24 nov, 2014 0

Agrahayan 10, 1421 Muharram 30, 1436 Regd No DA 6238 Vol 2, No 230

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

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B1 | BUSINESS

7 | SPECIAL

11 | OP-ED

14 | SPORT

NRBS WANT BETTER FACILITIES THAN FOREIGN INVESTORS

BROADCAST POLICY 2014

HE LOVES ME NOT?

MESSI BREAKS LIGA GOALS RECORD WITH HATTRICK

Police doubt RAB’s murder motive claim RAB claims a Rajshahi Jubo Dal leader masterminded Prof Shafiul murder Islam Shaon in Dhaka and n Ashif Mohammad Jamil Khan from Rajshahi Police do not appear convinced with the Rapid Action Battalion’s (RAB) claim of having solved the murder mystery of Rajshahi University Professor Shafiul Islam hinting at a personal issue and implicating a Jubo Dal leader.

Abdus Samad Pintu, 34, former vice-president of the RU unit of BNP’s student front Chhatra Dal and now a leader of the party’s youth front, wanted Shafiul killed because the professor had “misbehaved” with his wife, RAB said.

Police have been saying from the beginning that Jamaat-Shibir men were behind the killing According to RAB, the arrestees admitted that Pintu was the mastermind and five others executed the killing mission, all of whom have been arrested in Dhaka and Rajshahi. They were brought before the media in a briefing at the Dhaka headquarters of the force yesterday.

Rajshahi police, who believe that Jamaat-e-Islami and its student front Islami Chhatra Shibir were involved with the murder, said they would interrogate the six arrested by RAB because a “personal issue” could not be the only motive.

The five others arrested by RAB are Katakhali Municipality unit Jubo Dal Organising Secretary Ariful Islam Man-

ik, 33, and Md Sabuj Sheikh, 18, Sirajul Islam Kalu, 22, Md Al-Mamun, 31 and Ibrahim Khalil alias Tokai Babu, 21.

Police later claimed that Sabuj, Mamun and Babu were Shibir activists.

RAB’s version

During yesterday’s media briefing, Mufti Mahmud Khan, director of RAB’s Media Wing, said: “Pintu’s wife Nasreen is an officer at the accounts section of the university. Shafiul had misbehaved with her. The arrestees admitted that they had killed the teacher over the incident.”

The RAB official did not elaborate on the nature of “misbehaviour.” However, another RAB official, seeking anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune that it was “sexual abuse.”

When reminded that Rajshahi police had found Jamaat-Shibir militant link with the murder, the RAB director said they found nothing of the sort.

RAB also said two others – Rajshahi district Jubo Dal Convenor Anwar Hossain Uzzal and “Jamai” Babu, who they thought were also involved with the murder – are on the run.

According to RAB, Pintu and Uzzal first made the plan to kill the professor while Jubo Dal leader Ariful Islam Manik led the attack. Sabuj was the first to hack Shafiul.

RAB further said apart from the six already arrested and the two absconding, they also suspected three others who were part of the 11 arrested by police in connection with the murder.

They are Arif, Sagar and Jinnah.

Mufti said 10-15 days before the incident, Pintu had locked into an  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

Firefighter tries to put out a fire that broke out from a loaded oil-tanker at a filling station in Satrasta of the capital’s Tejgaon area yesterday evening. The cause of the fire was unknown, but the manager of the filling station said the fire ensued as the vehicle was waiting to unload. Seven fire-fighting units from the fire service headquarters, Mohammadpur and Kurmitola offices managed to douse the fire around 8pm MEHEDI HASAN

Latif returns amid arrest warrants n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla Former minister and Awami League leader Abdul Latif Siddique all on a sudden returned to country last night amid warrants for his arrest in a dozen of cases filed for hurting religious sentiment.

Latif arrived at the Shajalal International Airport from Kolkata by an Air India flight at 8:30pm a month after he had been expelled from the ruling Awami League.

Upon his arrival at the airport’s VIP lounge he was kept under surveillance of immigration police.

Later, the police let him go around 9:30pm.

‘Undoubtedly, he came to Dhaka with a bad intention’ Soon after the news of Latif’s arrival spread, radical Islamist organisation Hefazat-e-Islam threatened to lay a siege to the capital and enforce nonstop hartal if Latif was not arrested immediately.

Immigration police officials said Latif had arrived at the immigration

area and completed the procedure without any hassle.

An official said when Latif left Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport officials of Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka received the information.

Sources said the law enforcers had escorted Latif to the domestic terminal after the immigration procedure and then he had left the airport in his car.

A number of witnesses said after his arrival in the airport Latif stayed around an hour in the VIP lounge and then left with the help of the members of the law enforcement agencies.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

JMB leader Sajid’s wife, 3 others held Zamila Khan and n Tazlina Md Sanaul Islam Tipu Detectives have arrested four members of banned Islamist outfit Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) including the wife of Sajid, the prime suspect of Bardhaman blast in West Bengal of India.

The arrestees are Sajid’s wife Fatema Begum, and Abdul Kazi, Md Ishrat Ali Sheikh and Md Shawkat Sarder. Fatema is the chief of JMB’s newly-formed women wing, Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of the DMP, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday. The three others are assistants of Sajid, he added.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

Smugglers gamed Biman crew roster as automated system lay idle

Efficient Tigers take 2-0 lead Uddin Khan n Minhaz from Chittagong Bangladesh ended the Chittagong-leg of their bilateral series with a win as the hosts took a 2-0 lead over Zimbabwe courtesy a 68-run victory in the second of the five-ODI series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS) yesterday.

The three remaining ODIs will now be held in Dhaka starting with the third match this Wednesday.

As desired by Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza, the 68-run win in the second ODI came on the back of a team performance. The match, however, was anything but a one-sided affair, especially after the home side lost their 10 wickets for the addition of just 93 runs following a 158-run stand for the opening wicket between Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque.

In pursuit of 252 for victory, Zimbabwe were bundled out for 183 in 44.5 overs, falling short by 68 runs with Mashrafe picking up three wickets and left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny scalping 4/29 – his best bowling figure in an ODI. Earlier on the day, Mashrafe decided to bat first but his decision raised a few questions considering the dew factor. Tamim and Anamul, however, put  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam

Super skipper Mashrafe celebrates with teammates after bagging a Zimbabwean scalp en route to his match winning performance in Chittagong yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

A Tk20cr software package acquired to bring transparency to the process of planning schedules for pilots and crew has never been used by the national flag carrier.

Some senior officials are unwilling to use the automated system because the manual system can be manipulated, making it helpful for gold smuggling, sources in the airline said.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ automated crew and pilot scheduling system has lain idle since it was purchased three years ago.

Following a major bust last week against senior Biman officials connected to gold smuggling, the board of Biman Bangladesh Airlines decided to use the automated system at an urgent meeting on Saturday night.

Earlier, in a 12-hour operation, detectives arrested five members of the smuggling racket including three Biman high-ups – Captain Abu Mohammad Aslam Shaheed, the pilot of an aircraft and chief of Biman’s planning

Biman sources said Mahmudul Haque Palash, the godson of Biman chairman Air Marshal (retd) Jamal Uddin Ahmed, manipulated the schedules of the pilots and crews together with Mohammad Aslam Shaheed, Emdad Hossain and Tozammel Hossain.

“They made between Tk10 to Tk50 lakh every flight from Dubai and Jeddah,” a senior officer said, on condition of anonymity.

The gang bought schedules of different routes but their main target was Dubai and Jeddah.

The International Crimes Tribunal 1 is set to deliver verdict today in the case against expelled Awami League leader Mobarak Hossain from Brahmanbaria for his alleged crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. Tribunal Chairman Justice M Enayetur Rahim fixed the date yesterday and asked the prison authorities to produce the accused before it by 10am today.

Mobarak, 64, is facing charges on five counts that include murder, abduction, torture and crimes against humanity.

He was sent to Dhaka Central Jail from Kashimpur Jail 1 around 4pm yesterday, Jailer Amzad Hossain said.

Member of Jamaat-e-Islami in 1971, Mobarak was a razakar commander in Brahmanbaria. After the independence he joined the Awami League and served as the organising secretary of Mugra union unit in Akhaura upazila of Brahmanbaria for 16 years until 2012.

Later he was expelled from the Awami League.

Khodeja Begum, daughter of martyr Abdul Khaleque, filed a case against Mobarak with a Brahmanbaria court on May 3, 2009. The case was later transferred to the war crimes tribunal.

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

 PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

and scheduling, Emdad Hossain, deputy general manager of flight services and Tozammel Hossain, manager of scheduling.

The other two arrested were Mahmudul Haque Palash, an influential contractor known to have close ties with top officials at Biman and Md Harunur Rashid, owner of a money exchange firm in Uttara.

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JAPA WALKS OUT OF JS

INSIDE 2 | News

The government yesterday launched a Tk2,943 crore project to deliver better public services in five city corporations - Narayanganj, Comilla, Rangpur, Gazipur and Chittagong.

3 | News

War criminal Nizami appealed to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against a verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal that sentenced the Jamaat chief to death.

4 | News

Issues relating to railways, road and energy assistance were the main areas of focus at yesterday’s meeting held by delegations of foreign secretaries of all eight member states of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).

5 | News

Thirteen families from the Old Dhaka have accused dismissed minister Adul Latif Siddique of grabbing their land three years ago.

6 | Nation

Harassment from brokers and corrupt officials is on the rise at the Narsingdi regional passport office. Passport seekers are having to pay the brokers and then bribe the officials.

9 | World

A suicide bomber killed at least 45 at a volleyball tournament in Afghanistan. A spokesman for the governor of Paktika province said the attacker had detonated the bomb amid a crowd of people gathering for a game.

8 | World

Teenagers carrying weapons stand at checkpoints and busy intersections in Iraq’s second-largest city, Mosul. Patched onto their black uniforms are the logos of Islamic Police.

Verdict in Mobarak case today n Tribune Report

15 | Entertainment

‘Ekattorer Ma Janoni’ has been selected for the US Film Festival to be held on December 27. Nipun plays the protagonist, tells the story of the Birongonas of the Liberation War.

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Tk2,943 crore project launched to improve city governance n Tribune Report The government yesterday launched a Tk2,943 crore project to deliver better public services in five city corporations - Narayanganj, Comilla, Rangpur, Gazipur and Chittagong.

The project titled “Inclusive City Governance Project” aims at strengthening administrative capacity of the city governments, improving governance, promoting good environment and quality of life, and creating economic opportunities.

Of the total cost, Tk2,397.69 crore will be provided by Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jaica) and the remaining Tk545,31 crore will come from the public coffers. The project is expected to be completed by June 2020, and in June this year, the government signed the agreement with Jaica.

According to the agreement, the concessional loan carries a mere 0.01% annual interest rate with a 40-year repayment period and a 10-year grace period.

The project is one of the five projects involving $1.18bn to promote socio-economic development in both urban and rural areas, and to provide solid foundation for the BIG-B (Bay of Bengal industrial growth belt) initiative proposed during bilateral talks between the prime ministers of Bangladesh and Japan.

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the project at the LGED auditorium in the capital in presence of Japanese envoy to Bangladesh Shiro Sadoshima and Jaica Bangladesh Chief Representative Mikio Hataeda.

“Urban administration system should be improved taking into account the rising population in the city,” said Kamal.

“The number of city dwellers will grow to 50% by 2035 from the present 30% of the country’s total population.”

The minister urged officials to implement the project in time while ensuring quality. “It is crucial to stop wastage of funds and check corruption when the project is implemented,” he said.

Kamal also requested local representatives to recover illegally occupied public lands. Urban infrastructure, especially road, drain, water supply and solid waste facilities, are not sufficiently developed and is causing serious traffic congestion, waterlogging, illegal dumping of solid wastes and other urban problems.

Besides, unclear demarcation and responsibility, and overlapping of functions between the central government and city corporation authorities have been observed, which hampered proper implementation of many development projects.

To effectively deal with the problems, the government requested Japan to provide financial support for the project. l

News

Monday, November 24, 2014

Padma Treatment Plant gets consultants n Tribune report

Khaleda: Government is mad with thirst for blood

The government has appointed a joint venture of several Europe and Bangladesh-based firms to supervise the ongoing construction of the Padma Water Treatment Plant, being implemented by a Chinese company.

The Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase yesterday approved the proposal from the Local Government Division for appointing the consultants.

The joint venture comprise leading European consultants M/S Grontmij A/S and its sub-consultants AQUA Consultants Limited, based in the UK, and the BETS Consulting Ltd and the Institute of Water Modelling, both based in Bangladesh.

Sources at the Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Ministry told the Dhaka Tribune that the proposal was placed before the cabinet committee in November 2013 but failed to get approval for several reasons. l

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said the ruling party had gone mad with bloodthirst, referring to the many killings that have taken place in the recent past.

“The Awami League has gone mad for blood and that is why they are killing people,” she said, adding that the desperation is so great that not only the ruling party men, but various government law enforcement agencies too had been involved with killings and abductions.

She warned the Awami League that it was not a positive sign. “The consequences of such actions would be serious,” she said at a meeting with the Gafargaon municipality Chhatra Dal leader Ibn Azad Kamal’s family members at her Gulshan office.

Kamal was killed allegedly by Awami League men on September 8. While condoling the family and financially

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

Verdict in Mobarak case today  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

An investigation team on January 23 last year completed the probe into Mobarak’s alleged involvement in crimes against humanity.

The prosecution submitted formal charges against him on February 25 last year and the court took the charges into cognisance on March 12. The tribunal indicted him on April 23.

The prosecution ended their closing arguments on May 19 seeking death for Mobarak while the defence closed their

arguments the following day.

On June 2, the tribunal 1 kept the case for verdict.

Mobarak is charged for killing 33 unarmed civilians on the bank of Ganga Sagar Dighi of village Tanmandail in Akhaura.

He is also accused of capturing a Hindu Temple named “Anandamoyee Kalibari” which was later renamed as “Razakar Manjil” and the abduction of one Ashuranjan who was tortured to death.

supporting them, Khaleda said: “It seems that there is a government in the country, which runs without any law and order. Chhatra League criminals are roaming about with arms; the police have not taken any action against them. Universities and educational institutions have turned into a safe haven for criminals and students, even the teachers are not safe today.”

The BNP chief also alleged that there was no fair law prevailing in the country.

The ruling party men were treated in one way while the BNP men were deprived of justice. “BNP leaders are jailed in false cases while convicted and sentenced Awami League people are released.”

She asked party leaders and activists to make preparations to wage movements, saying: “The people of the country and the BNP believe that the fascist government will be ousted through movements and democracy will return to the country.” l

The prosecution also accused Mobarak of the abduction and murder of Abdul Khaleque of Satian village in Brahmanbaria.

Another charge states that Mobarak and his men abducted Khadem Hossain Khan from Station Road of Brahmanbaria and tortured him in confinement.

He is also accused of the abduction and torture of Abdul Malek of village Kharompur and Md Siraj of Amirpara who were later killed by razakars. l

Smugglers gamed Biman crew

JMB leader Sajid’s wife, 3 others held

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 PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

The Dhaka Tribune yesterday found Biman officers engaged in a series of meetings at Biman Bhaban over concern with the detective list.

Biman officials, requesting anonymity, said after the detention of Palash and the three high officials, no one was safe and anyone might be detained.

“Palash, Mohammad Aslam Shaheed, Emdad Hossain and Tozammel Hossain never thought they would be arrested. They sometimes told us they were untouchable,” another officer said.

At Saturday’s meeting, the board of directors discussed the current situation, a senior Biman official told the Dhaka Tribune.

“We discussed lots of issues at the meeting but decided not to make a statement to the media yet,” said advocate A F M Mesbahuddin, a board member, told the Dhaka Tribune.

Biman chairman Jamal Uddin Ahmed or some board members would meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina within a short time to get her direction about the issue, sources said.

Biman plans to form a probe com-

mittee, sources added.

In the mean time, the civil aviation and tourism ministry has formed a one-member committee to probe Biman in the wake of its officials’ alleged links to gold smuggling.

An additional secretary of the ministry will lead the one-member body, Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashed Khan Menon said.

“I am sure that not all officials and employees of Biman are corrupt and every one of them is not suspected in this investigation. So there is nothing to be worried about,” he said.

“But we want to go for tough auction against corrupt officers,” Menon added.

The new committee will submit its report after reviewing the probe report submitted by another probe committee formed earlier, the minister added.

The deadline for the new committee to submit its report however could not be known immediately.

Biman has suspended the detained officials and they will face divisional cases against them, board meeting sources said. l

political wing of the network. Another Bangladeshi is the chief of militant wing of the network.”

Fatema confessed that she had trained at least 20 women, of who five were Bangladeshis, the official added.

She gave training on using small arms and physical fitness. For practice, they used air guns. There were around 50-55 female students in the madrasa.

The trainings were conducted in three madrasas, of which two others are for male.

Fatema’s name was reportedly mentioned by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) during their recent meeting with Dhaka’s officials.

Monirul said earlier the NIA had given them some information about the JMB. “The group collects members from poor and middle-income families and convinces them to join the JMB by offering rehabilitation.”

Fatema stayed in Jharkhand for few days and then moved to Bashirhat of India. After Sajid’s arrest, she came to Satkhira with the help of some brokers.

“But during interrogation Fatema said she came to Bangladesh through Hili

border.”

