26 Nov, 2014

Agrahayan 12, 1421 Safar 2, 1436 Regd No DA 6238 Vol 2, No 232

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

20 pages plus 8-page Treehouse children’s supplement | Price: Tk12

TREEHOUSE

B1 | BUSINESS

11 | OP-ED

12 | SPORT

WORD ON THE STREET: I’M READY!

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY MAY FACE SETBACK

WHOSE FAULT IS IT?

TIGERS LOOK TO SECURE SERIES AS VISITORS EYE SURVIVAL

Latif drama ends at jail gate Islamist parties call off shutdown and agitation following court order Ahmed, Ashif Islam Shaon n Tanim and Md Sanaul Islam Tipu Dropped from the cabinet and the ruling Awami League, lawmaker Abdul Latif Siddique had his way finally.

Until then, the confusion over his whereabouts or fate only thickened over the last two days.

His disappearance immediately after he had arrived at the Dhaka airport, his lawyer’s U-turn about his knowledge of Latif’s whereabouts and a tense parliament session where senior MPs demanded his arrest did not help matters at all.

Latif ordered to jail by a Dhaka court yesterday, but at the entrance of the Dhaka Central Jail, this five-time lawmaker refused to go in through the side entrance.

He stood at the jail gate swarming with the law enforcers in their blue and green uniform. Television cameras zoomed on the Tangail MP’s face evidently from far away. He stood there for almost 20 minutes saying, he was still an MP and must not be treated as a common criminal.

“I have never gone in through any gate but this one. I will not use the other entrance,” Latif said.

Eventually, the jailer came out himself to escort him into the jail. The doors opened just a few feet to let him in.

A number of journalists asked him about his reaction to the court’s verdict that sent him to jail, as Latif stood at the jail gate still. But he did not answer any of them.

Metropolitan Magistrate Atiqur Rahman ordered that the former telecom minister be sent to jail for hurting religious sentiments. Latif did not appeal for bail.

When the court asked Latif whether

WAR CRIMES APPEALS

Scope for review petition open n Ahmed Zayeef

Expelled minister Abdul Latif Siddique being taken to Dhaka Central Jail upon surrender yesterday

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

he had appointed a lawyer, he said: “I have not given anyone the power of attorney, nor will I appoint any lawyer.”

The 71-year-old politician said he would represent himself.

Earlier, he was arrested after he had surrendered at Dhanmondi police station.

OC Helal Uddin said Latif reached the station by car around 1:35pm. “We escorted him to the court straightaway.” The former minster did not even get off his car, he said.

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Latif ‘defends’ himself

The former minister reached a crowded magistrate court amid tight security around 2pm yesterday. Proceedings began within half an hour the better part of which he spent in the court lock up.

Security measures were in place at the court teeming with lawyers and observers as the news of his arrest spread.

When the court asked Latif what he had to say for himself, Siddique said: “Let me hear what the complaint is.

Then I will answer.”

Complainant ANM Abed Raja, a proBNP lawyer, began with his submission.

“I know his family, and his father. I had no personal relation with him but I knew his brother personally. He has hurt the religious sentiments of all Muslims in the world. He should be punished.”

The court responded saying that the accused had not sought bail and since he had no lawyer, he would be sent to jail. Latif did not get any opportunity to defend himself at that point.

The Supreme Court yesterday cleared the way for both the government and the convicted war criminals to seek review of the apex court verdict, removing confusion over the issue through the release of its full judgement on the review petitions of executed war criminal Abdul Quader Molla.

According to the judgement, both the parties will now be allowed to file a review petition within 15 days since the delivery of the full verdict in the appeals cases. The verdict will not be executed until the hearing on review petitions end.

The court said the jail code provision of seven days or 21 days would not be applicable in executing the sentence.

Another convicted Jamaat-e-Islami leader Kamaruzzaman, whose death penalty was upheld by the Supreme Court on November 3, can move a review petition within 15 days after he receives the certified copy of the judgement or be informed about it.

On the other hand, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam yesterday said they would now think about filing a review petition after getting full judgement of war criminal Delawar Hossain Sayedee’s case.

Jamaat leader Sayedee’s death sentence was committed to life imprisonment by the Appellate Division.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court had dismissed Quader Molla’s review petitions, as there was no error in the judgement delivered by it on the appeals, filed by him and the government, challenging the International Crimes Tribunal verdict of February 5 last year.

Natural gas sector to get master plan

331 jaywalkers fined Tk24,095 for violating traffic rules

n Aminur Rahman Rasel

n Abu Hayat Mahmud

A master plan for natural gas resources is in the offing as the government lays out a new development strategy for the sector, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said yesterday.

He did not disclose when the master plan would be published.

“We want to bring the management of the gas sector under a new master plan. Gas is being misused because of supplies to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations. This misuse of the re-

‘We will invest $20bn to install power plants over the next five years’ source is leading towards a gas deficit,” he said at a seminar at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital.

The Awami League sub-committee on publicity and publications organised the seminar titled “Alokito Bangladesh.”

“The biggest blunder of the BNP – Jamaat regime with regard to the energy sector was to set up CNG stations on a massive scale by grabbing government land,” he said.

“Now we think there should be better management in the sector. We will try to supply more CNG to public transport vehicles instead of to private vehicles,” he said.

“We have already planned to install pre-paid gas metres to reduce corruption and waste in the power and gas sectors,” he said.

“Pre-paid metres have already been installed in many areas to limit the waste of electricity and gas,” he said.

The state minister said digitisation was under way in his ministry to control corruption.

“We favour the adjustment of gas and power prices. That does not mean that the government is hiking prices,” he said.

“We sent two proposals regarding gas and power to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to adjust the prices,” he said.

He said currently the price of gas covers merely the extraction and distribution cost of the commodity, not the commodity value itself.

With regard to power, the rise in production costs will drive a rise in electricity prices, he said.

The final decision in this regard, however, will be taken by the BERC, he added.

“We will invest $20bn to install power plants over the next five years.

“Of that amount, $10bn will come from foreign investors,” he said.

During the last five years, $5.2bn has already been invested in the power sector while projects with a value of $8.5bn are currently being implemented, Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, the prime minister’s power, energy  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police yesterday charged 331 people with Tk24,095 in fines for violating traffic rules at three busy intersections of Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue in the capital, on the first day of a week-long drive against jaywalkers, confirmed DMP Joint Commissioner (traffic) Moslem Uddin to the Dhaka Tribune around 7:30pm, adding that no one was sentenced to jail.

As a part of ensuring pedestrian safety, two mobile courts comprising two executive magistrates and a large number of DMP officials launched the pre-announced drive yesterday, running from 8am to 7pm.

Though the drive was supposed to be conducted at four intersections between Farmgate Police Box and Hotel Ruposhi Bangla, the mobile courts worked at the Farmgate, Karwan Bazar and Banglamotor intersections.

The Dhaka Tribune talked to the executive magistrates, Md Sarwoer Alam and Abdul Kuddus, in the afternoon, and they said until then 80 jaywalkers had been fined at the Farmgate and Karwan Bazar areas, while 63 were fined in the Banglamotor area. The fine ranged from Tk20 to Tk200, Kuddus said.

Visiting the aforementioned areas, this correspondent found that traffic and pedestrian movement was quite disciplined compared to any other day.

A large number of police members were seen instructing pedestrians to use footbridges and the lone underpass in Kar-

Mixed reactions from city dwellers

Pedestrians had mixed reactions on the

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

The telecom regulator yesterday denied the government auditor’s findings that the BTRC of all government agencies has the highest level of financial irregularities, saying the interpretation does not reflect the real picture.

5 | News

With the theme “Orange Your Neighbourhood,” a 16-day programme to mark the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women commenced yesterday.

7 | Long Form

With one of the highest urban population, the development of slums did not receive proper attention from the concerned authorities.

Therefore, the situation continues to worsen.

9 | World

Visiting Nepal for a South Asia summit, Indian PM Narendra Modi dropped plans to hold rallies at the birthplaces of the Buddha and a Hindu goddess.

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

first day of the drive to strictly implement road crossing rules. Some were satisfied with the way things were going, while some others were unhappy about having to wait in queue to use the footbridges and zebra crossings.

Mohibul Alam, one of the pedestrians who was fined, thought while the initiative was good, the DMP should

2 | News

The government allotted 20 acres of land in Purbachal to Export Promotion Bureau for building a permanent venue for Dhaka International Trade Fair.

In the judgement, the court said: “As per rules of this [Appellate] Division, review petitions shall be filed within 30 days but this period of limitation is not only inconsistent with the provisions of the Act but also not applicable. We are also not unmindful that the convicted person should be given a reasonable time to file a review petition.

What is reasonable time is a matter to be considered in the context of the matter. There is no hard and fast rule in this regard.

“An aggrieved party can file a review petition against any order of the [war crimes] tribunal within seven days as per Rules framed by it. In the courts of small causes, a period of 15 days

Five people arrested by RAB for the murder of Rajshahi University Professor Shafiul, yesterday refused to confess before court, although only two days ago they had admitted their crime before the media.

Alamgir Hossain, investigation officer of the murder case, produced Ariful Islam Manik, Abdus Samad Pintu, Shirajul Islam Kalu, Sabuj and Mamun before several courts in Rajshahi around 2pm yesterday to record their statements under section 164 of the penal code.

With the same purpose, he also placed a blacksmith named Amal Karmakar arrested in Bogra who allegedly made the machete used for killing the professor.

They were all given time to think before they were brought for the recording of their statements. In the end, they all refused to confess and later, the courts sent all of them to jail.

Manik and Sabuj were taken to Magistrate Khalid Hasan Khan’s court, Pintu and Kalu to Magistrate Sharmin Akther’s court and Mamun and Amal were placed before the court of Magistrate Jayanti Rani, court sources said.

A senior official of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police told the Dhaka Tribune that as the suspects arrested by RAB had refused to confess before

INSIDE

4 | News

‘This has been done with a view to securing finality of litigation’

Suspects arrested

by RAB refuse to confess before magistrate Jamil Khan and n Mohammad Sourav Habib, from Rajshahi

Pedestrians queue up to pay fines to a mobile court set up to stop jaywalking in the capital.

With a view to ensuring safety, two DMP mobile courts led by magistrates launched the week-long drive against unruly pedestrians yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN wan Bazar to cross the roads. Besides, traffic police also explained how to use the zebra crossings to pedestrians.

DMP Commissioner Benazir Ahmed visited Karwan Bazar intersection to observe the progress of the drive around noon and expressed satisfaction.

Known as “Butcher of Mirpur,” Molla filed the appeal seeking acquittal of the war crimes charges while the government sought his death penalty. The tribunal 2 had sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Full text of the 65-page Supreme Court verdict on Molla’s review petitions was released yesterday and uploaded on the Supreme Court website after the five judges of the apex court bench, led by Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain, signed it.

The other judges are Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah, Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik.

15 | Entertainment

Three-time National Award winner Dhallywood actor Popy will soon appear in an upcoming film titled ‘Char Akkhorer Bhalobasha.’ The film is scheduled to hit the cinemas on Friday.

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

HC questions Mosharraf’s ministership n Tribune Report The High Court yesterday questioned the legality of the office held by engineer Mosharraf Hossain, as the housing and public works minister, since he is alleged to be holding a profitable position in a private company simultaneously.

The court also issued a ruling upon the authorities concerned to explain within three weeks as to how Mosharraf became a minister while holding the post of chairman of Peninsula Chittagong Limited, and why the post of the minister should not be declared vacant.

The HC asked the registrar of the Joint Stock Companies and Firms to submit the audit reports and documents on the Peninsula Chittagong in the meantime.

Mosharraf, the cabinet secretary and the registrar of the Joint Stock Companies and Firms have been made respondents to the rule.

The bench of Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice Md Ashraful Kamal issued the order after hearing a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna.

Shahdeen Malik moved for the petitioner while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and Deputy Attorney General Motaher Hossain Saju represented the state.

Panna filed the petition on November 23 as a public interest litigation mentioning that Mosharraf’s holding the post of a minister is contradictory to the constitution where it prohibits a minister and a state minister from holding any office, post or position of profit or emolument. l

War crimes report on two siblings ready n Tribune Report The investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal has finalised its report against two brothers for their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity including the killing of 11 people in Kishoreganj during the 1971 Liberation War. The accused are Nasir Uddin Ahmed alias Captain ATM Nasir, 62, a former army officer; and

Shamsuddin Ahmed, 60, a member of Kishoreganj Bar Association. Nasir is on the run.

The investigation wing made the disclosure at a press briefing on yesterday at its Dhanmondi office.

Abdul Hannan Khan, coordinator of the agency, said: “We found evidence of kidnapping, murders, loot and arson against them. We have finalised the probe report bringing five war crimes charges against them.l

Natural gas sector to get master plan  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

and mineral resources adviser, said at the seminar.

Subrata Kumar Aditya, professor of applied physics, electronics and communication engineering at Dhaka University presented the keynote paper at the seminar.

“In 2009, the power generation capacity of Bangladesh was 4,931MW. Within 6 years, the power generation capacity has grown to 10,648MW with around 68% of the population having access to electricity.

“This spectacular success was achieved using long-term, mid-term and emergency measures adopted as part of the government’s overall power and energy policy,” Subrata said.

Presided over by AL publicity and publications secretary, Hasan Mahmud, the seminar was addressed, among others, by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Tajul Islam and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Professor Ijaz Hossain. l

Suspects arrested by RAB refuse  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

the court, police would now interrogate them again following legal procedures.

On Sunday, RAB brought six people, including the five, before the media at its Dhaka headquarters and claimed that they were the planners and executors of the murder.

Pintu, former vice president of the RU unit of Chhatra Dal and now a leader of the BNP’s youth front, wanted the sociology department professor killed because he allegedly “misbehaved” with his wife Nasrin Akhter Reshma, RAB said on Sunday.

Others admitted before the media that they carried out the murder following Pintu’s orders.

Soon after the arrest of her husband, Reshma went into hiding, and contradicting RAB’s theory, Reshma told the Dhaka Tribune from her hideout on Monday that she did not know the professor.

Police, who have arrested 11 others in connection with the murder, also

differed with RAB’s version of the motive. They have been saying from the outset that Shafiul’s conflicts with his pro-Jamaat colleagues was a strong motive behind the killing.

Yesterday, RMP sought seven days from a Rajshahi court for third round of remand for Ariful Islam Sagar and Jinnah Ali, two of the 11. As the court did not give any decision regarding the remand request, they were sent to jail.

However, RMP is yet to make any decision regarding Shariful Islam, believed to be the author of an Islamist website that claimed responsibility for the killing, and a student of class eight.

Both were arrested in Bogra on Sunday.

Newly appointed RMP Commissioner Mohammad Shamsuddin said: “It does not matter what the arrestees said in our custody or anywhere else. Unless they confess under section 164 before a court, it would not make a difference.”

On November 15, Prof AKM Shafiul Islam was hacked to death in Rajshahi’s Chouddopai area. l

331 jaywalkers fined Tk24,095  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

have started with spreading awareness first.

“I know the DMP had made an announcement about it on Saturday, but it was not right to start charging fines right away. They should have taken more time to spread awareness among people,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

Shilpi Rani Das, 45, another pedestrian, said: “I was aware of the drive.

I have knee problem, which is why I cannot climb stairs, so I cannot use the footbridges. So when I tried crossing the road, a female police stopped my and told me to take the footbridge.”

Claiming it was also difficult to stand and wait in queue with her bad knee, Shilpi said: “When I informed her about my problem, she let me and some elderly people cross the road without taking the footbridge.”

The DMP commissioner had announced the launch of the drive on Saturday.

“A special mobile court will start

its operation to stop the pedestrians crossing busy roads without using footbridges and underpasses. The violators will get six-month jail and they will also have to pay a fine,” he said.

He urged the city people to extend their support to the authorities in a bid to reduce life risk and traffic mismanagement.

According to data collected by the two city corporations in the capital, there are over 50 footbridges and three underpasses in the capital.

Sadly, almost all of them remain devoid of pedestrians as most of the footbridges have been grabbed by hawkers with their makeshift shops, creating hassle for the commuters. A few of them have gone into bad shape for lack of proper supervision.

In addition, pedestrians are habituated in using the shortest way by crossing busy roads in front of moving vehicles and consequently fall victim to fatal accidents, and sometimes create unnecessary traffic blocks.l

Photojournalists climb on a ladder to get some shots of expelled minister Abdul Latif Siddique inside a Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court in the capital yesterday

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Latif drama ends at jail gate  PAGE 1 COLUMN 4

Additional public prosecutor of Fourth Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court Saiful Islam Helal at that moment interrupted saying: “We are also opposing Latif Siddique’s bail.” He requested that the court put its proceedings on hold since his senior, the public prosecutor of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court, was on his way.

The judge said: “You are not supposed to have an opportunity to speak as this is a petition case.”

The court adjourned at 2:40pm.

Lawyers, mostly with BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami leanings, hurled abuses at Latif as he was being taken away to prison. They demonstrated and showed their shoes and spat in Latif’s direction as the prison van started for the Dhaka Central Jail around 3pm.

20-minute jail gate drama

The prison van reached the jail gate around 3:25pm. The VIP prisoner was taken to the entrance but he refused to go in by a side entrance. He demanded that the main gates be opened for him.

“I never got in or out through this ‘pocket gate’ in the last 30 years,” he told the policemen escorting him.

The pocket gate is generally used for common criminals. The main gates are opened only occasionally when prison vans and cars need to go in or come out.

The officials tried to convince Latif but in vain. They told him that it would be hard to tackle the crowd of journalists and on-lookers if they opened the main gates. But Latif was adamant.

Assistant Commissioner of Lalbag Zone Faiz Ahmed, and the OCs of Kotowali and Chawkbazar police were seen pleading with the former minister. Seeing no other alternatives, the policemen then cordoned off the jour-

nalists as the senior politician waited in front of the main entrance.

Journalists asked Latif why he did not appoint a lawyer, why he did not appeal for bail and whether he was content with the court order. Latif, in a white shirt and black trousers, only smiled at them. There was no answer.

The Dhaka Central Jail superintendent, Farman Ali, came out and escorted Latif inside through the main gate around 3:45pm.

It took a former minister barely two hours to land in jail from the time of his surrender.

Farman later told Dhaka Tribune: “Jail super or jailers can open the main gate on special occasions or reasons.

[This time] it was done to control the situation.”

Drama over whereabouts

Latif had gone to India after his controversial remarks in the US. He returned to Dhaka on Sunday evening on a flight from Kolkata in West Bengal and immediately disappeared after exiting the airport which in turn gave rise to much speculation.

The plot, as it were, thickened as Latif’s lawyer Nurul Islam Sujon made a U-turn within a span of just an hour.

He had told a TV station that his client would appeal for an anticipatory bail at the High Court, implying knowledge of his whereabouts.

But Sujon denied having any such knowledge as soon as the news item flashed across TV screens as breaking news.

Before he surrendered, the police said they could not trace Latif, who had arrest warrants in several cases for hurting religious sentiments.

Monday evening’s parliamentary session saw several senior MPs de-

manding his arrest and sacking as lawmaker. There was heated discussion about Latif’s hurting religious sentiments.

In the meantime, radical Islamist platform Hefazat-e-Islam and BNP-ally Islami Oikyo Jote threatened to call a nationwide strike for Thursday if he was not arrested by today. However, the programmes were called off following the court order that sent him to jail.

The Islamists also thanked the government for taking action.

On Monday, a Dhaka court directed the Ramna OC to arrest Latif in connection with a case filed for hurting religious sentiments while Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond filed a public interest litigation suit with the High Court seeking its directive on arresting Latif within 24 hours.

More than a dozen other cases have been filed against Latif for his derogatory remarks of September 28 at a meeting in New York. On that day, he remarked on Hajj, Ijtema and the PM’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Following the remarks, he was sacked from the cabinet as ICT, post and telecom minister on October 12.

His Presidium and primary membership in the ruling Awami League was also annulled soon after.

The Awami League has made it clear that the party would not take responsibility of its former policymaker’s statements. Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said: “He is on his own.”

Radical Islamist groups such as Hefazat and other political parties inclduing Jamaat-e-Islami started demanding that the government bring him back and try. Hefazat chief Shah Amhad Shafi and his close associates also declared a bounty of Tk5 lakh

for Latif’s head, according to an intelligence report.

Latif’s sermons

Latif had said much resource and manpower is wasted during Hajj, at the September 28 programme in the USA. “More than 20 lakh people have gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. They do not work or produce anything. They only drain the resources of the country.

“Some 20 lakh Tablighi Jamaat people get together annually [in Tongi].

They also do not do any work, except for halting traffic movement in the whole country.”

He also criticised Prime Minister’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and his “supposed” role in the government.

When the ruling party demanded an explanation from Latif, he defended himself saying the party had dropped the word “Muslim” from its name way back in 1955 to give it a secular character.

Moreover, the party ensured freedom of speech and expression through its constitution. And so, Latif claimed, he could express his feelings about any issue. Awami League found his reply unsatisfactory and expelled him.

In an interview with the BBC Bangla soon after his remarks, Latif said he was firm on his stance about Hajj. He also denied to resign saying: “I will only follow the directives of the prime minister.”

Shouldering responsibility for his comments, he said: “I commented on Hajj as a liberal and modern human being. I only said what I believe. It might hurt some people...they are also expressing their opinions and hurting me. I thought I was in a free world [outside Bangladesh] where everyone is like a bird. I did not know that there are many black cats here too.”l

Scope for review petition open  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

limitation is provided for filing review petition from its judgement.”

It said: “This has been done with a view to securing finality of litigation.

In some cases it has been observed that if this bar of time is not placed on the power of review it would mean that a judgement can never become final.

Taking into consideration the surrounding circumstances it is our considered view that 15 days’ time will be a reasonable time. This will secure the ends of justice.

“It must be borne in mind that, by assumption, every judgement passed by a court is a considered and solemn decision on all points arising out of the case, and further that every reason compels towards the grant of finality in respect of such judgements delivered by a court which sits at the apex of the judicial system.”

The judges observed that a review could not be equated with an appeal.

“It does not confer a right in any way to a litigant. It is now settled point of law that a review of an earlier order is not permissible unless the court is satisfied that material error manifest on the face of the order undermines its soundness or results in miscarriage of justice.

“A review of judgement in a case is a serious step and the court is reluctant to invoke its power – it is only where a glaring omission or patent mistake or grave error has crept in by judicial fallibility. Despite there being no provision in the [tribunal] Act of 1973 for review from the judgement of this [Appellate] Division on appeal, securing ends of justice a review is maintainable.”

The court said: “In exercise of the inherent powers from the judgement of this [Appellate] Division subject to the condition that where the error is so apparent and patent that review is necessary to avoid miscarriage of justice and not otherwise, and the execution of a sentence shall be suspended until the disposal of the review petition if the same is filed within the period as above.”

Saying that the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 was a special law, the judges said: “It is distinguishable from other special laws in operation because this piece of legislation has been protected in respect of detention, prosecution and punishment of any person, who is a member of any armed or defence or auxiliary forces or any individual, group of individuals or organisation who is a prisoner of war for genocide, crimes against humanity or

war crimes and other crimes under international law.

“Under the Act, such person cannot challenge the legality of the proceedings on any of the grounds contained in Articles 26, 27, 28, 31, 35, 44 by resorting to Article 102 or other provisions of the Constitution.”

The judges observed that the intention of safeguarding the tribunal law was obvious as “it is promulgated for trial of a person who has committed offences of crimes against humanity or war crimes and other crimes under international law.

“There is, however, no prohibition either expressly or by implication to move a review petition from the judgement of this [Appellate] Division on appeal from the judgement of the tribunal. A plain reading of this non-obstante clause of the Constitution will manifest that a review petition from the judgement of this [Appellate] Division passed on appeal from the judgement of the tribunal has not been ousted. Alternatively, it may be said the power of this [Appellate] Division as the appellate forum to review its judgement has not been ousted either directly or indirectly by Article 47A(2).”

According to the provision, the trial of a case should be concluded expedi-

tiously, and “the tribunal shall guard that any irrelevant issue or statement should not be allowed to be raised which may cause unreasonable delay in the disposal of a case.

“Section 13 of the Act restricts adjournment of the trial of a case unless the tribunal is of the opinion that the adjournment is necessary in the interest of justice, that is to say, the tribunal shall not allow any unnecessary adjournment of the trial of a case.

“Even a time limit for disposal of an appeal has been specifically mentioned. Of course, this time limit is not mandatory. A combined reading of these provisions suggests the intention of the legislature that the trial of offences specified in the Act of 1973 should be concluded as early as possible. The object is obvious.”

The top court also said: “There is already delay in undertaking the trial of the offenders of crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes etc. because of political polarisation in the country after the killing of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

“People of the country want that the perpetrators of these heinous offences should be brought to justice and that the real story of our liberation struggle should be reflected in our nation’s history without distortion.” l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

BTRC: Government may go for thirdparty audit of Airtel share transfer n Muhammad Zahidul Islam The telecom regulator yesterday denied the government auditor’s findings that the BTRC of all government agencies has the highest level of financial irregularities, saying the interpretation does not reflect the real picture.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, however, agreed that there could be irregularities in Airtel share transfer – as detected by the comptroller and auditor general’s (CAG) office – but it said the incident could be further audited by a third party.

At a press conference at his office yesterday, BTRC Chairman Sunil Kanti Bose said the then commission had made decisions according to the audit report of Warid Telecom.

“Based on the CAG’s findings, if the government thinks a third party audit can resolve the issue, we welcome that, but we cannot do it ourselves,” he said.

The CAG audit report released on Monday said the government had lost around Tk76.96 crore in Warid’s 70% share transfer to Airtel in 2010 as the then BTRC had imposed lower fees violating an act. The audit report is to be placed in parliament soon.

