2 august, 2014

Shraban 18, 1421 Shawal 5, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 2, No 120

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

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5 | WORLD

6 | HERITAGE

9 | OP-ED

11 | SPORT

GAS BLAST IN TAIWAN KILLS 25, INJURES 267

DID THE EARTH MOVE FOR YOU?

BANNING DOESN’T WORK

GAVASKAR SLAMS INDIA’S ‘ABJECT SURRENDER’

BGMEA, labour leaders behind Tuba agitation Workers were told only freeing Delowar could ensure due wages n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi Neither the BGMEA nor Tuba Group management nor workers’ leaders involved in the ongoing agitation seemed sincere in ensuring workers’ payment before Eid; rather, they allegedly pushed them into untold sufferings only to free Delowar Hossain, the owner of the group, from prison.

When some 1,600 garment workers of the Tuba Group were eagerly waiting to draw their overdue wages before Eid their representatives along with the leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association persuaded them to launch an agitation to free Delowar so they get their payments.

Agitating workers vowed to continue with the fast-unto-death until their five-point demand was met Delowar was arrested in connection with the November 2012 Tazreen factory fire.

The workers, however, are yet to get a single penny. They have been on a fast-unto-death demonstration for the fifth consecutive day starting a day before Eid for the dues.

Talking to several workers of five factories of the Tuba Group – who participated in the negotiation with the BGMEA – this correspondent came to know that leaders of the apex trade body had persuaded the workers to demonstrate to free Delowar.

The BGMEA leaders tried to convince the workers, saying they

would not get their outstanding salaries and Eid bonuses until the factory owner was released.

“You have to take to the street to make it clear why you have not been paid your salaries,” Manik, a worker of the Taif Fashion, quoted Md Abdul Ahad Ansary, chairman of the BGMEA Standing Committee on Labour Education and Welfare, as saying.

“You will not get your dues if the owners are not freed,” Ahad told the workers and pressed them to stage an agitation.

When contacted over phone for comments, Ahad however denied that he had said so: “Our duties are to negotiate with the factory owners to ensure workers’ payment and we did not ask the workers to stage demonstration to free Delowar. A team of 50 workers took part in the negotiation and we discussed the payment issue only.”

China Akter, a line chief of the Tuba Textile, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We had given up the hope of getting our salaries and bonuses, but a ray of hope became visible when Mishu apa came.

“She announced the hunger strike and we joined her.”

Moshrefa Mishu, president of the Garment Workers Unity Forum (GWUF), told the Dhaka Tribune: “We informed the BGMEA that we were going to stage a fast-unto-death as there were no options left.”

She said after several failed attempts to contact any official of the BGMEA she sent a text message to BGMEA Vice-President Shahidullah Azim informing him about the demands of the workers.

When contacted, Shahidullah admitted having received Mishu’s SMS sent at 6:45pm on Tuesday saying  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

People try to move a car which was hit by a train at the capital Malibagh level crossing yesterday, leaving four injured

DHAKA TRIBUNE

11 dead, over 50 injured after train hits a wedding bus in Jhenaidah

Four injured as train rams car in the capital

n Ashif Islam Shaon

n Afrose Jahan Chaity

At least 11 people, including women and children, were killed and more than 50 others were injured yesterday when a train rammed into a bus carrying a wedding party at a level crossing in Jhenaidah.

Six of the deceased were relatives of the groom, while the rest were his neighbours who were returning home after attending the wedding. The bride and the groom, along with some other relatives, escaped any injury as they were in a microbus that passed the level crossing moments before the accident.

Most of the injured remain in critical conditions and are receiving medical attention at different hospitals in Jhenaidah and Jessore, while at least three of the injured have been brought to Dhaka for better treatment.

Witnesses said the Khulna-bound Simanto Express had dragged the bus

nearly half a kilometre on the tracks before the train driver was finally able to stop the locomotive.

Anwar Hossain, officer-in-charge of the Kaliganj police station, said a Toma Paribahan bus was returning from the wedding in Shako Mothanpur village and heading towards Phulahari village

Authorities blame the accident on the negligence of gatemen in Shailkupa upazila, when it was hit by the Simanto Express at Barobazar level crossing around 3:45am. Nine people were killed on the spot, while two more succumbed to their injuries later at Kaliaganj upazila health complex, he added.

“After the crash, the bus got stuck on the train’s front part and the train dragged it forward. After the incident,

fire-fighters from Jhenaidah, Jessore, Kotchandpur and Kaliganj, along with the locals, started a rescue operation.

They recovered a total of nine bodies from inside the bus and from the rail lines,” the OC said.

All the victims were from Phulahari village of Shailkupa upazila. Three of them belonged to the same family.

The deceased were Sanjoy Kumar, 34, Sudhir Kumar Biswas, 40, Sujoy Kumar, 34, Biplob Biswas, 25, Shovon Dey, 25, Koushik Das, 8, Oishi, 7, Banya Rani, 65, Trisna Rani, 24, and Subal Kumar Biswas, who was around 45 years of age. The identity of one of the deceased, however, could not be known.

Police and railway authorities claimed that the accident took place because of the alleged negligence of two gatemen who were in charge of the level crossing in Barobazar under Kaliganj upazila – the site of the accident.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

At least four people were injured yesterday when a locomotive collided with a private car at Malibagh Rail Crossing in the capital.

Eye-witnesses said the car, violating the rail crossing signal, tried to cross the signal from the wrong side of the road. As a result, the Dhaka-bound train from Chittagong hit the car, leaving the car’s four passengers injured.

Railway Assistant Director (operation) Saidur Rahman said the train driver of the Chattala Express tried to slow down the train when the car was in the middle of the rail track.

Police said locals and police rescued the injured people, adding that the driver of the private car was in a critical condition. All the injured were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

No probe body was formed as of filing of this report. l

Gaza truce scrapped, 50 more Palestinians killed Bangladeshi human n trafficking godfathers operating from Iran Reuters, Gaza/Jerusalem

Israel yesterday called off a Gaza ceasefire and killed more than 50 Palestinians in renewed shelling, claiming militants had breached the truce shortly after it began and apparently captured an Israeli soldier.

The Gaza Health Ministry said more than 50 people were killed and 220 wounded by Israeli shelling after the incident near the southern town of Rafah.

The 72-hour break announced by US Secretary of State John Kerry and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was the most ambitious attempt so far to end more than three weeks of fighting, and followed mounting international outrage over a rising Palestinian civilian death toll.

The ceasefire, which began at 8am local time, had prompted Palestinian families to trek back to battle-devastated neighbourhoods where rows of homes have been reduced to rubble. It was to be followed by Israeli-Palestinian negotiations in Cairo on a longerterm solution.

Egyptian officials said the invitation to negotiators still stood, but some  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

n Rabiul Islam

Israeli soldiers stand on an armoured personnel carrier outside the central Gaza Strip as they fire mortar shell towards Gaza before a ceasefire was due early yesterday REUTERS

Bangladeshi criminal kingpins have been running an Iran-based human trafficking network that lures migrant labourers to European countries with job offers, takes them hostage in Iran and extorts ransom from their relatives in Bangladesh, according to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

These criminal godfathers operate around 300 traffickers, doing so for about 20-25 years from their base in Iran.

“We recently learned that around 15 Bangladeshi godfathers of a human trafficking network have been operating in Iran, and we plan to set up a temporary camp there to capture them,” said Md Shah Alam, additional deputy inspector general of CID (organised crime), while talking to the Dhaka Tribune on Thursday.

He said the traffickers use their agents in Middle Eastern countries such

INSIDE 2 | News

5 | World

Hundreds of people gathered by the side of the Jamuna River in Sirajganj yesterday to hear the news about their relatives, who had gone missing since a boat carrying over 100 passengers capsized there on Thursday.

3 | Nation

The Fisheries and Livestock Ministry is set to procure a survey ship from Malaysia although the designs and standards of the vessel has been deemed as faulty for use in Bangladesh.

A series of explosions caused by a gas leak killed 25 people and injured 267 in Taiwan’s second city yesterday, sending flames shooting 15 storeys into the air, setting ablaze entire blocks and reducing small shops to rubble.

4 | News

Owners of hotels and motels in Khagrachhari are happy as they are getting the expected rush of tourists during the on-going Eid vacation, thereby helping them to make hefty profits.

6 | Heritage

For a country that annually seems to add to its land mass through the deposit of river alluvium from annual Himalayan melted waters, and flooding monsoon rains, loss of large areas of land may be considered unusual.

7 | Entertainment

BAMBA’s Eid celebration concert commenced on July 31 with all the members appearing onstage at the premise of Jamuna Future park in the capital

10 | Sport

Olympic champion and world record holder David Rudisha was beaten by Nijel Amos in the Commonwealth Games 800m final on Thursday.

as the UAE to allure migrants with the promise of lucrative jobs in European countries like Turkey, Italy and Greece.

The traffickers then take the migrants to Iran and confine them there to collect ransom from the hostages’ families in Bangladesh, receiving ransom payments through bKash, SA Paribahan and in cash, he added.

The CID, with the assistance of Rights Jessore, a non-government organisation, repatriated over 100 trafficking victims and arrested a number of traffickers, he said.

“We have learned from various sources, including the trafficking suspects and victims, that the godfathers of this human trafficking league have been in Iran for about 20-25 years,” said the CID official.

The alleged bosses of the abduction syndicate include Nannu Mia and his brother Maruf Mia from Sylhet,  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Saturday, August 2, 2014

SIRAJGANJ BOAT CAPSIZE

Relatives of missing passengers gather for news of rescue

Locals assume at least 30 missing, but administration says it is not more than 10 could be known immediately. n Our Correspondent, Sirajganj iesKhashpukuria Union Parishad Hundreds of people gathered by the side of the Jamuna River in Sirajganj yesterday to hear the news about their relatives, who had gone missing since a boat carrying over 100 passengers capsized there on Thursday.

They upset as the rescue drive to trace out the missing passengers, who are assumed to be dead, of the crash at the Mituani point of the Jamuna River in Sirajganj’s Chouhali upazila, as no bodies had been recovered until afternoon.

According to locals and witnesses, on Thursday, the bodies of only nine passengers had been recovered. However, local administration said not more than four bodies had been recovered.

This is not the only confusion between locals and the administration, since locals said at least 30 passengers had gone missing, but the administration said it was not more than 10.

Bagutia Union Parishad Chairman Abdul Kahar Siddik said they had known about the recovery of nine bodies. The identities of five of those bod-

Chairman Mizanur Rahman said there were 70 to 80 passengers aboard the boat and it was being assumed that 30 to 40 passengers had gone missing when the boat capsized.

Chouhali police station Officer-inCharge Shamsul Haq said divers, who came here via a BIWTA ship from Manikganj, and local firemen had participated in the rescue operation but they failed to recover any bodies.

Sirajganj Fire Service and Civil Defense’s Deputy Director Abdul Hamid said their operation was being hampered by strong river currents.

BIWTA Joint Director AKM Shahjahan said they had tried to pull up the sunken boat repeatedly, but had failed to do so as the rope tied to the boat kept ripping. More equipment was needed to drag the boat up.

Chouhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Abdullah said: “We are trying our best to find the missing passengers. We are still hopeful of tracing them.” l

Holidaymakers continue to return to the city after the end of Eid holidays. The photo was taken from Kamalapur Railway Station yesterday

Govt not doing enough to protect religious minorities n Tribune Report A US government report has said the Bangladesh government had failed to protect vulnerable groups and religious minority communities.

The 2013 report on International Religious Freedom, submitted annually by the US State Department to the United States Congress, is an in-depth international assessment on the current state of religious freedom in countries around the world. “The report covers government policies violating religious belief and practices of groups, religious denominations and individuals, and US policies to promote religious freedom around the world,” according to the US Department of State’s website.

The report said government officials including the police were slow to protect members of minority religious groups from violence and that there were several reports of involvement of govern-

ment-affiliated actors in such violence.

The report noted that although nineteen criminal cases had been filed after the December 2012 attacks against Buddhists in Ramu, Ukhia, and Teknaf, leading to 364 people being indicted by police in seven related cases and 193 arrests, the main investigation remained stalled. It noted that NGOs, academic observers, and several journalists alleged that the ruling Awami League’s student wing, the Chhatro League, played a critical role in organizing the attacks against Buddhist religious sites in Ramu in 2012, the report said.

The government response to the December 2012 attacks included 200 million taka ($2.5 million) in funding for the reconstruction of all 19 burned temples and monasteries by Border Guard Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Army’s Engineering Corps. The prime minister inaugurated the rebuilt structures in Ramu and Ukhia on September

3, the report noted.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community continued to face harassment. For instance, the Islamist group Tehrik-eKhatme Nabuwwat held a rally in Dhaka against the Ahmadiyya on January 3. Police made no arrests, according to the report.

Government and many civil society leaders stated that violence against members of minority religious groups normally had economic or criminal dimensions, and could not be attributed solely to religious belief or affiliation, the report said.

According to a major Bangladeshi human rights organization, Ain o Salish Kendra, (ASK), which publishes annual statistics on violence against religious minorities, 495 statues, monasteries, or temples were destroyed; 278 homes and 208 businesses were destroyed; 188 persons were injured; and one person was killed during 2013. Local

Asaduzzaman: 50 more Palestinians killed Tough measures if BNP movement turns violent  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

n Rabiul Islam The administration will not sit idle if the BNP tries to create anarchy and damage lives and properties in the name of a movement, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan warned while speaking at a discussion organised by the Deshratno Parishad at the National Press Club yesterday.

He added that the government would take stringent measures if the BNP killed people by blasting petrol bombs, like they did before the January 5 election.

These comments came after the BNP’s recent announcement of launching a movement to press home their demand for holding a fresh election under a non-party neutral government.

Asaduzzaman said those launching a destructive movement would have to shoulder the responsibility of the potential damages, adding that the government had no objection to any peaceful movement. l

DT sub-editor's father dies n Tribune Report Shailendra Nath Roy, father of Dhaka Tribune Senior Staff Sub-Editor Subrata Kumar Roy, died on July 30 at the age of 85.

He had been suffering from respiratory complexities for the last three and a half years.

Hailing from Dudsara village of Kotchandpur upazila under Jhenaidah district, Shailendra Nath Roy left behind three sons and one daughter to mourn his death.

His wife passed away in 2011. l

Palestinian representatives had asked for a postponement until today or tomorrow to allow a new truce to be reached.

The Israeli military said that 90 minutes into the truce, militants attacked soldiers searching for tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip used to infiltrate fighters into Israel.

The truce had left Israeli ground forces in place in the Hamas-dominated Gaza Strip and a military spokeswoman had said operations would continue to destroy tunnels through which the Islamist group has menaced Israel’s southern towns and army bases.

“Out of a tunnel access point or several, terrorists came out of the ground.

At least one was a suicide terrorist who detonated himself. There was an exchange of fire,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Lerner, a military spokesman.

Two soldiers were killed.

“The initial indication suggests that a soldier has been abducted by terrorists during the incident,” he said in a conference call with reporters.

Asked if the ceasefire was over, Lerner replied: “Yes. We are continuing our activities on the ground.” He said Israeli forces were mounting an “extensive effort” to locate the soldier.

There was no immediate word from militant groups on whether any were holding the soldier, identified by the military as Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, 23. Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for the dominant Hamas movement in Gaza, said Israel was trying to mislead the world and “cover up its Rafah massacre.”

Israel launched its offensive in Gaza on July 8, unleashing air and naval bombardments. Tanks and infantry pushed into the territory of 1.8 million residents on July 17.

Gaza officials say at least 1,509 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed and 7,000 wounded. Sixty-three Israeli soldiers have been killed and more than 400 hurt. Three civilians have been killed by Palestinian rockets in Israel.