Detectives say the JMB members were making and storing explosives in the madrasa to launch attacks in Bangladesh and India. They were waiting for order of their high-command. “Usually they inform the members about any operation only two or three days before execution,” Monirul said.

The three other JMB militants joined the group in 2004-2005. In 2005, they participated in the Brac Bank robbery in Gopalganj. During that time, Sajid and Abdun Nur were arrested. They were freed on bail in 2011 and again got involved with destructive activities of the JMB. Police claim that the three detainees had communication with Sajid and Nur until their arrest.

Meanwhile, Kotwali police produced the four JMB members before the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Maruf Hossain yesterday noon seeking 20-day remand in two cases filed under Anti-Terrorism Act and Explosives Substance Act. After a hearing, the judge granted police 11 days to grill them. l

Police have been saying since the beginning that Prof Shafiul’s feud with his pro-Jamaat colleagues was a motive behind the killing.

Yesterday, a team of detectives arrested two people in Bogra – Shariful Islam, teacher of Mostafizur Cadet Madrasa, and Rayhanul Islam Shadhin, a student of class VIII. The first was the creator of the Facebook page titled Ansar al Islam Bangladesh 2 that claimed responsibility for the murder, and the second was the first commenter on that page.

AKM Mahiduzzaman, a deputy

commissioner of Rajshahi police, said they had also arrested two blacksmiths named Sadhon and Bhojon from Bogra suspecting that they had made the machetes used in the murder.

Md Shamsuddin, commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, said they were not happy with the RAB probe.

“Misbehaviour with a female employee can be one reason behind the murder but we have found two more clues. We will question those arrested from Bogra and those arrested by RAB to know details,” he said.

The RMP also said Manik was a notorious criminal and accused in at least 17 cases.

Interestingly, according to a source, Ibrahim Hossain Moon, former leader of Awami League’s student body Chhatra League’s RU unit and a close friend of Uzzal, arrived at the spot just five to six minutes after the murder and talked to Alamgir Hossain, OC of Moti-

har police station.

About 10 minutes later on that day, Alamgir told the media that the teacher had been killed over a family matter.

However, asked how he could be so sure, he could not explain, the source said.

Tracking mobile phone and based on witness accounts, the RMP earlier arrested a total of 11 people in connection with the murder and claimed that all of them were involved with Jamaat and Shibir politics.

law will take its own course. We have nothing to say about him as he is none of our party.”

On October 12, President Abdul Hamid terminated Latif’s Posts and Telecommunications Ministry port folio on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s advice for his derogatory comments on hajj and Tabligh Jamaat.

The same day, Latif was also removed from the Awami League Presidium. His primary party membership was also suspended for his anti-Islamic comments and violating party charter.

The Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification on Latif’s removal from the cabinet, but it did not mention the reason for the removal.

On October 14, the party issued a show-cause notice, which Latif replied on time. On October 24, Latif was expelled from the Awami League. The Awami League Central Working Committee made the decision at a meeting

chaired by Sheikh Hasina.

After the meeting, party’s General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam told reporters that Latif had been expelled from the party for hurting religious sentiments of the Muslims.

After a video clip of Latif’s speech emerged on social media, several senior party leaders came down hard on Latif for his “irresponsible” remarks.

Islamist parties brought out protest processions in the capital as well as elsewhere in the country, demanding capital punishment to Latif Siddique for his comments on hajj, Prophet Muhammad (SM) and Tabligh Jamaat.

Several Islamist parties, including Hefazat-e-Islam, Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, brought out processions in the capital and staged demonstrations.

Latif got involved with Awami League politics by joining the Chhatra League. He was elected the vice-presi-

dent of Korotia Sadat College Students Union in 1964-65. He was elected an Awami League lawmaker in 1970. He was further elected an MP in 1973, 1996, 2008 and 2014, and served as a minister from 2009 until his expulsion.

Latif was elected the party’s presidium member, the highest policymaking body, in 2009. He was a central committee member of the party and held a number of posts in the Tangail district unit committee at different times.

They were arrested around 10am of Saturday from Sadarghat area of the capital. Jihadi books, explosives and bomb-making materials were recovered from their possessions.

Masud said after the Bardhaman blast incident, Sajid’s friends and trusted associates including Fatema came to Bangladesh to avoid arrest. Later members of the Lawful Interception Centre (LIC) and the Detective Branch (DB) of Police arrested them in a joint drive.

Monirul Islam, joint commissioner of the DB, said: “Fatema is a training coordinator of the JMB. She was with Sajid during the Bardhaman blast of October 2.”

During primary interrogation, Fatema said they were staying near the spot where the blast had taken place. She also gave important information on JMB’s top and important leaders who were involved in blasts at different times.

Monirul said: “Fatema used to train JMB’s female members at Shimulia Madrasa in West Bengal which is now closed. The JMB has created a militant network there. Sajid was the chief of

Police doubt RAB’s murder motive claim  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

altercation with the teacher, who had allegedly misbehaved with his wife and informed Uzzal, a local political muscle-man, of the incident. Uzzal had then asked Manik to kill the professor.

“The killers, led by Manik, surrounded the teacher when he reached Chouddopara near the [Rajshahi] University Housing Society area.

As Manik drew first blood, Shafiul fell and Mamun, Arif, Babu and Kalu hacked him. They left the area after they were certain that the victim was dead.”

After the media briefing, Manik told reporters: “One day while we were having tea, Uzzal and Pintu told me to do the job because Sir [Prof Shafiul] knew them. We failed three times earlier because we did not know him by his face.”

Manik also said: “On November 5, Pintu followed Sir and we took position on the road near his house. When he

came close, Pintu indicated that it was him. We were seven and had machetes and knives with us. When Sir took the dirt road from the main road, we surrounded him and hacked him.

“We were first told not to kill him as it will result in chaos. We were asked to inflict severe injuries to frighten him.

But Sabuj [who police said was a Shibir man] hacked him in the neck.”

When a reporter asked if they were paid for the job, Manik replied in the negative.

Manik also said Sagor was a battery-run autorickshaw driver and the general secretary of a ward-level unit of Chhatra Dal in Rajshahi. Arif was a construction worker and a member of a local municipality-level unit of Jubo Dal. Jinnah, Babu, Mamun were also Jubo Dal members. Jamai Babu was a fish trader and Kalu and Sobuj were unemployed.

A source in the district Jubo Dal said

Latif returns amid arrest  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

Although Latif faces at least 22 cases and warrants for his arrest in these cases, he left the airport safely with the help of police officials.

Seeking anonymity, a police official told the Dhaka Tribune that Latif was under surveillance and would be arrested in time.

A good number of law enforcers were in the airport, but no one except a female passenger of the Air India flight talked to him.

The woman, whose name could not be confirmed, told journalists that she had asked Latif if he would not face problem after returning to Bangladesh.

Latif replied: “What problems? Why should I be scared?”

Meanwhile, in a press release issued last night, Junaid Babunagri, secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam, threatened with seige programmes and non-stop hartals if Latif was not arrested and

given exemplary punishment.

Earlier, issuing a note of warning to the government, Ahle Sunnat’wal Jamaat asked the government to arrest Latif within 24 hours, otherwise tough programmes would be announced.

Many Awami League leaders have expressed surprise at the news of Latif’s return.

Awami League Presidium member Nuh-ul-Alam Lenin said: “He is audacious. He is facing several cases and a warrant was also issued for his arrest. Let us just see what police are going to do.

“Undoubtedly, he came to Dhaka with a bad intention. We do not know the source of his guts and who really instigated him to return to Dhaka. His arrival will certainly spur the religious zealots into taking to the streets and he might face public wrath. I am quite surprised.”

Organising Secretary of Awami League Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said: “He has come back and now the

Uzzal was Manik’s backup in Jubo Dal and Pintu’s business partner.

“They [Pintu and Uzzal] have a contractor’s licence in the name of Hossain Enterprise. They have done many things on the campus together. They used Manik as their muscle to control smuggling and tenders,” the source said.

Police’s version

Forensic findings

After conducting an autopsy on Shafiul’s body, a doctor of Rajshahi Medical College said: “He was hacked seven times.

The first one, which was on the neck, was eight inches deep. This suggests that the killers were desperate. That injury cut a vein in his neck.”

Seeking anonymity, he also said: “From my experience, I can tell you that it is the work of professionals.” l

What he said

On September 28, during a programme in the USA, Latif Siddique made derogatory comments on hajj, ijtema and PM’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy. At the programme organised by the Tangail Samity at a hotel in New York, Latif said he was against hajj and Tabligh Jamaat more than he was against Jamaat-e-Islami.

He said: “Hajj is a waste of manpow-

‘17,000 police to be recruited soon’ n Our Correspondent, Gazipur

The government will appoint 17,000 more to the police force, along with a further 600 sergeants, State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said yesterday, “We are considering the increase of facilities for police personnel to uplift their living standards. We will renovate police stations as well as increase accommodation facilities for them,” the state minister said during an exchange of views with police officers at the office of Police Super in Gazipur.

The state minister also said the law enforcement agencies should not spare criminals no matter what political party s/he belonged to.

Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Nurul Islam, police superintendent Harun-or-Rashid and additional police superintendents were present. l

Efficient Tigers take 2-0 lead  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

paid to all doubts giving their side a flying start. The pair added 158 runs, Bangladesh’s second best opening partnership and highest partnership for any wicket in ODIs at ZACS. This is the third instance of a Bangladesh opening pair posting 150 runs in ODIs. Tamim and Anamul’s partnership is also Bangladesh’s sixth highest stand for any wicket.

Tamim scored 76 off 98 balls before being caught short of the crease by Zimbabwe ODI skipper Elton Chigumbura.

At one point it seemed like Bangladesh would easily cross the 300-run mark but Tamim’s dismissal led to the fall of some quick wickets following which the Tigers barely struggled to reach 250.

Shakib al Hasan proved that he is a human being after all as he departed for a first-ball duck, his eighth no-score in international cricket, soon after Tamim’s departure.

Bangladesh were now encountering some difficulties. 158/0 soon became 173/4 as Anamul was dismissed for a well-made 110-ball 80 while Sabbir Rahman, who made a memorable debut in the first ODI last Friday, was dismissed for nought.

The fifth wicket pair of Mahmudullah (12 off 21) and Mushfiqur Rahim (27 off 29) added 31 runs to the tally before both were dismissed with the scoreboard reading 204.

Mominul Haque’s unbeaten 23-ball 33 at the end ensured Bangladesh would eventually reach 251. Vusi Sibanda, bowling in ODIs for the first time in three years, did a brilliant job picking up 1/45 from 10 overs while paceman Tinashe Panyangara and leg-spinner Tafadza Kamungozi scalped two wickets each.

Defending 251, Mashrafe gave Bangladesh a rollicking start sending back three Zimbabwean batsmen to the hut cheaply. Arafat hammered the final nail on the visitors’ coffin by taking four wickets, including three wickets in the 45th over.

Mashrafe struck the first blow in the final delivery of his and Bangladesh’s first over dismantling the stumps to dismiss the hard-hitting Hamilton Masakadza for a duck. The 31-year old paceman then accounted for the wickets of Sibanda (21) and Sikandar Raza (16) in the seventh and ninth over of the innings, Zimbabwe reeling at 40 for 3.

Brendan Taylor’s disappointing tour continued as he was dismissed for eight with Zimbabwe at 50/4. Wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva (32) and Solomon Mire (50) tried to put up some sort of resistance adding 65 runs for the fifth wicket.

Mire soon registered his maiden ODI fifty in his second game. Following the dismissals of the fifth-wicket pair, Chigumbura hit 38 off 31 deliveries but he lacked support from the other end as Arafat soon mopped up the Zimbabwean tail. l

er. Those who perform hajj do not have any productivity. They deduct from the economy and spend a lot of money abroad.

“If 100,000 people perform hajj every year on an average and spend Tk5 lakh each, then the total cost stands at Tk500 crore.”

About the history of hajj, Latif said Prophet Muhammad was worried about the people of Arab as they were robbers.

The prophet then made an arrangement that his followers meet at a place every year, which will generate income.

Castigating Tabligh Jamaat, he said: “Tabligh Jamaat brings together about 20 lakh people every year. It has no specific duties. It just clogs traffic across the country.”

Latif also criticised Hasina’s son Joy, saying: “Why do you often mention of Joy? Who is Joy Bhai? Joy is nobody in the government. He cannot make any decision.” l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Biman chief’s role, JaPa walks out of JS n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Demanding the Biman chairman’s removal, Jatiya Party (JaPa) lawmakers yesterday walked out of parliament, while an independent MP followed suit.

JaSaD lawmaker Moinuddin Khan Badal raised the issue in a point of order; some senior lawmakers participated in the discussion accusing Jamal Uddin Ahmed (Biman’s chairman) of being involved in gold smuggling.

Coming down heavily on retired Air Marshal Jamal Uddin Ahmed for his alleged involvement in corruption and anomalies, JaPa MP Feroz Rashid demanded his removal from the post, saying: “We will be bound to stage a walkout, if the minister does not remove him. We’ll stay in the House, if

the minister gives us this assurance.”

The JaPa walked, with Independent lawmaker Tahzeeb Alam Chowdhury following, out as the chair of the session Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah refused the demand saying the issue could not be solved only by raising a point of order; no decision could be made. The deputy speaker asked Feroz Rashid to issue a notice following the rules of procedure.

Although Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon was present, and wanted to reply to the queries raised, he was not given the floor. Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina and Opposition leader Raushan Ershad were not present.

Before the walkout, Feroz had demanded an hour’s time for discussion

on the current gold smuggling issue, and wanted to know the minister’s position on Biman’s chairman.

“The report of the 9th parliament’s standing committee termed the Biman chairman as a thief. But we’ve not received any copy of the report till date.

We have not seen any action taken against anyone,” he said.

Earlier, Badal, venting his anger at the massive corruption and anomalies within Biman Bangladesh, said the 9th parliament’s relevant standing committee, following a six-month investigation into the malpractices at Biman, had prepared a report and placed in the House, but such report was not discussed in parliament.

“The report had at that time suggested the removal of Biman Chair-

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Monday, November 24, 2014

man terming him as ‘good for nothing’, along with its board of directors. Why does government still face criticism on their behalf?” he asked.

Without mentioning names, Badal further asked if Jamal had became a super citizen of the country.

Independent lawmaker Hazi Selim demanded an explanation from the Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister on rule 300 of the rules of procedure.

Feroz had spoken strongly about the gold smuggling issue last Thursday as well. Involvement of Biman high-ups with gold-smuggling is a widely discussed issue in parliament in recent times.

Earlier on March 23 this year, JaPa MPs staged the maiden walkout of the 10th Parliament in protest of power tariff hike. l

Canadian officials quiz Mahmudur in Niko case n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A Canadian investigation team yesterday interrogated former energy adviser Mahmudur Rahman, also acting editor of daily Amar Desh, in a corruption case.

The case was filed over allegedly taking bribe from Niko Resources Ltd, a Canadian energy company.

Court source said a six-member team interrogated Mahmudur in a conference room of the Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in presence of Metropolitan Magistrate Md Rezaul Karim.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and two deputy attorney generals, and

Mahmudur’s counsel Tajul Islam were also present during the interrogation that took place from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.

Earlier in the day, the jail authorities produced Mahmudur before the court from Kashimpur jail.

After coming to Dhaka, the probe body sought permission from the Foreign Ministry for the interrogation.

Then the ministry asked the attorney general to take initiative in this regard.

Following a petition of the attorney general, Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Bikash Kumar Saha directed the jail authorities to produce Mahmudur for the interrogation.

Mahmudur is now in jail in connection with several cases. l

Nizami appeals against tribunal verdict n Tribune Report War crimes convict Motiur Rahman Nizami appealed to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against a verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal that sentenced the Jamaat chief to death.

Nizami’s lawyer Tajul Islam filed the petition yesterday seeking acquittal from all war crimes charges.

In the 121-page petition, the defence sought to argue on 168 points. They also submitted 6252 pages documents regarding the case.

After filing the petition Tajul informed reporters. He also said: “The verdict by the tribunal against Motiur Rahman Nizami was not given in a proper way. We expect that the top court will acquit him.”

On October 29, Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Motiur Rahman Nizami was sentenced to death by International Crimes Tribunal-1 on four charges of war crimes, which include the killings

of intellectuals.

The 71-year-old was also awarded life sentence in four other charges as the ICT-1 found him guilty in total eight out of 16 charges levelled against him.

The trial against Nizami began on May 28, 2012.

He was arrested on July 29, 2010 for hurting religious sentiments. After three days, he was shown arrested in a war crimes case. The prosecution on December 11, 2012 brought specific charges against him.

As per prosecution documents, Nizami was born in 1943 at Mohammadpur village of Pabna’s Santhia upazila.

As the head of East-Pakistan Islami Chhatra Sangha, then student wing of Jamaat, he led the al-Badr militia – a vigilante group blamed for systematic abduction and execution of intellectuals.

He was one of the alleged war criminals arrested in the very beginning of the war crimes trials in 2010. l

AUGUST 21 GRENADE ATTACK CASE

High Court disposes of petition for cancelling Joj Mia’s deposition n

Tribune Report

The High Court yesterday disposed of a petition that sought cancellation of the deposition made by prosecution witness Joj Mia before a trial court in the August 21 grenade attack case.

The bench of Justice MA Hafiz and Justice M Ruhul Quddus passed the order with some observations.

