21 Oct, 2014

Kartik 6, 1421 Zilhajjj 25, 1435 Regd No DA 6238 Vol 2, No 197

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

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B1 | BUSINESS

7 | LONG FORM

11 | OP-ED

14 | SPORT

WB ATTACHES PRIORITY TO ACHIEVE HIGHER GDP GROWTH

CAN I SEE YOUR PAPERS, PLEASE?

PARTY TIME

SUAREZ FEARED BARCA WOULD NOT SIGN HIM AFTER BAN

32 die, scores hurt in Natore road crash District administration forms a three-member committee to probe the accident n Our Correspondent, Natore At least 32 people were killed, and many more injured, in a fatal road accident at Rezur Crossing of Razapur area in Baraigram upazila yesterday afternoon.

The deceased were from Sidhulai village of Gurudaspur upazila, Taranagar of Baraigram upazila, and Hizli of Singra upazila.

Twenty-six bodies were taken to Banpara Highway police station and the remaining five to Natore Sadar Hospital when the report was filed. Police were able to identify 23 of the deceased and handed over 22.

The injured were admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Natore Sadar Hospital, Baraigram Upazila Health Complex and local clinics.

The district administration formed a three-member probe committee after the accident. Additional Superintendent of police Munshi Shahabuddin and Deputy Commissioner Mashiur Rahman visited the scene.

How it happened

Fuwad Ruhani, officer-in-charge of Banpara Highway police station, and Monirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Baraigram police station, said the crash involved a head-on collision between two passenger buses.

A Natore-bound bus of Keya Paribahan from Dhaka rammed into a bus of Othoi Paribahan around 3:40pm. The Othoi Paribahan bus was heading towards Gurudaspur from Natore.

The collision, which took place on Banpara-Hatikumrul highway, left the  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

Survey: Open-pit mining at Barapukuria possible n Aminur Rahman Rasel The final report of water modelling and hydro-geological survey on Barapukuria coal mine says open-pit mining is possible there.

The government has planned openpit coal mining at the northern part of Barapukuria coal field in Dinajpur to use the extracted coal in power plants.

The Institute of Water Modelling, which conducted the survey, has suggested carrying out a mandatory geo-technical feasibility study before making the decision of open-pit mining.

The survey report was disclosed at a workshop in the capital yesterday.

Water modelling and hydro-geological survey were conducted at the Barapukuria site to determine the flow of underground water required for extracting coal through open-pit mining method.

Aiming to open the northern part of Barapukuria coal field, the Energy Ministry started the initiative a few years back. It engaged the Institute of Water Modelling of the Water Resources Ministry to conduct the survey to avoid any controversy over the coal-extraction method.

“If the Barapukuria coal mine authorities want to go for open-pit mining, it will have to pump out around 400 million cubic metres of water an hour for de-watering operation,” Executive Director of IWM Mohammod Monowar Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

The modelling has taken into  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

Several people who were injured in yesterday’s road crash in Natore are being pulled into a truck to be taken to local medical facilities for emergency treatment

BNP’s messy shake-ups backfire n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

The BNP’s attempts at reorganising its party ranks to gain momentum for a movement to topple the government have backfired on many occasions in recent months, with the dissolution of existing committees and announcement of new leadership triggering intra-party feuds and violence that has often put the party in embarrassing situations.

The tension within the party has intensified to a point where senior leaders are often publicly criticised by grassroots leaders, while party Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s decisions are also challenged to some extent. Although the party chief had asked senior leaders to resolve the crisis, any substantial result is yet to be seen.

Many BNP leaders said such intra-party feuds have weakened the pace of the movement against the government as well as embarrassing the party. Other leaders, however, claimed

that the issue was nothing serious and it only proved that the BNP was the most popular political party.

Party’s acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, meanwhile, claimed that there was no intra-party feud; instead, he saw this as a competition for the leadership.

Fakhrul claims there was no intra-party feud, only competition for the leadership Infighting, allegations and counter-allegations between central and grassroots leaders started soon after the January 5 election, which the BNP-led alliance failed to resist.

Following the polls, Khaleda Zia met with the Dhaka city unit leaders and also with the Chhatra Dal leaders, and harshly criticised them for their roles

Two people, arrested for threatening to launch suicide bomb attack in Chittagong court on October 14, have claimed that they made the threat to defer verdict in a land-related case.

Mohammad Nasir, 45, and his brother-in-law Salauddin, 22, were arrested in separate drives in the port city’s Badurtola and Rahattarpool areas on Sunday, DB Deputy Commissioner Kushum Dewan said.

They were put on three-day police remand yesterday.

Following his arrest, Nasir claimed that he was not a member of banned Islamist outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen that he had mentioned while giving the threat to lawyer Manash Kumer Das over the phone.

Police, however, could not seize the mobile set and the SIM card which were used for giving the threat. Salauddin threw the SIM into the river on October 14 and left the phone beside a road in Bahaddarhat area on October 18.

Nasir, owner of a phone-fax shop

named Nasir Telecom in Badurtola area, said he has a land in the area which was given to a developer company to construct a building. But since one Kamrunnahar claimed ownership of the same land, he lodged a case.

Verdict in the case was set to be delivered on October 14 and Nasir thought it might go against him. He thought that after issuing such a threat, identifying him as a JMB member, the court proceedings would be adjourned and he would get the scope to file another case in the meantime.

Lawyer Manash is the defence counsel in the case. On that day, the designated court did not deliver the verdict.

“The detectives are investigating whether Nasir’s lawyer Abu Bakar was also involved in the bomb attack threat,” DB ADC Hasan Chowdhury said.

Soon after receiving the threat, law enforcers tightened security measures in the Chittagong Court Building Hill area where a total of 75 different courts are housed while offices of the deputy commissioner and the divisional commissioner are adjacent to the court. l

Bangladeshi pleads guilty to attempted bribery of FBI agent n Tribune Report Two Connecticut men, including a Bangladeshi national, have pleaded guilty of bribery charges, admitting that they tried to bribe a former FBI agent in the US for access to confidential documents concerning a prominent Bangladeshi politician.

Johannes Thaler, 51, of Fairfield County, and Rizve Ahmed “Caesar,” 35, of Danbury, pleaded guilty before US District Judge Vincent L Briccetti of the Southern District of New York.

They also admitted that they had participated in a scheme to obtain confidential, internal law enforcement documents and information from a former FBI special agent in White Plains, New York.

Both Thaler and Rizve admitted to participating in a bribery scheme with Robert Lustyik, a former FBI special agent in White Plains who worked on the counterintelligence squad.

In pleading guilty, Thaler and Rizve admitted that between September 2011 and March 2012, Thaler and Lustyik solicited bribes from Rizve, in exchange for Lustyik’s agreement to provide internal, confidential documents and other confidential information to which Lustyik had access by virtue of his position as an FBI special agent.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R Caldwell of US Justice Department’s Criminal Division, US Attorney Preet Bharara of the Southern District of New York, and Justice Department Inspector General Michael D Horowitz made the announcement, stated a US Justice Department press release.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

JCD cracks still unmended

during the movement against the election. She said new committees would be formed after dissolving these two committees.

Soon afterwards, the BNP hierarchy again experienced a shake-up when many dedicated and tested leaders were expelled from the party for participating in the upazila election by bypassing the central leadership’s decisions. Many of those local-level leaders are yet to return to the party.

Unrest hit the party again when Sramik Dal – the BNP’s labour wing – announced its new committee. A section of deprived Sramik Dal leaders brought out processions protesting the new committee, alleging that a section of central leaders – namely Nazrul Islam Khan, Abdullah Al Noman and Jafrul Hasan – had formed the new committee with people who were loyal to them.

Creating further controversy, the deprived leaders then expelled the  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla A solution is yet to be reached in the drama surrounding the newly announced central committee of Chhatra Dal, with senior leaders of the BNP failing to find any concrete solution to the dilemma over the leadership of its student wing.

Following days of unrest, agitated leaders who were not included in the new committee decided to postpone their demonstrations yesterday following assurance from Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir of passing on their concerns to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. During a meeting with the deprived Chhatra Dal leaders on Sunday evening, the party’s acting secretary general Fakhrul also assured the student leaders that a decision on this regard will be announced by Monday.

However, as of filing this report at 10pm, no progress had been made in solving the crisis.

Party insiders said Fakhrul held a meeting with Khaleda on Sunday night to resolve the crisis, with central leaders including Mirza Abbas, Amanullah Aman, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Sahiduddin Chowdhury Annie, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Rajib Ahsan and Akramul Hasan in attendance.

Seeking anonymity, a senior leader told the Dhaka Tribune that Khaleda was aggrieved after listening to the problems and had assigned Fakhrul and Abbas to find a solution.

Yesterday, Abbas met with Ishak Sarkar, the organising secretary of the new committee who was allegedly behind the recent unrest, and reportedly asked him not to disobey the party chief’s orders and to end the demonstrations.

Party sources said Ishak was a close aide to former student leader Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, who allegedly had

INSIDE

He threatened bomb attack to delay verdict n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

Courtesy: SHIHAB

INFO ON POLITICIAN

5 | News

Jagannath University celebrated its tenth founding anniversary, Jagannath University Day 2014, in a festive mood yesterday.

3 | News

The Health Ministry is planning on introducing the Drug Act 2014, which will reportedly allow the country’s drug administration to carry out mobile court drives and enforce updated rules and regulations for the pharmaceutical industry.

4 | News

An annual progress report placed before cabinet gave high marks to the economy’s performance, earning the approval of the prime minister who asked the administration to do better in implementing the ADP.

6 | Nation

There are allegations of rampant corruption in the project of constructing small bridges and culverts on the rural areas of Chittagong Hill Tracts.

8 | World

President Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace Mugabe has begun swiftly and in earnest to succeed her husband as leader of Zimbabwe, and in the past two months the she has been using the budget and the jets and helicopters of her husband to travel up and down the country in a ‘charm offensive’ to rally support.

12 | Entertainment

Not one to settle for a single identity, Ananta Jalil has often made headlines for the various roles he played since his emergence in the industry: as an actor, producer, director, screenwriter, songwriter and brand ambassador.

13 | Sport

Jubair Hossain Likhon, the first specialist leg-spinner in the Bangladesh contingent till date, looked very confident in his first big media appearance yesterday as the 19-year-old revealed his dream of mastering the art of leg-spin and continue playing for the national team.

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Extramarital affair claimed behind CNG driver shooting

High Court summons five over Nizam Hazari’s release on bail

n Mohammad Jamil Khan

A High Court bench yesterday summoned five persons, including two bail guarantors of Awami League MP Nizam Uddin Hazari, to clarify on November 5 whether how he got out of jail on bail in 2006 while serving terms in an arms case was legal.

The bench of judges Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan issued the summons during the hearing of a writ petition that accuses Nizam of having resorted to forgery to

The driver of a CNG-run autorickshaw was shot by a policeman, who allegedly enticed the driver’s wife into eloping with him after developing an extramarital affair.

The policeman, however, claimed the driver, Md Shah Alam, is a notorious mugger who has at least 10 cases filed against him with different police stations in Dhaka.

Alam was sent to National Institute of Traumatology & Orthopaedic Rehabilitaion for treatment as he received bullet injuries in his leg.

Alam’s elder brother Golam Mostofa told the Dhaka Tribune his sibling used to work for Sub-Inspector Anwar Hossain when he was posted at Mohammadpur police station nearly three years back.

“Anwar had a good relationship with Alam but after marrying Shanta, my brother stopped working for him.

Shanta began getting into frequent altercations with my brother after a little more than one year because he failed to fulfill her demands even after working hard. My brother bought the autorick-

shaw with the money he saved over the years,” said Mostofa.

Mostofa claimed Shanta got into a relationship with Anwar in the meantime, and they also conspired to file a case against Alam to take away his vehicle and sell it.

“Shanta refused to reconcile with Alam and suddenly disappeared three months ago. But my brother was determined not to give up on his wife and kept searching for her. He then discovered that Shanta and Anwar are living like a married couple. Anwar was also transferred to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station at the time,” he said.

After my brother returned home around 9pm on Sunday, Anwar sent some men to our Mohammadpur house who took him outside, Mostafa said yesterday, adding: “This morning, we came to know that he has been shot and shown arrested in a mugging case.

Police did not allow us to see my brother despite repeated requests.”

SI Anwar, however, ruled out what Mostafa said against him and termed those groundless claims.

“What is true is that Alam is a mugger and also an accused in at least 10 cases.

He would circulate wrong information against me as I used to chase him often during my stint at Mohammdpur police station. I also arrested some of the members of his gang. I have evidence of his criminal offence and when I went to arrest him on Sunday night, he had a foreign gun and three rounds of bullets in his possession,” Anwar said. A case was filed in this connection, he added.

Moktar Hossain, a resident of the area in Mohammadpur where Alam lives, told the Dhaka Tribune he has known Alam for at least 20 years.

“I have never heard that Alam was involved in any criminal act or was an accused in a lawsuit. As far as I am concerned, Alam’s wife eloped with someone but I do not exactly know who the person is,” he said.

Ruhul Amin, a local contractor, said he never heard that Alam was involved in any unlawful activity.

Alam did not have a smooth relation with his wife in the recent past and I accompanied him several times when he went to his in-laws’ house to bring his wife back, said Amin, adding: “However, she could not be convinced by any means and did not come back.” l

n Tribune Report

get out of jail early to contest the January 5 polls.

Three others summoned are MA Bashar, who appeared for him before the court in 2006, then assistant attorney general AKM Mohiuddin Chowdhury and the third is his lower court lawyer.

They also asked the Supreme Court registrar to produce before it on the same day all the documents on which Nizam had secured bail in the case.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, writ petition lawyer Manzill Murshid said

there is a doubt over the validity of the bail order issued in favour of the Awami League MP. Chittagong’s additional district magistrate has been directed to ensure that all the five, including two bail guarantors, appear and produce all the relevant arms case documents before the bench on the scheduled date, he said.

The High Court on September 10 had issued a similar order but that was not complied because of not communicating it properly to the respondents in time, Manzill said. l

Dhaka, Washington to discuss democratic n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Dhaka will discuss with Washington how to strengthen democratic institutions and establish the rule of law in the country in the third partnership dialogue between Bangladesh and the USA. “Everybody wants democracy and the rule of law. We will discuss these issues with the US,” the foreign secretary said.

The dialogue has been rescheduled to take place from October 28-29 in Washington. Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Hoque and US State Department

Undersecretary Wendy Sherman will lead their respective sides.

Blue economy

Both the parties would discuss three broad areas such as development and governance, trade and investment and security cooperation. Dhaka plans to seek cooperation from Washington for the blue economy in the dialogue.

Investment

Issues of apparel and labour, energy and bilateral trade and investment

would come up for discussion.

“Washington has shown interest in cooperating with Dhaka in energy sector,” Shahidul said.

Security cooperation

Bangladesh and the US have robust security cooperation to combat terrorism, exchange information and counter money laundering.

“Both the countries cooperate with each other in combating terrorism by exchanging information,” said a senior official of the Home Ministry. l

MK Anwar indicted for instigating communal violence n Tribune Report

2 arrested in Bhashantek killing case

A Dhaka court yesterday indicted BNP Standing Committee member MK Anwar, rejecting the defence plea for discharging him from a case filed in May last year relating to hurting religious sentiments and instigating communal anarchy in the country.

Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Jahrul Haque fixed November 23 for starting trial of the case after framing the charges against him under section 57 (1) (2) of the Information Communication and Technology Act-2006.

During the framing of the charges, BNP leader Anwar pleaded not guilty to them and sought justice from the court. l

The Johnson Road in Old Dhaka witnesses huge traffic congestion for long hours everyday because of a poor traffic management system in the area. The photo was taken yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

The Detective Branch of police on Sunday night arrested two accused in the Nasir killing case in the capital’s Bhashantek area, obtaining interrogation statements that appear to tie together previous accounts of the motive for the killing.

The arrestees are Babul Bepari alias Bablu, 28, and Md Altaf Hossain, 29.

A team led by Deputy Commissioner Nazmul Alam, Additional Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam and Assistant Police Commissioner Saifullah Md Nasir arrested the men from Gabtoli bus stand in the capital around 9:30pm.

Police later recovered 2 pistols, 2 magazines, 6 rounds of bullets and 6 bomblike objects from Goltek under the Bhashantek police station.

During primary interrogation, the arrestees said Shorif alias Chokkha had a fight with Laboni’s husband, Sohag, over a carom game two or three days before Eid-ul-Fitr. Laboni is Nasir’s cousin.

After the incident, Chokkha along with Mamun, Bablu, Kana Alam, and others used to tease Laboni and threat-

JCD cracks still unmended

Survey: Open-pit mining

Now BNP plans movement after mass campaign n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said after completing the mass contact programme, she would announce plans to wage movement to drum up public support in favour of their demand for the election under a non-partisan government.

Earlier on many occasions, the former premier said they would wage movement after Eid and asked the party leaders and activists to get ready to make the movement successful.

“We will be compelled to go for the movement after the mass contact programme. I will call on right time and you have to take preparation from now on so that you can take to the streets,” she said while exchanging views with party leaders of Rajshahi division at her Gulshan office. l

n Tazlina Zamila Khan

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

advised Ishak not to work for the new committee. Following the advise, Ishak reportedly orchestrated the recent Chhatra Dal demonstrations from behind the scene. Abbas was assigned to solve the crisis as he had good relations with Pintu, party sources added.

After meeting with Ishak yesterday, Abbas went to the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters and held an hour-long meeting with senior party leaders including Annie and Tuku at around 3pm.

However, since the beginning of the recent demonstrations, the deprived leaders have been calling for the expul-

BNP’s messy shake-ups backfire  PAGE 1 COLUMN 4

new committee and announced a new committee of their own. Although this created a conundrum for the party, no initiative has been taken by the party so far to resolve the crisis. As a result, the Sramik Dal has remained inactive in recent months.

Discontent among party ranks in the capital was also ignited when the convening committee of Dhaka city was announced excluding many of the previous committee leaders. Former committee convener Sadeque Hossain Khoka

and Abdus Salam were made advisers, a move opposed by many BNP leaders.

The BNP faced further embarrassment when conflict between the new Convener Mirza Abbas and Member Secretary Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel surfaced. Abbas showed a strong rigid stance against Sohel and discussed the issue with Khaleda.

Although the city unit’s convening committee was assigned to form the full-fledged committee within two months, there has been little progress in this regard. Chase and counter-chase

sion of Annie and Tuku, branding them agents of the government.

Following that meeting, Mirza Abbas said: “We hope that the problem will be resolved soon. The BNP is a big political party and there will be some problems.”

However, deprived leader Tarikul Islam Titu said: “We have spoken to [acting] secretary general. Khaleda Zia may call us at night and the solution may come from there. If there is no solution, then we will stage demonstrations again from tomorrow.”

Earlier last Tuesday, Khaleda Zia approved the 201-member new committee.

On Wednesday, the deprived leaders

hurled several crude bombs in front of the BNP’s Nayapaltan office and brought out a procession demanding cancellation of the new committee.

Around 10pm the same day, several crude bombs were also blasted in front of the Gulshan office of the party chairperson when the chairperson was still inside the office.

On Sunday, the demonstration took a more violent turn when the party office was vandalised and around a dozen leaders were injured. Even the mural of the party founder late president Ziaur Rahman was damaged during the unrest. l

among BNP leaders and activists over the issue of forming the committee had further smirched the BNP’s reputation.

On October 18, one person was injured after a shooting took place during a meeting of the BNP Dhaka city unit at Bhashani Auditorium; a fight that was triggered when a discontent activist voiced his resentment against the party’s performance and criticised senior party leaders.

Before the tension was doused, fresh frictions were kindled centring the announcement of the new committee of

Chhatra Dal. The move prompted the deprived leaders to bring out processions, blast crude bombs in front of party’s Nayapaltan headquarters and the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office demanding cancellation of the new committee.

Violence also continued on the following days. On Saturday, the deprived leaders put the central office under lock and key and assaulted a number of senior leaders; and on Sunday, they vandalised the party office and confined senior party leaders including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir inside. l

Bangladeshi pleads guilty of attempted bribery of FBI agent  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

According to the press release, Thaler was Lustyik’s friend, and Rizve was an acquaintance of Thaler.

Rizve sought confidential law enforcement information, including a “Suspicious Activity Report,” pertaining to a Bangladeshi political figure who was affiliated with a political party opposing Rizve’s views.

Thaler and Rizve admitted that “Rizve requested the confidential information to help him locate and harm his intended victim and others associated with the victim.”

He also sought assistance in having criminal charges against a different Bangladeshi political figure dismissed,

the press note stated. They also admitted that they exchanged text messages in furtherance of the scheme, including text messages about a “contract” that would require Rizve to pay a $40,000 “retainer” and $30,000 “monthly.”

In return, Lustyik and Thaler agreed to “give [Rizve] everything [they] ha[d] plus set up [the victim] and get the inside from the party.”

Thaler and Lustyik also exchanged text messages about how to pressure Rizve to pay them additional money in exchange for confidential information.

“For example, in text messages, Lustyik told Thaler, “we need to push [Rizve] for this meeting and get that 40 gs quick...I will talk us into getting

the cash...I will work my magic...We r sooooooo close.” Thaler responded: “I know. It’s all right there in front of us.

Pretty soon we’ll be having lunch in our oceanfront restaurant...”

Additionally, in late January 2012, Lustyik learned that Rizve was considering using a different source to obtain confidential information.

As a result, Lustyik sent a text message to Thaler, stating: “I want to kill [Rizve]...I hung my ass out the window n we got nothing?...Tell [him], I’ve got [the victim’s] number and I’m pissed...I will put a wire on n get [him and his associates] to admit they want [a Bangladeshi political figure] offed n we sell it to [the victim].” Lustyik further stated:

“So bottom line. I need ten gs asap. We gotta squeeze C.” Sentencing hearings for Thaler and Rizve are scheduled for January 23, 2015 while Lustyik is scheduled for trial on November 17.

“The charges contained in an indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”

The case was investigated by the US Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Emily Rae Woods of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant US Attorney Benjamin Allee of the White Plains Division of the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. l

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

account the levels of groundwater pumped from several wells, flood waters, irrigation and rain waters in the last two years in the area.

However, it has not considered human, economic or environmental aspects, even the re-settlement issues, for the survey.

The IWM conducted water modelling on an area of 60 square-kilometres at Barapukuria coal mine site to determine the flow of underground water (aquifer) for extracting coal under the open-pit method, aiming at boosting coal production.

“The government can go for openpit mining at the northern part of Barapukuria, subject to the technical feasibility study on mining issues and economical viability,” he said.

en Sohag. Later, Laboni told Nasir about the situation and he protested it.

Tensions rose and Nasir slapped Chokkha around 8:30pm on October 10.

Chokkha then complained to Bablu and Mamun and around 9:30pm, Chokka took Nasir to Goltek from the Majumdar neighbourhood where Mamun, Bablu, Altaf, Kana Alam and others beat Nasir with cricket stumps, GI pipes and steel rods, fatally injuring him.

In remand, Chokkha admitted that Bablu, Mamun, Altaf and Mizan had fired weapons that day. Two cases under the arms act were filed against Bablu and Altaf.

Accusations of close ties between Bhashantek policemen and the accused in the case led to a reshuffle at the police station.

Recently, Bhashantek police station inspector (investigation) Golam Nabi was closed by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Nineteen officials of Bhashantek police station were suspended by police deputy commissioner of Mirpur zone, Nisarul Arif, because of their alleged involvement with the murder suspects. l

“We need to calculate the price of crops and we should remember that northern part [of the country] is the land of food; so, we need to calculate the value of the food and the farmers’ livelihood,” he said.

The Barapukuria basin contains 390m tonnes of coal at a depth ranging from 118 metres to 503 metres below surface.

The state-owned Ashuganj Power Station Company has planned to set up a 1,320MW coal-based plant at the mouth of Barapukuria coal mine.

According to the government’s power sector roadmap, the country aims at generating around 20,000MW of electricity from coal-based plants by 2030; of this, 11,250MW will be generated using domestic coal while the rest using imported coal. l

32 die, scores hurt in Natore  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

Othoi Paribahan bus badly damaged while the other vehicle fell into a roadside ditch.

Locals rushed the injured to different hospitals while two died at Patwary General Hospital, one at Joynob Hospital and one at Amina Hospital.

“Of the dead, 26 bodies were handed over to officials at Banpara Highway police station,” OC Monirul said.

Witnesses’ accounts

The Keya Paribahan bus was carrying at least 40 passengers while 70 were on the other, said witnesses.

After the accident, there were bodies scattered around the scene, with some lying on roadside crop lands.

Abdul Matin, chairman of Dharabarisha union under Gurudaspur upazila, said some 45 people of Sidhulai village of his union was returning from Natore court, where they were produced in connection with a double murder case.

“Two dead bodies have already arrived in the village while nine more are on the way. I do not know exactly how many people were killed in the accident or how many survived,” he added.

Police Super Basudev Banik said numerous people were injured in the accident.

District civil surgeon Ferdous Nilufar said many of the injured returned home after taking primary treatment at Baraigram Upazila Health Complex and other clinics.

“I found two patients at the upazila health complex. One of them was a woman whose condition was critical.

Natore Sadar Hospital also received 23 patients but five of them were already dead when they arrived. Six of the 18 were sent to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital as their condition deteriorated but one died there. The remaining 12 stayed at the sadar hospital,” she added.

Probe committee formed

Deputy Commissioner Mashiur Rahman said a three-member investigation committee headed by Additional District Magistrate Md Ali was formed to probe the accident.

Fuwad Ruhani, officer-in-charge of Banpara Highway police station, said the crash caused a three-hour traffic jam on the road. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

New drug act on the cards n Moniruzzaman Uzzal The Health Ministry is planning on introducing the Drug Act 2014, which will reportedly allow the country’s drug administration to carry out mobile court drives and enforce updated rules and regulations for the pharmaceutical industry.

A committee of drug specialists, headed by Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) chief Maj Gen Jahangir Hossain Mollick, recently finalised the draft of the act and submitted it to the Health Ministry.

Sources at the ministry said it would now seek opinions from other ministries and review the draft before submitting it to the cabinet.

A total of 267 allopathic pharmaceutical companies have been producing raw materials and finished drugs worth Tk12,565 crore each year Maj Gen Mollick, director general of the DGDA, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that the draft act has already been submitted to the ministry to make a “uniform” act in order to ensure smooth operations in the pharmaceutical industry.

The fast-growing pharmaceutical industry has long been running on the 74-year-old Drug Act 1940, which had been subsequently followed up with the drug rules of 1945 and 1946, drug control ordinance of 1982 and drug policy of 2006, the DGDA chief said.

He added that it was high time to introduce an updated drug act as the

previous rules and ordinances were ineffective in contemporary times.