Eight rockets and mortar bombs

were fired from Gaza at Israel after the ceasefire began, the military said, adding that one was intercepted by the Iron Dome system and seven hit open areas.

A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli leader spoke by telephone with Kerry and told him “the Palestinians had blatantly breached the humanitarian ceasefire and attacked our soldiers.”

“Hamas and the other terrorist organisations in the Gaza Strip will bear the consequences of their actions and Israel will take all necessary steps against those who call for its annihilation and terrorise its citizens,” the statement quoted Netanyahu as saying.

Amid strong public support in Israel for the Gaza campaign, Netanyahu had faced intense pressure from abroad to stand his forces down.

International calls for an end to the bloodshed intensified after shelling on Wednesday that killed 15 people sheltering in a UN-run school in Gaza’s Jabalya refugee camp. l

Human trafficking  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

Rabiul Islam alias Orphy Manik from Chandpur, Musa from Habiganj and Mesbah from Sylhet.

The additional deputy inspector general said victims were not able to seek help because of the collusion of Iranians paid off by the cartel. Even when hostages managed to flee from their abductors, Iranian citizens turned them in to the traffickers instead of contacting police.

“We plan to set up a temporary camp in Iran so that victims can make complaints to us,” Shah Alam said.

After verifying the complaint, a First Information Report (FIR) will be lodged and then cases will be filed with the concerned police station.

“Through Interpol, we hope to conduct operations with the help of local police, and if the godfathers are arrested, we will take apart their network,” he said. l

and international press, human rights organisations, and Hindu community leaders blamed the attacks on Shibir, the student wing of the Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami.

Both the BNP and Jamaat have called for the attacks to cease and refused to accept any blame for the violence. ASK stated that violence by Jamaat supporters had been designed to intimidate the government from conducting further war crimes trials.

Representatives of religious minorities stated that police, in some instances, failed to arrest perpetrators of abuses and that courts failed to administer justice effectively. In November, a mob assaulted a Hindu man and set fire to 26 homesteads in a predominantly Hindu village in Bonogram, Pabna. The police reportedly did not detain any of the perpetrators the victim named but did detain an individual who sheltered Hindus during the attack. l

Nasim urges Khaleda not to celebrate ‘fake’ birthday n Tribune Report Awami League Presidium Member Mohammed Nasim yesterday urged BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia not to celebrate her `fake birthday’ by cutting cake on the National Mourning Day, August 15, when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most of his family members was killed in 1975.

“August 15 is the day of mourning for the Bangalee nation. It does not matter you [Khaleda Zia] do not observe this as a mourning day. But do not observe your fake birthday on such a day,” he said, while addressing at a rally organised by Sammilito Awami Samarthak Jote at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on the first day of the Month of Mourning.

The health minister said: “The killers of 1971 and 1975 along with their

BGMEA, labour leaders  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

the wokers would go on a hunger strike by 7pm the day before Eid if the wages and bonuses were not paid by then.

“Mishu apa made the decision of hunger strike and we joined her to realise our demands,” said Morzina, vice-president of the Awaj Foundation, an NGO working with RMG workers.

Morzina is also a worker of Tuba Textile.

When the workers were demonstrating for the salaries of previous three months, some of their leaders tried to use it for the release of Delowar, claim many workers.

“We went to the BGMEA under the leadership of Nazma to settle the issue of our outstanding salaries, but after the meeting she seemed to be working for the owners and we rejected her,”

said Hossain Ali, an operator of the Taif Design.

“She had never come to us and actually she acted in favour of the owners,” said Ali. Nazma Akter, president of the Sammilito Garment Sramik Federation, however, said: “I am contacting with my workers and leaders as there is a trade union affiliated with my federation, but I abstained from joining them [in the hunger strike] to avert conflict with Mishu as she misled the workers.”

She said if Delowar got bail, it would be the outcome of the hunger strike.

Meanwhile, the agitating workers of the Tuba Group have rejected BGMEA’s assurance of resolving the crisis within seven working days and vowed to continue with the fast-unto-death until

11 dead, over 50 injured  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

The gatemen were not present at the crossing to lower the barrier when the train was approaching, authorities concerned said.

Following the accident, Barobazar Station Master Turki Ahmed was suspended along with the gatemen concerned – Humayan Kabir and Mominur Rahman. However, the two gatemen have gone into hiding after the incident.

Meanwhile, Turki Ahmed told reporters that he had allowed the train to pass the Barobazar station only after being assured by the gatemen over the phone that they were on duty at the level crossing.

Jhenaidah Deputy Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said a three-member probe body, headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Nasrin Jahan, has been formed and asked to submit its report within the next three days.

Another three-member probe committee has also been formed by railway authorities and been directed to submit its report within a week, said Railway (west) Divisional Manager Mosharraf Hossain.

Describing the incident, bus passen-

NASHIRUL ISLAM

ger Krishna Chandra Datta said: “It was around 3:40am and it was dark outside. Suddenly there was a sound and the right side of the bus fell on the line and the train’s front side pierced into the left part of the bus. I felt like I was flying through the air and passed out.”

Krishna regained consciousness in a bush that was a few yards away from the accident site. “When rescuers pulled me out of the bush, I saw the train had dragged the bus far away.

Some limbs and body parts were scattered around and some were on the train line. Injured people were crying for help,” he said.

“Those who were seated in the middle of the bus died on the spot as the train hit the middle part,” Krishna added.

Nimai Chandra Saha, a relative of the groom, said the marriage formalities were finished by 2am and they started the journey home after having dinner.

“It is only 55km from the bride’s home to the groom’s. Bride Josna Rani’s relatives requested us to stay the night there, but we refused as it would have taken only one and a half hours to go home. The wedding party in the

followers are trying to repeat another incident like that of the August 15 carnage. They had wanted to kill Sheikh Hasina but failed. Now they are conspiring again.”

He said: “The whole world has accepted the January 5 polls. Khaleda Zia made a mistake by not taking part in that election, and [to make it up] she has been plotting to grab power.”

Pointing to the BNP for the party’s plan to start movement after Eid, Relief and Disaster Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya said, “Tough action would be taken against those who would try to create anarchy in the name of movement.

Meanwhile, addressing another programme organised to mark the first day of August, Food Minister Qamrul Islam also ruled out any possibility of dialogue with the BNP. l

their five-point demand was met.

Moshrefa Mishu in a media briefing made the announcement yesterday, saying they would stage a demonstration today in front of the factory at 11am.

The demands include immediate payment of the outstanding wages, bonuses and overtime dues of 1,600 workers, job security for all workers of the Tuba Group keeping all the factories operational, scrapping of Delowar’s bail, and compensation for those who died in the Tazreen Fashion fire and the treatment cost for those injured in the fire.

As of yesterday, more than 80 of the agitators, including Mosrefa Mishu, had fallen ill; 15 of them were admitted to Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital and Badda General Hospital in the capital. l

bus was in a festive mood. We could not imagine what was going to happen.

We had travelled only 4km before we reached the spot of the accident,” he said.

The bride, groom and some other relatives saw the accident take place as their microbus was just a few metres ahead of the bus, Nimai added.

When contacted over the phone, the groom Taposh Kumar Biswas, who was a librarian at a local school, was unable to say anything as he was crying.

Another of Taposh’s relatives took the phone from him and told the Dhaka Tribune that the other family members had gone to cremate the bodies of their relatives. During the conversation, Taposh fainted twice.

The family was also preparing to take the newly married couple to a hospital as they were having fainting fits, he added.

Following the accident, Khulna’s train communication with Dhaka and Rajshahi was suspended for around eight hours. The line was finally cleared around 11:45am after a relief train from Khulna rescued the Simanto Express, said Railway Western Zone’s General Manager Abdul Awal Mia. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Fisheries Ministry set to procure faulty survey ship n Mohosinul Karim

The Fisheries and Livestock Ministry is set to procure a survey ship from Malaysia although the designs and standards of the vessel has been deemed as faulty for use in Bangladesh.

According to a monitoring team of the ministry, the survey ship would be able to work only four months during the winter season as it has only one engine. In the present context, such vessels need to have at least two engines for reserve.

However, such specifications were ignored when the ministry placed an order to the Malaysian ship building authority to build the ship.

Admitting the faults of the survey vessel, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Sayedul Haque told the Dhaka Tribune:

“We have found the mistake at a time when the ship building was at its final stage. We have discussed the issue with the officials and experts concerned with the survey ship to overcome the problem.

“The previous authority of the ministry had placed the work order to the Malaysian ship building authority. They gave the order considering our existing survey ship, which contain a single engine. They did not consider the present context of the country and additional maritime boundaries.”

He said Bangladesh will get the new survey ship in March 2015. The ministry will take further steps to solve the problems after it is delivered.

According to the ministry officials, the Malaysian authority was given order to build the survey ship for Bangladesh in 2012. The ADB is bearing all the cost of

Tk65 crore for the ministry under a soft loan term.

The ship was expected to be delivered to Bangladesh by December 2014, however, the schedule was shifted to March 2015 as per a request of the ship builder. According to an official at the minister’s office, the vigilance team, led

by Marine Fisheries Academy Principal Captain Masud Khan, submitted a report to the ministry terming the design of the ship defective.

The report also recommended the authority to solve the issues before receiving the ship from the Malaysian builder.

“The vigilance team visited the ship building activities in Malaysia recently.

They informed the ship building authority that the ship was being built with a single engine and will only be capable of traveling into deep sea during the winter

3

Saturday, August 2, 2014

season,” the official told the Dhaka Tribune, seeking anonymity.

According to the report, there was an opportunity to build a high standard survey ship with four engines as most improvised survey ships at present have have four engines. But, the previous authority ordered them to build a single engine ship which was not logical at all. It should be at least a ship with two engines. The official said the ship was built with an aim to travel into the deep sea round the year to survey marine resources.

With the present design, the ship will be able to travel only in between November to February and spend the rest of the year idle.

As a result, the government will not be able to allow fishermen to fish at deep sea at the perfect time and season. l

2 children rescued 26 hours after abduction n Our Correspondent, Gazipur Local people rescued two children from Gazipur on Friday, 26 hours after they had been abducted. Locals also managed to detain one of the abductors and handed him over to police after beating him severely.

The arrested was Md Shah Alam, 25, the son of Imran Ali from Dubajora village under the Mithaban Upazila of Kishoreganj district.

Sub-inspector Jashim Uddin of Joydebpur police station said Alam and his accomplices abducted two children Shahin, 7, the son of Idrish Ali and Imran, 8, the son of Asar Uddin, around 11am on Thursday, and hid them in a secret place.

Later, when Shah Alam returned to Idrish’s house on Friday and started acting weird, local people started

questioning and beating him. At one point Alam confessed his involvement in the abduction and told them that they had abducted those two children in order to sell them to a smuggler.

On Friday, around 12pm, local people and relatives of the victims rescued the two children from Chanda Chawrasta, following the information provided to them by Alam.

Upon receiving this information, police rushed in and rescued the injured Alam from the angry mob.

Md Shah Alam is Idrish Ali’s relative.

Both Idrish Ali and Md Asar Uddin work as rickshaw drivers and live in a rented house in Uttar Khaikoir area of Gazipur City.

A case was lodged with the Joydebpur police station regarding the incident. l

Bangladesh to raise border killing issue at BGB-BSF summit n Rabiul Islam Bangladesh and India’s border patrol forces are slated to hold summit talks at the end of the month, the Home Ministry has said.

The Border Coordination Conference, a meeting between the directors general (DG) of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from August 20-25.

BGB chief Major General Aziz Ahmed will lead the 22-member Bangladeshi delegation, a senior official at the home ministry said.

The Bangladesh side is likely to raise objections to the Felani trial after an Indian court acquitted the 15-year-old girl’s killer.

Border killing of Bangladeshi nationals by the BSF has been a thorny issue for the two countries.

A December 2010 Human Rights Watch report titled “Trigger Happy, Excessive Use of Force by Indian Troops at the Bangladesh Border,” documented nearly 1,000 killings by the BSF over the

period between 2000 and 2010.

That translates into a kill rate of one person every four days, Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch’s Asia division deputy director said at the time the report was released.

“We have objections to the Felani trial because it was not done properly and the guilty person was declared innocent,” the home ministry official told the Dhaka Tribune, on condition of anonymity.

Sources said human rights organisations in India were assisting Felani’s family to appeal the verdict.

On September 6, 2013, a special court set up by India’s Border Security Force acquitted BSF Constable Amiya Ghosh of the charge of killing Bangladeshi girl Felani Khatun at the Cooch Behar border.

BSF’s 181 Battalion Constable Amiya Ghosh, the prime accused, could not be found guilty because of “inconclusive and insufficient” evidence against him, the court said in its verdict.

The 15-year-old girl was shot dead by BSF while she was returning to her home in Bangladesh. Felani’s clothes got entangled in the barbed-wire as she tried to

climb over the fencing along the Anantapur border in Kurigram on January 7, 2011, and the BSF shot and killed her.

While talking to this correspondent over the phone, BGB DG Aziz Ahmed said: “We will raise the issue of border killings at the meeting.”

“We will continue to raise the issue until border killings are brought down to zero level,” he said.

The official said curbing trans-border crimes and increasing coordinated patrolling on the border to prevent the movement of criminals, smugglers and insurgents across the international boundary will be discussed.

Fence shootings by Indian soldiers against Bangladeshis have continued despite an Indian promise to halt border killings made last year at the border conference held in Dhaka.

According to media reports, on June 28, 2014, BSF shot and killed a Bangladeshi trader on the Putkhali border in Jessore.

On February 26, 2014, BSF shot dead a Bangladeshi cattle trader on the Panchbibi frontier in Joypurhat. l

Marking the start of the month of mourning, Awami League activists hold a candlelit vigil in front of Bangabandhu’s portrait at Dhanmondi 32 on the first hours of yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Ratul Telecom continues to get preferential treatment n Muhammad Zahidul Islam The incumbent and the former telecom minister have allegedly been giving preferential treatment to an IGW owned by family members of former state minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak by repeatedly extending time for paying around Tk100 crore of outstanding revenues to the BTRC. At a meeting on April 15, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission decided to report to the government to cancel the licence of Ratul Telecom Ltd, an International Gateway (IGW) owned by Nanak’s daughter and wife. On the other hand, at the same meeting, the regulators gave the company a chance to pay the outstanding Tk96.79 crore with 15% late fees by May 31.

Even after Ratul Telecom failed to meet the deadline, it was given two more time extensions for paying its dues, reportedly based on recommendations by Telecom Minister Abdul Latif Siddique.

This, however, was not the first time Ratul Telecom had enjoyed preferential treatment from the uppermost tier of the government.

The IGW is enjoying repeated time extensions for paying Tk100 crore dues Earlier, former telecom minister Shahara Khatun allegedly violated the existing act and approved three instalments to the company for depositing their dues, but Ratul Telecom missed all three deadlines – on November 30 and December 31 last year and January 31 this year, sources said.

BTRC high-ups said according to the related act and guidelines, the ministers were not allowed to make recommendations over revenue collection from any telecom operator;

while sources said the current and former cabinet members had pushed for additional time extensions for Ratul Telecom as one of their party leaders was involved with the company.

On the other hand, when asked about why preferential treatment was being given to this particular IGW, Telecom Minister Abdul Latif Siddique told the Dhaka Tribune that what he did regarding Ratul Telecom, he had done knowingly.

Requesting anonymity, a BTRC commissioner said: “We have nothing to do when the ministers make recommendations and want to favour a single company.”

However, seeking anonymity, a BTRC spokesperson told the Dhaka Tribune: “This is the last time we are extending the deadline for Ratul Telecom to pay their dues. If they fail to pay, the BTRC will go for tougher action.”

In a letter to the BTRC in June, Ratul Telecom said it was unable to pay the government share as it could not collect money from its international car-

riers because of the “recent prolonged political uncertainty in the country.”