Deputy Attorney General Md Masud Hasan Chowdhury later told reporters: “Their is no law or example in favour of a petition seeking cancellation of a deposition. Now there is no problem in accepting Joj Mia’s testimony.

Defence counsel Mohammad Ali, however, claimed that the High Court

had not dismissed the plea and it would become clear after the court’s observations were released. He said they might go for appealing the order.

On September 30, Joj Mia gave the deposition before the trial court as a prosecution witness after he had been relieved of the charges against him. Accused Ujjal alias Ratan had moved the High Court as the trial court rejected his plea of cancelling Joj Mia’s deposition.

The grenade attack on an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21, 2004 left 24 people, including late president Zillur Rahman’s wife Ivy Rahman, killed and more than 200 others, including Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina, injured. l

A number of pedestrians risk falling foul of the law, not to mention their lives, as they cross a busy road at the capital’s Sonargaon intersection yesterday, ignoring the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s announcement that jaywalking is a punishable offence SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

ACC chairman rebukes BNP chief Khaleda Zia n Tribune Report

Anti Corruption Commission Chairman M Bodiuzzaman has blasted BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for recently labelling the anti-graft body as ‘Impunity Commission’.

Khaleda Zia had given the commission such a tag with political motivation, but criticism should not be so. It should be constructive, he said yesterday at a programme in the capital, marking the 10th founding anniversary of the commission.

The Anti Corruption Commission was established on November 21, 2004, abolishing the Bureau of Anti Corruption. It however observed its founding anniversary yesterday because Novem-

ber 21 was a weekly holiday this year.

The anti graft watchdog has come in question at different times over its last 10 years since many influential personalities got spared of punishment though there were graft charges against them.

‘Every family should work towards removing corruption from society. And only then will it be possible to root it out’ When ACC chief Bodi was asked about this, he said: “As the commission is now

taking action against many influential personalisties, including those of the ruling party, some people come down hard on the commission.

“However, we never stopped short of taking action against anybody once we get accurate information against them.”

The anti-graft watchdog had discharged 1598 persons from corruption allegations from January to August this year. There were 904 corruption allegations against people while only 34 cases were filed with police during that time period.

“We take actions according to cases graft cases or allegations against people,” Bodi said.

Dhaka University’s Professor

Emeritus Anisuzzaman attended the programme as chief guest.

Terming the corruption a social disorder, he said: “Every family should work towards removing this from the society. And only then, it will be possible to root it out from the society.”

“Corruption is now infiltrating into other countries by crossing its border to make it a second home. This picture is really alarming and so the ACC has to do some social responsibilities to stop corrupt people doing further corruption,” the educationalist said.

ACC Commissioner Nasiruddin Ahmed, Secretary M Maksudul Hasan Khan were also present at the anniversary programme. l

Fakhrul blames AL for rise of militancy Five including Pakistani national n arrested for Rohingya connection Mohammad Al- Masum Molla

BNP spokesperson Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday claimed that a propaganda was being hatched to implicate the party with militancy, with a view to malign its image.

“Awami League is the father of militancy and terrorism. Activities of the [banned Islamist outfit] JMB (Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh) rose high when they were in power. Now it is them again who are hatching a new conspiracy against the BNP in the name of militancy. Their aim is to tarnish the BNP’s image and isolate the party from the world,” Fakhrul said.

He claimed that the BNP did not believe in militancy and terrorism.

The BNP leader feared that the country’s existence would be threatened if the Awami League remained in office for more days. “We do not believe in criminal activities. The BNP believes in electoral democracy. That is why we talked about election. We want change of power through fair election.”

Fakhrul made the comments while addressing a discussion at the National Press Club to mark the 50th birthday of party’s Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, also elder son of the party chief.

Tarique, now staying in the UK on parole, in September blamed the Awami League for portraying Bangladesh

as a militant state. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia made similar claims in October last year saying that militancy and terrorism had taken the root during the Awami League’s 1996-2001 tenure.

However, past records and investigations reveal that it was Khaleda’s first regime (1991-1996) when the first terrorist organisation Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami, Bangladesh (Huji) was launched openly in early 1992. Moreover, militant groups JMB and JMJB (Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh) was created in 2002 and 2004 – during the BNP-Jamaat alliance government.

These groups, aimed at establishing Islamic rule, were banned on February 23, 2005. On August 17 the same year, JMB carried out series bomb blasts across the country simultaneously.

Mahtab Khamaru, the second-in-command of hanged JMB chief Bangla Bhai, was arrested on November 27, 2005 but subsequently released as Tarique Rahman had asked then home state minister Lutfozzaman Babar to do so.

During the military-backed caretaker government, police and terror victims filed cases against several influential BNP leaders including former telecommunications minister Aminul Haque, former state minister for land Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu and former lawmaker Nadim Mustafa for their support and financial backing of the JMB.

Fakhrul yesterday alleged that incidents of bomb blasts had taken place during the Awami League government.

“They did not arrest the militants at that time. Who was top militant leader Abdur Rahman Jahangir? He was the brother-in-law of Mirza Azam.”

The BNP leader said another person was arrested a few days back in connection with the August 21 grenade attack cases. “In newspapers, it was reported that the arrestee revealed Olama League President Kanchpuri’s involvement with the incident. [Detained Huji chief] Mufti Hannan is a man from Gopalganj [prime minister’s birthplace].”

According to the grenade attack cases and confessions of the accused, Hannan and his men with support of Tarique, Babar and intelligence agencies carried out the attack on Awami League’s anti-terrorism rally on Bangabandhu Avenue in 2004.

Fakhrul also blamed the Awami League’s student body Chhatra League for “establishing kingdom of criminal activities” across the country and the “killing of 50 people due to infighting.”

He said the Chhatra League activists kill each other, but point finger at others.

Regarding rampant gold smuggling and the recent arrests of top Biman officials, Fakhrul said: “It was reported that the incumbent Biman chairman is a close aide of the prime minister.” l

n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong The Detective Branch of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) nabbed five people, including a Pakistani national, for their connection with Myanmar sectarian outfit Rohingya Solidarity Organisation from a residential hotel in Chittagong city yesterday afternoon.

DB Deputy Commissioner Kushum Dewan said acting on a tip-off, a DB team raided Hotel Lords Inn in the city around 1pm and arrested Mohammad Alam, 45, the Pakistani who is also the vice-president of Global Rohingya Centre (GRC), Abdul Majid, 30, Mohammad Amin, 50, Salamatullah, 45, and Shafiullah, 40, for suspected connection with militant activities.

The five arrestees were taken to the DB office for interrogation by an eight-member joint interrogation cell of the CMP headed by the DB deputy commissioner, said DB Additional Deputy Commissioner Engineer Hasan Chowdhury.

During primary interrogation, police found that Alam, Majid and Salamatullah were involved with the RSO, a DB official said, seeking anonymity.

He also said some highly confidential documents were found in their possession which indicated to their conspiracy to create anarchy in the country.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Hasan said Majid was born in Saudi Arabia but has a Bangladeshi passport, his family from Ukhiya upazila in Cox’s Bazar, Salamat is the executive editor of the Weekly Aparadh Chakra, Amin is a teacher at a Hefazat-e-Islam madrasa in Chittagong’s Hathazari upazila, and Shafiullah is a public figure in Bandarban where he contested for the chairman post in the last upazila election.

CMP Assistant Commissioner (Kotwali circle) Shah Mohammad Abdur Rouf said the detainees might have gathered to plot a sabotage or disturbance in the country. They were still being interrogated when this report was filed.

Police also found a connection between GRC, which has branches in Myanmar, Thailand, Turkey, Bahrain, Saudia Arabia, India and a few other countries, and Arakan Rohingya Union (ARU), and they were looking for any possible connections between the ARU and the RSO, he told the Dhaka Tribune.

Having visited Bangladesh twice before, Alam came to Bangladesh from Bahrain, after visiting some Middle East countries, on Friday night. His flight landed at Dhaka Airport, and later he went to the port city on Saturday night and checked into the hotel, DB officials found during investigation.

“He did not stay in any country for more than three or four days,” Assistant Commissioner Rouf said, adding that Alam’s visa to stay in Bangladesh would expire on February 4 next year.

They also found Majid, who lives in Saudi Arabia, had visited Bangladesh in February this year before coming again in August. He was also staying in the same hotel.

The three others are from different areas in Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar. When this report was filed, they were giving misleading information to the interrogators, Assistant Commissioner Rouf said, adding that police were also investigating their connection with Alam.

CMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operation) Banaz Kumar Majumder said they were looking into threats to national security in this case, and appropriate measures would be taken after the interrogation ended. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Monday, November 24, 2014

Pre-Saarc Summit meeting discusses rail, road, energy issues n Tribune Report Issues relating to railways, road and energy assistance, and how the commitments and programmes could be implemented were the main areas of focus at yesterday’s meeting held by delegations of foreign secretaries of all eight member states of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).

The delegates met yesterday as the 41st session of the Standing Committee of Saarc began in Kathmandu ahead of the 18th Saarc Summit scheduled for November 26-27, The Himalayan Times reported.

The two-day meeting, which is expected to ratify the agenda endorsed by the Programming Committee of the Joint-Secretary-level that met on Saturday, will also discuss the state of implementation of earlier decisions made by the Standing Committee.

Mutual assistance over poverty alleviation, information technology and energy promotion is also expected to be sought at the meeting.

Rivals beat up three JU Chhatra League men n JU Correspondent Three Chhatra League activists of Moulana Bhashani Hall unit at Jahangirnagar University were beaten up by another faction yesterday.

Kishore Das, Shanto Kumar Nath and AKM Khairuzzaman Sanjay, all third-year students, received injuries when they were assaulted near the main entrance to the university around 3:30pm. They were loyal to former Chhatra League general secretary of Moulana Bhashani Hall unit Aninda Baroi, sources said.

Witnesses said some 8 to 10 people beat the three up with cricket bats and stumps when they were taking tea. The attackers were alleged to be supporters of Moulana Bhashani Hall unit Chhatra League President Faisal Ahmed Shakil. l

Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque is leading the Bangladeshi delegation while Indian, Nepalese and Afghan delegations are headed by Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, acting foreign secretary Shankar Das Bairagi and Deputy Director for Regional Cooperation Seddiq Rasuli respectively.

The delegation from Maldives is led by Foreign Secretary Ali Naseer Mohamed, and those from Pakistan and Sri Lanka are headed by Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs Kshenuka Senewiratne respectively.

The meeting received suggestions from the Saarc member countries as Nepal, the host country, had sent the preliminary draft of the declaration to all the member states.

The Himalayan Times said the Programming Committee on Saturday discussed possibilities of closing down some regional centres of the Saarc while merging several other centres. 11 centres are functional at present in the Saarc region. l

Road crashes claim lives of 13 across the country n Tribune Report At least 13 people were killed in separate road accidents that took place in Chittagong, Thakurgaon, Brahmanbaria and Bogra yesterday, our district correspondents report.

In Chittagong, three people were killed in Mirsari and Rangunia upazilas.

Police said Md Farhad, 42, and Md Mohibullah, 11, were killed on the spot as a pick-up van carrying them plunged into a roadside ditch after its driver lost his control over the steering in Hinguli Bazar area.

In another accident, Rashedul, Rashedul Haque, 18, an auto-mobile mechanic, was critically injured as a truck hit him around 12:00pm when he was repairing a vehicle on the side of the road in Isapur area of Rangunia upazila.

Locals rushed him to the Chittagong

Bangladeshi Save the Children worker awarded with Global Child Service Award n

Tribune Report

Bangladeshi Save the Children worker Aziza Begum was awarded with the Global Child Service Award at the 2nd Annual Illumination Gala organised by Save the Children at the Plaza hotel of New York city on Wednesday.

She was recognised for her contribution to neonate’s survival in her community in Ajmiriganj upazila of Habiganj.

She works for MaMoni HSS project under Save the Children International.

Save the Children organised the event with a view to give more children a stronger start in life by preventing ma-

This footover bridge on one of busiest streets of Dhaka has long been marked as ‘risky’ with no sign of starting repair works by the authorities. The photo was taken from Farmgate area of the capital SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

ternal, newborn and child deaths and supporting early childhood education.

The event was held hosted by Save the Children Artist Ambassador and Trustee Jennifer Garner.

At the event, Ben Affleck was honoured with the Global Child Advocate Award, Tony Blair with Global Legacy Award, Austin Hearst with US National Humanitarian Award.

Other guests include Phillips-Van Heusen CEO Carolyn Miles, Save the Children President and CEO Anne Mulcahy, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Save the Children Xerox and Save the Children Action Network President Mark Shriver. l

Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

In Thakurgaon, three people were killed and four sustained injuries when a bus collided with a local vehicle in Thakurgaon’s Bhulli area.

The deceased were identified as Juran Ali, 25, Montu 35, and Habib 32.

They all hailed from Laithuti village of Sadao upazila. Juran and Montu died on the spot while Habib succumbed to his injuries at Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital. The injured persons were also in critical condition.

Sub-inspector of Thakurgaon sadar police station Babul Hossain said a coach of Thakurgaon bound Bablu Enterprise had collided head on with Nasimon at around 7am. Those killed and injured were all passengers of Nasimon.

Officer in-charge AKM Mehedi

Hasan said police rushed to the spot upon hearing the news and took the injured persons to hospital with the help of fire service department.

Brahmanbaria correspondent said at least four people were killed and 3 others injured in a head –on-collision between a truck and a private car at Shohagpur area on Dhaka-Sylhet highway.

The identities of the deceased could not be known immediately.

Nur Haider, in-charge of highway police, said the accident took place when the sand-laden truck collided with the car coming from the opposite direction in front of Firoj Miah Vocational College in the afternoon, leaving seven people critically injured.

The injured were rushed to Brahmanbaria sadar hospital where doctors declared four dead.

In Bogra, two people were killed

and two others injured when a truck rammed into a CNG-run auto-rickshaw at Sujabad Dahpara in Shajahanpur upazila.

The deceased were identified as the auto-rickshaw driver Ziaur Rahman, 32, and its passenger Jagadish Kumar Kundu.

Witnesses said, the accident took place in the area around 7:30 am when the truck rammed into an auto-rickshaw coming from the opposite side, leaving one dead on the spot and three others injured.

The injured were rushed to Bogra Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital where another one died.

Agitated locals set fire on truck but its driver and helper managed to flee.

Alamgir Hossain, sub-inspector of Shajahanpur police station, confirmed the incident. l

High Court asks government to form food safety advisory council n Tribune Report The High Court yesterday directed the government to form a five-member authority within three months to implement the Safe Food Act 2013 to ensure public safety and health.

The High Court bench of Justice Mirza Hossain Haider and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan gave the order while hearing a writ petition filed by the human rights organisation Legal Action Bangladesh Foundation.

The court also asked the government to constitute a National Safe Food Management Advisory Council comprising 28 high officials

within three months to coordinate the actions and decisions of the safe food authority and make necessary

Following a writ petition, the High Court directed the food secretary to submit a report on making the proposed law effective recommendations.

Petitioner’s counsel Syed Mohidul Kabir told the Dhaka Tribune: “The

High Court bench also asked the government to submit a report before it in three months after complying with the order.”

On May 21, the Legal Action Bangladesh Foundation filed the writ petition, seeking directives to implement the safe food act.

The High Court subsequently directed the food secretary to submit a report on the progress of making the proposed law effective.

After examining the food secretary’s report, the court on May 26 instructed the government to make the law effective through a gazette notification in 60 days. l

Two found dead in Dhaka n Tribune Report

Celebrated couple Aly Zaker and Sara Zaker take part in a wall painting programme for raising awareness on preventing violence against women, arranged by Radio Shadhin 92.4fm in the capital’s Banani area yesterday RAJIB DHAR

Police yesterday recovered the body of a worker named Alauddin Shikdar, 25, from a closet inside a house in the capital’s Lalbagh area.

Police are yet to ascertain the motive behind the death, but detained Jubayer Ahmed Sumon, 25, a cousin of the deceased.

The body was recovered around 9am from the house of Alauddin’s auntin Duri Anguri Lane of the area.

Kamruzzaman, SI of Lalbagh police station, said: “Sumon was arrested for his suspected involvement with the killing. The deceased has a wire tangled up with his neck. It seemed that he might have been killed at least one day ago.”

His father Hossain Shikdar said: “Sumon called my son and asked him to come to the house.” However, he also could not readily say why his son was killed.

Azgar Ali, another SI of the police station, said: “Sumon is an addict. A case was filed against him before for torturing his wife.”

Kamruzzaman also said: “Sumon

suspected that her wife had an affair with his cousin Alauddin.”

Later, Sumon went to his in-laws and beat up his wife and since then he remained missing, Azgar went on.

Meanwhile, police recovered another body in the capital’s Mohammadpur area in the morning.

The body of Khadiza Akhter, 17, is a daughter of rickshaw-puller Md Moslem Uddin, was recovered around 10:30am from the third floor of a house in Block C, Road 4 in the Dhaka Uddyan area in Mohammadpur.

Bulbul Ahmed, an SI of the Mohammadpur police station, said: “She had been living at the house with a man named Shuvo whom she used to introduce as her husband. There are several injury marks on her body that was covered with a blanket when it was recovered.”

Khadiza’s father Moslem told the Dhaka Tribune: “Shuvo went to Dubai with the help of some brokers and returned on October 21. My daughter has been missing since October 29.”