Asked how much time will be needed to introduce the bill, Maj Gen Mollick said the issue would now depend completely on the Health Ministry as the ball was currently in their court after the DGDA had done its duty.

Meanwhile, seeking anonymity, a key committee member who was involved with the preparation of draft act told the Dhaka Tribune that pharmacovigilance or drug safety of the market has been made compulsory in the proposed act, while the committee has also recommended bioequivalence test of the existing drugs.

The committee member added the proposed act would allow the DGDA to officially conduct mobile courts – an authority that is not available under the existing act.

According to the DGDA, 653 mobile court drives during 2013 managed to seize fake, adulterated, smuggled, and date-expired drugs worth around Tk10 crore. The mobile courts also handed jail sentences to over 100 people, and fined them more than Tk2 crore.

When asked about the unscrupulous drugs manufacturers, DGDA Director Selim Barami claimed that the drug administration was trying its best to conduct mobile court drives and ensure safe medicine for people.

According to annual reports of DGDA, which is the licensing and controlling authority of the pharmaceutical market, a total of 267 allopathic pharmaceutical companies have been producing raw materials and finished drug worth Tk12,565 crore each year.

Moreover 268 unani, 204 ayurvedic, 79 homeopathic and 26 herbal companies have also been producing drugs worth Tk700 crore. There are currently 103,991 registered pharmacies across the country. l

HC orders Ebola screening at all entrances n Tribune Report

Students cram inside a private school van to go to school in the capital’s Mohakhali area. The cage-like vans that pick and drop a number of children in the capital everyday not only lack space but also are fragile and risky to travel in SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Cabinet approves draft deals with UAE and Kuwait n Mohosinul Karim The cabinet yesterday approved the drafts of two agreements likely to be signed with the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait shortly.

An agreement on security cooperation would be inked with the UAE while another deal on military cooperation with Kuwait is in the offing.

The Home Ministry and the Defence Ministry placed the drafts of the two agreements in a cabinet meeting chaired

by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The cabinet finally gave permission to sign the agreements, Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

He informed that the premier would go to the UAE on October 27 on a threeday visit. The government had taken initiatives to sign the agreement with the UAE to ensure the security and safety of the Bangladeshi workers working in that country, he added.

According to the proposed agreement on security cooperation,

the cabinet secretary said, the two countries would work together to enhance cooperation in preventing crimes such as terrorism, use of arms and weaponry, human trafficking and money laundering. The two countries would also exchange convicted persons if any.

According to the agreement to be signed with Kuwait, the two countries would exchange military training, education, technology and logistics, cultural history and information and communication technology. l

India disburses fourth tranche of $25m Indictment order on Siraj n Kosai, 2 others Nov 5 Tribune Report

The Indian government has disbursed the fourth tranche of $25m or Tk194 crore grant to the Bangladesh government, as part of a $1bn Indian credit line for developing local infrastructures.

Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Saran yesterday handed over a cheque for $25m – the fourth instalment of the $200m grant committed by India in 2012 – to Finance Minister AMA Muhith at his Hare Road residence, according to a press release from the Indian High Commission.

Saran also briefed the minister on the latest status of 15 ongoing projects under the remaining $800m Indian line of credit, which are in different stages of execution.

The Indian diplomat also lauded Muhith for his positive response on the establishment of a special economic zone for Indian

companies which would promote greater Indian investments in Bangladesh.

An official of the Finance Division told the Dhaka Tribune that with the latest $25m disbursement, India has completed disbursing $175m grant assistance to Bangladesh.

Following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s landmark visit to New Delhi in January 2010, India extended the first line of credit of $1bn to Bangladesh for a range of projects that included railway infrastructure development, supply of locomotives and passenger coaches, renovation of Saidpur railway workshop, procurement of passenger vehicles including articulated buses, and river dredging.

India later wrote off $200m of the $1bn credit as grant which the Bangladesh government could use for any development project. The Bangladesh government last year decided to use the grant amount for constructing the

$2.9bn Padma Bridge.

According to the deal for the $800m line of credit, Bangladesh will have to procure 85%-100% goods, services and work from the Indian market.

The state-owned rail-service provider has undertaken the highest number of 13 projects under the $800m credit line for upgrading its infrastructure and service facilities.

According to an official of Economic Relation Division, seven out of 15 projects which were undertaken under the $800m Indian line of credit, have been completed during the last three-and-ahalf years.

A Finance Ministry official, seeking anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune that Bangladesh was ready to accept India’s offer of buyer’s credit to finance big projects and was likely to sign a deal for another $1bn letter of credit during the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka in December. l

n Udisa Islam The war crimes tribunal has fixed November 5 to pass order on whether to frame charges against Sheikh Sirajul Haque alias Siraj Master, Abdul Latif Talukder and Khan Akram Hossain.

The defence yesterday ended hearing on the discharge petitions they had filed in the case at the International Crimes Tribunal 1.

Among the eight charges, four have been brought against Siraj Kosai alone for killing about 666 people M Sarwar Hossain, counsel for Latif and Akram, placed his submission and pleaded for their acquittal from the charges of crimes against humanity.

On September 30, Mohammad Abul Hasan, the state-appointed defence counsel for Siraj Master, also known as Siraj Kosai, placed his arguments.

Sarwar said the case based on which the tribunal investigation agency launched probe had been disposed off.

“The daughter of the victim has given an affidavit, claiming that my clients were not involved in the murder of her father.”

The counsel, however, placed the

submission without showing any documents.

In support of Akram, he said: “The accused was 15-years-old during the 1971 Liberation War and his name was not mentioned in the list of razakars.”

He claimed that Latif used to make breads at a camp of the freedom fighters, and that he had been forced to join razakar forces. “Latif never took part in any crimes,” Sarwar claimed.

Akram and Latif are facing four out of eight charges pressed against the trio.

The defence said one of the charges against his clients was forcefully converting 200 Hindus of Shakharikathi and its adjacent area of Bagerhat into Muslims in July 1971 and another charge, brought against them, was on their involvement in the killing of 42 Hindus of the same village on November 5.

Citing prosecution document, Sarwar argued that the 42 Hindus, who had been killed on November 5, were among the 200 converted Muslims.

“These 200 Hindus were forced to follow Islamic rituals, but the prosecution has mentioned them as Hindus in the charge,” he said.

Among the eight charges, four have been brought against Siraj Kosai alone for killing about 666 people, two against three of them for the killing of 47 people while two others against Akram and Latif for converting 200 Hindus and killing a person. l

Witness: Jabbar changed my name to Jabbar Khan n Udisa Islam Student leaders who were deprived a place in the newly formed Chhatra Dal central committee, gathered in front of the BNP headquarters in capital’s Nayapaltan yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Thailand allows Bangladesh to interview 38 rescued persons n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman The Thai government has allowed the Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok to interview 38 persons, who were earlier rescued from a jungle in Thailand, to verify whether they were actually Bangladeshi citizens as being claimed.

Bangkok is also screening another 83 rescued persons who also claimed

to be Bangladeshi citizens.

“We will take the interview of the 38 persons to complete the verification process,” said a senior official of the foreign ministry. “If it is found that they are citizens of Bangladesh, they would be brought back to Dhaka as soon as possible,” he said.

About the 83 persons, he said: “When the Thai authorities will permit

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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

us to interview them, the embassy will send its staff to do so.”

Under the verification process, the Bangladesh embassy will send a list of persons with names and addresses to Dhaka for verification. The list will be verified by the Home Ministry with the assistance of local administration and a report to the Foreign Ministry will be sent to take necessary measures. l

A new prosecution witness in the trial against former Jatiya Party lawmaker engineer Abdul Jabbar yesterday said the accused had ordered the killing of his uncle.

Jonoprasad Paik, 62, a freedom fighter from Phuljhuri village under Mothbaria of Pirojpur, also described the forceful conversion of almost 200 Hindus including him.

Testifying as the 13th prosecution witness at the International Crimes Tribunal 1, he said upon the order of the accused, the local razakars had converted them in May 1971. He had to take a Muslim name, Jabbar Khan, while his family members observed Muslim rituals to save life.

The witness said Jabbar’s men had raided Paik Para of Phuljhuri in late May and forced 150 to 200 Hindus including him to convert to Islam. “While

they gave us Muslim names, they also used to monitor to make sure that we say prayers regularly.”

He said because of intolerable torture, “we fled to India and I took training to participate in the war. After the training period, I entered Bangladesh and joined the war.”

He also said on May 17, the Pakistani occupation forces and razakars led by Jabbar, surrounded the village from three sides. They looted at least 360 houses. “When my uncle Sharda Kanto Paik tried to escape to save life, the army personnel shot him dead upon instruction of Jabbar.”

After his deposition, the trial was adjourned until today when state-appointed defence counsel Mohammad Abul Hasan will cross examine him.

Fugitive Jabbar, then chairman of Mathbaria Peace Committee, is facing five charges of crimes against humanity. l

The High Court yesterday issued an order, asking the government to take necessary steps at all air, land and sea ports as well as all checkpoints for the identification of Ebola virus.

An HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Jahangir Hossain passed the order in the morning following a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond on October 16, seeking directives on deployment of monitoring teams and doctors at all land, air and sea ports to scan Ebola virus contamination among people entering the country.

The court also directed the respondents to take steps to help or give humanitarian aid to the public health emergency fund of the United Nations.

Besides, the court issued a rule on the government as to why it should not be ordered to take necessary steps to stop Ebola outbreak at home and abroad.

The health secretary, civil aviation and tourism secretary, home secretary, defence secretary, director general of Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention and director general for health service had been made respondents.

The respondents had been asked to explain within four weeks.

Meanwhile, another HC bench comprising Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan fixed October 22 to announce its order for another writ petition on Ebola virus filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

Advocate Manzill Murshid moved for the petitioner while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam stood for the state.

Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh sought an HC order on the government to provide proper treatment for Ebola victims in selected hospitals. They also sought HC directives on the Finance Ministry to allot money to buy equipment for detecting Ebola virus. l

ACC challenges bail order for Mannan Khan n Tribune Report The Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday filed a petition, challenging bail order for former state minister for housing and public works Abdul Mannan Khan in a graft case.

ACC’s Deputy Director Md Nasir Uddin filed the plea with a senior special judge’s court in Dhaka, challenging CMM court’s bail order for Mannan Khan. Senior Special Judge Md Jahurul Haque, however, fixed November 18 for hearing on the petition.

On October 13, a metropolitan magistrate court extended bail to Mannan Khan until December 9. l

Ex-RDA chairman under ACC scanner

n Tribune Report The Anti-Corruption Commission has recently launched an inquiry against Md Abdus Salek, former chairman of Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA), on charge of alleged embezzlement of more than Tk1.2 crore.

Earlier, another inquiry in this regard was launched by the now defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption, but that inquiry did not progress much, an ACC official said. The commission decided to launch an inquiry again as it found that Salek has reportedly embezzled the sum through abusing his post as RDA chairman, the official said. l

Warrant against Latif issued again n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Dhaka court yesterday issued arrest warrant against sacked minister Abdul Latif Siddique in a case filed for hurting the religious sentiment of the Muslims by making derogatory comments.

Metropolitan Magistrate Meher Nigar Shuchona issued the warrant as Latif did not appear before the court even after it issued a summons on him earlier.

The court also ordered the police station concerned to submit a report on the execution of the arrest warrant on November 27.

On October 2, Olama League Senior Vice-Chairman Lion Abu Bakar Siddique filed a petition case against Latif Siddique for hurting the religious sentiment through his remarks on hajj.

As Latif Siddique remained absent ignoring the summons, Abu Bakar Siddique sought an arrest order and the court accepted it. l

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Cabinet report paints rosy picture of economic performance n Mohosinul Karim

An annual progress report placed before cabinet gave high marks to the economy’s performance, earning the approval of the prime minister who asked the administration to do better in implementing the annual development programme (ADP).

The ADP utilization rate in FY 13-14 reached 93.11% with an expenditure of Tk59,580 crore. The prime minister asked senior ministry and division officials to work towards achieving a 100 percent implementation rate.

The country’s per capita income rose to US$1190 during fiscal year 201314 compared to US$1044 in FY 12-13.

Bangladesh’s inflation rate dropped 1.09 percentage points from 8.06 percent to 6.97 percent while the country’s foreign exchange reserves grew to US$21.5bn in the same period.

The new economic figures appeared in a report on the 2013-14 fiscal year

Journalist Al-Amin dies aged 46 n Tribune Report Md Al-Amin, news editor of online news portal thereport24.com, passed away early yesterday at the age of 46.

The family member sources said he breathed his last at the intensive care unit of BIRDEM hospital around 5am, where he had been admitted with cardiac complications on Thursday.

Since Sunday, he was kept on life support at the unit.

His namaz-e-janaza was held on the premise of Al-Markajul Islam in Mohammadpur area in the capital. Later, his body was sent to his village home in Gaibandha for burial. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement, the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists and Dhaka Union of Journalists mourned his death and expressed their sympathy to the aggrieved family members.

Al-Amin was born in Debit Companypara village in 1968 and completed his studies in international relations from Dhaka University.

He served the Daily Star for 17 years.

Later, he was the joint news editor of the Daily Sun and planning editor of online news portal primenews.com. l

placed in yesterday’s cabinet meeting.

The cabinet division tabled the annual report prepared with the support of all of the ministries and divisions.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was in the chair at the meeting held in the cabinet conference room at the secretariat.

Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told reporters after the meeting that the cabinet was pleased with the annual report on the activities of the different ministries and divisions.

He said the report highlighted revenue collection and foreign exchange reserves which showed a positive trend in the 2013-14 fiscal year compared with the previous fiscal year.

Export earnings witnessed an 11.69% growth in FY 13-14 over the previous period. Foreign currency reserves totalled US$21.5billion at the end of FY 13-14, showing a 40.44 percent growth.

Overall revenue collection showed an 8.35% increase at the end of FY 13-14.

The exchange rate remained stable

while the point-to-point inflation rate came down to 6.97 percent in FY 13-14 from 8.06 percent in FY 12-13.

The cabinet secretary said expenditure in social safety-net programmes increased to TK26,654 crore, agricultural production increased alongside progress in the use of ICT, mobile phone subscribers increased to more than 116 million as of June 2014, internet users increased to just under 39 million while tele-density was 77.91%.

Some 239 development projects were completed in the last fiscal year out of 242 projects that had been earmarked, Bhuiyan said.

He also said there had been marked improvement in the health, education, communication and power sectors during the last fiscal year and some 69 State Owned Enterprises turned out to be profitable in FY 13-14, while 19, including the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, were losing concerns.

The report recommended that the

government further strengthen inter-ministerial coordination to expedite policy and programmes, build the capacity of the implementing agencies to improve ADP utilization and take more initiative in filling vacant posts.

It further suggested improving load management and tackling misuse in the power sector, training more volunteers for natural disaster preparedness, creating more awareness to control food adulteration and expanding e-tendering activities.

State Minister for Labour and Employment Mojibul Haque Chunnu told the Dhaka Tribune that although the prime minister expressed satisfaction over the progress report, she asked the authorities concerned to fill the vacancies in the administration.

Bhuiyan said the report also recommended holding public meetings at district level public offices including DC offices and upazila level public offices to hear the problems of the people. l

Eight suspected Shibir men held at DU n DU Correspondent Police have detained eight alleged members of Dhaka University unit Islami Chhatra Shibir, an associate body of Jamaat-e-Islami, from Sir AF Rahman Hall on the campus yesterday.

Ruhul Amin denied the allegation of beating, saying he merely informed the DU proctor of some students being arrested The detainees, identified as Md Sohel, Morshedul Wadud, Humayun, Masud Rana, Alauddin, Ruhul and Shimul Hossain, are students of different departments of the university and have been residing in the hall.

Acknowledging the arrest, Shahabagh police station OC Sirajul Islam

said: “Being instructed by the DU authorities, we have detained the eight from the hall around 3am on charge of being involved with Shibir politics and necessary action in this regard would be taken also as per the direction of the authorities concerned.”

Some of the dormitory’s boarders wishing not to be named said some BCL activists led by Sir AF Rahman Hall unit General Secretary Ruhul Amin caught the eight and beat them up severely and handed them over to police.

When asked, Ruhul Amin denied the allegation of beating, saying he merely informed the DU proctor of some students being arrested.

DU acting proctor Amzad Ali said: “Being informed by Ruhul, they investigated the political background of the students, whose suspicious reply compelled them to make the detention.”

Earlier, police with the help of university authorities seized some books of Islamist Chhatri Sangstha, a wing of Jamaat-e-Islami for women, from Sufia Kamal Hall. l

SEIZURE OF TK57.92 LAKH IN CHITTAGONG

Accused sent to jail in money laundering case n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong A Chittagong court yesterday sent Elias, who was nabbed with Tk57.92 lakh from Chittagong Court premises on October 14, to jail in a money laundering case.

The court of Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate Faridul Alam passed the order when police produced him before the court seeking a five-day remand.

The court last Thursday asked Kotwali police station Officer-in-Charge AKM Mohiuddin Selim and Sub-Inspector (SI) Mohammad Kamruzzaman to submit their statements why the arrestee was produced before the court under section 54 of Criminal Procedure Code despite lodging a particular case against him and why the arrestee’s mobile phone was not

mentioned in the seizure list.

The two police officials yesterday told the court that the mobile phone was not mentioned in the seizure list as it was Elias’s personal property while the money laundering case against Eliash was lodged on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, Chittagong ACC Director Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan told Dhaka Tribune that they would form probe body and start investigating after getting the case documents from police.

Kotwali police nabbed Md Eliash, 32, of Kasba in Brahmanbaria district, with the money from Ainjibi (Lawyers) Annex Building as police were there in a high alert on the date due to a bomb attack threat on Chittagong court building. l

Police chasing to disperse a rally of the Islami Andolan in capital’s Puranapaltan yesterday. The Islamist group brought out the rally demanding arrest of former minister Abdul Latif Siddique for his anti-Hajj comments DHAKA TRIBUNE

Two women commit suicide in Ctg EPZ n FM Mizanur Rahaman

Two women allegedly committed suicide by hanging themselves in Chittagong’s Export Processing Zone (EPZ) on Sunday.

The dead are Sabina Akter, 25, wife of Tofazzal Mia, resident of Cement Crossing area in the EPZ and Johora Khatun, 28, wife of Md Aiyub hailing

from Companiganj in Noakhali.

Sabina, a worker of Karnaphuli EPZ, hanged herself from the ceiling of her house with a scarf around 9:30pm following a family feud, said EPZ police station Officer-in-Charge Abul Monsur.

Meanwhile, Johora, a housewife, hanged herself with a scarf from the ceiling of her residence situated

at S Alam-B Alam Lane in the EPZ area around 9pm.

Upon receiving information, police recovered the bodies and sent them to Chittagong Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, said OC Abul Monsur.

He said two unnatural death cases were filed with EPZ police station in these connections. l

UNHRC election today n Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) election will be held in New York today.

Five countries, including Bangladesh, are vying against its four membership posts to represent from the Asia Pacific Group in the UN body.

The other countries are India, Indonesia, Qatar and Thailand.

Dhaka has campaigned hard for the elections of UNHRC and International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The ITU election is to be held on October 27.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam is now in New York for the last minute campaign for the UNHRC election, said an official of the foreign ministry.

It will be the third time for Bangladesh to be a member to the UNHRC if it wins

in today’s election.

Bangladesh has a very good track record in winning elections in the global bodies as it rarely lost in any such election in the past, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar.

Ruling Awami League lawmaker Saber Hossain Chowdhury was on Thursday elected new president of Inter-Parliamentary Union.

On October 9, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was elected chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

In recent times, Bangladesh Ambassador to Brussels Ismat Zahan won the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) election.

Besides, Dhaka won the elections to become members of UNESCO Executive body and ILO Governing body. l

Nazimuddin made Petrobangla chairman n Tribune Report The government has appointed Nazimuddin Chowdhury as the chairman of Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation, known as Petrobangla.

A gazette notification signed by Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) Deputy Secretary Siddika Akter was issued in this regard yesterday.

Currently Nazimuddin has been serving as additional secretary of the EMRD while he would continue holding the post of Petrobangla chairmanship as additional charge until further notice, the notification continued.

The post of state-owned organisation fell vacant when previous chairman Hussain Monsur’s tenure ended on October18. l

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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Cityscape Tower up for inspection and sale n Aminur Rahman Rasel The Cityscape Tower, the first-ever eco-friendly commercial construction in the country, is now ready for inspection and purchase by potential customers, said Nahid Sarwar, managing director of Cityscape International Ltd, the organisation that launched the project.

Addressing a press conference in the capital’s Spectra Convention Centre yesterday, Nahid said: “Cityscape Tower is a very unique and prestigious building considering its architecture, interior, landscaping, design, material and security system, while being an icon of eco-friendly commercial establishment in the country.”

Cityscape International Ltd took the initiative to build the 17-storey building to pursue the platinum certification of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a set of rating systems for “green” constructions developed the US Green Building Council, under its Core and Shell category.

The construction of the building, in the capital’s Gulshan Avenue area, is set to complete in December this year.

The management team of the project shared the company mission, vision and other prospects with the journalists at the press conference, which was also attended by Trina Falgune, the company’s head of marketing, communications and sales, Abdur Rashid, chief engineer, and Mujtaba Ahsan and Shahriar Iqbal Raj, green consultants and faculties at North South University.

Cityscape MD Nahid said the City-

scape Tower, the company’s flagship project, can endure earthquake up to 7.5 Richter scale, as vetted by the Bureau of Research, Testing and Consultants of Buet, and is a symbol of sustainability in urban Bangladesh. The project achieved ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001certifications, and has applied for ISO: 500001 Energy Management System certification.

“This project accurately places Bangladesh in the world map of modern, sustainable futuristic construction. This high-tech green building ensures up to 44% and 60% less energy and water consumption, respectively,” he told the reporters.

“The concept of green building can play a significant role in making Dhaka city suitable for human habitation and adaptive to global economic trends. As a response to burning issues like global warming, sustainability, rapid urbanisation, the notion of green buildings is being recognised worldwide.” he said.

Reputed corporate and governmental entities including Google, NASA, etc have already implemented the concept of green constructions due to the significant savings associated with less energy and water consumption as well as less carbon dioxide emission by such constructions.

There has been 162 LEED Platinum buildings in the world so far, 26 of which are located in Asia. The country’s closest neighbouring country India is also stressing on investment in green construction, not only for environmental contribution but also due to great resale value. l

Students of Jagannath University brings a out a procession in the capital yesterday marking the 10th founding anniversary of the university

10th founding anniversary of JnU Day celebrated n Mohammad Jamil Khan

Jagannath University (JnU) celebrated its tenth founding anniversary, Jagannath University Day 2014, in a festive mood yesterday.

Students and teachers and employees spontaneously attended the celebration programmes, wearing traditional dresses and holding colourful banners and festoons in hands.

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman AK Azad Chowdhury and JnU Vice Chancellor Mizanur Rahman inaugurated the programme, hoisting the National Flag and the JnU Flag around 9am. Colourful balloons and pigeons were also released during the inauguration ceremony.

It was followed by a colourful rally that started from the university’s Shaheed Minar premises and ended at the

The National University authority started to provide online registration card with photo and digital signature for the students of it’s affiliated colleges and other educational institutions.

Vice-Chancellor of the university Proffessor Harun-ur-Rashid inaugurated the activity on university’s campus in Gazipur yesterday.

During the inaguration, he said the University authority had taken step to restructure it by decentralisation and convert it into an information-technology based university.

VC Harun also said the National University was the first public university in the country that started to provide online registration card with photo and digital signature.

Pro-Vice Chancellor of the university Professor Mohammad Aslam Bhuiyan (administration) and Pro-Vice Chancellor Proffessor Dr Munaj Ahmed Nur (academy) were present at the inaugural ceremony. l

SUNNY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 5:27PM SUN RISES 5:59AM 31 31 30 31 31 30 31 31

23 22 20 20 19 20 19 23

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

33.8ºC Khulna

17.5ºC Rajshahi

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

n Our Correspondent, Barisal

The Rajshahi Rakkha Sangram Parishad brings out a procession in city yesterday with a call to take measures to save Rajshahi Cadet College, Bulunpur, Zianagar, Khanpur, Khidirpur areas from erosion AZAHAR UDDIN

Wasa introduces mobile billing system

WEATHER

FORECAST FOR TODAY

Science Faculty ground after parading mains roads in the old part of the capital.

Marking the founding anniversary, the JnU authority had the construction of its first ever dormitory, Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib Hall, inaugurated at Banglabazar area yesterday.

UGC chief Azad inaugurated the construction of the dormitory around 10.30am.

After this, a discussion was held at the

university’s science building premises.

Attending there as chief guest, UGC chief Azad said the university has recently emerged as a role model among the new universities in the country.

A cultural function was then held on the campus marking the founding anniversary. Different noted singers, including Kiron Chandra Roy, Chandan Majumder, Fakir Alamgir and Laysa Ahmed Lisa, performed there. l

High Court for steps to preserve Jail Khal

NU opens online registration card system n Our Correspondent, Gazipur

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

DHAKA TRIBUNE

4:43am 5:57am 11:43am 3:51pm 5:28pm 6:44 pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

n Tribune Report Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) subscribers in the capital can now pay their bills through SMSs. The Wasa authorities have introduced a digital billing system called “FSIBL First Pay Sure Cash,” through which the city dwellers can now pay their water bills through their mobile phones and

get a confirmation SMS instantly, said a press release issued by Dhaka Wasa yesterday.

Yesterday they inaugurated the new system at a city hotel in the presence of Wasa’s Managing Director Taqsem A Khan and First Security Islami Bank Ltd Managing Director AAM Zakaria.

A total of 350 branches of 21 government and private banks have been included in the system, said

the Wasa authorities.

Taqsem A Khan said: “Dhaka Wasa is trying to develop an environment-friendly and customer-friendly sustainable water management system. We have launched the digital banking to reduce hassle of the customers.”

Dhaka Wasa is currently producing 242 crore litres of water per day against a demand of 230 crore litres of the city dwellers. l

Three held with 2,500 Yaba pills in Chittagong

Worker dies falling off rooftop

n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

A worker died after falling from the rooftop of a five-storied ready made garment building in the Dewanhat area of the port city yesterday.

Police said Md Alamgir, 18, hailed from Comilla fell down from the rooftop of Progressive Garment Ltd located in the Baitush Saraf area under Dewanhat around 11:30am while he was fixing an air conditioner.

He was taken to the CMCH in critical state where on duty doctors declared him dead. l

Police arrested three persons with 2,500 pieces of yaba tablets from Chittagong city’s Shah Amanat Third Karnaphuli bridge area yesterday.