Earlier in February, the BTRC served a notice to Ratul Telecom about not giving them more time, and prepared to file a criminal case and another case under Public Demands Recovery Act, while later in the month, the regulators decided to file a case under telecom act section 73/2, which may result in a maximum of five years’ imprisonment or Tk300 crore fine or both.

However, all initiatives stopped when the new telecom minister reportedly gave them another chance.

Ratul Telecom, 50% of which is owned by Nanak’s daughter Syeda Amrin Rakhi and 20% by Nanak’s wife Syeda Arzuman Banu, started operations as an IGW in October 2012 and went out of operation in August 2013 when BTRC blocked them for not paying the outstanding revenue sharing.

During the less than a year of operations, BTRC’s receivable amount from Ratul Telecom stood at Tk138.35 crore, of which they have paid only Tk49.06

crore so far. Adding annual license fees and late fees, the total payable amount might exceed Tk100 crore, said sources in BTRC. According to the IGW guideline, the companies can earn $0.03 per minute against incoming international calls.

The operators are required to pay 51.75% of revenue to the telecom regulator along with 20% to mobile or land phone operators.

Although Ratul Telecom was allowed several time extensions, four other IGWs – Telex Ltd, Vision Tel Ltd, Bestec Telecom Limited, and Kay Telecommunications Ltd – are facing cases for similar offences of failing to share revenues on time, said BTRC sources.

While the government continues to delay its action against Ratul Telecom, Grameenphone Ltd has already filed a case against it for outstanding revenue amounting to Tk12.39 crore.

Sources in two other telecom operators said they were also preparing to file cases against Ratul Telecom. l

Residential hotel catches fire in capital, two dead n Afrose Jahan Chaity A fire killed two people yesterday at Bangladesh Muslim Residential Hotel in the capital’s Bangshal area.

Saijuddin, 35, and Sultan Mia, 55, two were regular clients of the hotel, were staying in two separate rooms of the hotel when the fire broke out.

Sources in the Fire Service Control Room said the fire broke out around 3:30am on the second floor of the hotel.

Four fire-fighting units went to the spot and doused the fire around 7am, after three hours of effort. The source of the fire could not be identified yet.

Furniture worth around Tk3lakh was damaged in the fire, informed officials of the control room.

Bangshal police station Officer-in-Charge Kuddus Fakir said the bodies had been sent to Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital for autopsies. l

Jute packaging act enacted 4 years back exists only on paper

Separate NID cards for senior citizens n Rabiul Islam proposed The mandatory jute packaging act, n Mohammad Zakaria which was formulated four years ago, The Social Welfare Ministry wants to issue separate National Identity Cards to the country’s senior citizens to ensure that they have easy access to the different state facilities.

Seeking the Election Commission’s opinion and assistance in this regard, the ministry has sent a letter that will be discussed at the commission’s next meeting, a senior EC official told the Dhaka Tribune.

Sirazul Islam, acting secretary of the commission, said the EC would inform the ministry after making a decision.

The Social Welfare Ministry intends to issue the cards to citizens aged 60 years or above, so that they receive priorities while availing different state facilities such as opening bank accounts, availing medical facilities, buying transport tickets etc inside the country.

The NID wing reportedly rejected a similar proposal by the ministry last year. l

exists only on paper since the law has yet to take effect in reality.

The government enacted the law on October 12, 2010 with a view to boosting the country’s dying jute sector and preventing the environment from getting polluted by widespread use of synthetic bags in packaging goods. The law was also empowered to operate mobile courts against any and all violations.

The Textile and Jute Ministry took about two years to publish a gazette notification on the act, making it effective from September 20, 2012.

According to rules made by the Jute Ministry on June 3 last year, no act can be implemented without framing the necessary rules. On November 6, the packaging act was included in the schedule of the Mobile Court Act 2009.

As per the rules, paddy, rice, wheat, maze, fertiliser and sugar must be packaged in jute bags. Violators face a maximum of one year in jail or a fine

of Tk50,000 and both for using non-degradable synthetics to package commodities.

However, rice is seen being sold in synthetic bags at most kitchen markets in the capital.

“I purchased rice packaged in synthetic bags,” said a rice dealer at Mohammadpur Town Hall Market.

Officials concerned said plastic industry owners did not want the law to be implemented and lobbied the ministry accordingly.

“Why is the ministry delaying the implementation if it is not being benefited in some way?” said an official.

A senior official of the Jute Ministry, however, claimed that the implementation of the act had begun in January this year.

According to the ministry’s decision, mobile courts were to operate from July but it was deferred in view of a plea from the rice mills associations seeking deferral during Ramadan.

“We have no plan to use jute bags for packaging rice but if we are under pressure, we will give in,” Naogaon District

Rice Mill Owners Association President Md Abu Taleb told the Dhaka Tribune recently.

“I suspect the government will not be able to supply jute bags,” he said.

Bangladesh Plastic Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Jasim Uddin said it was impossible to implement the act because the government would not be able to supply 2,000,000 jute bags a day.

He also criticised the government for formulating the act.

“We supply a synthetic bag for Tk810,” he said, adding that a jute bag would cost around Tk80.

Jasim also suggested that the government should consider producing high-value jute products. Textile and Jute Secretary Phani Bhushon, however, said on Thursday: “We are fully committed to implement the act.

“We are allowing some time as the stakeholders might argue that they did not know about the implementation of the act. The government is also capable of supplying bags as per the demand.”

Bangladesh Jute Mills Association

(BJMA) Secretary Barik Khan said the local consumption of jute would go up if jute bags were used widely.

“We would get competitive price of jute in the international market. BJMA and Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) can supply 12,000,000 jute bags,” Khan said.

According to the Jute Department, around 75 crore jute bags will be used annually and 50% of jute would be con-

sumed locally once the packaging act was implemented.

Around 70 bales of raw jute were produced last year.

A senior Jute Department official said there would be an opportunity to use jute bags worth Tk5,000 crore annually, if the act was implemented.

The 27 mills under BJMC, which are now in sorry states, will also be able to survive if the act is implemented. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Saturday, August 2, 2014

35 patients die at SBMCH during Eid vacation n Our Correspondent, Barisal At least 35 patients reportedly died at Barisal Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital, the biggest and lone specialised hospital in the region, during the Eid holidays.

However, hospital authourities claimed that the number of deaths during holidays were less than regular period.

Of the 35 dead patients, 8 died from road accidents, 4 neonatals died from delivery complications, 1 died after being injured in a clash, 22 died from different diseases,” Abul Kalam, ward master of the hospital told the Dhaka Tribune.

More than 190 patients, including 42 on 27 July, 38 on 28 July, 52 on 29 July and 58 on 30 July were admitted at the indoor units in the hospital and many of them released after receiving treatment,” said Dr Asim Saha and Dr Ajoy Datta, emergency medical officers of the hospital.

Only 30 out of 180 intern doctors, the main working forces of the hospital, 34 out of 164 registers, assistant registers, emergency, indoor and outdoor medical officers and 137 out of 404 staff nurses were assigned to deliver medical services during Eid vacation at Barisal SBMCH. ”We cannot deny the right to leave on socio-religious festival vacation.

Normally, on an average 1,300 to 1,500 patients receive indoor treatments at this hospital and 13 to 15 patients die during the normal period on a daily average,” said Dr Kamrul Islam Selim, director of SBMCH. However, many patients claimed that adiquate number of doctors or medical staffs were not found during the vacations.

Afzal Hossain, one of the admitted patients, alleged that no specialist doctors were available to attend patients from the first to the last day of the Eid vacations. l

Fire fighters with local people extinguish fire that broke out in Sheikhgat area of Sylhet city yesterday

Five bodies recovered from five districts

Two killed over land disputes n Tribune Report

n Tribune Desk

Two groups of villagers had a clash regarding a land dispute in Digholbag village under Habiganj, leaving one dead and 25 others injured.

Police said there had been a long standing dispute between Badrul Miya and Raju Miya, both residents of the village, regarding the ownership of a piece of land in the area where a shrine was situated.

Due to the dispute, an armed clash ensued between two groups of Badrul and Raju's men around 3:30pm yesterday, leaving Tota Miya, 70, dead on the spot and 25 others severely injured.

One of the injured was sent to Sylhet for treatment while 10 others were admitted to Habiganj Sadar Hospital.

Habiganj police station Officer-in-Charge Md Nazim Uddin said police had gone to the spot and recovered the body of the deceased.

Police were trying to arrest those involved with the incident, he added.

In Sirajganj, one man was killed yesterday in a clash over the demarcation of a homestead at Chandidasgati village.

Shialkol Union Parishad Chairman Md Shahjamal said Haji Motaleb Hossain, the owner of a local rice mill, had a longstanding dispute with his neighbour Habibur Rahman regarding the demarcation of their homesteads.

Around 12:30pm yesterday, followers of the two engaged in a quarrel which eventually turned into a clash leaving Habibur’s two sons Rana and Rony severely injured. Rana died while on-route to Bogra Sadar Hospital. Rony was admitted to the hospital. l

Police yesterday recovered the bodies of five persons from as many districts.

According to our correspondent, the Prothom Alo Faridpur correspondent’s wife was found dead at their house at Jheeltuli area of Sadar upazila in the morning. Joyonti Sarker, 38, the wife of journalist Panna Bala, was also mother to a 10 year old daughter.

Panna Bala told local journalists that his wife had gone to sleep alone in a separate room after quarreling with him on Thursday night. She was found dead around 7:30am on the morning of the next day.

Police were called in and they recovered the body.

Sub-Inspector Kazi Masud Rana told

Dhaka Tribune that they had discovered a suspicious red spot on her throat and she was found seated on a chair with a rope around her neck.

The body was sent to a hospital for an autopsy.

According to our Munshiganj correspondent, the body of an unknown person was recovered yesterday from the Dhaka-Mawa highway of Srinagar upazila.

Srinagar police station Sub-Inspector Mostafizur Rahman said they recovered the body from the Purbosomoshpur point of the highway around 11am.

The deceased was around 45 years of age. Mostafizur said they were primarily assuming that the man might have died after a vehicle hit him sometime in the night.

Our Habiganj correspondent reports that a young boy drowned when he went to take bath at the Khoai River in Habiganj.

The incident took place at the Masulia point of the river in the district town, around midday yesterday.

The deceased was Khalil Mia, the son of Hirai Mia of Purbo Mahmudabad village. Quoting police, witnesses said Khalil and his father went to cut grass for cattle on the banks of the river. At one stage, he went down the river to take a bath and went missing.

Police and fire service men failed to locate the body and recover it.

Later, divers were informed and they were able to recover the body.

Habiganj Sadar model police station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Nazim

A man allegedly stabbed his elder brother to death on Thursday night, after a fight regarding a trivial matter, in Kishoreganj town. The deceased Shariful Islam, 40, was the son of Md Ashraf Ali from Charsolakia of Kishoreganj town. Police, citing the locals, said the two brothers had an altercation on Thursday around 11:45pm regarding the lighting decoration of a nearby house for a wedding. At one stage, the younger brother, Shamim, stabbed his elder brother Sharif indiscriminately and left him dead on the spot.

When informed, police rushed to the spot and arrested Shamim. Mir Mosharraf Hossain, officer-in-charge of Kishoreganj Sadar police station, confirmed the murder and said the body was sent to Kishoreganj 250 bed District Sadar Hospital morgue for a postmortem.

No case was filed regarding the incident, the OC added.

– Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj

Fire guts five houses in Sylhet A devastating fire gutted five houses in the Sheikhgat area of Sylhet metropolitan. Jabed Hossain Mohammod Tarek, senior station officer of Fire Service, Sylhet, said the fire was caused by a gas burner. A total of 19 rooms from those houses had been burned and assets worth around Tk35 lakh were destroyed, the station officer added. Saleh Ahmed, the local ward councillor, said the fire originated in the house of Shafiqur Rahman, who went on a trip during the Eid vacation. Fumes started to come out from his house around 7:30pm on Thursday. The fire spread and caught on the nearby houses, even though local people tried to bring it under control. Later, the Fire Service doused the blaze around 9:30pm, after struggling for two hours. The houses of Mashuk Mia, Sharif Mia, Golam Mostafa and Ataur Rahman had also caught fire.

– Our Correspondent, Sylhet

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2

FORECAST FOR TODAY Dhaka

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27

Chittagong

31

26

Rajshahi

34

27

Rangpur

34

27

Khulna

32

26

Barisal

32

26

Sylhet

33

25

Cox’s Bazar

29

26

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

25.9ºC Rangamati

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajar Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

4:06am 5:27am 12:05am 4:43pm 6:41pm 8:04pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

India's Border Security Force (BSF) detained a Bangladeshi national yesterday afternoon at Thakurgaon.

The incident took place at Ranishankail upazila's Dharmagarh border, a day after an exchange of four Bangladeshis and an Indian took place between the BSF and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Thursday.

BGB said Mohammad Jahangir had been captured from Sub-Pillar 374/2.

However, they could not say why he had been taken away into India.

Intelligence Officer Major Touhid, of 20 BGB Battalion in Thakurgaon, said they had written to the BSF, seeking the return of the detained Bangladeshi. l

Brother kills brother in Kishoreganj

THUNDERSHOWER WITH RAIN

DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 6:41PM SUN RISES 5:28AM

Uddin confirmed the incident and said the body had already been taken to a hospital for an autopsy.

Our Chandpur correspondent reports that police recovered the body of a 30-year-old man yesterday from the Mohamaya Bazar point of Chandpur-Comilla highway.

The deceased was Hanif Gazi, the son of late Halim Gazi, from Hossainpur village of Sadar upazila.

He used to work as a burnisher at different furniture shops in the upazila’s Baburhat Bazar.

Sadar model police station Sub-Inspector Rajib Ahsan said they assumed that Hanif Gazi had died from drug overdose.

The body was sent to a hospital for an autopsy. l

BSF detains Bangladeshi n Our Correspondent, Thakurgaon

NEWS IN BRIEF

WEATHER

37.1ºC Rajshahi

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Road accidents kill two in Comilla Some youths enjoy bath under a waterfall at Matiranga upazila in Khagrachhari yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Hilly Khagrachhari buzzing with tourists Correspondent, n Our Khagrachhari Owners of hotels and motels in Khagrachhari are happy as they are getting the expected rush of tourists during the on-going Eid vacation, thereby helping them to make hefty profits.

According to the district administration, there are about 50 residential hotels and motels, including Parjatan motel, in Khagrachhari.

These were decorated nicely before Eid, aiming to draw the attention of tourists, especially foreigners.

Moreover Alutila, Rechang Waterfall, Zilla Parishad Park of Sadar upazila, Thoiduchhara Waterfall of Dighinala upazila, Devotar Pukur (God’s pond), Monartek Lake of Mohalchhari, Aranya Kuthir of Panchhari upazila, Bonolata Agro farm and Sritidam Babna Kendra of Manikchhari and the artificial lake and Kalshirmukh of Ramgorh upazila have also been decorated nicely to satisfy the tourists.

Shahana Akter, a housewife who

came from Jhenaidah, said she was happy to see the natural beauties and multicultural diversity of the hills.

“The green hills, snaking roads, rivers, mysterious tunnels and waterfalls are all really looking charming,” she said.

Alamgir Hossain, who came from Chittagong, said he was happy to see Mohalchhari Devotar Pukur that located around 1,000 feet above the sea level and Manikchhari Bonolata Agro farm.

“I have been staying here for the last two days and I want to stay here one more day,” he said while talking to this correspondent yesterday.

“We are happy with the security measures,” said Reshma Afroze, who came from Dhaka, adding that they would feel better if the communication system and infrastructure were better.

Managing Director of Khagrachhari Parjatan Motel Alok Bikas Chakma said he was satisfied as all 50 motel rooms were reserved till August 10.

