already out, while hoping Nigeria fail to pick up a point against Argentina in Porto Alegre.

Salvador’s Arena Fonte Nova has seen 17 goals in three games after the Netherlands 5-1 romp over Spain, Germany’s 4-0 hammering of Portugal and France’s 5-2 rout of the Swiss.

Iran can now do with scoring a few of their own at the same venue.

If they win and Nigeria loses, both sides will finish with four points leaving goal difference to decide who goes through to the last 16 clash in Brasilia next Monday against the Group E winners.

Fulham’s Dejagah says his side must bounce back from the disappointment of their Argentinian defeat with a win.l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE Wednesday, June 25, 2014 DHAKA TRIBUNE Monday, June 16, 2014

13 The curious case of Honduras supporters

14 World Cup getting harder: Neymar

Sport

15 Super Eagles face Messi’s Argentina

‘Time to give Concacaf teams respect’ Concacaf teams deserve to be treated with the same respect as those from Europe and South America, Mexico’s charismatic coach Miguel Herrera said after booking a spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup. Goals from Rafael Marquez, Andres Guardado and Javier Hernandez helped Mexico beat Croatia 3-1 on Monday and move into the tournament’s last 16 having finished runners-up in Group A behind hosts Brazil.

With Costa Rica having made it to the second round and the United States looking well-placed to join them, it is shaping up to be a pivotal tournament for Confederation of North and Central America and the Caribbean, who have never before had three teams in the last 16.

Having lived for so long in the shadow of their more illustrious European and South American rivals, Herrera feels this World Cup, where Honduras have been the only Concacaf team to struggle, has shown they have come of age.

“It clearly shows that in our region we are getting stronger and more solid,” Herrera told reporters.

“We deserve the same treatment given to the South American confederation (Conmebol) and Europe (Uefa).

“Concacaf has done a good job, we know there are lots of islands and teams that don’t grow but the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras are doing great work to become more worthy every day,” he told reporters.

“As a confederation we’re growing in order to show we are ready to compete with the strong confederations which are South America and Europe.”

The comments suggested Herrera would like to see the federation given more World Cup qualifying berths.

Concacaf, which has 41 member nations, had three automatic places to the Brazil finals and a spot in a two-leg intercontinental playoff against the Oceania winners, New Zealand.

“Today Concacaf is raising its hand, four of us came here and today two of us are in the next round, going through solidly and I think we are already being regarded with more respect,” said Herrera.

“Costa Rica has done good work, the United States are already a strong team and Mexico showed it. Honduras also made their efforts.” l

Mexico players celebrate after scoring against Croatia at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife on Monday

Fidel Castro praises Maradona, Messi Former Cuban President Fidel Castro congratulated retired Argentine footballer Diego Maradona for his television program analyzing the World Cup and also saluted current Argentine goal-scorer Lionel Messi for carrying on the glory for Argentina.

Castro’s written message was published late Monday in official Cuban media and served as a reminder that Cuba and Castro helped Maradona recover from substance abuse and a weight problem when he came to the island for help in 2000.

The retired revolutionary, better known as a baseball fan, also praised Maradona for his past support of Hugo Chavez, the former Venezuelan president and close Cuban ally who died of cancer in office in March 2013.

“Every day I have the pleasure of following your program, on Telesur, about the World Cup of soccer; thanks to that, I can observe the extraordinary level of that universal sport,” Castro wrote.

“Just as I salute you, I also salute Messi, a formidable athlete who gives glory to the noble Argentine people,” Castro wrote.l

A combination of photos show Brazilian fans celebrating amongst themselves on the eve of their Group A encounter against Cameroon at the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia on Monday. A tiny tot was seen inside the stadium (R) while ecstatic Brazilians displayed a goal-bar and different colours (below) AFP & RAIHAN MAHMOOD

AFP

Gerrard says money hurts young players

2014 Brazil

Hard on the ears as it is easy on the eyes

Someone in the studio was seriously missing the vuvuzela when this year’s World Cup songs were being composed, and desperately wished for the cacophony to return. That is the only explanation I can find for the World Cup songs being so darn bad. Even Shakira, the perennial golden back up, failed. Her number went dangerously close to challenging Pitt Bull and J Lo’s effort as the biggest musical tragedy to have visited this year’s tournament.

It is not like Brazil lack musical tradition.

On the contrary, over its 500-year history, the nation has produced a rich line of musical forms, the most well-known of which are the samba and the bossa nova.

A healthy sampling of sertanejo, pagoda, tropicalia, choro, and maracatu will struggle to yield anything that sounds like the atonal nightmare that is the World Cup “song”.

I can only imagine that the musical “brains” behind this year’s carnival figured that at the end of the day, people were going to focus too much on the scantily clad dancers, Shakira, and J Lo to really pay any real attention to the background melody. That is not a totally ridiculous supposition, but that is where J Lo’s stylist failed the world. I have to say that, while her music is pleasing if not prodigious, I have hardly ever been unimpressed by the erstwhile Jennifer Lopez’s looks. I have even watched the sinfully terrible movie Anaconda twice just to get a long dose of J Lo’s resplendence. The snake was pretty awesome too. I have struggled to imagine a situation where she would not look amazing (J Lo not the anaconda). Imagine my shock, therefore, when I found J Lo

emanating a badly made up transsexual flavor in the video of “We are one”. Transsexual I have no problem with, but badly made up is just not on.

Between that, Pitt Bull’s obvious lack of any passion or knowledge about football, and Shakira’s flop, though she looked great as always, the World Cup numbers left my senses reeling. Maybe it made the football look that much better in comparison. Maybe that is the silver lining. After all, 2010 produced two of the best world cup songs of all time, and no amount of action on the pitch could quite match the excitement caused by “waving flag” (the omnipresent drone of the vuvuzelas certainly did not help). Perhaps all World Cup songs and J Lo’s make-up in all World Cup music videos should suck so that we and the players can focus on what is actually important, the game.

Why am I in such a foul mood you ask?

It’s because today is England and Gerrard’s last game in this tournament. I am not sure

if Gerrard will or should play today’s game, let alone another three internationals, and break the all-time English caps record.

Even if he does play today, Gerrard’s last World Cup match should not be one so meaningless. The man has simply given the sport and his team too much for his English swansong to be so sad.

Speaking of sad, how tragic was it that Xavi did not play one minute of yesterday’s game? He should have been given at least a few last minutes in the red shirt that he has been so instrumental in making the jersey of champions. But such is the sport. As beautiful as it can be, football has its moments of unbelievable unkindness. And in terms of cruelty, nothing can rival the torture unleashed upon us by some tournament anthems.

Sad as today is for me, I do not lose hope. Because when I get older, I will be stronger, they’ll call me freedom, just like a waving flag. l

The huge riches in football is diminishing some players’ desire to perform for England, captain Steven Gerrard said as the country licks its wounds over its early World Cup exit. Gerrard said the speed at which football turns some teenagers into millionaires “has an impact on certain individuals.”

“For those who want money, fame and everything that comes with football, of course it will have an effect,” he told the BBC in an interview ahead of England’s final World Cup group game against Costa Rica on Tuesday.

A recent report by consultancy Deloitte said that the average English Premier League player now earns £1.6 million ($2.7m, 2m euros) a year and that wages would rise as the league’s value grows.

“If you have the right mentality and the right character, you do things right and work as hard as you can to become the best player you can, but we need more of those players.”