Acting on a tip-off, a team from Bakalia police station intercepted a salt-laden truck and recovered 2,000 pieces of yaba tablets and arrested driver Saddam Hossain, 25, and his assistant Abul Hossain around 8:30pm.

Earlier, police arrested Rashedul Islam alias Rashed, 28, with 500 pieces of Yaba tablets from the same area around 2:30am, said Mohammad Moshin, officer-in-charge of Bakalia police station.

The OC said they had set up a check

post in the entrance point of the city from Cox’s Bazar because of rampant drug peddling. Two cases were lodged with Bakalia police station in these connections, added the OC. According to Department of Narcotic Control, around 37 Yaba factories are located at Mongdu in Myanmar which is near to Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar.

Chittagong is considered as golden transit point for drug smugglers especially for Yaba peddlers.

Acknowledging rise in Yaba trading, Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operation) of the Chittagong Metropolitan Police Banaz Kumar Majumder told Dhaka Tribune they had tightened their vigilance to stop the smuggling. l

n Tribune Report

A division bench of High Court yesterday ordered relevant authorities to take steps for preserving Jail Khal (Jail Canal) and stopping filling and dumping waste on the canal within next two weeks.

The division bench consisting of Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal gave the order in response to a writ petition filed by Advocate Asaduzzaman Siddique.

The court also asked secretaries of the LGRD and environment ministry, mayor of Barisal City Corporation, deputy director (Barisal office) of environment directorate, deputy commissioner and metropolitan police commissioner why they would not issue order to stop encroachment and recover the canal within the next four weeks.

Sukumar Biswas, deputy director of the Department of Environment

Barisal office, said they had tried their best to evict land grabbers from the canal.

“We applied several times for appointing administrative magistrate to operate drives against grabbers and encroachers, but the district administration remained indifferent in this regard.”

Ahsan Habib Kamal, mayor of Barisal City Corporation, however, said garbage and wastage were not being dumped on the canal after initiative of the BCC. SM Sahzada, an environment activist, said Barisal town, once called the ‘Venice of Bengal,’ had nearly 600 ponds and water bodies, more than 22 canals in pre-liberation period and 17 canals in post-liberation period in and around the city and Kirtankhola River around 50 years back.

But, there are only four canals in the city now because of rampant filling, encroachments and grabbing of the water bodies, he said. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Corruption in bridge construction project in Bandarban n Our Correspondent, Bandarban There are allegations of rampant corruption in the project of constructing small bridges and culverts on the rural areas of Chittagong Hill Tracts. Local indigenous people said contractors, in cooperation with government officials, had swindled a huge chunk of money by constructing poor quality bridges and culverts.

According to Bandarban Sadar upazila parishad, five bridges had been built in various areas of the upazila in 201314 fiscal. They are Chemi canal bridge at Kuhalong union, bridge on the Maddhampara cananl at Ghungru, Wapara and Jhanka canal bridges at Rajbila and

Two get life term for killing a freedom fighter in Netrakona n Our Correspondent, Netrakona Two people were given life term sentence for killing freedom fighter Siddiqur Rahman over personal clash.

The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hamid passed the order around 11:30am in presence of the convicts. The court also fined Tk50,000 each. Failing to do so, the convicts will have to serve five more years in the jail.

According to the case details, convicts Ruhul Amin and Mohd Rafiqul Islam were business partners of Siddiqur Rahman. But following some clashes over personal interest, they killed Siddiqur on October 9 in 2003 and dumped his body in Satma Dholai River. The body was found by fishermen on the following day and the victim’s brother filed a case with Mohanganj police station right after. Chargesheet of the case was filed in 2004.

After ten years of trial, the court convicted Ruhul Amin and Rafiqul Islam. However, it released three others accused Julhas, Khairul Bashar and Jahangir Kabir. l

Youth’s body found in septic tank

Correspondent, n Our Gazipur An unidentified youth’s body was recovered from a septic tank in Vowal National park at Rajendrapur in Gazipur on Sunday night.

Sub-Inspector of Hotapara police out post under Joydebpur police station Rafikul Islam said,locals found the body and informed the police.

Later,the police recovered the decomposed body of the youth and sent it to Gazipur Sader Hospital morgue. l

Jubo League leader attacked

Correspondent, n Our Gazipur Miscreants attacked a Jubo League leader near Rajendrapur forest office in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur on Sunday.

Injured Nurul Islam Shimul, 30, organising secretary of Sreepur Upazila Jubo League, was admitted to a local health complex.

Jubo League activists blocked Dhaka-Kapasia-Rajendrapur road for one hour demanding the arrest of the attackers. l

Four arrested with huge liquor Correspondent, n Our Gazipur Police in a drive arrested four persons including two women with 4,000-litre locally made liquor from Sonab village under Sripur upazila of the district yesterday.

The arrested were Nitu Barman, 35, son of Devendra Chandra Barman, Rafik Miah, 28, son of Badsha Miah, Kanchanmala Rani, 27, wife of Polash Barman and Rani Begum, 45, wife of Ramij Dhali of the village. l

a bridge on the road to Amtali Marma para monastery at Sualok union.

One crore 43 lakh 83 thousand and 447 Taka was allocated to build the five bridges with average length of 49 metre. However, there are allegations that contractors looted about Tk5 lakh by not doing the piling before the main construction. In some cases, they used bamboos instead of rods, thus building poor quality bridges.

There are at least 120 families on the west side of Maddhampara canal and on the east side, 100 families live. Resident of this area Cha Ha U Khyang and Karbari Kalachan said, the bridge on the canal had been of no use because

adjacent roads were not built.

Meanwhile, out of the two bridges built in Rajbila union, one has developed a crack right after it was built.

Construction worker of the Maddhampara bridge Mohd Faruk said, “We built the bridge without piling as instructed by the contractor.”

Though local people had informed the authority about the poor quality of the bridges, no action had been taken yet. Instead, the contractors had already been paid off.

Project officer Mohd Alamgir said, they had paid the contractors since they received no complaints in this connection. l

Locals suffer as bridge over Suria river remains incomplete n Our Correspondent, Mymensingh The construction of a bridge in Gauripur upazila over Suria river in Mymensingh district is still incomplete due to fund crisis. As a result, people including students, farmers and businessmen of the nearby villages suffer a lot on a daily basis.

According to sources, the local people started the construction work in 2011 with their own accord after they had not got government fund. But they could not complete the work as they had no sufficient fund for the work. As a result 40 lakh people of Paluhati, Sarishahati, Shahganj, Bgon, Rampur, Bilkaushi, Dugea, Berab Ali, Bishura, Mukhuria, Gidhausha, Tazpur, Ramchandrapur, Chinarhati, Moima, Karmaria, Bhutiar Kona, Shohonati, Bhishampur, Singhchapur, Nahata, Krishnapara, Naoynagar, Maoha, Boroikandi, Rangishpur, Jhalmala and Beer areas have to face difficulty for going to nearby places.

The people of the areas said thousands of people need to cross the riv-

er every day. A committee was formed headed by Hakim Talukder and Hazi Riazuddin in the area to complete the work.

They said Tk22 lakh had been collected form the locale people and Tk15 lakh more needed to complete the work.

About 300 housewives contributed to the fund, they said.

School and college students go to institutions situated at the other side of the river. If they cannot cross the river, mostly in the middle of the year due to excessive water level, they cannot attend their classes.

The students of many schools expressed grave concern as their attendance in school is often hampered.

While visiting the area, it was found that the students were crossing the river over a bamboo made bridge risking lives.

Locals said Abul Hoassain, a student of Class III, Housewife Lutfa, Amena Khatun died falling from the bridge recently.

Maoa UP chairman Kalon said: “ The government should take steps to construct the bridge immediately.” l

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

7

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Can I see your papers, please?

Land market issues in Bangladesh n Ashikur Rahman

G

Land remains a fundamental factor of production for most economic activities

• •

problematic for ordinary households to undertake necessary land registration.

There is a general presence of “carelessness” among land parcel owners regarding such matters.

Male household head who inherit-

Ownership of land had remained an important source of prestige and honour across countless societies. Access to and ownership of land has historically been a powerful source of both political and economic status

Interestingly, this phenomena is more observed for household with inherited land parcel as opposed to households with purchased land parcels. Of course, the principal determinants of this outcome is still not known but our analysis reveals some important issues that the existing policy-makers must immediately address: • There is an acute scarcity of service oriented mind-set within land related offices, especially AC (Land) Office, which makes it difficult for rural households to avail such services. AC (Land) Offices are also heavily understaffed, which means UNOs often undertake the role of acting AC (Land) and this undermines the efficiency of the overall institution.

• Corruption within AC (Land) office and Tehsil office also makes it

Table 1: Variation of un-registered land parcels Share of un-registered land parcels

45.2%

Share of un-registered land parcels for inherited land parcels

54.8%

Share of un-registered land parcels for non-inherited land parcels

17.8%

Table 2: State of land conflict Proportion of households with past or present land conflict

17.8%

Proportion of households living with fear of land conflict

6.8%

ed land parcels from their parents are often comfortable maintaining land ownership through informal arrangements (bantan nama) as land registration will compel them to accommodate their sisters under Islamic inheritance law. This essentially creates a scope for subsequent land dispute as children from such sisters often claim their inheritance from their maternal lineage, creating tension among third generation claimants of the property.

It is also stated that after the death of parents, male household heads often bribe the union parishad chairman to receive incorrect inheritance certificate (waris nama) stating that household head had no female children. This false inheritance certificate is then submitted and used for facilitating the mutation process by the AC (Land). Such malpractices also create scope for future disputes.

Second, our examination also reveals that the tendency to maintain land through informal arrangements is positively correlated with both land disputes and fear of land disputes across households. As shown in Table-2, approximately one in five household in our study has or had land disputes on their land parcel. This is a dangerously high estimate of the severity of the problem and it provides some indication concerning why our courts are filled with large volume of land related litigations.

Furthermore, while it is difficult to estimate macro-economic consequences of such disputes in land market, it is nonetheless pragmatic to state that households with land disputes incur a wide array of costs. To mention few, the average time costs

associated with pending land disputes is approximately eight years, with some disputes enduring for nearly 50 years.

Moreover, when we study the distribution of time spent on pending disputes, it appears that 20% disputes are going on for less than a year and 25% pending disputes are there for more than 10 years. Our examination also reveals that a one year increase in pending land dispute is associated with a rise in total costs by 12.3% (Figure-1).

For pending dispute, the estimations also pinpoint that a one year increase in time since land dispute is associated with an increase in cumulative lawyer fee by approximately 22% (Figure-2).

The results also point out that across household with past or pending land disputes female headed households are more prone to both violence and fear of violence. This brings to attention that female headed households are vulnerable and it raises gender centric equity concern.

On the whole, the discussed descriptive scrutiny of the land market in Bangladesh has brought to sight a host of issues that casts the overall land sector in a less than encouraging picture. In particular, not only are there indications that the land market in Bangladesh is not sufficiently modernised, but there are reasons to believe that such backwardness is associated with household level adverse consequences.

FIGURE 1: TOTAL COST FOR PENDING CONFLICTS 14

12 Increase of costs in percentage

across 42 upazilas from 14 districts, nearly 45% households maintain the ownership of their land parcel through un-registered land documents (i.e land documents did not receive mutation and the record of right were not updated; See: Table-1).

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

10

8

6

4 0

20

Time in months

60

14

12

10

8

6 0

20

Time in months

Approximately one in five household in our study has or had land disputes on their land parcel. This is a dangerously high estimate of the severity of the problem

The findings on the state of land market in Bangladesh also echoes the principal concern of DeSotto in his work The Mystery of Capital – where he argues that capitalism has not yielded its appropriate dividend due to lack of well-defined property rights. More precisely, it is stated that the poor in under-developed countries have assets, but that their real property is often owned informally, and thus cannot be used to generate capital.

While we cannot assess the accuracy of this conclusion through a single

40

FIGURE 2: LAWYER FEE FOR PENDING CONFLICTS

Increase of costs in percentage

alileo Galilie – the father of modern science – often relied on unique strategies to investigate key scientific inquiries of his time. In particular, his decision to investigate the motion of Venus to settle a range of imperative questions concerning the revolutions of planetary objects within our solar system highlights not only his scientific brilliance, but it carries a core message for the countless generations of scientists of all time.

That is, any scrutiny dedicated to understand a physical or socio-economic phenomena fundamentally depends on our choice of variable or subject and whether it carries the necessary information that will aid the growth of our knowledge in that discipline.

Consequently, in this piece I will argue why it is essential to rigorously evaluate the nature of the land market in Bangladesh to understand the quality of its economic modernisation over the last four decades and whether we are successful in creating conditions that are necessary for supporting our development momentum in the long-run.

Land, needless to mention, remains a fundamental factor of production for most economic activities. But, apart from its economic importance, ownership of land had remained an important source of prestige and honour across countless societies. Even within Bangladesh’s development context, access to and ownership of land has historically been a powerful source of both political and economic status.

Moreover, given the demographic structure of Bangladesh at present, high population density allows land to emerge as an invaluable asset. The economic transformation over the last four decades also means that the use of land has witnessed drastic changes, as the conversion rate of agricultural land to non-agricultural units has witnessed substantial rise.

This has raised the prospects of dispute as the economic importance of land ownership has exponentially increased. Land, in essence, has emerged as an instrumental capital for enhancing both livelihood and economic opportunities.

Thus, the way we have managed our land market and its relative effectiveness is a fundamental ingredient that will shape our development prospects within the capitalist framework.

In that context, it is critical that the nature of property rights that prevails within Bangladesh receives a critical scrutiny as it will shape the manner in which we bring about our economic transformation. This also necessitates that we ask the right questions such as: (i) Is our land market sufficiently modernised to cope with our economic aspirations? (ii) What do we actually know about its current state? This, undeniably, needs data derived through a reliable scientific methodology so that we can articulate a correct assessment of the state of land market in Bangladesh.

To this end, Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh and BRAC HRLS has recently conducted a study that evaluates some crucial inquiries on the state of land market and land disputes in Bangladesh. More precisely, the investigation brought to attention some important issues that demands our sincere reflection.

First, there is a strong indication that a large share of land parcels are owned through inadequate documentation, even though it is still not clear what exactly shapes this phenomenon. To be specific, across a sample of 1050 randomly chosen households

study, there is nonetheless enough evidence to be less optimistic that the existing land market is well tuned for our development aspiration. Accordingly, policy-makers must dedicate more resources and political commitment to identify reforms and institutional changes that can (in practice) aid the economic transformation that are currently constrained by the institutional and cultural backwardness of our land market. l Dr Ashikur Rahman is senior economist at Policy Research Institute (PRI).

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8 US reports 12 air strikes against Islamic State in Syria, Iraq n Reuters, Washington The US military conducted six air strikes against Islamic State militants near the Syrian border town of Kobane on Sunday and Monday, the US Central Command said in a statement.

US forces, in coordination with Iraqi ground troops, also conducted six air strikes against the militant group in Iraq near Fallujah and Bayji with help from France and the United Kingdom, Central Command said.

In Iraq, three of the US-led strikes hit Islamic State targets south of the oil refinery in Bayji, striking a small group of militants as well as destroying or damaging vehicles and buildings, according to the statement released on Monday.

The strikes near Fallujah also hit a large unit of Islamic State fighters, it added.

In Syria, the US strikes hit a “stray” resupply vehicle from the US airdrop of supplies earlier on Monday intended for Kurdish forces battling the militant group in Kobane, which the US military said “prevented these supplies from falling into enemy hands.”

Islamic State fighters have for a month laid siege to Kobane, on the Turkish frontier, and only intense bombardments by US-led coalition warplanes have halted their advance.

The strikes in Syria also destroyed Islamic State fighting positions and one of the militant group’s vehicles, it added.

All the aircraft in the 12 air strikes left the area safely, Central Command said. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Turkey to let Kurds reinforce Kobane Turkey stationed tanks on hills overlooking Kobane but refused to help the Kurdish militias Turkey said yesterday it would allow Iraqi Kurdish fighters to reinforce fellow Kurds in the Syrian town of Kobane, while the United States air-dropped arms for the first time to help the defenders resist an Islamic State assault.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington had asked Ankara to let Iraqi Kurds cross its territory so that they could help defend the town which lies on the Turkish frontier, adding that he hoped the Kurds would “take this fight on.”

Kurdish militias in Kobane have been fighting off an Islamic State offensive since September without, until now, outside help apart from US-led airstrikes on the jihadists. The town, which is besieged by Islamic State on three sides, lies on the frontline of the battle to foil the radical group’s attempt to reshape the Middle East.

However, Ankara views the Syrian Kurds with deep suspicion because of their ties to the PKK, a group that waged a decades-long militant campaign for Kurdish rights in Turkey and which Washington regards as a terrorist organisation.

Speaking in Indonesia, Kerry acknowledged Turkish concerns about support for the Kurds, and said the airdrop of supplies provided by the Kurdish authorities in Iraq did not amount to a change of US policy. He indicated that the battle against Islamic State, a group also known by the acronym ISIL that has seized large areas of Syria and Iraq, was an overriding consideration.

“We understand fully the fundamentals of (Ankara’s) opposition and

n Agencies

Expelled Nazis got millions in Social Security n AP, Osijek, Croatia Dozens of suspected Nazi war criminals and SS guards collected millions of dollars in US Social Security benefits after being forced out of the United States, an Associated Press investigation has found.

The payments, underwritten by American taxpayers, flowed through a legal loophole that gave the US Justice Department leverage to persuade Nazi suspects to leave the US If they agreed to go, or simply fled before deportation, they could keep their Social Security, according to interviews and internal US government records.

Among those receiving benefits were armed SS troops who guarded the network of Nazi camps where millions of Jews perished; a rocket scientist who used slave laborers to advance his research in the Third Reich; and a Nazi collaborator who engineered the arrest and execution of thousands of Jews in Poland.

There are at least four living beneficiaries. They include Martin Hartmann, a former SS guard at the Sachsenhausen camp in Germany, and Jakob Denzinger, who patrolled the grounds at the Auschwitz camp complex in Poland.

Hartmann moved to Berlin in 2007 from Arizona just before being stripped of his US citizenship. l

Grace Mugabe estate in Mazowe, a small town just north of the capital, Harare.

Mugabe has been ailing and has traveled to a number of overseas medical facilities.

He’s rumored to possibly step down prior to 2018 when his term ends. He has hinted he may retire from the ZANU PF party leadership, though he’s accepted the nomination to lead the party congress in December.

Under Zimbabwe’s new constitution, that congress is where Grace Mugabe

Deadly car bombings hit Iraq’s Karbala

Kurdish refugee children from the Syrian town of Kobane flash victory signs in a camp in Suruc, Sanliurfa province ours to any kind of terrorist group, and particularly, obviously, the challenges they face with respect to the PKK,” he told reporters. But he added: “We cannot take our eye off the prize here. It would be irresponsible of us, as well as morally very difficult, to turn your back on a community fighting ISIL.” Iraqi Kurdish official Hemin Hawrami, writing on his Twitter feed, said

would need to become second in command to her husband in order to then snatch the top job.

Ms. Mugabe has shown herself willing to take on the same kind of tough approach to politics that her husband is known for. She recently told a gathering that she was ready to “spill blood” in defense of the vast empire grabbed from white farmers during the chaotic land reform that started in 2000.

But she also has dramatic and chilling claims about a variety of issues and people.

She once suggested a role in the apparent suicide of a journalist named Heidi Holland who wrote a critical book on her husband.

Until recently the fiercest political fight in Zimbabwe was between incumbent Vice President Mujuru and the Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa. Both are veterans of the guerrilla wars that toppled the colonial regime of the former Prime Minister Ian Douglas Smith in 1980. But that rivalry has changed with the arrival of Grace, who says she seeks a “higher post.”

In a packed schedule of “Meet the People” travels since this summer, widely and somewhat uncritically covered in the press, Ms. Mugabe has called for Mujuru to step aside.

She said Mujuru, a liberation war veteran, was “just staying there and doing nothing while Mugabe works for you [the people].” l

21 tonnes of weapons and ammunition supplied by the Iraqi Kurds had been dropped in the small hours of Monday.

Turkey has stationed tanks on hills overlooking Kobane but has refused to help the Kurdish militias on the ground, suspicious of their links to the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) and demanding broader US action that would target Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

Five car bombings in the revered Iraqi city of Karbala have killed at least 15 people, Iraqi official have said. A police officer said yesterday that the explosives-laden cars were parked in commercial areas and parking lots near government offices. He said 48 others were wounded in the explosions.

A medical official confirmed the casualty figures to the Associated Press news agency. Karbala is home to two of the most sacred Shia shrines and is located about 90km south of the capital city of Baghdad. The attacks came hours after a suicide bomber blew himself up among Shia worshippers as they were leaving a mosque in a commercial area in central Baghdad, killing at least 11 people.

It also came a day after a suicide bomber killed at least 21 people at a funeral in western Baghdad outside a Shia house of worship. Baghdad has witnessed a surge in bombings in the past month, most of them claimed by ISIL, or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, as the government, headed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abbadi, seeks traction in its effort to subdue Sunni-dominated parts of the country seized by the group. l REUTERS

as well as Islamic State.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a news conference that Ankara was facilitating the passage of Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga forces which have also fought Islamic State when the militants attacked the Kurds’ autonomous region in Iraq over the summer.

Syrian Kurdish officials, however, said no backup had arrived. l

EU’s Barroso warns Britain against ‘historic mistake’ on immigration n Reuters, London European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told British Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday he risked upsetting allies and losing international clout if he pursued an anti-immigration agenda designed to placate domestic voters.

Cameron retorted that British voters were concerned about immigration, and he was responding to those concerns. He has pledged to hold a referendum on Britain’s European Union membership if his Conservative party wins a 2015 election, as he takes an increasingly hawkish view on curbing migration within the EU and reviewing its freedom of movement principle.

Cameron hopes to persuade voters that he has a workable plan to address their concerns over immigration. He also wants to curtail the growing support for the hardline anti-EU UK Independence party (UKIP), which threatens his chances at next year’s vote.

Barroso, whose 10-year term as head of the EU’s executive body ends next month, warned Cameron on Sunday

against trying to seek changes to the EU’s freedom of movement rules, saying they were essential to the bloc’s internal market.

In a speech at London’s Chatham House on Monday, he went further, saying that by engaging in such rhetoric on immigration, Britain risks isolating itself in Europe and undermining its attempts to achieve wider reforms.

“It would be an historic mistake if on these issues Britain were to continue to alienate its natural allies in central and eastern Europe,” Barroso said.

“It is an illusion to believe that space for dialogue can be created if the tone and substance of the arguments you put forward question the very principle at stake and offend fellow member states.”

Cameron has broadly outlined areas in which he wants to win reform from the EU, such as migration controls, retaining lawmaking powers at a national level and cutting red-tape for businesses. He has not given specific details, however. Other British parties also want reforms, but there is no consensus on a re-negotiation strategy. l

Israelis quietly expand enclave in Jerusalem n Reuters, Jerusalem

Israeli guards quietly occupied two purchased residential buildings in a Palestinian district of East Jerusalem on Monday, expanding a Jewish settler project in defiance of US criticism.

A previous move on Sept. 30 by settlers into homes bought in the Silwan neighbourhood, in an area captured

by Israel in a 1967 war, coincided with a US visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and drew White House condemnation.

Hoping to cement Israel’s claim on all of Jerusalem, far-right Jews have been paying top dollar for Silwan properties, often through Arab middle-men to circumvent Palestinian taboos on such sales.

An estimated 500 settlers, armed or protected by paramilitary police, live in Silwan among 50,000 Palestinians. Israel’s claim to all of Jerusalem as its capital is not recognised internationally.

In an apparent bid to stave off fresh scrutiny and possible confrontations, Monday’s Israeli arrivals slipped in by night and holed up in the two buildings whose 10 apartments, Palestinians said, had been vacant for months after being sold through a local intermediary who had since absconded.

Neighbours were aghast to learn the new owners were Jews.

“I sometimes go up on my roof without my hijab, but how can I do that

NEWS BITES

n Agencies

n Reuters, Ankara/Beirut

In Zimbabwe, another Mugabe seeks the presidency President Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace Mugabe has begun swiftly and in earnest to succeed her husband as leader of Zimbabwe, and in the past two months the she has been using the budget and the jets and helicopters of her husband to travel up and down the country in a “charm offensive” to rally support.

Ms. Mugabe, 40 years junior to her husband, is seeking to position herself as a second vice-president of Zimbabwe – ready to take control should President Mugabe, who turns 91 this year, step down or pass away, according to a report by The Christian Science Monitor.

Mugabe has been in office for nearly three decades. But the first lady faces stiff resistance from the president’s fellow liberation-struggle cadres, who have elbowed each other for power for years – especially current first Vice President Joice Mujuru, considered a prime successor.

Two months ago Ms. Mugabe was nominated as head of the women’s wing of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) Patriotic Front (PF). She’s since used the spot to court church leaders, traditional chiefs, and youth – often hosting them in lavish parties at the plush family

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Nigeria officially declared Ebola free

n Agencies The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Nigeria Ebola free, after a 42 day period with no new cases.

“Nigeria is now free of Ebola,” WHO representative Rui Gama Vaz told a news conference in the capital Abuja yesterday. “The virus is gone for now.

The outbreak in Nigeria has been defeated. This is a spectacular success story that shows to the world that Ebola can be contained,” Vaz said.

Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa, reporting from Abuja, said the news had been welcomed by Nigerians.

“The average Nigerian is relieved ... a lot of people have been quite scared.

Officials want people to celebrate but to remain cautious. “Nigeria is a transport hub, and the virus can be brought back, and this is why officials are not taking any chances,” Mutasa said.

Nigeria becomes the second country in West Africa to be declared Ebola free in the past week. On Friday, the UN health agency declared Senegal free of Ebola after it passed the 42 day landmark. l

Ukraine, Russia gas deal may be just enough to get through winter

n Reuters, London An interim natural gas deal by Moscow and Kiev, reached over the weekend, could supply just enough to get Ukraine through the winter as long as the weather does not become unusually cold, Reuters research shows. Russia, Ukraine and the European Commission moved towards an agreement in late September and made further progress at the weekend. The deal is expected to be finalised at meetings between officials in Brussels on Tuesday. Russia cut off gas supply to Ukraine in mid-June following more than two years of disagreement over the price and after relations between the two countries deteriorated over Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and fighting in the east of Ukraine.

Russia is likely to deliver 5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas by the end of March, which should just be enough to meet demand. Ukraine’s annual gas use is typically around 50 bcm, although this figure varies depending on weather conditions and economic output. l

Warring South Sudan rivals meet in Tanzania

n AFP, Arusha, Tanzania

Palestinians take cover from the rain around a fire inside a makeshift shelter near damaged houses in the east of Gaza City now? They’ll look at me! Muslims know not to do so,” exclaimed Umm Adel Qaraq, a matriarch in her 70s, from her balcony abutting one of the new Israeli-held properties.