A general diary was filed after Khadiza went missing. l

Fazlur gets bail in sedition case n Tribune Report

The High Court yesterday granted Fazlur Rahman, a BNP leader from Kishoreganj, a six-month bail in a sedition case.

The High Court bench of Justice Syed AB Mahmudul Huq and Justice Akram Hossain Chowdhury granted the bail.

Fazlur is currently behind bars.

His wife Advocate Umme Kulsum Rekha represented him in the bail petition while Deputy Attorney General Dr Md Bashir Ullah stood for the state.

Rekha said there was no bar to her husband’s release from jail.

But Bashir said a petition would be filed with the Supreme Court seeking stay on the HC order. l

Banning all types of polythene use on the cards n Tribune Report The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment and Forest Affairs is planning to suggest a ban on all types of polythene bag use to save the environment in the country.

The committee yesterday formed a three-member sub-committee at its eighth meeting to make a draft of suggestions on how to ban it.

Parliamentary Standing Committee Chairman Hasan Mahmud asked the committee to submit a report on it at the next meeting.

He also said they should prepare a proposal paper on the policy of recycling the polythene as soon as it is possible.

The other members attending the meeting also suggested speeding up the finalisation of another suggestion on the establishment of a court that will handle climate issues. l

Maya calls for ban on Jamaat-Shibir n BSS Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya yesterday said banning the Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Charttra Shibir is not enough, their patrons also need to be exiled from the country.

“Jamaat-Shibir were ‘Poison Ivy” for the country. Those who belong to the party do not believe in the country’s independence. Therefor’, those who protect them need to be exiled from the country,” he said.

Maya, also general secretary of Dhaka city unit of Awami League, was speaking as the chief guest at a rally at the party’s central office at Bangabandhu Avenue. Bangladesh Awami Fishermen’s League organised the rally.

The minister said the month of December, which is the month of victory, should be the right time to ban Jamaat-Shibir. Dismissing BNP’s frequent threat of movement, the minister said: “BNP is no match for us. How do we play with them?” Maya said BNP does not act constitutionally. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Latif Siddique now accused of land grabbing n Tribune Report Thirteen families from the Old Dhaka have accused dismissed minister Adul Latif Siddique of grabbing their land three years ago.

Around 50 people – including men, women and children – from these families formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club yesterday. They were also carrying banners and placards condemning Latif’s repressions.

Shova, a member of one of those families, said: “On July 5, 2011, Latif Siddique, along his gang, grabbed a total of 2.85-acre land at Obhoy Das Lane in Tikatuli. The land comprised a homesteads, other structures and some open space. He abused his power as a minister and used law enforcers to forcibly take our land.”

She narrated: “Latif and his men put up a wall around the land which is now

being used as a parking terminal for S Alam Paribahan.”

She alleged that at the time of grabbing their land, Latif’s gang members evicted them from their home and looted gold ornaments and cash.

Referring to a writ petition that they had filed with the High Court and subsequent stay order against the grabbers’ illegal activities, Shova said: “We showed the HC order to Latif. But he completely ignored what the court had said and threw away the copy of the court order.

“Not just that, Latif and his men had been continuously threatening to kill us if we did not stop trying to get back out land...None of the authorities concerned have ever paid any heed to our distress call. Now we urge Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Home Ministry and police to address our predicament,” Shova said.

Mokhlesur Rahman Babul, another participant of the human chain, told the Dhaka Tribune that the former minister had grabbed his land too that fell within that 2.85 acre land.

“Latif Siddique bought a 5.3-decimal land adjacent to my place from the Public Works Department. But, at the time of taking possession of his land, Latif and his gang members grabbed our land too,” he said.

In October, Latif was removed from the post of information and communication technology minister following widespread condemnation of his remarks on religious and political affairs at a programme in the USA. He has not returned to the country since and several cases had already been filed against him on charges of hurting religious sentiments. He was also removed from his Awami League presidium post. l

BCL man killed over drug feud n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong A member of Bangladesh Chhatra League in Chittagong city was hacked to death in the city’s Hamjarbagh area in the early hours yesterday, following a dispute over distribution of earnings from selling drugs, according to police.

Mohiuddin Mahmud, officer-incharge of Panchlaish police station, said the victim, Mohammad Raju, 20, was a resident of the city’s Bibirhat area and a listed drug peddler, and his fellow drug dealers killed him after a disagreement over drug money distribution.

However, Raju’s brother Mohammad Alam claimed his brother was a local Chhatra League activist and was killed because he had made a stand against the extortionists in the locality.

Sources in Chhatra League also said Raju was a member of the ruling party’s student wing. They said he was a supporter of Khorshed Group, which was in feud with another Chhatra League faction led

by Jabedul Alam Masud over drug sale, and his murder was a result of that feud.

However, Chhatra League’s Chit-

tagong City General Secretary Nurul Azim Rony told the Dhaka Tribune that Raju was not a part of the organisation, and he was likely killed due to a dispute between two local groups over previous enmity.

Panchlaish OC said Raju’s killers hacked at him indiscriminately and left him critically injured beside the railway track in Hamjarbagh around Saturday midnight. Later, locals and his family members rushed him to Chittagong Medical College Hospital around 1:40am yesterday, where the doctor on duty pronounced him dead.

The OC further said Raju’s body had been sent to the CMCH for a post-mortem, and a case had been filed with Panchlaish police station against 16 persons, 10 of whom were unidentified. Police did not reveal the names of the six known accused for the sake of investigation.

Until this report was filed, no one had been arrested in connection with the case, but during primary investigation police found two persons named Johir and Khorshed, members of the victim’s group, to be involved in his murder, the OC told the Dhaka Tribune. l

Apparel factory catches fire in Ashulia n Our Correspondent, Savar A fire broke out at a ready-made garment factory in Kuturia area of Ashulia yesterday.

Sources said the incident of blaze took place around 4:30pm in the store house of cotton situated on the fourth floor of ZA Apparel Factory and soon spread.

Being informed, five fire fighting units from Savar and Ashulia rushed to the spot and doused the blaze after around one hour of frantic efforts.

Ashulia DEPZ Senior Station Manager Abdul Hamid said they could not ascertain the reason behind the fire immediately.

However, the factory’s administrative officer Nurul Islam claimed that the loss from the fire would be several lakh.

Earlier on June 20 this year, another fire incident occurred on the ground floor of the building. l

CU Suhrawardy Hall opened after three months n Tribune Report Chittagong University authorities yesterday reopened the Suhrawardy Hall after around three months.

Following a gunfight between Bangladesh Chhatra League and Islami Chhatra Shibir unit of the university on August 24, the dormitory was closed down.

Suhrawardy Hall Provost Dr Mohammed Anwar Syed said:“Additional police have been deployed in front of the dormitory to avoid any untoward situation.”

The dormitory was opened at 12noon yesterday. Rooms were allotted to nearly 27 students including some visually impaired, he said. l

WEATHER

DRY WEATHER LIKELY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24 DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 5:11PM SUN RISES 6:20AM FORECAST FOR TODAY 28 30 28 27 28 28 29 29

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

16 18 14 14 12 15 15 20

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

30.0ºC Cox's Bazar

12.3ºC Chuadanga

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

5:00am 6:18am 11:45am 3:35pm 5:11pm 6:30 pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

5

Monday, November 24, 2014

Boy rescued after being kidnapped by maternal uncle n Our Correspondent, Chittagong Police yesterday rescued a seven-yearold boy, who was kidnapped by his step maternal uncle, from the Korerhat area of Mirsarai upazila in Chittagong early yesterday.

The victim, Mahmudur Rahman Mahdi, was a student of a private madrasa in the Halishahar Residential area’s Block-I. Law enforcers arrested two people— Rabiul Alam, Mahdi’s step maternal uncle, and his cohort Delwar Hossain— on charge of their involvement with the incident, said Halishahar Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Saifuddin Anwar.

On Saturday, Rabiul and Delwar kidnapped Mahdi when he was going to the madrasa around 11:00am, he said.

Rabiul demanded Tk1 lakh as ransom from the victim’s family members, the SI said.

The family members had first paid Tk10,000 to the kidnappers, and before making any more payments they informed the police, who in turn tracked the mobile phone calls of the kidnappers and found their location, Saifuddin said.

The abductors were nabbed when they came to collect the rest of the money, he said.

A case was lodged with Halishahar Police Station in this connection. l

Court orders further postmortem of Naogaon judge n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong

Police bar a procession of Bangladesh Nurses Oikya Parishad in the capital’s Shahbagh area yesterday as it emerged towards the Prime Minister’s Office to hand over a memorandum to press home their eight-point demands MEHEDI HASAN

‘Double discrimination’ against indigenous women n Abid Azad

Indigenous women and girls face “double discrimination” – first as women, then as indigenous, speakers said at a round-table held in the capital yesterday.

With International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women ahead, they said although the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord was signed by the government 17 years ago, indigenous people, particularly the women, still live under the threat of various criminal acts frequently taking place in the region, while the culture of impunity and settlement of Bengalis have left them extremely vulnerable.

The observation came at a session titled: “Marginalisation and Impunity: Violence against Women and Girls in the Chittagong Hill Tracts,” organised

by CHT Commission (CHTC) at the Ramesh Chandra Hall of Chhayanaut Bhaban.

Speakers claimed that the culture of impunity is so prevalent in the CHT areas that victims, despite suffering constant harassment, have lost interest in filing cases at the police station.

According to Kapaeeng Foundation, an organisation working for protection of the rights of indigenous people, 19 cases of sexual violence were reported from January to April this year. Of them, two were killed after rape, nine were raped, seven fell victim of attempt to rape and one was abducted.

A total of 227 cases for violence against women in both the hilly areas and plain lands under CHT were filed in between 2007 and 2013. The forms included rape, gang rape, murder after rape, physical assault, attempt to rape, abduction, sexual harassment and human trafficking.

Five rape incidents occurred in 2007 and the number rose three times higher last year.

Many of these cases are not followed

up, said the speakers.

Bangladesh Indigenous Women’s Network General Secretary Chanchana Chakma read out the keynote paper prepared by Dr Bina D’Costa, a peace and conflict specialist from the Australian National University.

The report emphasised that militarisation and transmigration (illegal settlement of Bengalis in the CHT) that started from 1976, generated extreme vulnerability and poverty in the region, grossly affecting the safety of women in CHT. Kalpana Chakma, former organising secretary of Hill Women’s Federation, who was allegedly abducted from her house by a military official and two members of the village defence party in 1996, is still missing.

“Still we do not see any development or any exemplary punishment to the culprits of similar cases,” said KS Mong, a member of CHT regional council.

He also claimed that the present government, who signed the Peace Accord, has now lost the courage to implement it.

The paper suggested that the process to bring peace and stability in the CHT must begin with the demilitarisation of the region as stipulated in the 1997 CHT Peace Accord.

The paper recommended the recruitment of an ombudsman to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to which NHRC Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman replied: “I disagree with the recommendation. Until I have the power to investigate, recruiting 10 ombudsmen would bring no benefits.

First the government should grant more power to NHRC.” CHTC Co-chairperson Sultana Kamal, member Khush Kabir and Sara Hossain, Adviser Meghna Guhathakurta, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad president Ayesha Khanam were present at the programme. l

A Chittagong court yesterday ordered a further autopsy of the body Naogaon’s Additional District Session Judge Kazi Abdul Hasib Mohammad Sayeed after an exhumation.

Metropolitan Magistrate Farid Alam passed the order on hearing the request of Chittagong Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Inspector Kajol Kanti Barua, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case.

Kajol Kanti made the request on November 20 on grounds of an anomaly between the post-mortem and inquiry reports.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), Kazi Muttaki Ibne Minan, said the court had ordered the IO to exhume the body of the victim in presence of an executive magistrate of the local district administration.

The session judge who was unconscious when taken to the Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) on September 16, was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.

Family members claimed that the judge committed suicide in their absence at their Mollapara residence in Halishahar of Chittagong.

The Halishahar police had visited the residence of the judge’s in-laws and nabbed his wife Sanjida Akter, motherin-law Lucky Akter, brother-in-law Imran Hossain and the domestic help Rima suspecting the incident as a murder.

Halishahar police station SI Mukul Mia lodged a murder case accusing the four and some unidentified persons after finding bruises on victim’s head.

The four arrestees were also remanded for different periods in two phases.

On September 30, the post-mortem report was released and it found some dissimilarity with the police report.

The post-mortem report said the judge was not killed and the cause behind his death was suicidal suffocation.

Both reports found a half inch deep bloody bruise on the victim’s head. l

Quader: Making road communication Govt gives 3 days to remove illegal structures disciplined is main challenge n Our Correspondent, Barisal Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader yesterday said maintaining discipline in transport sector was his main challenge.

“Fatal accidents often happen and intolerable traffic jams are created across the country in absence of a disciplined road communication sector,” the minister said on a visit to the proposed site of Barisal central bus terminal and under-construction road expansion works at Goriarpar in the afternoon.

Replying to a query from journalists, the minister said tender for metro rail would probably be floated in the next month.

About turning the Barisal-Faridpur

Highway to four-lanes, he said as construction of Padma Bridge had started, so the connecting road of the bridge would be developed automatically.

Regarding the plying of three-wheelers, the communication minister expressed surprise and stated: astonishment said: “I heard that the Barisal City Corporation (BCC) is issuing license for three-wheelers. It is the jurisdiction of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority to provide licenses for any vehicle.

“I told the BCC chief executive officer that they cannot issue licenses to any mechanised three-wheelers. Those vehicles would never be permitted to ply on the highways.”

Drives against illegal vehicles and unlicensed drivers will continue till the

number of accidents and traffic jams would be come in a tolerable level, the minister added.

Obaidul Quader further said he had talked with the departments related with road communications and found lack of coordination among them.

“If these departments would work under coordinated systems then solutions for keeping checks on the plying of illegal vehicles, unlicensed drivers, traffic jams, and fatal accidents would also be come under control”, said the minister.

Lawmakers and leaders of the ruling Awami League, officials of district and police administrations and officials of the Roads and Highway Department accompanied the minister. l

from Buriganga River n Tribune Report The High Court yesterday gave the government 72 hours to remove all the illegal structures from Shyambazar, Bina Srity (Wais Ghat) and Badamtoili points of the Buriganga river, the lifeline of the capital city.

The bench of judges Moyeenul Islam and Ashraful Kamal passed the order in response to a writ petition filed by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

The court also issued a rule upon the government to explain in two weeks why it should not be directed to evict land grabbers from the river. It asked the government to form a mobile court

to check further construction of illegal structures along the river and submit a report about it every 3 months.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, Department of Environment director, directors of ports, officers-incharge of Kotwali, Sutrapur and Shyambazar police stations were asked to inform the court on December 7 about their steps on the basis of its order.

Advocate Manzill Murshid, who moved for the petitioner, told the Dhaka Tribune that the court directed the government in 2009 to remove all illegal structures from the land of the four rivers of the capital. The directives were yet to be implemented. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Monday, November 24, 2014

Brokers rule Narsingdi passport office, Prime accused in Tangail 4 murder case arrested applicants must bribe to get service n Our Correspondent, Tangail

Applicants are tricked into paying brokers for simply doing a bank draft n Our Correspondent, Narsingdi Harassment from the brokers and corrupt officials is on the rise at the Narsingdi regional passport office. Passport seekers are having to pay the brokers and then bribe the officials, including police men, to obtain a passport.

A recent investigation by this correspondent had found a huge gathering of applicants and brokers in front of the passport office. Many of the applicants, especially those applying for the first time, are tricked into paying the broker for simply doing a bank draft or getting a spot in the queue.

Passport seekers alleged that those who do not comply with the brokers,

seldom can submit their applications.

If they somehow manage to cross that hurdle, officials refuse to take their photo and finger print. Many people have to wait hours to get their biometrics done.

Then comes the obstacle to passport delivery. Even after the digitized system of passport delivery, applicants have to pay to get the prepared passport.

Police verification report is often cited as an excuse by the officials to delay passport delivery. As such, passport seekers have to pay one to three thousand Taka to police men for the clearance.

Sources said, one thousand Taka is given to the data entry person, one thousand for the person in charge of taking biometrics, and then Tk500 to

the doorman at the passport office. The more the amount of the money, the sooner and the easier it is to get a passport. Overall, an applicant has to spend three to four thousand Taka extra after the brokers and government officials for a new passport.

Advocate of Narsingdi Judges’ Court Nadim Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune that though he applied for a passport with correct information, there was mistake in the issued passport. So when he asked the authority to correct the mistake, they denied to do it without payment. However, his passport was rectified after a legal notice was issued against the official.

Al Amin, a passport seeker from

Manohardi termed the passport office as a den of corrupt officials. Abdul Halim of Raipur said, he got his passport done by spending extra Tk2000.

When contacted with Halima Khatun Shampa, assistant director of Narsingdi regional passport office, she claimed that her office was broker-free.

If anyone paid the brokers outside her office, she could not do anything about it. She also refused any allegation about corrupt officials.

Also, Narsingdi Police Super Sheikh Rafiqul Islam said, the allegation of taking bribe for issuing police clearance was not true. If there was any such complaint, he would look into the matter, he said. l

Police arrested the prime accused in connection with the killing of a woman and her three daughters at Mirzapur upazila in Tangail on Saturday.