Gerrard insisted that despite England’s worst performance at a World Cup finals since 1958, the 23 players in the squad had the necessary “hunger and desire” to succeed.l

Dutch youngsters point to bright ‘Oranje’ future While the world delights at the pace of Arjen Robben and finishing of Robin van Persie, younger, less heralded Dutch players are emerging as a key part of the Netherlands’ superb start to the World Cup. Nine points from nine in their Group B campaign, 10 goals scored and a meeting with Mexico in the last 16, the odds on the “Oranje” lifting the World Cup for the first time are narrowing by the day.

Van Persie and Robben have scored six of those goals, and shared the three man-of-the-match accolades between them.

Inevitably the 30-year-olds have grabbed the headlines, but as Monday’s 2-0 victory over Chile in Sao Paulo showed, there is more to the Dutch team than its veteran forwards.

With Van Persie sitting out the match due to suspension, defensive midfielder Leroy Fer, who plays for English side Norwich, headed his team ahead with

his first ever touch at a World Cup, just two minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The 24-year-old was not shy about reminding coach Louis van Gaal of his value to the squad.

Van Persie and Robben have scored six of those goals, and shared the three man-of-the-match accolades between them “It was a great goal, and the cross from (Daryl) Janmaat was terrific. I met it perfectly. I think it shows that I’m dangerous in the air,” he told FIFA.com.

Exciting 20-year-old winger Memphis Depay also came on as a substitute and added the second goal in injury time, making it two for the tournament after his winner against Australia in the previous match.

Georginio Wijnaldum, 23, started

the Chile game despite only a handful of caps to his name.

“People usually just look at the star players and don’t consider the team as a whole,” Wijnaldum told world soccer governing body FIFA’s website.

“Plenty of teams have more famous, perhaps even better players than us.

But what everybody forgets is that this is a team game. We’re playing well, and we’re playing as a team.”

But he added that youngsters like him still had plenty to learn from more experienced players in the side, without whom the Netherlands may have struggled to top the group and avoid a last 16 clash with hosts Brazil.

“We are all trying to do our best, but we still need their help,” said Wijnaldum.

“They make us feel more at ease out on the pitch. They’ve already been in this situation, in 2010, and they know what to expect and what you have to do to win. That is what we’re trying to learn, and things are going well.” l

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B3 WB: Climate policies

could lift global GDP by $2.6tn/year

B4 Will the Indian economy to start shining again?

Mongla Port to get more strength n Kayes Sohel The government will spend more than Tk87 crore to increase the container and cargo handling capacity of the country’s second seaport Mongla.

Under a project taken by the government, a tyre-mounted mobile crane having a lifting capacity of 100 tonnes will be purchased.

The project titled “Procurement of container and cargo handling equipments” was approved by the National Economic Council (Ecnec) yesterday.

A mobile crane with lifting capacity of 50mt, fork lift of 35mt capacity, 12 low musts having different capacity, two reach strikers, two rail-mounted dock or portal cranes and three stradel carriers.

The Mongla Port Authority (MPA) under the shipping ministry will implement the project from January 2014 through June 2016 to make export and import business faster and reliable.

“The government has decided to increase use of the port aiming to boost international trade,” Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said, following the Ecnec meeting at the NEC conference room.

Once the Khulna-Mongla railway link project is implemented, the number of cargo handling at the Mongla Port will be increased by 17% annually and transporting containers from the Mongla Port will be possible once the inland container terminal at Pangaon

comes into full operation, he said.

Moreover, the authorities expected the cargo handling at the port to rise by 5% to 10% after the construction of Padma Bridge.

The government took some development and expansion programmes at the Mongla Port over the years. Since then, its capacity to handle import and export goods has increased significantly.

MPA was able to handle 275 ships in 2012-13, which was only 95 in 2007-08, according to the planning ministry.

During the period, its cargo and container handling capacity was 31.49 lakh mt and 43,873 twenty-feet equivalent units (TEUs) of containers, which was 7.23 lakh mt and 20,885 TEUs. The port’s capacity of handling goods and products, such as food grains, bulk cements, clinkers, fertiliser, machinery, motor vehicles, jute, shrimp and frozen food also increased during the time.

The port was shifted to Mongla in 1954 due to navigability problems after it was launched in 1950 at Chanla in Khulna.

At the Ecnec meeting, three development projects, including the Mongla project, was approved involving Tk503 crore.

Of the total project cost, over Tk427 crore will come from the national exchequer while the remaining Tk76.74 crore from the own fund of the respective organisations. l

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

Mobile phone handsets become costlier n Muhammad Zahidul Islam The prices of various mobile phone handsets have witnessed an upward trend in the retail markets across the country, marking sharp rise at a range between 10% and 16% just two weeks after the budget proposal was placed in parliament on June 5.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith in his budget proposal for the fiscal 201415 had proposed to impose 15% VAT with 10% existing import duties on the handsets. Although the prices of most of the smart handsets were increased, it had no impact on the low-end sets, according to market sources.

All the brands, excepting one, are learned to have increased the prices of their smart handsets from this week while Micromax was still deciding on adjusting the prices of its products in the market with the budgetary measure.

The market price of the Samsung Grand-new was at Tk21,900 each even in the last week, but it is now being sold at Tk23,900, which is an increase of more than 9%, Md Murad Hossain, proprietor of Mobile House, a busy handset trader at Bashundhara City Shopping Mall, told the Dhaka Tribune.

Murad Hossain also pointed out they have increased the handsets prices from this week, but new pricing would not affect neither the notes nor the tabs.

Symphony, the leading handset brand in the country, has also increased the prices of their different products like Z-3 and W-85. Z-3 was previously sold at Tk19,500 each, which is currently selling at Tk20,500 in the retail markets.

“Z-3 category sets are being sold with the newly fixed price during the last three days,” Jamal Uddin, an authorised dealer of Symphony mobile, told the Dhaka Tribune.

“For the first time, Symphony has increased the prices of its any product,

which already reduced the sales volume,” Jamal Uddin added.

The price of W-85 set was Tk8,290 during the last week, which is now being sold at Tk8,790.

Nokia has increased its product price mostly in the Excel brands, which was sold at Tk12,800 during the last week but now it is fixed at Tk14,900.

N630, which was sold at Tk12,800, is

n Tribune Report Bangladesh Bank has sent a letter yesterday to the financial intelligence unit (FIU) of Switzerland for signing memorandum of understanding (MoU) – a process to get access to information on money laundering.

We want to see whether any Bangladeshi national deposited money in the Swiss bank ‘’We have sent a letter to the FIU for signing a MoU as Bangladesh has no agreement with the Swiss government to share information,” Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Mahfuzur Rahman said yesterday.

“We want to see whether any Bangladeshi national deposited money in the Swiss bank.”

Bangladesh as a member of Egmont Group, a forum of the Financial Intelligence Units of different countries, is now empowered to exchange information on money laundering and terror financing among its member countries.

“But, we have to sign the MoU as a process of sharing the information,” said the central bank executive.

Bangladesh Bank already signed deal with 24 countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan, Sri Lanka, India, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The central bank’s move emerged after deposits made by Bangladeshi nationals with different Swiss banks reportedly swelled by 62% to Tk3,236 crore in 2013 from Tk1,991crore in 2012. l

National Bank Ltd (NBL) will have to adjust this year a loss of over Tk80 crore incurred in share business last year, which would have negative impact on its profitability this year.

The bank listed in the stock exchanges having 53.27% public stake did not show last year’s losses in its last year’s financial statements.

On April 27 the bank has announced 10% stock dividend for its shareholders for 2013.

As it distributed 10% stock dividend, the bank is placed in “A” category from existing “B” category as on today.