“Due to the reservations, we can

earn more than Tk16-17 lakh in two weeks while our annual income targets are around Tk1 core,” he said.

When contacted, Hotel Gairing Managing Director Ananta Bikash Tripura said huge numbers of tourists had come to the hilly district to spend their Eid vacations.

“We are happy as we were able to fulfill our income targets,” he said, adding that all 40 motel rooms were reserved till August 8.

Rupna Chakma, sales representative of Boyon Textile and Handy crafts said they were making hefty profits by selling local clothes and handy-crafts.

“Most of the buyers are tourists,” he said.

Superintendent of Police SK Md Mizanur Rahman said strict security measures have been taken to ensure the safety of tourists.

Deputy Commissioner Md Masud Karim said Khagrachhari was buzzing with tourists because of their new modern communication systems, accommodations and security facilities. l

At least two people were killed and 50 others injured in separate road accidents yesterday in Comilla. Around 10pm, on the Comilla-Sylhet Highway in Chrabakar area of Debidwar upazila, a Comilla-bound Janata Super bus and a Netrokona-bound bus collided head-on leaving one dead and 20 injured, said Debidwar police station Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman. The deceased was a passenger of the Janata bus, Shunil Boyati, 45, a resident of Bholachong village of Nabinagar upazila under Brahmanbaria. The injured were admitted to Debidwar Health Complex. Meanwhile, a Rangpur-bound Meghaloy Paribahan bus coming from Chittagong lost control and fell into a ditch around 9:30am in Chiora area of Chauddagram upazila on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway, said Chauddagram police station Officer-in-Charge Uttam Kumar Chakrabarty. The accident left the bus driver, Chan Miya, 35, dead on the spot and 30 injured. The injured were admitted to different clinics in Chauddagram, Chiora and Feni.

– Our Correspondent, Comilla

Traditional boat race held in Tangail A traditional boat race was held in Kumri Beel of Kalihati upazila under Tangail district on Friday for the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. At least one hundred boats from different parts of the district took part in the race. In association with Walton, Marcel and Bangladesh Rowing Federation, Singna Samajkalyan Jubo Sangha organized the race in four categories- three for male participants and one for female participants. Beating drums and singing songs, the excited villagers arrived in small boats to enjoy the race with thousands of people, including women and children from the area and the adjacent upazilas. Shorab Miah from Sakhipur upaizla said: “I come here every year to enjoy the race. Large numbers of boats take part in this race. I expect that the authority will keep arranging the race every year”. Meer Kaiser Sadik, convener of the competition and general secretary of Singna Samajkalyan Jubo Sangha, said they have been arranging this boat race for the last seven years as it is a village tradition. Romez Member and his team from Basail upazila, Fazlul Haque, Bir Protik, and his team from Ghatail upazila and Mannan Shikder and his team from Basail upzila secured first, second and third positions, respectively in the 50-malla (male) category. Sadek Hossain and his team from Sakhipur upazila and Ibrahim Miah and his team from Kalihati upazila secured the first and second places in the 25-malla (male) category, respectively.

– Our Correspondent, Tangail

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

5

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Gas blast in Taiwan kills 25, injures 267, topples buildings n Reuters, Kaohsiung, Taiwan A series of explosions caused by a gas leak killed 25 people and injured 267 in Taiwan’s second city yesterday, sending flames shooting 15 storeys into the air, setting ablaze entire blocks and reducing small shops to rubble.

Rescue authorities said police and soldiers had been drafted in to help firefighters after the midnight explosion and blaze gutted a district in the port city of Kaohsiung packed with shops and apartment buildings.

Four firefighters were among the dead. Media reports suggested the death toll was likely to rise sharply.

President Ma Ying-jeou pledged tough measures to prevent any recurrence of the incident. “We will make further arrangements and inspections to avoid this kind of disaster from occurring again,” Ma said in comments shown on television after speaking via a video link with Kaohsiung’s mayor.

The blast sent flames racing through the district and smoke billowing high into the air. Flames shot up from sewers and gutters and water from burst mains gushed through the streets.

Residents said the blast shook buildings as if there had been an earthquake, toppling small shops and overturning cars. Rescuers formed a chain to pull dozens of injured from a vast crater in the street and picked their way through

piles of rubble as they ferried the injured away on stretchers.

Those overcome by smoke were resuscitated in the street. “We’ve already taken some seriously injured into the emergency room,” a doctor told a local television station. Two of these were in surgery with a fractured hip and internal bleeding in the head, respectively, he added, while four more were receiving emergency treatment.

The body of a motorcyclist lay covered by a sheet next to his battered vehicle and another body had been placed on a slab of concrete next to piles of debris.

Kaohsiung authorities set up an emergency centre to be staffed by servicemen coordinating the rescue operation. By morning, firefighters had regained control of the district and were moving in protective white gear through streets covered in upturned asphalt and smashed vehicles.

The National Fire Agency said firefighters were investigating reports of gas leaks, as the cause of the explosions remains unclear.

Economic minister Chang Chia-juch told reporters initial assessments suggested the blast was caused by a leak of propylene, a material used in the production of plastics and fabrics.

Taiwan’s two foremost petrochemical companies said their operations were unaffected by the blast. l

Rescue personnel survey the wreckage after an explosion in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan. The explosion caused by a gas leak in Taiwan’s second city killed 25 people, injured 267 and sent flames shooting 15 storeys into the air, a government agency said REUTERS

Interfaith house of prayer to be built in Berlin n AP, Berlin A rabbi, an imam and a priest start praying together under the same roof. It may sound like the start of a joke, but hopes are high it will become reality in Berlin.

The three men are working together to build a common house of worship — the “House of One” — in the center of the capital that will include a church, a mosque and a synagogue, as well as a joint meeting hall at the center of the building.

“We have noticed, as a community here in the middle of the city, that a lot of people want to meet people from different backgrounds and religions and that there is a strong desire to show that people from different religions can get along,” Pastor Gregor Hohberg of Berlin’s St. Petri parish told The Associated Press. “We want to make a point and show that religions can be a cause of peace.”

NEWS BITES

New Indian army chief warns Pakistan

n Agencies On his first day in office, India’s army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag yesterday warned Pakistan that India’s response to any beheading-like incident in future would be “more than adequate, intense and immediate.” “I can tell you that our response to any such act will be more than adequate in future. It will be intense and immediate,” he told reporters after his welcome guard of honour as Chief of Army Staff. The new army chief was asked how did India give a ‘befitting reply’ to Pakistan after the beheading of Indian soldier Lance Naik Hemraj along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector on January 8, last year by Pakistani troops. Previous Army chief Gen Bikram Singh had on Thursday stated that India had given a befitting reply to Pakistan after the beheading incident. “It has been done.

Please understand that when we use force, that use is from tactical to operational to strategic levels. “When I mention that during that incident, it was aimed at operations at the tactical level, which have been undertaken,” Gen Singh had said. l

US: Obama looking forward to setting ‘new agenda’ with Modi

n Agencies

US President Barack Obama is looking forward to a summit with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September to set an “ambitious new agenda” to chart a new course in the bilateral ties, top US functionaries John Kerry and Penny Pritzker said yesterday. Kerry, US secretary of state, and Pritzker, secretary of commerce, conveyed this during a meeting in New Delhi with Modi who said the two countries should prepare for concrete outcomes during the summit to take the relationship to “an entirely new level on the basis of vision, strategy and action plan.” Modi is expected to travel to Washington in September-end for his first summit meeting with Obama. l

Hohberg came up with the idea for the House of One, and teamed with Berlin Rabbi Tovia Ben Chorin and Imam Kadir Sanci.

The trio hope Christians, Jews and Muslims will soon study and pray together.

“I believe in the power of dialogue,” said Rabbi Ben Chorin. “In the world we live in we have two possibilities: war or peace.

Peace is a process and in order to achieve it, you have to talk to each other.”

The future interfaith meeting place is planned for the Petriplatz square in downtown Berlin. Currently there’s nothing but a few old sycamore trees on a sandy parcel of land that is surrounded by a busy street and old east German tenement buildings.

But the spot has a long history: It is the place where the city was first settled in the 13th century, and for hundreds of years was home to Berlin’s St. Petri church, until it was heavily damaged during World War II

and eventually torn down by East German authorities in 1964.

The city, which inherited the plot after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, has already given its OK for the construction of the House of One. The design by Berlin’s architect company Kuehn Malvezzi envisions a building 40 meters (130 feet) tall with a tower that will be accessible for visitors. The central meeting hall will be able to seat 380 people, with the separate church, synagogue and mosque all adjacent to it.

Construction costs are estimated at 43.5m euros ($58.3m), and funding is entirely through donations. In an online crowd-funding campaign, the three clerics are asking people from around the world to contribute by buying bricks for the building for 10 euros ($13.40) each.

Since launching the campaign at the

start of June they have received a little more than 35,000 euros ($46,800). The three are also seeking corporate sponsorship and larger donations from private individuals, and the plan is to start construction work in 2016. There is no estimated time of completion.

Meanwhile, believers of the different faiths have already used the future site of the House of One for joint open-air prayers.

Last week, around 150 people came together to pray for peace in the Middle East and an end to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

“It is very important for us to overcome all the negative news in the world,” said Imam Sanci. “I have the wish, for my children, my family, for myself and for everyone, that diversity becomes a reality and that people will accept each other in their otherness.” l

Ebola-infected doctor’s extraordinary sacrifice n Yahoo News Even from his own sickbed in Africa, American physician Kent Brantly continues putting the well-being of others before his own. Brantly, a medical missionary in West Africa, and fellow American Nancy Writebol both contracted Ebola last weekend. They spent the past several days under quarantine and are struggling to survive.

On Wednesday, an experimental serum arrived in Monrovia, Liberia, but there was only enough dosage for one patient. “Dr. Brantly asked that it be given to Nancy Writebol,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, the Christian humanitarian or-

ganization Brantly is working for.

Late Thursday, officials at Emory University Hospital near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta confirmed that one of the two aid workers will soon be brought to a special high-security ward there. The name of the patient was not revealed.

Brantly’s gesture of letting Writebol have the serum fits the description of selflessness and sacrifice the 33-yearold’s family back in the US has given.

“Kent prepared himself to be a lifetime medical missionary,” his mother, Jan Brantly, told The Associated Press on Monday. “His heart is in Africa.”

There is no known cure or vaccine for Ebola. l

Is India’s construction boom behind Experts start work Pune village landslide? at Ukraine crash site despite new fighting n Reuters, Kiev

Rampant construction activity is threatening the ecology of hilly areas near Pune

n BBC, India Environmental experts are blaming the flattening of hilly slopes for agriculture and a construction boom for Wednesday morning’s landslide that has claimed at least 60 lives and buried up to over a hundred people in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

The mostly tribal population in these regions has traditionally grown a single crop of rice or finger millet, but in recent years the focus has shifted to wheat cultivation, says Saili Palande-Datar, an environmentalist with Kalpavriksh Environmental Action Group.

This, she says, has necessitated flattening of larger areas, including steep slopes “which is obviously risky.”

Malin village, the site of the disaster, is located close to the backwaters of the Dimbhe dam, constructed a decade ago, and experts say areas adjoining backwaters of dams are usually landslide-prone.

“The role of the dam needs to be investigated,” says Parineeta Dandekar, associate coordinator at South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People.

But she adds that “as a policy, the government is helping expansion of areas under traditional padkai (terrace farming) in the tribal belts. Earlier, the tribals used stones to support terraces, but these days big machines are used to level the ground. The presence of loose mud and absence of any reinforcement or water channels is a recipe for disaster.”

In recent past, the region has witnessed several flash floods and landslides.

Between 2006 and 2007, landslides hit Siddhagadwadi and Saharmach villages, burying more than 100 cattle. And last year, a flash flood caused by an illegal construction boom in Katraj hills outside Pune swept away several cars and killed two people, including a child.

Critics say massive road and real es-

BBC

tate projects in the area have also made the region unstable.

“Hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest land has been cleared since 2007. Often, plots of encroached land are sold to builders for constructing housing complexes,” says Kishore Rithe, a member of the Maharashtra state wildlife board and a conservation expert.

“The other menace is construction or widening of roads where mud is simply pushed down the slope. This chokes water channels and destroys vegetation that holds the soil together,” he adds.

A massive anti-encroachment drive by the Pune district administration in 2011 failed to rein in the errant builders.

Environmental activists say that unless the wanton destruction of this ecologically fragile area is stopped immediately, the region will continue to face disasters similar to what happened in Malin. l

International experts started recovery work at the wreckage site of a downed Malaysian airliner in east Ukraine yesterday despite clashes nearby between government forces and pro-Russian rebels.

The group was the largest to reach the site since flight MH17 was shot down over rebel-held territory on July 17, killing all 298 people on board.

Roads had for days been too dangerous to use because of heavy fighting, frustrating efforts to recover all the victims’ remains and push ahead with an investigation.

In the latest clashes, the rebels killed at least 10 Ukrainian paratroopers in an ambush after midnight near Shakhtarsk, one of the closest towns to the wreckage site, the Ukrainian military said.

The rebels said they had pushed back government forces around Shakhtarsk, where fighting has raged for several days. A Ukrainian military official said a further 13 troops were wounded and 11 unaccounted for.

The recovery mission included 70 experts from Australia and the Netherlands, whose countries suffered a big loss of life in the shoot-down, as well as representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

An advance team drove to the site from the nearest big city, Donetsk, on Thursday but only stayed only for about an hour after the sides halted fighting along the route.

Agreement was later reached to extend the limited ceasefire around the route, making it a safe corridor, at talks in Belarus involving Russia, Ukraine, the rebels and the OSCE. Kiev has accused the rebels of planting mines in the region near the site, suggesting they want to hamper the investigation and hide evidence, but an OSCE official said no evidence had been found to back up the allegations.

Ukrainian officials say about 80 bodies have not been recovered from the wreckage of the Boeing 777. The 298 victims included 193 Dutch and 27 Australians, as well as 43 Malaysians.

Beseiged strongholds

In other violence, city authorities said five civilians had been killed and nine wounded in the past 24 hours in Luhansk, which, with, Donetsk, is the last big rebel stronghold.

Ukrainian officials say about 80 bodies have not been recovered from the wreckage of the Boeing 777 Government forces have intensified their offensive in mainly Russian-speaking east Ukraine since the airliner came down.

The separatists have been pushed out of other towns they held in the rebellion, mounted against rule by Kiev’s pro-Western leaders and inspired by Russia’s annexation of Crimea after a pro-Moscow president was ousted in Kiev in February.

Luhansk, the smaller of the two main rebel strongholds, is now almost completely surrounded by government troops. It has been cut of from food supplies and left with no electricity or running water, authorities say.

Rebel commander Igor Girkin declared a state of siege in the rebel-held territory in and around Donetsk, saying this allowed his fighters to confiscate cars, construction materials, food, medical equipment and phones.

More than 1,100 people had been killed and nearly 3,500 wounded between mid-April and July 26, the United Nations said.l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Heritage

Saturday, August 2, 2013

Did the earth move for you?

F

n Tim Steel

or a country that annually seems to add to its land mass through the deposit of river alluvium from annual Himalayan melted waters, and flooding monsoon rains, loss of large areas of land may be considered unusual. Or, as Oscar Wilde’s Lady Bracknell might have put it, “To lose one square mile might be considered unfortunate, to lose more might be taken as carelessness.”

What is known, geologically, as the Indo-Australia Plate, the land mass which comprises the area south of the Himalayas, is continuing its advance into Asia, experts reckon, at the rate of about 47mm a year. Such advance is bound of course, to create mostly small, regular readjustments, that we know as earthquakes.

However, at about 5pm on April 2, 1762, an earthquake measuring up to 8.8 on an international scale of measurements, by which this would be rated catastrophic, took place, with its epicentre believed to have been just off the coast of the lands that are now Bangladesh, close to Chakoria, south of Chittagong.