Prime accused Jahangir Alam, 25, son of Bahar Uddin, was arrested from his house around 8:30pm, said Abdur Rashid, officer-in-charge of Mirzapur police station.

“Acting on a tip-off, we reached the house of Jahangir and captured him after verifying his identity,” said Abdur Rashid.

To save him from angry local people we covered him with a scarf and took him to the office of Superintendent of Police in Tangail instantly, said the OC. Later, he was admitted to Tangail Medical College Hospital as he was ill.

Superintendent of Tangail police Saleh Mohammed Tanvi said police

Housewife burnt to death over dowry

Prisoner dies in Magura n Our Correspondent, Magura

n Our Correspondent, Narsingdi

A prisoner, who had been serving two years’ imprisonment in the district jail in a theft case, died on Saturday night while he was being taken to Magura Sadar Hospital.

The deceased was identified as Abdul Kuddus Sheikh, 60, son of Emarat Sheikh, a resident of Nikhorhata village in Mohammadpur upazila of the district.

Tayef Uddin Mia, superintendent of Magura district jail, said Abdul Kuddus died at night while being rushed to hospital after he complained of sickness.

Later on-duty doctors at the hospital declared him dead, said Dr Bikash Shikder of the hospital.

The body was sent to the hospital morgue for an autopsy. l

A Narsingdi housewife, who sustained burn injuries allegedly by her husband, succumbed to her injury at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital yesterday. The deceased Subarna Akhter, 18, daughter of Anowar Hossain of Raipura upazila.

She was the HSC candidate this year.

Subarna’s father Anowar Hossain said Subarna had been married off with Ilius of UMC Jute mills area in Sadar upazila three months back. Ilius used to demand dowry after marriage.

On Saturday he forced her to bring money from her father’s house On Saturday he forced her to bring money from her father’s house. Subarna went to her father’s house but failed to bring the money.

Ilius also went to there and poured kerosene to Subarna’s body and set fire in the afternoon as Subarna failed to manage the demanded money. She suffered 90 percent burn injuries, the hospital sources said. Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Raipur police station said Subarna was rushed to Narshingdi Sadar Medical College Hospital.

Later, doctors shifted Subarna to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where he breathed her last around 7:30am at the burn unit of the hospital. Ilius fled away after the incident. l

Robber ringleader arrested in Barguna

n Our Correspondent, Barguna Police in a special drive arrested an alleged ring leader of robbers from Jakirtabak village in Sadar upazila here early yesterday.

The arrested, Abdullah alias Halim, 38, a resident of the village, is accused in nine cases including kidnap in different police stations, police sources said.

Law enforcers had been on search of Halim for long and they conducted a drive on tip-off on his house at dead of the night and arrested him, said Barguna Sadar police station OC Pulak Chandra Rai. Later, he was produced before a local court that sent him to jail. l

Arrest of stalkers sought over Sharmin suicide

5 AL leaders suspended n Our Correspondent, Tangail

Growers put tomatoes in an open place after spraying harmful chemicals for early ripening of the vegetable in a bid to do brisk business. The photo taken yesterday shows labourers are packing tomatoes to send those to different parts of the country. According to local sources, one maund tomato being sold at Tk800 in the district. The photo was taken from Dhengpara area under Godagari upazila, Rajshahi AZAHAR UDDIN

Doctors’ absence and manpower shortage plague Shariatpur Hospital Correspondent, n Our Shariatpur Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, the largest healthcare facility in the district offering crucial services to some 20 lakh people, is infested with myriad of problems. The 100-bed hospital is not only struggling with limited manpower but also with the absence of majority of the government appointed doctors.

A recent visit to the hospital by this correspondent had found at least 12 doctors, out of 22, absent for various reasons. This has added to the sufferings of the patients at the hospital.

Out of the 12 absent doctors, Dr Sheikh Mostafa, Dr Akram Elahi and Dr Debashish are on long leave. Dr Monirul Islam is shifted to Police Line Hospital. Besides, senior eye specialist Dr Kazi Aftab-uz-zaman, paediatrician Dr Rajesh Mazumdar, gynaecologist Dr Tahmina Kabir, Dr

Abdul Muyeed, Dr Hasan Imam, Dr Sumon Kumar Poddar, Dr Rafiqul Islam and Dr Rezaul Haq are absent without approval.

Only one doctor was seen working at the emergency, four for the indoor patients and five doctors were serving the outdoor, where everyday 600 to 700 patients visit on an average.

Majeda Begum of Bilashkhan village said patients had to spend a long time in the queue for doctors.. But sometimes doctors don’t show up.

“Doctors are busy with patients in their clinics. And we wait for hours for doctors in the hospital,” said Moti Mia, a trader from Chikandi Bazar.

According to the hospital sources, the posts of ENT specialist, medicine, skin and orthopaedics specialist are currently vacant.

Though there is an eye specialist, he sees patients only twice a week.

Besides, there is no posts for radi-

ographer, junior mechanic, and security guards for the hospital. The work of the radiographer is done by a peon. And in the absence of security guards, the hospital turns into a hub for addicts after dark. Many valuable equipment are also getting stolen on a regular basis.

The ambulance service of the hospital has come to a complete stop when one ambulance was torched by mobs in a road crash in March.

Other three ambulances have been out of order for a very long time.

When contacted, district civil surgeon Dr Nitish Kanti Debnath said: “The authority has been informed several times about the ambulance and manpower shortage. I have nothing to do if local parliament members don’t take any initiative.”

About the absence of doctors, he said action would be taken against those on leave without permission. l

n Our Correspondent, Munshiganj Students of AVJM Government Girls’ High School yesterday brought out a silent procession and placed a memorandum to the authorities concerned seeking arrest of the alleged stalkers who forced its student Sharmin Sultana to commit suicide.

Source said the procession was brought out from the school in the morning and parader thoroughfares of the district town and at last they placed memorandum to the local DC and the SP demanding quick action against the stalkers.

On November 16, the school’s classIX student Sharmir committed suicide being distressed by harassment of some local stalkers. l

would seek remand against the arrestee after his physical condition become okay.

Hasna Begum, 30, wife of Mujibur Rahman, a Malaysia expatriate, and their three daughters – Mariam, 14, Moli, 4, and Meem 6 – of South Sohagpara village were burned to death at South Sohagpara village on October 7 after miscreants set fire to their house as Mariam refused to marry Jahangir, who was a Singapore expatriate and their neighbour.

A case was filed against 10 people over the incident on the same day.

On October 11, police announced a Tk100,000 bounty to capture the prime accused Jahangir.

Earlier, police arrested Jahangir’s aunt Nasima Begum, his brother Abu Hanif, a local rickshaw-puller, Mohammad Ali, and 14 others in connection with the incident. l

Students take part in the Primary School Certificate examination at a centre at Chapainawabganj yesterday. Primary and Ebtedayee Terminal examinations began yesterday across the country and about 31 lakh examinees are appearing in the Primary and Ebtedayee examinations this year DHAKA TRIBUNE

At least five Awami League leaders in the district were suspended from the party yesterday for speaking out against the Prime Minister.

According to a press release, the suspended leaders are Basail upazila unit AL executive committee member Hazi Matiar Rahman, Ratan Mia, Abu Hanif Mian, Ataul Goni Habib and Jahangir Hossain.

They were suspended for speaking out against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy in a meeting, reports the press release. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Round Table

7

Monday, November 24, 2014

Broadcast Policy 2014 Dhaka Tribune in association with BCIPF organised a round table discussion titled ‘Broadcast Policy 2014: Challenges & Way Forward.’ The discussion, mediated by Robaet Ferdous, gave the participants an opportunity to talk about the policy which has been accepted by the cabinet

SADIA MARIUM

n Tribune Desk Robaet Ferdous Associate Professor, Department of MCJ, University of Dhaka If we think of democracy, it is simultaneously a government as well as a value system. A value system means pluralism and respecting the opinions of others. This is the beauty of Democracy. That is why a number of teachers are discussing it extensively be it for or against the policy.

Shahriar Karim Executive Editor, Dhaka Tribune In the broadcast policy it is stated that the citizens’ freedom of thoughts, conscience and speech, and freedom of press through electronic and press media are exercised by staying in line with international law and standards, maintaining pluralism, diversity, objectivity and neutrality, thereby ensuring the integrity of information. If that is the goal, then we have nothing to be apprehensive about. But the problem is elsewhere.

The information minister has stated that it is a policy not a law, but we have witnessed the abuse of regulatory policies in the past. We speak of freedom, but where is the freedom under strict regulations?

There are a number of differences between public and private broadcasters, consideration of which has not been brought into the fold of the broadcast policy. It says work associated with development must be promoted, but a private broadcaster may not be willing to do so. Why should it be mandatory for them?

After the policy has been approved by the ministry, the cabinet secretary said in press conference that this policy follows BBC’s policy. BBC’s policy is a broadcaster’s policy, whereas ours is a regulator’s policy. The regulator cannot follow a broadcaster’s policy; BTV may follow BBC. But the broadcast commission should adopt a different policy.

Now a vital question is, do we really need a regulatory policy? Can we not create a healthy broadcast system without such a policy?

The issue regarding licensing still remains in the hands of the government. Who’ll be the licensing authority and will he be able to make decisions without political influence?

Barrister ABM Hamidul Mishbah Founder, Bangladesh Copyright & Industrial Property Forum (BCIPF) If we take a look at 4.2.2 in the policy, regarding ads it says “one cannot claim to provide a better product than his competitors, one cannot claim his product as superior to that of others, neither can he demean other products.” If my product is in fact superior to that of others, I have a legal right to advertise it. In the same context I can point out the inferiorities of my com-

petitor’s product. This is within the bounds of law. Now that the regulatory policy has been approved, I believe it should make room for appropriate adjustments.

4.2.8 says we must refrain from broadcasting any scenario that isn’t environmentally friendly, and regarding 4.3.4, I believe how an ad is presented depends heavily on the vendor which includes exercising the right to freedom of speech, thought and expression. As a result of this policy, the vendor’s aforementioned freedom is heavily diminished. 4.2.8 is not entirely clear.

4.5.4 says ads cannot be broadcasted without appropriate licenses.

In 5.1.3 and 5.1.6 mentions eight agencies which are to remain outside the information act, but these eight agencies are liable to provide information regarding corruption and human rights violation, but the broadcast media need information from these eight agencies and their right to information will be violated due to the agencies being permitted to withhold information. This may in turn provide scope for illegal activities.

The 6th chapter talks about creating a commission where spectators can provide complaints and the commission will take appropriate action based on those complaints. Alternatively the commission can ask for show cause based on an issue they themselves have discovered, investigate the issue and eventually play the role of the judge themselves.

All of these activities done by a single commision goes against our democratic system and should be looked into.

I feel we need to involve stakeholders as well because otherwise a broadcast agency may end up acquiring an NOC from the information ministry but fail to get a frequency from BTRC.

Muhammad Jahangir Media analyst, journalist and columnist The electronic and print media are revealing many of the government’s incidents of misconduct and consequently putting the government in an awkward position. As a result, the government could naturally feel that if it can create pressure for the media, then the five year governance will face little hindrance.

In my opinion, the policy was constructed keeping this very idea in mind. We need to see it from the political perspective, and if we plan on discarding this policy, we need to address it politically as well. The affected parties need to take a unified step forward in order to resist it. This is the first time that even reporters who usually praise the government have found grounds to criticise the same government as a consequence to this regulatory policy. This I believe is a very positive outcome.

In my opinion, this policy is manipulative, confusing and a hindrance to freedom of expression.

If every professional, for the sake of professional pride and development comes forward with criticism, only then can the country boast of a healthy political society.

This calls for discussion everything that was mentioned about talk shows, news, advertisements, public programmes and licensing rules and regulations.

Constructing an ideal commission is very difficult and I suggest the gov-

ernment can go about it in two ways, one by sending letters all stakeholders, the civil society and professional forums and two by means of a search committee.

Dr Md Abu Naser Rajib Assistant Professor of Journalism, Department of Communication Studies, California State University Freedom of media is of utmost importance. In developed democratic nations, the government does not enforce such a policy.

Various media institutions come up with their own policies. When we speak of democracy and free economy, we have to be able to exercise unlimited freedom. When such freedom is given, it is natural that it may be abused. To prevent such abuse, repective industries need to create, self regulatory mechanisms of their own.

The minister has said that the policy is not a legally binding document, so long as it is not approved by the parliament as law, it remains as a recommended direction. Why the apprehension then? If five years later a tyrannical government comes to power and abuses the policy, who will take responsibility? The ministry is not liable so long as it isn’t legally binding. First a law is determined, then rules are framed and finally a regulatory policy comes about. Why should we suddenly walk in the opposite direction? If intent is indeed positive, then why take the wrong path to implement it?

Shamim Reza Associate Professor, Department of MCJ, University of Dhaka The discussion regarding the broadcast policy did not suddenly pop up, it has been on the table for the past 10-15 years. This wasn’t brought to attention by journalists. It was first asked by NGOs and international organisations talked about it as well. This has been the topic of discussion in the academic world for the past 20 years and we have studied it. We need to consider the fact that this does not affect only journalists and the like, it affects those on the receiving end as well.

When FCC (Federal Communications Commission, an independent agency of the United States government, created by Congressional statute to regulate interstate communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and US territories. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the media, public safety and homeland security) was being established, the US privatised radio frequencies. Subsequently it took the US 50-60 years of struggle to bring radio frequency to the people. Have we ever faced such a situation? My point is, we should consider global standards, but local context has to be taken into account as well. So much discussion is revolving around a policy. If it was a concise policy it wouldn’t have required such extensive discussion.

We have striven to combine three aspects: legal aspects, guidelines and code of conduct. The three are quite separate. The law is the law, if it is seen as a roadmap and if the code of

conduct is seen as a set of imperatives, the interpretation doesn’t match. The fact that this policy is quite extensive along with combining three separate elements, discussions are likely to be long winded.

I suggest we consider this document as an evolving document. The need for feedback from contextually appropriate sources cannot be undermined because it has no substitute. If it doesn’t occur spontaneously, then we need to be proactive. Considering it’s an evolving document, when eventually it passes as a law, by then it should have incorporated some recommendations acquired from feedback. This policy is necessary because it is necessary to bring some discipline in this sector, and hopefully when it passes as law it will have covered a few recommendations proposed to it.

Once a law is passed no one party can claim the law serves only its purpose, it will for all.

This policy should have been briefer, such elaboration only works when it has been through the commission.

Professor JM Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan Chairman, Department of Television & Film Studies, University of Dhaka Why was there a necessity for such a policy? This has been under a lot of discussion.

Considering the evolution of the broadcasting media, especially private industry, it is imperative that it be brought under some disciplinary measure. Bringing discipline in the licensing system was also a point of discussion.

How is a policy made? A process must have been adopted when making this policy. The question is, were the opinions of every representative taken into account equally?

Another issue is that if a party is harmed by a programme, the party can place a complaint in the commission. The question arises: Why should the commission investigate as well as judge the truth of the complaint? If proven guilty, following international norms, the guilty will be warned and if necessary their license will most likely be revoked. Is their reason for concern regarding the policy? Yes but it only waits clarification. Regarding the issue with armed forces, it isn’t true that if something worth complaining about does happen that we cannot talk about it; we can and we should. But before the policy is passed as law I hope it’ll take this last issue into consideration and look into it.

Samia Zaman Chief Executive, Channel 71 It is stated that any live programme needs to get its script approved before going live. This is alarming and impractical. A talk show exists so that invitees can speak freely, why should the commission take responsibility for what is said there?

When it talks of broadcasting the truth, what is ulimately determined to be true? We are still struggling with the truth of declaration of independence, the birthday of august 15 etc, how can we hope to ensure truth spoken in a TV programme by the invited speakers?

The topic of involving stakeholders is crucial, it needs to be ensured that

their opinions are taken into account.

Finally we need to allow people to be true to their responsibility and not try to control it too closely, only then can we solve problems taking everyone into consideration.

Abul Mansur Ahmed Professor, Dept of MCJ, DU The topic of our discussion has been on its way for quite a while.

Back in 1998, when, through private television channel licensing act, media practitioners and civil society members started providing licenses, those licenses mentioned the formation of a broadcast regulatory body. In broadcast media a number of aspects currently lack discipline and structure, and in that the new broadcast policy sheds a positive light.

Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul CEO and Chief Editor, Boishakhi TV Ambiguity regarding the policy has emerged due to two reasons, lack of contextual understanding and political reasons. About the committee, I have nothing to say since the minister agreed that this isn’t the final decision and secondly because there is still room for addressing previously missed issues. First I suggest we take a closer look at the copy of the policy we are referring to, because there has been three so far, the first draft is found in the website, the second was sent to the ministry for apporval, and the third was converted to a gazette.

There are significant variations when comparing all three of them. I personally wanted to discard the 3rd 4th and 5th chapters. The 7th chapter says “According to this policy, every broadcast agency has to abide by charter of duties and editorial regulatory policy.” This is where it had ended, however in the gazette it was added that “it can never conflict with the broadcast regulatory policy and has to be approved by the commission.”

Provash Amin News Editor, NCA, ATN News The fact that we’ve been discussing the policy to such extents goes to show the liberty of us being able to freely discuss our opinions and views. I personally have rejected this policy. When questioned whether we feel we deserve to be beyond accountability through regulation I say, no I have waited long not for just a broadcast policy but a comprehensive mass media policy which covers everything.