In response to the bank’s request, Bangladesh Bank (BB) has allowed the bank to show the losses as deferral of provision in the statements, said the NBL in a statement on May 25.

The first generation private bank had made a profit of Tk208 crore in 2013 and Tk143 crore in 2012.

In addition, outstanding loans of

14 parties totaling to Tk1,193.66 crore have been rescheduled based on no objection certificates from the central bank, the statement said. The total loan amount of the 14 parties is backed by collateral security of Tk462.74 crore.

The central bank also permitted NBL to keep a shortfall of Tk25.1 crore in gratuity provision while it is previously required to have a balance of Tk30.1 crore.

The NBL explained that as per approval of BB, have maintained a fund for the gratuity provision and no amount was disbursed from the fund account while accumulated interest has increased the fund position. The fund stands at Tk86.05 crore which is being administered by a board of trustee consisting of four members.

The interest paid by the bank in 2013 on deposits rose by over 20% while interest revenue earned on advances remained almost the same against the figures of 2012.

The bank’s latest net Q1 profit stood

BSEC approves new IPO, subordinate bond n Tribune Report Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries Limited, a concern of Khan Brothers Group, yesterday got green signal from the securities regulator to raise Tk20 crore through initial public offerings.

The commission has approved the company’s IPO proposal for purchasing machinery, construction work, bank loan repayment, increasing capital base and meeting IPO expenses, said Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) in a statement yesterday.

The company will issue two crore ordinary shares with an offer value of Tk10 each. Its five-year weighted average earnings per share is Tk0.87 and net asset value Tk14.69, according to the company’s financial statement as of June 30 last year.

The BSEC also approved Trust Bank to issue subordinated bond with a maturity period of six years for meeting its BASEL-II requirement.

The face value of the bond is

Tk1 crore and yield to maturity is 12.5%.

The commission also approved ordinary share issuance of Salek Textile Limited, a subsidiary of listed Malek Spinning Mills, for acquisition of its another subsidiary export-oriented denim factory Titas Spinning and Denim Company Ltd. After issuance of shares, Salek Textile’s paid up capital will be increased to Tk48 crore from the present Tk40 crore.

Malek Spinning has stake of 97.5% in Salek Textile and 99.97% in Titas Spinning.

The face value of each of more than eight lakh ordinary shares is Tk100 and the fund will be utilised to settle the outstanding loan and liabilities including advances from Malek Spinning Mills.

The commission also warned Dacca Dyeing and Manufacturing Company Ltd for failure of submitting rights offer proposal within 15 days after taking decision at its annual general meeting. l

Tk18,500, according to the shopkeepers.

On 5 June, finance minister AMA Muhith proposed 15% VAT on handsets import from the existing 10%. He also proposed 5% advanced income tax (AIT).

Walton, one of the prominent local brands also increased prices of their four handsets model like its Primo GH-2 model, Primo GH+, Primo R3 and Primo H3.

‘We have nothing to do with the increased prices. As per the budget proposal, we are forced to increase the price’

Customers look at smart phones at a shop in Dhaka

BB sends letter NBL to adjust loss of Tk80cr in 2014 to Switzerland n FIU to sign MoU Tahmidur Rahman

now being sold at Tk13,800.

Maximus, an Indian brand, was selling its 908 model 3G enable set at Tk7,170, but now it is being sold at Tk6,500. Its another model 404 set is now being sold at Tk7,435, which was earlier sold at Tk6,750. Sony has increased one of its product price by more than 12%, which was earlier sold at Tk16,500, now it is being sold at

at Tk35.6 crore against a loss of Tk14.3 crores in the same period last year.

Brokers say despite having an impressive Q1 profit figures, investors did not rush to buy shares of the bank, showing mature behaviour.

Since Q1 report disclosure, shares have lost value of 7.6%, as investors anticipated its losses this year due to adjustment of deferred Tk80 crore that it made losses in the share market last year.

“The banking sector overexposed to the stock market during 2007 to 2010, which was not good, as at that time there was no appropriate risk management policies,” said Md Moniruzzaman, managing director of IDLC Investments Ltd. “Not all banks had the experience of 1996 bubble and burst ... the situation is now worse than 1996 mostly due to the leveraged product margin loan.”

He said all these are causing systematic risk in the capital market subsidiaries and challenging their capital adequacies. l

SYED LATIF HOSSAIN

Earlier, Primo GH-2 model was sold at Tk10,990, which is now fixed at Tk11,490.

“We have nothing to do with the increased prices. As per the budget proposal, we are forced to increase the price,” Uday Hakim, Operative Director of Walton told the Dhaka Tribune.

Just after the budget proposal, Samsung official met the finance minister to express their concern; saying that at least 30% of high and medium-end mobile phone legally imported handsets will be badly affected if the proposed tax was implemented.

Earlier, Bangladesh Mobile Phone Importers Association (BMPIA) at a press conference had expressed its apprehension that the proposed tax measures might encourage smuggling.

When the tax will be imposed on the imported handsets, prices will be increased further and then most of the handsets especially on high end smart products will go under the control of baggage parties, said Mustafa Rafiqul Islam, president of BMPIA. Around 20% out of the nearly 3 crore imported handsets annually in the country are smart phones. l

EDF borrowing limit raised to $15m n Tribune Report The manufacturer-exporters will now be able to borrow up to US$15m from the Export Development Fund (EDF) as Bangladesh Bank has widened the limit by $3m.

The single borrower limit has been increased from $12m in response to the growing demand from the country’s exporters, said a Bangladesh Bank circular issued yesterday.

The facility will be available for manufacturer-exporters, including the members of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA).

At present, an authorised dealer bank may borrow from the EDF against their foreign currency financing for

input procurement by their clients against export contracts or LCs. The central bank has increased the limit in the face of growing demand and high reserve, said a senior executive of Bangladesh Bank.

The demand for the fund increased due to fall in interest rate to 1.50% in December last year from 2.50% earlier, he said.

The central bank has recently increased the allocation for the EDF by 20% to $ 1.2bn from $1bn to meet the growing demand from the country’s exporters.

The EDF loans from the central bank are payable by the banks upon receipt of exports proceeds within 180 days from the date of disbursement, extendable by the BB up to 270 days in the event of a longer period for repatriation of export proceeds, according to the central banker. l

Vocational job fair attracts huge crowd n Mushfique Wadud

A day-long job fair for the vocational and technical graduates has brought good luck to some of the unemployed youths, who have long been dreaming a job.

Some graduates got their jobs after submitting their CVs and facing viva at the fair held yesterday at the auditorium of the Institute of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, in the capital.

Hasanuzzaman, a diploma graduate, said one company assured him of giving a job shortly.

Organisers claimed that some 25 graduates could secure their respective jobs by 1:30pm yesterday and the number would be 600 at the end of the day.

Around 50 stalls took part at the fair, which was organised by the World Bank-funded Skills and Training Enhancement Project.

Stall officials noted that they got positive response from the job seekers.

Job seekers were seen waiting in long queues to

submit their CVs to various recruiting companies at the fair.

“We’ve received over 200 CVs from the students, who are looking for jobs,’’ Habibur Rahman from Bhuiyan Institute of Technology told the Dhaka Tribune.

Saifuzzaman from Dutch Bangla Packaging Industry said: We will recruit 275 workers from this job fair.

We are going to arrange the job fair every year, project director Golam Mohammad Zahirul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune.

“We want to bridge the gap between the companies and institutions, so both the organisations can meet their

respective demands,” he said.