As a result of that earthquake, an area of about 60 square miles of land in the vicinity of Chakoria disappeared beneath the sea. The village of Bar Chara, close to where, some 36 years later, Cox’s Bazar would be founded, was amongst the places where the land sank, and 200 people are believed to have lost their lives.

Since the tectonic plate of which the subcontinent is formed is continuing its advance into Asia, earthquakes will also, inevitably, continue to take place in the region.

Global position of India at the time of the Dionysus The original collision of the land masses, that took place about 50 million years ago, threw up the Himalayan range of mountains, the dramatic backdrop to the whole of the Indian subcontinent.

The hundred or so towering peaks, amongst which are the highest in the world, are the most commonly identified result of the collision. The enduring ripples of those mountains, however, are also a substantial backdrop to the alluvial plains of Bangladesh, and the lands of the Delta of those three great Asian rivers, all

WIKI MEDIA

Across the primary area of damage from that earthquake, in the north of Bangladesh, further significant damage occurred, such as the loss of the towering spires on the magnificent, terracotta Kanthiji Temple just north of Dinajpur, one of the most magnificent, early 18th century Hindu Temples in the country. Indeed, it is fair to say, that almost all Heritage sites, north of the Ganges/Padma, suffered some structural damage.

Few of the zamindar palaces, and great religious buildings of the region, were spared. Such palaces as Mukta-

The Indo-Australian plate continues to force its way into Asia, and their potential to permanently change, not only my life, but those of many others

The India Plate split from Madagascar and collided with the Eurasian Plate, resulting in the formation of the Himalayas.

WIKIMEDIA

The Indian plate shown in red

of which originate in the mountains, the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna. Dozens, if not hundreds, of smaller rivers, also wend their way across these coastal plains, annually depositing their outwash, flooding the lands, enriching the soil, and lengthening the considerable coastline.

In 1897, the zaminder palace at Rangpur, in North Bengal, was probably amongst the first to experience the dramatic effects of another force 8 earthquake originating in the Shillong Plateau in Assam, just north of today’s border with India.

The palace, today, known as Tajhat palace, which remains one of the most impressive and best preserved in Bangladesh, was built in the early years of the twentieth century, to replace that which took so much of the force in 1897, an earthquake, which is now referred to as, “The Great Indian Earthquake,” that it collapsed.

In the ruins died one of the most conspicuous casualties amongst the 1,500 known casualties, Maharajah Bahadur, a zaminder with family origins in the Punjab, and a family, like so many of those who bought the Zamindari in the lands of Bangladesh, jewellers by profession.

He was reputed to be a public spirited man, who had inherited the estates in 1879, and was awarded the honorific title of Raja in 1892, and Maharajah in 1896.

WIKIMEDIA

gacha palace near Mymensingh, still bear conspicuous traces of damage in the ruins. And it was probably in this earthquake that the original Mughal palaces of the Zamindari of Natore, collapsed. Both of the palaces, at Natore itself, and Babhanipur, closer to Bogra, seem to have been extensively damaged, with only the Rajbari in Natore being replaced by the fine array of late nineteenth and early twentieth century “pavillions” that we can see today. These, too, are slowly decaying, though the source of that is neglect more than any natural force.

A glance at the published records of earthquakes in the country reveals, it seems, a growing frequency of episodes. However, it is possible that appearance is due, in part at least, to better recording.

Although, in 1737, a 7.6 quake appears to have been centred on what was then known as Calcutta, the relatively newly established base of operations in the region for the East India Company, little written, or recorded evidence of its effects can be found.

Records of earthquakes in Bangladesh are somewhat sparse, and it is, inevitably, only the most catastrophic that are recorded. Exploring, as I have extensively, over the past decade or so, much of the very rich heritage of Bangladesh, evident earthquake damage is far from rare. It is not always easy to distinguish from the ravages of time and neglect, nor the depredations of the Pakistan Army, and the Liberation War. All we can say, for sure, is that earthquakes have left their lasting mark on the lands, and on the visible heritage of the lands, and since there are those experts who predict that Dhaka itself is overdue on the effects of another earthquake such as that of 1897, since the Shillong Plateau continues to rise in the same manner that caused the Great Indian Earthquake.

1548 provides the earliest known record of such a catastrophic tremor; “Sylhet and Chittagong were violently shaken, the earth opened in many places and threw up water and mud in many places.”

Since then, such severe quakes seem to run on something of a hundred year pattern. Under such circumstances, conservation of heritage becomes an even more intractable problem than usual, and whilst the repair of cracked walls and collapsed buildings may present something of a

Global position of India moving into the current position

NAJMAL A NADVI

challenge, it is impossible not to aim to meet the challenge; especially where such a magnificent religious, civil and social heritage is concerned.

Having, in my lifetime, experienced a few severe earthquakes in Tokyo that is regularly hit with tremors, I find the rare quakes that shake the earth here in Bangladesh, modest by comparison.

I am not, however, unaware of the capacity of the earth to deliver severe

The land mass which comprises the area south of the Himalayas is continuing its advance into Asia, at the rate of about 47mm a year

shocks in the region, and living as I do in the new, superbly engineered, earthquake and tsunami resistant Surf Club on a beach front, I find myself occasionally reflecting on the almost unimaginable forces at play. Here, the Indo-Australian plate continues to force its way into Asia, and their potential to permanently change, not only my life, but those of many others too; a force of nature, beyond the control of mankind, that can leave its traces for centuries, especially in a nation as vulnerable, yet as rich in heritage as Bangladesh. l Tim Steel is a communications, marketing and tourism consultant.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Salman beats Shah Rukh and Aamir

n Entertainment Desk When it comes to the coveted “Rs 100 Crore Club,” superstar Salman Khan has the largest number of Rs1bn films.

It’s no surprise that the “Dabangg” Khan has a huge fan following and his typically Bollywood masala flicks are loved by the masses who gather in huge numbers to watch the superstar do what he does best on screen - entertain.

Salman Khaan’s contemporaries Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan have also made it to the “Rs 100 Crore Club.” Aamir Khan has had three films that have reached Rs1bn – “Ghajini,” “3 Idiots” and his last release “Dhoom 3.” Shah Rukh Khan on the other hand has had four Rs1bn films – “Don 2,” “RA One,” “Jab Tak Hain Jaan” and “Chennai Express.”

Morshed to bring Humayun Ahmed’s novella on big screen n Hasan Mansoor Chatak Eminent filmmaker Morshedul Islam is making a film based on iconic author Humayun Ahmed’s novella “Anil Bagchir Ekdin.”

The director who previously made two films - “Durotto” (2004) and “Priyotomeshu” (2009) – both adaptations of Humayun Ahmed’s work said to the Dhaka Tribune: “We tried to keep the essence of the original story but had to make a few changes to meet the demands of the big screen.”

“The story communicates humanitarian appeal and communal harmony which inspired me to bring it to the big screen,” he added.

Jyotika Jyoti, who acted in Humayun Ahmed’s “Nondito Naroke” earlier, played the role of Anil Bagchi’s sister Atoshi in the movie, while Arechh Syed donned the title role. Toufik Emon, Gazi Rakayet, Farhana Mithu will also be seen in the film. About

Salman Khan’s Kick has broken SRK’s Chennai Express record and is catching up with Aamir’s Dhoom 3

working in the movie, Jyotika said: “I am thrilled as once again I got the chance to play a character from one of Humayun Ahmed’s story. It is an honour just to be selected.

“I read the novella during my childhood and interestingly I got the book as first prize in an essay competition. I never thought that one day I will get the opportunity to portray the role of Anil Bagchir’s sister Atoshi. I think working in the film will be a turning point of my acting career.”

The story follows Anil, who stays in Dhaka. Upon hearing the news of his father’s death, he heads for his hometown during Liberation War. On the way, he continues to think about the loving memories of his father and sister Atoshi.

“Anil Bagchir Ekdin” features a number of original tracks alongside Tagore songs. Sunny Jubayer is the music director. The shooting of the film started on May 23 this year. l

But Salman Khan remains untouchable at the top of the list with seven Rs1bn films under his belt – “Dabangg,” “Dabangg 2,” “Ready,” “Bodyguard,” “Ek Tha Tiger,” “Jai Ho” and now Sajid Nadiadwala’s directorial debut “Kick.”

Salman Khan chooses to release his films on the festival of Eid, which has always proved to be not just lucky for Salman, but extremely lucrative.

“Kick,” also starring Jacqueline Fernandez, Randeep Hooda and Nawazuddin Siddiqui minted a whopping Rs500m in two days of its release. It opened to mixed response from critics but earned nearly Rs270m on the opening day. The first collection beat all of Salman’s previous records except “Ek Tha Tiger” (Rs329m). “Kick” collected a whopping Rs830m in its opening weekend. However, it was unable to break the record of – “Ek Tha Tiger” and “Bodyguard.” l

Lorde appointed as ‘sole curator’ of music for next Hunger Games film n Entertainment Desk Lorde has been chosen as music supervisor for the new “Hunger Games” movie, and is responsible for selecting the soundtrack and recording its lead single. The 17-year-old singer said she is “so pleased and proud” to be named “sole music curator” for “Mockingjay,” Part

7

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Singham Returns to feature 2500 shirtless policemen n Entertainment Desk “Singham Returns” will see 2,500 policemen wearing vests instead of their police uniforms in a sequence in the film, where they revolt against the system.

This uprising against the system is of course lead by Bajirao Singham played by Ajay. The sequence was shot in South Mumbai. Director Rohit Shetty certainly knows the cult of Bollywood masala films.

While Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn flaunt their hot bodies by going shirtless in “Dabangg” and “Singham,” it looks like these police officers will be spotted in vests.

Recently, in order to promote the sequel PVR Cinemas launched special customised merchandise for “Singham Returns” and also the launch of the special trailer of the movie powered by Dolby Atmos technology. This is the first time that PVR has taken such a merchandise initiative for any Bollywood film.

The film “Singham Returns” stars Kareena Kapoor along side Ajay is set to release on August 15 and the trailer of the film looks positive.

The sequel has been made after “Singham” was well received at the box office in 2011. It was a remake of the Tamil version that released in 2010. It is film about an honest cop fighting the ills of the society. l

BAMBA's Eid celebration concert commenced on July 31 with all the members appearing onstage at the premise of Jamuna Future park. Band Dark opened the show and performed for half an hour. Their performance was followed by Shironamhin's ‘Bondho Janala’ and the crowd responded with enthusiasm to the favourite track.

Cryptic Fate's ‘Cholo Bangladesh’ and ‘Akromon’ won the show, not to mention Feedback's classic ‘Melay Jai Re’ which was welcomed with gusto. The concert concluded with James' charismatic performance and as always, the crowd's response was immense. His signature songs ‘Ishwar,’ and ‘Sultana Bibiana’ prompted the crowd to sway to his tune.

The three-day long concert ends today with bands LRB, Warfaze, Maksud O Dhaka, Reneissance, Nemesis, Mechanix, Drik and Bedoin

1, working alongside the film’s director Francis Lawrence.

“I sat down with Lorde on the set of Mockingjay this spring and I was immediately struck by how she so innately understood what we were trying to accomplish with the film,” Lawrence said in a statement. “Her immense talent and keen understanding of the film’s characters and themes not only had enabled her to create a song of her own that completely captures the film’s essence, but her insight and passion for our project make her the perfect creative force to assemble the other songs on our soundtrack.”

Lorde has been very open about her love of Suzanne Collins’ “Hunger Games” books, and contributed a song to Lawrence’s “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” soundtrack. The films’ “cast and story are an inspiration for all musicians participating,” the singer claimed. “I think the soundtrack is definitely going to surprise people.”

Previous “Hunger Games” soundtracks have included original songs by artists such as Coldplay, Patti Smith, Arcade Fire and Taylor Swift with the “Civil Wars.”

The film, which is the third in the series, is due to be released this November, ahead of the final instalment next year. l

BAYEZID BIN WAHEED

Eid specials on TV Shornolota

“Shornolota” will air today on Boishakhi at 2:30pm. Written and directed by Toukir Ahmed, the drama will feature Obir Rehan, Toukir Ahmed and Proshun.

The story is about a petty thief who has been to the jail countless times, and finally decided to give up his wayward profession. When he is released, he sees a street vendor selling birds. He buys as many birds he could with the meager amount of money he was left with and sets them free.

Feeling elated after doing something worthwhile in a long time, he sets off with positive energy to look for an honest way of earning a living. But his troubled past catches up real fast and due to his criminal records, people refuses to hire him or rent him a place to stay.

Durotto

Telefilm “Durotto” will air today on NTV at 2:30pm.

Written and directed by Animesh Aich, the telefilm will star Iresh Zaker, Richi Solaiman, Nusrat Zahan Tisha and Afran Nisho among others.

Farhan is the only son of an artist and a social worker. He separated from his wife Samia a year ago but the divorce is yet to be finalised. The court has given them a 3 month reconciliation period, while their daughter Maliha routinely stays with both of them. The separation was Farhan’s mother’s fault and she thinks that Samia is not fit for her son as she comes from an ordinary family.

The story then shifts to Raju, who is the head of a rowdy gang in his town and is in love with Nitu. She reciprocates his feelings, but tells him that she will be with him if he gives up his crooked ways. Nitu then comes to Dhaka in search of a job. Farhan is impressed by her smartness and hires her as Maliha’s governess. Slowly, with the help of Nitu, Farhan, Maliha and Samia develop a strong relationship.

Black Coffee Without Sugar

Written and directed by Anchan Aich, “Black Coffee Without Sugar” will air today on Channel 9 at 2:35pm. Mou, Nisho and Sharleen will be seen along with others.

When returning to Chittagong from Dhaka, Rupanti and Partho meet on the train and are surprised to see each other after 10 years. Partho feels overwhelmed as old memories flood back, they were a couple for 18 years. Three months before they were about to get married, their families had a fall out. To avoid the awkwardness, they elope and tie the knot in secret. Although they were dating for a long time, the newly weds fail to keep the marriage afloat and divorce after a short span of time. Within a year they both remarry. While they sit and reminisce about the old days, Rupanti’s destination arrives. They exchange numbers and part ways. However, Partho’s wife comes to know about Rupanti and contacts her. From there on the story unfolds.

Hello Bangladesh

Written by Maruf Rahman and directed by Mahfuz Ahmed, telefilm “Hello Bangladesh” will air today at 2:10pm on Banglavision. Mahfuz Ahmed, Richi Solaiman and Rupanti will be seen in the drama.

The story is about Jennifer, a Bangladeshi who grew up in Australia.

Her mother passed away a few days after she was born. Her father sells her to an NGO worker who takes her to Australia. When she grows up, she learns that she was born in Bangladesh. Curious to learn more about her roots, she contacts a Bangladeshi named Tarek on Facebook and comes to Bangladesh to attend his wedding without telling anyone. Her presence in the village causes an uproar and a lot of drama. While staying with Tarek’s fiancee, Kajol, she learns of a mad man who sold her daughter to a foreigner. When she reaches his house, she discovers that he died two days earlier.

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Saturday, August 2, 2014

CODE-CRACKER

BNP must avoid violent confrontation

T

he BNP’s acting secretary general has sent mixed signals about the party’s plans to hold a “strong” movement against the government.

He told reporters that: ‘’If the government wanted to tread the path of compromise, there would not have been any problem. But they do not want to go for any discussion or talk.

It is they who are pushing the country towards a conflict.”

We urge the BNP to not choose the path of confrontation and violence. The country does not need more chaos brought about by disruptive hartals and oborodhs.

Such actions are not the way to win over the public.

While it is regrettable that the government has said it will not enter into meaningful dialogue, by reverting to violence the BNP would relinquish the high ground.