The CAG office conducted the spe-

cial audit on the BTRC from 2001-02 to 2009-10 fiscal years that revealed that the government had lost Tk2,628 crore in revenues because of several financial irregularities.

‘The BTRC is not perfect and we do have our limitations. But the audit findings we are talking about can be resolved in the Public Accounts Committee of parliament. So, before that it would not be fair to say we are at the top in irregularities’ According to the report, during the transfer of 70% stake in January 2010, Warid manipulated its share price to evade the transfer fee, as the Tk100 face value of each share was shown at Tk0.06 just before the transfer. At that time, Warid transferred 114,474,640 shares to Airtel worth Tk68.68 lakh without the permission from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

On February 25 that year, however, Warid increased the number of shares from 200 million to 470 million and transferred additional 259,828,057 shares to Airtel at a rate of Tk79.82.

“In a month’s gap, the share price rose to Tk79.82 from Tk0.06, which makes it clear that the devaluation of share price had been intended to evade government tax,” the CAG audit report said.

On January 4, 2010, the BTRC had permitted Warid to sell 70% of its stakes for only $100,000 (around Tk70 lakh).

It withdrew the 5.5% revenue-sharing decision on February 8 that year.

But after three years Warid transferred the remaining 30% shares for $85 million, which is 2,000 times higher than the previous transfer value, according to the document available with the Dhaka Tribune.

After the CAG’s press conference, which also covered other issues of the BTRC, the commission chairman said: “The CAG might have his own reasons, but the way it is mentioned that the BTRC has the highest financial irregularities could give a misleading picture.”

The CAG had said the BTRC topped in terms of financial irregularities among

17 government agencies audited.

“The CAG had offered on several occasions to run an audit by a third party but we did not go for one as there was no official order,” Sunil Kanti Bose told the press conference yesterday.

Replying to a question, he said: “There is no way you can say the share transfer [from Warid to Airtel] was illegal. According to documents, everything was okay and the then BTRC made decisions based on those papers.”

He said there might be some information gap between the CAG and the BTRC. “The BTRC cannot directly communicate with the CAG office. It has to go through the telecom ministry,” he said.

Asked if he thinks the audit report is incorrect, Sunil said: “The BTRC is not perfect and we do have our limitations.

But the audit findings we are talking about can be resolved in the Public Accounts Committee of parliament. So, before that it would not be fair to say we are at the top in irregularities.”

The CAG report said the BTRC had not fined illegal businesses of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) on different occasions and failed to collect spectrum charges, licence fees, share transaction fees violating its own rules. l

Arrested RSO leaders, including Pakistani national, sent to Dhaka n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong The five arrested in Chittagong on suspicion of militant connection, including a Pakistani national and two top leaders of Myanmar sectarian outfit Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), were sent to Dhaka yesterday for intensive interrogation.

Banaz Kumar Majumdar, additional commissioner (crime and operation) at Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), confirmed it to the Dhaka Tribune and said the detainees would be interrogated by a joint interrogation team, comprising high police officials from Dhaka and Chittagong, in the capital.

Until the filing of this report, the interrogation team was yet to be finalised, but the additional commissioner said they were looking into the case seriously due to its connection with national security.

The detainees were brought to the capital via two microbuses escorted by two police patrol vehicles, starting from the CMP Headquarters around 4:30pm and received by a team of officials at Dhaka Metropolitan Police, the CMP official said.

The five – RSO leaders Salamatul-

Two pedestrians caught in a drive against jaywalkers in Bangla Motor area in the capital yesterday being taken to a mobile court. The foot-over bridge suddenly becomes crowded as pedestrians use it to avoid being fined

Finance Minister AMA Muhith slates dual role of businessmen

Court orders exhumation of Shamarukh’s body

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

A Dhaka court yesterday ordered the deputy commissioner of Jessore to exhume the body of Dr Shamarukh Mahjabin Kona, daughter-in-law of former Awami League Lawmaker Khan Tipu Sultan, for a fresh postmortem.

Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Bikash Kumar Saha passed the order responding to a petition filed by Shamarukh’s father Nurul Islam, also the complainant.

The court also ordered the Jessore DC to appoint an executive magistrate for the exhumation and form a three-member committee including a civil surgeon from Jessore to conduct the autopsy.

On November 23, Shamarukh Mahjabin’s family members and relatives rejected the postmortem report prepared by the Dhaka Medical College Forensic Department and alleged the report had been doctored.

The postmortem, prepared by DMC Assistant Professor Sohel Mahmud, suggested that the death was a case of suicide.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith in parliament yesterday criticised the dual role of businessmen and industrialists saying that businessmen always speak in favour of reducing bank interest rates but the same person acts otherwise as a bank director.

“An understanding is necessary between businessmen and bank directors to reduce interest rates of bank loans,” he said replying to a query of a lawmaker.

The finance minister also said: “Businessmen and industrialists should limit their greed and avarice. At present the government has no plan to increase the interest rate of securities.”

“But, the government is contemplating on fixing the interest rate of securities at a reasonable level because of a fall in the bank rate,” Muhith said replying to a question posed by Hazi Mohammad Selim.

Two lawmakers – one from Jatiya Party and the other an Independent

MP, questioned on what action the government had taken against the culprits who looted thousands of crores of taka from the state-run banks including the Basic Bank.

Muhith in reply, dodged replying the two questions. He said supplementary questions of the two lawmakers are not relevant with their star-marked questions.

He also said there is a star-marked question on the issue where he responded. But no such question was found in yesterday’s schedule of business.

Responding to another query, the finance minister said: “Reports of Pay and Service Commission-2013 would be submitted by December 15 this year and the pay scale would be implemented soon after the commission report is received.”

On the question of how much money has been laundered in last 10 years, the minister said that they do not have any information on it.

“Bangladesh Financial Intelligence

Unit is working round the clock to stop money laundering. But the unit does not have any information on that. Process is going on to sign memoranda of understanding with different countries in this regard.”

Replying to another question, the minister said the government received commitment of $5,845.11 million from various foreign agencies and countries in 2013-14.

“Of the money, $5,344.80m will come as a loan while US$ 500.31m will be donated,” he added.

When asked whether BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko had taken any loan from the state-run banks he said the amount of unpaid bank loan taken by the duo is Tk40.14 crore.

He also said they took the loan from Sonali Bank, after their business organisation named Dandy Dying Ltd. According to the government database of September 2014, they are yet to repay the loan, he said. l

n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

On November 20, a Dhaka court sent Humayun Sultan Shadab, son of the Jessore ex-MP, to jail in connection with a case filed for killing his doctor wife.

After the completion of Humayun’s three-day remand, the investigation officer of the case made a request to keep him confined for the sake of proper investigation.

On November 14, Humayun was arrested for allegedly murdering his 24-year-old wife Dr Shamarukh Mahjabin Kona.

On November 16, Dhanmondi Police Station Sub-Inspector Kazi Shariful Islam, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, produced Humayun before the court and sought a 10-day police remand.

Meanwhile, the High Court granted anticipatory bail to Tipu Sultan and his wife Jesmin Ara for four weeks in the case on November 16.

Kona’s father Nurul Islam, an assistant PDB engineer in Jessore, filed the murder case against Humayun alleging that her daughter was murdered by her husband and in-laws. l

13 Chhatra League members sued over JU clashes n JU Correspondent Thirteen Jahangirnagar University unit Bangladesh Chhatra League members have been sued over an attack on four members of a rival faction of the organisation on Sunday.

The case was filed with the Ashulia police station Sunday at midnight by Faizul Kabir, father of attack victim Md Adel Al Noman, according to acting officer-in-charge Badrul Alam.

On Sunday, followers of Moulana Bhashani Hall unit BCL president Faisal Ahmed Shakil attacked Md Adel Al Noman, Kishor Das, Md Ekhtekhairuzzaman Sanjay and Shanto Kumar Nath, all followers of hall unit former BCL

general secretary Aninda Baroi in retaliation for a clash on August 20.

Noman was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Renaissance Hospital in Dhaka with severe injuries, while the other injured men were admitted to Enam Medical College and Hospital in Savar, sources said.

Previously, on August 20, Aninda Baroi’s faction attacked Faisal Ahmed Shakil’s group bidding to establish dominance over the dormitory.

That clash left 10 BCL leaders and activists belonging to Shakil’s side severely injured. The BCL central committee immediately disbanded the Moulana Bhashani Hall committee because of the incident, sources said.

Noman’s father, Faizur Rahman, filed a case against six leaders and seven activists of the JU unit Chhatra

‘I was in Dhaka with central Chhatra League leaders and know nothing about Sunday’s attack’ League. All are residential students of Moulana Bhashani Hall, sources said.

The sued leaders are JU unit organising secretaries, Humayun Kabir and

Murshidur Rahman Akand; assistant secretary, Mehedi Hasan; secretary of mass-education, Sohel Rana; deputy secretary of mass-education, Md Didar Hossain; and deputy secretary of human resource affairs, SM Firozur Rahman.

The case was filed against expelled geography and environment department student, Ariful Islam, and law department student, Mustakim Islam.

The other sued BCL activists are public health department third-year students, Tareq, Choyon and Zahir; and second-year students, Sohel and Jakir, sources said.

“I was in Dhaka with central Chhatra League leaders and know nothing

3

about Sunday’s attack,” JU unit BCL organising secretary and Moulana Bhashani Hall resident, Murshidur Rahman Akand, told the Dhaka Tribune.

“A case has been filed against me in order to harass me although I was not connected to the incident,” Murshidur claimed.

JU proctor, Dr Tapan Kumar Saha, said the authorities had issued showcause letters to six BCL leaders and activists; they have been given three days to respond.

“Necessary steps will be taken against the attackers after the investigation takes place and once we receive responses to the show-cause letters,” the proctor said. l

lah and Shafiullah, the later an Awami League leader in Bandarban, Mohammad Alam, the Pakistani national who is also the vice-president of Global Rohingya Centre (GRC), Saudi Arabia-returned Abdul Majid, and Mohammad Amin, teacher at a Hefazat-e-Islam madrasa – were nabbed from a Chittagong hotel by the CMP’s Detective Branch on Sunday afternoon.

They were later interrogated by a joint interrogation cell of police and detectives at the DB office in Chittagong.

After the initial interrogation, police produced the arrested before a Chittagong court on Monday and sought a 15-day remand, but the court granted a five-day remand for them, said CMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) Kazi Muttaki Ibn Minan.

During the interrogation, police found that the RSO’s Bangladesh wing might be divided into several factions.

Collecting funds for the welfare of Rohingyas, the five gathered at the hotel on Saturday night for fund distribution.

The tip-off that police received about their meeting was given by their rival factions, CMP officials told the Dhaka Tribune, requesting anonymity. l

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Order on Khaleda’s petition deferred n Tribune Report The High Court yesterday deferred the leave-to-appeal hearing on the Zia Charitable Trust case until November 30.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s councel had challenged the High Court verdict that upheld the charge framing order against her in the case.

However, a five-member bench led by Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain, which was supposed to pass an order on the appeal yesterday, did not mention any reason behind the deferral.

The ACC filed the case against Khaleda and others on August 8, 2011 During the proceedings, the chief justice asked Khaleda’s counsel Khandaker Mahbub Hossain whether they had submitted the deeds of the trust before the court. Mahbub replied it was done on Monday evening.

Justice Muzammel then said they would pass the order in the case on November 30.

Khurshid Alam Khan, lawyer for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), told the Dhaka Tribune that the court would examine the deeds before giving the order.

The ACC filed the case on August 8, 2011 against Khaleda and the charges were framed by the Special Judge’s Court 3 on March 19 this year against Khaleda and three others.

On April 23, the High Court upheld an indictment order against the BNP chief rejecting her petition. Khaleda on July 6 filed the petition with the Supreme Court against the High Court verdict.

On Monday, the Supreme Court dismissed her another petition regarding acceptance of charges and indictment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

EPB alloted 20-acre land to build DITF venue n Tribune report The government has allotted 20 acres of land in Purbachal to Export Promotion Bureau for building a permanent venue for Dhaka International Trade Fair, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said yesterday.

“We have planned to raise a permanent structure for the fair and a Chinese firm has already showed interest to finance the project,” the minister told reporters after meeting with the leaders of Bangladesh Brick Manufacturing Owners Association at his secretariat.

The Chinese company wants to in-

vest Tk273 crore in the project, he said.

Earlier, the government allotted to EPB a 15-acre land, which the authorities said was not sufficient to build the venue.

Recently, it approved 20 acres of land although the EPB was yet to be provided with land deeds.

Sources said a permanent venue for Dhaka International Trade Fair will boost EPB earning. Now EPB earns around Tk2 crore from the fair that is going to kick off from January 1.

“I saw a permanent trade fair venue and structure in Australia and in Kunming and that permanent structure helps hold a good fair.”

A couple of months ago, Chinese Yunnan Province Governor Li Jiheng showed interest to provide a piece of land in Kunming for building a permanent structure to showcase Bangladeshi products throughout the year, he cited.

Bangladesh will have unique opportunities to showcase exportable products like knit and woven garments, home textiles, handicrafts, agro-processed food, cottage products, leather and leather products, imitation jewelry and jute goods in the upcoming Kunming fair, according to business circles.

Diplomatic relation between Bangladesh and China was established in 1975. l

Women’s active role in local government a far cry

UIU gets grant to establish PV-Lab n Tribune Report

n Tribune Report

The Centre for Energy Research (CER) of United International University (UIU) will set up a Photovoltaics-Laboratory (PV-Lab) to conduct research in solar energy in the country.

The World Bank has recently a given a research grant of Tk1.10 crore to the university to establish the laboratory, said a UIU press release.

On behalf of the World Bank, the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) will disburse the grant, it said.

The IDCOL and CER has recently signed a deal in this regard.

IDCOL Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Mahmud Malik and CER Director Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury inked the deal.

The PV-Lab will conduct research for innovating PV (Photovoltaic) systems and developing DC solar minigrids in the country.

It will also try to introduce local technology and equipment for using solar energy in the country. l

Non-cooperation from the male counterparts, legal constraints, lack of congenial atmosphere and awareness are the main barriers to the women representatives of the country’s local government in playing an active role and deliver the desired services, said speakers yesterday.

Some elected female members of the country’s different union parishads, shared their experiences at a dialogue session organised by the Democracy Watch, a non-government organisation working to promote women empowerment, in the capital.

“After being elected as a member, I only used to go to office and came back my home every day,” said Bithika Parveen, an elected women member of Singasalpur Union in Narail.

“Even, I did not find my name in the list of any committee. I did not know what was my duty in the first seven months of being a local government

representative,” she said.

“Aparajita, a project of of the Democracy Watch, helped me to understand my duties and responsibilities,” she added.

Many female members of the local government said most often they are ignored in decision making process by their their male counterparts and chairmen, according to the speakers.

Sometimes husbands of many female members exercise the power, on behalf of their wives, of a representative of the local government and work with the chairmen, they said.

Speaking on the occasion, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, editor-in-chief and CEO of Boishakhi TV said: “Participation of the women in the local government by election is our great achievement.

Once women of our country did not get scope for their vote. I think it has been possible by your endeavors.”

Advocate Roksana Khandakar, Ranjan Karmakar, Taleya Rahman, Aroma Datta, among others, spoke on the occasion. l

JCD post-deprived leaders give 48-hour ultimatum n Adil Sakhawat A group of post-deprived Jatiyatabadi Chatradal (JCD) activists yesterday padlocked its central central office on the third floor of BNP headquarters demanding cancellation of the newly formed JCD committee in 48 hours.

They also demanded removal Students Affairs Secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie and Assistant Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku.

About 100 JCD activists gathered in front of the BNP headquarters and

demonstrated for one hour led by former joint secretaries of JCD Tarikul Islam Titu and Ferdous Munna. They also demanded removal of the newly formed committee’s President Razib Ahshan and General Secretary Akramul Hasan.

Among the demonstrated leaders and activists former vice- president of JCD Torun De said: “If our demands are not met in 48 hours we will go for tougher programme.”

Party’s Chairperson Khaleda Zia on October 14 approved the 201-member new committee mentioning the names

of 153 persons. Protesting the move, a group of student leaders started staging demonstrations the following day.

On October 15, they hurled several handmade bombs in front of the BNP’s Nayapaltan office and brought out a procession demanding cancellation of the new committee. Not only the post-deprived ones but many other leaders despite getting posts in the new committee, have directly expressed dissatisfaction demanding cancellation of the committee terming it a “pocket committee of the central leaders.” l

Zia Haider Rahman at BracU

n Tribune Report The art of creative writing is a way of introspection on the human expressions, emotions and experiences, said Zia Haider Rahman, the writer of “In the Light of What we Know”.

In a stimulating conversation with noted writer and academic Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam, Zia Haider shared his observation of the writing process, his transition from an investment banker and human rights lawyer into a fiction writer.

The Department of English and Humanities of Brac University organised the programme on the campus on Monday, said a press release. l

2 AUW students gets Unilever scholarship

n Tribune Report Two students of Asian University for Women (AUW) Chittagong have been selected for the Unilever Scholarship at the university this year.

The students are Fariha Mostafa and Kazi Sumaitra Nahar. Under the scholarship, the students will avail full academic expenses for their undergraduate programme during the academic year 2014-18 at the AUW, said a press release. l

Awami League lawmaker Col (retd) Faruk Khan led an eight-member parliamentary team from Bangladesh to a meeting with BJP Vice-President BS Yeddyurappa at the latter’s office in Delhi yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

JS representatives meet BJP VP n Tribune Report A Bangladesh parliamentary team in a meeting with India’s ruling BJP yesterday stressed the need for discussions to solve the yet unresolved bilateral issues quickly.

Led by Col (retd) Faruk Khan, the eight-member lawmakers’ team met BJP Vice-President BS Yeddyurappa at the latter’s office on Ashoka Road in Delhi in the afternoon.

They discussed the issues of common interests and steps needed to improve bilateral ties. They also agreed that the two neighbouring countries should work together to resist international terrorism.

Yeddyurappa hoped that the

pending issues could be addressed through dialogues.

Earlier in the day the lawmakers, who went to India on November 22, visited Vivekananda International Foundation and held an hour-long meeting with top officials and its members who include defence officers, politicians, economists among other noted citizens.

Later the visiting team met with Shashi Tharoor, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Border Issues, and joined a lunch.

Around 20 members of the Lok Sabha and other representatives joined the event when the border issues were discussed.

After the meeting with Yeddyurappa,

the Bangladesh delegation participated in a discussion with Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha M Thambidurai over tea. They emphasised on the need of regular visit of parliamentarians of both the countries.

Other members of the Bangladesh delegation are Whip Iqbalur Rahim, and lawmakers Kazi Nabil Ahmed, Pankaj Debnath, Mustafa Lutfullah, Naheem Razzak, Mahjabeen Khaled and Shafiqul Islam Shimul. The team also include Mohammad A Arafat and Sujit Nandi.

After their arrival in India, the team met with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the first day and Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Monday.l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women yesterday, UNFPA brought out a bicycle rally in the capital

BCL men obstruct PWD tendering process n Our Correspondent, Barisal Activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student front of the ruling Awami League, yesterday drove contractors away from Public Work Department (PWD) offices in the city as they tried to submit tenders.

The contractors were at the office to submit tender documents for public works projects worth Tk46.20cr under five different packages. They said they were barred from submitting their papers and were chased off the premises.

BCL men led by Jasimuddin, city unit president, Asim Dewan, city unit secretary and Liton Mia, a ward level leader of the BCL, barred general contractors from dropping off tender documents into a box placed in the PWD executive engineer’s office.

The BCL leaders and activists beat contractors up, and drove them out of

the PWD premises.

One contractor, asking to remain anonymous, said the interference by BCL men caused him to miss the noon deadline for submissions.

Inspector Sakhawat Hossain, officer-in-charge of Kotwali police station, claimed that police controlled the situation and closed the entrance gate after ousting the trouble makers.

Jasimuddin, Barisal city unit BCL president, acknowledged that he with his friends went to the PWD office, but denied barring anyone from submitting tenders.

“If such a thing was done, the person who did it must not have been a BCL man,” he said.

Zakir Hosain, executive engineer of PWD Barisal, said the procedure had been completed as per the rules and regulations and were not affected by incidents occurring outside the office. l

BCL man hurt in factional clash n CU Correspondent At least one activist was injured in a clash between factions of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Chittagong University (CU) yesterday.

Police lobbed 18 tear gas canisters to control the situation, leaving a second year accounting student injured. He was admitted to the university’s medical centre.

Police sources said the clash ensued at a dormitory between Varsity Express (VX) loyal to Chittagong city unit AL President ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhruy and Sixty Nine group of city unit AL General Secretary AJM Nasir Uddin around 4pm.

Hathazari police station OC Md Ismail Hossain said that the clash was over a trifling matter.

Campus sources said there was a scuffle between VX man Anwar and the other group’s member Raihan over queuing in Agrani Bank on the campus while they were depositing money.

Enraged by the matter, VX men equipped with weapons later clashed with the members of Sixty Nine.

Organising Secretary of the CU unit BCL Alamgir Tipu said the clash appeared due to a misunderstanding. l

n Syeda Samira Sadeque With the theme “Orange Your Neighbourhood” to herald a bright future without violence, a 16-day programme to mark the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women commenced across the country.

As a part of the programme, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organised a bicycle rally to raise awareness about gender-based violence in the capital yesterday.

Some 150 volunteers and activists wearing orange coloured t-shirts and caps gathered at the National Press Club premises.

After a brief opening session, campaigners set off to different parts of the capital to collect recommendations from people of all sections of society on how to address the problem.

Women and Children Affairs Secretary Tariq-ul-Islam, among others, attended the inaugural session.

In collaboration with the government and development partners, UNFPA Bangladesh facilitated the programme.

n UNB

WEATHER

DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 5:11PM SUN RISES 6:20AM FORECAST FOR TODAY 28 29 27 28 28 28 30 29

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

18 18 12 13 13 15 14 20

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

30.1ºC Teknaf

11.3ºC Rajshahi

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

5:02am 6:20am 11:46am 3:34pm 5:10pm 6:30 pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

“Our focus is mainly on the elimination of all forms of violence. Our target population is the youth, so we organised the bicycle rally,” said Asma Akter, national programme officer of communication at UNFPA Bangladesh.

“They need to know about this issue,” she said.

“We will collect suggestions from 14-year-old children to elderly rickshaw-pullers,” she said.

According to a report by rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra, there were 455 cases of rape and 72 cases of attempted rape in the country this year.

Some 35 per cent of women and girls globally experience some form of physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, according to a UNFPA report.

UNFPA began the international campaign to address violence against women in 1991. Since then, more than 5,179 groups have taken part in it across 187 countries.

At the residence of a foreign envoy in the capital, acid survivors gathered together for a cultural event as part of the day’s celebrations.

“After a few months of treatment at

the Acid Survivors’ Foundation, I went back to my studies because I decided I would not let this stop me,” said Neela, an acid survivor at the cultural event to show solidarity with Bangladeshi acid survivors.

The event was hosted by Canadian High Commissioner Heather Cruden in celebration of The International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, which was celebrated across the world yesterday.

“When societies miss out on the contributions of fifty percent of their population, they deny themselves sustainable development, social justice, peace and security, and the whole world suffers,” said Cruden during the reception.

“The whole suffers when women and girls are not given an equal voice,” she said.

The event was hosted at the Canadian ambassador’s residence, and featured a cultural programme where members of the Acid Survivors’ Foundation (ASF) held singing and dance performances.

A candle-lighting ceremony was held to mark solidarity with the survivors. l

Rebel group again locks JCD central office

A fire gutted 14 shanties in Bahaddarhat area in Chittagong yesterday.

No casualty was reported in the incident, said Agrabad Fire Service and Civil Defence sources.

Deputy Assistant Director of the Fire Service Abdul Malek said: “Around 7pm, the fire originated from an electric short circuit at a shop in Baruiyapara of Bahaddarhat and engulfed adjacent houses.”

Three from Agrabad, Kalurghat and Lama Bazar fire stations doused the flames after about an hour’s efforts, he said.

The loss caused by the fire could not be estimated immediately, he added. l

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26

MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Int'l Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women observances begin

14 shanties gutted in Chittagong n FM Mizanur Rahaman

DRY WEATHER LIKELY

5

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Traffic movement through a lane of Dhanmondi, an area accommodating a number of educational institutions, literally comes to a standstill during morning hours as several vehicles carrying school going children clog the streets. Moreover, illegal parking of private cars by the roadside worsens the situation RAJIB DHAR

4 arrested for looting tourists; SI closed n Tribune Report Police yesterday arrested four people for their alleged involvement in the looting of valuables of five tourists, including three female ones, after assaulting them near Mahipur fish port in Kalapara upazila.

In another development, in-charge of Mahipur police investigation centre sub-inspector (SI) Kashem has been closed to Patuakhali Police Lines for his negligence in duty.

The arrestees were identified as Khokon, Nurul Haque, Alamgir and Dulal, reports UNB SI Monir Hossain, who replaced SI Kashem, told UNB that they conducted drives in Mahipur, Hajipur, Tulatali, Alipur and other villages in the upazila and arrested the four named in the FIR. Detectives were looking for other suspects, including mastermind Sohag, son of Mahipur union parishad chairman and union Awami League

president Abdul Malek Akond, he said.

According to the FIR, a group of 15-16 miscreants in a trawler swooped on a tourist trawler near Mahipur fish port on November 21 and demanded Tk 50,000 from the tourists while they were returning to Kuakata sea beach.

As the tourists could not give the money, they were held hostage by the attackers.