He noted that because of lack of communication between institutions and companies, many vocational graduates are being deprived of getting their due jobs and he also hoped that such fair would help them to secure their jobs.

Inaugurating the fair, education minister Nurul Islam Nahid said the government was working hard to improve the vocational education in the country.

“The government want to increase the number of the vocational and technical students up to 20% of the total students by 2020 and 30% by 2030,’’ the minister added. l

B2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Stocks posted modest rise yesterday, shrugging off increased cash reserve requirement (CRR) the central bank imposed on banks, as the market was already awash with liquidity.

The market opened in an upbeat mood in the morning, but lost lustre in the mid-session as late selling pressure chipped away some of early gains. The benchmark DSEX ended at 4,393 with a gain of 25 points or 0.5%, extending its gaining streak for the second consecutive session.

'Sudden increase in CRR by Bangladesh Bank (BB) was unattended by the market' The Shariah index DSES rose marginally 2 points or 0.3% to 1,000.

The comprising blue chips DS30 closed at 1,614, inching up by about 4 points or 0.3% to 1,614.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, was up 34 points to 8,381.

On Monday, Bangladesh Bank raised the CRR for banks to 6% from 5.5% to contain inflation. CRR is the amount of funds that the banks have to keep with the central bank.

“Sudden increase in CRR by

Company

Turnover (Million Taka)

2,805.39

Turnover (Volume)

75,902,447

Number of Contract

Bangladesh Bank (BB) was unattended by the market,” said IDLC Investments.

It said large pile of money in banking sector still remains idle.

“So, investors continued their buying mood of previous session.”

Lanka Bangla Securities said the increase in CRR is not expected to have much impact on the banking industry as there is already excess liquidity in the banking system.

Buoyed by the high level of trading volume of banking and pharma stocks, market rallied in continuation of previous trading day, though market turnover was lower than that of previous day as investors preferred remaining on the safe side before final declaration of waiving tax on capital gains, it said.

Turnover at DSE standing at more than Tk280 crore, which was 4.3% lower over the previous session’s value, indicating that investors were in cautious mood.

Life Insurance came to spotlight on the day, following impressive corporate deceleration by the National Life Insurance that announced 20% cash and 38% bonus dividends.

Pharmaceuticals, banks and power edged higher. Telecommunication was the biggest loser, shedding over 1%, as profit booking broke its rising streak over last few sessions. l

72,817

Traded Issues

296

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

190

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

99

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

7

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,274.00

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

27.56

CSE key features June 24, 2014 Turnover (Million Taka)

223.54

Turnover (Volume)

Daily capital market highlights

7,959,540

Number of Contract

11,074

DSE Broad Index :

4392.94094

(+) 0.57%

▼

Traded Issues

208

DSE Shariah Index :

1000.75271

(+) 0.24%

▼

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

127

DSE - 30 Index :

1614.38232

(+) 0.23%

▼

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

74

CSE All Share Index:

13569.50780

(+) 0.33%

▼

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

6

CSE - 30 Index :

11156.35700

(+) 0.58%

▼

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,197.39

8381.01900

(+) 0.41%

▼

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

26.63

CSE Selected Index : DSE LOSERS

Stylecraft -A Quasem Drycells -A Midas Financing-Z BD Building Systems -A FAS Fin. & Inv. Ltd-B BSRM Steels-A Eastern Cables-A LafargeS Cement-Z

-5.84 -3.39 -3.05 -2.43 -2.35 -2.22 -2.05 -2.03

Average (% change) -5.84 -1.47 -3.58 -2.27 -2.12 -1.61 -1.45 -1.23

Asia Insur. Ltd.-A Dutch Ban. Bnk- A

-1.94 -1.91

-1.64 -1.45

Company

Closing (% change)

CSE LOSERS

Takaful Islami Insu-A Berger Paints-A NCCBL Mutual Fund-1-A Wata Chemicals -A Ambee Pharma -A City G Insu.-A Eastern Cables-A Hakkani P& Paper -B

-6.67 -6.25 -5.97 -5.95 -4.37 -3.59 -3.55 -3.16

Average (% change) -6.67 -6.25 -4.78 -3.99 -4.48 -3.59 -2.45 -2.97

Quasem Drycells -A Asia Insur. Ltd.-A

-2.83 -2.82

-1.73 -2.91

Company

Closing (% change)

ANALYST

Closing average

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 428.13 76.29 32.97 237.75 69.41 209.76 1.71 207.44 447.49 53.38 13.93 22.79 287.02 11.76 24.64 122.97 223.22 125.13 207.75 1.82

Turnover in million

Daily low

Latest EPS

Latest PE

1065.00 37.47 15.90 52.54 16.66 84.40 134.22 82.42

1065.00 37.10 15.90 52.20 16.60 83.80 133.50 82.00

1065.00 38.40 16.00 53.50 16.90 92.00 136.90 83.90

1065.00 36.00 15.60 49.00 15.50 80.00 132.80 81.50

0.107 4.305 0.167 23.736 0.202 51.408 2.510 205.255

47.83 1.79 -6.91 3.01 0.48 4.72 2.03 2.16

22.3 20.9 -ve 17.5 34.7 17.9 66.1 38.2

20.41 87.38

20.20 87.30

20.90 88.80

18.60 87.00

2.646 0.699

1.56 6.72

13.1 13.0

Closing average

Closing

Daily high

Turnover in million

Daily low

Latest EPS

UNITED AIR-A AramitCementA BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Beximco Pharma -A Beacon Pharma Ltd.-Z Beximco Syn.-Z RAK Ceramics-A Fu-wang Ceramic-A Al-Haj Textile -A Rupali Life Insur.-A

28.00 1,077.20 6.30 242.00 291.30 18.80 133.10 24.50

28.00 1,077.20 6.50 248.00 292.40 18.80 134.50 24.50

28.00 1,077.20 6.30 242.00 290.70 18.80 130.00 24.50

0.042 0.054 0.013 0.346 0.221 0.002 0.119 0.012

1.76 57.68 1.52 6.24 3.20 1.84 2.03 0.28

15.9 18.7 4.2 39.6 91.0 10.2 65.3 87.5

38.09 20.66

37.80 20.70

38.50 21.00

37.50 20.20

0.305 0.079

1.79 1.56

21.3 13.2

The increase in CRR is not expected to have much impact on the banking industry as there is already excess liquidity in the banking system % change 15.26 2.72 1.18 8.47 2.47 7.48 0.06 7.39 15.95 1.90 0.50 0.81 10.23 0.42 0.88 4.38 7.96 4.46 7.41 0.07

Million Taka 26.67 5.58 3.95 21.64 8.06 12.47 17.31 23.79 6.70 2.68 8.64 2.28 27.16 1.16 0.43 7.22 13.75 27.71 26.39 0.02

% change 10.95 2.29 1.62 8.88 3.31 5.12 0.00 7.11 9.77 2.75 1.10 3.54 0.94 11.15 0.48 0.18 2.96 5.64 11.37 10.83 0.01

Million Taka 454.80 81.86 36.92 259.40 77.47 222.23 1.71 224.75 471.29 6.70 56.06 22.57 25.07 314.18 12.93 25.07 130.18 236.96 152.84 234.15 1.84

Total

7.08 6.86 6.50 6.30 6.16 5.88 4.94 4.86 4.68 4.63

CSE GAINERS Company Sonargaon Tex -Z Beacon Pharma Ltd.-Z Argon Denims Limited-A Beximco Pharma -A Bay Leasing.-A AramitCementA Beximco Syn.-Z UNITED AIR-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Bangladesh Lamps -A