Many say that if it is okay to have labour and trade laws what’s wrong with having a broadcast policy? What is wrong is that there are fundamental differences between mass media and labour or trade. I’m in fact all for a broadcast and mass media policy but it has to come from a free commission.

On a separate note, speaking ill or criticising armed forces and law enforcers will not be tolerated. It cannot be the case that only these two bodies are above criticism and everyone else can be

criticised, so it’s open to interpretation.

Hasanul Haq Inu MP Information Minister Probhash Amin mentioned the need for a comprehensive media policy. We may work towards such a goal which includes print media, broadcast arena and online publications.

The broadcast realm is currently run by a collection of disconnected and dissonant set of rules and consequently, the government, broadcasters and journalists often find themselves in awkward situations. This is why a policy was asked for but one that was not enforced by the government.

There are as yet no laws governing broadcast, the television authorities are permitted to broadcast based on 14 conditions. Our nation has dondobidhi, the broadcast arena has the press and publication act, the press council act and using these laws the government runs the media.

The broadcast policy lists a deed of rules. It’s purpose I to create conscience. It’s made keeping the constitution, contemporary values and our heritage in mind. It isn’t limiting, instead it’s decentralisation of authority. It has been created so that the broadcast world can be streamlined.

It’s a sincere effort to tend to the interests of the state as well as the interest of broadcasters. Until it passes as a law it will remain a means for broadcasters to acquire direction.

Julfikar Ali Manik Planning Editor, Dhaka Tribune The policy exists to ensure no one broadcasts a lie or misleading information.

Will there be a similar policy for politicians doing the same when giving a speech?

Hasanul Haq Inu MP Information Minister The pursuit of serving the interest of public through this broadcast policy is ensured by a set of rules. It defines, what adversely affects the interests of the public at large and the punishment reflects the degree of the effect. Consequently, the freedom of expression of the press is subject to restrictions that ensure exercising the rights of citizens; if a body of thought grows to harm this right it is at odds with the law. The words and phrases that may create apprehension should not in fact cause concern because when it will pass as law, these words and phrases will be adjusted appropriately.

Those of you who would discard the policy saying this country needs no policy, I have nothing to say to them; to those who will only accept a policy made by a free commission I say, members of the commission will be elected by the government. The committee meeting included relevant stakeholders.

Among the 16 members, 9 were stakeholders and members from the cabinet did not speak a word.

The bottom-line is we have striven to construct a policy keeping the constitution and values of the nation in mind. Whatever confusions remain will be dealt with when law is being made. l

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Monday, November 24, 2014

IS group recruits, exploits children n AP, Beirut

Teenagers carrying weapons stand at checkpoints and busy intersections in Iraq’s second-largest city, Mosul.

Patched onto the left arms of their black uniforms are the logos of the Islamic Police.

In Raqqa, the Islamic State group’s de facto capital in Syria, boys attend training camp and religious courses before heading off to fight. Others serve as cooks or guards at the extremists’ headquarters or as spies, informing on people in their neighborhoods.

Across the vast region under IS control, the group is actively conscripting children for battle and committing

abuses against the most vulnerable at a young age, according to a growing body of evidence assembled from residents, activists, independent experts and human rights groups.

In the northern Syrian town of Kobane, where ethnic Kurds have been resisting an IS onslaught for weeks, several activists told The Associated Press they observed children fighting alongside the militants. Mustafa Bali, a Kobane-based activist, said he saw the bodies of four boys, two of them younger than 14. And at least one 18 year old is said to have carried out a suicide attack.

In Syria’s Aleppo province, an activist affiliated with the rebel Free Syrian Army said its fighters encountered

children in their late teens “fairly often” in battles against the rival Islamic State group.

It is difficult to determine just how widespread the exploitation of children is in the closed world of IS-controlled territory. There are no reliable figures on the number of minors the group employs.

But a United Nations panel investigating war crimes in the Syrian conflict concluded that in its enlistment of children for active combat roles, the Islamic State group is perpetrating abuses and war crimes on a massive scale “in a systematic and organized manner.”

The group “prioritizes children as a vehicle for ensuring long-term loyalty,

adherence to their ideology and a cadre of devoted fighters that will see violence as a way of life,” it said in a recent report. The panel of experts, known as the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, conducted more than 300 interviews with people who fled or are living in IS-controlled areas, and examined video and photographic evidence.

The use of children by armed groups in conflict is, of course, nothing new.

In the Syrian civil war, the Free Syrian Army and Nusra Front rebel groups also recruit children for combat, said Leila Zerrougui, the UN secretary-general’s special representative for children and armed conflict. l

IS has lured 550 Germans into fighting n Reuters The number of Germans fighting alongside Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq has increased sharply to 550 and around 180 have returned, the head of Germany’s domestic intelligence said in a newspaper interview published on Sunday.

“We are concerned about the high number of departures. Especially in the last six weeks, it has risen further,” Hans-Georg Maassen told Welt am Sonntag.

“By now we are counting 550 people, that is how many have left Germany to go to Syria and Iraq,” he added.

The previous number was 450 people.

Around 60 of them have been killed during fighting, with at least nine killing themselves in suicide attacks, Maassen said. “That is a sad success

for the Islamist propaganda.”

As with other Western European countries, Germany is struggling to stop the radicalization of young Muslims, some of whom want to become jihadists in Syria or Iraq. Officials also worry that they might return to plot attacks on home soil.

Since Germany is part of the alliance fighting Islamic State, the country is “naturally” a target for the militants as well as al Qaeda members, Maassen said.

Intelligence services estimate that around 180 jihadists have returned to Germany after having fought in Syria and Iraq, Maassen said.

In one of the largest sweeps against alleged Islamists in Germany yet, authorities last week arrested nine men suspected of supporting militant groups in Syria and raided numerous properties in several German states. l

ISNA: Iran says nuclear deal ‘impossible’ n Reuters

An Islamic militant group fighter stands with two children posing with weapons as they watch other members of the group parade in commandeered Iraqi security forces vehicles down a main road at the northern city of Mosul, Iraq AP

US plans to buy arms for Sunni tribesmen with AK-47s n Reuters, Washington The United States plans to buy arms for Sunni tribesmen in Iraq including AK-47s, rocket-propelled grenades and mortar rounds to help bolster the battle against Islamic State militants in Anbar province, according to a Pentagon document prepared for Congress.

The plan to spend $24.1m represents a small fraction of the larger, $1.6bn spending request to Congress focusing on training and arming Iraqi and Kurdish forces.

But the document underscored the importance the Pentagon places on the Sunni tribesmen to its overall strategy to diminish Islamic State, and cautioned Congress about the conse-

quences of failing to assist them.

“Not arming tribal fighters will continue to leave anti-ISIL tribes reluctant to actively counter ISIL,” the document said, using another acronym for the group which has seized control of large parts of Syrian and Iraq and is gaining territory in Anbar despite three months of US-led air strikes.

A US official said on Saturday that the document was posted this week. Click http://1.usa.gov/11nsTuN to read it.

It said all US support was directed “with, by and through” Iraq’s government, suggesting any weapons would be supplied through Baghdad, in line with existing policy.

It noted Iraqi security forces were not “not particularly welcome in An-

bar and other majority Sunni areas,” citing their poor combat performance and sectarian divisions.

Iraq’s army has been burdened by a legacy of sectarianism in Anbar, whose dominant Sunni population resented former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s Shi’ite majority government and were incensed when he ordered troops to clear a protest camp in Ramadi in December 2013.

The ensuing Sunni tribal revolt prompted the entrance of Islamic State into Falluja and Ramadi, where US troops had met fierce resistance from Sunni insurgents including al Qaeda during their occupation of Iraq after the 2003 invasion that overthrew Saddam Hussein. l

Iran says it will not be possible by a November 24 deadline to reach a comprehensive deal with world powers aimed at resolving the stand-off over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, the Iranian Students News Agency ISNA reported on Sunday.

“Considering the short time left until the deadline and number of issues that needed to be discussed and resolved, it is impossible to reach a final and comprehensive deal by Nov. 24,” ISNA quoted an unnamed member of Iran’s negotiating team in Vienna as saying.

“The issue of extension of the talks is an option on the table and we will start discussing it if no deal is reached

by Sunday night,” the person said.

The United States, Britain, France,

‘Russia is not isolated over Ukraine crisis’ n Reuters, Moscow President Vladimir Putin denied Moscow would be isolated internationally over the Ukraine crisis and said Russia’s economy would not be the only one to suffer from Western sanctions and falls in oil prices and the rouble.

The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Russia over its annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and its backing for separatists in the east opposed to Kiev’s rule.

“We understand the fatality of an ‘Iron Curtain’ for us,” Putin was quoted as saying the TASS news agency in an interview published on Sunday. “We will not go down this path in any case and no one will build a wall around us.

That is impossible!”

Sanctions have hit Russia’s weak economy and sparked a slide in rouble, pressure exacerbated by a sharp drop in the global price for oil, one of Russia’s main exports.

“If the price of energy is lowered on purpose, this also hits those who introduce those limits,” Putin said.

“It’s far from certain that sanctions, sharp falls in the oil price (and) the depreciation of the national currency will cause negative effects or catastrophic consequences only for us. No such thing will happen!”

Putin linked the oil price slide to the rise in US shale oil and gas production, increased output from Libya and Saudi Arabia, as well as output from Iraq, including what he said were black market sales by Islamic State militants. l

Iraqi premier, US look to Hitler watercolour fetches 130,000 aid Islamic State battle euros at Nuremberg auction n AP, Baghdad Iraqi forces battling the Islamic State group focused their offensive Sunday on the city of Ramadi, backed by Sunni tribal fighters that the US plans to arm.

Authorities in the city implemented a 24-hour curfew as Iraqi armed forces and tribesmen fought to regain Ramadi’s eastern Sijariya neighborhood, which the extremist group said it captured Friday.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered more aerial support and weapons for both soldiers and Sunni militiamen battling the Islamic State group in Anbar province, where Ramadi is the provincial capital.

The US and Iraqi governments have been working to woo Sunni tribesmen to support the fight, proposing the establishment of a national guard program that will include arming and paying loyal tribesmen.

The Pentagon plans to buy a range of arms for Iraq’s tribesmen, including 5,000 AK-47s, 50 rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 12,000 grenades and 50 82 mm mortars. The arms supply, described in a document that will be sent to Congress of its approval, said the estimated cost to equip an initial Anbar-based force of tribal fighters is $18.5m, part of a $1.6bn request to Congress that includes arming and training Iraqi and Kurdish forces.

“Failure to equip these forces mean

a less effective armed opposition to counter the Islamic State and its ability to gain the local support necessary to effectively control the areas it holds,” the document said.

Already, the Islamic State group fighters has lined up and shot several men from the al-Bu Fahd tribe, which is taking part in the fight against them.

They also have killed more than 200 men, women and children from Anbar’s Sunni Al Bu Nimr tribe in recent weeks, apparently in revenge for the tribe’s siding with Iraqi security forces and, in the past, with US forces.

Meanwhile Sunday, Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council sentenced a former Sunni lawmaker to death for killing two Iraqi soldiers in 2013. The arrest of Ahmed al-Alwani last year stirred sectarian tensions as he had become a symbol for Sunni protests against Iraq’s Shiite-led government. Al-Alwani can appeal the verdict.

Iraqi and Kurdish forces also pushed Sunday to retake towns seized by the Islamic State group in the eastern Diyala province. Jabar Yawer, a spokesman for the Kurdish peshmerga, said intense clashes raged in the towns of Saadiya and Jalula, which fell to the militant group in August.

In Saadiya, a suicide bomber drove a bomb-laden Humvee into a security checkpoint, killing seven Iraqi soldiers and Shiite militiamen and wounding 14, police said. l

n Reuters, Berlin A 1914 watercolour by Adolf Hitler fetched 130,000 euros ($161,000) at auction in the German city of Nuremberg on Saturday, the auctioneers said.

The buyer was a private person from the Middle East who attended the sale in person, said Kathrin Weidler, head of the auction house. She said there had also been inquiries from Asia and America.

The painting, entitled “Standesamt und Altes Rathaus Muenchen” (Civil Registry Office and Old Town Hall of Munich), is one of about 2,000 works that Hitler painted between about 1905 and 1920 as a struggling young artist.

Asked before the auction whether it was tasteless to auction the Nazi dictator’s works, generally considered to be of only limited artistic merit, Weidler said complaints should be addressed to the sellers two unidentified German sisters in their 70s.

Weidler said the vendors had decided to donate around 10 percent of the proceeds to a charity that helps disabled children.

Hitler’s Nazi party held mass rallies in Nuremberg between 1933 and 1938. In his autobiography “Mein Kampf,” he wrote that, as a young man, his hopes of becoming an artist had been dashed by repeated rejection by Vienna’s Academy of Fine Arts.

Five other Hitler paintings have fetched between 5,000 and 80,000 euros at auction.

Weidler said the original handwritten

A picture taken on November 20, shows the 1914 watercolour painting ‘Altes Rathaus’ of the old city hall in Munich attributed to Adolf Hitler at the auction house Weidler in Nuremberg, southern Germany AFP bill of sale, dated Sept. 25, 1916, had come with the painting and was a rarity for Hitler’s art. That also explained the relatively high selling price, she said.

But that has raised doubt among critics

about the painting’s provenance. They recall how hoaxer Konrad Kujau used supposed certifications of authenticity to trick some historians when he marketed what proved to be bogus “Hitler Diaries” in 1983. l

Germany, Russia and China began a final round of talks with Iran on Tuesday, looking to clinch a pact under which Tehran would curb its nuclear work in exchange for lifting economically crippling sanctions.

Iran rejects Western allegations that it has been seeking to develop a nuclear bomb capability.

Iranian and western diplomats close to the negotiations in Vienna told Reuters the two sides remained deadlocked on the key issues of Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity and the lifting of the sanctions.

The Iranian official was quoted as saying the sides “were trying to reach a framework accord on major issues like ... the number of centrifuges, enrichment capacity and the timeframe of lifting sanctions.” l

Ex-Washington mayor Marion Barry dies n Reuters Marion Barry, the scandal-plagued former mayor of Washington, D.C., who was jailed for smoking crack cocaine before making a surprising return to office, died early on Sunday aged 78.

Before his fall from grace, Barry had been one of the nation’s most promising black politicians. Years later, many Washingtonians would consider him a scoundrel but he remained a hero to many others in impoverished parts of the city, even as his continuing battles with substance abuse went public. Barry, who was serving as a city councilman, was hospitalized briefly last week and collapsed hours after being released on Saturday night, media reports said. He died at the United Medical Center in Washington, spokeswoman Natalie Williams said.

The cause of death was not disclosed. l

Prospects rise for UN climate deal n Reuters A global deal to combat climate change in 2015 looks more likely after promises for action by China, the United States and the European Union, but any agreement will probably be too weak to halt rising temperatures.

Delegates from almost 200 nations will meet in Lima, Peru, from Dec. 1-12 to work on the accord due in Paris in a year’s time, also spurred by new scientific warnings about risks of floods, heatwaves, ocean acidification and rising seas.

After failure to agree a sweeping UN treaty at a summit in Copenhagen in 2009, the easier but less ambitious aim now is a deal made up of “nationally determined” plans to help reverse a 45% rise in greenhouse gas emissions since 1990.

“We are in much better shape,” a year before Paris than in the run-up to Copenhagen, said Yvo de Boer, who was the UN’s climate chief in 2009 and now leads the Global Green Growth Institute in South Korea, which helps poor nations.

The hope is that in Paris, delegates will also work out ways to ratchet up national plans in coming years to limit average temperatures rises to an agreed ceiling of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above levels before the Industrial Revolution.

Temperatures have already climbed 0.85 C (1.5 F). “Not in my wildest dreams do I expect the Paris agreement to close the gap to 2 degrees,” de Boer told Reuters. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Monday, November 24, 2014

Tunisians vote for first elected president Suicide bomber kills 45 at volleyball n match in Afghanistan Reuters

The Taliban have stepped up attacks on both Western and Afghan targets across the country this year There will also be a separate USn Agencies led force dealing with the remnants of A suicide bomber has killed at least 45 people at a volleyball tournament in eastern Afghanistan, officials say.

A spokesman for the governor of Paktika province told the BBC that the attacker had detonated the bomb amid a crowd of people gathering for a game.

About 60 people were also wounded in the bombing in Yahyakhail district.

It came after Afghan MPs approved security deals allowing Nato and US soldiers to remain after the withdrawal of most foreign troops next month.

The total number of soldiers in the new Nato force will be about 12,000.

Their mission has been defined as training, advising and assisting the Afghan security forces.

al-Qaeda.

It emerged on Saturday, however, that President Barack Obama has approved guidelines to allow US troops to fight the Taliban and provide air support for Afghan missions.

After Sunday’s bombing, provincial spokesman Mokhis Afghan said: “There were too many people gathered in the one place to watch the game.

Dozens of others are wounded and we have reports that many of them are in critical condition.”

The Taliban have stepped up attacks on both Western and Afghan targets across the country this year.

The agreements with Nato and the US still need to be ratified by the Afghan upper house. l

Tunisians went to the polls on Sunday to vote for their first directly elected president, in the final step to be taken to full democracy after the 2011 revolution that ended the rule of Zine elAbidine Ben Ali. More than three years since overturning Ben Ali’s one-party rule, Tunisia has become a model of transition for the region by adopting a new constitution, the politics of compromise and avoiding the turmoil facing its neighbors.