The attackers forced the tourists Champa, Liza, Nazma, Ibrahim and Mizanur -- to land on the bank of a canal near Mahipur fish port, tied their hands and legs with rope and assaulted them indiscriminately with iron rods and pipes.

They looted gold ornaments, mobile phone sets and cash from the tourists.

At one state, the hoodlums tried to take two of the female tourists to a nearby jungle apparently to violate them.

However, locals rescued the tourists with the help of police by the time. l

Aggrieved Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists, deprived of posts in its new committee, again locked their headquarters on the third floor of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office yesterday demanding that the new committee be dissolved.

Their demands also include removal of BNP student affairs secretaries Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee and his deputy Sultan Salahuddin Tuku.

Witnesses said nearly a hundred dissident JCD leaders and activists, led by Tariqul Islam Titu and Ferdous Munna and Tarun De, took position in front of the BNP central office around 3:30 pm and chanted slogans against the new committee and Anee and Tuku.

They threatened that they will have no other option but to announce tougher action programmes on Thurs-

day if their demands are not met within the next 48 hours.

Earlier on October 18, the JCD office was padlocked by dissident JCD men.

On October 14, BNP chief Khaleda Zia approved a 201-member partial committee of the party’s student body with Rajib Ahsan as president and Akramul Hasan the general secretary.

But the JCD men, got deprived of posts in the committee, started staging demonstrations in front of the Nayapaltan office from the following day and continued it until BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam’s intervention on October 19.

After nearly one month’s pause, the rebel JCD group resumed their demonstrations in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office on November 17 as their demands went unheeded despite Fakhrul’s assurance. l

VC: DU to protest assault on females n DU Correspondent Any form of violence against women will be strongly opposed inside the campus, said Dhaka University (DU) Vice-Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique yesterday, at a ceremony arranged to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

DU Department of Women and Gender Studies and Bangladesh Mahila Parishad jointly organised the session under the theme: “Protesting violence

against women in educational institutions” and was held at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla.

“No one will be spared if found assaulting a female. We have already taken punitive action against those who were accused in such cases. They will either be expelled or forced into leave,” said the VC. He urged students to be more cautious in protecting women’s rights and pay due respect to women in the building of a civilised society.

Several programmes including rallies, discussions, and teacher-student meets will take place during the next 15 days as part of the celebration.

Chairperson of DU Department of Women and Gender Studies Prof Tania Haque presided over the session with where the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad President Ayesha Khanam was present.

Later they brought out a colourful procession that marched through the different streets inside the campus. l

Extortion reported against DU security members n DU Correspondent Charges of extortion by two security members of the Dhaka University (DU) have been brought to the concerned authorities concerned yesterday.

It was learnt that these persons were assigned to accompany the proctorial team of the university, On Monday night the duo had taken money from two visitors including a journalist from the Fuller Road area.

The victims submitted a complaint to the university Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique.

Abu Saimun and his girl friend were seated talking to each other at a corner of the road. The security members had questioned why there were there and extorted around Tk9,000.

When he had refused to give the money, Abu Saimun said that the two at one stage, had threatened to hand the couple over to the police. He fur-

ther said that they would take legal action against the misdeed if the does not take any action.

One of the two accused named Shahadat denied the allegation hurled against him saying that: “The couple were involved in illegal activities on the university premises and that was why we told asked to leave.”

DU’s acting proctor Amzad Ali said action would be taken against the accused if found guilty after an investigation. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Authorities collecting unusual SSC exam fees from students

Apiculture changing lives in Moulvibazar

n Our Correspondent, Shariatpur

Honeybee farmer Azad Mia is a household name in Islam union of Kamalganj upazila in Moulvibazar. Thanks to him, apiculture has revolutionised the union encouraging at least eighty families to take up honeybee farming as a livelihood.

It all began when Azad Mia, at the age of 18, started collecting honey from forests as a hobby. The young, restless heart of Azad Mia used to spend time in the forests looking for flowers, bees and closely observing the buzzing beehives.

Without any training, he soon learnt how to hunt for honey by not harming the bees and the hive. He used the ancient method of honey collection by creating smoke. Sometimes, he succeeded in collecting honey but most often he returned empty handed. Whatever honey he would collect, he would sell them at a good price in the market.

Soon, Azad Mia came to be known as the honey collector in the union.

However, it was not until 1998 that he took the hobby as a profession as he found an effective and better way of collecting honey. He accidentally caught a queen bee and was amazed to see how other bees were following her. He brought the queen bee home and put her in a box. Soon a hive was formed in that box and only in four months, he was able to collect eight kg of honey from there.

This has encouraged him to catch more queen bees, make more boxes and begin honeybee farming. In 2000, the number of boxes rose to 17 and he was able to sell honey worth Tk2.5 lakh.

According to Azad Mia, honeybee farming was the easiest way of earning money. Only one time investment is needed and a single box can yield more profit than rice production in a five bigha land in a year. Moreover, it is not only the honey that is in demand. Azad Mia has also been selling boxes with queen bee for Tk6,000 each.

With the profit from honeybee farming, Azad Mia was able to buy land, upgrade his house, look after a family of 9 and marry off two of his daughters quite comfortably.

Seeing such drastic development of

The Sidda High School authorities in Damudya upazila here have charged fees seven times the usual from the students going to sit for the SSC examinations next year.

It was also alleged that the followers of the president of the school’s management committee, former Sidda union unit Awami League president Alauddin Amin and Headmaster Habibur Rahman Tota physically harassed some students when they disclosed the matter to the local journalists.

It was learnt that 24 of 46 students came out successful in the SSC test ex-

aminations and the school authorities allowed all of them to register for the public examination. But the unsuccessful students had to pay up to Tk15,000 instead of Tk6,000 as the exam fee.

The amount for the successful students was Tk5,000.

Many victims disclosed the matter to local journalists, during which Alauddin’s son Zia Amin ran into the students and threatened them of dire consequence. Later, Zia along with some others beat up two students – Shaon and Rafique – going to their residence and even they allegedly confined a student to a classroom of the school after torturing.

At one stage, they threatened the students that they would not be allowed to sit in the upcoming SSC examinations. All the victims informed the matter to the local education officer over mobile phone.

When asked, the school’s Headmaster Habibur acknowledged the allegation, saying they just acted as per the decision of the management committee. He, however, refused to make any remarks on the allegation of physical harassment of students and to disclose the figure of the fees collected from SSC examinees.

When contacted, Alauddin said they had directed to collect Tk15,000 from

those who failed in more than five subjects in the test exams – Tk10,000 as security and the rest for the registration, he added.

Damudya Education Officer SM Gias Uddin said the board had fixed SSC fee at Tk1,400, yet the school authorities can demand a little bit more to arrange coaching facilities for the students.

About torturing the students, the officer said he had been informed of the matter and he had warned the headmaster and the management committee president over phone of taking legal action against them if the allegations were found true after investigation. l

4 to die for killing minor boy n Our Correspondent, Netrakona

A court in the district yesterday sentenced four people to death for killing a minor boy after abduction in Durgapur upazila in 2013.

The convicts are Saidul Islam, 32, son of Samsuddin, his brother AlAmin, 30, Abdur Rashid, 30, son of late Abdul Jabbar, and Rafiqul Islam, 31, son of Nur Hossain. All of them hail from Chak Langura village in the upazila.

The court also fined them Tk25,000 each.

According to the prosecution, the convicts kidnapped Emon Ahmed, 10, of the village on 19 August, 2013 and demanded Tk1 lakh and one tola of gold as ransom for his release.

As their demand went unheeded, the kidnappers killed the boy the following day.

A case was filed with Durgapur police station in this regard and police submitted charge sheet against the four after investigation.

After examining the records and witnesses, judge of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Dr AKM Abul Kasem handed down the verdict. l

Activists of Kormojibi Nari, Gori Samota and Manusher Jonno jointly form a human chain yesterday in Zero point area at Saheb Bazar under Rajshai marking the International Day of against Women Repression AZAHAR UDDIN

3 arrested over AL leader killing n Our Correspondent, Jessore

Police arrested three persons on Monday night from Dohor Mashiyati village under Abhaynagar upazila in Jessore over local Awami League leader Mollah Oliur murder.

The arrested are Zahidul Islam Rubel, son of Tofail Ahmed of North Damoder village under Fultola upazila, Shishir Kumar Bishwas, son of Narayan Chandra Bishwas, and Suchitra Rani

Mandal, wife of Durjoy Kumar Mandal, of Dohor Mashiyati village under Abhaynagar upazila. Superintendent of Police Anisur Rahman confirmed it in a press briefing.

He said: “After the killing incident, we form five combine team of detective branch of police, Abhaynagar police station and Monirampur police station, which operated several drives in the areas.”

In that time, police arrested Rubel

from Shishir’s resident. Police detained according to the confession of Shishir and recovered two rifles, 18 bullets and a motor bike that used while killing Oliur, he added. The official said, Rubel confessed of shooting the AL leader but he said they were being hired.

Officer-in-Charge of Abhaynagar police station Choiruddin Ahmed said deceased wife Nurjahan Begum filed a murder case against unidentified criminals. l

n Our Correspondent, Moulvibazar

Azad Mia, many families in the union started to follow his footstep. There are now at least 250 boxes in the villages of Islampur and Adampur union. Each box produces about five to 25 kg of honey and each kg is sold from Tk600 to Tk800. Since honeybee farming requires less investment and almost no effort – once the box is set up, rest of the crucial work is done by the bees – many people have taken it up as the only profession.

Furkan Mia of Maddhyabhag village said Azad Mia was a role model for many of them. “He inspired and taught us to start honeybee farming,” said Furkan. The same sentiment was resonated by Altaf Mahmud, a primary school teacher and also a honeybee farmer. He said their union had become a hub for many wholesale businessmen coming from other parts of the district.

Only one time investment is needed and a single box can yield more profit than rice production in a five bigha land in a year Apart from the financial profit, apiculture has significant contribution to the ecology. Foraging of bee for nectar and pollen leads to cross-pollination of crop plants. Bees also protect crops and fruits from pests. The villagers said since the honeybee farming began, production of seasonal fruits and crops had also gone up.

To foster unity and exchange knowledge, honeybee farmers of the Islampur and Adampur unions have recently formed an association. Azad Mia is the general secretary of this association, while Altaf Mahmud is the president.

They said the association was a big step forward in institutionalising the honeybee farming in the unions.

Mohd Zahidul Islam Mia, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Kamalganj said: “There was conference in August with the honeybee farmers and small entrepreneurs of Kamalganj upazila.” l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

7

Slumming it up Addressing the needs of slum dwellers, a prerequisite for urban development

NASHIRUL ISLAM

W

n Mohammed Norul Alam Raju e reached Hazi Nurun Nabi colony, at the very tail of Chittagong, at noon on a hot, humid, sunny day. The day being the first of the week, we expected the men to be away at work, children attending their schools. As women are the most significant participants of our project, we wanted to talk to them specifically.

But soon we were proven wrong.

We found hundreds of dwellers ready to welcome us at the colony gate.

Children were playing around, some of them engaged in their household works. As the time went by, it be-

With one of the highest urban population, the development of slums did not receive proper attention from the concerned authorities.

Therefore, the situation continues to worsen

NAME OF CITY

NO OF SLUMS

Dhaka

4966

Chittagong

1814

Rajshahi

520

Khulna

641

Sylhet

756

Source: CUS, 2005

came clear why all these people were waiting for us. They were eagerly waiting to tell their stories: their story of deprivation from fundamental constitutional rights. Before telling their story, a brief look is required on the urbanisation process and the slum situation in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh, a predominantly rural country, is undergoing a transformation toward urbanisation at a remarkable pace. Its urban population has grown at an yearly average rate of 6% since independence, at a time when national population growth was 2.2%. As a result urban population has grown six-folds compared to 70% increase in rural population.

Currently, around 40 million people in Bangladesh live in urban areas, out of which 21% live below the poverty line (UNDP, 2014). On the contrary, urbanisation has been more concentrated in the few largest cities of Bangladesh.

More than half of the urban population live in the four largest cities of the country, e.g. Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Khulna, resulting in immense burden on the cities in terms of ensuring available supply of basic utilities, standard living condition, and proper education for the new generation.

As per a 2005 survey, total 52,33,217 people are living in slums in the six major divisional cities of the country.

While the actual figure is unknown the number becomes much higher if all the cities are counted for.

Dhaka was still occupying the first position in terms of living slum household, which was 64.6%. Chittagong secured the second position among other divisional cities. Of these, Chittagong is the most densely populated and rapidly expanding cities in Bangladesh, turning into the commercial capital of the country over time.

Currently, a total of 1,814 slums exist (CUS, 2005) in Chittagong with 20% increase rate from 1997. 1,032 people live in per acre compared to 94 persons in other parts of the city.

The trend of slum numbers and dwellers, both is upward; the increased rate of migration of rural poor to urban areas is affecting the infrastructure of the city while there is a huge gap in planning to accommodate them.

This excess population is creating pressure on sanitation, power, transportation, education, health,

nutrition and environment of the city.

The migrants are also endangering city life with an increase in anti-social activities which starts from the slums and spreads to the whole city.

How many have migrated from other parts of the country, what are the reasons behind their migration? During discussions, the dwellers replied, majority of slum dwellers and floating people belong to the group that has migrated from elsewhere to Dhaka.

A research by Centre for Urban Studies (CUS, 2005) proved the statement. The research found eight reasons for migration to slum areas.

While 39.53% of slum households are migrating for jobs, 17.2% due to river bank erosion and around 20 % for meager income. Weak job sectors in rural areas are also pushing them to the cities.

In slum areas, the significant problems consist of inadequate and insecure houses for the dwellers, serious crisis in ensuring hygiene, sanitation and water facilities, difficulties in accessing employment, made worse by having little or no social protection, particularly of the children.

The slum people have very limited access to adequate health services and education opportunities due to proper attention by the authorities, scarcity of resources, unavailable education facilities adjacent to the slums. The high costs bar access to private schools for education.

Our field survey reveals that only two tube wells and three chamber bathrooms serve 152 households with more than 800 people at Hazi Nurun Nabi Colony in Chittagong. Hygiene issue comes as a burning point in slum areas with many of the slum dwellers defecating in open spaces.

Most of the toilets are linked to adjacent canals or rivers so that the human waste can merge with flowing waters; meanwhile, dwellers are using this same water for cooking, washing their cloths, washing cooking pots and bathing.

The education scenario is the most devastating among all other basic needs in slums. It was found that hundreds of children are moving around aimlessly during school time with no one there to ask them to go to school.

According to an UNESCO report (Global Education Monitoring Report, 2010), education figures for slums in Dhaka are among the worst in the South-Asian countries. The scenario

They don’t need any charity or special programmes; slum dwellers expect to have recognition of their existence and their contribution to the city

is either similar or worse in all other cities of the country.

Childhood immunisation in Dhaka slum households has been reported at 51-76%. The report reveals some informal schools run by non-governmental organisations playing an important function in slums in Bangladesh.

As reasons for the inaccessibility to education, the community and parents cite unavailability of government primary schools in the adjacent areas of the slums and the cost barrier to private schools.

Among many others, lack of awareness among the guardians to send their children to school, concern to protect the child from kidnapping, and children engaged in work are other major reasons for the high rate of out of school children in the slum areas.

With one of the highest urban population, the development of slums did not receive proper attention from the concerned authorities. Therefore, the situation continues to worsen for an increasing number of urban poor, increased numbers of slum and colonies, serious crisis in basic needs, undisciplined mechanism in waste management which ultimately affects the whole of the cities.

The tendency of considering the slum dwellers “unrecognised” downplays the whole problem although the slum dwellers are rightful citizens of the country. Another key factor is land ownership. The number of government-owned slums are decreasing over time while privately-owned slums are increasing; accordingly, living conditions vary enormously across the different slums, even when average incomes are similar.

In this context, comprehensive and integrated efforts are highly required, both from the government and NGOs involving stakeholders from city

corporation, other service providing agencies, slum dwellers and the house owners in order to strengthen capacity of the dwellers, make them aware of their rights, facillitate access to basic needs of water, sanitation, and education, develop a comprehensive waste management mechanism, protect children from violence and exploitation.

Slum dwellers are rightful citizens of the nation and their rights are protected by the constitution of Bangladesh. Slum people hope for better lives; their dreams are similar to those everywhere. Many of the families shared they don’t need any charity or special programmes; they have the talent to compete with everyone.

Slum dwellers expect to have recognition of their existence and their contribution to the city. As we, the urban people, cannot imagine even a single day without having a rickshaw on street, grocery at the roadside, house servants helping us every busy morning, it is high time to count them, help them in getting their basic needs.

To achieve this, a clear urban sector policy is the next critical step. l Mohammed Norul Alam Raju is national urban coordinator at World Vision Bangladesh.

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Clockwise: (1) A line of police officers prepares to advance on protestors during a demonstration in Oakland, (2) A demonstrator sits in front of a street fire during a demonstration following the grand jury decision in the Ferguson, Missouri shooting of Michael Brown, (3) Protesters lie down in a major intersection to block traffic (4) James Cartmill, of Veterans for Peace, holds an American flag upside down, to indicate distress, during a demonstration in Oakland, yesterday, following the grand jury decision in the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri AFP/REUTERS

NO INDICTMENT IN GRAND JURY DECISION

Ferguson burns in fury n AP, Ferguson, Mo Chaos returned to the streets of Ferguson after a grand jury declined to indict a white police officer in the death of Michael Brown – a decision that enraged protesters who set fire to buildings and cars and looted businesses in the area where the unarmed, black 18-year-old was fatally shot.

Monday night’s destruction appeared to be much worse than last summer’s protests, with at least a dozen businesses badly damaged or destroyed. Authorities reported hearing hundreds of gunshots, which for a time prevented fire crews from fighting the flames.

Jon Belmar, chief of the St. Louis County police, said that unless his agency could bring in 10,000 officers, “I don’t think we can prevent folks who really are intent on destroying a community.”

The grand jury’s decision means that officer Darren Wilson, who is white, will not face any state criminal charges for killing Brown, whose death inflamed deep racial tensions between many black Americans and police.

Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCull-

och said the jury of nine whites and three blacks met on 25 separate days over three months, hearing more than 70 hours of testimony from about 60 witnesses, including three medical examiners and experts on blood, toxicology and firearms.

“They are the only people that have heard and examined every witness and every piece of evidence,” he said, adding that the jurors “poured their hearts and soul into this process.”

In the first flash of unrest after the grand jury announcement, Belmar said he told officers to back off, suggesting they handle the situation as if it were a festival or baseball game. But the situation quickly “spun out of control,” as protesters looted businesses and set fire to numerous vehicles, including at least two police cars.

Officers eventually lobbed tear gas from inside armored vehicles to disperse crowds. There were at least 29 arrests, police said.

As McCulloch read his statement, Michael Brown’s mother, Lesley McSpadden, sat atop a vehicle listening to a broadcast of the announcement.

When she heard the decision, she burst

into tears and began screaming before being whisked away by supporters.

The crowd with her erupted in anger, converging on the barricade where police in riot gear were standing. They pushed down the barricade and began pelting police with objects, including a bullhorn. Officers stood their ground.

Speaking for nearly 45 minutes, a defensive McCulloch repeatedly cited what he said were inconsistencies and erroneous accounts from witnesses.

When asked by a reporter whether any of the accounts amount to perjury, he said, “I think they truly believe that’s what they saw, but they didn’t.”

The prosecutor also was critical of the media, saying “the most significant challenge” for his office was a “24-hour news cycle and an insatiable appetite for something – for anything – to talk about.”

In his statement, McCulloch never mentioned that Brown was unarmed when he was killed.

Brown’s family released a statement saying they were “profoundly disappointed” in the decision but asked that the public “channel your frustration in ways that will make a positive change.

We need to work together to fix the

system that allowed this to happen.”

Shortly after the announcement, authorities released more than 1,000 pages of grand jury documents, including Wilson’s testimony. Wilson told jurors that he initially encountered Brown and a friend walking in a street and, when he told them to move to a sidewalk, Brown responded with an expletive.

Wilson then noticed that Brown had a handful of cigars, “and that’s when it clicked for me,” he said, referring to a radio report minutes earlier of a robbery at a nearby convenience store.

Wilson said he asked a dispatcher to send additional police, then backed his vehicle up in front of Brown and his friend. As he tried to open the door, Wilson said Brown slammed it back shut. The officer said he then pushed Brown with the door and Brown hit him in the face.

Asked why he felt the need to pull his gun, Wilson told grand jurors he was concerned another punch to his face could “knock me out or worse.”

Regardless of the outcome of those investigations, Brown’s family could also file a wrongful-death lawsuit against Wilson. l

Force of the law meets the law of force n Reuters US police are under pressure not only for the killing of an unarmed teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, for which a grand jury decided on Monday not to indict the police officer, but also for the military-style response to the sometimes violent protests that followed.

The sight in August of police in camouflage gear, backed up by armoured vehicles and brandishing assault rifles, was a reminder that some US police departments have recently acquired US military-surplus hardware from wars abroad.

Yet many other law enforcers around the world have rules of engagement that allow lethal force to be used relatively freely.

Venezuela’s Interior Ministry decrees that, when peaceful methods of resolution have failed, police must warn violent demonstrators that there will be a “progressive, differentiated use of force.” While no firearms must be carried for peaceful demonstrations, when things turn violent, the emphasis is on avoiding harm to children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Afghanistan’s police, often themselves the target of armed attacks, are officially authorised to respond with weap-

Iran leader says West will not defeat Iran

Russia gets greater control over Black Sea region n AP, Moscow Russia tightened its control Monday over Georgia’s breakaway province of Abkhazia with a new treaty envisaging closer military and economic ties with the lush sliver of land along the Black Sea. The move drew outrage and cries of “annexation” in Georgia and sent a chill through those in Abkhazia who fear that wealthy Russians will snap up their precious coastline. It also raised further suspicions in the West about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s territorial aspirations after his annexation of Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in March.

Under the treaty signed by Putin and Abkhazia’s leader in the nearby Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russian and Abkhazian forces in the territory will turn into a joint force led by a Russian commander.

Putin said Moscow will also double its subsidies to Abkhazia to about 9.3 billion rubles (over $200 million) next year.

“I’m sure that cooperation, unity and strategic partnership between Russia and Abkhazia will continue to strengthen,” he said.

“Ties with Russia offer us full security guarantees and broad opportunities for socio-economic development,” Abkhazian President Raul Khadzhimba said.

Russian troops have been deployed in Abkhazia for more than two decades since the region of 240,000 people broke away from Georgia in a separatist war in the early 1990s. Still, Monday’s agreement reflected a clear attempt by Moscow to further expand its presence and came only after a change of leadership in the territory.

Coming amid a chill in Russia-West ties over the Ukrainian crisis, the deal raised concern about Moscow’s plans. The Black Sea region has always been important for Putin, who justified the annexation of Crimea by saying it would guarantee that NATO warships would never be welcome on the peninsula, the home base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. l

ons “and explosives,” albeit only after other methods have failed, and no fewer than six warnings have been issued.

But for every regulation that gives police wide scope to use firearms, there is another code that sharply limits their use.

Mexican and Indian riot police follow defined escalation protocols that go from verbal warnings to physical constraint, tear gas, water cannon or pepper spray, rubber bullets or baton rounds, and then use of firearms.

Yet while Mexican police commanders can decide when to escalate, India’s Rapid Action Force requires approval from an on-the-spot magistrate for each new step.

Many countries spell out that any use of firearms is a last resort, though this can be defined many ways.

Britain, Serbia, Bosnia and the Philippines allow guns to be fired only if a life is at risk. Britain stands out for its insistence that “individual officers are accountable and responsible for any use of force and must be able to justify their actions in law.”

Many West European countries, meanwhile, allow firearms to be used “where necessary” to detain suspects or to prevent a serious crime. l

n AP, Tehran

Pope Francis (C) delivers his speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, during a short visit at the European Parliament yesterday REUTERS

Stop Mediterranean becoming vast cemetery n Reuters, Strasbourg, France Pope Francis told Europe’s leaders on Tuesday to do more to help thousands of migrants risking their lives trying to get into the continent, saying they had to stop the Mediterranean becoming “a vast cemetery.”

Addressing the European Parliament for the first time, Francis also said Europe should create jobs and not allow the bureaucracy of its institutions to suffocate the ideals which once

made it vibrant.

The Argentine pope has made defence of migrants and workers a key plank of his papacy. He has attacked the global economic system for failing to share wealth and chose the tiny southern Italian island of Lampedusa, which many migrants have died trying to reach, as the venue for his first trip as pontiff.

On Tuesday, he called for a Europe that “revolves not around the economy but around the sacredness of the human person.” l

Essebsi wins first presidential round, heads for run-off n

Reuters, TUNIS

Tunisian secularist leader Beji Caid Essebsi beat incumbent President Moncef Marzouki in the first round of landmark presidential elections, but the two men will have to meet again in a December run-off, early results showed on Tuesday.

Essebsi, from the Nidaa Tounes party, got 39.46 percent in Sunday’s poll, short of the needed overall majority but ahead of Marzouki, who got 33.4 percent, according to the figures.

The vote for Tunisia’s first di-

rectly-elected president marks the final step in the North African state’s transition to full democracy following a 2011 revolution that ousted long-time ruler Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. Essebsi is a former Ben Ali official and Marzouki had depicted the race as a chance for voters to reject the old guard.

More than three years since overthrowing Ben Ali’s one-party rule, Tunisia adopted a new constitution, and rival secularists and Islamist parties have largely avoided the turmoil that has plagued other Arab states. l

Iran’s Supreme Leader said Tuesday that western powers will not be able to bring the country to its knees in nuclear talks, his website reported.

“On the nuclear issue, the United States and European colonialist countries gathered and applied their entire efforts to bring the Islamic Republic to its knees but they could not and they will not,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, speaking to a group of clerics.