Closing (% change) 9.76 8.39 7.83 7.29 7.26 6.98 6.93 6.14 6.12 5.55

Average (% change) 3.74 4.93 4.52 5.42 5.44 5.63 4.33 3.46 1.88 2.19 Average (% change) 9.76 6.36 2.93 6.13 5.43 4.86 6.39 3.49 4.05 5.07

Closing average 11.92 44.29 28.90 41.59 15.32 10.69 44.34 14.95 163.88 66.25

Closing average 9.00 15.22 46.68 42.09 24.67 44.69 10.65 11.87 28.79 115.58

Closing 12.10 45.20 29.50 42.20 15.50 10.80 44.60 15.10 165.40 67.80

Closing 9.00 15.50 49.60 42.70 25.10 46.00 10.80 12.10 29.50 116.10

Daily high 12.30 45.90 29.80 43.40 15.60 11.00 45.90 15.40 167.60 68.40

Daily high 9.00 15.60 49.60 43.20 25.70 46.40 10.90 12.20 29.70 116.90

Daily low 10.20 42.50 25.00 35.80 13.20 9.20 38.30 13.00 155.00 63.40

Daily low 9.00 14.30 45.60 40.40 23.50 43.00 10.30 11.40 25.10 113.50

Turnover in million 82.245 19.624 182.569 82.738 24.060 4.806 9.463 8.526 19.782 16.006

Turnover in million 0.023 3.756 0.080 3.633 0.214 10.377 1.015 14.650 24.880 0.052

Latest EPS

Latest PE

0.77 0.68 0.59 3.60 0.04 0.76 2.08 0.49 2.00 5.33

15.5 65.1 49.0 11.6 383.0 14.1 21.3 30.5 81.9 12.4

Latest EPS

Latest PE

-0.92 0.04 4.04 3.60 1.44 0.68 0.76 0.77 0.59 0.92

-ve 380.5 11.6 11.7 17.1 65.7 14.0 15.4 48.8 125.6

News, analysis and recent disclosers NATLIFEINS: The Board of Directors has recommended 20% cash dividend and 38% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013. Date of AGM: 21.07.2014, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Auditorium, NLI Tower, 54, Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Karwan Bazar, Dhaka-1215. Record Date: 03.07.2014.

SOUTHEASTB: Credit Rating Information and Services Limited (CRISL) has rated the Company as "AA-" in the long term and "ST-2" in the short term in consideration of financials of the Company up to December 31, 2013 (audited) and other relevant quantitative as well as qualitative information up to the date of rating declaration.

PRIMEBANK: Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh Limited (CRAB) has announced the surveillance rating of the Company as "AA2" in the long term and ST-2 in the short term based on audited financial statements up to December 31, 2013; and other relevant quantitative as well as qualitative information up to the date of rating declaration.

MTB: Credit Rating Information and Services Limited (CRISL) has rated the Company as "AA-" in the long term and

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company LafargeS Cement-Z BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Grameenphone-A Square Pharma -A Beximco Pharma -A UNITED AIR-A UCBL - A

CSE

Closing (% change)

"ST-2" in the short term in consideration of financials of the Company up to December 31, 2013 (audited) and other relevant quantitative as well as qualitative information up to the date of rating declaration.

AFCAGRO: The Company has informed that it has credited the bonus shares for the year ended on December 31, 2013 to the respective shareholders' BO Accounts on June 19, 2014.

GQBALLPEN: The Company has informed that it has credited the bonus shares for the year ended on December 31, 2013 to the respective shareholders' BO Accounts.

NBL: The Company has informed that it has credited the bonus shares for the year ended on December 31, 2013 to the respective shareholders' BO Accounts on June 22, 2014.

AFCAGRO: The Company will be placed in "A" category from existing "N" category with effect from June 24, 2014 as the Company reported disbursement of 10% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

NBL: The Company will be placed in "A" category from existing "B" category with effect from June 25, 2014 as the Compa-

ny reported disbursement of 10% stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

BDSERVICE: The Company has further informed that a meeting of the Board of Directors will now be held on June 25, 2014 at 5:30 PM to consider, among others, audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended on December 31, 2013.

IPO Subscription: Far East Knitting & Dyeing Industries Limited subscription date 15-19 June 2014, NRB upto 28 June 2014. @ taka 27, face value taka 10 and market lot 200. Shurwid Industries Limited subscription date 08-12 June 2014, NRB upto 21 June 2014. @ taka 10, face value taka 10 and market lot 500. Saif Powertec Limited subscription date 06-10 July 2014, NRB upto 19 July 2014. @ taka 30, face value taka 10 and market lot 200. Ratanpur Steel Re-Rolling Mills Limited subscription date 13-17 July 2014, NRB upto 26 July 2014. @ taka 40, face value taka 10 and market lot 200.

Dividend/AGM

MEGHNALIFE: 20% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 17.07.2014, Record Date: 30.06.2014.

Latest PE

28.00 1,077.20 6.38 247.14 291.30 18.80 132.46 24.50

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

Daily high

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

DSE GAINERS

DSE key features June 24, 2014

Stocks shrug off increased CRR n Tribune Report

Stock

% change 14.92 2.68 1.21 8.51 2.54 7.29 0.06 7.37 15.46 0.22 1.84 0.74 0.82 10.30 0.42 0.82 4.27 7.77 5.01 7.68 0.06

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

ACI Limited- A BD Submarine Cable-A Delta Life Insu. -A

BSRM Steels-A Eastern Housing -A Prime Bank-A Brac Bank -A Meghna Petroleum -A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company BEXIMCO Ltd. -A

UNITED AIR-A LafargeS Cement-Z The Peninsula CTG.-N AramitCementA BD Submarine Cable-A BSRM Steels-A Grameenphone-A Delta Life Insu. -A Square Pharma -A UCBL - A National Bank - A Beacon Pharma Ltd.-Z Beximco Pharma -A Premier Bank -A

Volume shares 2,490,500 6,318,325 520,040 505,491 1,989,290 6,902,090 2,697,198 261,756 353,827 306,810

609,120 775,980 1,702,238 1,548,410 149,338

Volume shares

864,322 1,234,673 173,000 361,400 232,210 40,400 84,210 20,400 28,400 17,001 166,142 365,581 246,800 86,300 352,852

Value in million 205.26 182.57 157.03 139.96 82.74 82.25 74.85 70.23 66.19 56.15

51.41 46.88 41.97 39.84 39.52

Value in million

24.88 14.65 14.22 12.33 10.38 7.57 7.08 6.18 5.20 4.71 4.60 3.89 3.76 3.63 3.29

% of total turnover 7.32 6.51 5.60 4.99 2.95 2.93 2.67 2.50 2.36 2.00

1.83 1.67 1.50 1.42 1.41

% of total turnover

11.30 6.65 6.46 5.60 4.71 3.44 3.22 2.81 2.36 2.14 2.09 1.76 1.71 1.65 1.49

Daily closing 82.00 29.50 300.90 276.80 42.20 12.10 27.20 271.50 186.40 184.40

83.80 60.10 24.50 26.00 263.80

Daily closing

29.50 12.10 81.70 34.20 46.00 186.00 83.50 301.10 184.30 277.00 27.30 10.60 15.50 42.70 9.30