“Another distinguished day in the history of Tunisia,” said Mouna Jeballi, voting in Soukra district in Tunis.

“Now we are the only country in the Arab world who does not know who their president will be until after the vote is finished.”

Sunday’s vote follows the general election in October when the main secular Nidaa Tounes party won the most seats in the parliament, beating the Islamist party Ennahda that had won the first free poll in 2011.

After its uprising Tunisia needs stability, with the new government facing the need to make the tough reforms in public spending demanded by international lenders to boost growth and create jobs, while also managing a crack-

Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki shows his ink-stained finger at a polling station during Tunisia’s presidential election in Sousse yesterday REUTERS down on Islamist militants.

Nearly 30 presidential candidates are running but the Nidaa Tounes leader, Beji Caid Essebsi, an 87-year-old former Ben Ali official, has emerged as a frontrunner alongside the current president, Moncef Marzouki, who warns against the rise of one-party era figures like Essebsi.

Turnout looked lighter than the legislative election at polling stations around Tunis early on Sunday. Election officials said around 12 percent of the registered electorate had voted two hours after polling started.

Results will be released within 48 hours. But most analysts predict neither Essebsi nor Marzouki will win enough votes to avoid a second round of voting in December.

“Tunisians will have their say and I will accept their choice to consolidate Tunisia’s transition,” Essebsi told reporters after voting.

Deal-making between secular and Islamist rivals has been a feature of Tunisia’s political success, including Islamists taking a more flexible approach to allowing officials in the Ben Ali era to return to politics. l

37 homes collapse, 39 injured in Japan quake n AP, Tokyo

This aerial photo shows houses collapsed after a strong earthquake hit Hakuba, Nagano prefecture, central Japan, Sunday

AP

Helicopter surveys on Sunday showed more extensive damage than earlier thought from an overnight earthquake in the mountainous area of central Japan that hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics.

At least 37 homes were destroyed in two villages, and 39 people were injured across the region, including seven seriously, mostly with broken bones, officials said.

The magnitude-6.7 earthquake struck shortly after 10pm Saturday west of Nagano city at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The agency revised the magnitude from a preliminary 6.8 while the US Geological Survey measured it at 6.2. Since the quake occurred inland, there was no possibility of a tsunami.

Ryo Nishino, a restaurant owner in Hakuba, a ski resort village west of Nagano, told Japanese broadcaster

NHK that he had “never experienced a quake that shook so hard. The sideways shaking was enormous.” He said he was in the restaurant’s wine cellar when the quake struck, and that nothing broke there.

Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said no abnormalities were reported at three nuclear power plants in the affected areas. All of Japan’s nuclear plants are offline following a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and massive tsunami in 2011 that sent three reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant into meltdown. Fukushima is about 250 kilometers (155 miles) northeast of where Saturday’s earthquake occurred.

The hardest-hit area appeared to be Hakuba, which hosted events in the 1998 games. At least 30 homes were destroyed, and 17 people injured, the Nagano prefecture government said.

Another seven homes were lost in Otari, a nearby village to the north. l

Mamata: Burdwan blast Journalists remember 32 colleagues part of BJP’s ‘devious slain in the Philippines gameplan approved by RSS’ n Reuters

n Agencies The Trinamool Congress on Sunday called national security adviser Ajit Doval a known RSS sympathizer and alleged that the Burdwan blast was a part of a “devious” master gameplan of the BJP that was “conceived, drafted and approved by RSS.” Trinamool’s reaction came hours after finance minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley slammed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over her reaction to Saradha scam and Burdwan blasts.

“The NSA is a known RSS sympathizer, these plans are hatched at RSS headquarters,” TMC leader Derek O’Brien said on Sunday reacting to Arun Jaitley’s comment on Mamata Banerjee.

Calling it a part of a larger BJP gameplan, the TMC leader said they will come out with more facts in the next 48 hours.

Making a pointed reply to finance minister’s comment stating that Mamata’s action in Burdwan blasts probe was “neither responsible nor nationalistic,” the TMC leader said, “Jaitley ji do what you want but TMC doesn’t need lessons on nationalistic ideas.”

Questioning BJP’s funding, Derek O’Brien asked, “Where did BJP raise their money for LS polls, where is the party getting their big money?”

“Why don’t they (BJP) provide transparent accounts?” he said adding, “If nation knows how much black money is spent by BJP, they will become a blacklisted party.”

Trinamool Congress leadership has said it will raise the issue of black money on the floor of Parliament and seek support of like-minded parties on this issue.

Earlier, Arun Jaitley expressed disappointment over Mamata’s reaction to Saradha scam and Burdwan blasts. l

Dozens of foreign and local journalists lit candles on Sunday to remember the 2009 murder of 32 journalists in the southern Philippines, the biggest recorded killing of media workers in history.

No one has been convicted of the murders. Wearing black shirts with the words “End Impunity,” the journalists gathered outside a Catholic shrine in Manila, the site of two popular uprisings in modern times.

The journalists also protested against what they called growing press restrictions in the Philippines.

Melinda Quintos, head of the Center

for Media Freedom and Responsibility, said there were “disturbing” developments that threatened freedom of the press. She cited the authorities’ ban on coverage of the trial of the accused in the murder of the 32 journalists.

“The ban on media coverage of the trial is an unconscionable assault on press freedom – the very right, so crucial to the state of democracy in this country,” she said, adding that the trial was proceeding too slowly.

The court is still trying to resolve bail petitions four years after the case started. Meanwhile, four witnesses have been killed and lawyers say that defendants in the case have offered financial rewards to victims’

families to withdraw the murder accusations.

A total of 192 people led by a powerful Muslim political clan are facing murder charges for killing 58 people, including the 32 journalists, and burying them on a hill in Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines.

Since August this year, police have prevented journalists from covering the trial for no apparent reason, Quintos added.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an independent organization that promotes press freedom worldwide, has called the Maguindanao killings “the deadliest single attack on the press ever documented by the CPJ.” l

Pakistan to buy stealth fighter aircraft from China n Agencies Pakistan plans to buy the fourth generation stealth fighter aircraft from China to boost its defence capability, according to a media report.

The matter was being discussed with Chinese authorities, minister for defence production Rana Tanveer Hussain was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.

“It is for the first time that a senior government functionary has confirmed talks with China over purchase of the longer-range stealth aircraft — an issue that has been a subject of speculation in defence circles since the 10th edition of the Zhuhai Air Show (China) held earlier this month, when the aircraft was

unveiled,” the paper reported.

The Jane’s Defence Weekly also quoted an unnamed Pakistani official as saying that the Pakistan Air Force was in talks with China to buy 30 to 40 of the Shenyang FC-31 fighters.

FC-31 being developed by China primarily for the export market and reportedly several countries are interested in the aircraft believed to be comparable to US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

A prototype of the aircraft, designated as J-31, has been flown by the Chinese aircraft research and development firm Shenyang Aviation Company for a couple of years now.

What particularly interests the PAF is that FC-31 prototype (J-31) and JF-17 use the same Russian Klimov RD-93 engines. l

Edita Tiamzon, right, widow of slain journalist Daniel, breaks into tears as she views an art exhibit to mark the 5th anniversary of the massacre of 58 people, 32 of them journalists, in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines on Sunday AP

9 India does not rule out Modi – Sharif meeting during Saarc summit n Agencies India on Sunday did not rule out a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the Saarc summit, saying that Prime Minister is keen to have meaningful dialogues with as many south Asian leaders as possible.

Answering queries from reporters here, external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said India is for cooperative and peaceful ties with Pakistan.

The Prime Minister is keen “to have meaningful dialogue with as many south Asian colleagues as possible,” he said.

“This would mean taking into account all aspects of relationships,” he added.

He said the schedule of the bilateral meetings is being finalized, “and it is a work in progress.”

“Our intent is to have meaningful dialogues,” he said.

Modi will leave here on November 25 afternoon for the summit in Kathmandu, being held on November 26-27, and is scheduled to return on November 27 late evening. l

Afghan approves US, Nato deals n AP, Kabul Afghanistan’s parliament approved agreements Sunday with the US and Nato allowing international troops to remain in the country past the end of this year amid a renewed offensive by Taliban militants.

The international combat mission in Afghanistan, begun after the 2001 USled invasion that toppled the Taliban, was to conclude at the end of this year.

The new agreements ratified by parliament allow the US and Nato to keep a total of 12,000 troops in Afghanistan next year to support local forces.

However, the agreements come after US officials said President Barack Obama had approved new guidelines allowing American troops to engage Taliban fighters, not just al-Qaida terrorists in Afghanistan. Obama’s decision also means the US can conduct air support when needed.

In approving the agreements in a 1525 vote Sunday, Afghan lawmakers made no mention of Obama’s expansion of the US role in fighting militants in the country. In a statement, presidential spokesman Nazifullah Salarzai said the foreign troops will “train, advise and assist Afghan security forces.”

“Afghan forces are responsible for the security and defense of the Afghan people, and in the fight against international terrorism and training of our national security forces we count on the support and assistance of our international partners,” Salarzai said.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani signed agreements with Nato and the US immediately after taking office in September. l

Quake in China kills 5; hurts 54 n AP, Beijing A strong earthquake that hit a sparsely populated, mountainous area of western China killed at least five people and injured 54 others, officials said Sunday.

The injured included schoolchildren in a stampede.

The US Geological Survey said the magnitude-5.9 quake hit Saturday about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the county of Kangding in Sichuan province. China’s seismological agency put the magnitude at 6.3.

One person was also missing as of Sunday afternoon, according to a statement from the Ganzi prefecture government, which oversees Kangding.

The four dead included a woman in her 70s who was struck by a falling window pane, the official Xinhua News Agency and state broadcaster CCTV said, citing Chen Yunbing, a doctor at the region’s Ganzi People’s Hospital.

A stampede at a primary school in Tagong town during the quake injured 42 children, according to Xinhua.

Thirty homes collapsed and 2,630 others suffered serious damage, the Sichuan government information office said.

Western China is regularly hit by earthquakes, and reports said Saturday’s quake could be felt in the Sichuan provincial capital of Chengdu on the plains below the Himalayan foothills. Sichuan was struck by a magnitude-7.9 quake in May 2008 that left nearly 90,000 people dead. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Monday, November 24, 2014

CODE-CRACKER

Put pedestrians first

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

W

e welcome the DMP’s three-day campaign to raise awareness of the need for pedestrians to use footbridges and walkways.

It will certainly be welcome for the police to encourage their use further, by driving out the illegal hawkers and makeshift shops which routinely impede such thoroughfares.

However, it is wilfully naive for the police to proclaim that this drive, and the planned imposition of Tk200 fines with the threat of 6 months in jail for jaywalking, will on its own make any difference to improving road safety and reducing congestion.

Jaywalking is a symptom of the city’s highly dysfunctional traffic system, not the cause.

Dhaka has less than 45 footbridges and underpasses to be shared by its millions of pedestrians.

People on foot should be able to safely use designated traffic crossings at intersections and traffic lights.

The plain fact is that such crossings are very poorly managed by traffic police. Drivers regularly breach signals and ignore traffic rules.

The scandalously half hearted maintenance of traffic rules means that even at busy junctions fully staffed by police, pedestrians are left to take unnecessary daily risks simply to get across roads where they should have right of way.

The police need co-operation from all citizens, but they should not unfairly scapegoat pedestrians. It is bad and reckless driving which is the prime reason for the country’s many thousands of fatalities every year. Educating vehicle users and owners needs to be a key priority to improve safety.

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Bad and reckless driving is the prime cause of accidents and congestion.

It is naive to scapegoat pedestrians

Make child rights a living reality

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n the 25th anniversary of the UN Child Rights Convention, the Child Rights Advocacy Coalition highlighted the fact that Bangladesh has “miles to go,” before the nation can truly say it is upholding children’s rights to education and a good start in life.

Undoubtedly, some progress has been made as laws have been updated and primary school enrollment is much higher than even a decade ago. It is also welcome that government and public awareness have grown and groups like the Jaago Foundation’s Volunteer for Bangladesh initiative are working to providing volunteer education for excluded children.

This has helped encourage innovations such as providing boat based schools to children in remote flood-stricken areas, and has made it easier for children’s advocates to push for positive change.

However, much more still needs to be done. The stark fact is that nearly half the 57 million children in Bangladesh are living below the national poverty line. Typically, they are the group most deprived of access to safe water, proper sanitation, adequate nutrition, shleter, health, and education.

According to Unicef, malnutrition and stunting costs Bangladesh over a billion dollars a year, or around 2-3% of national income, in lost economic productivity. Severe malnutrition currently affects an estimated 600,000 children in Bangladesh.

With poverty and child labour still denying millions of children full access to education, we have to do better. For Bangladesh to take advantage of the demographic dividend, we must do more to ensure all children are enabled to live up to their full potential.

Do more to help all children live up to their full potential

Marriage and the minister’s age November 10

Reema Islam Faizul Kabir: Bibi Ayesha was about 50 years younger than the prophet. You didnt know? And Taslima, for once, has a valid point that a 67-yearold rich woman can’t marry a 29-year-old guy.

Mrinmoi Ms Nasrin has a lot to say about value, not just here but elsewhere as well. You may not agree with her conclusions but her observations are generally accurate, this is really why she makes people upset. With this article, she makes an excellent point: Why do people not mind (or even celebrate) one type of pairing, while thinking the other type (older woman-younger man) to be scandalous?

What is the problem here?

Lisa If both the people in a relationship or marriage have full consent, then their ages are not others’ concern. They shouldn’t be isolated from the society or tortured in any way. However, when it comes to making fun of them harmlessly, not much can be done about that ...

Faizul Kabir Lisa: read this article, its again the lady trying to poke at the sentiments of the gullible. She is, as always, trying to establish her perverted thoughts and philosophies. In this particular piece, she proudly announces her boyfriend’s age, who is 20 years younger than her, and then she dares to draw in the prophet by using demeaning expressions about his marriages. Which wife of the prophet was 50 years younger than him?

Mehek Faizul Kabir: It’s just someone’s opinion. No need to shun people because they might have an opinion or belief different than yours. And men commenting on “perversion” is so ironic. sneep Faizul Kabir: Ayesha?

Mrinmoi Faizul Kabir: By itself, why is it shameful that she announces her boyfriend’s age? And what expression did she use that was demeaning?

Even if she made a negative remark about the Prophet in the article, the question is whether you believe the prophet was sinless. But that belief ultimately has nothing to do with whether you are a momin or kafir, or Muslim or non-Muslim. As a Muslim, my belief is in the message; the messenger is incidental. Let us all strive towards good things.

Peace be upon you.

Girl sexually assaulted at school November 14

NK “After getting the complaint, the accused teacher was temporarily suspended from the school.”

Only suspended? How funny! When can we see immediate justice in our country?

CALVIN AND HOBBES

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 4 represents U so fill U every time the figure 4 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

abul kalam Reema Islam: If you are comfortable with Taslima’s choice of a guy, who’s 20 years younger, then what’s wrong with our 67-year-old minister marrying a 30-year-old woman?

Reema Islam abul kalam: Ahem! Taslima said a “woman” aged 67 marrying a “man” of 29 would not be accepted. We are not talking about who is right or wrong ... just that society has different rules for men and women even though Islam does not have these rules. Hazrat Khadija was 40 and the Prophet (PBUH) 25. Today no one will accept such a union. skazi A 29-year-old educated lady is hardly anyone’s toy.

I believe everyone has made fun of the minister already because he is 69. There are many happy couples nowadays where the woman is older.

Our Prophet’s first wife was older than him. I truly believe that no one cares that your boyfriend is 20 years younger.

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.

Raju Taslima is living with a guy 20 years younger than her. If she does not find it a problem, then what’s wrong if a 67-year-old man getting married to a 30-year-old woman? Most importantly, they are joined together by their own choices, they have loved each other for the last 2 to 3 years and then they decided to be together, no one forced them to make this decision, even the minister did not influence her.

Mrinmoi Raju: That is not what she is saying. She is saying that society views her living arrangement as negative, but does not feel so strongly when gender roles are reversed. Perhaps you should read the article again. rose If a man can get married at such an age, then a woman should also be given that right in out society.

Faizul Kabir I should remind all of you who think the other way, that you are still the minuscule minority. You have developed a habit of cheap and pointless debate in the name of freedom of speech.

Mrinmoi Faizul Kabir: I should remind you, majority does not mean “right.”

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Inflamed swelling (4) 3 Kill (4) 7 Beverage (3) 8 Tally (5) 11 Book of the Bible (4) 12 Approaches (5) 13 Dance (5) 15 Sailors (4) 18 Cult (4) 19 Fly apart (5) 20 Select group (5) 21 Greedy (4) 23 Time in grammar (5) 24 Precious stone (3) 25 Catch sight of (4) 26 Enquires (4)

DOWN 1 Assails (6) 2 Seemingly mocked by (6) 4 Resinous substance (3) 5 Changes (6) 6 Acceptance (3) 9 Reposed (6) 10 Consume (3) 11 Shrewd (6) 14 Works into a fabric (6) 16 Sports enclosures (6) 17 Emphasise (6) 19 Piece (3) 21 Length of life (3) 22 Little devil (3)

Hindu family alleges land grabbing November 10

nds Perfect reenactment of Rabindra Nath’s drama Dui Bigha Jami. Are the people idiotic enough to believe the allegation that an ordinary hindu family can dare to undertake extortion of an organised firm?