The remarks were the first by Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, since Iran and major global powers agreed Monday to decide by March 1 what needs to be done and on what kind of schedule. A final agreement is meant to follow four months later.

Khamenei has so far backed the nuclear negotiations. His reference to the future indicates that the extension of the talks would have his approval as well.

Earlier on Monday and in a nationwide broadcast, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani told his nation that it “has achieved a significant victory” and “negotiations will lead to a deal, sooner or later.” l

Russia won’t pursue claims against France for now over Mistral

n Reuters, Moscow Russia will not pursue claims against France for now over the Mistral warship delivery but expects the contract to be fulfilled, RIA news agency quoted Deputy Defence Minister Yuri Borisov as saying on Tuesday.

Paris said earlier in the day it was suspending considering Russia’s request to deliver the first Mistral helicopter carrier as conditions in Ukraine, which is fighting pro-Russian insurgents in the east, were not right to press ahead with it. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

9

Modi gives Buddha a miss as South Asian leaders flock to Nepal n Reuters, Kathmandu Visiting Nepal for a South Asia summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dropped plans to hold rallies at the birthplaces of the Buddha and a Hindu goddess, after controversy over whether he was gaining too much prominence inside Nepal.

Suspicion of India is common among South Asia’s smaller nations, and the sensitivies shown in Nepal would be a small reminder for Modi as he seeks to show leadership in a region scarred by ethnic and religious divides.

Modi earned some goodwill in May by inviting the region’s leaders, including arch-rival Pakistan, to his inauguration.

He will be hoping to follow up on that success during the two-day summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Kathmandu that starts on Wednesday.

SAARC summits bring together leaders from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Power integration is high on the agenda for the eight countries.

Modi had planned visits to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, and Janakpur, the birthplace of Sita, the heroine of the Hindu epic the Ramayana.

But in the past weeks, Nepal’s political parties argued over whether his rallies would draw large crowds and amount to interference in domestic politics.

On Sunday, he formally dropped visits outside Kathmandu from his plans, citing scheduling issues. Nepal’s government blamed security concerns.

“The government wanted to have the civic reception in a smaller place because controlling the crowd in a bigger ground could be a problem,”

Kashmiris turn out to vote as India’s BJP bids for power n Reuters, Ganderbal Voters lined up at polling stations in Indian Kashmir on Tuesday, ignoring a boycott call by separatists, to elect an assembly that India’s ruling nationalists are hoping to take control of for the first time.

Parliamentary elections in Jammu and Kashmir, disputed between India and Pakistan, are usually marked by the country’s lowest turn-out and heavy militant violence, exacerbating tensions in a region where tens of thousands have died in a 25-year revolt.

But on Tuesday, voters in 15 constituencies that went to the poll in the first phase of a staggered process stood in long queues to cast their choice from among a clutch of parties including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.

Some said they had come out to vote in the hope that there would be development in a region held back by years of strife and a devastating flood this year that destroyed homes and livelihoods.

Others said they were wary of the BJP and its bid to seize power in Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir that has enjoyed a special status in the Indian constitution since the Himalayan region was divided in the Partition of 1947.

“We are coming out in large numbers to vote to block the Modi wave. We feel they will erode the special status of Kashmir and change the demography of the State as BJP is working on secret agenda,” said Maroof Ahmad, 22, in Ganderbal constituency where nearly a third of voters had cast their vote by midmorning.

The BJP has little presence in the Kashmir Valley, but emboldened by Modi’s stunning victory in national elections earlier this year, it is hoping to pick most seats from the Hindu-dominated Jammu and Buddhist Ladakh parts of the state. l

Putin’s tiger the main suspect in mystery China goat deaths

n Reuters, Beijing

A Siberian tiger released into the wild

by Russian President Vladimir Putin is the main suspect in a series of goat deaths in China’s northeast, state media reported Chinese local authorities as saying on Tuesday.

Siberian tiger experts have pegged Ustin, one of three tigers freed by Putin, as the killer of two goats, the official Xinhua news agency said.

Three goats are still missing.

According to a Xinhua witness, the dead goats’ skulls had been crushed with puncture holes “the size of a human finger clearly visible.”

Ustin crossed into China in October with another of Putin’s tigers, both of which carry tracking devices, Xinhua said, adding a warning from a wildlife protection expert not to throw food at the tiger if spotted. l

Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, left, and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, receives a bouquet upon his arrival for the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Kathmandu yesterday REUTERS Prakash Adhikari, press advisor to Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, told Reuters on Tuesday.

Pakistan tensions

As at past summits, a focus of attention will be on whether the leaders of India

and Pakistan take the opportunity for talks to reduce tensions between their nuclear-armed states.

India’s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday refused to rule out a meeting between Modi and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Both were

due to arrive in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

After the initial overtures to Sharif, relations between India and Pakistan have again been punctuated by exchanges of fire on the border in disputed Kashmir.

Last month 20 people were killed.

“This is the moment for India to

SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS BREAK WORLD RECORD

Students gather to break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of Christmas elves, outside a shopping mall in central Bangkok, yesterday. As many as 1,792 of Santa’s little helpers, aged between nine and 15, donned red, green and white hats, matching T-shirts and pointy plasti REUTERS

India, Nepal to sign $1bn power deal n AFP Nepal and India will sign a deal later Tuesday to develop a $1-billion hydroelectricity project that will boost supplies in the Himalayan nation and export power to its larger neighbour, an official said.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala will witness the signing of the agreement on the sidelines of a summit of South Asian leaders and ministers underway in Kathmandu, the official said.

The deal will allow India’s stateowned Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam to construct a 900-megawatt hydropower project on Nepal’s Arun river, with electricity expected to be generated from 2021.

“This project is an important achievement for both Nepal and

India. There is a lot of excitement here to finally sign the agreement,” said Radhesh Pant, from the Nepal Investment Board, who will ink the deal.

“Our partner has a lot of experience and knowledge in this area... and Nepal will benefit from it,” Pant told AFP. The deal is the latest between the two energy-hungry countries which both suffer crippling electricity shortages and blackouts.

Nepal will receive for free about 22 percent of the power generated, while the remainder will be exported to India, according to the board.

India is investing billions of dollars to develop Nepal’s hydropower potential. Modi has sought to deepen their energy ties since coming to power in May, with the

two countries signing a power trade agreement last month.

Modi arrived Tuesday afternoon in Kathmandu for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit.

Indian infrastructure giant GMR inked a deal in September to construct Nepal’s first 900-megawatt hydropower project on the Karnali river.

A vast network of fast-flowing rivers through the Himalayas means Nepal has huge untapped hydropower resources, but disagreements over perceived threats to its sovereignty stalled earlier agreements to develop joint ventures with India.

Nepal currently produces just 750 megawatts of hydropower – less than two percent of its potential. l

China ships pay first post-Japan summit visit to disputed isles n AFP Chinese ships returned to territorial waters around islands at the centre of a dispute with Japan on Tuesday, the coastguard said, the first incursion since a Sino-Japanese summit aimed at reducing tensions.

Three Chinese coastguard vessels sailed into the 12-nautical-mile zone around the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, which China claims and calls the Diaoyus, shortly after 10:00 am (0100 GMT), the Japanese coastguard said. They left two hours later.

China’s State Oceanic Administra-

tion said in a statement on its website that Chinese coastguard vessels “patrolled Chinese territorial waters near the Diaoyu islands today.”

The move has become a familiar one over the last two years as Asia’s largest economies squabbled over the ownership of the uninhabited chain, but had not happened since a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe raised hopes of a detente.

True to form, both sides were hailing the other to warn them to leave the area, the Japanese coastguard spokesman said.

Relations between Japan and China have been in deep freeze over the ownership of the islands and what Beijing views as Japan’s rewriting of history – especially concerning World War II. After his meeting with Xi, Abe said: “Japan and China, we need each other.”

The get-together on November 10 was seen as a symbolic first step toward reconciliation, but one that was short on details.

Chinese ships last entered the islands’ territorial waters on November 3, the Japanese coastguard said. l

lead, by crafting a future for SAARC that is not held back by India-Pakistan tensions,” India’s Hindustan Times said in a leader on Tuesday.

During his first six months in power, Modi has scored a series of successes, including repairing battered ties with Wash-

ington, but relations are proving more tricky closer to home, where an assertive China has made inroads in recent years.

The summit will see a discussion led by some Nepalese lobbyists about giving China a bigger role in the SAARC group than its current observer status. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

CODE-CRACKER

Criminalising careless remarks is dangerous

W

e welcome former cabinet minister Latif Siddique surrendering himself to police on his return to the country.

He is accused in several different arrest warrants of hurting religious sentiments by making controversial remarks on his trip to New York last month.

It is right that due process should be followed under the law, particularly so if other charges are brought on other matters pertaining to allegations of irregularities during his tenure in government.

As we have said before, however, while his remarks were impolitic and worthy of dismissal by the prime minister, there is nothing about them which justifies being used as a cause for demonstrations aimed at gaining supposed political advantage.

Exploiting religion by creating a bandwagon of outrage on matters of religion is a dangerous course to follow.

We hope the law takes a rational approach to his undoubtedly controversial remarks. Aside from the obvious issue of jurisdiction as the remarks were made in the US where they definitely don’t break the law, there is also the issue of whether they broke any Bangladeshi law as well.

In our view, to criminalise careless remarks would be to set the bar for legal action dangerously low. It is relevant to consider constitutional guarantees on freedom of speech and religion.

Moreover, Section 295A is intended for far more egregious acts and statements that deliberately and maliciously hurt religious sentiment. Hence, the bringing of cases under the penal code for hurting religious sentiments appears excessive.

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

Cox’s Bazaar is no place for tourists

Take a rational approach to Latif’s remarks

Zero tolerance for campus violence

W

e welcome the prime minister’s strong support for the police in Sylhet following the gun violence between members of the Bangladesh Chhatra League which left one person dead and 20 injured at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and caused the campus to be closed.

Sheikh Hasina was right to advise the Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner to immediately arrest anyone who creates anarchy on campus, regardless of who they are, and to comment: “If they had been arrested instantly, without concern for who they were, this criminality could have been brought under control.”

Her directive acknowledges the fact which has long been recognised by the public and media, that some BCL members have often been able to break the law with impunity. It is welcome that 31 Chhatra League activists involved in the clashes have now been arrested and four cases filed.

It is vital that the government continue to set a strong tone and take a lead in helping law enforcers act promptly to prevent criminality on university campuses. Ordinary students and the public need effective protection.

As the ruling party, it has a responsibility to follow up Sajeeb Wazed Joy’s recent call to the BCL to hand in all criminals within its ranks and to take stern action against all BCL criminality.

It is not only in the public interest to take such action, it is also important for members of the ruling party who want to avoid association with the criminality which tarnishes its reputation and draws attention away from the government’s accomplishments.

It is vital that the government continue to set a strong tone and take a lead in helping law enforcers

Ekram Kabir What can be truer than this statement!

Government, please make Cox’s Bazar a real tourist’s place. :)

November 12 I wouldn’t worry about foreign tourists – we already generate enough of our own – the place is in danger of being overwhelmed regardless of where people come from. The trick is to educate all visitors and locals not to throw garbage and buy/sell endangered coral etc, and yes, to provide cultural/entertainment facilities at night, but not because of some mythical idea that tourism is going to be the saviour of Bangladesh. A growing economy will support a large tourism sector, not the other way round.

Vikram Khan Ever been to the beach in Cox’s Bazar? The environment looks really like a slum, human excreta floats in the seawater near the shore, the beach area literally stinks like an open latrine and is littered with garbage (including used needles and broken glass). Tourists are harassed by beggars and vendors (occupying the beach illegally). The beach is unsafe not only after dark but also during the day, drug use, prostitution, muggings are common, prices of all commodities are absurdly high, and most of the street food is unsafe to eat (most of the barbeque fish is rotten). Hotelowners, rickshaw drivers, “tom-tom” drivers, and street vendors are extremely rude and behave aggressively with tourists. Furthermore, the use of sea and beach scooters puts swimmers and beach tourists (especially children) in a very dangerous situation. And the authorities? Oh yes, one of the exclusive attractions in Cox’s Bazar is the beach police resting on the beach beds, taking selfies, talking on their mobiles, or smoking cigarettes while on duty.

Breadbitten Vikram Khan: The first half of your explanation makes Cox’s Bazar sound not so dissimilar to the Jersey shore … the actual place, not the braindead MTV show.

Osmania Companies and NGOs holding conferences bring in cash, and might be exactly the sort of tourism the place needs. If the main problem is unplanned development and litter, then the solution is to make ecotourism the priority and keep as much of the beach as pristine as possible.

Battle of beliefs November 12 Faizul Kabir “You have the right to think, but there are moral guidelines about how you should act.”

The philosophy of the article is okay, but the ground reality is something altogether different.

The world knows that the big powers are somehow involved in the mess in ME. They are alleged to be the ones backing the ISIS and other militant groups fighting each other, just to keep them busy and to protect the Jewish state.

The author is 100% right.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Samira Funny that I JUST visited Cox’s Bazar, and the fact that it was not a tourist haven actually felt good.

It’s distant from a lot of typical “beach-fun,” but that doesn’t mean it’s not for tourists. The author here assumes that water sports and nightlife is what tourists are looking for. Not all tourists. I don’t, at least. And no, not all tourists are sitting inside hotel/motel rooms – there are many food places, roadside deshi seafood, local shops, Burmese bazar, shutki bazar, Inani beach an hour away etc. Sure, it’s not the most happening place in the world, but there’s excitement in serenity too. Not all beaches have to be raving party plots.

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 19 represents F so fill F every time the figure 19 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.

Osmania Samira: That does actually sound good. It’s been a long time since I went, but I’d assume, with people getting wealthier, many more Bangladeshis will go there whether foreign tourists ever consider the place or not.

The article says this is already happening.

The challenge now is to protect its beauty while accommodating ever bigger numbers – there’s no alternative to doing both; we can’t seal the place off.

Guest Samira: Apart from the “dirty” thing on which I do agree with the writer, I kind of like the “Bangladeshi” feeling in Cox’s Bazar. We don’t want to make this beach like the Caribbean because it is in Bangladesh and not the Caribbean. A clean and functional beach with clean bazaars and cultural events and proper safety could actually be a nice blend of Bengali culture with a decent beach for family fun.

Tom Desavoie The day I can get a real pina colada is the day I book a ticket.

The two choices November 12 Karl Hungus “Public and private universities differ from one another in the use of modern technology.”

Private universities and public universities have their respective pros and cons, but it is good to have an option.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Expensive (4) 4 Heavenly bodies (5) 8 Dance (6) 9 Fruit (4) 11 Build (5) 12 Otherwise (4) 14 Golf mound (3) 15 Scoundrel (6) 19 Plants (6) 21 Monkey (3) 22 Swift rodent (4) 24 Pulsate (5) 27 That following (4) 29 Narcotic (6) 30 Concluded (5) 31 Therefore (4)

DOWN 1 Immerse (3) 2 Talisman (6) 3 Edges (4) 4 Prosecute (3) 5 Teaching periods (5) 6 Consumed (3) 7 Become established (6) 10 Liquor dregs (4) 13 Do wrong (3) 14 Tell tales (6) 16 Tree (3) 17 Profession (6) 18 Summit (4) 20 Run away to marry (5) 23 Poker stake (4) 25 Slender stick (3) 26 Offer (3) 28 As well (3)

Shamim Alam Karl Hungus: Yes, Mr Hungus, it is always great to have options. The more, the better.

What’s really in your water?

November 15

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER Nazmul Huda Disgusted. These so-called vendors need to be held down and beaten on the open streets in front of the public. They should be punished this way so they never again take part in such an ugly, disgusting trade.

PEANUTS

CROSSWORD

Chowdhury Aktaruzzaman Wasa’s filling water into plastic tubes, and calling it filtering water. We are fools, but we have to take action against them. Thanks.

Mehediy Mehediy Chowdhury Aktaruzzaman: But, who really cares to act? :-/ Minhaz Uddin Khan This is mineral water with a Bangla touch!

Ayan Rahman Yes, this is what we drink in Dhaka. :( Naureen Ahmed The “common” scenario of “mineral water” in our nation.

SUDOKU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Broken airways n Mohammad Ali Sattar

S

orry Mr Minister, but we are worried. We are not so worried about the emerging story of high officials of Biman being associated with smuggling, and their involvement in the heinous racket. We are more troubled by your comment that there is nothing to worry about.

The airline, which is supposed to be transporting people, has been ferrying smuggled goods

Surely, these polls were not beyond reproach

FOCUS BANGLA

Whose fault is it?

T

n Abdullah Zobair he recent remarks of the most powerful bureaucrat-turned-politician, HT Imam, drew dissatisfaction among the government’s top-brass and ruling party leaders and activists. Imam, who was the co-chairman of the Awami League election steering committee of the January 5 elections, knows better than anyone else how these elections were engineered.

He had remarked: “They [pro-AL officials] stood by us and sacrificed their lives for us. 19 of our policemen were killed brutally by Jamaat-Shibir men. They were all our men.”

The powerful adviser did not really do any wrong, but confessed the truth about the rigged, partial, manipulated elections without any interrogation, perhaps quizzed by his own soul.

In his 50-minute speech at a Chhatra League gathering at the Dhaka University campus last Wednesday, he narrated how the AL used the administration to hold the January 5 polls. To justify his comment, we can look back at the headlines of the major dailies after the January 5 polls.

Some of the newspaper headlines of January 6 were: l AL clinches two-thirds majority in virtually one-party elections: Turnout low in deadliest polls l Little effort to better turnout l Not a vote in 41 centres l Allegation of rigging: 31 candidates withdraw from race

Rigged votes, sullied elections EC fails holding accepted polls l Ruling party activists occupy polling centres l Fake ballots put ruling party in question Nothing is found in these news headlines to counter the recent comments of Imam. l l

see a participatory poll and people’s government in the country. All the accounts just testify to HT Imam’s being true.

Truth never remains in hiding, and this time, the truths about the January 5 polls and recruitment in BCS have been proven by HT Imam. His comments are not wrong to the citizens, al-

All sections of people wish to see a real and liberal democracy through participatory elections. The government must ensure a level playing field

What actually happened during the cooked polls of January 5 is illustrated by the co-chair of the AL election steering committee, HT Imam. With candidates to 154 seats declared elected unopposed, the 10th parliament was composed through a bloodbath of democratic protestors which neither gave mandate, nor an ethical stand, to govern people.

All the major political parties boycotted the pre-ordained polls for not having a level-playing field, which resulted in the poorest turnout in the democratic history of Bangladesh.

And still, no foreign country, except India, recognises the elections, and even India now says they wished to

though they scare those who occupied power by binning people’s demand for participatory elections.

In the same meeting, he assured BCL cadres that they would get help in their BCS viva voce to secure government jobs in the cadre service of public administration.

The adviser said: “We will see how much we can help you with the viva voce ... whenever I take anyone’s curriculum vitae to the prime minister, or request her to give someone a job, she asks whether the person was involved in BCL politics and also about his or her contribution to politics ... many of you [BCL activists] often request for a job … is there anyone who cares about

you more than our leader and I do? We are trying our best to ensure jobs for you … Our leader has told us to arrange jobs for you by any means.”

The politicisation in civil administration is not new, the BCS job aspirants know who gets favour in viva voce. HT Imam just said what is practiced in the Public Service Commission, though the constitution theoretically entertains equal opportunity in public employment.

Practically, however, successive governments have put a 56% quota system in recruitment, where 30% of the jobs are reserved for the wards of freedom fighters and the remaining 28% is appointed on the basis of political affiliation. So, what has he done wrong? He just naively described the procedure.

I think the clarification by the adviser in a press conference on Monday where he blamed a section of the media for broadcasting and publishing distorted and partial comments was to satisfy the government and party high-ups.

All sections of people wish to see a real and liberal democracy through participatory, free, and fair elections.

The government must ensure a level playing field for all by strengthening the Election Commission, and reaching a harmonised atmosphere, where people can exercise their constitutional right of electing their rulers. l Abdullah Zobair is Executive Director of Bangladesh Initiative for Political Development.

We recall how our finance minister rubbished the theft of nearly Tk4,000cr from a national bank by the Hall-mark group as “not much of an amount for a bank.” We are worried when people with the ultimate responsibility brush aside these robberies, as if they are nothing to worry about.

Biman is our national flag carrier. It is called our “home in the air,” for the comfort and affection it supposedly provides to the travelling passengers.

Biman flies globally. It reaches many destinations and cultures around the world, and that should have made us proud.

However, the airline, which is supposed to be transporting people and their belongings to places, has been ferrying smuggled goods for years. The criminal gang from the ground to the air has made the institution a den of thieves, smugglers, and snatchers.

The national flag carrier was expected to rise up and set an example of high-quality flying and hospitality.

It should have been a forceful revenueearning apparatus by now. The industry should have been a robust establishment of comfort, honesty, and reliability. Instead, it went on either crashing, or crash landing, for ages. The fractured institution is only a national shame now.

See the corrupt officials standing before the nation, with their darkened backdrop. The luxurious buildings in posh areas of the city and property in other parts of the country, expensive cars, etc speak for themselves – oh, the illegal wealth of these corrupt individuals!

The pertinent question is: How could they build such personal empires and acquire the luxuries with the pay that they get as their wages and perks? There are no answers. The natural reaction of the persons caught is to claim they are victims of conspiracy. They put the blame on others.

They pretend to be innocent. What mockery!

Parliament members and ministers have vented their feelings of disgust over the case. One minister informed the house that three ministers have

changed seats in the ministry, but the Biman chairman remains safely fastened to his seat. Nobody dares to challenge him. What a shame!

When I met the then concerned minister in 2011 at his residence, he also lamented over his inability to do anything about corruption in Biman.

It is nothing new that Biman has been turned into an organisation of money-minting and a source of quick bucks by way of unabated illegal trading and smuggling. The officials involved have made things so easy, that they call the shots at every point – from making schedules for the flying staff to planting people on the ground.

With dozens of law enforcing agencies employed at the airport terminal, the unlawful operations go on willfully. Think of the revenue we lose and the amount the gang makes using our national carrier.

Detective agencies report that more than 60 people belonging to Biman and Civil Aviation Authority Bangladesh (CAAB) are directly involved in the smuggling racket. Passengers are subjected to continuous harassment, and reports of lost baggage and theft have become old news.

Where do we go from here? Corrupt persons have been caught and taken into custody. Investigations are underway. The courts will decide their fate. Will we see the entire episode disappear into thin air?

The government ought to think hard this time. Every now and then, the government gets the opportunity to fine-tune a corrupted organisation.

But somehow, things don’t work out, or are neutralised somewhere along the line. If the minister is to be trusted, the cleansing operation should not be tough. If only a few are corrupt, then why should the majority of the staff experience the bad name?

Why are the proven villains allowed to roam free? We want the minister to come up with a clear plan on how to handle the situation, not only for the current happenings, but also for the overall revamping of Biman. The chairman needs to explain how and why these illicit acts go on without any measures being taken.

Why should the taxpayers pay for this?

Why should we go on allowing these colossal losses?

All the concerned departments of the airline should be forced to make their positions clear. The government should make the responsible people answer. Why should the taxpayers pay for this? Why should we go on allowing these colossal losses? l Mohammad Ali Sattar is a journalist and a DT columnist.

Mend your heart n Shusmita Khan

I

n the history of our planet, the number of megacities now is greater than ever. During the course of time, rural areas have entered industrialisation, and where that didn’t take place, rural communities experienced migration from rural to urban areas.

These socio-demographic changes have led to the formation of densely populated urban areas, and based on recent projections, the world population will likely reach 9.3 billion by the middle of this century. It is estimated that 75% of this population – approximately 7 billion people, and the equivalent of the entire world population of today – will be living in cities by the time we reach the middle of this century.

Despite the fact that urbanisation brings numerous opportunities, it also brings new and unique health challenges. So, what are the hazards of living in a city? Unfortunately, along with better livelihood opportunities and access to facilities, urbanisation also brings hazardous water environments, pollution, accidents, violence, and lastly, non communicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.

Today, a little more emphasis will

be given on CVDs since that is the major cause of death for Bangladeshi adults. CVD is a group of disorders/ diseases of the heart and blood vessels that may result in a heart attack or a stroke. The modifiable risk factors for developing CVD include smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, obesity, poor dietary habits, and physical inactivity.

Urbanisation brings opportunities, but it also brings new and unique health challenges

City living may aggravate these, along with the decreased availability of safe, green spaces for exercise and recreation, increased pressures from mass marketing of unhealthy food, and the availability of cheap but unhealthy food options.

So, what are the links between

urbanisation and heart health? Let’s look at some examples of different countries to get the lay of the land.

In China, a spatial analysis of urbanisation, migration, and CVD risk factors indicates that improved standards of living and life expectancy resulting from rapid rural to urban migration are countered by an increase in CVD risk factors.

A separate piece of research into the emergence of CVD during the urbanisation of South African countries concludes that deaths caused by stroke are likely related to an increase in hypertension, obesity, and smoking habits.

Coming back to South Asia, another study considered the relationship between heart health and urban living, and that study concluded that urbanised lifestyle, particularly when combined with other factors like undernourishment, could be a major determinant of heart disease morbidity and mortality.

Such studies and literature are significant, as the findings provide the evidence base for the impact of urban settings on heart health. When considered in context of the burden of CVD, they unmask the importance of addressing CVD risk within urban planning to protect the health, economic stability, and the sustainability

BIGSTOCK

of our future societies.

So, what is the way out? The World Health Organisation published a paper “Our Cities, Our Health, Our Future,” with detailed interventions that need to occur to achieve healthy cities.