Price change -2.03 6.50 -1.25 0.76 6.30 7.08 -1.09 0.56 -0.32 1.99

Daily opening 83.70 27.70 304.70 274.70 39.70 11.30 27.50 270.00 187.00 180.80

Price change

Daily opening

-2.22 -1.31 1.66 3.59 -0.64

6.12 6.14 -2.27 -0.87 6.98 -0.27 -2.57 -1.31 1.94 0.29 -1.09 0.00 8.39 7.29 0.00

85.70 60.90 24.10 25.10 265.50

27.80 11.40 83.60 34.50 43.00 186.50 85.70 305.10 180.80 276.20 27.60 10.60 14.30 39.80 9.30

Daily high 83.90 29.80 305.80 278.00 43.40 12.30 28.10 273.50 189.80 185.50

92.00 61.00 25.50 26.50 268.00

Daily low 81.50 25.00 295.00 251.00 35.80 10.20 25.00 246.40 172.00 180.00

80.00 55.00 22.30 22.60 250.00

Daily average 82.42 28.90 301.96 276.88 41.59 11.92 27.75 268.32 187.06 183.00

Daily high

Daily low

Daily average

29.70 12.20 85.30 34.70 46.40 189.70 86.40 308.90 185.50 277.70 28.50 10.80 15.60 43.20 10.00

25.10 11.40 81.00 33.90 43.00 185.20 82.60 301.00 180.20 275.40 25.00 10.50 14.30 40.40 8.40

84.40 60.41 24.65 25.73 264.66

28.79 11.87 82.22 34.13 44.69 187.28 84.07 302.99 183.04 276.89 27.71 10.63 15.22 42.09 9.32

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

World Bank: Climate policies could lift global GDP by $2.6tn/year

Australia says China free trade deal likely by end of year

n Reuters, London Global economic output could rise by as much as an additional $2.6tn a year, or 2.2%, by 2030 if government policies improve energy efficiency, waste management and public transport, according to a World Bank report released yesterday.

The report, produced with philanthropic group ClimateWorks Foundation, analysed the benefits of ambitious policies to cut emissions from transport, industrial and building sectors as well as from waste and cooking fuels in Brazil, China, India, Mexico, the United States and the European Union.

It found a shift to low-carbon transport and improved energy efficiency in factories, buildings and appliances could increase global growth in gross domestic product (GDP) by an extra $1.8tn, or 1.5%, a year by 2030.

If financing and technology investment increased, global GDP could grow by an additional $2.6tn, or 2.2%, a year by 2030, the World Bank said.

Climate policies could also avert at least 94,000 premature deaths a year from pollution-related diseases by 2030, improve crop productivity and prevent around 8.5 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases being emitted - the same as taking around 2 billion cars off the road.

For example, if China deployed 70 million low-carbon cook stoves, it could avoid around 1 million premature deaths from pollution and reap almost $11bn in economic benefits, the report showed.

"These interventions should seem like no-brainers to governments around the world," World Bank Group

n Reuters, Beijing

Men fish in a small lake located in front of a coal-burning power station located on the outskirts of Beijing President Jim Yong Kim told reporters on a conference call.

"The report removes another false barrier, another false argument not to take action against climate change," he added.

In March, a report by a UN panel of scientists projected that the effects of global warming could cut global economic output by between 0.2 and 2% a year by damaging human health, disrupting wa-

ter supplies and raising sea levels.

However, many countries believe this is an underestimate because it excludes risks of catastrophic changes, such as a Greenland ice melt of the collapse of coral reefs which could cause massive economic losses.

To speed up action on climate change, United Nations' Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has invited heads of state, governments, businesses and

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Wednesday, June 25, 2014

REUTERS

civil society to a climate summit on September 23 in New York.

The summit is aiming to spur progress towards getting a deal by the end of 2015 which binds all nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Talks on deal are making slow progress. An interim UN meeting in Bonn, Germany, earlier this month only managed to take tentative steps towards an agreement. l

China and Australia, which have been trying to set up a bilateral free trade agreement for years, are determined to sign a deal by the end of this year, Australia's trade chief said yesterday after talks with Chinese leaders.

But there has been little sign of a breakthrough despite Prime Minister Tony Abbott's expressed intent to seal an agreement before November.

Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb said the deal with China was on track, but declined to give details of talks, saying he didn't want to "put his cards on the table".

"The conclusion was that it was doable this year. It could be completed, and that both governments are determined to bring it to completion later this year," Robb said after meeting with Xu Shaoshi, the chairman of China's powerful economic planning agency, the National Development and Reform Commission.

"There is a negotiation, so anything can happen. But we're both confident and we went through in some detail what ground had to be covered, including agriculture," Robb told reporters.

Free trade talks have been stymied

by Beijing's concerns over opening markets to Australian food. There are fears in Australia that an influx of cheap Chinese goods could threaten domestic producers facing a strong local currency and high costs.

China has expressed worries over Australia's stringent approval process on foreign investment by state-owned enterprises. Canberra, like many of China's trading partners, wants Beijing

to improve access to key industries in which foreign investment is currently restricted.

Nonetheless, China's thirst for minerals has fueled more than 20 years of unbroken economic growth in Australia.

Robb was in China with Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey for the country's first annual Strategic Economic Dialogue with China, Australia's largest two-way trading partner.

Trade in goods and services between the two countries reached about $150bn in 2013, according to the Australian government.

Abbott had said he hoped a deal could be reached before November, in time for Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled visit to Australia.

But some have criticized the prime minister for setting a timeline for clinching the deal, arguing that it gives China leverage in the negotiations, which began in 2005. Since then, Australia has started and finished deals with both Japan and South Korea.

Robb also expressed optimism about concluding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade deal with the United States and 10 other Pacific Rim economies in 2015.

"My assessment of US politics ... is that it won't pass this year no matter what happens. I think the best window and the best opportunity will be in the first half of next year," he said.

Central to U.S. President Barack Obama's strategic shift toward Asia, the TPP would cut trade barriers and harmonize standards in a deal covering two-fifths of the world economy and a third of global trade. l

Euro holds up against dollar in Asia n AFP, Tokyo

Porcelanosa starts journey in Bangladesh n Tribune Business Desk Porcelanosa, world’s leading brand of ceramic wall and foot tiles has started their journey in Bangladesh with its associate Nupami BD Ltd by launching a showroom in the capital’s Gulshan area yesterday.

Spanish Ambassador to Bangladesh, D Luis Tejada Chacon inaugurated the showroom at the presence of Nuria

Lopez, chairperson of Nupami Foundation, said a press release.

Our venture in Bangladesh with Porcelanosa will create a wide range of selection for Bangladeshi architects, interior designers and homebuilders, said Aritz Izura, CEO of Nupami BD Ltd. Nupami BD Ltd was founded in 2013 along with partners from Spain to become official distributor of Porcelanosa in Bangladesh. l

The euro held up against the dollar in Asia yesterday despite poor economic data for the 18-nation eurozone pointing to slowing growth.

The common currency bought $1.3594 in Tokyo afternoon trade against $1.3601 in New York Monday afternoon, although it slid to 138.49 yen from 138.65 yen.

The dollar fetched 101.91 yen against 101.94 yen.

The euro was almost flat after disappointing data on the bloc's business activity.

"The risk-on attitude remains fashionable on capital markets, driven mostly by perceptions of the main central banks' behaviour," Credit Agricole said in a note that came amid a period of calm.

"Market participants remain convinced that 'as long as the music is playing, you've got to get up and dance'."

Main central banks have been committed to low interest rates to stimulate economies.

The European Central Bank lowered all three of its key rates this month, with chief Mario Draghi saying policy-

makers would also be open to possible asset purchases similar to those undertaken in the United States and Japan.