Three young Israeli men smiled wordlessly from a barred window

next door. Four others, pistol bulges under their windbreakers, could be seen through the door of the second building, a five-minute walk away through the warren of homes clinging to a ravine over the biblical Siloam pool.

REUTERS

Avi Segal, an Israeli lawyer representing the real estate company that bought the buildings, said he expected eight Jewish families would eventually move in. Segal did not immediately provide further details about the company, Kudram Ltd. l

Warring South Sudanese factions met yesterday in Tanzania in the latest bid to end a 10-month civil war in which thousands of people have been killed, a presidential aide said. Peace talks to find a lasting solution to the conflict that broke out on December 15 between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former vice president Riek Machar have been repeatedly interrupted.

But delegations have “had successful meetings so far,” Awan Riak, Minister in the Office of the President told reporters before Kiir flew to Arusha to take part in the talks. Kiir hopes to meet face-to-face with Machar, Riak said, without giving further details or a timeframe. It would be the first time the rivals meet since signing a ceasefire in August in Ethiopia, which like three previous agreements swiftly collapsed. The talks in the northern Tanzanian tourist town of Arusha follow an invitation from President Jakaya Kikwete, who has also met with both leaders. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Controlling the message: Modi chooses state media Indian PM’s relations with media have been strained

n Reuters, New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi has anointed India’s state-backed broadcaster as his media brand of choice, helping shield his government from tough questions and prompting private news outlets to complain that they are being kept out of the loop.

Starchy and unpolished, Doordarshan News and All India Radio (AIR) were not the obvious choice for a government that took power in May after a high-octane election campaign that used special effects to beam Modi’s image to rallies across the nation.

But the old-fashioned outlets are expected to offer one big advantage over their slicker private rivals: a less combative and questioning platform from which Modi can get his message out to tens of millions of Indians.

Carefully controlled communication has been a defining characteristic of the new government since Modi’s nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party swept to power. Critics see it as one symptom of a broader leadership style under Modi that has weakened opponents, sidelined ministers and concentrated power in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said Modi’s preference for the public broadcaster was not an attempt to suppress information or limit access.

“I think everyone must welcome it.

He has not banned anybody, his programmes are telecast live, practically on all channels, so where is the issue?

There is no denying somebody access.”

“There is complete freedom in our regime,” he told reporters.

PMO officials were not available to comment for this story.

Narendra Modi gestures in this June 25, 2013 file photo

‘From the heart’

Modi has never given a news conference as prime minister, but he has been active on Facebook and Twitter, where he has over 7 million followers, bypassing traditional media and spurring editors to complain about a lack of twoway communication and debate.

Now, for the first time, an Indian prime minister has a direct link to voters’ living rooms in his home.

Last month, the state broadcaster set up a recording studio at Modi’s official residence where he will record “Man ki Baat” (“talking from the heart”), his regular address to the nation on AIR that debuted earlier in October.

Doordarshan has been contracted to build a television studio at Modi’s residence so his talk can be televised as well, according to an engineer working on the project.

REUTERS

Separately, the government has sent a letter asking ministries to engage more with the publicly funded broadcaster, according to the India Today news website, and has given its journalists coveted spots in a significantly reduced press corps that travels with the prime minister overseas.

Thirty or more journalists usually travelled with the previous prime minister. But on Modi’s recent trip to the United States, only nine - the majority from state-funded organisations - accompanied him, according to the foreign ministry.

Private news outlets say diminishing interaction with the government has made their jobs harder.

“There has been a lot of communication from the government, but it’s been very top-down,” said N Ravi, editor of the Hindu newspaper. l

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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

No decision yet on alliance with BJP, Sena says

Australia reverses face veil rule n Agencies

n Agencies

Australia’s parliament has abandoned amid an outcry a controversial plan to make women wearing the niqab or the face veil sit in separate glassed public enclosure in the building due to security concerns.

The backdown on Monday followed a decision on October 2 to seat people wearing face coverings in areas normally reserved for noisy school children while visiting parliament. It followed heated debate about potential security risks since the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) organisation.

The ruling was condemned by human rights and race discrimination groups, and Prime Minister Tony Abbott asked that it be reconsidered.

Race discrimination commissioner Tim Soutphommasane told Fairfax Media the original ruling meant Muslim women were being treated differently to non-Muslim women.

“No-one should be treated like a second-class citizen, not least in the parliament,” he said. “I have yet to see any expert opinion or analysis to date which indicates that the burqa or the niqab represents an additional or special security threat.”

Labor opposition member Tony Burke welcomed the backdown but said the initial decision should never have been made.

“What possessed them to think that segregation was a good idea?” he said. “Segregation was previously introduced, apparently, with no security advice attached to it and no security reason attached to it.”

The October 2 announcement was made a few hours before the end of the final sitting day of Parliament’s last two-week session and had no practical effect.

A statement announcing the reversal of the ban said face coverings would have to be removed temporarily at the security check point at the front door. l

The BJP is caught in a cleft-stick, thanks to a fractured mandate in assembly elections of the Indian state of Maharashtra.

With no political party securing clear majority, a period of political instability looms ahead in Maharashtra.

Hectic politicking has started in the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the possibility of cobbling up a workable alliance — against the backdrop of the rancour developed in the past one month between the 25-yearold former allies.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray yesterday met with newly elected party legislators at Sena Bhavan to decide the future course of action.

“We have accepted the verdict of the people,” Sena leader Sanjay Raut told mediapersons after the meeting.

“No decision has been taken yet on alliance with BJP,” Sanjay Raut said.

MLAs have given Uddhav Thackeray right to elect leader of legislature, Sanjay Raut said.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar also met with his party MLAs in Mumbai.

Despite emerging as the single-largest party with 123 (122+1 ally) seats, the BJP faces a predicament here — it cannot form the government nor does it want to sit in opposition.

It will be entirely dependent on a demanding and belligerent opposition for pushing through any policy initiatives or major decisions, though the prime BJP chief ministerial contender Devendra Fadnavis is considered an aggressive go-getter.

While the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) provided some relief with an offer of unconditional external support, this may come with many hidden strings attached, besides growls from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

One option would be to approach

the Sena, but its chief Uddhav Thackeray’s body-language on Sunday evening was unnerving for the harangued BJP. For, the BJP has already said the CM post is non-negotiable, and they would not have the post of deputy CM — and, according to some speculation, it may offer the Sena at best five ministeries.

“In such a scenario, what attraction is left for us to support or join them,” wondered a senior Sena leader yesterday.

Despite emerging as the single-largest party with 123 seats in Maharashtra, BJP faces a predicament here — it cannot form the government nor does it want to sit in opposition Sunday’s outcome shows that the numbers game has become tricky on all fronts with many distinct possibilities emerging.

The BJP needs minimum 22 seats for a simple majority — with the NCP’s 41, it crosses the minimum threshold limits easily. In another potential scenario, if the Congress (42) and NCP (41) were to unite and offer ‘outside support’ to Sena (63), the three together achieve the magic figure of 146.

Some smaller parties and independents may also follow suit since all had one objective of keeping the “BJP out” at all costs.

The Congress is no stranger to such politics — it had tried out short-term external support several times to prop up various central governments from Charan Singh, VP Singh, Chandrashekhar, HD Deve Gowda, IK Gujral. l

HK leader: ‘External forces’ involved in protests n AP, Hong Kong Hong Kong’s leader has claimed that “external forces” are participating in student-led pro-democracy protests that have occupied parts of this financial capital for more than three weeks, but provided no evidence to back his accusation.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s statement in a televised interview Sunday was the first time he has alleged foreign involvement in the unrest, echoing accusations by China’s central government, which also has not backed them with any evidence. Leung’s statement comes just before his government is scheduled to hold talks with student leaders on Tuesday.

When asked on the “Newsline” program about a Chinese official’s comments on outside involvement, Leung said, “There is obviously participation by people, organizations from outside of Hong Kong.” Leung added that the foreign actors came from “different countries in different parts of the world,” but didn’t specify which countries.

On Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei repeated the charges without specifying who was inciting the protesters.

“Everybody has seen the fact that some people and some forces from the outside are indeed making attempts at

interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs in order to affect Hong Kong’s development, and the fact that they have gone so far as to encourage, instigate and support illegal activities such as Occupy Central,” Hong said.

The Hong Kong Federation of Students immediately rejected the accusations, with Secretary General Alex Chow saying Leung was “just making it up.”

“He’s the chief executive, he’s an accountable official,” Chow told reporters. “If he’s putting forward these accusations, then we hope he also puts forward the evidence. But he shouldn’t just say that foreign powers are meddling without evidence.”

Protesters, mostly young college students, are pressing for a greater say in choosing the semiautonomous Chinese city’s leader in an inaugural direct election, promised by Beijing for 2017. They oppose Beijing’s ruling that a committee protesters say is stacked with pro-Beijing elites should screen candidates in the election. That effectively means that Beijing can vet candidates before they go to a public vote.

In what has almost become a daily pattern, the police have tried to drive away the students from some streets during the night, only to see them regroup and occupy the areas and resume their sit-ins. l

A woman eats her lunch in an occupied area outside government headquarters in Hong Kong’s Admiralty district. Hong Kong’s leader has claimed that “external forces” are participating in student-led pro-democracy protests that have occupied parts of this financial capital for more than three weeks AP

Sri Lanka calls early presidential elections

Reform-minded outsider Widodo takes over as Indonesia’s president

n Agencies

n Reuters, Jakarta

Sri Lanka will hold presidential elections in January, nearly two years ahead of schedule, the government’s information minister says.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to seek a third term at the elections, BBC reported.

Rajapaksa won a landslide victory in 2010, and is currently serving a six-year term.

In September 2010, Sri Lankan MPs voted to approve constitutional amendments allowing Rajapaksa to seek an unlimited number of presidential terms.

Critics had argued that the amendments could lead to dictatorship, and the main opposition United National Party boycotted the vote.

Rajapaksa first won the presidency in 2005 when Sri Lanka was in the middle of a tenuous ceasefire agreement with the Tamil Tiger rebels.

He is popular with much of the country’s Sinhalese majority for presiding over the defeat of the Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009.

However, he has also faced criticism for events at the end of the civil war as troops battled to corner and crush the separatists.

A report commissioned by the UN in 2011 says it believed tens of thousands of civilians were killed in the final stage, most of them by government shelling. The government has consistently rejected such figures.

Speaking at a public meeting on Monday, Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said: “The presidential election will be held in January.

“I know the date but can’t say it at the moment.”

Under Sri Lanka’s electoral rules, if no candidate wins 50% of ballots cast in the first count, then voters’ second or even third - preferences are tallied to determine the winner. l

Indonesia’s Joko Widodo took over as president of the world’s third-largest democracy yesterday with supporters’ hopes high, but pressing economic problems and sceptical rivals set to test the former furniture salesman.

Widodo won a narrow victory over a former general in a July election with promises of clean government and tackling entrenched interests. It was the first time in the young democracy’s history that a president was elected from outside the established military and political elite.

“This is the time for us to unite our hearts and hands, this is the time for us ... to reach and realise an Indonesia that has political sovereignty, economic independence and cultural character,” Widodo said in his inaugural speech to a packed parliament.

His priorities will be getting to grips with slowing growth in the re-

source-rich country, as well as deteriorating state finances, a heavy subsidy bill and flagging investor interest.

Indonesian shares closed at a near three-week high on Monday amid inflows and a rise in the rupiah on expectations of economic reforms by the new president.

US Secretary of State John Kerry attended the inauguration along with various Asian leaders including the prime ministers of neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore, the Sultan of Brunei and Australia’s prime minister.

The former mayor of the city of Solo and governor of the capital, Jakarta, is untested on the national and international stages, but he already faces resistance from the establishment to his transparent, can-do approach to governance.

“He has climbed up to the top of the pyramid but he’s still weak within the powerful political class,” said Achmad Sukarsono, a political analyst at the Habibie Centre think-tank.

Tens of thousands gathered on the streets of the capital, Jakarta, waving flags and banners to celebrate the unprecedented ascent of the small-town businessman to leader of the country with the world’s biggest Muslim population.

“This is the first time we’ve been this happy after voting,” minibus driver Susanto said while waiting for Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla to pass by on a horse-drawn carriage.

“The government is truly close to the people.”

Widodo, 53, is an avid heavy metal fan and is expected to join the celebrations later on Monday and jam with a rock band.

The new president has been struggling to build support in parliament without indulging in the old game of trading support for jobs, but his refusal to swap cabinet posts for backing has driven unaligned parties to the opposition, leaving him with a minority that is set to face resistance to his reforms. l

Japan ministers quit over cash scandals n AFP, Tokyo Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has suffered a double setback after two female cabinet ministers resigned over claims they misused political funds.

Industry Minister Yuko Obuchi and Justice Minister Midori Matsushima quit on Monday after days of allegations that they had misspent money in what opponents insisted was an attempt to buy votes.

Their departures reduce the number of women in the cabinet to three, after Abe’s widely-praised move in September to promote five to his administration, and are being seen as a blow to his gender reform drive.

“I’m the person who appointed the two. As prime minister, I take responsibility for this and deeply apologise for this situation,” Abe told reporters.

Yoichi Miyazawa, a lawmaker and nephew of former prime minister Kiichi Miyazawa, will replace Obuchi as industry minister, Abe said. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

CODE-CRACKER

Stop the human traffickers

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ver one hundred Bangladeshis were recently freed from slavery in Thailand.

The rescued men had been kept against their will to work at a rubber plantation in southern Thailand.

The end of their ordeal sheds light on the scale of misery endured by people who are lured and kidnapped by human traffickers. The workers had reportedly been mainly enticed by false promises of jobs in Malaysia, before being drugged and kidnapped.

According to the Bangladesh embassy in Thailand, this year alone over 700 Bangladeshis have been rescued from similar conditions after being trafficked to Thailand.

It goes without saying that the criminals in Bangladesh who are abducting and selling our people into slavery should be apprehended, and given the most severe penalty.

However, we are astonished by reports that some members of the Thai police and military have been complicit in these cases, and have sometimes been directly involved in delivering illegal Bangladeshi migrants to traffickers.

Our first priority should be to repatriate and rehabilitate the Bangladeshis who were enslaved in Thailand. A full investigation should be undertaken to determine how many of them were delivered to slave traders by Thai police and military.

The foreign ministry should demand the government of Thailand pay compensation to each of the Bangladeshis who were delivered to slave traders by the Thai police and military.

Both the Bangladesh and Thailand governments must send a clear message that zero tolerance will be shown to law enforcers who collude in or co-operate with the enslavement of Bangladeshi citizens.

Send a clear message that zero tolerance will be shown to law enforcers who collude in enslavement

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

The truth about Islam

October 13 get jeers. What you’d in fact get is bad grammar as Jews and blacks are plural and Islam is singular.

This may seem pedantic but the thing is Maher is criticising Islam as a doctrine or belief system, not individual Muslims. And I think Islam, the belief system, should be criticised as should any system that prescribes death for those who disobey it. Muslims are often the victims of Islam.

Attacking humans is bad, but attacking intolerant and screwed-up belief systems is often good.

Sammy The author makes the same faux pas that so many apologists make, a faux pas that some of the Tribune’s own op-ed writers have pointed out: It is 2014, and harking back to an imagined past does very little to solve the dilemma Muslims face today. Condemn Bill Maher for all that he is worth, but the fact is that Maher is only giving voice to the feelings of millions around the globe who do – for good reasons or bad – increasingly equate Islam with obscurantism. What happened in Spain or who John Locke quoted is far less important than what is happening to women in Saudi Arabia, Bahais in Iran, and Yazdis in Iraq … at least if the issue is the perception of Islam.

Tim The author says that if you take Maher’s “just a fact” that “Islam, at this moment, is the mother lode of bad ideas” and substitute Jews or blacks for Islam, you’d

Use meters to curb gas wastage

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n international trade fair in Dhaka this week highlighted growing demand for Bangladeshi-produced denim, both nationally and internationally.

Over $1.24bn worth of denim apparel was exported by Bangladeshi manufacturers last year. As with other industries, a major obstacle preventing entrepreneurs from growing this sector further to meet demand is the lack of uninterrupted gas supplies across the country.

The best way to address the gas shortage is to increase the price of gas for all consumers and to meter all household gas connections.

Subsidised energy burns up huge amounts of taxpayer money and wastes expensive gas. Increasing the price of gas is necessary to create funds which can be used to guarantee reliable supplies by developing gas fields and improving distribution.

The problem is made worse by the lack of metering for domestic consumption. Far too many unmetered households keep stoves burning all day. This cannot be allowed to continue. Every household gas connection should be metered.

Metering is essential to cut waste. It can also benefit consumers by providing incentives to save money and allowing for easier ways to pay their gas bills.

Digital meters can be used to eliminate the current cumbersome and antiquated system for paying gas bills, by facilitating online and bank pay point transactions.

Modernising payment systems is not only straightforward to implement technically, but will pay for itself by saving consumers time, allowing for more timely revenue collection, and cutting waste to help ensure reliable gas supplies.

Metering will pay for itself by improving revenue collection and helping ensure reliable gas supplies

113-year-old woman lies about age to join Facebook October 14

MCS This is what happens when we forget that we can’t shape everything up.

Sheikh Jinat Mahmid Interesting story!

Shahjada Shahrior Ronju What the fish?

Sayeeda Ahmad Dear lady, I wish you an early happy birthday. She’s turning “100” (or 114 if you’re a stickler for facts) tomorrow. :)

BB smells rat in high stock turnover

October 14 Sajid Rahman “Bangladesh Bank suspects some big loans disbursed recently by the commercial banks might have been diverted to the stock market, violating the restriction to capital market exposure limit.”

Capital market exposure applies to banks’ investment in capital market. It does not apply to borrowers from banks.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

kmak Tim: An attack on Islam is by extension an attack on Muslims, but you don’t realise it. I identify with Islam. I define what is good or bad in terms of whether it is Islamic or unIslamic. My faith is the linchpin of my identity. Thus, when you attack and vilify Islam, which is what Maher and Harris do as opposed to genuine academic criticism, you attack the essence of who I am as a person.

Also, Maher and Harris are dogmatists who are on record for saying there are no moderate Muslims. Harris in particular has called for profiling Muslim-looking people, whatever that means, among other atrocious things. They don’t make a distinction between Islam and Muslims.

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 12 represents Q so fill Q every time the figure 12 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

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

Tim kmak: They are constantly going on about distinguishing between Islam and Muslims.

Bring sexuality out in the open October 13 amit Someone had to say these words! A good writeup. My congratulations to the author, although I’m still wondering how you (read: us) are going to spread the words when they (meaning, we) are not ready to take them. If a scene is taken out or cut just because a girl wants to urinate, and that can’t be aired, who are we supposed to hold responsible? This action was executed by top level authorities, I would presume. Now that reflects a part of our hypocritical societal thinking. We can do anything for the name of liberty, but hush … don’t say the words! People will judge us.

To come out of this dogma, I think educational quality will have to improve to an extent, where at least policymakers cannot come out and say: “No, you can’t teach these things.”Again, back to square one. right? It is our hard work in every sector where we are now, which can improve and move the economy forward. Then, probably, we will have better infrastructure and a better-educated nation who will approve (of) our thoughts beyond any stereotyping.

Seira Completely agree with the author. Burying our heads in the sand won’t get us anywhere.

Willingness to accept the reality might.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Pretended (4) 4 Seeks charity (4) 8 Spoil (3) 9 Region (4) 10 Wooden shoe (4) 11 Painful affliction (5) 12 Medium-sized hawk (4) 14 Ruminant’s food (3) 15 Flow back (3) 17 Faucet (3) 19 Seize suddenly (3) 21 Part of the eye (4) 23 Eye (5) 26 Effrontery (4) 27 Expensive (4) 28 Was victorious (3) 29 Valley (4) 30 Biblical quotation (4)

DOWN 1 Unrevealed fact (6) 2 In a frenzy (4) 3 Legerdemain (5) 4 Barrier (3) 5 Efface (5) 6 Precious stone (3) 7 Undermine (3) 11 Tree (5) 13 Garment (5) 16 Dance form (6) 18 Corolla leaf (5) 20 Prejudiced person (5) 22 Of sound mind (4) 23 Strange (3) 24 Vegetable (3) 25 Anger (3)

Hiram Abiff Same-sex relations may not be encouraged, but while we live in a highly changed social setting, it’s time to talk about it openly because, otherwise, taking advantage of the self-imposed ignorance, miscommunication, and, in certain cases, indoctrination can happen, leading to disastrous consequences.

Molested and murdered by mentor

October 13 Selina Momen Very fishy story. Can you investigate more?

Ashiqur Rahman This is so messed up.

Nahida Sayed I just have to say one thing on this. This type of criminal should be burnt alive publicly.

Such a disgrace to society.

Mehedi Hassan Unbelievable! I thought this happened only in the West. This really opened my eyes.

Predators are everywhere. Parents must be careful of them.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

Tanzil Khan Two words. Death sentence.

No special privilege for politicians

October 13 Anon “The public needs assurance that political connections will not be used to protect people accused of corruption.”

Lock ’em all up!

Vultures on the verge of extinction

October 13 Momoaswan They’ve all gone into politics and show business.

SUDOKU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

The man I knew n Farhaan Uddin Ahmed

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China legitimising the one-party dream?

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Party time

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n Ikhtisad Ahmed lections in Europe give the electorates a real sense of purpose. Each citizen has a broad spectrum to select from, and, with enough care and attention, is able to select a party or a representative that, at the very least, gives the appearance of coming very close to his or her own views.

These have tended to be of the social and political nature, although a recent worrying trend has seen race and questions pertaining to it coming into the reckoning.

An example that illustrates both is the recent Swedish general election.

While Nick Clegg chose against being the most powerful man in British politics in 2010, opting instead to forsake his party’s left of centre ideologies to become deputy prime minister in a coalition with the party he and his colleagues most disagreed with pre-UKIP, Sweden decided to move forward with a minority government.

The people spoke, and their leaders listened by upholding their principles.

No one compromised with the venomous far right Sweden Democrats, however enticing it may have been.

Regrettably, this party went from meeting the 4% threshold required by the country’s election laws to be in parliament at the last general election to winning the third highest number of seats in this one.

The two Britons most likely to vie for power when the UK votes in 2015 are admirers of the former Swedish

prime minister, Frederik Reinfeldt, and the political system that was at his disposal until October 3 this year.

They keenly observe the landscape and the policies, and would each have interpreted the results to his liking – the incumbent would have noted the rise of the far right, which he, unlike the principled Swedes, would have no qualms about negotiating with if it means extending his premiership next year, and failure of the centre-left to win an outright majority, the challenger the big swing away from the two successive terms of a popular centre-right government – to take heart from it.

The reduction of options for the people allows their followers to argue in favour of its extinction altogether. There are myriad instances of single-party states being encouraged and endorsed, even propped up, by the US and the UK when their interests are being served. They are, of course, never called that. Clumsy sleights of hand give these governments the veneer of democracy, often multiparty.

Single-party system is a term reserved for deranged left-wing states like Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam.

These governments and their kin completely ban other parties, or force them to function unofficially and out-

There are myriad instances of single-party states being encouraged and endorsed by the US and the UK when their interests are being served

Yet, the American and British models of democracy favour a two-party system that eradicates nuance and encourages vitriolic partisanship, catering to the diverse palate of the electorate and allowing it free choice has no place in such a model – one that the world is urged to follow by polite diplomatic assertions and rude awakenings in the shape of war.

side the political spheres by excluding them from the process. They are the descendants of the True Whig Party of Liberia that came to power in 1878 by preventing other parties from participating in elections, and held on to it until 1980 by evolving to exile them.

The governments are protected by the articles of their respective constitutions. The unconditional overall

parliamentary majorities allow them to enact and impose restrictive laws that lend further protection. Criticisms of the governments, their figureheads, and their leaders are outlawed, and the legal systems and law enforcement agencies come directly under the control of the governments, thereby aiding the criminalisation of dissent and implementation of draconian measures that disregard the rights of the citizens.

Whispered quietly is the fact that China also belongs to this class of kooks. The USSR, its superpower predecessor, was one too, though China is not met with the same ire.

The Chinese dream offers a seemingly legitimate excuse to single-party state aspirants, a defiant vow to turn the ailing fortunes of their countries around irreversibly. The assumption of absolute control is a small price to pay for this socialist utopia.

Such arguments are accepted by the masses, perhaps because they feel utterly helpless in their existences devoid of any other form of hope, or because they know they will be forced to accept if they hint at a rejection. In the interest of keeping up the pretence of honesty, the aspirants should inform their charges that the greatest political crime committed in the last century, the nightmare of the rise of the Nazis from the right, also followed the single-party model. l

hile doing my courses in sociology on the way to my Bachelors degree at Brac University, I had the opportunity to interact with Dr Piash Karim in person, and got to know him beyond the “talk show guest” personality that the majority of the public know him as.

He was one of the most brilliant intellectuals I had the opportunity to interact with. He was very well-informed, so well that he could actually talk to you for an hour, if not more, on any topic under the sun; and everything that he would say would be relevant and insightful.

Some may refer to him as the last true Marxist in Bangladesh, while others might disagree. But I simply found him to be a rebel. He was the kind of person who had this instinctive nature to disregard rules and speak freely on issues which many of us might consider to be taboo. His stances on issues have always been unwavering, yet very accommodative. He would always listen to opposing views, no matter what they were, and treat them all with respect.

Many aspects of his life seemed disorganised and messy. However, it was his mind that was always clear and resolute. His words were never out of place. It was as though he always knew exactly what to say, and when to say it.

This is especially true in regard to the personal conversations that many of us have had with him.

I knew him as a man who was oftentimes tormented by a lot of things that were happening in his life. Nevertheless, he would always put up a welcoming smile as soon as somebody entered his office. He was very humble, gracious, generous, and approachable, befitting for a man of his stature.

It may seem as though I am patronising him, which I am not. It is understandable that different segments of our society knew him or perceived him differently for various reasons, and this spectrum of public perception about him is quite varied. He had once said to me that the nature of politics is such that friends and enemies are

Ikhtisad Ahmed is a writer and an erstwhile lawyer. He can be contacted on Twitter via @ Ikhtisad.

complementary to one another; we make them simultaneously. It was very true for him.

He also stressed on the fact that in politics and sociology, there were no wrong answers, only different forms of the right answer. Personally, I did not agree with many of his viewpoints, we vehemently argued over them. However, at the end of the day, I always came out of a conversation with him as a more knowledgeable human being.

He had this instinctive nature to disregard rules and speak freely on issues

Therefore, I believe that it is okay for some people to not agree with his views. It is also okay for some to not even like him due to those views. But one attribute for which nobody can deny him the due respect, is the depth of his knowledge on Bangladesh’s history and his intellectual prowess on the issues of politics and society.