Not only would a resumption of the series of violent protests and strikes seen before the January 5 election be ruinous for the country, they would also be counter-productive for the party calling them, losing whatever sympathy they might otherwise gain.

It is perhaps encouraging that the BNP secretary general did also say that: “We do not want to do anything that may lead to chaos” and that the AL general secretary has stated that: “BNP has announced to hold a peaceful movement. I believe they will do so.”

We hope that such prudent counsel will prevail. Threatening violent agitation is the wrong path for political leaders to take.

A resumption of violent protests and strikes would be ruinous for the country

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 www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

ACHR to bar Bangladesh peacekeepers in UN July 24

Tapa Islam Seeing the statistics, it is clear that Bangladesh is

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 2 represents O so fill O every time the figure 2 appears.

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them 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

always in need of good leadership in every aspect (national leaders, Rab leaders, army leaders). If the leaders are corrupt, the figures of loss will increase.

“One sensible young generation can make the future of the country.” Should the current young generation of Bangladesh be considered sensible?

Salute to the army personnel from Bangladesh joining the world peacekeeping. Sad to say but the word “peace” is beyond our nation’s understanding.

SUDOKU Padma bridge graft investigation at final stage July 26

Israeli flares above Palestinian houses in the northern Gaza strip

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.

July 26

Stop reckless drivers

A

t least 31 people were killed in separate road accidents across the county over the Eid holiday.

Most of these cases involved clear instances of reckless driving. In one incident, a pregnant woman was killed in a hit and run by a speeding microbus, as she was crossing a clear road.

Pedestrians including several children account for most of the victims.

Poor road safety is a national crisis which must not be ignored. Our roads are among the most dangerous in the world with over 85.6 fatalities per 10,000 vehicles each year. BUET estimated that around 12,000 people are killed and several times as many injured across the country.

If trends are not reversed, road accidents threaten to become the country’s biggest cause of death.

Every death on the roads is a tragedy. It is especially poignant when they occur during a major holiday. As traffic is light due to people being off work, the responsibility for poor road safety more clearly lies with bad driving and reckless drivers.

While poor infrastructure and maintenance are among factors underlying the problem, the carnage caused by holiday road accidents highlights the harm done by reckless driving.

It is shocking that crossing the road can become more dangerous when traffic is light because many drivers choose to pay even less attention to safety.

The government must ensure better training of drivers and properly enforce traffic laws.

Car owners and drivers must be educated to take proper responsibility for safety. There should be no tolerance for dangerous driving.

Poor road safety is a national crisis.

There should be no tolerance for dangerous driving

Arch Bishop And it will absolve all the ruling party members of anything; pretty typical of the ACC which is completely appointed by the Baksal regime, and totally dependent on it. It would be a joke except that jokes are funny. This is not.

Abu Syeed Didn’t we already get the verdict from our honourable and knowledgeable PM? Md Walid Akram Hussain LOL. We should have known that the ACC would make this declaration. After all, the honourable prime minister gave the same verdict ages ago and when was she ever wrong?!

Salzar Mohammad Shafi Pathetic! Absolutely pathetic!

Are you ready for Eid? July 26

Fahmida Sultana No, I will arrange everything tomorrow. Today, I have work.

Home! Sweet home!

July 26

Arch Bishop LOL. Was any other verdict expected from the ACC that is fully controlled by the one party regime’s PM? Ahsan Habib Then Hasina was wrong to remove him from the ministry. He should be reinstated with back pay and full honours. No ifs, no buts.

Munirul Huq My mother used to tell a joke: “A child was holding the tail of a cat, while the cat was scratching and trying to get away. Seeing this, his mother was worried that the cat may bite the child and told the child to release the cat. The child replied, ‘I am not doing anything; I am just holding the tail. The cat is at fault. She is pulling forward and getting angry.’” Here, Abul Hossain has no fault. He was only negotiating about the bridge. It is the WB who was pulling, scratching, and biting.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Anon Waiting in a long line to collect tickets, getting extra money to buy tickets, the hassle of reaching the bus stand due to traffic jam, long tailback on highways, only a few days of holiday. Still, we love to go home!

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Slowly (mus) (5) 6 Land measure (3) 7 Greek philosopher (5) 10 Commerce (5) 12 Attire (4) 13 Tint (5) 15 Eastern ruler (4) 16 Insect (3) 18 And not (3) 20 Facial feature (4) 22 Variety of quartz (5) 23 Stringed instrument (4) 25 Stocking (5) 27 Supple (5) 28 Female sheep (3) 29 Ventured (5)

DOWN 1 Brasslike alloy (6) 2 Do wrong (3) 3 Tidier (6) 4 Gap (7) 5 Greek letter (3) 8 Mature (3) 9 Spoken (4) 11 Obscure (3) 14 Uttered sound of pain (7) 16 Tentacle (6) 17 Showed tiredness (6) 19 Gem (4) 21 Eyelid affliction (3) 22 Liable (3) 24 Edge (3) 26 Be indebted (3)

Tree felling rampant in Barisal on pretext of safety July 24

Elias Rufus There is risk to tree felling. You can really clear out the whole tree unit, and replant elsewhere, which can support relocation.

Ex-Israeli soldiers blame military July 24

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

Shohidul Islam Jony Wonderful! My heartiest love for them.

PEANUTS

CROSSWORD

Grants offered for students if they tweet pro-Israeli propaganda July 25

Syed Jawad Quader The oppressor is compelled to recognise social media as a legitimate battlefield. And they are stepping up the battle there. The #SaveGaza #SupportGaza social media campaigns can be said to have been somewhat effective.

Awami League ponders if Joy is ready for leadership July 24

MAM Hanif Monkey see monkey do. Let the “Mom I wanna be Rahul Gandhi” circus begin.

SUDOKU

Op-Ed

DHAKA TRIBUNE

9

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Dhaka in five years n Naima Nuren Khan

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haka is the home to millions of warm-hearted and hospitable people. With the booming businesses and increasing population, the once serene city has turned into one that is forever awake, bustling, and busy with everyone racing with a strict schedule.

The city’s waste is not being properly treated, and is increasingly causing environmental problems

Is anything better on TV?

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Banning doesn’t work

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n Ekram Kabir pictorial has recently been going around on Facebook, appealing to Bangladeshi television audiences for raising voices against airing a few foreign channels in this country. The names of Zee Bangla, Star Jalsha, and Star Plus have been mentioned in the message.

Wanting to prevent foreign, especially Indian, TV channels is a common phenomenon in our social discourse.

Our table-talks are always comprised of this thought – to ban the channels that we think are not appropriate for our society or business.

Recently, two TV channels that had obtained permission to air the FIFA World Cup somehow convinced the cable operators not to transmit the Indian channel, which was also showing the tournament. They thought perhaps Bangladeshi audiences may not watch the local channels if the Indian one was still on.

The strategy worked for them, but the audiences were quite annoyed. As a member of the audience, I will watch any TV that I want to. Why would anyone prevent me from watching the channels that I like? This practice, sometimes, looks quite annoying.

Now what happened to Zee Bangla, Star Jalsha, and Star Plus? A few online news portals say these channels might be taken off air from August 6. Why would we want to take them off air

in Bangladesh? Our common realisations about these TV channels haven’t been positive. The drama serials that are broadcast from these TV stations don’t, perhaps, match the social values that we try to uphold.

The stories of these TV dramas mostly revolve around extramarital relationships. It has been alleged that these stories have captured the attention of the Bangladeshi audiences.

of our teenagers with a phoney notion of friendship in the Western world.

We took a long time to fathom that the stories of “friends” are not a true portrayal of their society. But we didn’t want to ban Star World at that time.

Having said that, we have to admit that as far as the TV industry is concerned, we have miserably failed to draw the attention of our own audience. The quality of television dramas

We still worry about Indian channels hijacking our audience. Isn’t it our failure?

From housemaids to teenagers to grandmas, everyone remains glued to these channels when they are being aired. The reason is simple. Forbidden, unjust, secret relationships or whatever we call them, have always had a universal appeal and curiosity.

The question is whether these stories on Indian TV channels are influencing our minds. Are we becoming prone to imitate the lives of the characters that we’re watching on the screen? Yes, it’s a possibility. I remember an English-language series titled Friends on Star World. This show had almost brainwashed many

are a ready example of this fact. We once had great dramas created by our own great playwrights. Would you prefer Bojhey Na Shey Bojhey Na to any drama of late Humayun Ahmed, or Syed Shamsul Haq? I don’t believe so. These writers didn’t focus on extramarital themes for tickling the minds of the audience, but we still watched their dramas. I remember the entire nation used to sit before the TV sets when it was time for a Humayun Ahmed serial.

We need to do some soul-searching about the quality of on-air products that we’re creating. Anybody and

everybody are becoming playwrights and drama directors.

The industry has grown, but we still worry about Indian channels hijacking our audience. Isn’t it our failure that we could not come up with good stories that would retain the audience?

Sometimes, we try copying Indian channels. I remember a local serial, Gulshan Avenue, which successfully drew quite a large audience. My media friends keep telling me that they are suffering from the lack of good stories.

If that’s the case, why aren’t we organising story-writing competitions?

We sometimes underestimate the power of the common audience. On part of the government, our cultural ministry or any other body has, perhaps, never given any thought to this matter. But it’s time to do so.

Banning TV channels may be a strategic move for the sake of our own interests, but at the end of the day, the move may not succeed. If you ban them, these shows will become more lucrative to a Bangla audience. Then, the smugglers will begin to sell pirated CDs of those serials. The ultimate goal wouldn’t be achieved.

Banning doesn’t work when it comes to the media. What we could do is get people truly capable of making dramas and programs, so that our audience prefers our channels more than the foreign ones. We really need to prepare for it. l Ekram Kabir, a journalist, is a DT columnist.

In a city where the majority of the people are already struggling to survive poverty, issues such as the proliferating number of multiplexes and high-rise buildings, increased automobiles on the road, and the escalating population are most likely to result in further problems of accountability and inadequacy in meeting basic human needs. Without a clear steer towards improvement, is it possible that our beloved Dhaka city will become crippled in the next five years?

Oversaturation is a consequence of the lack of planned decentralisation.

As the capital of the country, it is the main concentrated region for most of the political, administrative, and economic operations. A city that was designed to accommodate about a million people now harbours about 12 million individuals.

The population of Dhaka is growing at a dangerously increasing rate. It is the migration magnet for various reasons. Being the capital, it is the centre for economic investment, the industrial foci, and the nerve centre for political and administrative functions – offering more job opportunities, lucrative markets, advanced living and health care facilities, and so on.

The RMG sector, which plays a vital role in the country’s economic development, has most of its factories near or around Dhaka, which is yet another reason for migration. Students leave their hometown for admission in the academic institutions in Dhaka, which are considered better in standard.

Such factors resulting from centralisation has added to the complexities causing Dhaka city to be vulnerable with regards to functionality, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Dispersed reallocation of major operational factors throughout the country is needed urgently to avoid future dysfunction.

The unplanned and haphazard construction of the city’s infrastructure is also adding to the predicted meltdown. In almost every corner you look, there is something under construction. Multiplexes, high-rise buildings, schools, and factories are being built in unauthorised places with disregard to safety issues and without concern for proper planning.

Dhaka, which was once lush green, is now an image of small brick boxes smashed together in a congested man-

ner. A tenant disapprovingly stated: “Most houses are built so compactly that the view from one window is usually another window of the next building – a front yard or a lawn has started to become a rare sight.” Dhaka city has already suffered the adversities of fatal earthquakes. The disorganised infrastructure makes the city even more at risk of the consequences of future earthquakes.

The chaotic construction works in almost every residential area create annoyance through noise and air pollution. Disregard to safety issues in such construction sites often causes sudden accidents to the labourers and even to the passers-by. The highly compressed infrastructure is resulting in numerous civic problems such as pollution, shortage of water, gas, and electricity and hence hinders the degree of livability.

In addition to the inability to provide job opportunities for the substantially increasing number of migrating people to Dhaka, the city faces the crisis of populating slums. The city has 3.5 million slum-dwellers living in poverty with lack of access to clean water, sanitation, proper food, and health care. The city is becoming inadequate in providing basic necessities while the job market is becoming highly saturated resulting in lower wages.

Major problems also include the transportation system, which largely obstructs the city’s operation. The chronic traffic on the road hampers productivity and efficient operation.

A student stated:“The journey of an hour to my academic institution lasts for four or more hours, only due to traffic. It is frustrating and extremely tiring. By the time I reach home, there is little energy left in me to study.”

In addition to the continuous roadblocks, the city’s means to treat industrial, domestic, and medical waste are also issues of concern. The city’s waste is not being properly treated, and is increasingly causing environmental problems such as river pollution, air pollution, ground water depletion etc.

Is it possible that our beloved Dhaka city will become crippled in the next five years?

Among other obstacles of Dhaka city, a major one is the unstable political condition, which hinders the education system, business operation, foreign investment, and tourism, and poses a threat to citizens’ safety. Disorderly function of vehicles on the road, the unplanned construction of buildings, ignorant ways of treating wastage – all show a deficiency of rules.

Dhaka is already the world’s most unliveable city, according to a recent study by the Economic Intelligence Unit. If the city collapses, how will the millions of people of Dhaka survive?

Where will they go? l Naima Nuren Khan is a freelance contributor.

Growing up healthy n Rashenda Aziz

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angladesh is the eighth most densely populated country of the world, with more than 160 million people with colossal health-related problems. Maintaining good health is a fundamental necessity for everyone. These health problems can turn out to be vital causes of death.

However, thousands of people in our country die every day due to severe health-related problems.

Adolescent reproductive health is one of the most sensitive health issues that the world has been facing

Luckily, health is one of the most important sectors that generate tremendous interest of the development planners, health professionals, and policymakers in both developed and developing countries. However, the basic rights of the people in our country vary in different social, political,

religious, and economic sectors.

Third World countries usually prioritise food security, health, and shelter in their development plans rather than the “entertainment plaza.” However, majority of the governments in poor countries allocate much weight on industrial and agricultural growth rather than healthcare, and “right to health services for all” remains neglected.

It can be noted here that the lack of funding, and supply of inappropriate types of medical care reduce the access of the poor to the healthcare facilities available in the Third World countries like Bangladesh.

According to a World Bank report entitled as “In search of healthy Bangladesh: Expectations in the 21st century,” Bangladesh is at the top of the list considering malnutrition, and maternal and child mortality. The reasons identified for these are poverty, illiteracy, and largely inadequate healthcare services.

According to a newspaper report, 70% of the mothers and children suffer from malnutrition in Bangladesh.

Every day, 600 children die due to malnutrition, and every year a little more than 27,000 mothers die due to pregnancy-related diseases and

complications. It may be mentioned here that the mortality rate for both children and mothers in Bangladesh is higher compared to some other developing countries due to unavailability of easy access to healthcare services.

Less than 40% of the population in the country has access to basic healthcare. Only 27% of pregnant women receive prenatal care, while less than 95% of all deliveries take place at home attended by untrained midwives. A recent report has revealed that a meagre 12% of the total healthcare provided by the government is utilised by the rural people.

In Bangladesh, adolescent groups are considered as the most important segment regarding healthcare issues.

The adolescent period is a remarkably sensitive period for boys and girls. This is the time when most of them make mistakes due to curiosity and ignorance. Changes in their body structure and hormonal activity surprise them unless they have proper knowledge on physiology.

The adolescent population in Bangladesh consists of around 23% of the total population numbering nearly 30 million adolescents. Currently, 48% of the adolescent population is female

and 52% is male. As 20% of the total population is below 10 years of age, and 23% is adolescent, adding these two groups, we get 43% of the total population who will determine the health and population structure of the country in the years to come.