Eurozone business activity slipped for the second month running in June,

‘The risk-on attitude remains fashionable on capital markets, driven mostly by perceptions of the main central banks’ behaviour, Credit Agricole said in a note that came amid a period of calm’ suggesting a modest recovery could be stalling, a closely watched survey showed on Monday.

Markit Economics said its Eurozone Composite Purchasing Managers Index, a leading indicator of overall economic activity, slipped to 52.8 points from 53.5 in May, its weakest level since December.

The data showed that growth re-

mained robust in Germany, despite weakening slightly, but that the downturn deepened in France, the country increasingly generating the most worry in the currency bloc.

Daisuke Karakama, chief market economist at Mizuho Bank, said the euro was not plunging but would likely remain top-heavy against the dollar and yen this week.

"The ECB will likely make all-out efforts to stabilise the euro at a low level, using the market's expectation for additional easing," Karakama said in a weekly note.

The dollar was mixed against other Asia-Pacific units.

It rose to Sg$1.2493 from Sg$1.2484 on Monday, to 11,997.50 Indonesian rupiah from 11,970.80 rupiah and to 43.85 Philippine pesos from 43.78 pesos.

It fell to 1,017.95 South Korean won from 1,018.20 won and to 60.11 Indian rupees from 60.18 rupees.

It changed hands at Tw$29.97 against Tw$29.98 while staying unchanged at 32.46 Thai baht.

The Australian dollar inched down to 94.24 US cents from 94.39 cents, while the Chinese yuan was trading at 16.33 yen against 16.37 yen. l

JBL gets Tasmin Mahmud as director n Tribune Business Desk Tasmin Mahmud has been rcently elected as director at the board of Jamuna Bank Limited (JBL).

She is currently serving as a member at boards of different concerns of the Cotton Group.

She is a well-known enterpreneur in telecommunication, real estate, RMG and textile sectors of the country. She completed her MSS degree in Public Administration from the University of Dhaka. Mahmud is the spouse of Shaheen Mahmud, chair of Cotton Group and Jamuna Bank Limited. l

NRB Bank recently held its first anniversary at a hotel in Dhaka where the Commerce Minister Tofael Ahmed was present as chief guest along with the bank’s chair Iqbal Ahmed OBE and managing director Muklesur Rahman

NCC Bank Ltd recently opened a new ATM at NCC Bank Bhaban Branch in Motijheel, Dhaka. The bank’s chair Md Nurun Newaz Salim inaugurated the ATM as chief guest

Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) and Dutch-Bangla Bank (DBBL) have signed an agreement for providing mobile banking services on June 22 at its head office in Rajshahi.

The agreement was signed by Md Mofazzal Husain, managing director of RAKUB and KS Tabrez, managing director of DBBL

Summit Purbanchol Power Company Limited recently approved 10% stock and 10% cash dividends for the year ended on December 31, 2013 at the company’s 7th annual general meeting in Dhaka. The meeting was presided over by the company’s chair Muhammed Aziz Khan

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) has introduced Shariah compliant credit card named ‘Khidmah’ for customers yesterday. Md Abul Quasem, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank unveiled the card as chief guest at a hotel in Dhaka. The ceremony was presided over by the Mohammad Abdul Mannan, managing director of IBBL

Six Seasons Food & Beverages Ltd has recently held an inaugural ceremony for unveiling its products in Dhaka. The company’s chair Giridhari Lal Modi was present at the ceremony

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Will the Indian economy start shining again? n Sourajit Aiyer

incubation support, given that India is still a country where entrepreneurship is viewed socially as a career of last-resort. A push towards entrepreneurship and skill creation is critical for a country the size of India, in which almost 12 million Indians are estimated to enter the job market each year.

A new prime minister has just started his innings in India, winning with the majority number that has been seen for the first time since the last 30 years. However, the state of the economy confronting Narendra Modi reminds one of the old adage – the winner’s curse. The Indian economy (for which the reference “elephant” has been used) is not in the best of shapes currently. GDP growth is the lowest in the decade. Inflation has been high. Industrial, manufacturing, and infrastructure activities have slowed down, job growth has dried up substantially, and the government’s public finances (fiscal situation) are under pressure with expenditure outpacing revenues by a wide margin.

Thus, for the Indian economy to start shining again on the sustained growth path (the elephant dancing), the new government has to address some imminent economic worries – its winner’s curse. So what are the immediate worries confronting the new government in its path to achieve economic recovery?

Making industrial, infrastructure, and export growth a priority

Reviving economic growth India’s GDP growth rate has dipped to a dismal 5%. Moreover, this figure is deceptive as it does not tell whether the growth has been inclusive. Large sections of population have been left out in India’s slightly-skewed two decade-old growth story. Poverty rankles deep, economic distress is a major reason for migration to unplanned urban clusters, and perceived socio-economic imbalances are a cause of the increasing rate of crime. Apart from the global slowdown, policy slowdown and corruption were the main reasons for the dip in GDP growth. Slowdown in reforms impacted investments from the private sector investments, which have gone into a shell due to low clarity in policies.

The new prime minister might need to initiate some projects first, but the economy’s ability to spend on public expenditure plans is limited due to its limited finances.

He might start off by clearing some of the stalled projects quickly, but results would take time to materialise. Given the limited supply of capital available domestically, bringing in long-duration foreign capital into projects is imperative. But policies/reform decisions across the sectors have to be taken swiftly for this.

LEAD_A labourer works at the construction site of a residential complex in Kolkata

Keeping public finances in check

benefited from India’s growth and there is a need to enhance their affordability for social services. Modi is facing a dilemma whether to reduce subsidies for fuel, fertilizer etc. If he does, it would reduce wasteful expenses and free up money for productive projects.

But cutting subsidies would raise prices (and inflation). In public revenues, the new government needs to increase tax compliance with a progressive and rationalised tax structure, in order to bring in further tax revenues.

The UPA government had brought India’s public finances under control by cutting expenditure plans, rolling over subsidies to the next year, and forcing dividends from public sector companies. These are not sustainable as these hamper the ability of the new prime minister to spend on productive projects.

Election-campaign promises included access to electricity, sanitation, drinking water, education, healthcare, and housing for all.

These social-welfare plans can put public finances under pressure.

Prime Minister Modi has to balance between social-welfare plans that do not create productive assets and development plans that create assets for future growth.

But till the development plans bear fruit, social-welfare plans are important since there are sections in India’s rural/lowincome urban community who have not

Countering price-rise and supporting agriculture infrastructure Price rise has been the biggest enemy of the average Indian. Factors include crude oil and commodity prices, inefficient infrastructure spoiling food products, changes in diet towards protein items, better cereals, etc.

In all this, the food segment has possibly

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been a major contributor towards inflation.

Weather uncertainties like El Nino continue to keep crop output under pressure in the current year, and any shortfall in production would hike prices and push up inflation yet again. India’s central bank has kept interest rates high to counter inflation, but high interest rates are not conducive for economic activity.

This means Modi has to bring in measures to tackle price rise, so that inflation and interest rates eventually come down. Given that food has been a decisive component, possible measures include reforms in agriculture infrastructure, like expanding irrigation network to reduce dependence on monsoon, storage/warehousing facilities for food products to reduce spoilage, agriculture-rail network to speed-up supply, agro-processing for value-addition activities, countering hoarding and black marketing,

and using technology for faster dissemination of actual market prices.

Boosting jobs and skill-creation If the new PM can initiate plans which invest into skill-creation, education, and entrepreneurship, that would go a long way to boost income opportunities, reducing the need for social-welfare plans in the first place.