We, as a civilisation, should understand the value of intellectuals disregarding our personal agendas. We may not agree on numerous issues, but that does not mean the other side is wrong; it is just that we have a different perception of the reality.

Therefore, I will always have great admiration for the man that he was, and for the intellectual contributions that he made. Piash sir’s impact on many of our lives is undeniable, and it would be a sin to deny the role he has played to shape many of our lives. He and his legacy deserve this love and respect, at least for the brilliant mentor, friend, brother, and father-figure that he was to many of us. l Farhaan Uddin Ahmed is a freelance contributor.

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

A conditional love n Azfar Hossain

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lmost every government has had a soft corner and affection for jute. Perhaps that’s why the government has a separate ministry for jute and textile out of all the industries. Today, people from all parts of the world know the tag “Made in Bangladesh” because of the RMG sector. But it was jute that put Bangladesh on the export map of the world in the first place and created the path for apparel goods. If jute and textiles were Marvel’s Avengers, jute is Captain America and RMG is Iron Man. As a part of the jute sector, I feel the love for jute is conditional, as demonstrated by the implementation of various government policies. For instance, the Mandatory Jute Packaging Act was enacted in 2010, and four years later we are yet to see the full implementation of the act. When the government had first taken this step in 2010, like others in the industry, I welcomed it and waited for the golden future. But it never came.

The execution and implementation of this act has been a nightmare. The primary reason is the high price of the jute bags compared to the plastic substitutes. They come at one-third the

price of jute bags. This will essentially increase the prices of commodities at the consumer levels.

However, jute bags can be used four or five times while plastic bags can be used once. Hence, even if the initial price of jute bags is higher, they are cost effective in the long run.

Most of these feed mills have a large requirement of sacks per day for their packaging needs. Hence, it’s more cost-effective for them to run a small production line manufacturing PP woven sacks.

According to a CPD report, if the act were implemented, there would have been an internal demand of about 850 million pieces of jute bags per year. The current production capacity is over a billion bags. A proper implementation would have definitely helped flourish the sector.

The environmental benefits should not be ignored either. Jute is environmentally friendly and biodegradable. The government had allocated Tk25cr to clear deposits of polythene from the riverbed of Buriganga. Hence, there is no clear case for the government to clear the riverbed if it is not able to ban the use of plastic bags.

It is in the greater good of the

nation to protect and nurture the jute sector. The sector provides in excess of 4 million jobs to farmers and over 150 thousand jobs to factory workers.

A collapse of this sector will have a disastrous effect on the economy, as 2.5% of the country’s population might be rendered jobless.

It was jute that put Bangladesh on the export map of the world in the first place

The industry is already in a volatile and depressed state due to complete dependence on exports. Exports are already down 20% for the year 2013-14 from the previous year. Turmoil in the Middle East and worries of a doubledip recession has further worsened the situation. Arab Spring movement in some countries and unrest in Thailand

hasn’t helped either. To top it off, the rupee depreciation against the dollar has hit the Bangladesh jute export (both raw and processed) industry hard.

The advantages, had the act been implemented, would have been a boon to the sector. The export of jute is dependent on the export of raw jute and spun yarn. The yarn constitutes the majority of the exports and because of socio-political and economic situations there has been a decline in jute yarn exports.

Although the worldwide demand for jute goods (not to be confused with jute yarn) is increasing at 5-7% every year, these goods are exported by very few mills which are trying to run a diversified unit to hedge the dire export market. As the margins are razor thin, private sector mills are often unwilling to take the necessary R&D to develop jute-diversified products.

The government, at the same time, is trying to reopen many of the closed mills. It is a very premature step at this point. Without proper implementation of the packaging act, the government is simply creating excess supply in an already depressed market. Taxpayer money can easily be put to better use.

The mills under BJMC (government mills) are in very sorry states. The technology of the mills has not been upgraded which severely hurts the mills productivity. Mills, often after they are reopened, struggle to reach optimum efficiency due to labour union problems, past overdues not being cleared, and red tape and bureaucracy, amongst others. Private sector mills have always been more efficient than the public sector ones, and the job of running such mills should be left to skilled private sector management.

Having said that, the government still has a vital role to play. To ensure a flourishing jute sector, the government needs to create an ecosystem that supports a fostering culture. Instead of reopening mills, which have had a history of losses, the government needs to provide more research and development centres in collaboration or partnership with other stakeholders.

The government needs to take steps to encourage the use and production of diversified products. For example, blended yarns with jute (over 50% by weight) and cotton/silk/viscose for a variety of indoor applications such as blankets, shawls, home textiles, and lightweight materials amongst others.

R&D efforts have been made by various organisations that allow the use of jute-reinforced composites in the form of flexible semi-rigid and rigid boards to substitute wood, timber, and plywood. Jute pulp also has the potential to make paper. However, such advanced technology must be provided by the government to the mills.

There is the potential for use of jute fibre in the replacement of glass/synthetic fibre for plastic reinforcement. The openings exist for both compress and injection molding.

Even 10% of jute use would create a market demand for fibre by several hundred thousand. The technology is expensive and government must undertake the necessary R&D to develop the market. These actions would provide an environment where there will be much higher demand for jute than the current market.

The government has a big role to play in order to restore the golden fibre. It, however, needs to take the right steps that support a long-term strategy for the development of the jute sector. Only then we can hope for the “golden future that awaits.” l Azfar Hossain is an entrepreneur in Dhaka.

He can be reached on Twitter @AzfarH.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Story of people behind the camera

Pinjor

Maasranga Television, 9:20pm

n Entertainment Desk A new drama serial titled “Off Screen” will start airing today on Desh TV, at 9:45pm. It was directed by Mostafa Kamal Raj and scripted by Daud Hossain Roni. The drama cast includes, among others, Jenny, Chanchal Chowdhury, Faruk Ahmed, Dr Ezaz, Swadhin Khosru, Shatabdi Wadud, Tondra and Shoshee.

The story revolves around some people with deep interest in the showbiz world. Their life is one of battles for screen presence, but due to misguided ambition and uninformed choices, that dream never materialises. The story captures the sorrow, happiness and unfulfilled dreams of the people who work behind the camera.

In this regard, the director Mostafa Kamal Raz said: “Elements that are needed to keep the attention of audience are there in the serial. I believe some of the characters are going to last long in the memory of the audience.”

The serial will be telecast from every Sunday to Thursday at 9:45pm. l

Annabelle Into The Storm Hercules 3D Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3D Amra Korbo Joy Kistimaat Jack Ryan

ed it without a second thought.

Is there a chance that you’ll be seen regularly as an anchor?

Blockbuster Cinemas, Ka- 244, Pragati Avenue Kuril

Not one to settle for a single identity, Ananta Jalil has often made headlines for the various roles he played since his emergence in the industry: as an actor, producer, director, screenwriter, songwriter and brand ambassador. The actor opened yet another chapter in his career as he turned anchor for a celebrity show – “Face to Face: Ananta Jalil” – this past Eid-ul-Azha.

The show, consisting of seven episodes, brought on stage film stars like Emon, Nirob and Pori Moni as well as politicians, including Asaduzzaman Noor and Hasanul Haque Inu. Below is an excerpt of an interview that Ananta Jalil gave to Bangla Tribune.

Exhibition

Why did you choose to be an anchor?

What about your new film?

The Macabre World

By Subrata Das, Time: 9:30am – 8:00pm EMK Centre Dhanmondi

A man named Manik Mia who returns home after 14 years. No one takes his return easily and finally a village court is held where it is decided by all present that Manik will have to leave the village.

Safe Haven HBO, 7:10pm

SAZZAD HOSSAIN

n Waliul Mukto

A scene from Off Screen

Film

‘There lives an ANANTA JALIL in every person’

I have to face a lot of questions when I attend television shows. But I have some questions of my own too, and I wanted to ask them as an anchor. Questions that I wanted others to answer. So when Desh TV made me the offer to host a show, I accept-

You see, successful people don’t confine themselves to doing only one thing. They multitask. God sent me on this world and it will be unwise of me to occupy myself with only one job. I want to carry out all my jobs simultaneously.

What’s behind Ananta Jalil making the impossible possible?

Anyone in Bangladesh can make the impossible possible. But not everyone becomes an example. What I mean to say is, there lives an Ananta Jalil in every person.

I will act in “The Spy: Agrojatrar Mahanayok,” but there are two upcoming film projects in which I will not work; I will produce them only. New faces will be featured in those films and even the director will be a new one. Anyone interested to work can

Aranyak to stage Rarang

Frieda Pinto spends her birthday with Sidhartha Mallya n Entertainment Desk Bollywood actress Freida Pinto turned 30 on October 18, and celebrated her birthday in style at a club in Los Angeles with Vijay Mallya’s son Sidhartha.

In Hollywood style, “The Slumdog Millionaire” star started the night with free bubbly. Freida Instagrammed a picture of her holding up a bottle gifted to her by a liquor label with the caption, “I would love to post an after picture. But I dare not.”

The dreaded after picture has now made its way online. Images published by the British tabloid Daily Mail show Freida draped around a parking meter outside a club, after a night on the town with her friends. Her boyfriend of six years and “Slumdog Millionaire” co-star, Dev Patel, was not among the guests. Instead, Sidhartha was the one keeping her company.

Dressed in a floral mini and heels, Freida put on a spirited performance on the makeshift pole for her giggling entourage.

The published images resulted in a slew of comments, with many wondering about Freida’s equation with Sidhartha. He moved to LA last year in a bid to start an acting career in Hollywood. Back home, he is better known for a much-talked about dalliance with Deepika Padukone. l

come up with short videos as proof of how good they are at their jobs. Further details in this regard will be forthcoming shortly.

An affirming and suspenseful story about a young womans struggle to love again.

X2: X-Men United Movies Now, 9:30pm

So you are not going to direct those films?

No, I’ll not have time for that. Even I am having second thoughts about directing my next film – “The Spy: Agrojatrar Mahanayok.” To just act in a film you don’t have to think much. You can get right back to your work once the shooting is done. But, for directing, well, it involves a lot of extra work and storyboarding to do. I am not sure if any Bangladeshi director makes films this way. I hear Kolkata’s Satyajit Ray used to have his plans sketched out.

William Stryker leads an assault into Professor Xavier’s school to build his own version of Xavier’s mutant-tracking computer in order to destroy every mutant on Earth.

Shootout at Wadala Sony Max, 9:25pm

Is there a particular dream of yours that you want to see fulfilled?

I went to Japan a few days ago. They use robots to help do their jobs. I am going to open a new factory named AB Apparel. It will be divided into four sectors, including one using the help of robots. The project is already under way. l

n Entertainment Desk Aranyak will stage a star-studded show of its acclaimed production Rarang, at 7pm at the Experimental Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy today.

The play written and directed

by Mamunur Rashid speaks of the struggle of the Santal community, an ethnic minority group living in the northern part of Bangladesh, fighting against feudalism and religious racism during the British Raj. Highlighting the life of a great Santal leader Alfred Soren, who died a valiant death, the play depicts the Santal Revolt in 1855 against the British colonial power and the corrupt Zamindari system. It also touches some burning social issues of that time including remarriage of widows, social negligence and others.

The play is endorsed with the performances of popular theatre activists such as Tamalika Karmakar, Chanchal Chowdhury and Mamunur Rashid in a small role. l

The film will dramatise the first-ever registered encounter by Mumbai police, where gangster Manya Surve was shot dead.

Moushumi has recently signed for a liberation-themed film in which she will be seen opposite Anisur Rahman Milon and Salauddin Lavlu.

Principal photography of the movie, ‘Ratrir Jatrir,’ a directorial venture of Habibul Islam Habib, began following a muharrat (curtainraiser) at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) yesterday. The movie centres around the life of a woman in post-war Bangladesh.

SHRADDHA KAPOOR to perform at Kashmir relief fund raiser n Entertainment Desk Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor, who is basking in immense love and appreciation for her performance in “Haider,” will be performing at the Kashmir Relief Fund.

The Kashmir Relief Fund is an event to raise money for the flood stricken people of Kashmir.

Shraddha has a very special connect with Kashmir as she extensively shot for “Haider” in Kashmir recently.

When the actress was approached to perform at the event, she immediately agreed for it without giving it second thoughts. Kashmir is very close to Shraddha’s heart and she wanted to do her own little bit to help the victims in Kashmir.

The actress who made her singing debut with “Galliyan” in “Ek Villain,” will be singing the songs from her films at the event.

Shraddha who comes from a musical family also sung a kashmiri folk song, “Do Jahaan” in her recent release “Haider.” l

Did you know?

Richard Dunne has now scored 10 own goals in the Premier League, making him the first player to reach double figures

Sport

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

14 Goal celebration

costs India hopeful his life

14 Suarez feared

Barca would not sign him after ban

DHAKA TRIBUNE

13

15 Williams, Halep

enjoy wins at WTA Finals

Jubair wants to make it count n Minhaz Uddin Khan Jubair Hossain Likhon, the first specialist leg-spinner in the Bangladesh contingent till date, looked very confident in his first big media appearance yesterday as the 19-year-old revealed his dream of mastering the art of leg-spin and continue playing for the national team.

Jubair, who has been deemed as a bright future prospect by national chief selector Faruk Ahmed, believes he has that God-gifted ability to become a successful leg-spinner.

“A leg-spinner needs huge power on his shoulder,” he said. “By the grace of Allah, I have that power and ability,” said the teenager while speaking to the media after Bangladesh’s practice session at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

“As a leg-spinner my stock delivery is a good one and I’ve the control and variation that is required to be a good leg-spinner. By the grace of Allah and the co-operation from all, I hope I can be a good option for my country,” said Likhon who idolized greatest leg-spin-

Jubair Hossian Likhon, the new kid on the block expresses his aspirations after their practice session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday COURTESY

ner Shane Warne. He also likes the Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra who is currently playing in the International level.

Initially Jubair was an opening batsman (a popular choice at the beginning of most cricketers’ career), but he was smart enough to listen to his older brother and start bowling leg-spins.

“I started my career as the opening batsman but my performance was not up to the mark,” said Jubair.

“My older brother then told me to start bowling leg-spin as there is no leg-spinner in the country. So I was inspired by him and started my cricket career as a leg-spinner.”

Jubair attracted the selectors and national team management when he bowled to the batsmen in the nets. The variation and control displayed during those net bowling sessions are said to have revealed the bright prospect Jubair holds.

Soon the Jamalpur lad earned a place in the Under-19 and Bangladesh A team as a reward. He continued his good job to enter into the good book of the selectors and team management before fate played it part. With spinner Sohag Gazi ruled out for illegal bowling action, the selection panel opted for the rookie which they think is their best option.

The fact of getting a Test call having played only two first-class matches triggered debate in the cricketing circuit of the country, but Jubair is unworried.

“I’ve the confidence that is required to play at the highest level. I played against Zimbabwe A where my performance was good. I’ll try my best to give my best for the Bangladesh team,” he said.

“I would know if I continue my good work I’ll be called up immediately and that’s what happened. There is no Sohag Gazi in the team so my aim is to fill up his gap which is created by his absence. A leg-spinner can be a plus point for his side if he bowls well. So my target is to be consistent and serve my country,” he said. l

SCORECARD Zimbabweans 1st innings V Sibanda b Robiul Islam 8 B Chari c sub b Mehedi Hasan 17 Sikandar c †Jashimuddin b Hasan 44 H Masakadza c Naeem b Shamsur 24 BRM Taylor* c Shuvagata b Subashis 19 CR Ervine c †Jashimuddin b Naeem 5 E Chigumbura lbw b Asif Ahmed 39 MN Waller c †Jashimuddin b Naeem 8 R Mutumbami† c & b Marshall Ayub 21 WP Masakadza not out 11 SW Masakadza b Taibur Rahman 22 Extras (b 4, lb 4, w 1, nb 14) 23 Total (all out; 76.2 overs) 241 Bangladesh pacer Robiul Islam (L) celebrates the wicket of Zimbabwean Vusi Sibanda (R) at the Fatullah stadium yesterday

COURTESY

Zimbabweans find it difficult on day one n Mazhar Uddin On a slow track in Fatullah the visiting Zimbabweans toiled hard before being bowled out for 241 runs on the first day of the three-day tour game against BCB XI yesterday. The home side in reply also went off to a shaky start to end the day on 11 for one.

The tour game allows 14 players per side (11 batting, 11 fielding) as home side skipper Naeem Islam made full utilisation of the law. He used 11 bowlers, except wicket-keeper Jashimuddin, while the below standard batting

performance added up to result in the visiting side’s lacklustre start.

Opting to bat first, Zimbabwe lost Vusi Sibanda (8) to an inswinger from Robiul Islam with only nine runs on the scorecard before Brian Chari (17) and Sikandar Raza (44) came to the rescue with a 63-run second wicket stand.

Elton Chigumbura made 39, Hamilton Masakadza 24 and Richmond Mutumbami 21 as the Zimbabweans even faltered in front of part-timers like Shamsur Rahman and Marshal Ayub.

Left-arm under -19 pacer Mehedi Hasan and Naeem claimed two wickets each

as the visitors were bowled out in the 77th over.

Admitting the batting flop Chigumbura later said, “First of all this was just a practice match and we have some tactics on our mind but our batting was not up to the mark today (yesterday).

The positive thing is we are getting use to the conditions and hope to utilise this experience in the Test series.”

However, BCB XI lost Shadman Islam for nought to Chigumbura in the second over before Shamsur (four) and Rony Talukder (seven) made sure of no more casualties. l

Bowling Robiul Islam 12-2- 26-1, Subashis Roy 113-28-1, Dewan Sabbir 5-0-19-0, Muktar Ali 4-2-8-0, Mehedi Hasan 7-0-22-2, Shuvagata Hom 1-0-8-0, Naeem Islam 15- 1-53-2, Shamsur Rahman 2-0-3-1, Marshall Ayub 12-0-47-1, Asif Ahmed 7-1-19-1, Taibur Rahman 0.2-0-0-1.

BCB XI 1st innings Shamsur Rahman not out 4 Shadman c Taylor b Chigumbura 0 Rony Talukder not out 7 Extras 0 Total (1 wicket; 5 overs) 11 Bowling SW Masakadza 2-0-5-0, E Chigumbura 2-0-4-1, WP Masakadza 1-0-2-0 Toss - Zimbabweans, who chose to bat

Sagar sets new Ebola’s passive effect on Bangladesh football national mark n n Shishir Hoque

Raihan Mahmood

Mahfizur Rahman Sagar, the ace swimmer of the country, set a new national record in the 200metre freestyle of the RMM Group 27th National Swimming at the Goplaganj Swimming Complex yesterday. Apart from Sagar, Sonia Akter Tumpa and Romana Akhter also set two new national marks on the first of the four-day meet. Sagar clocked 01:59.13 seconds to set the new mark removing his old mark of 02:00.56 minutes.

Romana eclipsed her old time of 05:55.02 minutes in the women’s 400metre medley and clocked 05:49.02 minutes to set the new mark. Tumpa was the new record setter in the women’s 200metre butterfly with a timing of 02:41:49 minutes. She removed the previous record 02:44.15 minutes set

by Romana in the last edition. l

The intimidation of Ebola virus has passively attacked Bangladesh football as some premier league clubs are struggling to fly in players from the African continent for trial and sign up.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is also preparing to take necessary steps in order to ensure safety throughout the football arena from the deadly virus Ebola that broke out in West Africa. The concern mainly due to the big number of African players playing in the domestic leagues for a long time now.

At least 10 premier league clubs registered around seven foreign players each for their club last season with majority of them from African nations like Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Cameroon and Guinea.

Nigeria, however, has been officially

declared free from Ebola by the World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday and became the second country from West Africa following Senegal.

Countries around the globe have taken every necessary steps in preventing the virus from entering their border as the travellers on every entry points such as airports, railways stations, bus stations are scanned thoroughly.

Therefore, not only the African players, but others willing to come in Bangladesh to undergo a trial with any club are also facing multiple problems in acquiring their visa and other necessary permissions.

Feni Soccer Club are the biggest victim as their Gambian trio – Mathew Mendy, Kaba Jobe and Landing Darboe – are struggling to acquire visa from their country to return to Dhaka.

“Three of our Gambian players are stuck at their home and facing visa

complications while trying to return to club due to the threats of Ebola virus,” said manager of Soccer Club Shakhawat Hossain Bhuiyan to Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“We the club officials have been struggling to find African players to bring for our club in the last 15-20 days.

We are now thinking alternative options rather than only Africa,” he added.

Meanwhile, premier league champions Sheikh Jamal DC flew in two new players for trail on Saturday. Despite both of them representing Ebola free country (Haiti and Senegal), they had to go through checking and several tests in every airport.

“Every foreign player who is coming to Bangladesh has been carefully checked and tested in every transition point. Our airport also checked the players and they found no problem.

We will again do a medical test for them before signing them,” said Sheikh Jamal DC football manager Anwarul Karim Helal.

Bangladesh has grown in to a hub of African players in the past few years and keeping that in mind the BFF urged their medical committee to take necessary steps in preventing the virus.

“We informed the medical committee about our concern regarding foreign players and Ebola virus. We said them to take any related precaution and take extra care about the issue. We will also provide them with a definitive guideline how to handle the issue within next week,” said BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag.

Yesterday, the High Court also issued an order directing the government to take necessary steps at all international air, land and sea ports and all borders for identification of Ebola virus. l

BFF seeks amicable solution to de Kruif n Raihan Mahmood

Iran U-16 women’s team practice at the Rajarbagh Police Line ground yesterday ahead of their crunch tie with Jordan in the AFC Women’s U-16 group B Qualifiers today COURTESY

Bangladesh Football Federation is working on an amicable settlement to the dispute with national head coach Lodewijk de Kruif. The Dutch was handed a show cause letter on Sunday with a 48-hour deadline to answer after his return to Dhaka following his visit back home to see his ailing father.

BFF president Kazi Salahuddin on Saturday declared they do not intend to continue the service of de Kruif any more. On Sunday night BFF vice president Tabith Awal sat with the coach and discussed the issue and following the track de Kruif met Salahuddin at his office yesterday.

The meeting lasted about 45 minutes after which de Kruif partnered with Henrick van Asch, first secretary of the Royal Dutch Embassy, left BFF without speaking to the waiting journalists. De Kruif looked grim and did

not respond to the request of the journalists of providing few minutes.

Later Tabith briefed the press about the latest development and said, “We have a deal with the Dutch coach

‘We don’t want to go to Fifa and at the same time want de Kruif not to turn his head towards any other element, it will not be an amicable solution then’ Lodewijk de Kruif and its boundary is expanded to the international arena, in the last 15 months we had gone through some good times and there were difference of opinion also, now we are at a point of finishing the deal in a decent way, we want an amicable solution.”

Tabith emphasized on the legal way

of reaching the amicable solution. “We want to focus upon the legal ways, the deal has been done after four months of thorough review and two senior legal advisers were behind it, we don’t want the presence of a third party, we don’t want to go to Fifa and at the same time want de Kruif not to turn his head towards any other element, it will not be an amicable solution then,” opined Tabith.

Tabith made it clear that BFF is done with de Kruif and said, “He has not been provided the responsibility of the national team for the two-match Sri Lanka series. Saiful Bari Titu will handle the team, we hope to wrap the procedure up within 30 days,” before adding the time length depends on de Kruif’s stay in Bangladesh.

The Ducth currently owes three months salary from BFF. The dues and the compensation of wrapping the deal up early are the most important issues in reaching the conclusion. l

Sheikh Jamal fly in Vaniel Sirin n Shishir Hoque

Bangladesh Premier League giants Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club flew in Haitian international Vaniel Sirin on Saturday to fill the vacuum left at the club after the departure of their Haitian star Sony Norde.

The talisman winger Sony set foot in Bangladesh with Sheikh Russel KC in 2012-13 before moving to Sheikh Jamal DC in the following season. He eventually left Bangladesh to join Kolkata’s I-League club Mohun Bagan.

Sirin, who played for Tempete in Ligue Haïtienne, the premier division football league in Haiti, plays in the same position as Norde while both are also of the same age. Sirin played for the Haiti national team once in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup where he scored a goal in their group stage match against USA. The 25-year-old winger arrived in Dhaka on Saturday along with Senegalese forward Amadou Kane who also arrived at the club for a trial. It was learnt that Jamal’s other Haitian Wedson Anselme recommended the name of Sirin while former Sheikh Jamal DC academy coach Omar K Sisse suggested Amadou.

“It is not possible to replace Sony but he (Sirin) has the capability to fill 80% gap created by the departure of Sony. He impressed us in the training,” said Sheikh Jamal DC football manager Anwarul Karim Helal yesterday. l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Goal celebration costs India hopeful his life n AFP, New Delhi A young footballer lost his life in India’s north-east over the weekend after injuring his spinal cord while celebrating a goal he had scored, newspapers reported on Monday.

Peter Biaksangzuala, 23, fell backwards on his head as he took a series of somersaults after scoring the equaliser

Peter Biaksangzuala

for his team in a local match in Khawzawl town close to India’s eastern border with Myanmar last Tuesday, the Times of India said.

As he lay on the ground in pain, unsuspecting team-mates jumped on him to celebrate before they realised the extent of the injury and summoned an stretcher to rush him to hospital.

Biaksangzuala died on Sunday after his condition deteriorated in hospital as doctors attempted to repair his damaged spine, the newspaper quoted hospital staff as saying.

Lal Hmar, a football official in Mizoram state, told reporters in capital Aizawl that the young footballer had donated his eyes before his death.

“Peter was a very talented player who dreamt of playing in the national league,” Hmar said. “His death has come as a big shock to all of us. We all thought he will recover.”

Hmar said the local association was planning to hold a charity match in Biaksangzuala’s memory.

Footballers are known to injure themselves while celebrating a goal, but there is no recorded instance of it causing a death. l

AS Roma captain Francesco Totti (C) runs with teammates during a training session, a day before the Champion’s League group stage match against Bayern Munich, at the Trigoria training ground in the outskirts of Rome on Monday AFP

City face CSKA behind closed doors, Pep returns to Rome n AFP, Paris, France Manchester City continue their search for a first Champions League win this season when they face CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, while Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are among the sides in action elsewhere.

CSKA MOSCOW v MANCHESTER CITY

After taking just one point from their opening two matches, Premier League champions City go to Russia to face CSKA still looking for their first win.

The in-form Aguero also scored twice when City won 2-1 against the same opponents at the Arena Khimki in last season’s competition, although that match was overshadowed by racist taunts from home supporters aimed at City’s Yaya Toure. More misbehaviour from CSKA fans in their defeat at Roma

last month saw them punished by UEFA and this game will be played behind closed doors.