These include: Improving the living environments in substandard housing, promoting and facilitating good nutrition and physical activity, community

action to prevent substance abuse (including tobacco consumption and alcohol abuse), and ensuring access to essential healthcare services.

Since CVDs are largely preventable, measures to decrease risk factors coupled with improved access to healthcare could save millions of lives.

However, although many stakeholders are already taking action, finite

resources mean that in many cases, the burden of CVD is outpacing actions implemented to tackle it in countries like Bangladesh.

Lack of awareness and overstretched health services mean that many people with CVD in LMICs remain undiagnosed, or cannot access the treatment they need. As the WHO explains, “bold steps” and a “scale-up” of action is needed to achieve better housing and health services for the 1 billion people who live in slums or informal settlements today, and to avoid an additional billion people living in such conditions in the next 25 years.

Such an expansion of action is beyond the scope of the health sector alone, and calls on cross-sector policymakers as well as civil society and industries to address all of the drivers of ill-health in urban environments, including agriculture, urban planning, trade, and other stakeholders.

The collaborative process necessary for effective action is complex, but is broadly encompassed within the SPACE approach: stakeholder collaboration, planning cities, access to healthcare, child-focused dialogue, and evaluation. l Shusmita Khan is the Director for NCDs in Eminence. She can be reached via Shusmita@eminence-bd.org.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE Wednesday, November 26, 2014

13 McCullum excited

at Vettori’s return, record

14 Hughes injury

a reminder of dangers

14 Argentina field

Caniggia lookalike in Brazil masters

Sport

Did you know?

Nathaniel Clyne has scored two goals in 12 PL apps this season, after managing only one in 59 PL apps before 2014-15

Tigers look to secure series as visitors eye survival n Minhaz Uddin Khan Bangladesh will target a series win against a humdrum Zimbabwe side when they lock horns against each other in the third ODI at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today. The home side will be confident heading into the match as they are in the driving seat after winning the first two ODIs, held in Chittagong.

Having experienced a torrid year prior to the start of their bilateral series against the Southern African nation, the Tigers will do just about anything and everything to clinch their first ODI series win in 2014. A win for Bangladesh today will also ensure their first ODI series victory against Zimbabwe in nearly four years.

Following a clean sweep in the three-Test series, the Tigers have been largely untroubled in the onedayers as the XI that had played the first ODI were retained for the second match.

A winning combination is rarely broken in any sport unless injuries intervene. However, the national selectors decided to drop paceman Al Amin Hossain in favour of another pacer, Shafiul Islam taking into account the former’s expensive economy rate.

There are even talks of bringing in the uncapped leg-spinner Jubair Hossain in place of pace bowler Rubel

The Bangladesh players and coaching staff in a brief meeting during their practice session at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday Hossain. Everything, however, will be decided right on the eve of the game today as the Bangladesh team man-

agement want to assess the conditions and pitch until the last moment before making a final decision on the XI.

The Tigers will bank on their openers – Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque – to give them a solid start, reminiscent

DHAKA TRIBUNE

of the second ODI last Sunday when the opening pair put on a record 158run stand.

‘There are more room for improvement’ More overs for main n Mazhar Uddin

Bangladesh one-day skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza is in no mood to relax as the spearhead is focused on securing the five-match series with a win in today’s day-night affair in Mirpur. Mashrafe insisted on improvements in certain areas while as a team he wants to maintain the jolly run they are currently enjoying after 10 months of struggle.

“I have not seen any players in a relaxing mood and if that happens it would be very unprofessional. We have prepared ourselves according to the tour schedule while we also had some time between the Tests and ODIs to shed away the tiredness,” said Mashrafe at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.

“We are yet to win the series. We have to improve in every match as I think we are not that consistent at the moment and still we have some areas where we can improve. It is important to continue the good run against the opponent who is under pressure,” he said.

The home side boast some worldclass spinners who have always played vital roles behind any success the Tigers have experienced so far. However, keeping the wet conditions in mind, the Bangladesh think-tank opted for three seamers in the first two games in Chittagong where dew caused the slow bowlers trouble while gripping the white Kookaburra.

The 31-year-old led from the front

in the second one-day match bagging 3/34 in eight overs and Mashrafe informed they will assess the conditions in Dhaka and come to a decision before the game.

Bangladesh had a pretty rough 2014, losing each and every encounter against a Test-playing nation compared to their previous year and this recent results against Zimbabwe were the much-needed antidote ahead of the 2015 ICC World Cup in February-March.

Although the veteran started off on a positive note in his third regime as captain of the Bangladesh team, Mashrafe is also aware of the areas that did not

click during the two wins. “There is no room for satisfaction and we have to improve on the areas even when we are doing well. And if I talk about consistency, our top-order failed in the first ODI while in the second match we shuffled our batting order but then again our middle order was not able to perform.

“Same goes for our bowling attack and we also fielded well but I think we have the ability to do much better.

There are areas to improve in all the departments and if we are not able to do so then it will be difficult in the World Cup,” said Mashrafe. l

n Mazhar Uddin The first outing to bat at No 3 for national all-rounder Shakib al Hasan went horribly wrong as the left-hander, who has been in sublime touch, trudged back to the dressing room with a golden duck against Zimbabwe in the second ODI in Chittagong on Sunday.

Shakib, who smashed a hundred in the opening game, was mainly promoted up the order to score some quick runs after they went off to a flier as 158 runs came

PROBABLE XIs Bangladesh Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Arafat Sunny, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain/Jubair Hossain

Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza (L) and selector Habibul Bashar are deep in conversation at SBNS yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Hughes fighting for life after being hit by ball

Abahani bow out of King’s Cup

n

Four-time professional football league champions Abahani Limited crashed out of the King’s Cup after falling to a 2-0 defeat against Indian top-flight club FC Pune in their final group match in Thimphu, Bhutan yesterday.

To progress further the Sky Blues had to win by a margin of five goals besides hoping that other results go their way.

Their opponent in the last group match headed into yesterday’s clash on the back of three consecutive wins. And following the end of the game, Pune encountered very little difficulties defeating Abahani.

Nepal A-Division League champions Manang Marshyangdi Club progressed to the last four as runners up of the group.

Manang finished their group campaign on 7 points, Abahani earned only four.

Following a goalless first half where neither of the sides scripted any clear-cut chance, Lalrempuia put Pune ahead four minutes from the end of normal time.

Luciano Sabrosa doubled the lead in the final minute from the penalty spot. l

AFP, Sydney

Australian batsman Phil Hughes was fighting for his life following emergency surgery Tuesday after he was knocked out by a bouncer in a freak incident which shocked cricket.

The 25-year-old, who is pressing for a Test recall, crashed to the ground unconscious after the heavy blow to the lower head and was rushed to hospital from the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“They’ve finished the surgeries but he’s still in a critical condition,” said David Faktor, a spokesman for St Vincent’s Hospital, where Hughes was taken. “Now they’ll just monitor him.”

Reports said he was in an induced coma in the intensive care unit and being treated to relieve pressure on his brain from bleeding.

Tim Nielsen from South Australia Cricket read out a statement.

“The outcome of the surgery is unlikely to be known for the next 24-48

batsmen, says Mashrafe

hours,” he said. “We would appreciate it if you would look after the family and friends and respect their privacy please.”

Cricket Australia said in a live match blog on its website that Hughes had “been leaving the short balls, had a go at this one, misjudged it and was hit in the head. He blacked out and fell badly”. The match was abandoned.

Medical staff worked on Hughes, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and oxygen, for more than 30 minutes before he was taken from the field. l

n

Tribune Desk

Zimbabwe Elton Chigumbura (capt), Sikandar Raza, Hamilton Masakadza, Vusi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Regis Chakabva, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Tendai Chatara, Solomon Mire, Tafadzwa Kamungozi

off the opening stand between Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque in 33 overs.

The plan, however, backfired. The hard-hitting southpaw returned for a first-ball duck which also triggered a major collapse as the hosts scrambled to 251 for seven – adding just 93 runs and losing six wickets in the remaining 17 overs.

Mominul Haque, who usually bats at three, came down at No 7 and it was his unbeaten 23-ball 33 that helped Bangladesh reach the safe total. The batting shuffle made sense, giving your in-form players the major part of the responsibility, but since the experiment backfired the question Mashrafe bin Mortaza faced yesterday was, will they still carry out this experiment in another similar situation?

“We had a plan as Shakib and Mushfiq are in good form so we are trying to give them as many overs to bat and the plan is still on if our openers can provide us good starts like the second match. We have to take the decision according to the situation and if the openers can deliver then we do not have to think much about Shakib and Mushfiq,” said Mashrafe.

“At the moment if we do not give enough opportunities to our main batsmen then it will be a big loss for the team. The decision was taken only after discussing with the player,” he said before adding that the players are all aware of the decisions taken and they are all equally informed of the plans. l

Tamim will have an added incentive to do well. The swashbuckling southpaw is 95 runs shy of 4000 ODI runs while all-rounder Shakib al Hasan, who had a disappointing time with the bat in the previous ODI, is 64 runs away from the same milestone.

In terms of the bowling department, Tigers’ ODI skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza has led from the front in both the ODIs. With better bowling conditions expected in Mirpur, the right-arm paceman will look to repeat his heroics and inspire his side to a series win.

Bangladesh’s spin unit, in the meantime, is well -stocked and is once again expected to dominate the opposition batsmen.

Meanwhile for the visitors, the third ODI will be their last-chance salon to salvage some semblence of pride.

Zimbabwe’s major worry is their batting that has failed to fire in both the ODIs. They were unable to cross 200 in either of the two ODIs. To give Bangladesh some sort of competition, the visitors require substantial contributions from their batsmen, especially the top-order.

Under these trying circumstances, Zimbabwe will no doubt be overly-dependent on opener Hamilton Masakadza and their Test captain Brendan Taylor. The veteran duo will be expected to come good in order for them to even compete, let alone win. l

BHF withdraws ban of national trio n Raihan Mahmood Bangladesh Hockey Federation officially withdrew the suspension of three national hockey players – forward Rasel Mahmud Jimmy, defender Imran Hasan Pintoo and goalkeeper Zahid Hossain – during a Governing Body meeting at the Falcon Hall of Bangladesh Air Force yesterday.

Jimmy, Pintoo and Zahid completed one year of the two-year domestic and three-year international ban handed last year due to disciplinary reasons and intentionally under performing in the 2013 Asia Cup. Pintu’s fine of Tk100,000 was also reduced to Tk25,000.

Apart from the trio, Kamruzzaman Rana (the fourth banned player) saw his ban off earlier but the four senior players will have to sign a bond saying they will never repeat such acts again.

“I realised my mistakes and I thank the federation for the withdrawal of my suspension. It comes to me as a great relief,” expressed Jimmy. “I tried to keep myself fit and I am confident of making it to the national team for the round two of World Hockey League.”

The national team will be guided by the local coaches Mamunur Rashid, Alamgir Alam and Jahid Hossain Raju and they will selecting the final squad for the event in Singapore in January. Former national stars Kamrul Islam Kismat and Rafikul Islam Kamal were named manager and assistant manager. l

We are 25 guys against a whole nation n Minhaz Uddin Khan Zimbabwe will be looking to reverse the downward spiral when they take on Bangladesh in the third of the five-ODI series at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.

The visitors are on the backfoot as the home side are leading 2-0 after back-to-back wins in Chittagong. Consequently, Zimbabwe are on the cusp of losing their first ODI series against Bangladesh in nearly four years.

Hence, the importance of the third ODI was not lost on Zimbabwe all-rounder Vusi Sibanda.

“It is pretty much [a do-or-die match], to be honest. We will look to win the game. It is a one-off game in which we have to put in everything,” Sibanda told the media yesterday.

Despite conceding a series sweep in three Tests that preceded the ODIs, Sibanda said they are still positive going into the third match today.

“The guys are still feeling positive.

They are hungry to win. So, hopefully the guys will come in tomorrow (today)

and put on a good show. We have to stay in the series,” said the 31-year-old.

“It is obviously difficult to play Bangladesh [at] their backyard. Obviously their morale is quite high. We are quite far away from home, 25 guys against a whole nation. Having said that, we have played good cricket in the past.

We will hopefully turn things around from the next game.

“How we come out with the bat tomorrow (today) will obviously depend on the day and how the wicket is playing.

What we can and have to do is stay positive and play the way we do best. We will try to come back hard,” he concluded. l

Zimbabwe players enjoy rugby during their training session at SBNS yesterday

DHAKA TRIBUNE

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Argentina drawn to face holders Uruguay in Copa

QUICK BYTES

CA to probe Clarke selection row Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland will grill Michael Clarke and national team selectors after a bizarre breakdown in communication over the injured captain’s availability for the first test against India next week. Selectors on Monday named the injured skipper in a 12-man squad for the Brisbane test with the proviso that he play a twoday tour match against the tourists starting on Friday to prove his fitness.

Hours later, Clarke, battling to recover from a hamstring injury, said he had already been ruled out of that match by the team’s medical staff and said he intended to prove his fitness by playing for his Sydney club on Saturday. The confusion grew late on Monday when Cricket Australia (CA) issued a statement siding with the selectors, and reiterating that Clarke needed to turn up for the Adelaide tour match.

–Reuters

Federer to play Hewitt in new format Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt will clash in a new shortened, faster form of the game ahead of the Australian Open that organisers Tuesday said they hope will revolutionise tennis. In a world first, the 17-time Grand Slam champion will play his long-time Australian rival in a Sydney exhibition to showcase the new concept developed by Tennis Australia.

They will face off in a best-of-five sets match on January 12 that will feature four rule variations - no advantage scoring, no service lets, tiebreakers at three games all and sets of first-to-four games. It is expected to last about half as a long as a normal five-setter.

The format has been piloted at clubs across Australia and is being billed as the Twenty20 of tennis, a reference to the fast and furious form of cricket that has proved a huge hit. Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley said he was delighted Federer was involved in promoting a new way of playing the game.

–AFP

Mourinho rules out interest in Reus Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has ruled out bringing Germany winger Marco Reus to Stamford Bridge for next season amidst speculation about the Borussia Dortmund star’s future.

Reus has a contract with Dortmund until 2017, but a release clause means he could leave last season’s Bundesliga runners-up at the end of the season for 25 million euros ($31m). Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said the Bavarian giants are interested in signing him with Premier League sides Manchester City and Arsenal also reported to be hunting his signature. But Mourinho said Premier League leaders Chelsea will not be bringing the 25-year-old to London, especially as the self-styled ‘Special One’ says he has a good relationship with Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp. “We don’t want Marco Reus, that market is closed to us and the player belongs to Borussia Dortmund,” said Mourinho at a press conference in Dusseldorf ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League group stage match against Schalke in Gelsenkirchen.

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH BTV, Gazi TV

n Reuters, Santiago

Sergio Jadue (C), president of Chile’s Football Federation, addresses the audience while standing underneath a screen showing the participating countries during the official draw for the 2015 edition of the Copa America football tournament in Vina del Mar on Monday REUTERS

Prime Bank jump to second spot Abahani stroll to win over Partex, Kalabagan KC thrash Old DOHS n Minhaz Uddin Khan Title contenders Prime Bank jumped to second position at the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League points table after defeating Dhaka giants Mohammedan by four wickets in Fatullah yesterday.

In the other matches of the fifth round yesterday, Kalabagan Krira Chakra trounced bottom-side Old DOHS by 90 runs at BKSP 4 while at BKSP 3, Abahani cantered to a six-wicket victory over Partex.

Mohammedan v Prime Bank, Fatullah

Shuvagata Hom’s all-round perfor-

mance allowed Prime Bank to pick up their fourth win of the season as they moved to second place with eight points, two behind runaway leaders Legends of Rupganj.

Batting first, Mohammedan put up a moderate 185 on the board losing eight wickets with skipper Naeem Islam scoring the highest, an unbeaten 56 off 90 balls. Shuvagata led the way with a three-wicket haul.

Later, the Prime Bank batsmen chased down the target in 43.3 overs with four wickets in hand.

This time Shuvagata chipped in with 47 off 50 balls. Opener Saykat Ali pro-

vided the early momentum by posting 46 off 65 deliveries.

Abahani v Partex, BKSP 3

Riding on Liton Kumar’s quickfire half-century, Abahani registered a six-wicket victory over Partex in a low-scoring affair.

Partex opted to bat first and were bundled out for 170 in 49.2 overs. Mehrab Hossain Jr’s 76-ball 54 was the highest of the innings. Nasir Hossain and Nazmul Apu claimed three wickets each for Abahani while Saqlain Sajib and Al Amin shared four wickets between them.

In reply, Liton’s 49-ball 64 laid the

foundation for a successful run-chase which was later confirmed by Rakibul Hasan’s unbeaten 44. Abahani reached their target in just 33.1 overs.

Old DOHS v Kalabagan KC, BKSP 4

Abdur Razzak’s four-wicket haul enabled Kalabagan KC to thump Old DOHS by 90 runs.

Batting first, Kalabagan scored 220 for the loss of eight wickets with Jehan Mubarak top-scoring with 50.

In pursuit of 221 for victory, Kalabagan KC were skittled out for 130 in 37.3 overs. Razzak scalped four wickets for just 16 runs in 7.3 overs. l

Lionel Messi’s Argentina will face holders Uruguay while Brazil will face Colombia in the group phases at the 2015 Copa America in Chile following Monday’s draw.

World Cup runners-up Argentina, top seeds in Group B in which they will also meet Paraguay and Jamaica, were beaten on penalties in the quarter-finals at the 2011 event by Uruguay.

Brazil, who will be looking to recover from their disappointing World Cup as hosts this year, are in Group C where they will also play Peru and Venezuela.

Hosts Chile were joined in Group A with Mexico, Ecuador and Bolivia at the draw in the Chilean Pacific coast resort of Vina del Mar. l

BRIEF SCORES Abahani v Partex Partex: 170 all-out in 49.2 overs (Mehrab 54, Nasir 3/23, Nazmul 3/36) Abahani: 175/4 in 33.1 overs (Liton 64, Rakibul 44*, Reazul 2/56) Abahani won by 6 wickets Mohammedan v Prime Bank Mohammedan: 185/8 in 50 overs (Naeem 56*, Shuvagata 3/39, Dilshan 2/35) Prime: 186/6 in 43.3 overs (Shuvagata 47, Saykat 46, Rahatul 3/33) Prime Bank CC won by 4 wickets Old DOHS v Kalabagan KC Kalabagan: 220/8 in 50 overs (Jehan 50, Razzak 34, Nehaduzzaman 3/58) DOHS: 130 allout in 37.3 overs (Ahasanul 32, Razzak 4/16) Kalabagan KC won by 90 runs

McCullum excited at Vettori’s return, record n AFP, Sharjah

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is excited at the prospect of veteran left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori’s return to Test cricket in the third and final Test against Pakistan in Sharjah on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old spinner was surprisingly added to the Test squad to bolster New Zealand’s chances of levelling the series they trail 1-0 after losing the first Test and drawing the second.

Vettori played last of his 112 Tests (111 for New Zealand and one for ICC World XI) in July 2012 and had all but ended his Test career due to persistent injury problems.

McCullum said it would be an achevement for Vettori to become the most-capped New Zealand player.

“We are really excited about his return,” McCullum said Tuesday. “He is the most capped player with Stephen Fleming and it is a tremendous achievement over which all are proud off.”

Vettori will overtake Fleming who also played 111 Tests for New Zealand.

McCullum said Vettori will also be part of the one-day series which follows the Test.

“It is a one-off Test situation for him as he was over here preparing for the

one-dayers.

“We think using three spinners and Dane being the third one, the workload might not be overly excessive. With the World Cup around we don’t want to break him in a one-off Test match situation and we think we can certainly manage,” said McCullum.

Vettor will replace out of form all-rounder Jimmy Neesham from the second Test XI with the other two spinners - Ish Sodhi and Mark Craig - retained.

This will be the sixth time New Zealand enter a Test with three spinners in the last 30 years, losing five of those Tests and drawing one.

McCullum said the plan to play Vettori was well debated.

“We spoked to Dane earlier in the tour. The wickets over here are so suited to spin bowling. So considering the fact it has been very hard on the bowlers, we looked at perhaps the balance of the team and we decided that a spinning all-rounder will also be handy at No.6 position.

“After seeing how fit and strong he is, which is another important point because his fitness is at a level where he feels comfortable he can operate in this Test match, and obviously the enthusiasm which he brings to the group and experience as well is great.” l

12:30PM Bangladesh v Zimbabwe 3rd ODI 7:30PM Champion Tennis League Finals 10:30PM Ram Slam Twenty20 Titans v Dolphins

Ten Cricket 12:00PM Pakistan v New Zealand 3rd Test, Day 1

Ten Action

Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Arif Khan Joy (3R), speaks during a view exchange meeting yesterday

COURTESY

Pioneer League clubs appeal for aid n Shishir Hoque

tribute financial assistance so that the clubs can groom quality footballers,” said Joy during his speech yesterday.

The tournament for the juvenile footballers is scheduled to begin on December 15 but the club representatives requested that the league be postponed due to the players’ JSC examinations.

Joy reaffirmed that an artificial turf will be installed on the Bangabandhu National Stadium outer ground, better known as Paltan ground, just for the purpose of the Pioneer Football League.l

The Pioneer Football League clubs, in a view exchange meeting yesterday, requested for financial support and playing accessories for the upcoming season. The teams also asked the relevant authorities to defer the league till the end of next month.

Besides the meeting, an introduction session between the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and club representatives of the Dhaka South and

North City Corporation Pioneer (Under-16) Football League 2014 also took place at BFF House yesterday.

Former national captain and Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Arif Khan Joy, who also happens to be the chairman of the Pioneer Football League committee, was present at the meeting and promised to provide adequate support for the tournament.

“I rate the Pioneer [Football] League very highly as it is the place to find out future stars. I will try my best to dis-

Pele back in Brazil hospital, ‘stable’ n AFP, Sao Paulo

Revenge-seeking England take on Sri Lanka

Brazilian football legend Pele was back in hospital Monday in Sao Paulo, days after he underwent surgery for kidney stones.

“Patient Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele) has been admitted for evaluation and remains in stable condition,” said a statement from Albert Einstein Hospital.

Local media reported that Pele was being treated for a urinary infection.

Pele, 74, underwent surgery November 13 for kidney stones.l

n AFP, Colombo England will look to settle scores against Sri Lanka after their bad-tempered clash earlier this year when the two sides meet in a pre-World Cup oneday series from Wednesday.

The seven-match tour has been spiced up by comments from England captain Alastair Cook that his team will try to exact revenge for the Test and oneday defeats at home. Cook’s status as captain came under heavy pressure after

the 1-0 Test defeat, and tempers frayed in the ODIs when off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake controversially ran out Jos Buttler before delivering a ball.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka are smarting from this month’s 5-0 thrashing in India in a series that was hastily arranged after the West Indies abandoned their Indian tour over a pay dispute. Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews insisted the matches will be used to recover from the morale-sapping loss and find the right combination for the World Cup. l

Rio Games choose feline as mascot

3:00PM Sri Lanka v England 1st ODI

n AFP, Rio de Janeiro

Star Sports 2 Indian Super League 12:00PM Goa v Kerala UEFA Champions League

Ten Action 11:00PM Zenit Saint Petersburg v Benfica 1:45AM Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund

Ten Sports 1:45AM Ludogorets Razgrad v Liverpool

Ten HD 1:45AM FC Basel v Real Madrid

13

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

New Zealand spinners Daniel Vettori (R) and Ish Sodhi prepare to bowl during a practice session at the Sharjah cricket stadium in Sharjah yesterday AFP

The Rio Olympic Games have their mascot, a yellow feline animal representing Brazil’s rich fauna and wildlife.

The animal is a mixture of Brazilian creatures - part cat but able to spring about like a monkey - with a dash of blue and green added to the predominant yellow in a nod to Brazil’s national colours.

The Paralympic Games mascot is a predominantly blue and green figure whose head is covered with leaves -depicting the host country’s rich vegetation as Brazil prepares to welcome the Olympics to South America for the first time.

It remains only for the public to decide on a name, choosing from a range

of options after the mascots were officially unveiled on Monday following a Sunday night TV television debut.

Games marketing director Beth Lula said the characters had been chosen after a nine-month boiling down of pro-

posals originally submitted by 24 firms before awarding the commission to Sao Paulo-based animation company Birdo Producoes -- and after a focus group of six-to-12 year-olds had rejected a first proposal.

Notwithstanding the national flavour, she admitted the mascots themselves will be made in China. China’s Honav has the licence, maintaining a relationship with the Games going back to Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

There are three pairs of options respectively for the Olympic and Paralympic figures: Oba and Eba - joyful expressions in Brazil - Tiba Tuque and Esquindim, native words, and Vinicius and Tom, after famous Brazilian musicians Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim.l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

(Clockwise from left) A combination of photos show South Australia batsman Phillip Hughes falls to the ground after being struck by New South Wales pacer Sean Abbott bouncer during their Sheffield Shield match in Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday. Later road and air ambulances arrive at the field to take him to hospital CRICINFO

Hughes injury a reminder of ‘Gentlemen’s Game’ dangers n Reuters To cricket outsiders, the “Gentleman’s Game” often conjures the image of a slow-paced summer pastime, where players barely break sweat during matches that drag on for days.

The sickening head injury that left Australia batsman Phillip Hughes in critical condition on Tuesday, however, was a brutal reminder of the sport’s ferocity.

Modern-day cricketers wear helmets and an array of protective equipment but the risks are real when players face up to balls that are roughly the same size as a baseball but harder and heavier, often travelling at speeds of over 140kph (87mph).

The extent of Hughes’s injury may not be known for days, but there is a

long list of cricketers who have suffered horrific injuries that have been career ending and sometimes fatal.