A recent study in the Bangladesh population sector revealed that adolescent population growth rate is much higher at 4.3% compared to 1.7% growth rate of the total population. It is most likely that this huge population segment will influence the development planning related to health issues in greater extent. The challenge is not only the population growth, but also to ensure healthcare for this mammoth sized population in a world that faces epidemics of AIDS and STDs. Rural adolescent girls are not well equipped with reproductive health education, which is in fact a crucial issue. International and national GOs and NGOs have been implementing health programs in Bangladesh over the years. Improvement of the health status of the rural people in general has been prioritised.

However, complete reduction of health hazards cannot be done in rural areas unless awareness is intensified,

health services are made more accessible to the people, and demand-driven programs are designed to provide health services at the grassroots level.

There should be more investment in the health sector to address adolescent health issues.

Adolescent reproductive health is one of the most sensitive health issues that the world has been facing. It is very important to face the challenges that exist in our society. We should identify the best ways and means to ensure adolescent-friendly services in the unique socio-cultural setting of Bangladesh.

In addition, we should figure out what needs to be done to overcome the barriers and thereby ensure the creation of an environment where the process of maximising reproductive health services for adolescents will be accelerated.

Furthermore, community gatekeepers like parents, teachers, local influential people, and religious and political leaders should be involved sensibly to prioritise immediate intervention – both clinical and non-clinical – to control and prevent adolescent health-related problems in Bangladesh. l Rashenda Aziz works at Eminence.

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

11 Hiddink not

planning to tinker with Dutch team

Saturday, August 2, 2014

11 Venus topples

birthday girl Azarenka

Sport

Did you know?

Gianluigi Buffon (81.1%) had the best saves to shots % in the top 5 European leagues in 2013-14

Participants of the Walton-Marcel Singna Boat Race are in action at the Kumri Channel in Kalihati, Tangail yesterday. The boat race was organised by Singna Social Welfare Youth Society along with the Bangladesh Rowing Federation

Dutch coaches arrive n today after brief hiatus

Tigers resume training today

n Raihan Mahmood Bangladesh football team’s Dutch head coach Lodewijk de Kruif and assistant coach Rene Koster will arrive in Dhaka today.

De Kruif had left for the Netherlands back in April and has not come back since reportedly due to a salary dispute with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF). Koster on the other hand was last here in June before he left for the Netherlands at the end of the month.

De Kruif’s last assignment with Bangladesh was a Fifa international friendly against India on March 5 this year in Goa. The friendly ended in a 2-2 draw.

Since then the BFF has failed to clear his outstanding wages and it is widely being reported that the coach is owing six months’ dues.

De Kruif and his assistant left Dhaka on April 6 for a vacation which generated rumours that the Dutch coaches may never come back.

However, the BFF has arranged some of the funds and has been able to convince the Dutch duo to carry on at least until 2015.

De Kruif’s one-year deal with the BFF expired on June 30, 2014 but the contract has the option of being renewed for another year. Football’s gov-

erning body is expecting to enforce the clause in the contract as soon as the coaches arrive in Dhaka and keep them till the 2015 Saff Championship.

De Kruif took charge of Bangladesh last year in July. He guided the national side in the Saff Championship hosted

by Nepal in September where Bangladesh lost to Nepal and Pakistan and drew with India.

BFF general secretary Abu Naeem Shohag assured that both the parties have agreed to the latest terms and conditions.

“The coaches will be signing a new contract and after a lot of discussions, BFF and the coaches have reached a point of understanding. We have some payment issues but it will be solved gradually. We hope to continue the relationship with dignity and hope they will also be able to lift the spirit of the national team.”

De Kruif and Koster are set to work with the national Under-23 football side that will feature in the upcoming Asian Games to be held in Incheon, South Korea next month. The BFF has already announced a 25-member preliminary squad with the residential camp slated for BKSP. The players have been asked to report at the BFF office tomorrow afternoon. The preliminary squad is

scheduled to leave for BKSP in the evening. The camp will come to an end on September 12. The squad will then be trimmed to 18 members before their departure to South Korea. l

Mazhar Uddin

Suspended all-rounder Shakib al Hasan will begin training today alongside the rest of the national squad at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Ahead of their tour of the West Indies later this month, Mushfiqur Rahim and his charges will resume their training camp today after eight days of Eid vacation. The cricketers will sit for a meeting with the selectors and the coaching staff followed by a light gym session at 2pm.

The training camp for the West Indies tour started on July 1. The Tigers had been training for 24 days in a row under new head coach Chandika Hathurusingha before the Eid break.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board earlier trimmed the 24-man preliminary squad for the ODI series in the Caribbean to 15 members. However all the 24 cricketers will be present today. The team management will talk about the national side’s recent poor performances besides also reminding the cricketers about their responsibility in the meeting today.

The national side will begin fullfledged training from tomorrow.

Bangladesh will be leaving for the West Indies on August 13. Mushfiq’s side will start their tour with the first of the three-match ODI series on August 20.

The ODIs will be followed by a solitary Twenty20 international and two Test matches. l

COURTESY

Singna Boat Race held amidst festivities n Raihan Mahmood The Walton-Marcel Singna Boat Race organised by Singna Social Welfare Youth Society with the collaboration of the Bangladesh Rowing Federation concluded at Kumri Channel in Kalihati, Tangail yesterday.

In the seven-man category, Akash and his team won the title while Juran and Julhas’ sides finished second and third respectively.

Sadek’s team won the title of the 25-man event followed by the teams of Ibrahim and Belayet in second and third respectively. In the 50-man category, Ramesh’s team emerged victorious while Fazlul Haque Bir Protik

and Mannan Sikder’s teams finished in second and third respectively. In the seven-member women’s event, Kabli’s side won the title while the teams of Kalpana and Selina ended second and third respectively.

Thousands of spectators cheered the competitors whilst standing on both sides of the channel.

The winners received refrigerators, colour televisions and different appliances from the sponsors. Walton additional director FM Iqbal bin Anwar Dawn distributed the prizes as the chief guest. The convenor of the organising committee, Mir Kaiser Sadik Sajib and several others were also present on the occasion. l

Winners of the Walton-Marcel Singna Boat Race receive a refrigerator from Walton additional director FM Iqbal bin Anwar Dawn (C) in Kalihati, Tangail yesterday COURTESY

Amos stuns Rudisha, Okagbare in sprint double n AFP, Glasgow

Botswana’s Nijel Amos (front L) wins the men’s 800m final in the athletics competition at Hampden Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Thursday REUTERS

Olympic champion and world record holder David Rudisha was beaten by Nijel Amos in the Commonwealth Games 800m final on Thursday while Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare claimed a women’s sprint double.

Rasheed Dwyer led a Jamaican clean sweep of the men’s 200m to emulate teammate Kemar Bailey-Cole’s victory in the 100m, the two sprint golds going some way to make up for the absence of Usain Bolt, who will only compete in the 4x100m relay.

Kenya’s Rudisha, who set a blistering world record when winning Olympic gold in London, had finished ahead of silver medallist Amos in the British capital in 2012.

But there was revenge in the wet Glasgow air, Amos producing a sublime, fast-paced finish to outdo his Kenyan nemesis, clocking 1min 45.18, with Rudisha at 0.30sec. South African Andre Olivier took bronze in 1:46.03.

Okagbare kept her bid for a Com-

monwealth treble on course as she added the 200m crown to her 100m title, the US-based 25-year-old still to run in the 4x100m relay. She timed 22.25sec for gold, beating unrelated English duo Jodie Williams (22.50) and Bianca Williams (22.58) to top the podium.

In the men’s 200m, Dwyer outshone world silver medallist Warren Weir, the only sprinter in Glasgow to have clocked a sub-20sec 200m, timing 20.14sec for victory ahead of Weir (20.26) and Jason Livermore (20.32).

South African Cornel Fredericks won the men’s 400m hurdles while Jamaica’s Kaliese Spencer claimed the women’s event.

Vikas Shive Gowda won the discus with 63.64m to end India’s 56-year gold medal drought in men’s athletics at the Games, the last winner being Milkha Singh over 440 yards at the 1958 edition in Cardiff.

Australia’s Olympic champion Sally Pearson showed no fall-out from the suspension of head coach Eric Hollingsworth for his outspoken criticism

of the star hurdler for missing a preGames team training camp.

Alex Dowsett claimed Commonwealth gold for England in a closely-contested race through the streets and suburbs of Glasgow.

He timed 47 minutes 41.78 with Australian rider Rohan Dennis crossing the line nine seconds slower to take silver and Geraint Thomas grabbing third to claim the bronze for Wales.

New Zealand’s Linda Villumsen, also a silver medallist in New Delhi, produced a storming finish to clock 42 minutes 25.46 seconds and pip England’s Emma Pooley in the women’s race.

Canada moved up into third place in the medals table with two golds in wrestling, courtesy of Danielle Lappage in the women’s -63kg division and Tamerlan Tagziev in men’s -86kg.

In gymnastics, England won three of the five golds on offer through Max Whitlock in the men’s floor event, Claudia Fragapane in women’s vault - her third title of the Games - and Rebecca Downie on the uneven bars. l

MEDAL TALLY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 25

ENGLAND AUSTRALIA CANADA SCOTLAND INDIA NEW ZEALAND SOUTH AFRICA NIGERIA JAMAICA KENIA WALES MALAYSIA BANGLADESH

45 36 28 14 13 13 12 8 7 5 4 4 0

42 37 13 13 20 11 10 6 4 6 10 6 1

40 41 26 17 15 15 15 11 7 3 15 5 0

Total 127 114 67 44 48 39 37 25 18 14 29 15 1

*Till Friday (8:00pm)

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

11

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Gavaskar slams India’s ‘abject surrender’ n AFP, New Delhi India’s massive 266-run Test defeat to England drew widespread condemnation on Friday with former captain Sunil Gavaskar accusing Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team of “abject surrender” in Southampton.

“To lose this Test even before lunch on the final day showed zero resistance whatsoever,” Gavaskar told the NDTV news channel..

“There was no fight and that is a disappointing aspect,” added the former record-breaking opening batsman, who is now a television commentator.

India’s loss was an abject surrender.”

The result allowed the hosts to record their first win in 11 Tests and level the five-match series 1-1 after they had conceded the lead in the previous Test at Lord’s. Gavaskar said the “sloppy” display by Dhoni’s tourists had given England the chance to overcome the morale-sapping loss at Lord’s.

“India had England on the ropes at Lord’s,” he said. “I don’t know what they did in the five intervening days before the game but they were sloppy

on the field at Southampton.

“This has been the problem with the Indian team since the 1930s - the complacency.”

The Indian Express said the sudden turnaround in the series left India with a lot of questions heading into the fourth Test at Manchester which begins on August 7.

“One Test match can make a lot of difference,” the paper wrote. “After the Lord’s win, India were on a high. But after Southampton, the team is posed with plenty of problems, while England have a problem of plenty.”

Former captain Sourav Ganguly said he was disappointed that Indian batsmen, renowned for playing spin well, allowed England off-spinner Moeen Ali to claim six wickets in the second innings.

“The team needs fresher ideas at the top and Gambhir must be brought in. Aaron has no experience of playing in England, but he needs to be given a chance. A bit more pace and you never know,” he said.

Ganguly was, however, confident India will bounce back in the next Test, saying England were “still vulnerable”.l

Germany players celebrate with the trophy after beating Portugal at the UEFA Under-19 European Championship final in the Szusza Ferenc stadium in Budapest on Thursday.

Germany won the final 1-0 AFP

Hiddink not planning to tinker with Netherlands World Cup team n Reuters, Amsterdam New Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink said he will make no drastic changes to the team after their third-place finish at the World Cup, lauding the work of Louis van Gaal and suggesting he would be no slavish follower of the traditional Dutch style of play.

“Dutch football has been given a boost and we must use that. I won’t be making many changes, we are going to keep the consistency,” Hiddink said at his official unveiling in Zeist on Friday.

The 67-year-old coach returns for a second spell with the Dutch national team, having previously been in charge from 1995 to 1998, when they also reached the World Cup semi-finals in France.

Hiddink has a two-year contract after which his assistant Danny Blind will take over in 2016.

“The team did really well in Brazil and we must acknowledge that,” he said.

“We must now ask ourselves in which facet of our play we can improve.”

He also suggested he would follow Van Gaal in dispensing with the traditional Dutch attacking style when necessary.

“The Netherlands has become renowned for the Holland school of football, with an attractive way of playing the game. But there is a lot more to it, firstly the instinct to survive. This the team demonstrated superbly at the World Cup,” Hiddink told reporters.

“I’ve learnt during my adventures

overseas that other football cultures have a reflex of survival. This reflex would bring Dutch football to new heights. The ‘Holland school’ is nice but only if you win.”

Hiddink will start his tenure as coach on Sept. 4 with a friendly against Italy. l

New football coach of the Netherlands Guus Hiddink (C) poses with assistant coaches Ruud van Nistelrooy (R) and Danny Blind after a presentation of the new staff of the Dutch national football team in Zeist yesterday REUTERS

Barcelona’s Pique relishing return of ‘angry’ Suarez n Reuters, Madrid Barcelona defender Gerard Pique believes an “angry” Luis Suarez will be desperate to prove himself when he has served out a four-month ban for a biting incident at the World Cup. Uruguay striker Suarez was given a nine-match international suspension and banned from all football-related activity for four months by FIFA after he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in Brazil last month.

Suarez could make his debut for the Catalan club in the La Liga “Clasico” against Real Madrid at the end of October.

“I expect that he (Suarez), like anybody who has the possibility of doing their work taken away from them, will be feeling rage,” Pique said at a news conference at Barca’s pre-season training camp in England.

“For the time being he has to wait,” added Pique. “When he returns he will be full of desire to show that he is one of the best forwards on the planet.”

Suarez will join Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Brazil forward Neymar in a formidable attack as Barca seek to bounce back from a disappointing 2013-14 season. l

‘Expect Chelsea fight for first-choice keeper spot’ n Reuters, London Petr Cech is ready to take up the challenge of competing with Thibaut Courtois for the position of Chelsea’s number one goalkeeper, manager Jose Mourinho said on Thursday.

Belgian international Courtois, 22, has returned to his parent club following a long-term loan spell with La Liga champions Atletico Madrid and will battle with the Czech keeper for the starting role at Stamford Bridge.

Cech, 32, who has been Chelsea’s number one for the past decade, is back from the dislocated shoulder he suffered in May and has featured in the pre-season games.

“Petr is working hard, he recovered in almost record time from his surgery and he’s ready to fight for his position,” Mourinho told Sky Sports television.

“Thibaut has just arrived...as the best young goalkeeper in the world, and they will fight. For me this is a good problem and I’ve never been afraid of making a decision.

“I prefer to be in this position than not to have good goalkeepers for Chelsea. To have Petr and Thibaut together in the same squad is a good problem for

me,” said Mourinho.

“This is a club that wants to be strong and have real possibilities to compete for trophies so we need competition in every place.”

Courtois has been working with his team mates for the first time this week, having been given extra time off after the World Cup in Brazil.

“I just have to work hard and prove myself in training,” said the Belgian.

“We have to train hard and work hard together as one team.

“All I can do is play well and then hope the manager chooses me. It’s the same for everyone.

“I think I’m an all-round goalkeeper but I know I can improve at everything,” added Courtois.

“I am only 22, I’m still young and I’m here to learn a lot off (goalkeeping coach) Christophe Lollichon, Petr Cech and (number three keeper) Mark Schwarzer.”

Chelsea finished third in the Premier League last season and were knocked out by Atletico in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Courtois said he expects the 2012 European champions to be competing on all fronts again this season. l

Venus topples birthday Griezmann looking to learn from girl Azarenka Atletico teammates

Cavani ‘staying’ at PSG despite transfer speculation n AFP, Beijing n AFP, Stanford Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani on Thursday claimed that he would not be leaving the French champions this summer, despite ongoing speculation about his future.