ROMA v BAYERN MUNICH

The match at the Stadio Olimpico has the makings of being the standout fixture on Tuesday evening. Pep Guardiola takes his Bayern side to the stadium where he led Barcelona to victory in the Champions League final in 2009, and the German champions will be looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season. They have won both games in Group E so far and have gone eight matches without conceding a goal in all competitions.

Bayern defender Mehdi Benatia could come up against the club he left in the summer, and Roma have enjoyed a superb start to the campaign since selling the Moroccan. The Giallorossi have taken four points from a possible six so far and drew 1-1 at Manchester City in their last outing.

APOEL v PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

French champions PSG have yet to lose in this campaign despite rarely performing anywhere near their free-flowing best from last season.

Coach Laurent Blanc is still without Marquinhos, Ezequiel Lavezzi and talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic but skipper Thiago Silva returns to the squad for the first time since suffering a thigh injury more than two months ago.

BARCELONA v AJAX

These clubs are meeting for the second consecutive season in the Champions League, with Barcelona hoping for a repeat of their 4-0 win over Ajax at the Camp Nou in September last year. The Catalans have won seven out of eight games in La Liga this season and are yet to concede a goal domestically, but they lost 3-2 at PSG in their last Group F outing and may have one eye on Saturday’s trip to face eternal rivals Real Madrid.

Barcelona’s Neymar (L) and Luis Suarez (C) joke next to Lionel Messi during a training session at Joan Gamper training camp on Monday.

Barcelona and Ajax will play their Champions league match today REUTERS

RESULTS

Valencia’s unbeaten start to the season came crashing to an end as they were beaten 3-0 away at struggling Deportivo la Coruna as Sevilla moved into second on Sunday.

Second-half goals from Carlos Bacca and Kevin Gameiro handed Sevilla a 2-0 win at Elche to move them above Real Madrid and to within three points of leaders Barcelona.

Valencia are now tied with Atletico Madrid in fourth place after the champions beat Espanyol earlier in the day thanks to goals from Tiago and Mario Suarez.

Los Che had started the weekend just two points behind Barca, but never got going against a Depor side that had won just one of their first seven league games on their return to the top flight.

Valencia pushed for an equaliser after the break, but despite starting with Spanish internationals Paco Alcacer and Rodrigo up front, the closest they

Deportivo la Coruna

3 0

Valencia

Gaya 36-og, Perez 42, Toche 79

Elche Villarreal Uche 23, 59

0 2 2 0

SCHALKE 04 v SPORTING

Roberto di Matteo, who won the Champions League with Chelsea as coach in 2012, leads his new club Schalke in the competition for the first time. The Italian got off to a winning start with the Gelsenkirchen side, leading them to a 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

And now they could desperately do with another victory after drawing their opening two matches in Group G. Sporting head to Germany still chasing their first win in the section.

CHELSEA v MARIBOR

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said that striker Diego Costa will miss the visit of Slovenian champions Maribor to Stamford Bridge with the hamstring problem that kept him out of the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace at the weekend. However, even without the prolific Spanish international, the Premier League leaders should be far too strong for their visitors.

The London club have recorded nine wins and two draws in 11 games this season, although they were held 1-1 by Schalke in their only previous home outing in Group G.

BATE BORISOV v SHAKHTAR DONETSK

This encounter at the Borisov Arena is likely to be pivotal to both teams’ chances of progressing from Group H, with BATE second on three points from two games and Shakhtar a point behind.

BATE, who have won eight consecutive Belarusian titles, are unbeaten at their

recently-opened new stadium. Indeed, they have not lost at home in more than a year. Unsettled by the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

PORTO v ATHLETIC BILBAO

Athletic make the short trip to northern Portugal in urgent need of a positive result after taking just one point from their opening two matches.

The Basque side have gone eight matches without a win in all competitions but coach Ernesto Valverde believes they are on the right road after drawing 1-1 with Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday.

And they will hope that history repeats itself, having won 2-1 away to Porto in their first ever European match in the European Cup preliminary round in 1956. Porto were knocked out of the Portuguese Cup by Sporting at the weekend in what was a first defeat of the season for Julen Lopetegui’s impressive side.l

Suarez feared Barca would not sign him after ban

Marseille make it eight in a row n Reuters, Paris

n Reuters, Barcelona

Olympique de Marseille’s impressive Ligue 1 form continued on Sunday when they extended their winning streak to eight games with a 2-0 home win against Toulouse.

They lead arch rivals Paris St Germain by seven points after the defending champions beat RC Lens 3-1 on Friday. In those last eight games, Marseille have only conceded three goals. Toulouse sit in 10th place on 14 points. l

Luis Suarez feared he had destroyed his career and that Barcelona would not want to sign him following his fourmonth ban for biting at the World Cup. The Uruguayan signed for Barca from Liverpool for 81 million euros ($103.5 million) despite the ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini when playing against Italy in Brazil.

He will be available to make his much-awaited debut on Saturday in the broiling atmosphere of an El Clasico against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

“I thought that I had ruined my career. At the start I didn’t want to speak to anyone, I hid away behind my family although later I thought about it, I said sorry and I felt relief as a result,” Suarez told Spanish television.

“When the talks began with Barcelona and when (his agent) Pere Guardiola phoned me to say that it was all done I started to cry due to the situation that I was in and for the support that Barcelona were offering me.

“I had been worried that Barca would decide against it due to all the repercussions from the situation.”

Suarez is keeping his fingers crossed that Barca coach Luis Enrique will play him against Real.

“I don’t want to tempt fate by imagining myself playing,” he said.

“It is not my style to tell the trainer to play me in the game. I wouldn’t dream of saying to Luis Enrique that I want to play in the Bernabeu. If I don’t play then I won’t be angry, I want to help my team mates and feel a footballer again.” l

RESULTS

Marseille

2 0

Toulouse

Nkoulou 21, Gignac 36

Bordeaux Diabate 22-pen

Lyon

1 1 5 1

Gourcuff 36, 47, Fekir 38, Lacazette 82, Malbranque 88

Caen Bazile 77

Montpellier Tiéné 54

Hot-shot Honda fires Milan up to fourth

Valencia fall to first loss, Sevilla into second n AFP, Madrid

Ajax drew 1-1 at APOEL three weeks ago and have not won any of their last eight away matches in the Champions League.

The Amsterdam club, whose coach Frank de Boer was a team-mate of opposite number Luis Enrique at Barcelona over a decade ago, are unbeaten in eight games but drew 1-1 at Twente in the Eredivisie on Saturday.

Sevilla Bacca 59, Gameiro 73

Almeria

came to getting back into the game was when Alcacer struck the outside of the post 13 minutes from time.

However, within a minute, Deportivo had extended their lead as Toche took advantage of the huge space in behind the Valencia defence to gallop clear on goal and slot past Yoel Rodriguez.

Sevilla took advantage of Valencia’s misfortune to record their sixth win in their last seven games.

Colombian international Bacca opened the scoring from close range after Manu Herrera had parried Barcelona loanee Gerard Deulofeu’s drive.

And substitute Gameiro secured the three points when he headed home Denis Suarez’s cross 17 minutes from time. l

n AFP, Milan

RESULTS

Japan international Keisuke Honda struck a brace in a 3-1 win at Verona to go joint top of the Serie A scoring charts on Sunday as AC Milan moved up to fourth.

Milan travelled to the Bentegodi stadium looking for their second successive win having accounted for another Verona-based side, Chievo, two weeks ago.

The visitors were missing injured French forward Jeremy Menez, but Honda was in scintillating form, taking his league tally to six to sit level with Juventus striker Carlos Tevez and Napoli’s Jose Callejon.

“He’s the consummate professional and a great player, I already said that back in August,” Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi told Sky Sport Italia.

Inzaghi added: “We’re happy, these were three really important points, but we still have improvements to make especially in defence.”

Milan were given a helping hand in the 21st minute when Brazilian Rafael Marques, one half of a centre-back

Fiorentina

0 2

Lazio

1 0

Parma

2 2

Sampdoria

Djordjevic 35, Lulic 90+2

Atalanta Boakye 90

Cagliari Avelar 59-pen, Sau 77

Verona Lopez 87

Palermo

Gabbiadini 28, Obiang 38

1 3 2 1

Dybala 33, Gonzalez 90+1

Torino Quagliarella 62

Inter

1 0 2 2

Guarin 82, Hernanes 90+1

Milan Marques 21-og, Honda 27, 56

Cesena Rodriguez 61-pen

Udinese Napoli Callejon 79, 90

pairing which also included Mexican international Rafa Marquez, skewed a volley into his own net from Ignazio Abate’s cross from the right.

Milan were 2-0 up six minutes later when Stephan El Shaarawy, given a rare start on the left of a three-man forward line spearheaded by Spaniard Fernando Torres, found Honda in space on the right with a long ball from midfield.

Honda had time to run unmarked

towards goal before curling a first-time shot past Verona ‘keeper Rafael.

Verona striker Luca Toni and Bosko Jankovic saw efforts pushed to safety

by Milan ‘keeper Christian Abbiati.

Milan are now only five points behind leaders Juventus, held 1-1 at Sassuolo on Saturday, while Roma put three unanswered goals past Chievo to reinforce their grip on second spot and reduce their deficit to a point.

Sampdoria are three points behind Roma in third after they drew 2-2 at Cagliari despite Manolo Gabbiadini and Spanish midfielder Pedro Obiang giving them a 2-0 interval lead.

In Sunday’s late match Brazilian Hernanes eased the pressure on under-fire Inter coach Walter Mazzarri with an injury-time leveller in a 2-2 draw with Napoli.

Mazzari has been under huge pressure following two consecutive heavy defeats to Cagliari (4-1) and Fiorentina (30), prompting a stark warning from club president Erick Thohir prior to the game.

Thohir said he would consider the results from the “next two matches” before making any decision on Mazzarri’s future. l

AC Milan’s Honda celebrates after scoring against Verona on Sunday REUTERS

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

15

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Australia players given amnesty ‘window’ to report graft

QUICK BYTES

Bashundhara becomes title sponsor The Bangladesh Cricket Board yesterday announced Bashundhara Cement as the title sponsor of the Test and ODI series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. The logo of the 45-day long bilateral series consisting three Tests and five ODIs was unveiled at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday with the presence of senior dignitaries from BCB and Bashundhara Group. This is not the first time Bashundhara, one of the leading conglomerates of the country, stepped up in sports. They earlier sponsored football and hockey. Their first involvement in cricket was in the home series against Pakistan in 2009 which however, was called off due to the BDR tragedy. Bashundhara Group advisor Major General (Ret) Mahbub Haider Khan, head of marketing of the group Jashim Uddin and GM of Bashundhara Cement Khondoker Kingshuk Hossain were present during the ceremony.

BCB Media committee chairman Jalal Younus and CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury were also present.

– MUK

Berdych dethrones Dimitrov in Stockholm

Top-seeded Tomas Berdych battled back to defeat defending champion Grigor Dimitrov 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to claim the Stockholm Open on Sunday and improve his chances of making the World Tour Finals. Berdych, 29, is seeking to qualify for the London season-ending showpiece for the fifth consecutive year and the Czech currently stands in seventh place in the race for the eight-man event with five spots already decided. Victory on Sunday was the 10th title of Berdych’s career and fourth straight on indoor hard courts. “It was a great fight and it was the best match at the end. I was the luckier one today,” said Berdych.

–AFP

Goetze would welcome Reus in Munich

World Cup winner Mario Goetze says he would welcome former Borussia Dortmund team-mate Marco Reus at Bayern Munich if his Germany colleague joins him at the Bavarian giants. Reus is under contract at Dortmund until June 2017, but has a release clause in his contract, believed to be around 25 million euros ($31.9m, £19.8m), which would allow the fleet-footed winger to leave Borussia at the end of the season. Goetze, whose extra-time goal in the Rio de Janeiro final against Argentina in July allowed Germany to win the World Cup for the fourth time, joined Dortmund’s arch-rivals Bayern in July 2013 after activating a release clause in his contract to move for 37 million euros. Now he is hoping Reus will tread a similar path from Dortmund to Munich.

–AFP

Siddle wants to put pressure on veteran duo Australia’s frontline paceman Peter Siddle is targeting the experienced duo of Misbah-ul Haq and Younis Khan in the first Test against Pakistan starting in Dubai on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old paceman is likely to share the new ball with the more livelier Mitchell Johnson on a dry Dubai stadium pitch which will have little to offer for the fast bowlers. But Siddle said on Monday that getting ten wickets would be key. “I think we need to get ten wickets, it does not matter which ones we get but there are a few older blokes in the middle - Younis and captain Misbah - they are going to be tough ones out there,” said Siddle. “I think we always want to put pressure on the captain and they are the players we are looking obviously to get on top of and that will give confidence to everyone else as well.”

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH Star Sports 2 7:20 PM Hero India Super League Chennai v Kerala

Ten Action 9:30 PM Uefa Champions League CSKA Moscow v Manchester City 12:00 AM AS Roma v Bayern Munich

Ten HD 12:00 AM Uefa Champions League Barcelona v Ajax

Ten Sports 12:00 AM Uefa Champions League Chelsea v NK Maribor

n Reuters, Melbourne

Li Na of China hits for the opening serve during the start of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) championships in Singapore yesterday

AFP

Australian cricketers will be given an amnesty ‘window’ until the end of November to report any previous corruption-related information, the country’s cricket board said on Monday.

Under Cricket Australia’s (CA) anti-corruption code, players and officials can be sanctioned for failing to report a corrupt approach promptly or for failing to disclose information or evidence of a breach by a third party. But any players who come forward during the amnesty period would avoid sanction, CA said, while adding they had also established a dedicated telephone hotline for players, officials and the public to report corruption-related information.

“We think this is a responsible approach to protecting the game under our jurisdiction. We need to ensure the Australian public has full faith in the integrity of the game and the way it is administered,” CA’s Senior Manager Iain Roy said. “We hope that granting a short amnesty period in relation to any previous non-reporting of relevant facts will encourage anyone with information to come forward. l

Australia loss a boost for Pakistan, says Waqar

Shane Watson back in squad for S Africa T20

n AFP, Dubai

Ben Dunk was named Monday as wicketkeeper for Australia in their Twenty20 series against South Africa, while veteran Shane Watson returns from injury.

Australia, captained by Aaron Finch, play three games against the Proteas starting on November 5 in Adelaide, with Dunk among a host of fresh faces in the 13-man squad.

With regular wicket-keeper Brad Haddin among those still in the United Arab Emirates on Test duty against Pakistan when the T20 series begins, Dunk leapfrogged other potential glovemen including Tim Paine and former Australian keeper Matt Wade.

His elevation follows his 229 not out in a record domestic one-day innings for Tasmania on Saturday.

Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis believes Australia’s 153-run defeat in a warm-up game has helped him find flaws in the opposition for the first Test starting on Wednesday in Dubai.

“It’s quite nice to see them lose,” said Waqar of the Pakistan ‘A’ team’s win in Sharjah in a four-day match on Sunday.

“It was good to see youngsters doing well there and, yes, it definitely has given us an edge or a boost, because we have seen some weaknesses which can be good for us in the Tests.”

But Waqar warned his team should not take Australia for granted.

“They have just won a series here,” said Waqar of Australia’s 3-0 win in the preceding one-day series.

“They know how to bat here, have played here but we have our plans for the day after tomorrow and we will try to execute them.”

Waqar, appointed head coach in May this year, said Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson will be a key factor in the two-match Test series.

“There is no doubt that Johnson will be an X-factor,” said Waqar of the fiery left-arm paceman who took six wickets in the two one-day matches he played in the UAE. “He (Johnson) is the most improved bowler in the last two-three years so he definitely is a threat but we will try our best to tackle him.”

Waqar admitted Australian skipper Michael Clarke was short on practice but still had the ability to come good in the Tests.

“I hope the Australians got what they wanted from that practice match but Clarke getting out and he hasn’t played for a while, I would say that’s an edge but we all know he is a classy player and he can come out and deliver for Australia,” said Waqar.

Clarke managed just ten and five in the side game after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in August.

Waqar said Dubai pitches usually helped spinners. “We normally play two spinners here,” he said.

Pakistan, without their ace spinner Saeed Ajmal -- suspended over an illegal bowling action last month -- is likely to play uncapped leg-spinner Yasir Shah and left-armer Zulfiqar Babar.

The second and final Test will be played in Abu Dhabi from October 30. l

n AFP, Sydney

“The squad itself includes a good blend of youth and experience, providing Aaron with multiple options with both bat and ball,” said national selector Rod Marsh.

“We’ve seen some good form recently from players such as Cameron White, Nathan Reardon, Ben Dunk and Ben Cutting and they’ve been rewarded for those good performances.

“Shane Watson also returns from injury and we certainly know the destruction he is capable of causing in this format of the game.” l

T20 SQUAD Aaron Finch (capt), Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Cameron Boyce, Pat Cummins, Ben Cutting, Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Reardon, Kane Richardson, Shane Watson, Cameron White

QPR’s Redknapp lays into Chaos as India marathon leaders overweight Taarabt miss turn, take the bus n Reuters, London

n AFP, New Delhi

Adel Taarabt’s Queens Park Rangers future is looking bleak after his manager Harry Redknapp accused him on Sunday of being overweight and having a poor attitude.

Redknapp launched the scathing attack on the Morocco international after his side, having dominated the match and fluffed a series of chances, conceded twice in stoppage time to lose 3-2 to Liverpool in a gut-wrenching Premier League defeat.

After bemoaning his team’s terrible fortune, Redknapp let fly at Taarabt, who was not in the squad against Liverpool.

“He (Taarabt) is not injured. He’s not fit,” Redknapp told reporters.

“He’s not fit to play football unfortunately. He played in a reserve game the other day and I could have run about more than he did. I can’t pick him. I pick people who want to try, who deserve to be at a good football club like QPR, who come in every day and want to work, train and show a good attitude. When he starts doing that, if he

A marathon ended in farce in India after the pilot car overshot a turn, forcing the top three runners to take a long detour before abandoning the race - and taking a bus to the finish line.

The leaders, who missed the U-turn at the 16 kilometre-mark (10 mile), ran four extra kilometres before officials finally stopped them and told them they had taken the wrong route, a newspaper reported Monday.

Realising they had no chance of recovering ground, the three abandoned the 42-kilometre race in the southern city of Bangalore on Sunday and borrowed money from spectators to take a bus to the finishing line.

“There were no officials on the road where we were supposed to take the U-turn,” one of the runners, Inderjit Patel, told the Times of India. “We were just following the pilot car.”

“It was too late when we were told what had happened. There was no point continuing the race. I am not

ever can do it, maybe he’ll get a game.

“We’ve got two or three of them but 99 percent of the other lads...I’ve got a fantastic group of lads here, absolutely superb. I’ve just been asked a question about Taarabt.

“I can’t keep protecting people who don’t want to run about and train and are about three stone overweight. What am I supposed to keep saying? Keep getting your 60, 70 grand a week and don’t train? What’s the game coming to?” l

bothered about missing the prize money, but disappointed that we had to suffer this humiliation.”

Race organisers admitted the mistake and apologised. But there were other screw-ups in the race, which was flagged off by Olympic gold medallist

Half marathon participants run amid heavy traffic during the “Bengaluru Marathon” in Bangalore on Sunday AFP

Williams, Halep enjoy opening wins at WTA Finals n Reuters, Singapore

Serena Williams shook off the rust and a feisty challenge from Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic to open the defence of her WTA Finals title with a 6-4 6-4 victory in the opening match of the elite eight-player tournament on Monday.

In the second match, Romania’s Simona Halep joined Williams at the top of the Red Group standings after the world number four brushed aside Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard 6-2 6-3 on the purple hardcourt at Singapore’s Indoor Stadium.

Illness and a knee problem forced the American world number one to withdraw from her last two tournaments since winning a third straight U.S. Open title last month and Williams struggled early in an arena hosting the event for a first time.

Pre-match pyrotechnics left the In-

door Stadium looking as hazy as the city-state’s streets on a polluted day but once the smoke had cleared, Williams was forced to dig deep in her first service game, staving off two break points before holding.

Ivanovic, making her first appearance in the season-ending event since 2008 when it was held in Qatar, had no such problems on her own serve in the early skirmishes but once Williams found her range the American broke and held to love to move 4-1 ahead.

The Serb overcame two double faults in her next service game to hold and then started to mix up her strategy, refusing to go toe-to-toe with her powerful opponent with her drop shots causing Williams all sorts of problems.

A lucky net cord brought up three break points for Ivanovic in the seventh game and she only needed one of them as Williams double-faulted to hand

back her early break.

With the crowd cheering her on, Ivanovic suddenly had the momentum and she began to make Williams scurry

and multiple world champion distance runner Haile Gebrselassie of Ethopia.

Runners had to line up at the start behind a row of heavy-set security guards who were slow to get out of the way when the flag went down, causing many competitors to trip over them. l

all over the court and even had a break point to move 5-4 ahead before her opponent dug deep to stave off the scare.

Halep, 23, raced to a 4-0 lead in the opener and although Bouchard finally got on the scoreboard after 21 minutes, the damage was already done and the French Open finalist was able to seal the set as her opponent’s unforced error count grew.

Bouchard, 20, could barely find the court with her attempted winners as Halep continued to hound her at every opportunity and it was somewhat fitting that a double fault on match point handed victory to the Romanian in just 68 minutes.

“I played really well and am so happy that I was able to find my game again. I stayed aggressive and got plenty of winners but she’s a great player, very young and has a big future ahead of her,” Halep said. l

Murray battles past Ferrer to clinch Vienna Open title n Reuters Andy Murray clinched the Vienna Open title on Sunday with a 5-7 6-2 7-5 victory over David Ferrer, one of the Briton’s main rivals in the battle to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals.

Murray is now eighth in the Race to London standings, with the top eight players qualifying for the prestigious season-ending tournament from Nov. 9-16. He is one place and 110 points ahead of Spain’s Ferrer.

The victory was Murray’s first over a top-eight player since he won Wimbledon in 2013 and handed him revenge for his third-round defeat to Ferrer at the Shanghai Masters 10 days ago.

“It was a good finish to the week,” Murray told the BBC after wrapping up victory in two hours and 41 minutes. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

EC finds huge irregularities in own building project

Nigeria now Ebolafree, says WHO Project completes only foundation work in three years, advisory firm violates terms of contract n Moniruzzaman Uzzal

n Mohammad Zakaria The Election Commission has found massive irregularities in one of its projects for constructing its permanent office building and the Election Training Centre at the capital’s Agargaon at a cost of Tk184.84 crore.

In an internal audit conducted by the commission, it was found that several payments from the project’s bank accounts were made against various bills, such as for procuring construction equipment, which had no mention in the project’s cash register.

At the same time, no list of the equipment was also found in any other documents of the project.

The audit report also reveals that several payments were made to the project’s construction firms – Till-TBL Consortium and Kushly Constrcution Limited – and consulting firm Limited and Professional Associate Ltd without registering the payments.

Money was withdrawn from the

TEACHER HURTS STUDENT’S EYE

Probe committee formed, victim not out of danger yet n Our Correspondent,

project fund without sufficient proof especially for conveyance.

The project began in July 2011 to construct an 11-storey building for the EC and a 12-storey Election Training Centre on the commission’s own land.

The irregularities were unearthed after the commission had asked its Senior Accountant Shahed Hasan to conduct an audit of the project after former director Prodash Kanti Das handed over the charge to the new director. Prodash was transferred as the personal secretary of Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sharif in April this year.

The audit examined payment vouchers against financial records maintained by the project’s accountant Suhas Chandra Das and computer operator Sayeed Ahmad.

According to the audit report, the project’s cash book had no records of procuring equipment and transactions from its bank account although vouchers were shown against payments from the account.

On April 16, the day Prodash Kanti Das handed over charge, Tk2.20 lakh was withdrawn from the project’s bank account without mentioning the purpose of the expenditure. The matter was not registered in the cash book.

The project’s cash register showed no withdrawal of money from the bank account after August 29 last year.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, an official of the commission said the EC’s planning and development wing had already sent a letter to the current director of the project, Asfaq Hossain, seeking explanation for such irregularities and declared that no bills for the project’s adviser firm shall be cleared until and unless the matter was solved.

The letter also asked the management of the project to make sure that no further anomalies take place in the project’s financial records.

Acknowledging the findings of the audit report, EC Secretary Sirazul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune: “We have detected several irregularities in the pro-

ject from the audit report. As the then director of the project has been transferred, we will take legal action against him after scrutinising the report further. If found guilty, we will also inform the Ministry of Public Administration to take punitive measures against him.”

When contacted, former project director Prodash Kanti Das said he knew about the audit report and claimed that he could not prepare the procurement documents because of his sudden transfer.

He also claimed that there was no problem with the project and everything was on schedule.

However, it was found that the construction firms have been able to complete only the foundation work of the two buildings in the past three years although the project is scheduled to be completed by December next year.

The audit report advised suspension of payment to the Limited and Professional Associate Ltd for not submitting monthly and inquiry reports as per its

agreement with the commission.

The ERC project paid Tk7,321,875 in three instalments to the firm for monitoring the construction.

According to the project documents, Tk30.83 crore were allocated for two construction firms – Till-TBL Consortium and Kushly Constrcution Limited – for the fiscal year 2013-14. The audit report said Tk97,756,949 was paid to Kushly Construction in four instalments while Tk83,121,807 was paid to TBL Construction.

However, no details or documents were found at the project office on how many bills had been realised by the two construction firms, the audit report said.

The report also added that the construction firms had been submitting bills to the adviser firm, not to the project director, and the adviser firm had been forwarding the bills to the project management which was a clear violation of the conditions of the project’s contract. l

Throat-slit body of madrasa student recovered n Manik Miazee

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Brahmanbaria

A three-member probe committee was formed in connection with a student of Niaz Mohammad High School who received injuries in his left eye when a teacher hurled a pen.

The committee was formed during a meeting of the school’s management committee yesterday noon which also decided to serve the teacher, Subrata Chandra Sarker, a show-cause notice but no formal complaint was lodged with police till yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the victim, Golam Rabbi, 14, underwent a surgery yesterday but doctors said he was not out of danger yet and said the boy received injuries in his cornea.

The school’s Headmaster Md Shahidul Islam said the boy was being constantly enquired after, and two teachers had gone to Dhaka to meet him.

“A notice was served to the teacher responsible asking for an explanation of his act. He was asked to reply within three days,” he added.

On Sunday, the respective teacher threw a pen targeting two students who were talking in an exam hall.

The object, however, missed the target and hit Rabbi in his left eye instead, causing him to scream in pain, said students. l

Health officials say they feel a sense of relief as the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declared yesterday that Nigeria is now free from Ebola virus.

Professor Dr Benzir Ahmed, member secretary of the national Ebola monitoring committee and director of Communicable disease Control under the health directorate, said the WHO announcement is certainly a good news.