In the infamous Bodyline Series in 1932-33, the Australian wicketkeeper Bert Oldfield had his skull fractured when he was hit by a ball from English fast bowler Harold Larwood. In the 1960s, Indian captain Nari Contractor was hit in the head by a ball from West Indian paceman Charlie Griffith.

Contractor was unconscious for six days and needed a blood transfusion to survive but never played international cricket again.

Bob Willis fractured Rick McCosker’s jaw in the 1977 Centenary Test and in 1986 Mike Gatting’s nose was smashed

by Malcolm Marshall.

In 1975, New Zealander Ewen Chatfield swallowed his tongue and stopped

breathing after being hit on the temple by English fast bowler Peter Lever during a Test match.

His life was saved by English physio Bernard Thomas, who sprinted onto the field and administered CPR. Staying true to the cricketers’ gentlemanly code, Chatfield later said of Lever: “It wasn’t really his fault. I should have been able to get out of the way.

“He’s a very nice fellow.”

Just two years ago, South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher lost the lens, iris and pupil in his left eye after a being hit by a bail that flew back off the top of the wicket.

“Having looked at it on YouTube, I don’t like to look at it too much because it freaks me out a bit,” he told cricket website Cricinfo (www.espncricinfo. com). “The bail hit me in the eye and

went two centimetres back.”

Other players, however, have not been so lucky.

India’s Raman Lamba died in 1998 after being struck in the temple by a cricket ball hit by a Bangladesh batsman. He was 38.

Pakistan’s Abdul Aziz was struck on the chest by a ball, collapsed and never regained consciousness. He died on the way to the hospital, aged 17.

Cricket authorities have sought to minimise injuries by making protective equipment mandatory for some age groups and batsmen now take to the crease wearing leg guards, elbow pads, gloves and helmets.

Despite the improvements in protective wear, however, the risks to batsmen remain. Hughes was wearing a helmet on Tuesday but was still badly hurt.l

Upset Liverpool, Arsenal turn to Europe n AFP, Paris Argentina field Caniggia lookalike in Brazil masters game

Reuters, Sao Paulo n A consumer rights official has vowed to question the organisers of a masters football match after Argentina brought a lookalike rather than the advertised Claudio Caniggia to take part in a veterans game, Brazilian media reported on Monday.

Organisers promised that Sunday’s game between Brazil and Argentina would feature a host of former World Cup players - including Mauro Galvao, Edmilson and Junior Baiano for Brazil, and Roberto Sensini and Ariel Ortega for the visitors.

But none of them turned up and in place of Caniggia, famous for his distinctive long blonde hair, Argentina fielded lookalike Daniel Cordone, the former Velez Sarsfield striker who once had an unsuccessful stint at Newcastle United.

Big screens at the Dunas arena in Natal put Caniggia in the lineup but locals discovered the ruse.

One of the organisers told a TV station in Natal he was not aware the No. 7 was a fake Caniggia but Argentine players said the former River Plate, Atalanta and Boca Juniors player missed his flight.

More than 10,000 people watched the match, which finished 3-3.l

Liverpool’s Champions League campaign is on the line as they travel to Ludogorets on Wednesday where victory is crucial for both teams.

In London, Arsenal can also shake off their domestic troubles and guarantee their place in the knock-out phase when they take on already-qualified Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium.

At Madrid (ESP) v Olympiakos (GRE)

Last season’s runners-up Atletico Madrid can return to the knock-out phase with victory over Greek champions Olympiakos in the Spanish capital.

The Liga champions are coming off a 3-1 victory over Malaga on Saturday

and currently lie third in the table, just four points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Malmo (SWE) v Juventus (ITA)

Swedish outsiders Malmo, who lost the 1979 European Cup final 1-0 to Nottingham Forest, are still in control of their own destiny as they get set to host Italian champions Juventus in a crucial tie in Group A. Malmo are last in the pool on three points, and lost the away fixture in their opening match in Turin 2-0 before defeating Olympiakos for their only win so far.

Basel (SUI) v Real Madrid (ESP)

Real Madrid have already guaranteed qualification after four straight wins and will likely field a weakened line-up for the journey to second-placed Basel

who are on six points, three ahead of Liverpool and Bulgarian challengers Ludogorets Razgrad.

The Swiss, who reached the last 16 in 2012, lost 5-1 against Carlo Ancelotti’s defending champions in the opening round of matches but know at least a draw will maintain second spot ahead of their final day trip to Anfield and a showdown against Liverpool.

Paolo Sousa’s Swiss champions have lost just three times in 16 league matches this season and currently lead their domestic top flight by three points.

Ludogorets (BUL) v Liverpool (ENG)

Struggling five-time former champions Liverpool face a test of their integrity as they travel to Bulgaria and a crunch Group B clash against a Ludogorets side they only beat in the 93rd minute at home on day one thanks to a Steven Gerrard penalty.

Manager Brendan Rodgers is feeling the heat after his expensively-assembled squad slumped to 12th in the Premier League following a 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Their opponents are level on three points and a draw could mean elimination for both clubs if Basel defeat qualified Real Madrid the same night in Switzerland.

Arsenal (ENG) v Dortmund (GER)

Basel head coach Paulo Sousa (L) and goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik ride their bicycle to a training session yesterday on the eve of the UCL Group B match against Real Madrid AFP

Arsene Wenger must rally his Arsenal players, after the 2-1 Premier League defeat against Manchester United on Saturday, against a Dortmund side who are already qualified after four straight wins.

The Gunners threw away a 3-0 lead in their last outing at home to Belgian side Anderlecht where a 3-3 draw denied them their place in the last 16. l

#ThoughtsWithHughesy Prayers are with Phil Hughes and his family , wishing him all the best cracking lad !

Andrew Flintoff

Heard the news about phil hughes. Hope he recovers soon!

Sanath Jayasuriya

I can’t believe what I’ve just heard about Phil Hughes. Everything crossed for a full and speedy recovery. He’s a cracking bloke.

Graeme Swann

Don’t know how to put in to words how shattering it was to hear about Hughesy. #ThoughtsWithHughesy #prayforhughesy Glenn Maxwell

Thoughts and prayers going out to Phil Hughes. Hope to see you back on the park soon.

Morne Morkel

Sad to hear the news of Phil Hughes. My thoughts & prayers are with him. Hope he recovers quickly. Get Well Soon mate!

Shakib al Hasan

Still can’t believe what’s happened to my great mate Hughsey!

Thoughts and prayers are with his family and we are hoping for good news soon!

Aaron Finch

Just finish practices... Heard d news about Phil Hughes and shocked! Hope he recovers quickly. Good luck mate!

Mahela Jayawardene

Just heard the news about Phil Hughes, thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. Hang in there buddy, we are all fighting with u !!!

Shane Warne

Dear Lord, if ever the need for footprints in the sand, it’s now #PhilHughes #courage #strength Adam Gilchrist

Awful news about Phil Hughes. Sickening to hear. Praying for him and his family.

James Anderson

Thoughts and prayers with Phil Hughes and his family tonight, fight hard mate Baggy Green style.

Matthew Hayden

Thoughts are with my little mate Hughsy and his family. He is a fighter and a champion and he will get through this. Praying for you buddy.

David Warner

Thoughts & prayers go out to Phil Hughes with that horrible incident. Hoping for a speedy recovery AB de Villiers

Thoughts and prayers with Phil Hughes all the way. Fight it out mate.

You are a top man. All the strength goes out to you and your family.

Virat Kohli

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

POPY wants women to watch her next film n Shadma Malik Three-time National Award winner Dhallywood actor Popy will soon appear in an upcoming film titled “Char Akkhorer Bhalobasha.” Directed by Jakir Khan, the film is scheduled to hit the cinemas on Friday.

When the Dhaka Tribune caught up with the actor to talk about the film, she talked about wanting female audiences to watch it.

“The film is, of course, for everyone to watch, but the story is a little women-centric. We have focused on some sentimental aspects that women can especially relate to.

It shows how a rural girl, when needing legal support, is forced to accept arbitration and falls victim to injustice, as opposed to a city girl who is in a better position to find her way to the law,” Popy told the Dhaka Tribune.

Talking about the film’s title, she said: “I am playing the female protagonist Bhabna, who comes from a rural background, with two male leads played by Ferdous and Nirob, another character who has quite a significant role in the story. It is a love triangle.”

Talking about her character, Popy said: “Bhabna is a simple and jovial girl who falls in love with a guy in her teens. But in a criti-

And the Band Played On

cal turn of events, she ends up marrying his brother. From then on she faces the harsh reality of life.”

Popy was last seen in the film “Garments Kanya” in 2012, which garnered much popularity. She is excited about her upcoming film as she believes it will have a social impact.

Asked about her sporadic presence on silver screen, she said: “Our film industry has reduced in the past five years. Budgets have been cut, which affects the quality. I prefer to choose a particular that is significant. I do not rush when quality of work is concerned.” l

HBO Defined, 6:25pm

The story of the discovery of the AIDS epidemic and the political infighting of the scientific community.

Ocean’s Eleven

Movies Now, 7:05pm

DEALING WITH SPACES at Dhaka Art Centre n Entertainment Desk A week-long art exhibition titled “Dealing with Spaces: art intervention in architecture” is taking place at the Dhaka Art Centre in the capital’s Dhanmondi area. Organised by the students of architecture at University of Asia Pacific, the exhibit will run until Saturday.

At the exhibition, the installations on display are the result of

Danny Ocean and his eleven accomplices plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.

first-year studio projects at the university on redefining existing spaces, putting focus on the idea of space and changing the empty galleries into art statements that are devoid of any external art elements.

Professor Dr Jamilur Reza Choudhury, vice-chancellor of the university, and Dean ProfessorShamsul Wares attended inaugural ceremony of the show on Sunday. l

ANUSHKA denies casting RANVEER in her home production Anushka and Ranveer might have been romantically involved a few years back but the two still maintain a decent professional relationship. Taking a cue from the same, rumours were rife that Anushka has roped in Ranveer for her second home production after “NH 10.”

But according to a leading website, Anushka’s spokesperson has rubbished the rumours.

The spokesperson said that the script of the her second production is still being finalised and the cast of the film is yet to be decided. And, the actress will share the details as soon as the cast is locked.

Anushka made her production debut with “NH 10.” The film is directed by Navdeep Singh and also stars Neil Bhoopalam.

The actress will be seen in Rajkumar Hirani’s “PK” which is scheduled to be released on December 19, 2014. l

15

Meet the Fockers Zee Studio, 5:20pm

All hell breaks loose when the Byrnes family meets the Focker family for the first time.

Films to watch in December n Hasan Mansoor Chatak

A notion exists in Hollywood that the most anticipating and award-seeking films go for the end-of-year release to maximise the nomination tally in the award season next year. It is not yet

a trend in Bangladesh as the award ceremonies here do not adhere to specific schedule (the 2012 edition of National Film Award took place on May 10 this year – evidently a whole year of delay).

However, another notion works

here: films based on the Liberation War are usually set to be released in December to garner more attention since it is the month of victory. The Dhaka Tribune picks up a few films that are scheduled to be released next month, including the ones on the war.

Meghmallar

Zero Degree

After the premiere for limited audience on November 18, feature film “Maghmallar” gained attention all around and is scheduled to hit cinemas on December 12.

The film depicts the violent side of the war and portrays the story of survival of a middle-class family – quite an unconventional portrayal of the Liberation War. Usually, storytellers focus on the horrors, sufferings and upheaval which were an inherent part of the nine-month war.

Adapted from Akhtaruzzaman Elias’s acclaimed work “Raincoat,” the film won the National Filmmaking Grant 2013. Shahiduzzaman Selim, Aparna Ghose, Jayanta Chattopadhyay, Mosharraf Karim and Aditi play vital roles in the film, which is directed by Zahidur Rahim Anjan.

According to the promotional poster of the film “Zero Degree,” it is the “first-ever unexpected thriller on silver screen in Bangladesh.” Whether such is the case is to be determined by the audience. But having a star-studded cast, such as Jaya Ahsan, Mahfuz Ahmed and Ruhee, Animesh Aich behind the camera, the film garnered favourable attention from the film aficionados.

A teaser video depicting few moments from the film with the backdrop of singer James’ identical tenor voice has already gone viral on the internet. The film got the censor board’s approval on Sunday, but the release date has not been finalised yet. the director said the tentative date is near the end of December, or in early January.

Ekattorer Ma Jononi

Desha: The Leader

“Ekattorer Ma Jononi” has been selected for the US Film Festival to be held on December 27. Telling the story of the Birangonas of the Liberation War, the film features Nipun Akter as a protagonist. The story is based on the novel “Jononi Shahoshini 1971” by Anisul Haque. Made with the support of government grants, the film is set to release on December 19.

Directed by Shah Alam Kiron, it also features popular actors such as Agun, Shakil Ahmed, MM Morshed and Chitrolekha Guho. Uttom gave the art direction, while a theatre troupe took part in the making of the film.

The directorial debut of Saikat Nasir, “Desha: The Leader” is a political thriller and is set to release on December 12.

Debutant Shipon shares the screen with Mahiya Mahi in the film, produced by Jaaz Multimedia, while the rest of the cast include Tarique Anam Khan, Sohel Khan and Manjurul Karim.

A large amount of Chroma key, a special effects technique for compositing, and post-production editing has been used in the film, marking the improvement in the technical department of Bangladeshi productions.

NATALIE DORMER wants more male nudity on Game of Thrones n Entertainment Desk Natalie Dormer, who plays Margaery Tyrell on hit TV drama “Game of Thrones,” feels the fantasy show could do with more male nudity.

The show, about seven warring kingdoms, has often been criticised for its focus on female nudity. Dormer, known for playing femme fatales onscreen, is returning for the fifth season of the show.

“During the first season Alfie (Allen, Theon Greyjoy) Richard (Madden, Robb Stark), and several of the men got naked—although not all the way. I suppose it’s just the rules of broadcast television, isn’t it? I think Thrones has been better than your average show with the equality, but they could definitely ramp it up! Absolutely,” Dormer told the Daily Beast in an interview.

The actress has mastered roles of femme fatales with dubious motives but she now wants to step away from such portrayals. “I love those women that I play that have sexual power. But I’m trying to step away from it for me, and for my artistic growth. It’s also more who I am. I’m not that woman.”

In “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay–Part 1,” Dormer plays Cressida, a filmmaker who is pro-Katniss. “What I love about ‘Mockingjay–Part 1’ is that President Coin or Cressida could have easily been played by a man and if you look at ‘Interstellar,’ the Anne Hathaway or Jessica Chastain roles would have been men years ago. I’m glad that cinema is catching up to what television has known for a while: that three-dimensional, complex women get an audience engaged as much as the men,” she said. l

Exhibition

Life is Here

By Kanak Chanpa Chakma Time: 12pm – 8pm, Bengal Art Lounge Group Art Exhibition: Artworks by 40 Eminent Artists Time: 3:00pm – 8:30pm

Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Art Gallery

Film

Interstellar, Gone Girl, Annabelle Onek Sadher Moyna Into The Storm Blockbuster Cinemas Jamuna Future Park

BALE ‘jealous’ that AFFLECK gets to play Batman now n Entertainment desk After three movies with the comic-book character that Christian Bale was not ready to let go of playing Batman. Bale recently admitted he was feeling “jealous” that Ben Affleck was cast as the caped crusader for the upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”

“The fact that I’m jealous of someone else playing Batman … I think I should have gotten over it by now,” he told Empire magazine.

Bale says he hasn’t spoken with Affleck about the role, but he has emailed him with advice.

“I’ve got to admit initially, even though I felt that it was the right time to stop, there was always a bit of me going, ‘Oh go on… Let’s do another,’” Bale said elsewhere in the interview. “So when I heard there was someone else doing it, there was a moment where I just stopped and stared into nothing for half an hour.” l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

MPs voice concern over Chinese dam on Brahmaputra n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla Two members of parliament yesterday voiced concerns in the house over China’s Zangmu dam project on the Brahmaputra River, demanding that the government take immediate measures to mitigate the negative ecological impacts of the dam.

Mayeen Uddin Khan Badal, a Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal member, stood at a point of order and demanded that the water resources minister give an in-depth and clear statement to parliament on the issue.

China is the upper riparian since the Brahmaputra River originates in Tibet, and India is sharing the role of lower riparian alongside Bangladesh “We do not know how concerned the Bangladesh government is over the dam on the Brahmaputra River.

Experts say it will adversely affect the country’s environment and ecology since the Brahmaputra River is the largest source of water flow in Bangladesh,” he said.

Badal said China had five more dams coming into operation on the river.

“I do not know to what extent our government knows about the dams. India strongly protested the project,” he said.

India has been the upper riparian in relation to Bangladesh and has diverted water above the Ganges-Brahmapu-

tra-Meghna basin paying little heed to Bangladeshi protests.

Now China is the upper riparian since the Brahmaputra River originates in Tibet, and India is sharing the role of lower riparian alongside Bangladesh.

Extending his support to Badal, Bangladesh Nationalist Front chief Abul Kalam Azad also raise concerns over the situation.

The first phase of China’s 510MW hydro-power dam project on the Yarlung Zangbo River, the Chinese name for its segment of the Brahmaputra River, has commenced operations, the Times of India reported on Monday.

When the remaining five phases of the Zangmu Hydro-power Station in Tibet come into operation, probably no later than next year, it will likely to contribute to heightened flood and landslide risks in India and Bangladesh, both lower riparian countries.

Meanwhile, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury expunged the phrase, “there is no real opposition party in this parliament,” uttered by Rustom Ali Farazi, an independent lawmaker.

Farazi made the statement while criticising Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith’s remarks on Monday that most MPs who oppose some parts of a bill in parliament are ignorant.

Farazi and a number of other MPs had brought amendments to the Rajshahi Krishi Unayan Bank Bill.

Farazi yesterday said since there is no real opposition in parliament the MPs were helping government by offering constructive criticism.

Following the statement, Jatiya Party lawmaker Kazi Firoz Rashid requested the speaker to expunge the phrase. l

Back Page

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

IT’S NOT A RACE

Five motorcycle riders narrowly escape a possible crash in the capital’s Farmgate area yesterday as they slipped and fell in the middle of the road. Later it was found that some liquid substance made the road slippery. Traffic sergeants stopped vehicles coming from the other direction as soon as the incident occurred SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Dhaka deplores Pak resolution on war crimes trial n Tribune Report

The government has protested a resolution adopted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Provincial Assembly of Pakistan expressing concern over the conviction of the perpetrators of crimes against humanity and genocide during the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh against Pakistan.

The Foreign Ministry yesterday sent a diplomatic note to the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka in this regard.

The ministry deplored the resolu-

tion which it said was a “brazen denial of justice for the victims” of the heinous crimes committed by the convicted individuals and that the KPK Assembly chose to speak for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

The KPK Assembly was advised not to make such sweeping, biased, misinformed and politically-motivated remarks about the independent legal system of a foreign country.

Through adopting the resolution, Bangladesh considers that the KPK Assembly has seriously undermined the standing as a responsible, credible and

representative body speaking on behalf of its constituency.

The resolution was “tantamount to direct interference in the domestic affairs of Bangladesh,” the note said.

The Bangladesh government expressed deep sorrow as the repeated overtures made by the Pakistan side by misleading, motivated and malicious campaign against the trials of the crimes against humanity and genocide in Bangladesh.

In December last year, the Pakistan National Assembly and the Punjab Pro-

vincial Assembly adopted resolutions expressing concern over Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Molla’s execution. The Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh later summoned the Pakistan High Commissioner in Dhaka and sought an explanation over the matter.

Later in January, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Masood Khan at a meeting with the Bangladesh permanent representative to the UN, AK Abdul Momen, said it would not make any comment on the war crimes trial process of Bangladesh in the future. l

Hasina to address Saarc Interpol interested to investigate Summit today wildlife trafficking in Bangladesh

Ex-Jubo League leader, 9 others acquitted of murder of JCD man n BSS n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was givA Chittagong court yesterday acquitted expelled Jubo League leader and listed criminal Helal Akbar Chowdhury Babar and nine others of the murder of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal activist Azad Ali Khan in Chittagong in 1996.

The Home Ministry last year pleaded to have the case withdrawn for political considerations, but the tribunal twice rejected the pleas. Ultimately all of the accused were acquitted, Ayub Khan, prosecutor at the tribunal, said.

Judge Reza Tarique Ahmed of the Speedy Trial Tribunal passed the order in the presence of four of the accused, Babar, Surjit Barua, Iftekhar and Habibur Rahman.

Six of the accused in the case have been on the run, court sources said.

The six who have now been acquitted are Utpol Kumar Chowdhury, Mohammad Jaforullah, Mohammad Shahnewaj, Humayun Kabir, Sunil Dey and Mafijur Rahman Dulu, sources said.

Because the first enlisted suspect in the First Information Report, Akbar Ali had died, his name was erased from the trial.

The judge read out the short form of the verdict of the case saying the accused were acquitted because the charges against them were not proved.

“None of the prosecution witnesses mentioned any of the names of the accused during their depositions. That is why all of the accused were released,” he said.

According to case documents, several Jubo League men opened fire on a JCD procession in front of the Forest Office at Nandankanon in the port city on April 9, 1996, as the procession was headed for the city’s Outer Stadium to take part in a rally of Khaleda Zia. JCD man Azad Ali Khan was shot dead and his brother Mohammad Selim lodged a case with Kotwali police station on April 14, 1996 accusing 11 persons including Babar. l

CORRECTION In the caption of a photo titled “Nostalgia, now” published on Back page yesterday, we mistakenly mentioned that the photo was taken in the capital.

It was actually taken near the DIG’s residence in Rajshahi. We regret the error.

en a red carpet reception as she flew to Kathmandu yesterday to attend the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Summit that begins today in the Nepalese capital.

The two-day summit will be held at the City Hall (Rashtriya Sabha Griha), Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu.

Hasina will address the inaugural session along with other heads of state or government of the Saarc nations.

The theme of this year’s Saarc Summit is “Deeper integration for peace and prosperity.”

On the sidelines of the event, Hasina is expected to hold meetings with Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

The 17th Saarc Summit was held in the Maldives on November 10-11, 2011 when four agreements were signed.

A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and members of her entourage landed at Tribhuban International Airport in Kathmandu in the afternoon.

Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh and Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Mashfee Binte Shams received Sheikh Hasina at the airport.

She was given a guard of honour by the Nepal Army. On the occasion, national anthems of both Bangladesh and Nepal were played.

Later in a ceremonial motorcade the prime minister was taken to Hotel Crown Plaza Kathmandu-Soaltee where she will be staying during her visit to Nepal.

Thousands of people attired in traditional Nepali costume and beating drums on the roadside welcomed the Bangladesh prime minister. The roads and road islands were decorated with the national flags of the Saarc countries and portraits of Saarc leaders. l

n Abu Bakar Siddique The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has shown interest in visiting Bangladesh to investigate wildlife trafficking in the country, following the recent arrest of six poachers.

“We have already sent their [Interpol’s] application to the Home Ministry with positive recommendation,” Mahabubur Rahman Bhuiyan, assistant inspector general of police, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“We are waiting for the ministry’s approval, following which we will decide how to prepare and proceed in this regard,” said the AIG, also the in-charge of the Interpol desk at Bangladesh Police Headquarters.

RAB arrested the poachers in Satkhira on October 17, and recovered two tiger skins. In 2012, the elite force rescued three Bengal Tiger cubs from a poacher’s residence in the capital. The cubs were later placed under the custody of the Forest Department.

Newly-wed bride brings torture allegation against in-laws n BAU Correspondent Neighbours rescued a newly-wed woman, allegedly tortured by her in-laws, from an apartment of the staff quarters of Bangladesh Agricultural University on Monday night.

Some children found a letter on a playground while playing in the afternoon near H7/10 apartment of the BAU staff quarters adjacent to the Second Gate area of the university.

One of them gave the four-page letter to her father Billal Hossain living on the third floor of the same building.

Billal revealed that it was a help-seeking letter from Razia Sultana Popy, 20, who got married last month and lived on the first floor of the building.

Later, he disclosed the matter to other residents and rescued the girl around 8pm. He also informed the matter to Popy’s uncle over phone. She is now staying in her parents’ house.

Popy, daughter of late Abdul Mannan from Vatibayera village under Mymensingh Sadar upazila, got married to an unemployed youth named Nur Mohammad, 20, on October 29 after a

two-year love affair.

“My mother-in-law, sister, brothersin-law and husband except for my father-in-law have tortured me physically and mentally almost every day since my marriage,” Popy alleged.

Neighbours allege that police took bribes from the victim’s mother-in-law to shift the blame on her “They even pierced needle through my fingernail, scratched my skin with sharp blades and burnt different parts of my body with a hot iron,” the victim narrated her ordeal in her in-law’s house.

“I have never been able to contact my family members as they took away my SIM card. I could not even tell my neighbours as nobody visited my inlaws,” she continued.

“Instead, they filed a general diary with Kotwali police station a few days back stating that they would not be

held responsible if something wrong happened to me.”

Finding no alternative, she then wrote a letter seeking help and threw it out of the window for someone to pick up.

Residents of the staff quarters, however, said Nur Mohammad’s family members except for his father did not give their consent to the marriage.

Nur Mohammad, his mother Nurjahan Begum, sister Shocura Begum and his two younger brothers denied the torture allegation.

“It is nothing but a conspiracy hatched by the residents of the quarters against us,” said victim’s motherin-law Nurjahan Begum. “We never tortured her [Popy].”

Upon receiving information, Sub-Inspector Akbar Ali of Kotwali police rushed to the spot.

Although he wanted to take a written statement from the victim and her uncle Basir Mridha, the officer left the place immediately.