Apart from improving university and school infrastructure, job creation also requires skill-creation, training for vocational employment, and scholarships. Skill-imparting needs to look at small-scale industries and labour-intensive sectors, which can address employment and economic distress-led migration.

Apart from creating a conducive entrepreneurship ecosystem through access to capital, information, infrastructure, and skills, Modi can also set-up business

India’s segment-wise GDP shows the industry segment has been the main drag.

Delays in policies, environment and regulatory clearances, and high borrowing costs slowed down investments by companies. A number of projects are currently stalled as approvals have slowed. In this environment, it is imperative to enable a single-window clearance system for faster decisions and time-bound clearances for projects. Apart from this, investments into logistics, road/ rail connectivity and freight railway lines would also help create an enabling environment for industrial growth.

The new government needs to make industrial corridors (areas dedicated for large-scale industrial plants and townships with well-linked connectivity to ports, cities, and raw material sites) a priority as these offer significant incentives for large-scale investments. This means addressing sensitive issues like land acquisition and compensation. Industrial focus includes looking at value-addition, such that India can produce something in the eventual value-chain of a product even if it is not capable of producing the final product itself. This would help make India a hub in the global manufacturing process.

India has narrowed its gap between imports and exports by cutting imports, while export growth is far from achieved.

Prime Minister Modi needs to initiate Indian road shows to new destinations to win new export markets. Export growth boils down to sectors where India holds competitive advantages, since other countries would not be able to take away market-share even if their currencies move favourably to the dollar.

The challenges confronting India’s new prime minister are immense. However, he needs to find the solutions to these “curses” so that the “elephant can dance again” eventually. l Sourajit Aiyer is a finance professional based in India.

Japan unveils latest instalment of 'Third Arrow' reforms n Reuters, Tokyo

A Harley Davidson Livewire motorcycle, Harley Davidson's first electric bike, sits on display inside the Harley Davidson Store on June in New York City. The Livewire has 74 horsepower and a top speed of 92 miles per hour AFP

Yahoo grabs for Android smartphone homescreen n AFP, San Francisco Yahoo on Monday ramped up its move to mobile, grabbing for Android smartphone home screens with an Aviate application tuned to where people are.

Yahoo bought Aviate early this year in a deal reported to be valued at about $80m dollars. The software was subsequently honed with a test group.

An English language version of Aviate for handsets powered by Googlebacked Android software made its global debut on Monday, in a move to give new prominence to Yahoo on the smartphone.

"We created Aviate to connect you with the information you need at the moment it's useful," Aviate founder and Yahoo product manager Mark Daiss said in a Tumblr post.

"Yahoo Aviate simplifies everything about your phone."

The Aviate application available at Google Play online shop is touted as creating an "intelligent home screen" that serves up applications or infor-

mation based on where users are and what they might be most interested in a given moment. "It starts with a clean, new layout and apps automatically organized for you," Daiss said.

"But it's not just about making your phone simpler -- Aviate also makes your phone smarter by offering intelligent information throughout your day."

Showcasing content

The Aviate release comes as part of a campaign by Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer to revitalize the faded Internet firm as a premier digital content company at the heart of people's daily routines in the mobile age.

"At the end of the day, Yahoo is trying to be a content site again; really connect you back to the content you want to read, watch, and enjoy," said analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley. "It is like next-generation TV on steroids."

To succeed, Yahoo needs to seize control of smartphone screens and put its content, along with money-making

advertising, at the center of experiences on mobile devices, according to the analyst.

Online retail titan Amazon last week made a move in the same direction by unveiling "Fire" smartphone infused with software tightly tied to its online offerings.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos unveiled the device, Amazon's first smartphone of its own, which has a 4.7-inch display, a high-definition camera and Amazon's free help service.

The phone also ties in to Amazon's vast array of other offerings, serving as a platform for digital content such as books, films and music and connecting users to the firm's cloud storage.

"Amazon is doing exactly what Yahoo wants to do, but with their own devices," Enderle said.

Amazon's tactic sidesteps potential bumps that might be put in Yahoo's path by carriers, handset makers, and Android-backer Google when it comes to vying for control of smartphone home screens. l

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled a package of measures yesterday aimed to boost Japan's long-term economic growth, from phased-in corporate tax cuts to a bigger role for women and foreign workers, but applause from investors is likely to be muted after Tokyo back pedalled on bolder reforms.

Abe took office 18 months ago pledging to end deflation and generate sustainable growth with a threepronged strategy of monetary easing, fiscal spending and reform.

Experts say the latest instalment of his so-called "Third Arrow" of longterm economic policies, most of which had been trailed in advance, is a step in the right direction, but want to see how they are fleshed out and implemented.

Private economists surveyed by Reuters forecast that the plan could boost Japan's potential growth rate by 0.2-1.5 percentage points from its current level of around 0.5%. But they noted that it would take time.

"Even after the government growth strategy is announced, various legislation must be enacted and it will take time for companies to begin to act.

Therefore, it will be 10 to 20 years before the potential growth rate rises," said Kenji Yumoto, vice chairman of the Japan Research Institute.

Yumoto said it was possible, but very difficult, for Japan to hit the 2% growth level the government says is needed to reduce its mammoth public debt.

Among the steps outlined so far is a future cut in Japan's effective corporate tax rate - among the highest in the world - to below 30% over the next several years, and a promise to reform the

DILBERT

$1.26tn Government Pension Investment Fund in ways likely to reallocate more money to the stock market.

Abe's reform package is a welcome move for the Bank of Japan, which has called for bold government to help sustain the current recovery fueled in part by its massive monetary stimulus.

But many BOJ officials say the key now is implementation and Abe's commitment to meet words with action, so that companies feel confident enough to boost investment for the future.

'Even after the government growth strategy is announced, various legislation must be enacted and it will take time for companies to begin to act' BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda, a former senior finance ministry bureaucrat, has also warned against cutting Japan's corporate tax rate without securing an alternative source of tax revenue, given the country's massive public debt.

In a nod to that need for balance, the tax plan will seek to offset the cuts by broadening the tax base.

But tough, key details of many steps have been left to be worked out later and several bold but politically contentious proposals were watered down or omitted.

By dribbling out key elements of the package in recent weeks, the government hopes to avoid the disappointment that led to a sharp drop in Tokyo share prices when Abe announced the first instalment of his "Third Arrow" last June.

Earlier in the day, Abe urged the nation's business leaders to do more to boost the role of working women, a key plank in the growth strategy and seen as vital to address the shrinking workforce in one of the world's most rapidly ageing societies.

In a meeting with business executives, Abe urged companies to set targets for promoting female workers to senior jobs and disclose information on progress in annual earnings reports.

Abe's remarks came one day after a Tokyo assembly member from his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had to apologize for heckling a female local lawmaker with sexist comments.

Also included in the package are steps to raise the number of highly skilled foreign workers and expand a controversial foreign trainee programme; boost productivity through a "robotic revolution"; and target the healthcare sector for growth.

Early bold proposals on agriculture reform look to have been watered down due to opposition from the powerful farm lobby, while the government has gone out of its way to say moves to increase foreign workers are not an "immigration" policy.

Discussions on easing labor market rigidities to boost productivity looked set to yield a plan to end paid overtime for workers earning the equivalent of at least $100,000 per year - only about 4 percent of the workforce. The touchy question of whether to make it easier to fire workers is likely to be left for later debate.

"Abe's 'Third Arrow' growth strategy seems to me like a dart not an arrow," said Naoki Iizuka, an economist at Citigroup Global Markets Japan. "I hope he will come up with bolder plans ahead." l