A total of 193 travellers arrived in Bangladesh from the Ebola-affected countries till yesterday, and Benzir said 86 were from Nigeria.

“The WHO announcement is a relief for us. 108 travellers have already passed the 21-day observation period and none of them were found to be carrying the virus,” he said.

The WHO press release issued yesterday said Nigeria’s case was a spectacular success story which showed that Ebola could be contained.

The Health Ministry has announced a 90-day Ebola alert in the country and has arranged screening at 25 ports, including air, land and sea. l

Four billboards erected on the back side of Koratitola CMS Memorial High School in capital’s Sayedabad have hardly left any space for ventilation and light to pass inside classrooms SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Police yesterday recovered a throat-slit body of an 11-year old Madrasa student from South Keraniganj on the outskirts of the capital.

The deceased was identified as Rayhan Roni, a student of Tahfizul Quran Nurani Hafizia Madrasa of Kaliganj of South Keraniganj.

“Rayhan, hailing from Comilla, was a Hafiz-e-Quran student at the residential madrasa for the last four years,” Nurul Huda, a staff of Madrasa Mosque, told the Dhaka Tribune.

Huda also said he found Rayhan’s body lying on the madrasa’s kitchen floor when he went there after Fajr prayers.

Blaming the madrasa’s authorities for Rayhan’s death, Shab Mia, grandfather of victim, said his family would file a case against the madrasa authorities in this regard.

During a visit to the madrasa, this correspondent failed to reach any madrasa official as all eleven of them, including teachers and security guards, were now under police custody.

The madrasa’s Principal Abu Bakkar, who arrived in the capital last night after performing Hajj, was also unavailable to comment over the incident.

The victim’s body was handed over to his family after an autopsy was conducted at Sir Salimullah Medical and Mitford Hospital, he added. l

MIRPUR MURDER

Victim’s wife held as prime suspect n Mohammad Jamil Khan The police have arrested the wife of a Mirpur garment by-product (jhut) businessman as the prime suspect in his murder, ordering DNA tests after the initial investigation yielded few clues about the crime.

Police recovered the body of Md Giasuddin, 35, a jhut trader, around 11:30pm from inside his apartment at Block-C in the Jhutpatti neighbourhood of the capital’s Mirpur area on Sunday night.

Masked assailants reportedly beat and stabbed him to death at his residence in front of his wife.

“Although police found the victim’s wife, Lavli Akhter, tied beside the body, police detained her as a prime suspect for the killing because the victim’s brothers and sister-in-law blamed her for allegedly continuing an extra-marital affair even after marriage,” Salahuddin Khan, officer-in-charge of Mirpur model police station, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

He said the police were not ruling anyone out as a suspect.

“We found scratch marks and bite injuries on the victim’s body and that is why we sent samples from the victim and his wife to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for DNA tests,” he said.

Kazi Saifuddin, lecturer of forensic department of Dhaka Medical College (DMC), conducted the autopsy of Giasuddin.

According to forensic department sources, some tissue matter and teeth were collected from the victim’s remains while nails and blood collected

from the victim’s wife, Lavli, were sent for DNA tests.

The department collected the samples because Sub-Inspector (SI) Arifur Rahman of Mirpur model police station, who prepared the FIR report, recommended a DNA test be conducted in the case.

According to police sources, Lavli, while being interrogated, said some people came to the apartment and attacked him after tying her up.

The attackers beat Giasuddin up and stabbed him before leaving the apartment. He was later taken to DMCH

‘We found scratch marks and bite injuries on the victim’s body and that is why we sent samples from the victim and his wife to DMCH for DNA tests’ where the duty doctors declared him dead around 12:30am yesterday.

Investigators said they had received contradictory statements from Lavli and the two children.

Eleven-year-old Soumik, elder daughter of the victim, told law enforcers she saw four people in their flat that night. But five-year-old younger son of the victim, Nihan, said that he saw two people in the flat.

“The statements do not clarify things,” Officer-in-Charge (OC) Salahuddin said.

“We do not have a clear idea about

why the killers did not tie the hands and feet of the children,” Salahuddin added.

The Dhaka Tribune yesterday found the flat empty. A big lock hung on the main door. A neighbouring woman from the fourth floor of the building, Bilkis Begum Nargis, said the victim’s elder daughter, Soumik, first knocked on their door at 11:00pm and told them her father was lying bleeding on the floor.

“I rushed to the apartment and saw that Giasuddin was gagged and his limbs were tied. Evidence of an attack with a sharp weapon was visible at several points of his body. Music was being played at high volume on the television,” said Bilkis.

Giasuddin and his brothers live with their families in a six-storey building that they own. Bilkis said Lavli did not have good relations with her in-laws and she was at her parents’ house often.

This correspondent met a grocery shop owner near the house, Aynal Abedin, who said that Giasuddin was at his shop around 10:30pm the night of his murder. Suddenly Giasuddin received a call and went towards his home. Before leaving, he told Aynal there was guest at their apartment. A few minutes afterwards, a veiled person was seen leaving the building wearing athletic shoes and a few minutes later, screaming was heard at the apartment, said Aynal.

Contacted, Moinul Islam, inspector (investigation) of Mirpur police station, who is coordinating the investigation, told the Dhaka Tribune that police were looking into three possible scenarios – a family feud, enmity over the jhut trade and a dispute over the distribution of land or wealth. l

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B3 Credibility meets

B4 Japan firms want

compromise in Europe’s bank stress test

government action if yen weakens

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

38 listed companies vanish since 1994 Poor oversight held responsible for shareholders losing investment n Kayes Sohel Around 38 listed companies have disappeared since 1994, some without even a trace of their registered addresses, leaving shareholders to lose almost all their money invested in the companies.

Stakeholders blamed Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the regulator, for the setback as it has not been rational in allowing the companies to go public.

Dhaka Stock Exchange has received no correspondence from the companies for a long time. According to the prime bourse, the total value of the “vanishing companies” could be in excess of Tk150 crore.

The companies are listed entities that have raised money from investors through initial public offerings and then disappeared.

After suffering losses years after years, some of them announced liquidation in accordance with the rules, meaning that after payment of its loan and liabilities, remaining assets was distributed among the shareholders.

The latest example is Padma Cement, which disappeared in March this year, leaving investors at risk. Just a year into its making debut in the DSE, its operation had been suspended, raising doubt over its getting IPO approval from the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission.

“My hope to get money back from the company diminished,” said aggrieved Mohammad Kashem, who put Tk15 lakh on the cement maker.

He failed to contact with the executives of the company in line with its announcement for shareholders of contacting with official liquidator of Padma Cement with proper documents to get money back.

An executive said the company

Amu against dumping poor quality imported goods n Tribune Business Desk Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu yesterday said Bangladesh should not be a dumping ground for low-quality foreign goods.

He said the standard of goods exported or imported must be ensured.

“We are committed to ensuring the best products and services for our people,” said the minister.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on “World Standardization Day” at Bangladesh Standardization and Testing Institute (BSTI) conference room at Tejgaon, reports BSS. The minister said it was important that quality goods be produced here because only that can ensure increase in exports. l

DELISTED COMPANIES SINCE 1994 Sl. No

Name of Companies

Year

Total Issued Capital

1

Chand Textile

1994

6,000,000

2

Chand Spinning

1994

6,000,000

3

Delta Jute

1996

5,000,000

4

Gwasia Jute

1996

-

5

Panther Steel

1996

9,000,000

6

Anowara Jute

1996

11,000,000

7

Specialised Jute

1996

2,600,000

8

Shamsher Jute

1996

7,000,000

9

Paper Converting

1996

21,518,500

10

Howlader PVC

1996

14,442,000

11

Aroma Tea

1996

1,200,000 5,000,000

12

Frogleges

1996

13

Swan Textile

1996

19,011,000

14

P.P.I

1996

7,980,000

15

Million Taneries

1996

21,650,000

16

New Dhaka Ref.

1996

40,330,000

17

Ahad Jute Mills

2001

9,000,000

18

Islam Jute Mills Ltd

2001

9,000,000

19

Highspeed Ship

2004

37,337,000

20

Mutual Jute Spinners

2004

7,000,000

21

Bengal Steel

2004

156,375,000

22

Karim Pipe

2004

26,000,000

23

AB Biscuit

2004

5,000,000

24

Dhaka Vegetable

2004

85,000,000 160,000,000

25

Paragon Leather

2004

26

Rupon Oil

2004

24,896,000

27

National Oxygen

2004

14,000,000

28

STM (ORD)

2004

20,000,000

29

GEM Knitwear

2004

20,000,000

30

J.H. Chemical

2004

33,000,000

31

Mark Bangladesh

2004

399,000,000

32

Texpic Industries

2004

7,819,000

33

Meghna Vegetable

2004

100,000,000

34

Eagle Box

2006

5,000,000

35

Rabeya Flour

2006

6,000,000

36

E. L. Camellia

2007

1,500,000

37

G M G Industrial

2011

38

Padma Cement

2014

200,000,000

*Source: DSE

failed to give money back as it had nothing remaining to give to its shareholders after payment of loans and liabilities.

The DSE had sent Padma Cement to the OTC (over the counter market) in

2010 after its production suspension.

The year of 2004 witnessed disappearances of 15 companies, which is the highest, followed by the year of 1996 when 14 companies vanished.

The number of such companies is likely to go up in years to come as most companies currently traded in the OTC market appeared to be dubious and most (if not all) of these would turn out to be vanishing companies, according to people involved with the matter.

“But the number could, in fact, be higher than that. Most companies under OTC market are not compliant with the listing agreement,” said an official.

Non-compliance means the firms did not adhere to requirements like filing financial statements with the exchanges concerned. How many of these would be classified as vanishing would depend on whether or not these companies are traceable at their registered offices.

Another official said these non-compliant companies are likely to fall in the vanishing category. “Around 50% of the companies are likely to be vanishing,” he said, suggesting the number of vanishing companies could be over 50.

Some investors earlier wrote to the regulator on the issue how their closure would affect investors. When tried to contact on the issue with the regulator, it did not elicit any response.

“This trend is very unfortunate,” said former BSEC Chairman Mirza Azizul Islam. Before giving IPO approval to any company, the regulator should be very careful about its track record and prospect of future, he said.

It also should look into the background of the board members of the company, he said, adding that physical inspection to the factories concerned should also be conducted before giving IPO nod as it is the interest of the investors and the market as well. l

The garment sector is one of World Bank’s four major priority areas to achieve sustainable growth in GDP

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

WB attaches priority to four areas to achieve higher GDP growth n Tribune Business Desk The World Bank (WB) has attached priority to four major areas to achieve higher and sustainable growth in the gross domestic product (GDP), which is required to promote the country to middle-income group.

According to its latest “Bangladesh Development Update”, the four areas include garment sector, road infrastructure, Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Special Economic Zones (SEZs), BSS said yesterday.

The report is officially scheduled to be launched today at a programme at the WB Dhaka office.

“Moving forward in the immediate future, stronger attention is needed to swiftly complete the transition in the garment industry, finish the critical ongoing road development projects, enact the Public Private Partnership (PPP) law, and award contracts to build Special Economic Zones (SEZs),” the report said.

The report said that in garments, much more needs to be done for effective implementation of wage increases and the new labour legislations, recruiting more factory inspectors and complete building inspections followed by swift remedial measures such as relocation of closed factories.

It said there is also a need to focus on speedy completion of transformational ongoing projects in the road and energy sectors, particularly the Dhaka-Chittagong and Dhaka-Mymensingh highway; double tracking of Dhaka-Chittagong Railway; the Padma Bridge, the Dhaka metro rail and the two Bibiyana gas field based large power plants.

“The government should prioritize the most transformative projects and provide all necessary resources for completion within a specified timeline,” the WB said.

It suggested for enacting the PPP law and equip the PPP office with staff having knowledge and experience in developing, negotiating and supervis-

ing PPP projects.

“A proper legal framework providing internationally attractive guidelines and incentive policies is essential. PPP cannot be managed as a part of the dayto-day bureaucracy,” the update said.

In addition, it said there is an urgent need for the government to finalize the awarding of contracts for the proposed economic zones to be developed under Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) while ensuring the related services such as power, gas, good road-connectivity, and security are available in the developed land.

The report acknowledged the progress in the fields of politics and economy after the January 5 national election, and suggested that the efforts of development need to be further consolidated in the near-term by sustaining GDP and remittances growth recovery, creating jobs, containing inflation, and making progress on improving the quality of service delivery in health and education. l

Banglabandha land port needs infrastructure to boost trade

IMF credit tranches hinge on launching new VAT law

n Tribune Report

n Asif Showkat Kallol

The lack of infrastructure and insufficient services cripple Banglabandha land port, putting a bar to vibrant trade and commerce between India, Bangladesh and Nepal, according to discussants at a meeting held in the city yesterday.

They observed that Banglabandha land port did not flourish over the past 10 years, thereby witnessing lackluster business activities between the three countries through the frontier.

The observation came at a programme titled “Trade consignment mapping for better regional connectivity in South Asia” organised by Unnayan Shamannay in the city.

The programme was attended by former commerce secretary Sohel Ahmed Chowdhury, Bangladesh Truck Owners Association General Secretary

Hossain Ahmed Majumder, policy analyst of CUTS International Prithviraj Nath, senior research fellow of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and FBCCI adviser Manjur Ahmed.

In his address, Sohel Ahmed said trade and commerce between Banglabandha land port failed to gain momentum even 10 years after its inception and trade volume between Bangladesh, India and Nepal did not increase.

Public commute through this port is yet to start which is also another reason behind the lackluster business, added Sohel. Hossain Ahmed Majumdar said lack of proper infrastructure and services and labour unrest are obstacles to making the port viable. He added that truck transit through this port is yet to get international recognition.

“Banglabandha land port is important

BB extends time for 3 banks to comply with board rules n Tribune Report Bangladesh Bank has extended time till October 30 for three banks to comply with the board rules.

It took the decision yesterday following the appeal of the banks including National Bank, City Bank and Premier Bank, said a senior executive of the central bank.

Only the First Security Islami Bank has complied with the board rules, he said.

Earlier on October 12, the central bank through a letter asked the four private banks to bring down the number of

their directors coming from the same family to a maximum two.

The banks faced a similar notice in July, but did not act on it.

According to the bank company act, 2013, one year after the amended law came into effect in July 2013, the banks’ board cannot comprise more than two members of a single family.

National Bank has five directors from a family while City Bank nine directors from two families - five from its Chairman Rubel Aziz’s family and four from its Director Deen Mohammad’s family. l

for political economy but there are complications regarding limited trade among the countries and over transit and transhipment issues, said Prithviraj Nath, policy analyst of CUTS International.

Mahfuz Kabir of BIISS in his keynote speech recommended signing agreement on cross-border movement of trucks, developing bridges infrastructure at Nepal and establishing single window platform for export-import and transit between Bangladesh and Nepal and Bangladesh and India.

He also urged the authorities concerned to harmonise working hours between India and Bangladesh, but not in case of truck transiting to Nepal, construction of storage and foreign exchange, ensuring availability of customs officials at Banglabandha and Panitanki and ensure adequate banking facilities. l

Disbursement of the last two tranches of IMF’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF)’ is feared to remain suspended until the government announces an exact schedule for launching the new VAT law.

According to National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials, the IMF’s fifth review mission on ECF informed the NBR that finance division failed to give any date for the start of the VAT reform programme, following delays in floating a new tender of an integrated VAT Administration System, which is supposed to take effect from July next year.

Apart from the two tranches, a fresh deal between the global lender and the government is also likely to be halted if the finance division failed to comply with a major IMF condition, apprehended NBR officials.

The fate of the two installments might be decided in March next year.

Regarding reforms of VAT system, after a meeting with six-member IMF mission headed by Rodrigo Cubero held at his secretariat office on September 23, Muhith had said: The government would not be able to complete VAT reforms this year, which might be extended until 2016. “But I am not sure whether the IMF mission will agree with me.”

The visiting IMF team had already expressed dissatisfaction over sluggish progress in VAT reforms.

“The introduction of a new value added tax, a key government reform to boost fiscal space for development spending, is facing delays,” said an IMF statement.

The persistent revenue shortfalls relative to budget expectations reinforce the importance of pressing ahead with tax reforms, it said. l

B2

Stock

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Stocks fall for 3rd day with volatility

DSE key features October 20, 2014

Traded Issues

298

n Tribune Report

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

46

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

248

Downturn spiral continued in capital market amid slowing market participation and weakening investors’ confidence The Shariah index DSES was down over 10 points or 0.9% to 1,207. The comprising blue chips DS30 fell 20 points or 1% higher to end at 1,933.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, shed 39 points to 9,677.

Trading activities continued to decline with turnover falling down below Tk600 crore-mark after six weeks.

The DSE turnover was Tk596 crore – its lowest since September 9 this year and more than 30% down over the previous session.

Weekly capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index : DSE LOSER Company

Closing (% Change)

7th ICB M F-A GeminiSeaFood-Z B I F C -A The Peninsula CTG.-N Renwick Jajneswar-A Meghna PET Ind. -Z Progressive Life-A BD. Autocars -Z Shinepukur Cera-Z Fu-Wang Food A

-9.42 -8.14 -7.65 -5.74 -5.45 -5.17 -4.28 -4.26 -4.14 -4.07

CSE LOSER Company

Closing (% Change)

Rangpur Foundry -A Shinepukur Cera-Z Dhaka Ins. Ltd.-A Rahima Food -Z B I F C -A Alltex Industries -Z Hakkani P& Paper -B Prime Islami Life -A ISN Ltd. -Z Padma Islami Life*-N

-8.97 -8.52 -7.05 -6.98 -6.63 -5.68 -5.28 -5.22 -5.08 -4.89

5144.50436

(-) 0.62%

1933.26960

(-) 1.07%

15893.62610

(-) 0.60%

13139.08880

(-) 0.50%

9677.96890

(-) 0.41%

Average (% Change) -9.42 -9.71 -9.04 -4.96 -4.64 -2.24 -4.08 -5.85 -1.90 -3.89 Average (% Change) -8.93 -3.71 -7.18 -6.88 -8.59 -3.60 -5.17 -5.22 -3.56 -4.73

ANALYST

ClosingAvg. 86.50 126.40 16.90 32.01 252.52 5.67 94.00 24.62 16.51 21.72

ClosingAvg. 105.64 16.33 28.94 44.00 16.82 8.56 25.13 81.70 11.38 42.93

Closing

Bank NBFI Investment Engineering Food & Allied Fuel & Power Jute Textile Pharma & Chemical Paper & Packaging Service Leather Ceramic Cement Information Technology General Insurance Life Insurance Telecom Travel & Leisure Miscellaneous Debenture

DSE Million Taka 506.77 468.36 90.08 788.86 181.76 1215.51 6.39 374.41 737.74 27.33 183.60 127.86 171.42 282.34 41.13 51.83 192.94 219.62 90.91 210.25 0.48

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

DHIGH

86.50 126.40 16.90 31.20 249.80 5.50 94.00 24.70 16.20 21.20

Closing

86.50 126.40 17.00 33.30 268.00 5.60 94.10 26.30 17.20 23.20

DHIGH

105.60 16.10 29.00 44.00 16.90 8.30 25.10 81.70 11.20 42.80

5,969.57 135,852,190

113.10 17.30 29.00 44.00 16.90 9.10 25.20 81.70 12.00 43.50

120,463

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

4

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,721.82

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

32.99

CSE key features October 20, 2014 Turnover (Million Taka)

465.89

Turnover (Volume)

11,844,914

Number of Contract

16,154

Traded Issues

225

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

48

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

173

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

4

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,630.18

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

31.88

Turnover in Million

DLOW 86.50 126.40 14.50 30.90 249.00 5.50 94.00 24.40 15.50 20.00

104.40 16.00 28.60 44.00 15.80 8.10 25.00 81.70 11.20 42.60

Latest EPS

0.043 0.025 24.934 62.790 3.851 0.034 0.188 0.048 2.225 30.467

Turnover in Million

DLOW

% change 8.49 7.85 1.51 13.21 3.04 20.36 0.11 6.27 12.36 3.08 2.14 2.87 4.73 0.69 0.87 3.23 3.68 1.52 3.52 0.01

Million Taka 36.43 33.55 3.08 71.65 16.94 52.72 53.05 46.46 19.79 23.91 15.95 34.78 30.02 7.48 2.97 10.39 14.19 13.03 29.49 0.03

CSE

% change 7.06 6.50 0.60 13.89 3.28 10.22 0.00 10.28 9.01 3.84 4.63 3.09 6.74 5.82 1.45 0.58 2.01 2.75 2.52 5.72 0.01

12.01 -1.80 0.94 2.70 3.92 -1.33 2.30 0.08 0.50 0.91

Latest EPS

0.423 0.191 0.101 0.022 0.858 0.497 0.163 0.008 0.057 0.150

Million Taka 543.20 501.91 93.15 860.51 198.70 1268.23 6.39 427.46 784.20 47.12 207.51 143.81 206.20 312.36 48.60 54.81 203.32 233.81 103.94 239.73 0.50

Shahjibazar Power-N SAIF Powertec-N Islamic Finance-A RAK Ceramics-A Ratanpur Steel -N EBL NRB M.F.-A Samata LeatheR -Z Popular Life Insu. -A FAS Fin. & Inv. Ltd-B Khulna Power-A

Closing (% Change) 9.98 9.86 8.00 5.53 4.42 4.41 4.35 4.15 3.89 3.27

CSE GAINER

3.20 0.50 2.60 -1.01 0.94 -1.24 0.28 4.95 0.20 1.10

Latest PE 7.2 -ve 18.0 11.9 64.4 -ve 40.9 307.8 33.0 23.9

Total

Company

Closing (% Change)

SAIF Powertec-N Islamic Finance-A Nitol Insurance -A BDCOM Online-A ACI ZERO Bond-A The Ibn SinaA Ratanpur Steel -N Khulna Power-A Shurwid Ind. -N BD Finance-A

9.95 9.60 9.44 7.60 5.83 4.60 3.99 3.95 3.64 2.94

Average (% Change) 10.29 7.80 5.47 (1.54) 3.25 4.41 5.37 4.90 9.94 2.28 Average (% Change) 7.59 5.64 9.59 7.76 5.83 5.21 2.78 2.25 3.92 2.22

ClosingAvg.

Closing

97.96 60.36 21.22 61.91 77.57 7.10 21.78 221.33 18.91 60.19

ClosingAvg.

98.10 61.30 21.60 64.90 77.90 7.10 21.60 223.60 18.70 60.00

Closing

59.98 21.17 31.30 26.94 1090.00 114.52 77.57 60.32 40.61 17.53

60.80 21.70 31.30 26.90 1090.00 113.80 78.20 60.50 39.90 17.50

DHIGH 98.10 61.30 21.90 66.00 79.20 7.10 22.20 227.90 19.80 61.40

DLOW 94.90 56.10 18.00 56.00 74.10 7.10 21.20 212.00 17.00 52.80

DHIGH

DLOW

60.80 21.70 31.30 27.00 1090.00 117.70 79.50 61.30 41.70 18.20

55.70 19.70 31.30 26.50 1090.00 110.00 76.00 58.30 39.40 16.80

Turnover in Million 70.079 121.676 53.931 162.568 102.638 0.004 0.098 37.737 40.716 94.352

Turnover in Million 18.607 3.163 0.016 0.243 0.022 1.616 26.608 6.951 6.091 2.735

Latest EPS 3.00 1.63 1.50 1.68 3.03 0.85 0.09 4.13 0.52 6.42

Latest EPS 1.63 1.50 2.58 1.43 0.00 3.54 3.03 6.42 0.75 0.26

Latest PE 32.7 37.0 14.1 36.9 25.6 8.4 242.0 53.6 36.4 9.4

Latest PE 36.8 14.1 12.1 18.8 32.4 25.6 9.4 54.1 67.4

News, analysis and recent disclosers From TradeServers: RAKCERAMIC: (Q3): As per un-audited quarterly accounts for the 3rd quarter ended on 30th September 2014 (July'14 to Sep'14), the Company has reported consolidated profit after tax (excluding non-controlling interests) of Tk. 127.06 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 0.38 as against Tk. 158.47 million and Tk. 0.47 respectively for the same period of the previous year. Whereas consolidated profit after tax (excluding non-controlling interests) was Tk. 424.85 million with consolidated EPS of Tk. 1.26 for the period of nine months (Jan'14 to Sep'14) ended on 30.09.2014 as against Tk. 480.26 million and Tk. 1.43 respectively for the same period of the previous year.

BATBC: (Q3): As per un-audited quarterly accounts for the 3rd quarter ended on 30th September 2014 (July'14 to Sep'14), the Company has reported net profit after tax of Tk. 1,383.98 million with EPS of Tk. 23.07 as against Tk. 1,379.74 million and Tk. 23.00 respectively for the same period of the previous year. Whereas net profit after tax was Tk. 4,256.25 million with EPS of Tk. 70.94 for the period of nine months (Jan'14 to Sep'14) ended on 30.09.2014 as against Tk. 3,443.07 million and Tk. 57.38 respectively for the same period of the

previous year.

ALARABANK: The Company has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company has decided to issue Mudaraba Subordinated Bond (6 year Redeemable) for Tk. 300.00 crore to strengthen Bank's total capital as requirement under Basel III in the name and style "AIBL Mudaraba Subordinated Bond" through private placement subject to approval of regulatory bodies and share holders in the EGM. The date, time and venue of the EGM to be notified later on.

SPCL: Following the BSEC's investigation and appointment of special auditor M/S. A. Qasem & Co. Chartered Accountants, for examination of the third quarter financial statements (Q3), it is evident that, consolidated net profit after tax (excluding non controlling interest) and EPS of BDT 168.77 million and BDT. 1.48 respectively has been revised to BDT 166.76 million and BDT 1.46 respectively for the third quarter ended on March 31st 2014 (January 14 - March 14). Consolidated net profit after tax (excluding non controlling interest) and EPS of BDT 90.47 million and BDT 0.79 has been revised to BDT 88.85 million and BDT 0.78 respectively for the same period of the previous year.

Similarly, it was also evident that, con-

solidated net profit after tax (excluding non controlling interest) and EPS of BDT 285.48 million and BDT 2.50 has been revised to BDT 168.67 million and BDT 1.48 respectively for the period of nine months (July 13- March 14) ended on March 31st 2014. Consolidated net profit after tax (excluding non controlling interest) and EPS of BDT 222.22 million and BDT 1.95 has been revised to BDT 215.12 million and BDT 1.89 respectively for the same period of the previous year. Since the company failed to disseminate correct information, in quarterly financial statements for the period ended on 31st March, 2014, the issue would refer to BSEC for taking appropriate measure as per security related laws.

BRACSCBOND: BRAC Bank Ltd. has informed that the interest of Subordinated 25% Convertible Bonds of BRAC Bank Ltd., due on October 15, 2014, has already been credited to the respective Bank accounts of the Bondholders.