Neighbours alleged that the SI took bribe from Popy’s mother-in-law in a bid to shift the blame on Popy. Akbar refuted the allegation. l

South Asia is home to world’s 1315% biodiversity, including some of the world’s most endangered species, including the Bengal Tiger.

The world’s tiger population has declined alarmingly, mainly due to poaching and the encroachment of tiger habitats, which stands now around 3,000.

Some 65% of the 3,000 or so remaining wild tigers are found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal’s forest ecosystems, which make the region a lucrative place for illegal wildlife trade.

The Bangladeshi side of the Sundarbans is home to around 440 tigers, according to the last tiger census conducted in 2004. But experts say the number is decreasing day by day due to illegal poaching and trafficking.

Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad, country representative of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), said the Interpol should be allowed to run the investigation in Bangladesh to find the exact situation of wildlife trafficking in the country.

Ishtiaq, also a former chief conservator of forest, said poachers had been arrested from time to time in the country with body parts of different wildlife species or body parts in their possession – aiming to export them since there is no such market in the country.

Products made from the body parts of wildlife species are high in demand globally, especially in the US, China and the European Union.

The Bangladesh-India border in the Sundarbans is especially a vulnerable area and is considered a major trafficking route, so the authorities should look into it and seal it off, if necessary, for the sake of wildlife protection, he said.

With an aim to protect the wildlife from trafficking, the governments of Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan started a project named Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife Protection in Asia in 2012 to conserve wildlife and tackle poaching. The project supports wildlife protection and conservation in participating countries. l

Minister admits question paper leakage n Tribune Report Primary and Mass Education Minister Mustafizur Rahman yesterday expressed his ignorance of the Primary School Certificate (PSC) final exam’s question paper leakage.

The authorities concerned are yet to submit any report on the matter, the minister said this at an informal press briefing held at his ministry.

Mustafizur, however, said a syndicate was involved in the question paper leakage but nobody knows why they are doing so. A concerted effort is needed to prevent this.

According to Facebook status and online news the leaked questions were exactly the same as the printed ones but the minister strongly denied that saying 13% questions were identical in Nababganj and as for the rest it ranges between 60% to 70%.

“We are contacting deputy commissioners and the district education officers to get the updated reports on the matter.”

He said after receiving intelligence

reports from across the country the government will decide on if the examination would be cancelled or not.

The minister said they were working on it to find out the criminals involved in leaking question papers that were print-

‘A syndicate was involved in the question paper leakage but nobody knows why they are doing so.

A concerted effort is needed to prevent this’ ed in the Bangladesh Government BG Press by using modern technology before they are sent to different upazilas.

PSC and Ebtadayee’s final examinations were held smoothly yesterday.

A total of 3,094,265 students attended the examinations. The examination started on 23 November and held at 6,791 centres around the country and another 11 centres abroad. l

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

Construction industry may face setback Brick production runs only at 20% capacity for lack of coal, which realtors say would push up prices of flats and buildings as a consequence n Asif Showkat Kallol The country’s construction industry is likely to face a setback in the coming months due to supply shortage of bricks.

The manufacturing of bricks remained almost suspended for about last six months, manufacturers said amid apprehension that the situation might continue in the coming months for lack of coal.

Bangladesh Brick Manufacturing Owners’ Association (BBMOA) at a meeting with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed at his ministry yesterday raised the concern, seeking the government intervention to solve the problem.

They apprised the minister that around 80% of the brick fields had to suspend the production for lack of coal they earlier used to import from India.

But, the situation emerged after imposing ban on coal export by an Indian court.

Real estate developers expressed concern over the situation as they fear the price of bricks as well as the apartments would increase, as a result. They said the real estate business is already in a bad shape.

REHAB Vice President Liakat Ali Bhuiyan told the Dhaka Tribune that the prices of flats and buildings will defi-

An aerial view of brick fields along the river Dhaleshwari in the city outskirt. Brick production remains almost suspended for lack of coal

SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

environmental organisation. The local mine owners appealed with the same tribunal against the ban but the plea was turned down on Oct 7. However, the next hearing will be held tomorrow.

“I have already talked to both the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to India and also Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh on this issue,” Tofail told reporters, after the meeting with the

leaders of BBMOA. Finance Minister AMA Muhith was also present.

Among others, the meeting was attended by other lawmakers of Sylhet, BBMOA President Mizanur Rahman Babul and Vice President Asadur Rahman Khan.

Commerce minister feared that there might be a serious crisis for bricks if the Indian government did not allow

nitely increase due to shortage of bricks as most of the brick fields have not fully operated during last six months.

“We will fall in a crisis if bricks are not available in this construction period of November, December and January,” he said. “We want the government to directly solve the problem within short time.”

Rakib Hasan, a brick field owner,

told the Dhaka Tribune: “We will definitely fail to catch the season.”

Tofail, however, assured the brick manufacturers of starting negotiation with the authorities of the Indian state of Meghalaya for allowing them to import coal from there.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) of Meghalaya on May 17 had banned coal mining, acting on a petition by an

 B3 COLUMN 5

BTRC to launch fresh audit in cellecos by 2015

Dhaka Apparel Summit from Dec 7-9

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association will hold a three-day Dhaka Apparel Summit 2014 from December 7 to 9.

The association in partnership with Bangladesh Brand Forum will host the event at Bangabandhu International Conference Center to mark the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the summit, according to a high official of BGMEA. The programme aims at devising ways of facing challenges to reach $50 billion RMG export landmark by 2021.

BGMEA President Md Atiqul Islam made the announcement at a media briefing at his office yesterday.

He said the world market size of RMG products is now $450 billion, which will be $650 in 2021.

“At present, the country’s RMG market share is 5% and to reach the vision of 2021 to become a middle-income country, we have to grab 8% share in the global market,” said Atiqul. “We want to earn $50bn from exporting RMG product by 2021.”

Bangladesh earned $24.49 billion

The telecom regulatory authority will launch a fresh audit into the country’s mobile phone operators, which is scheduled to start by 2015, said an official yesterday.

According to the telecommunication act, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has the mandate to go for auditing the licenses of the operators on regular basis.

“We have started the process and I hope that we will be able to launch the audit on the mobile operators by 2015 if everything goes as per our plan,” Sunil Kanti Bose, Chairman of BTRC, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

He also said: “We have initiated the process for selecting an audit firm, out of the seven firms applied for awarding the order, and the offers are still under scrutiny.’’

As soon as the BTRC selects a firm, the auditor will begin auditing two by two mobile operators, said Sunil Kanti Bose.

Earlier, BTRC ran an audit to the market leading operator Grameenphone and subsequently the firm claimed Tk3,034 crore as unpaid reve-

nue and tax in 2011.

But the Supreme Court in last December upheld a verdict of the High Court that declared illegal the appointment of firms by the BTRC to open audits into mobile phone operators.

Another audit firm of BTRC started audit in the second largest operator in terms of subscribers, Banglalink, although it could not complete the job.

As asked by the Dhaka Tribune to comment on a recommendation of the parliamentary standing committee of the Post Telecommunication and Information Technology ministry, BTRC chairman said, “As there are lots of process for ensuring check and balance of the international incoming calls, it shouldn’t be necessary to run any other separate audit for auditing the call minutes.”

“We have CDR analyser processing system for the International Gateway (IGW) operators and the Interconnection Exchange (ICX) operators will also have it shortly. However, we need to find out a process for mobile or landphone operators (both are the ultimate destination of international calls), so we can monitor international calls,” said Sunil Kanti Bose. l

n Tribune Report

from RMG export in the fiscal year of 2013-14.

The BGMEA president said they would send a message from the summit to the outside world that the Rana Plaza does not depict the real picture of Bangladesh’s RMG sector.

Some recent challenges faced by the industry relating to workplace safety issues have raised global concerns. Discussions are going on to shape a more sustainable and responsible global supply chain, the organiser said.

The Dhaka Apparel Summit will be organised to open dialogue for a road map to building responsible supply chains for textiles and garment sector that contribute to a sustainable development and inclusive growth of the economy.

According to the BGMEA, brands, fashion designers, sourcing executives and experts from home and abroad are expected to join the summit to share their experiences and gather knowledge about Bangladesh’s apparel industry.

The summit will feature a number of interactive panel sessions to be participated by representatives of governments from home and partner countries, international organisations, employers, private sectors, workers’

representatives, civil society organisations, brand representatives, buyers and academics.

The discussion will bring benefits for the RMG producers by enriching their knowledge about latest apparel technologies and fashion. The summit will also help domestic apparel makers build a bridge with the global buyers as well as experts.

In the summit, there will be a safety expo titled “Bangladesh Building and Fire Safety Expo 2014” to be participated by globally recognised safety equipment producers. They will display products and demonstrate several drills to raise awareness among the RMG factory owners.

A session on “Environmental Sustainability” will also be held as sustainable economic development is interlinked with the eco-system.

It will also shed light on how to develop an eco-friendly RMG sector in the country.

The summit will focus market and products versification strategy and dynamics in global tariff structure, apart from discussing infrastructure issues, power, gas and electricity and transportation. l

Fourth Digital World on Feb 9-12 n Muhammad Zahidul Islam A 4-day information technology fair would be held in Dhaka during February 9 to 12 next year to showcase the innovations and demonstrate the country’s strength as well as opportunities here to the international communities.

The government of Bangladesh in collaboration with Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) will organise the fourth edition of the fair dubbed as “Digital World-2015” at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the event and Prime Minister’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Advisor Sajib Wazed Joy will be present as the special guest at the event.

The government is making efforts to bring in a number of ministers from the developing world at attend a ministerial conference to be organised during the event, organisers told a press conference at Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) in the capital yesterday.

State Minister for ICT Junaid Ahmed Palak appreciated the countries like Japan, South Korea, China and Malaysia in helping Bangladesh develop the sector and said the government is now keen to honour them through demonstrating the achievements in digital services here.

The event will be featured with the presentation of top celebrity icons, who contributed in developing the digital services.

Besides the IT display, the event will include programmes like B2B matchmaking sessions, seminars, workshops, IT career fair, soft expo, e-governance expo, mobile innovation expo, e-commerce and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) programmes and Women IT Forum, and Children Forum as a new attraction.

“We have a vision to create 10,000 jobs from BPO sector, which can be accelerated through the fair,” Palak said.

Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS), Association of Mobile Telecom Operators Bangladesh (AMTOB), Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB), Bangladesh Association of Call Centre and Outsourcing (BACCO), Bangladesh ICT Journalist Forum (BIJF), Bangladesh Women in IT (BWIT) and CTO forum will assist the event.

Earlier, BCC and BASIS signed a MoU on November 9 for organising the event. l

Bank branches in divisional and district HQs open Saturday n Tribune Report The main branches of all scheduled banks located in divisions and districts across the country will remain open on Saturday to facilitate taxpayer for submitting income tax.

Banks have been asked to keep open their main branches to receive income tax through invoice and pay orders, said a circular issued yesterday.

They also asked to ensure adequate security during the working hours.

The circular advised the banks to give reasonable allowances to the officers who will attend the office in the weekend. l

DSE starts mock trading to embark on new platform n Tribune Report

Dhaka Stock Exchange yesterday began final mock trading on new generation trading platform to familiarise stockbrokers and investors with the process.

It will continue till launching in the second week of next month. Mock trading is a computer simulation of trade used in training brokers, investment managers and investors.

All broker representatives are requested to instruct their respective houses to actively participate in the mock run from all branches including head office and annex offices from all terminals, the DSE said in a statement yesterday.

Earlier, out of 232 stock brokers, over 220 had participated the mock trading held on November 11, 12, 13 and 15 this year.

In March, the prime bourse made an agreement with two US-based vendors – NASDAQ OMX and FlexTrade Systems – to replace existing trading engine TESA and trading terminal MSA Plus to get rid of re-

peated technical glitches, particularly on occasions of some debut stocks with huge trade volume.

Failure of the existing decade-old trading platform to entertain huge buy-sale orders at a time has prompted the prime bourse to look for new trading engine.

The old engine will be replaced with modern technology to remove concerns over technical glitches, said an official, adding the trading system up-gradation is a continuous process of any stock exchange.

Investors were losing trading hours at different times and faced difficulties in placing

orders of stocks, included Appollo Ispat and Orion Pharma on their debut trading days.

The present system fails to take huge buy-sale orders for single company stocks, depriving many to execute trading.

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission had instructed the DSE to replace its trading software in July, following losses of trading hours over frequent technical glitches on the MSA Plus trading platform.

In February, the DSE board formed a five-member panel to look after the matter.

The body found the MSA Plus platform is faulty and recommended replacing by a new one.

The DSE started its journey of automation on August, 1998 and it made a major up-gradation in the trading system and its infrastructure on 2005. At the end of 2010, DSE enhanced its ICT infrastructure capacity to six lakh trades per day.

To meet the potential growth of trades and investors, DSE upgraded its trading application MSA to MSA-Plus (upgraded TESA client part), which started on June 2012. l

B2 Stocks see moderate recovery after steep losses n

spot market instead of main market as the securities regulator imposed some restrictions on its trading due to its unusual behaviour since its debut trading four months back.

Losers took lead strongly, as out of 298 issues traded, 168 advanced, 93 declined and 93 remained unchanged.

Cement posted the highest return of 4.5%. Most of the major sectors ended flat while fuel and power, pharmaceuticals and engineering closed negative.

IDLC Investments said despite squeezed trading volume, market took an upward move. However, over the last ten sessions market shredded a total of 130 points.

Since, investors remained active only on selected scrips, the day’s turnover was 45% lower than the average turnover of November.

Western Marine Shipyard topped turnover leader list with shares worth Tk22 crore changing hands, followed by Beximco Pharma, Beximco Ltd, Lafarge Surma Cement, Jamuna Oil, Khan Brothers PP Woven and Grameenphone.

Standard Ceramic was the worst loser, dropping 9.8% while GSP Finance was the biggest gainer with a rise of 9.5%.

Other top losers include Savar Refractories, JMI Syringe, Hakkani Pulp and Paper, Aramit Cement and Sonali Ansh.

After GSP, Reliance Insurance, SPCL, Khan Brothers PP Woven, Saife Power tech and FAS Finance were the other biggest gainers of the day. l

Tribune Report

Stocks witnessed moderate recovery yesterday amid continued low turnover, after steep losses recorded in three consecutive sessions.

The market opened higher with slow trading and the momentum continued till close of the session, as limited number of investors participated in the trading.

The benchmark DSEX gained over 35 points or 0.7% to close at

Most of the major sectors ended flat while fuel and power, pharmaceuticals and engineering closed negative 4,804, rebounding from its twomonth low in the previous session.

The Shariah index DSES rose 9 points or 1% to 1,119. The comprising blue chips DS30 ended at 1,771, rising 18 points or 1%.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, was up 27 points to end at 9,036.

Trading activities remained dull as turnover at DSE stood at Tk347 crore, slightly lower over previous session’s value of Tk350 crore.

After witnessing no buyer for the fourth straight session due to regulatory action, Shahjibazar Power Company Ltd (SPCL) found no sellers.

Its share prices rose 8.29% in the

Weekly capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index : DSE LOSER Company Standard Ceramic -A Savar Refractories-Z JMI Syringes MDL-A Hakkani P& Paper -B Aramit -A Sonali Ansh -A WesternMarine -N Pharma Aids A Monno Ceramic -B Delta Brac HFCL-A

Closing (% Change) -9.81 -8.00 -6.05 -5.05 -4.58 -4.26 -3.76 -3.42 -3.01 -2.76

CSE LOSER Company

Closing (% Change)

ICB AMCL 1st NRB -A Islami Ins.BD-A Continental Insur. -A AMCL (Pran) -A JMI Syringes MDL-A Eastern InsurA 8th ICB M F-A GreenDeltaInsu -A Eastland Insur -A Monno Ceramic -B

-9.09 -7.27 -6.80 -6.77 -6.58 -6.29 -4.76 -4.64 -4.17 -4.14

4804.45289

(+) 0.75%

1771.49468

(+) 1.05%

14802.90830

(+) 0.60%

12151.05860

(+) 0.19%

9036.35750

(+) 0.30%

Average (% Change) -9.81 -8.31 -5.18 -5.56 -2.87 -4.00 -2.44 -4.71 -2.87 -1.57 Average (% Change) -9.09 -7.27 -6.65 -5.94 -4.76 -6.43 -4.76 -4.66 -6.94 -2.97

ANALYST

ClosingAvg. 42.30 50.43 197.05 28.90 306.49 167.85 62.81 263.02 29.07 67.20

ClosingAvg. 20.00 20.40 19.23 206.93 195.74 32.75 60.00 71.98 33.50 27.80

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 368.03 174.24 22.19 529.88 108.29 572.41 13.59 315.60 508.13 1.03 122.91 18.03 22.42 175.63 20.44 18.72 36.26 105.41 49.94 287.08 0.08

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

DHIGH

42.30 50.60 192.70 28.20 302.20 162.00 61.50 260.00 29.00 66.90

Closing 20.00 20.40 19.20 205.10 191.80 32.80 60.00 72.00 34.50 27.80

42.30 51.50 211.80 30.00 325.00 177.90 65.90 279.00 30.10 70.00

DHIGH 20.00 20.40 20.50 211.00 200.00 32.90 60.00 72.10 34.50 27.80

Turnover (Million Taka)

Company

3,470.31

Turnover (Volume)

79,079,814

Number of Contract

80,614

Traded Issues

298

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

170

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

120 8

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,543.26

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.83

CSE key features November 25, 2014 Turnover (Million Taka)

279.92

Turnover (Volume)

7,742,698

Number of Contract

11,445

Traded Issues

218

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

124

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

88

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

5

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,450.36

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

29.70

Turnover in Million

42.30 50.10 191.00 28.00 300.00 160.10 60.90 254.10 27.00 62.00

Latest EPS

0.106 0.058 37.143 1.026 3.540 13.512 220.061 56.733 0.626 5.130

0.60 -0.44 4.48 0.64 14.12 0.76 2.11 9.88 0.32 5.36

Turnover in Million

DLOW 20.00 20.40 18.60 205.00 190.50 32.60 60.00 72.00 33.00 27.80

% change 10.61 5.02 0.64 15.27 3.12 16.49 0.39 9.09 14.64 3.54 0.52 0.65 5.06 0.59 0.54 1.04 3.04 1.44 8.27 0.00

Million Taka 21.01 8.39 4.05 58.70 12.92 35.56 41.21 23.43 18.53 10.74 18.96 2.30 15.06 1.93 0.88 0.85 7.45 8.31 42.05 2.48

CSE

% change 6.27 2.50 1.21 17.53 3.86 10.62 0.00 12.31 7.00 5.53 3.21 5.66 0.69 4.50 0.58 0.26 0.25 2.22 2.48 12.56 0.74

Latest EPS

0.010 0.010 0.029 0.331 3.132 0.026 0.030 0.117 0.080 0.003

Million Taka 389.04 182.63 26.24 588.58 121.21 607.97 13.59 356.81 531.56 19.56 133.65 36.99 24.72 190.69 22.37 19.60 37.11 112.86 58.25 329.13 2.56

GSP Finance-A R. N. Spinning-Z Samata LeatheR -Z Reliance Insur -A Midas Financing-Z GeminiSeaFood-Z Shahjibazar Power-N LafargeS Cement-Z Khan Brothers-N BD. Autocars -Z

Closing (% Change) 9.52 9.38 9.31 8.75 8.70 8.46 8.29 6.81 6.54 6.51

CSE GAINER

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

DLOW

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

DSE GAINER

DSE key features November 25, 2014

3.24 1.48 2.27 5.68 4.48 2.31 4.76 1.68 3.33 0.32

Latest PE 70.5 -ve 44.0 45.2 21.7 220.9 29.8 26.6 90.8 12.5

Total

Company R. N. Spinning-Z Samata LeatheR -Z GSP Finance-A SAIF Powertec-N Alltex Industries -Z Khan Brothers-N MeghnaCement -A Hwa Well Textiles-N Northern G Insur-A Paramount Textile Ltd.-A

Closing (% Change) 9.88 9.84 9.52 8.05 7.37 5.97 4.40 3.93 3.45 2.97

Average (% Change) 3.54 7.09 6.95 11.69 8.22 6.01 2.96 2.20 7.28 8.47 Average (% Change) 7.84 9.96 5.40 7.89 5.46 7.53 2.32 3.66 3.45 3.79

ClosingAvg. 29.21 27.63 22.00 65.90 15.01 217.65 242.06 110.58 57.30 23.05

ClosingAvg. 27.51 21.20 29.45 76.06 19.91 57.39 129.71 39.63 30.00 24.62

Closing 29.90 28.00 22.30 65.90 15.00 219.20 254.60 112.90 57.00 22.90

Closing 27.80 21.20 29.90 76.50 20.40 56.80 130.50 39.70 30.00 24.30

DHIGH 30.00 28.10 22.40 65.90 15.10 219.70 255.60 116.10 58.80 23.50

DHIGH 27.80 21.20 30.00 77.80 20.80 58.90 131.00 39.90 30.00 25.40

DLOW 25.50 24.50 22.30 65.90 13.10 214.00 214.60 106.00 54.50 22.00

DLOW 25.10 21.20 27.00 71.90 19.20 54.80 124.10 38.60 30.00 24.10

Turnover in Million 63.929 84.953 0.022 0.033 0.520 3.341 57.803 135.131 114.771 0.174

Turnover in Million 10.867 0.011 1.179 7.272 1.045 19.915 0.233 0.357 0.015 1.048

Latest EPS 1.59 2.19 0.05 3.79 -7.00 1.39 9.00 2.43 1.36 0.20

Latest EPS 2.19 0.05 1.59 2.36 3.28 1.36 6.71 3.52 2.77 1.72

Latest PE 18.4 12.6 440.0 17.4 -ve 156.6 26.9 45.5 42.1 115.3

Latest PE 12.6 424.0 18.5 32.2 6.1 42.2 19.3 11.3 10.8 14.3

News, analysis and recent disclosers BATASHOE: The Company has declared 175% interim cash dividend for the year ending on December 31, 2014 after considering the performance of the Company from January 01, 2014 to September 30, 2014 and the retained earnings up to December 31, 2013. Record Date for entitlement of interim dividend: 04.12.2014.5` WMSHIPYARD: (Q1): As per un-audited quarterly accounts for the 1st quarter ended on 30th September 2014 (July'14 to Sep'14), the Company has reported net profit after tax of Tk. 54.19 million with basic EPS of Tk. 0.49 as against Tk. 32.75 million and Tk. 0.51 respectively for the same period of the previous year. However, considering proposed bonus share @ 10% for the year 2014, restated basic EPS will be 0.45 as on 30.09.2014 and Tk. 0.43 as on 30.09.2013.

FINEFOODS: The Company has further informed that the 20th AGM of the Company will be held on December 27, 2014 at 11:30 AM at New Market City Complex (Level-6), 44/1 Rahim Square, New Market, Dhaka-1205. Other information of the AGM will remain unchanged.

STANCERAM: The Company has informed that the Registered Office of the Company has been shifted to its new location at Holding No # 738, Ward No # 34, National

University, Saydana, Gazipur City Corporation, Gazipur.

NCCBANK: The Company has informed that the Corporate Head Office of the Company has been shifted to its own building named 'NCC Bank Bhaban' at 13/1 & 13/2, Toyenbee Circular Road, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000 with effect from 23 November, 2014.

IPO Subscription: C & A Textiles Limited subscription date 09 to 13 November 2014, NRB upto 22 November 2014. @ taka 10, face value taka 10 and market lot 500. IFAD Autos Limited subscription date 23 to 27 November 2014, NRB upto 06 December 2014. @ taka 30, face value taka 10 and market lot 200.

Right Share: ICB: Subscription period for rights issue will be from 07.12.2014 to 30.12.2014. Record date for entitlement of rights share: 09.09.2014. BIFC: subscription period for rights issue of the Company will be from 09.11.2014 to 30.11.2014. Record Date for entitlement of rights share: 19.10.2014. FIRSTSBANK Subscription period for rights issue will be from 07.12.2014 to 28.12.2014. Record date for entitlement of rights share: 20.11.2014.

Dividend/AGM

ICB: 45% cash, AGM: 20.12.2014, Record Date: 03.12.2014.

BATBC: 100% interim cash dividend, Record date for entitlement of interim dividend: 03.12.2014.

BENGALWTL: 23% cash, AGM: 28.12.2014, Record Date: 02.12.2014.

MPETROLEUM: 95% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 16.01.2015, Record date: 04.12.2014.

ENVOYTEX: 12% cash and 3% stock dividend, AGM: 24.12.2014, Record date: 02.12.2014.

AFTABAUTO: 17% cash, AGM: 24.12.2014, Record date: 30.11.2014.

JAMUNAOIL: 90% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 07.02.2015, Record date: 11.12.2014.

GEMINISEA: 7.50% cash, AGM: 22.12.2014, Record Date: 08.12.2014.

KBPPWBIL: 10% stock, AGM: 29.12.2014, Record Date: 08.12.2014.

RAHIMAFOOD: No dividend, AGM: 24.12.2014, Record Date: 04.12.2014.

DACCADYE: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 12.12.2014, Record date: 25.11.2014.

ORIONINFU: 15% cash dividend, AGM: 18.12.2014, Record date: 25.11.2014.

KOHINOOR: 25% stock dividend, AGM: 18.12.2014, Record date: 25.11.2014.

LRGLOBMF1: 5% cash dividend, Record date: 25.11.2014. Earnings per unit of Tk. 0.69.

PHARMAID: 25% cash, AGM: 28.12.2014, Record Date: 02.12.2014.