“I am staying, why would I not?” said the 27-year-old Uruguay star, who only joined PSG a year ago in a Ligue 1 record deal from Napoli worth 64 million euros (£50.7m, $85.6m).

“I am very happy in Paris and I have a contract with PSG to respect,” added Cavani, who was speaking in Beijing, where his club are due to face Guingamp on Saturday in the Champions Trophy, the French season-opener between the champions and the Cup holders.

“I feel good here. But as I have already said, it does not only depend on the position of the player but also on certain things that can happen inside a club.”l

DAY’S WATCH Star Sports 1 11:00PM Natwest T20 Blast 2014 Essex v Birmingham Star Sports 4 6:55PM Italian Football Emirates Cup 2014 Star Sports 4, HD 2 5:45AM, 7:45AM ATP Tour: City Open Ten Sports 2:00 PM, 5:30 PM Commonwealth Games 2014

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams ousted fourth-seeded birthday girl Victoria Azarenka in straight sets Thursday to reach the quarter-finals of the WTA hardcourt tournament at Stanford.

The 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) triumph kept Williams on course for a possible semi-final showdown with her sister Serena, the world number one and top seed who will take on Ana Ivanovic in the quarter-finals on Friday.

“Williams-Williams tomorrow, hopefully,” Venus told the crowd at the campus of Stanford University, where she came out on top in a hard-fought, physical duel with Azarenka that lasted an hour and 42 minutes.

“It’s never easy to play Victoria.

We’ve always had extremely tough matches, so I expected that tonight as well,” said Williams, who acknowledged that Azarenka may have been at a disadvantage after having a first-round bye.

That meant the match was the Belarussian’s first since her second-round exit at Wimbledon.

It was a disappointing result on her 25th birthday for Azarenka, who came into the week ranked 10th in the world but needed to reach the semi-finals to stay in the top 10.

A left foot injury sidelined her for three months this year before she returned to action at the Wimbledon tuneup event at Eastbourne.

The former world number one, who owns two Australian Open titles, didn’t go quietly.

She gamely fought off two match

points in the 12th game of the second set to force the tiebreaker, but from there it was all Williams.

The 34-year-old American won the first point of the tiebreaker on her own serve, then fired two forehand winners to take the next two points on Azarenka’s serve and never looked back. l

Venus Williams of US celebrates her win against Victoria Azarenka on Thursday AFP

n AFP, Madrid France international Antoine Griezmann said Thursday he hopes to learn from his new teammates at Atletico Madrid as he was unveiled as the Spanish champion’s new signing before thousands of fans.

Griezmann, who impressed for France during the World Cup, has moved to Atletico from Real Sociedad on a six-season contract.

Spanish media said Atletico paid about 30 million euros ($40 million) for the 23-year-old, which if correct would make him the second most expensive signing in the club’s history.

“When they called me I agreed right away, its a great club, a great project, we are talking about the Champions League finalists and the current La Liga champions so I did not even think twice,” the 23-year-old told a news conference.

Griezmann scored 16 goals for Real Sociedad last season and had been linked to several clubs across Europe, including Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

Griezmann came through Real Sociedad’s youth system, having joined the club as a 13-year-old, before making his first-team debut in 2009 and going on to score 53 goals in 202 appearances. l

Griezmann takes a selfie during his presentation at the Vicente Calderon stadium on Thursday AFP

Pizarro strike lifts Bayern to friendly win over Chivas n AFP, New York

Huddlestone penalty miss mars Hull’s European debut

Claudio Pizarro scored the only goal as Bayern Munich beat Chivas Guadalajara 1-0 on Thursday in a friendly match at Red Bull arena to launch the Bundesliga champions’ US tour.

Pep Guardiola’s men controlled the majority of possession and took the lead in the 10th minute when Pizarro slotted home Franck Ribery’s corner.

Pizarro nearly had two more goals in the first half, with Carlos Fierro getting Chivas’ best chance to equalize in the 81st minute, only for Bayern goalkeeper Tom Starke’s save to preserve the winning margin. l

Tom Huddlestone missed a penalty as Hull City emerged form their first foray into Europe in their 110-year history with a goalless draw at Slovakian side Trencin.

The English Premier League club will be ruing not coming home with the advantage from this Europa League third round first leg outing in Zilina.

After an hour’s play Shane Long was brought down in the area.

But the golden opportunity went begging as Huddlestone’s penalty was easily saved by Milos Volesak.

Huddlestone had an immediate

n AFP, Paris

chance at redemption from the rebound but his shot grazed the crossbar with an open goal at his mercy.

Huddlestone later tweeted his apologies for missing the penalty.

There were defeats for two of Scotland’s representatives with Real Sociedad beating Aberdeen 2-0 and St Johnstone losing 2-1 at home to Spartak Trnava of Slovakia.

Multiple French league champions Lyon look odds-on to progress to the play-offs after a 4-1 win at Czech side Mlada Boleslav.

Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven could only manage a 1-0 win at home to St Polten of Austria. l

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

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Saturday, August 2, 2014

Unmanned level crossings a death trap n Kailash Sarkar Accidents on the railway tracks mainly at level crossings have become frequent in the country, causing deaths and injuries to people as well as damages to properties due to illegal level crossings, lack of gatekeepers and public unawareness.

According to the Bangladesh Railway officials, 80% out of total 2,541 level crossings had been illegally set up in different places across the country while the Bangladesh Railway had gatekeepers at less than 15% of level crossings.

Sources in the Bangladesh Railway said at least 201 people were killed and

According to official statistics, 85% of 2,541 level crossings are unmanned 349 others injured in 264 accidents at different level crossings in last seven years till 2013.

Apart from the deaths of 11 people and injuries to 39 others in Jhenidah yesterday, at least four people were killed and 20 others injured on April 27 when a train hit a bus at Titipara level crossing near Kamalapur railway station in the capital.

According to the official statistics, 85% of 2,541 level crossings across the country is unmanned.

Tafazzal Hossain, director general of the Bangladesh Railway, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that only 1,413 out of total 2,541 level crossings were set up by the Railway Department while the rest were illegal.

He said different bodies had illegally constructed 1,128 level crossings in different places across the country.

According to sources, these illegal level crossings were constructed by different government bodies such as Local Government Engineering Divi-

Ex-minister LK Siddiqui dies

sion, Roads and Highways Department, city corporations and district councils without taking permission from the railway authorities. Some private organisations had also built many level crossings illegally.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, the Bangladesh Railway's director general admitted the limitations of his department saying, “Only 379 out of 1,413 authorised level crossings have gatekeepers and there are no gatekeepers for the rest.”

He said they were doing their level best to appoint gatekeepers to all the level crossings gradually. In reply to a query, he said it was not possible to close the level crossings built illegally.

“Accidents may take place at level crossings even after having the gatekeepers as in many cases, they do not perform their duties properly,” he said, adding that they remain absent at level crossings while the trains cross the railway lines.

Tafazzal said, “We have suspended the stationmaster of Borobazar Station and two gatekeepers for neglect of duty.”

He also blamed the mass people for the accidents, saying that in many cases, the drivers of different vehicles and pedestrians do not want to obey the rules.

“Not only the gate men, the mass people have also faults. Some time gatekeepers do not carry out their duties, but the drivers and mass people are often found crossing the railway lines defying the signals,” he added.

The railway officials said most of the train accidents against vehicles and persons occur at illegal level crossings due to failure to decrease speed.

The train accidents occurred at level crossings without safety fences and most were said to have been caused by motorists or pedestrians failing to follow traffic safety laws.

The drivers and pedestrians have a tendency not to follow the rules while crossing the rail lines, the officials added. l

The barrier at the Raipara level crossing in Rajshahi was damaged when it was hit by a truck several months ago. Since then, a gateman has to signal with a flag every time a train passes as authorities concerned are yet to make any repair AZAHAR UDDIN

Government mulls moratorium on rice bran exports n Abu Bakar Siddique The government plans to impose a temporary ban on rice bran exports with a view to promoting the flourishing local rice bran oil manufacturing sector.

“We are now collecting information on the domestic production of rice bran and the annual import of non-oil rice bran to get a clear picture of its availability in the country,” said a top official of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

Depending on the picture, the government would enforce the ban as soon as possible, he said.

The official said the EPB had written to government agencies, including the Food Department, to measure the demand for rice bran in the already established rice bran oil industries.

“At the same time, a letter was also sent to the Commerce Ministry asking officials to discourage rice mill owners from

exporting rice bran to India,” he added. At present, seven companies produce rice bran oil – Majumder Products Limited, KBC Agro Products, Majumder Agro Products, Emerald Oil, Rashid Oil, Green Oil and Ali Natural Oil Mill – while six more are about to install production units.

Mill owners say husk, bran oil and de-oiled bran are three by-products produced when the grain is extracted.

Of those, bran oil is used for producing edible oil, de-oiled bran is used as poultry and cattle feed, and husk as fuel.

The annual demand for rice bran as a raw material for the existing seven rice bran oil factories is around 7.65 lakh tonnes; the total demand for all 13 factories will stand at 12.45 lakh tonnes. The country produces around 24 lakh tonnes of bran annually.

Bangladesh, however, also imports some additional volumes of de-oiled bran to meet the demand for the poul-

Dr Asaduzzaman, a fellow at Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), argued that the decision to ban rice bran exports had come early.

“The demand for rice bran oil in the country is obviously less than the production. Otherwise, the prices in the local market would not have fallen this way,” he said.

In addition, the government directed husking mill owners, the major rice producers in the country, to fix auto crushers in the mills by next January in order to avoid loss of grain and produce more rice bran. Upon implementation of the order, production of rice bran would be higher than the demand in the country, said Layek.

To avoid losses, the government should consider banning export of rice bran after ensuring the total demand in the local market is met, Asaduzzaman said. l

Telcos yet to inform ministry on foreign employees

THE FACE OF BANGLA

n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong Former Deputy Speaker Engineer LK Siddiqui, also ex-water resources minister, died at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore yesterday morning at the age of 75.

“BNP Vice-Chairman LK Siddiqui, who was suffering from a respiratory disease, breathed his last around 10:45am,” said Aslam Chowdhury, general secretary of BNP Chittagong district (north) unit.

His namaz-e-janaza will be held at South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad at 9:30am on Sunday, according to Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, president of BNP Chittagong city unit.

He added that Siddiqui will be buried at his family graveyard in Sitakunda upazila of Chittagong on Sunday after namaz-e-janaza at Jamiatul Falah Mosque, Chattagram Ma O Shishu Hospital and his native village.

LK Siddiqui was elected Member of Parliament in 1979, 1991, 1996 (6th parliamentary election held on February 15) and 2001 from Chittagong 4 (Sitakunda) constituency. l

try industry. The government has already imposed a 10% supplementary duty on rice bran export in the budget for the current fiscal, reducing the volume of rice bran export remarkably.

Nitai Das, an exporter from Naogaon, told the Dhaka Tribune that he had to stop exporting rice bran last month as the importers were disinterested in buying at higher prices.

According to the EPB, the export figure of rice bran in 2012-13 stood at around $16m while it was only about $6m in 2013-14.

Moreover, prices of the rice bran sharply fell because of a lack of adequate demand in the local market and imposition of export duty.

A 50kg sack of rice bran now costs Tk800 which was Tk1,100 in the last fiscal year, said Layek Ali, convener of Bangladesh Major, Auto and Husking Mills Owner Association.

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam

Adding extra joy to Eid celebrations, a Nouka Baich or a traditional boat race takes place on the Kumari Beel of Kalihati upazila in Tangail yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

The country’s mobile phone operators have yet to respond to a written query from the Ministry of Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology regarding their foreign employees.

Recently, the Board of Investment found that some of the senior executives at different mobile phone operators were working in the country with tourist visas. The investment promotion agency is also aware that lots of foreigners are working in the country without having proper permits and the government is losing payable taxes for this.

Following the findings, the ministry had sent letters to all mobile phone operators in the second week of July, seeking information about foreigners working for their companies. Though the companies were given a 10-day deadline to respond, none of the operators sent any reply.

Seeking anonymity, an official of the ministry told the Dhaka Tribune: “We want the information to understand

the situation. It is plain and simple, but unfortunately the operators did not reply.”

Ministry sources said another letter would be sent to the operators warning them in this regard.

The Dhaka Tribune has contacted several senior executives at different mobile phone operators, but they all refused to comment.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission officials said they had nothing to do in this regard.

Mobile phone operator industry insiders said the foreigners came and started working there without any permit from the very beginning.

In 2011, before the renewal of the mobile operators’ licences, a draft of the bill recommended a provision that at least half of the top most officials of the operators should be local.

However, the final bill said 50% of the total employees should be local, paving the way for the operators to employ more foreigners in the top positions. l

Supplementary charge sheet submitted

Schoolgirl dies after being caned by teacher

n Our Correspondent, Khulna

n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

JUBO LEAGUE LEADER BITHAR KILLING CASE

Jubo League leader Advocate Anisur Rahman Paplu was mentioned as the mastermind behind the murder of Jubo League leader Bithar in the supplementary charge sheet submitted before court on Thursday.

On the other hand, the court was recommeded to consider acquitting Khulna Awami League leader and Sadar constituency lawmaker Mizanur Rahman Mizan and another Jubo League leader SM Mesbah Hossain Buruj as no evidence in connection with the allegations against them was found.

CID Inspector Sheikh Shahjahan placed the supplementary charge sheet before Khulna Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sheikh Abdul Ahad.

All three, however, were made accused in the previous charge sheet. On October 10 last year, Khulna Metropolitan Police (DB) Inspector Md Nafiur Rahman pressed charges against them and the court ordered CID to carry out further probe on October 27.

The accused, according to the CID charge sheet, are: Paplu, also the convener of Khulna city unit, Ikram Hossain alias Siam, Sumon Hossain Raju, Imamul Kabir Jibon alias Shabe Kadir,

Liaqat Ali Sikder and Md Moniruzzama Masud alias Tota Masud.

It was said in the charge sheet that Siam, Raju, Tota Masud, Shabe Kadir and Liaqat Ali were found to have participated directly in the killing and the charges against them were proved.

Paplu was found to be the man who conspired, coordinated, planned and financed the killing of Bithar.

In addition, another accused Masud Rana alias Rana was dropped from the supplementary charge sheet as he was stabbed to death on October 30 last year.

On July 11, 2009, Bithar, while returning home, was shot to death near his home

in Musalmanpara. He was riding Montu Shikder's motorcycle in the back seat.

The following day, SM Rafiur Rahman, elder brother of Bithar's wife Runu Reza, filed a case against unidentified people. Sub-inspector Shahjahan Siraj of Khulna police was appointed as the investigating officer in the case.

On July 21, the case was transferred to Khulna Metropolitin Police (DB) and DB Inspector Mamun Khan was given the charge of conducting the investigation.

Later on, Inspector Tariqul Islam, Inspector Akhtar Hossain and lastly, Inspector Nafiur Rahman became the investigating officer in the case. l

A 12-year-old schoolgirl died on Thursday night in Koibortopara area in Chittagong’s Boalkhali upazila after suffering from fever for about a week since being caned by her schoolteacher.

The deceased Brishti Das, was the daughter of Ashutosh Das, and a class V student of Koibortopara Government Primary School, said Boalkhali police station Officer-in-Charge Md Shamsul Islam.

He said on July 19, Babla Dutta, an assistant teacher at the school, had caned Brishti in the classroom when

she could not answer the teacher’s query.

After being caned, Brishti fell sick.

Since then, she had been suffering from fever for about a week, the OC said, adding that her family was continuing her treatment at their residence.

“But her condition worsened on Thursday night. She died on-route to Boalkhali Upazila Health Complex,” he said.

No case was lodged with Boalkhali police station till filing of this report.

The OC, however, said they would take legislative measures after the filing of a case. l

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