RSRMSTEEL: As per Regulation 30 of DSE Listing Regulations, the Company has informed that a meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on October 21, 2014 at 4:30 PM to consider, among others, audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended on June 30, 2014.

Latest PE 33.0 32.7 11.1 -ve 17.9 -ve 89.8 16.5 56.9 39.0

Stocks extended the recent sell-off despite the release of upbeat of economic data. It said market started moving higher at the beginning, but sooner it became volatile

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

Company

Number of Contract

The three sectors fuel and power, engineering, and pharmaceuticals dominated the trading as their combined turnover accounted for almost 50% of the DSE turnover.

Cement sector suffered the most losing 2.8%, dragged down by sector heavy-weight Lafarge Surma Cement that shed 3.8%.

All the other major sectors closed in red with food and allied fell highest by 1.4%. Banks, power, telecommunication and pharmaceuticals closed marginally lower.

Losers outpaced gainers as out of 298 issues traded, 100 closed higher, 166 lower and 32 remained unchanged.

Lanka Bangla Securities said stocks extended the recent sell-off despite the release of upbeat of economic data. It said market started moving higher at the beginning, but sooner it became volatile.

After moving lower for much of the trading day, the index climbed well off their lows for the session but still ended the day in the red, it said.

IDLC Investments said the downturn spiral continued in capital market amid slowing market participation and weakening investors’ confidence.

Titash Gas – the only state-owned natural gas distribution company – has topped the liquidity chart with total turnover worth Tk24 crore.

It was followed by Mobil Jamuna Limited Bangladesh, Lafarge Surma Cement, Jamuna Oil, Grameenphone, Square Pharmaceuticals, Appollo Ispat and RAK Ceramic. l

Stocks dropped for the third straight session with volatility yesterday as investors continued to book profits over the previous six-week rally.

The market moved between gains and losses throughout the session as some investors played both sides of fence.

After rising more than 40 points in the morning, the benchmark DSEX lost 32 points or 0.7% to close at 5,144.

DSE GAINER

Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume)

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company

% change 8.38 7.74 1.44 13.27 3.06 19.55 0.10 6.59 12.09 0.73 3.20 2.22 3.18 4.82 0.75 0.85 3.14 3.61 1.60 3.70 0.01

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

Titas Gas TDCLA MJL BD Ltd.-A LafargeS Cement-Z Jamuna Oil -A Grameenphone-A Square Pharma -A Appollo Ispat CL -N RAK Ceramics-A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A SAIF Powertec-N

Delta Life Insu. -A DESCO Ltd. -A Beximco Pharma -A Ratanpur Steel -N Khulna Power-A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company RAK Ceramics-A Ratanpur Steel -N BEXIMCO Ltd. -A LafargeS Cement-Z SAIF Powertec-N The Peninsula CTG.-N Familytex (BD) Ltd.-A Square Pharma -A Delta Life Insu. -A Singer BD -A

MJL BD Ltd.-A BSRM Steels-A Grameenphone-A Beximco Pharma -A Khulna Power-A

VolumeShares 2,596,576 1,452,543 1,499,000 739,818 491,600 642,380 6,426,400 2,625,768 3,611,940 2,015,800

Value in Million 239.37 213.15 195.05 188.16 182.08 174.62 164.71 162.57 147.72 121.68

% of TotalTurnover 4.01 3.57 3.27 3.15 3.05 2.93 2.76 2.72 2.47 2.04

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

570,051 1,515,514 1,584,730 1,323,200 1,567,476

544,396 343,000 602,421 164,500 310,200 348,200 376,500 36,417 49,087 34,925

54,285 72,000 20,200 111,675 115,222

107.96 105.86 104.30 102.64 94.35

33.80 26.61 24.61 21.29 18.61 11.16 9.98 9.91 9.39 8.59

7.98 7.57 7.47 7.36 6.95

1.81 1.77 1.75 1.72 1.58

7.37 5.81 5.37 4.65 4.06 2.44 2.18 2.16 2.05 1.87

1.74 1.65 1.63 1.61 1.52

ClosingP 92.30 145.00 128.30 253.40 369.10 272.80 25.60 64.90 40.50 61.30

190.30 69.80 65.20 77.90 60.00

ClosingP

65.20 78.20 40.60 128.90 60.80 31.50 26.40 273.10 189.10 245.40

145.80 105.50 368.70 65.30 60.50

Change % -2.02 -2.62 -3.75 -0.39 -0.73 0.04 0.79 5.53 -0.49 9.86

-0.73 -1.83 -1.21 4.42 3.27

Change %

5.50 3.99 -0.49 -3.73 9.95 -3.96 -2.22 0.15 -1.87 -1.56

-2.67 -0.75 -0.89 -1.06 3.95

ClosingY 94.20 148.90 133.30 254.40 371.80 272.70 25.40 61.50 40.70 55.80

191.70 71.10 66.00 74.60 58.10

ClosingY

61.80 75.20 40.80 133.90 55.30 32.80 27.00 272.70 192.70 249.30

149.80 106.30 372.00 66.00 58.20

DHIGH

DLOW

94.60 151.50 135.00 257.00 375.70 285.00 25.80 66.00 43.00 61.30

84.80 135.00 125.60 237.00 366.60 255.00 25.40 56.00 36.70 56.10

DHIGH

DLOW

195.00 73.00 68.00 79.20 61.40

67.00 79.50 41.80 134.00 60.80 33.20 27.10 274.60 194.80 252.00

151.90 108.80 377.80 67.40 61.30

175.00 65.00 59.90 74.10 52.80

59.00 76.00 40.10 126.00 55.70 31.20 26.10 268.10 186.20 241.10

145.00 103.30 367.00 64.50 58.30

AvgPrice 92.19 146.74 130.12 254.33 370.38 271.83 25.63 61.91 40.90 60.36

189.39 69.85 65.82 77.57 60.19

AvgPrice

62.08 77.57 40.85 129.41 59.98 32.05 26.52 272.00 191.22 245.96

147.05 105.14 369.76 65.90 60.32

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

B3

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Credibility meets compromise in Europe’s bank stress test n Reuters, London When Europe announced its latest health check of top banks early last year it promised a “comprehensive assessment” of how well prepared they were to withstand another financial crisis.

In practice, a spirit of comprehensive compromise has been just as important.

A series of Reuters interviews with officials, bankers and others involved in the European Central Bank’s financial inspection of the euro zone’s biggest banks shows that in the seven months since it began, the ECB has had to shoot down countless pleas from banks and national supervisors for special treatment.

At the same time, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, supervisors have revised the way they value assets and banks have failed to provide all the data demanded - multiple compromises that could cumulatively threaten the tests’ reputation as tough and consistent.

The ECB, which takes over as supervisor for the region’s top banks on Nov. 4, declined to comment in detail on the issues raised but insisted the exercise was robust and thorough.

It will announce on Oct 26 which of Europe’s 130 biggest banks have valued their assets properly and which have not, as well as whether banks need more capital to withstand another economic crash. Anticipation of the results is already affecting bank shares, with Italy’s Monte dei Paschi falling to an all time low last week amid fears it would be forced to raise more cash.

“This health check...is unprecedented in terms of scale, rigor, severity and transparency,” a spokeswoman said.

“It provides in-depth information on the condition of the largest banks in 19 countries and aims to strengthen banks’ balance sheets by identifying problems, build confidence and enhance investors’ trust.”

The headquarters of the European Central Bank (ECB) are pictured in Frankfurt That said, one of the first compromises of the process came just two months into it, when the ECB privately acknowledged, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions, that there were “real dangers” of negative consequences if the banks were kept in the dark about how they were faring right up until the results were announced.

The auditors were then allowed, for the first time, to begin sharing information with the banks they were reviewing.

“We would take a file with the largest (loan loss) provision movement (and)... told them why we were uncomfortable with provisioning that area,” said one source familiar with the meetings.

The banks could then work out the maximum adjustment to provisions

REUTERS

they were likely to face, the source said - a key clue to the ECB’s final assessment of whether they would have to raise more capital or rein in dividends.

“You knew what the major drivers were,” confirmed one senior banker who attended meetings for his company. “I don’t expect any surprises.”

Around the same time, Daniele Nouy, the head of the ECB’s supervi-

sory arm which is leading the exercise, spoke publicly of the importance of banks being given a ‘right of reply’ to the ECB’s findings.

Earthquake proof

The original process started with just ten ECB employees. More staff and consultants joined the team - which later moved to Frankfurt’s only earthquake-

Dollar up in Asia as stock markets rally n AFP The dollar strengthened against the euro and yen in Asia yesterday, in line with a regional equities rally after a surge on Wall Street at the end of last week.

In Tokyo afternoon trading, the greenback bought 107.26 yen against 106.78 yen in New York, and sharply higher than the 106.22 yen earlier Friday in Asia.

The euro was at $1.2755 compared with $1.2759 in US trade while it rose to 136.81 yen from 136.28 yen.

The gains cheered investors after increasing worries about the global economy last week saw them rushing into safe investments such as the yen.

US and European markets jumped on Friday after dovish comments from officials at the US Federal Reserve and Bank of England.

On Thursday James Bullard, head of the St Louis branch of the Federal Reserve, suggested the Fed could extend its bond-buying programme rather than winding it down as had been expected.

And on Friday Bank of England chief economist Andrew Haldane said recent economic weakness implied the need for a slower approach to raising rates.

The two banks have in the past few months been considering increasing interest rates as their respective economies have slowly been picking up. However that has spooked traders as other economies, including the eurozone, China and Japan, have been struggling.

The euro was at $1.2755 compared with $1.2759 in US trade while it rose to 136.81 yen from 136.28 yen Japanese shares soared 3.98 percent on Monday, with buying also helped by a report in the leading Nikkei business daily that the national pension fund, the world’s largest, plans to increase its domestic stock holdings.

However, Credit Agricole said in a note “it is probably too early to conclude that we are back into the time of steady and healthy risk appetite”.

It added: “Uncertainty surrounding the Fed remains ahead of the (policy board) meeting next week, while

growth concern continues to be (the) theme in Europe”, as a likely fall in September’s preliminary manufacturing activity index indicates.

“High volatility will likely remain the story for now,” it said.

Investors are watching the release Tuesday of third-quarter Chinese economic growth data, with expectations for another weak reading following a recent string of underwhelming indicators.

The dollar was mostly weaker against other Asia-Pacific currencies.

It slipped to 44.82 Philippine pesos from 44.95 pesos Friday, to 32.34 Thai baht from 32.45 baht, to Sg$1.2730 from Sg$1.2736 and to Tw$30.38 from Tw$30.40.

It also declined to 1,060.55 South Korean won from 1,064.09 won and to 61.26 Indian rupees from 61.62 rupees.

The dollar weakened to 12,035.00 Indonesian rupiah from 12,137.50 rupiah as Joko Widodo was sworn in as president Monday, reaching out to his political foes to seek support for an ambitious reform agenda.

The Australian dollar rose to 87.74 US cents from 87.50 cents while the Chinese yuan rose to 17.52 yen from 17.31 yen. l

proof building - to spend hundreds of hours crunching the numbers.

A project manager was hired in September 2013 in the form of Oliver Wyman, a management consultancy headquartered in the United States.

A month later, when ECB president Mario Draghi met the chief executives of the banks that would be tested to try to convince them of the exercise’s worth, information was still sparse.

A draft methodology was finally circulated in January 2014 between some national regulators and auditors, as well as ECB officials and the Oliver Wyman team. Details of what was christened the Asset Quality Review (AQR) were kept secret by personal non-disclosure agreements which included a fine of 100,000 euros for any breach.

On February 17, the ECB held its first meeting with the experts who would participate in the AQR. Executives from Oliver Wyman faced a crowd composed of national regulators and consultants in the same room in which the ECB gives its monthly press conference on interest rates.

One attendee described the meeting as “antagonistic”, with delegates struggling to follow the logic of parts of the approach outlined in a 300-page draft manual.

At a second meeting, a few weeks later, patience was in even shorter supply: Two sources present said an Oliver Wyman representative responded to one question with the words: “It is not beyond the wit of man to follow the manual.”

For the institutions about to be reviewed, it appeared very much to be “the Oliver Wyman show”, said one banker who was a central figure in his bank’s engagements with the ECB. “The ECB was relying far too much on its consultant,” the banker said.

Oliver Wyman declined to comment on any aspect of this article, citing client confidentiality. l

Yahoo set to outline cost-cutting efforts

n Reuters

The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's President and CEO Eric S Rosengren

REUTERS

Fed’s Rosengren: Equality of opportunity a worthy goal n Reuters, Boston A top Federal Reserve official said on Saturday that equality of opportunity is a worthy social goal that has not yet been achieved in the United States.

Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren did not comment on monetary policy or the economic forecast in prepared remarks to a conference here on inequality.

Building on comments on Friday by Fed Chair Janet Yellen, he said “concen-

trated, intergenerational poverty” suggests inequality of opportunity is a community issue that, studies show, can be alleviated by social and educational interventions. “While income inequality may be a somewhat controversial issue, most people – even most economists – agree that equality of opportunity is a worthy goal,” he told a Boston Fed conference on the issue. “Yet society has fallen short in delivering on the goal of equality of opportunity.” l

Yahoo Inc is expected today to outline cost-cutting efforts and give details of how it is evaluating possible acquisitions as it faces pressure from an activist investor, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a person who was briefed on the plan.

Yahoo is considering acquiring one or more large technology startups with some of the $5.8 billion it made from the initial public offering of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, the newspaper said.

Representatives at Yahoo did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment outside regular U.S. business hours. Last month, activist investor Starboard Value LP publicly pressured Yahoo to cut what it referred to as a “bloated” cost structure.

Starboard, the second activist investor to target Yahoo in the last three years, also said the company should quickly “monetize” its Asian assets, which exceed the enterprise value of its actual business. Earlier this month, Yahoo said it is reducing the size of its operations in Bangalore, India, the Internet company’s largest engineering facility outside its California headquarters. It is also closing its office in Jordan. l

Midland Bank Limited has recently opened a branch at Zirabo Bazar in Ashulia, Dhaka.

The bank’s director, Md Belal Hossain inaugurated the branch along with its managing director, Md Ahsan-uz Zaman Standard Bank Limited has recently organised a two daylong workshop on inport procedure and financing at its training institute in Dhaka. The bank’s MD and CEO, Md Nazmus Salehin inaugurated the workshop

Sightsavers, local chapter of a UK-based international development organisation has recently appointed Top of Mind as its media agent. Dr Mohammad Golam Kibria, country director at Sightsavers, Bangladesh and Ziauddin Adil, CEO at Top of Mind have signed the agreement

Rupali Bank has recently opened a credit administration division at its head office to increase the bank’s credit activities. The bank’s managing director, M Farid Uddin attended the opening ceremony as chief guest

Pubali Bank Limited has recently held its second (Narayangong region) managers’ conference for the on-going year at the bank’s Narayangong regional office. The bank’s MD and CEO, Helal Ahmed Chowdhury attended the conference as chief guest

Bank Asia has recently held a workshop on corporate governance at a local hotel in Dhaka.

The bank’s chairperson, A Rouf Chowdhury inaugurated he workshop

B4

Back Page

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Japan firms want government action if yen weakens n Reuters, Tokyo Nearly half of Japanese firms think the government should start defending the yen at this month's dollar high of 110, a Reuters survey shows, underscoring the threat that rising fuel and other import costs pose to a fragile economy.

Over the past two years, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has sought to boost the economy and cure deflation with bold monetary stimulus that has successfully wrought a much weaker yen.

But the yen's descent against the greenback to a six-year low of 110.09 on Oct 1 - a rapid 8 percent decline over three months - has prompted a chorus of complaints from companies that Abe's medicine could become poison.

While the yen has since regained some ground to around 106 on expectations that the Federal Reserve may put off raising US interest rates, the potential for further weakness is a major concern for many firms, the Reuters Corporate Survey showed.

"If the yen is guided too weak, raw material costs jump and firms that can't pass on those costs become exhausted and find it hard to survive," wrote an executive at a paper company, one of the industries most affected by yen weakness.

The survey, conducted from Sept 30 to Oct 14, found 45% of companies want the government to start talking up the yen or defend it with market intervention at around 110 to the dollar. That suggests that this level could become a key point at which corporate pressure on the government to do something

A general view of the business district in Tokyo about yen weakness intensifies.

But it also found that some 23% of firms want action at around 115 yen and 20% prefer around 120 yen, with the remainder happy to wait for weaker levels. That suggests that authorities in export-reliant Japan will also be cau-

tious in weighing the pros and cons of interfering in the market.

The survey polled executives at 486 firms capitalized at more than 1bn yen, who responded anonymously. About 240 firms answered questions on foreign exchange.

REUTERS

Japan's sensitivity to yen weakness has become particularly heightened since 2011 Fukushima disaster led to the shutdown of its nuclear reactors, costing the country an estimated $28bn in extra fuel imports annually.

"That Japan cuts import costs by

German industry earns cash from green energy upheaval

EU's Barroso: Euro zone not heading for recession n Reuters, Frankfurt n Reuters, London The euro zone is not heading for another recession, the outgoing president of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso said on Sunday.

Growth in the euro zone economy ground to a halt in the second quarter and weaker-than-expected economic data for the bloc's largest economy, Germany, have raised concerns about the prospects for a recovery.

"I don't think we are going to come back to recession," he told Britain's BBC television, citing forecasts from the International Monetary Fund and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

"Of course ... we should avoid any kind of complacency, we should now push for stricter reforms to make our economies more attractive."

Barroso is coming to the end of his term as president of the EU's executive arm after a 10-year stint which included a period of financial crisis and recession when investors fled the bloc over fears that some of its heavily indebted economies may have to leave the euro currency area. l

German industry is learning how to profit from the upheaval and costs of the country's shift towards solar and wind energy.

Greater reliance on renewables in Europe's biggest power market is making the peaks and troughs of electricity production bigger and less predictable, as the wind picks up or drops and the sun shines or disappears behind the clouds.

Power firms have therefore enlisted the help of big consumers such as metals, paper and chemical companies to deal with the problem of matching volatile supply to demand.

By upgrading their plants or making relatively small changes to their operations, growing numbers of manufacturers are taking more power at times of excess capacity and less when supplies are tight.

In exchange for this flexibility, the

manufacturers get breaks on their power bills. Neither the suppliers nor the consumers will reveal how big the discounts are, with each deal negotiated individually, but the need for thrift is great.

Industry consumes half of all power in Germany and pays roughly twice the price of U.S. rivals, mainly due to higher labour and infrastructure overheads and a lack of shale gas, which in the United States has sharply cut generating costs.

"End consumers that were up to now mostly passive can become active in the energy market and receive money for their flexibility," said Thomas Schulz, co-founder of Entelios.

Entelios and Denmark's Dong Energy A/S, are among the companies vie for the business of helping manufacturers to earn rebates on their power bills.

Germany's move towards renewable energy accelerated in 2011 when the government decided to phase out nu-

clear generation after the Fukushima disaster in Japan. Driven by green-energy targets and incentives, renewables now account for nearly half Germany's installed power capacity of over 185 gigawatts (GW).

But they contribute only a quarter of the actual power supply because wind and solar units operate only between a fifth and a third of the time, while conventional nuclear and fossil fuel plants can produce electricity around the clock.

An expansion of the national grid's capacity will help to match supply and demand, and overcome the problem that most wind energy is produced in the coastal areas of northern Germany while much of the power hungry industries are far to the south.

But this will take time and be costly, so the utilities need manufacturers to turn their production up and down more according to how much energy is available from sources that depend of the weather. l

Germany's Schaeuble: investment criticism 'justifiable'

n AFP German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said Sunday that criticism of his country's record on investment was "justifiable" but warned it must not be financed by public debt.

Berlin has faced calls from Paris, Rome, the International Monetary Fund and others to invest more to help spur growth in Europe.

Germany has presented a balanced federal budget for 2015, the first in 45 years, and has defied the growing calls for a policy U-turn amid data pointing to a worsening economic outlook for the eurozone economy.

"We must invest more and improve our competitiveness," Schaeuble said in an interview with the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. l

Xavier Terlet, president of food innovation company XTC World Innovation, poses in Paris on Thursday, holding vitamine water for women AFP

Moscow hotel goes 'halal' in bid to woo Muslim visitors n AFP No bacon for breakfast, a room for prayers and a Quran on your bedside table: a hotel in Moscow has launched a special "halal" service as Russia tries to attract visitors from the Muslim world.

"Around 70% of our guests are from overseas and 13% of these - or some 5,000 people - come from Muslim countries, especially Iran," said Lyubov Shiyan, marketing director at the Aerostar hotel.

"Our Muslim visitors were constantly asking for a separate prayer room or

a special menu," she said. "We wanted everyone who came here to feel at home." To make that happen, the hotel had to go through a rigorous procedure before it could finally be certified halal by Muslim officials in Russia and launch the service this month.

But the extra work looks like it could be worth it. These are tough times for Russia's tourism industry with the numbers of visitors - especially from the West - nosediving in recent months amid the worst East-West tensions since the Cold War over the crisis in Ukraine.

Industry sources set the drop in Western visitors, notably from the US and Britain, at 30 to 50%.

That has sent hotels scrambling to attract guests from other parts of the globe - including Muslim nations in the Mideast and Asia that have placed no sanctions on Moscow over its intervention in Ukraine.

"We equipped 20 rooms out of the 308 in the hotel with a prayer mat, a basin for ritual washing and a small compass that indicates the direction of Mecca," said Shiyan.

Those staying in the specially modified accommodation at the hotel, in the capital's north halfway between Sheremetyevo International Airport and downtown Moscow, will also find a copy of the Quran provided.

"Even the shampoo and soap in the rooms have been certified as halal and do not contain any animal fats or alcohol," she added.

Two prayer rooms - one for men and one for women - have been set up and a separate kitchen will be cooking exclusively halal food. l

reining in energy imports is a matter of utmost urgency and in that sense, getting the nuclear reactors started is the nation's biggest political priority," wrote an executive at an electronics firm.

This month's survey follows results

last month that showed only one quarter of Japanese firms preferred an exchange rate of 105 yen or weaker.

The yen's quick decline against the dollar in September prompted Finance Minister Taro Aso and other policymakers to warn that rapid moves in foreign exchange are undesirable though he added that the then levels of 108109 were not that weak.

Eisuke Sakakibara, who led both yen-selling and yen-buying interventions as Japan's currency czar in the 1990s, told Reuters this month that authorities would have to step in if the U.S. currency surged to between 115 and 120 yen, although he does not expect such a rapid decline at present.

The last time Japanese authorities bought the yen was in 1998 when the dollar surged above 140, though economists caution that changes to the economy, including the impact of fuel costs and deflation mean that level cannot be seen as a yardstick today.

Asked to forecast yen moves for the next 12 months, almost 60% of firms said they saw it moving between 100 and 110, while 35% projected a range of 110-120.

The survey, conducted for Reuters

by Nikkei Research, also showed that only 20% of firms think the economy - bruised by a sales tax hike this year - is ready to weather a second such tax hike planned for next year. Thirtythree percent say it won't cope while the rest declined to say either way. The result highlights a tough choice for Abe when he makes a final decision on the tax in December. l

Why markets ignore good news from US to focus on bad news from Europe n Reuters One thing we can say for sure is that it is not the slightly weaker-than-expected retail sales that triggered the mayhem on Wall Street on Wednesday morning.

Most US economic data have actually been quite strong in the month since Wall Street peaked on Sept 19.

So to find an economic rationale for the biggest stock-market decline since 2011, we have to consider two other explanations.

The first is the collapse of oil prices, down almost 30% since late June in response to Saudi Arabia's apparent decision to wreck the economics of US shale oil. Falling oil prices are generally beneficial for the world economy - and for most businesses outside the energy sector. But investors now fleeing from natural-resource stocks will take time to recycle their money into other industries, such as airlines, retailers and auto manufacturers. Until this rotation happens, the plunging oil shares, a process visible, drag down broad stock-market indices almost every day in the past two weeks, especially in the last hour of trading.

If falling oil prices were the main causes of the market setback, it would not be a big problem. There is, however, a far more worrying explanation: Europe.

Not just the obvious weakness of the European economy, but the inability or unwillingness of European Union policymakers to agree on a sensible response.

Europe's economic weakness was already evident several months ago when the Ukrainian crisis and Russian sanctions broke the momentum of German industrial growth, which had been a rare bright spot in the continent's economic outlook.

But investors and business leaders were not too worried by the prospect of a sanctions-related slowdown in Germany because they assumed that Europe's politicians and central bankers would respond with stimulative policies similar to the ones that had pulled the US economy out of several "soft patches" in the past five years. Because of this confidence in policy stimulus, global and US stock markets were able to keep hitting new records in the summer, despite bad news from Europe.

For most of the period since 2008, Europe's miserable economic performance did not seem to bother investors - as long as the US economy was doing all right. Even at the height of the euro crisis, global stock-market performance

DILBERT

has been more influenced by the gyrations of US economic statistics and Federal Reserve policy than by anything happening in Greece, Italy or the European Central Bank.

In the past few weeks, however, bad news from Europe seems suddenly to be having far more impact than the generally positive news from the United States, where economic growth is accelerating and expectations of interest rate hikes have been pushed back from next spring to September or beyond.

Why has this happened?

In previous columns, I have explained the lockstep gyrations of the US economy and global stock markets by the demonstration effects of US monetary and fiscal policy. Because the United States pioneered the policy responses to the 2008 economic crisis - quantitative easing, nearzero interest rates and unprecedented budget deficits - investors assumed that the success or failure of these policies in the U.S. economy today would eventually spread to the rest of the world.

When the US economy seemed to be moving toward a sustainable expansion, it seemed reasonable to suppose that the rest of the world would follow, with a lag of a year or two. When, however, US growth suffered an unexpected setback as it did last winter and in the summers of 2011 and 2012 - investors and businesses would turn pessimistic around the world.

After all, if the United States was unable to pull convincingly out of recession after $3.5tn of quantitative easing, five years of near-zero interest rates and budget deficits worth 10% of gross domestic product, what hope could there be for other countries implementing half-hearted versions of the same program?

Once each of these U.S. growth scares turned out to be just a temporary aberration, bullish sentiment returned.

Not only on Wall Street, but also in Europe and emerging markets, on the view that if monetary and fiscal stimulus were shown to be working in the U.S. economy, other governments and central banks would eventually follow similar policies and achieve similar results.

Now it appears that this linkage may have broken. The European Central Bank bitterly disappointed investors who had expected the bank to follow the Federal Reserve's example and announce dramatic monetary measures, combined with a convincing recapitalization of the European banking system, at European Central Bank President Mario Draghi's press conference on Oct 2. l