Latest PE 6.2 13.8 8.5 36.4 43.7 14.2 12.6 42.8 10.1 86.9

Top losers include Savar Refractories, JMI Syringe, Hakkani Pulp and Paper, Aramit Cement and Sonali Ansh

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

Stock

DHAKA TRIBUNE

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company

% change 10.22 4.80 0.69 15.47 3.19 15.98 0.36 9.38 13.97 0.51 3.51 0.97 0.65 5.01 0.59 0.52 0.98 2.97 1.53 8.65 0.07

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

WesternMarine -N Beximco Pharma -A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A LafargeS Cement-Z Jamuna Oil -A Khan Brothers-N Grameenphone-A UCBL - A R. N. Spinning-Z SAIF Powertec-N

Titas Gas TDCLA Barakatullah E. D.-A Brac Bank -A GSP Finance-A Square Pharma -A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company WesternMarine -N Khan Brothers-N BEXIMCO Ltd. -A LafargeS Cement-Z R. N. Spinning-Z SAIF Powertec-N Appollo Ispat CL -N Grameenphone-A UCBL - A Aftab Auto.-A

The Peninsula CTG.-N Beximco Pharma -A Summit Power -A Khulna Power-A Shurwid Ind. -N

VolumeShares 3,503,700 2,607,011 3,581,848 1,222,000 488,000 2,003,000 297,400 3,178,270 3,074,654 1,072,400

Value in Million 220.06 164.53 144.76 135.13 122.98 114.77 94.66 90.98 84.95 81.14

% of TotalTurnover 6.34 4.74 4.17 3.89 3.54 3.31 2.73 2.62 2.45 2.34

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

867,490 1,854,784 1,759,792 2,188,722 238,518

456,600 347,000 482,963 121,000 395,000 95,600 259,000 17,000 174,725 64,352

145,000 68,748 105,545 73,869 116,000

69.61 68.82 65.51 63.93 60.53

28.77 19.91 19.46 13.38 10.87 7.27 5.57 5.44 4.94 4.92

4.40 4.35 4.28 4.25 4.21

2.01 1.98 1.89 1.84 1.74

10.62 7.35 7.19 4.94 4.01 2.69 2.06 2.01 1.83 1.82

1.63 1.61 1.58 1.57 1.55

ClosingP 61.50 62.60 40.30 112.90 250.10 57.00 315.60 28.80 28.00 75.70

79.60 36.40 37.40 29.90 252.90 ClosingP

61.90 56.80 40.20 112.40 27.80 76.50 21.40 316.70 28.50 76.30

30.20 62.70 40.10 56.80 35.50

Change % -3.76 0.81 2.03 6.81 -0.08 6.54 -0.35 3.23 9.38 6.17

-1.00 -1.09 2.47 9.52 0.68

Change %

-2.83 5.97 2.03 5.54 9.88 8.05 0.47 0.28 2.89 2.01

0.33 0.97 -0.25 -0.18 2.31

ClosingY 63.90 62.10 39.50 105.70 250.30 53.50 316.70 27.90 25.60 71.30

80.40 36.80 36.50 27.30 251.20

ClosingY

63.70 53.60 39.40 106.50 25.30 70.80 21.30 315.80 27.70 74.80

30.10 62.10 40.20 56.90 34.70

DHIGH 65.90 65.00 41.10 116.10 260.00 58.80 323.80 29.00 28.10 78.20

81.40 37.90 38.00 30.00 256.60 DHIGH

65.70 58.90 40.90 113.90 27.80 77.80 21.70 323.50 28.70 78.00

30.90 64.00 41.20 58.70 37.00

DLOW 60.90 56.00 35.60 106.00 235.00 54.50 315.00 25.50 24.50 72.40

78.00 33.30 34.00 25.50 230.00 DLOW

61.20 54.80 39.80 106.00 25.10 71.90 21.40 315.20 27.70 75.30

30.10 62.30 39.80 56.30 35.30

AvgPrice 62.81 63.11 40.41 110.58 252.01 57.30 318.29 28.62 27.63 75.66

80.25 37.10 37.22 29.21 253.77

AvgPrice

63.00 57.39 40.29 110.55 27.51 76.06 21.50 320.29 28.29 76.40

30.38 63.24 40.59 57.47 36.28

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

B3

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

US investors elevate India over other emerging markets n Reuters, New York US investors, buoyed by optimism about India’s economy and booming stock market, have been moving money into exchange-traded funds that focus solely on that country.

US-listed India ETFs have added about $2bn in net new assets so far this year, outshining other emerging market funds. That brings the total assets of the 10 India ETFs tracked by Morningstar to $6.3bn, up roughly 47% since January.

The biggest India ETFs, the WisdomTree India Earnings ETF is up about 35% year to date, while the iShares MSCI India ETF is up 31% year to date, and the PowerShares India ETF is up 29% Those inflows dwarf the $272m added to broad emerging markets ETFs this year and represent the greatest singlecountry net asset gain when compared with US-listed ETFs that focus on Brazil, China, Russia or South Africa.

The optimism about India is largely driven by the election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May. Analysts and investors expect Modi’s push for economic reform to rejuvenate earnings and create jobs. Investor appetite has driven the MSCI India Index up 28.5% year-to-date - its highest in more than two decades.

That sentiment is a big shift from 2012, when HSBC Holdings PLC called

India a “gasping elephant” in a report highlighting the country’s poor economic growth.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development last week upwardly revised its growth forecast for India, to 6.6% from an earlier forecast of 5.7%.

“We are believers of the India story long-term,” said Darshan Bhatt of New Jersey-based Glovista Investments LLC, which runs an emerging markets equity strategy for clients.

Bhatt went from having no position in India in January to having as much as 17% of his portfolio in the country earlier this year. To build his Indian position, he has been selling Russian, Brazilian and South Korean shares. He has dialed back his Indian holdings a bit, he said, but still remains bullish.

India’s gains stand in contrast to the 4.7% gain for the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF and the 1.6 percent gain for the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF this year.

The so-called BRICS group - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - all moved together a decade ago, but now India is pulling away from the others, said Dennis Hudachek, a senior analyst with ETF.com. The India optimism contrasts with expectations of slowing growth in China and a tepid reaction to the re-election of Brazil’s president last month.

Among the biggest India ETFs, the WisdomTree India Earnings ETF is up about 35% year to date, while the iShares MSCI India ETF is up 31% year to date, and the PowerShares India ETF is up 29%.

The WisdomTree ETF has added about $830 million in assets, while the iShares ETF has gained about $875m and the PowerShares ETF has added about $94m. l

A woman counts US dollars after exchanging her yen at a money changer at Haneda airport

REUTERS

Yen edges up in Asia on BoJ chief comments n AFP, Tokyo

The yen rose in Asia yesterday after the head of the Bank of Japan indicated concern about the negative impact of its recent weakness on the country’s struggling economy.

In Tokyo afternoon trading, the dollar slipped to 117.93 yen from 118.25 yen in New York Monday, while the euro eased to 146.49 yen from 147.10 yen.

The single currency, which rallied Monday in response to a pick-up in German business confidence, slipped back to $1.2425 from $1.2439.

BoJ governor Haruhiko Kuroda said

policymakers were aware of the impact of the yen’s sharp decline on the economy, after it tumbled to multi-year lows against the dollar and euro since the central bank ramped up its stimulus programme on October 31.

“We will monitor (market movements) carefully, including their impact on the actual economy,” Kuroda was quoted by the Nikkei business daily as telling business leaders in a speech on Tuesday.

He acknowledged that while a weak yen is positive for exporters, it weighs on household incomes and hurts smaller firms’ earnings because of rising

import costs. Kuroda gave no hint of further easing in the immediate future, despite recent data showing Japan fell into recession in the third quarter.

But he said “the bank will make adjustments without hesitation” if necessary to achieve an inflation target of two percent by next year, adding: “This policy stance remains unchanged.”

His comments follow remarks Friday by Finance Minister Taro Aso who said the yen’s fall to a seven-year low against the dollar had been too rapid.

“All this combined may be weighing on the (dollar-yen) pair, although its upward trend is still very much intact,” Mi-

nori Uchida, chief currency analyst at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, told Dow Jones Newswires. The dollar was mixed against other Asia-Pacific currencies.

It edged up to 44.97 Philippine pesos from 44.94 pesos on Monday, to 32.81 Thai baht from 32.79 baht, to 12,162 Indonesian rupiah from 12,125 rupiah, to 61.92 Indian rupees from 61.73 rupees, and to Sg$1.3028 from Sg$1.2995.

The greenback weakened to 1,111.88 South Korean won from 1,113.16 won while it was flat at Tw$30.91. The Australian dollar fell to 86.00 US cents from 86.87 cents and the Chinese yuan inched down to 19.20 yen from 19.22 yen. l

ADB highlights risks for East Asia bond markets n AFP

Oil prices mixed as hopes dim for OPEC output cut

Singapore economy to grow 3% in 2014

n AFP, Singapore

n AFP, Singapore

Higher US interest rates or a sharp rise in the dollar could pose challenges to East Asia’s local-currency bond markets, the Asian Development Bank warned yesterday.

While the markets have shown themselves to be resilient, the Manilabased lender said in its quarterly Asia Bond Monitor that their composition left them vulnerable to external influences.

“Higher US rates and a stronger dollar could prove a challenge given increased foreign holdings of Asia’s bonds, which could easily reverse, and record US dollar bond issuance by the region’s companies,” said Iwan Azis, the head of ADB’s Office of Regional Economic Integration.

US dollar debt becomes more expensive to service in local currency terms when the dollar appreciates. l

Oil prices were mixed in Asia yesterday as dealers bet that the OPEC cartel is unlikely to agree on any cuts at a key output meeting this week, analysts said.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for January delivery rose nine cents at $75.87 while Brent crude for January fell eight cents to $79.60 in afternoon trade.

Oil investors are “speculating that OPEC will not be able to agree to any cut or even commitment to rein in excess oil production”, Singapore’s United Overseas Bank said in a commentary.

The 12-nation Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will hold one of its toughest and most significant meetings in recent years on Thursday, with members under pressure to address falling prices, which

have sunk 30% since June.

OPEC’s poorer members, led by Venezuela and Ecuador, have called publicly for a cut in output, while Iran has also hinted at the need for a reduction.

Oil investors are 'speculating that OPEC will not be able to agree to any cut or even commitment to rein in excess oil production' But the cartel’s Gulf members, led by kingpin Saudi Arabia, are rejecting such calls unless they are guaranteed market share in the highly competitive arena, according to analysts.

Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi was silent about his government’s intentions Monday as he arrived in Vienna ahead of the OPEC gathering.

“Is this the first time we have oversupply?” he was quoted as saying by Dow Jones Newswires when questioned about current supply and demand.

However his Iraqi counterpart Adel Abdel Mahdi arrived in Vienna pushing for action, deeming the steep price drop “not acceptable”.

Dealers are also eyeing third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data from the United States to gauge demand in the world’s top crude consumer, UOB said.

The Singapore lender said the data is likely to show the US economy grew at an annual rate of 3.8% in the JulySeptember quarter, up from a previous estimate of 3.5%.

Daniel Ang, investment analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore, said positive US growth data will “give some support to crude prices, allowing them to inch up a little”. l

Singapore’s economy is expected to slow to growth of 3% this year as a global deterioration hits the city-state’s crucial trade outlook, the government said Tuesday.

Gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 3.3% year-on-year in the nine months to September, but is likely to ease in the final quarter “in line with a projected slowdown in the global economy”, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said in a statement.

Last year, Singapore’s GDP expanded by 4.1%. The official forecast for 2014 is a touch lower than the consensus figure of 3.3% given by economists in a September survey by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Singapore’s small and open economy makes it more vulnerable to external developments compared to its bigger Asian neighbours, which have large domestic markets to cushion them when global demand for their exports is weak, analysts say.

Domestically, weakness in privatesector construction owing to cooling policies in the property market will affect growth, but business services are expected to be resilient, the ministry said.

“Taking these factors into consider-

ation, MTI expects the Singapore economy to grow by around 3.0 percent for the whole of 2014,” it said.

Singapore’s GDP next year is forecast to come in at 2-4%, barring “downside risks” to the global economy, the ministry said.

It cited concerns that the eurozone “will fall into a deflationary spiral given its weak growth and persistent low inflation”, while China risks a steeperthan-expected slowdown if the real estate market corrects sharply.

In the United States, it remains unclear when and at what pace the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates.

“An unexpected tightening of monetary conditions would weigh significantly on US financial markets and business sentiments,” it said, a situation that would affect global markets.

Geopolitical tensions involving Russia and Ukraine as well as key oil producers in the Middle East and North Africa, and a global outbreak of the Ebola virus, are other downside risks, the MTI said.

“The bottom line is that Singapore economic growth is likely to remain mediocre - around 3% - as long as external demand recovery remains uninspiring and uneven,” said Song Seng Wun, a regional economist with Malaysian bank CIMB. l

Construction industry may face setback Apex, a footwear company has recently opened its new outlets in Gulshan Avenue and Kazipara. The outlets were inaugurated by Dr MeenaKaushik, SrilekhaAgarwal, and Rinita Singh, Executive chairperson, executive vice chairperson, and managing Director of Quantum Consumer Solutions respectively

Md Nazmus Salehin, MD and CEO of Standard Bank Limited has recently inaugurated a two daylong course on SME, micro and agriculture credit, that was offered by the bank

Pubali Bank Ltd has recently launched a remittance system for unbanked that is named, Pubali Cash. The bank’s MD and CEO, Helal Ahmed Chowdhury launched the Pubali Cash as chief guest

Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd has recently organized a foundation training course for its newly appointed officers. The bank’s managing director, Farman R Chowdhury handed over the completion certificates to the participants

 B1 COLUMN 5

Bangladeshi brick field owners to import coal from Meghalaya.

Usually, most of the bricks are used in the construction work of buildings and flats during November-January, so, this is the high time to produce bricks in the brick fields across the country, he said.

“We hope that the ban on coal import from Meghalaya will be withdrawn soon”.

Couple of years ago, Both India and Bangladesh had solved same kind of problem on the import of clinker for Lafarge Surma Cement Limited located in Sylhet.

The country’s first Barapukoria coal mine resumed extraction of coal from Sunday last after a five-month break for power generation only. As a result, brick field owners are not able to collect coal mine from the domestic production.

According to the recent media report, local brick field owners imported

100 MT coal with a cost of US$80 per ton though Hilly land port on Monday.

Under the Brick Burning (control) Act 1989, brick fields owners are barred from burning woods and trees for producing bricks and also the act put restriction on establishing the traditional brick fields.

According to government estimate, there are around 1,26,510 brick-fields across the country while the country’s environmentalists said the number is around 10,000, and half of them are located around the capital. Besides, during last fiscal year, brick field importers imported 1,85,000 tonnes of coal, paying an import tax worth Tk40 crore.

Brick manufacturing is one of the fastest growing industries in Bangladesh, having an estimated annual turnout of around Tk866 crore. It is one of the largest sources of emission of greenhouse gases, mainly CO2, responsible for global warming. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

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Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Consumer spending helps Germany skirt recession in Q3 n Reuters A sharp rise in private consumption more than compensated for stubborn weakness in investment, helping the German economy post modest growth in the third quarter and avoid recession, data showed yesterday.

Germany’s Federal Statistics Office confirmed an earlier flash estimate showing a 0.1% rise in seasonally-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) on the quarter between July and September.

Private consumption rose 0.7 percent quarter on quarter, the biggest increase in three years, and public investment rose by 0.6 percent. Overall consumption contributed 0.5 percentage points to third quarter growth.

Trade was also a support, with exports climbing at a faster pace than imports.

On the downside, equipment investment tumbled by 2.3%, while gross capital and construction investment also fell. Overall, investment subtracted 0.7 percentage points from GDP in the quarter.

Study: Denmark is world’s most connected country

n AFP

Denmark has overtaken South Korea as the world’s top country for cellphone and Internet use, a study released Monday said.

In third place was Sweden, followed

by Iceland and Britain, emphasising European dominance in the connectivity stakes, according to the International Telecommunication Union, a leading analyst for information and communication technologies, or ICTs. Hong Kong led Asia, in ninth place in the world rankings, and the United States came 14th. The Central African Republic was last, part of a long list of African countries bringing up the tail of the list.

The International Telecommunications Union’s ICT development index takes into account Internet and mobile phone access and use, and the population’s competence with the technology.

“Over three billion people are now online and information and communication technology growth remains buoyant in just about every country worldwide,” the report said. l

But in a positive sign for the fourth quarter, inventories subtracted 0.5 points from growth, suggesting a bounceback in the final months of the year.

After the German economy contracted by 0.1% in the second quarter, some economists had feared it would sink into a technical recession with another drop in the third, weighed down by weakness in key euro zone trading partners like France as well as uncertainty from the Ukraine crisis.

But Germany managed to eke out some growth and now appears to be regaining momentum. On Monday, a closely-watched measure of business sentiment from the Munich-based Ifo think tank rebounded strongly, helped by a drop in the euro to two-year lows against the dollar and by a decline in oil prices.

Low unemployment, rising wages and rock-bottom interest rates are also providing support.

Still, Germany no longer looks like the “growth locomotive” that defied the euro zone crisis to grow strongly in 2010 and 2011. l

People walk through the Mall of Berlin shopping centre during its opening night in Berlin

Bank of Japan policymakers divided Sony warns reforms before smartphones make money over extra stimulus n AFP, Tokyo

Policymakers were sharply divided over expanding the Bank of Japan’s huge monetary easing plan last month, with opponents warning that the risks far outweighed any benefits, minutes from the meeting showed Tuesday.

The BoJ surprised markets on October 31 by announcing it would inflate its asset-buying plan by up to 80tn yen ($676bn) annually. The move was narrowly passed in a 5-4 vote among board members.

The decision, which came days after the US Federal Reserve wound down its own stimulus, has sent the yen plunging to multi-year lows against the dollar and euro while pushing equities to highs not seen since before the global financial crisis.

However, critics on the policy board questioned “the sustainability of its effects” and said the impact of fresh measures on the world’s number three economy - and the BoJ’s drive to hit a 2% inflation target - “would not be

large”. They also said it could “considerably” squeeze liquidity in Japanese government bond markets.

One member warned that the yen’s weakness would batter small domestic firms, which are facing soaring import costs.

The four opposing members were Koji Ishida and Yoshihisa Morimoto, both former business executives seen as loyal to BoJ chief Haruhiko Kuroda, along with former private sector economists Takehiro Sato and Takahide Kiuchi.

The close call suggested that Kuroda - who was hand-picked by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as part of a wider plan to kickstart the economy - almost became the first BoJ chief to lose a vote on a policy that he backed, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

However, one member who supported the move said: “These measures were expected to produce stronger effects on corporate profits, employment, and wages than in the past”, while another warned that failing to

act could hurt the bank’s credibility in helping kickstart the economy.

Following last month’s policy meeting, Kuroda said Japan’s economy was at a “critical moment” in emerging from years of deflation, and the BoJ would “not hesitate” to initiate more easing if necessary.

In a speech Tuesday morning, Kuroda again defended the decision, saying it was “necessary to pursue monetary easing more powerfully... and to reiterate (the BoJ’s) unwavering resolution to achieving the price stability target of two percent”.

Separately, the government on Tuesday maintained its outlook on the economy in November, after cutting its view in the previous two months.

The monthly economic report said the economy was moderately recovering but “weakness can be seen in private consumption”.

Japan’s economy plunged into recession during the third quarter, prompting Abe to delay a planned sales tax rise next year and call snap elections. l

RBI under rate cut pressure as growth slips back n Reuters, New Delhi India’s economic growth probably slowed to around 5% in the three months to September, slipping from 5.7% in the previous quarter, two senior finance ministry sources said, putting pressure on the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates.

The sources said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley would argue forcefully for Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan to lower interest rates when the two meet ahead of a decision on rates next Tuesday.

Six months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi swept to power with a promise that “better days are coming”, growth of 5% would be a serious slip back from the previous quarter and falls far short of the 8 percent that Asia’s third-largest economy needs to create enough jobs for its growing workforce.

Official GDP figures are due for release on Friday.

Indian finance ministers often “jawbone” the RBI on interest rates, but Jaitley’s calls have become unusually insistent of late. Aides say he will make the case for cuts forcefully when he meets Rajan.

“When Rajan meets the finance minister ahead of the policy review, he would be urged to cut the interest rates,” one senior finance ministry official with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. “A rate cut is the only hope for industry facing poor domestic and external demand,” the official said.

Rajan, who is due to speak later on Tuesday in Gujarat, has resisted calls to cut the RBI’s 8% repo rate, even though retail price inflation has dipped below the 6% target he wants to hit by January 2016.

The hawkish former IMF chief economist has made it his mission to introduce inflation targeting to India, a country long plagued by double-digit price rises that hurt the more than 700 million people who live on $2 a day or less.

So while factors such as weak international oil prices and flagging export

REUTERS

n AFP, Tokyo

Struggling Sony recently warned it needs to carry out years of root and branch reform before it can turn around its battered smartphone arm.

The Japanese consumer giant, fresh from revealing a 172bn yen ($1.5bn) operating loss in the mobile communication segment for the latest quarter, said painful changes lay ahead.

“We must carry out structural reform before we can launch a new business,” said Hiroki Totoki, new head of Sony Mobile Communications Inc and a Sony group executive.

“Devices with communication functions have the potential to develop further,” he told market analysts and reporters in Tokyo.

“We will implement reforms first to build a company structure that allows us to manage certain risks before venturing into the new business and getting a result,” he said, adding it would take “years to deeply synchronise technological and product development”.

The once-mighty Sony last month announced a 109.1bn yen six-month loss, the latest in a series of parlous results totalling billions of dollars.

Even the sharply weaker yen, which has plunged to around 118 to the dollar against about 80 two years ago, cannot smooth over the gaping holes.

In any case, analysts warn, the effect of the currency shift is fading

and the industry’s household names have more work to do on reinventing themselves.

Sony has said it will cut global staff numbers in the smartphone unit by 15% - about 1,000 jobs - and not pay dividends for the first time since its shares started trading in Tokyo in 1958.

The business has been hit by weaker-than-expected results in emerging markets and a full-blooded challenge from global rivals including Samsung and Apple.

Totoki said Tuesday it was “difficult” for Sony to address the low-priced mass market players in the mobile communication business “as we lag behind in cost competitiveness compared with Chinese rivals”.

“I think we need to make more use of Sony’s technologies. We have great technologies at least in the fields of censors and camera modules,” a key component of digital cameras, Totoki said.

The comments came after he was asked about Sony’s past failures in focusing on high-end consumers, including its Vaio personal computer business.

The company said earlier this year it was exiting the personal computer business, selling the unit under the Vaio brand - which scored an initial success in the high-end market but later saw its market share dwindle - to a Japanese investment fund. l

Honda admits under-reporting serious US accidents n Reuters, New York

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan and India's Finance Minister Arun Jaitley (left) attend the board of directors meeting of the RBI, in New Delhi REUTERS demand have prompted Asia’s top two economies, China and Japan, to take aggressive action to ease monetary policy, Rajan has held out.

Policy makers in New Delhi say the RBI should follow suit, ratcheting up the pressure on a central bank that enjoys policy autonomy but lacks the kind of independence enjoyed by central banks in the West.

“Rajan would have to really work hard to convince the Finance Minister why he will not cut interest rates this time,” said another finance ministry official who is responsible for tax policy.

After two years of sub-5 percent growth, India’s $2tn economy is strug-

gling to break consistently above that level, which means tax take for the year to end March is now set to miss budget by as much as 900bn rupees ($15bn), the second official estimated.

Jaitley has so far vowed to uphold a fiscal deficit target of 4.1% of GDP, but his aides caution that any further cuts in spending that the government has to make to hit it could further sap growth.

“Expenditure cuts are certain, and that means a further slowdown in the economy,” the official said.

Independent economists caution, however, that cuts in interest rates may not be the best medicine for India, which is in desperate need of structural

reforms to make it easier to do business.

Red tape has depressed investment, and with it demand for credit. At the same time a state-dominated banking system riddled with bad loans may put an investment recovery at risk, the OECD said last week. “A rate cut will have a sentiment boost impact for consumers but then that sentiment boost won’t last long as the supply side is constrained,” said Indranil Pan, chief economist at Kotak Mahindra Bank.

“The fall in inflation is not a structural correction but a cyclical correction because oil, commodity prices are not in our hands and they can turn anytime.” l

Honda Motor Co failed to notify US safety regulators of 1,729 claims of injuries and deaths related to accidents in its vehicles since 2003, the automaker acknowledged on Monday.

The Japanese automaker said in a statement that its count of underreported claims came from a third-party audit. Honda cited “various errors related to data entry” and said it used an “overly narrow interpretation” of its legal reporting requirements. It said it is taking steps to remedy these shortcomings.

“I haven’t got a detailed report yet, but it seems there were a lot of administrative mistakes on the ground,” Honda CEO Takanobu Ito told reporters at a corporate event in southern Japan on Tuesday.

Honda’s US arm responded to a Nov 3 order from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seeking an explanation for why Honda failed to fulfill its legal obligation to report deaths and injuries, especially

DILBERT

those involving air bags.

Honda and Japanese supplier Takata Corp have been at the center of investigations of defects in Takata air bags.

Since 2008, Honda has recalled more than 7.5 million US cars because defects can cause the inflators in some Takata air bags to rupture, spraying metal shards into vehicle occupants.

Asked what Honda had made of an early, pre-recall Takata air bag accident, in 2004, Ito said: “We don’t have knowledge of inflators but ... it was difficult to foresee that it would expand” to similar accidents or recalls.

NHTSA sent a second order to Honda on Nov 5, seeking details and documents related to the air bags and inflators.

Honda sent its response on Monday to NHTSA’s first order. A summary of that response was read out by Rick Schostek, executive vice president of Honda North America, on a conference call with reporters, though he declined to take questions. Schostek testified last week at a US Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Takata air bags. l