Punishment in school sends boy to hospital

November 10 Private User The outrageous claims of an obviously unsophisticated head teacher is laughably transparent. I sincerely hope he faces lasting punishment for a meaningless, sadistic, physical, and psychological attack on this boy and his friends.

RS Such an act from a teacher should be earnestly and strongly condemned, and that particular student should be given proper counselling and treatment.

PEANUTS

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

CROSSWORD

Unification or division of a nation?

November 9

Dhruba Arkka “The war crimes trial should not be a cause for revival of the issues that led to our independence struggle.”

The nation is terrorised by one side only, not both sides. The side which was against our independence and didn’t repent a bit after 1971 for their heinous deeds is still terrorising the nation with bombs, bullets, knives, and some of them are doing that with pen and paper.

The war crimes trial must go on, and declare its verdicts without any fear at home or abroad.

SUDOKU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Monday, November 24, 2014

Time to enact the law n M Abdul Latif Mondal

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We need a gesture of friendliness from India

REUTERS

He loves me not?

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n Khawaza Main Uddin o progress towards a Teesta deal, no sign of removing trade barriers, no respite from killing along the border, and thus, no optimism among average Bangladeshis about a possible overture from India.

Rather, a confusing question hovers over the heads of the elites: Will Prime Minister Narendra Modi make any shift in New Delhi’s policy towards Dhaka?

No sane person could claim that the current state of bilateral ties – not yet free from the hangover of the last days of the Congress-Awami League nexus – is the relation between two democratic nations. It’s instead an uneasy equation in which the Modi administration might not extend the same gesture as sought by Premier Sheikh Hasina’s government for its survival in power.

This relational asymmetry has prompted a number of retired diplomats and foreign policy analysts in Dhaka to ask whether Delhi wants to maintain “friendly” relations with an isolated party clinging to power by coercion, or with a national government that enjoys popular mandate.

A bunch of power-mongers, undergoing the test of popular legitimacy after the thoroughly manipulated ballot on January 5, seemed to have remained subservient to the (Congress) rulers in Delhi, no matter how they were treated. Who can stop it if you one-sidedly love or hate someone?

Unsurprisingly, the ruling party camp got shaky seeing the victory of Modi’s BJP in the April polls, as if he would make a U-turn from day-one in office, although an abrupt shift in

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foreign policy pursued by any sensible statesman is generally unlikely. The AL regime’s nervousness obviously proved its lack of confidence in Bangladeshi people.

Opposition BNP found relief in the incommunicado with Delhi, thanks to the exit of Congress, and the party leaders tried to convey to Modi’s advisers that they would appreciate non-interference from the neighbour in future political demonstrations demanding participatory national elections in Bangladesh.

ic values and rights of the people.

In the recent high commissioners’ summit in Dhaka, former diplomats of the two countries expressed determination to work for protecting “democratic values and rights” of the people.

Conscious of public grievances, former Indian high commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty tried to make up for the damage, saying that they also wanted a participatory election in Bangladesh.

However, foreign policy stands second to domestic compulsions

The ruling party camp got shaky seeing the victory of Modi’s BJP in the April polls, as if he would make a U-turn from day-one in office

In fact, the whispering started once the people witnessed India’s external affairs secretary Sujatha Singh’s undiplomatic advocacy for persuading General Ershad’s Jatiya Party to join the January polls to ensure an AL comeback to power, irrespective of public apathy towards an election without voting. What would have been the reaction from BJP leaders if Congress had managed to hold an election in India following the Hasina model?

Neither of the United States, the European Union, Japan, China, or Saudi Arabia supported the farcical polls, but India alone was being blamed for encouraging AL into embracing a dangerous path of disregarding democrat-

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created by the people’s demands and sentiments unless a charismatic and visionary leader takes courageous steps influencing the people to change the course of history. Premier Modi is yet to be tested in that regard.

The establishment in Delhi is still focused on two modes of foreign policy with its bordering countries – conflicting relations plus nuclear deterrence with Pakistan, and a more hegemonic stance with smaller neighbours. A retired diplomat said none of the two models are applicable to Bangladesh, which historically preferred a friendship with dignity.

The elephant-like size of India in the South Asian scene doesn’t make

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others envious unless Delhi shows a wholesale neglect to their popular will or pursues a one-eyed policy towards, for example, an unpopular regime in Dhaka. The blunder made by India by playing a biased and interfering role in Bangladesh’s electoral process had presented to the masses a feeling of insult, which is yet to be remedied.

If the Modi government is willing to build a long-lasting bond of friendship with the Bangladeshi people, the rulers who hold the keys of the administrative headquarters in Dhaka are not the ones who could mould public opinion in favour of coming closer to each other without suspicion or a hostile mindset.

The high commissioners’ summit, organised by the department of International Relations at Dhaka University, was an initiative as part of what is called Track II diplomacy – a direct people-to-people contact outside official channels. As once-serving diplomats were active participants there, the talks of democracy offered a certain amount of discomfort to the AL camp, if not a blanket embarrassment relevant to decent leadership.

Stakeholders are yet to get an answer to the question in their minds: Is Delhi, under Modi’s leadership, ready to correct the wrong and antipeople position taken by the Congress Party?

When the people of any country are unwilling to accept anything less than democracy, their aspirations matter in building friendship beyond the boundary. Premier Modi and his foreign policy team understand better how India can earn the confidence of Bangladeshis in the coming days. l Khawaza Main Uddin is Executive Editor at ICE Business Times.

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ccording to a report published in Dhaka Tribune on September 25, Law Minister Anisul Hoque said: “The government was planning to enact the judges’ recruitment law.”

We welcome the law minister’s statement in view of the fact that constitutional direction to enact such a law has remained ignored for the past four decades or so.

The Constitution of Bangladesh says that there shall be a Supreme Court (SC) for Bangladesh comprising the Appellate Division (AD) and the High Court Division (HCD). The chief justice (CJ) and the other judges appointed to the SC shall be independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.

Article 95 (2) of the constitution says that a person shall not be qualified for appointment as a judge unless he is a citizen of Bangladesh, and has been an advocate of the SC for at least 10 years, or has held judicial office for a minimum of 10 years in the territory of Bangladesh, or has such qualifications as may be prescribed by law for appointment of a judge in the SC. All the past governments have ignored the constitutional obligation to frame a law that would prescribe qualifications for appointment of a person as a judge of the SC. The absence of such a law has provided an opportunity to the governments, particularly to the two largest political parties, BNP and AL, which have been ruling the country almost in succession for more than two decades, to politicise the appointments of judges in the SC. Although scope exists for politicisation of appointment of judges at different tiers, the process of politicisation, in fact, starts at the level of additional judges (AJ) in the HCD. In exercise of the power conferred

by Article 68 of the constitution, the president appoints the AJs in the HCD normally for a period of two years.

If an AJ is not confirmed within two years of his (“he” includes “she”) appointment or within the extended period, if any, he ceases to hold his appointment.

The first attempt to prevent politicisation of appointments in the higher judiciary was made by the immediate past non-party caretaker government.

The Supreme Judicial Commission Ordinance (SJCO), 2008, promulgated by the president, provided for the constitution of a nine-member Supreme Judicial Commission (SJC) headed by the CJ. The law minister or adviser, three senior-most judges of the AD, two senior-most judges of the HCD, the attorney-general, and the president of the SCBA were the other members of the SJC. One advocate of the SC filed a writ petition in the HCD challenging the formation of the SJC. On April 28, 2008, the HC issued Rule Nisi on the government and stayed the operation of the

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SJC for three months. The ninth parliamentary election had been held in December 2008 before the said writ petition was finally disposed of. The AL-led grand alliance that formed the government in January 2009 abstained from placing the SJCO, 2008 before the parliament for its approval. This means that the SJCO, 2008 met a natural death.

To prevent politicisation of higher judicial appointments, the government should enact the law

Now, let us have a look into the procedure that is followed in our neighbouring countries as well as in Great Britain, the birthplace of parliamentary democracy, in appointing the judges in the higher judiciary. It is learnt from the media that the present government of India has initiated a move to bring about changes in the procedure of appointment of judges in the higher judiciary.

The 18th amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan has brought about major changes in the procedure for appointment of judges in the higher judiciary of that country. Great Britain has also gone for bringing about changes in the procedure for appointment of judges in the higher judiciary.

On April 1, 2006, Great Britain ended 700 years of legal tradition. On that day, a new Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) came into existence. Simply put, it is a commission charged with the responsibility of recommending names of persons for appointment as judges in the higher judiciary.

Bangladesh should learn lessons from these countries. In order to prevent politicisation of higher judicial appointments, the government should enact the law suggested by the constitution without any further delay.

The law should, inter alia, provide for the establishment of a JAC, suggest procedure to be followed by the JAC for recommending persons for appointment as CJ of Bangladesh and other judges of the AD and HCD. It should also suggest mechanisms to examine the criminal and other records of the candidates for appointment as AJs in the HCD. The sooner the law is enacted, the better it will be for the judiciary and the people. l M Abdul Latif Mondal is a former government secretary.

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A New-er Delhi n Towheed Feroze

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ake an auto (CNG to us) around Delhi on a cool winter morning and enjoy a rare thing called “motorway bliss.” For starters, no one is honking horns like they have been taught that unless you use the car horn to create cacophony, there’s no point in driving. Then, just erase the word “tailbacks” from the mind. Won’t say Delhi does not have traffic jams, but definitely not like the soul-destroying ones we have here in Dhaka.

Can you believe it, sitting in the auto, marveling at the views on both sides of the road, I actually began humming a soft melodic song from the early 80s. Trust me, I could hear the lines myself. Thinking hard to come up with another mega city which can help someone get lost in intoxicating introspection. Nope, can’t think of many …

Every time I go to Delhi, I notice that the city has taken several steps towards disciplined modernism. This also means that when you are shopping in a large marketplace, the public toilet is not too far away, and once you go inside, the stench does not assail you.

No one was looking left and right trying to make the best use of some dark, unobtrusive corner. The metro rail system has worked wonders for

the city, keeping the roads clean and rather tranquil.

So, what do the people of the capital of India think of the way ahead? Well, while Europe is grappling with the obdurate grip of economic blues, and Germany, the muchvaunted saviour, is also inching towards a slowdown, the mood here in India seems upbeat. After all, there’s a new government, says the auto driver resolutely.

Modi is the wonder-man of the moment. The leader and his plans for change and reforms have gotten millions of non-resident Indians in a state of trance. In Australia, scores of NRIs came to listen to the leader and voice their roaring approval.

It reminded me of the initial days when Tony Blair stormed to number 10, elbowing out the corrosive conservative system with marked gusto. There was the messiah and his message for a New Britain.

And change did come. That period was perhaps economically the most productive for the UK, with unemployment reaching an all-time low.

The fairytale did not last long, as we all know. Clouds of a war based on false information sucked Blair into a maelstrom from which he never recovered.

The halo was lost, the charm evap-

orated, and the words of hope deemed mere vacuous rhetoric.

Hopefully, Modi’s moment under the sun will not disregard the lessons learned from similar hero-worship not too long ago. While India needs to solidify the image of an Asian powerhouse, other issues like relations with South Asian neighbours need to be cultivated with prudence.

It’s of course true that with the ascendancy of Modi, there has been the resurgence of the Hindutva ideology.

It’s not something to worry about.

Any country has the right to base their forward momentum on her majority faith, but perhaps this revival should have more of a compassionate edge to it.

Talking about fanaticism, as I was in Delhi, the never-dying saga of the holy guru Rampal was being played out with all theatrics as the police stormed his heavily-guarded residing place in Haryana.

The paramilitary had to be called in because the guru’s Asram (refuge) had several layers of protection, starting with a force comprised of former army personnel. The last level of shield for the holy man was created by women and children.

The news of the storming of the place to catch Rampal, accused of inciting sedition and attempted mur-

der in 2006, played out to the whole nation via TV. Thousands of frenzied acolytes of the holy man defied the onset of winter to create lines of almost unassailable defense for their guru, who reportedly said, after the eventual arrest, that he was busy meditating and had no idea that his people were engaged in a stand-off with the police.

special powers or not, a personality cult is weaved around him by disciples who eventually benefit from the spread of popularity of their leader.

It’s an elaborate Ponzy scheme where religious verses are used to cover up the actual scam.

On top of that, reportedly, since such faith-based gatherings are often ignored by the law, they provide the

Every time I go to Delhi, I notice that the city has taken several steps towards disciplined modernism

This was another side to India, utterly dissonant with the modernised part of the country. The guru culture is ingrained in the psyches of a lot of people, lamented the late Khushwant Singh in one of his books on the irrationalities that plague Indian life.

Despite being denounced in writing and in public by many liberals, this trend continues with a vengeance.

Whether the holy person possesses

best places for all political machinations to be planned without raising any suspicion. Also alleged is that Rampal was bathed in milk which was later used to make “kheer” (semolina) and served to his followers.

The culture of faith-healers with an army of devotees is rampant in Bangladesh too, and as I was reading about Rampal I suddenly remembered a group of people living in a Dhaka city

shantytown, pledging their allegiance to one Goni Shah, believed to be sort of a divine leader.

While Goni Shah has not made a large mansion with a swimming pool yet, like the one Rampal possessed, his followers also take his words/counsel as gospel, eagerly eating the food blessed by him. Maybe the house with the pool is not too far away.

In the modern age, these holy gurus do not propagate austerity and stoicism any more. They are “bling” faith leaders, making a shrewd blend of spirituality and sensual pleasure.

Riding the auto rickshaw and enjoying the sprawling Lodhi gardens on one side, I became a bit philosophical – in an age of consumerism, if faith-based credo can be packaged in razzmatazz and delivered with guile (which Rampal failed to do), maybe it can also find a place to fit in, albeit on the periphery of logical thinking.

A BMW swiftly passes my auto and I catch the lines from the the Bollywood number “Devil mera Yarr” (the Devil is my pal) and I sit back to relax, Lord Byron’s immortal lines ringing in my ear: “Pleasure’s a sin, and sometimes sin’s a pleasure.” l Towheed Feroze is a journalist currently working in the development sector.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE Monday, November 24, 2014

13 Australia scramble

to win, reclaim No 1 ODI ranking

14 Messi breaks

Liga goals record with hattrick

Sport

14 Pogba brace,

Tevez restore Juve lead

Elated Mashrafe eager to extend winning streak Uddin Khan n Minhaz from Chittagong An inspired bowling display upfront

by Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza piloted the home side to a 68-run win over Zimbabwe in the second ODI at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday.

Mashrafe, who was later adjudged man of the match, recorded bowling figure of 3/34 to give the hosts a 2-0 lead going into the third ODI in Dhaka this Wednesday.

And following the conclusion of the second ODI, the 31-year old paceman expressed his elation.

“It was important for us to win the game and I am happy that we were successful doing that,” Mashrafe told the media at the post-match press conference.

“There were areas where we needed to improve and I am happy that we were able to do that. And about the man of the match, anyone will be happy to grab one,” he said.

Despite the heroics, Mashrafe still thinks there are areas where he needs to work on as it is denying him from delivering his perfect performance.

“It is right that I got wickets. I think I was able to place 80 percent of the deliv-

eries on the right areas but I am not being able to deliver with pace,” he added.

Mashrafe went on to inform that Bangladesh would like to confirm the series by winning the third ODI. Mashrafe also said he felt relieved after the Tigers arrested a slide in fortunes in 2014. In the first ODI, Bangladesh posted their first victory of the year in 14 matches. For the first time this year, the Tigers won two ODIs in succession.

Mashrafe hoped the Tigers would be

Winning matches always boost up a team while the losing side are under constant pressure able to continue their form into the upcoming World Cup in Australia-New Zealand next year.

“Winning matches always boost up a team while the losing side are under constant pressure,” said Mashrafe.

“We were under pressure for the most parts of 2014. We lost a series of matches. Now that we are back in the winning streak, I think we should maintain consistency and carry our form to the [2015 ICC] World Cup,” concluded the Bangladesh ODI captain. l

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal (L) celebrates his fifty while Anamul Haque looks on during their second ODI against Zimbabwe at ZACS yesterday

Sheikh Jamal held to draw in King’s Cup

Chigumbura blames batting effort

n Tribune Desk

Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura once again rued making costly mistakes on the field as the visitors for the second ODI in a row got bowled out below 200 yesterday.

“I think 280 in the first game was also chase-able but we just made the same mistake once again in this game which is losing too many wickets,” said Chigumbura after their 68-run defeat to go down 0-2 in the five-match series.

Both the sides enjoyed purple patch in the match as the momentum shifted like a pendulum. Bangladesh started off with 158-run opening stand before

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club were held to a goalless draw by newly promoted Thai Premier League club Nakhon Ratchasima in their second match of the King’s Cup at Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan yesterday.

After a comfortable victory over Bhutan A-Division champions Druk United in the first match of Group A, the draw came unexpectedly for the Bangladesh Premier Football League champions against a side that just re-

ceived promotion to play in the Thai top flight football.

The Dhanmondi-based club began the game brightly and kept their opponents under pressure with constant attacks. They came close to scoring on several occasions but the Thai goalkeeper’s superb display and some misfiring attempts from the forward line made sure the scoreline remained goalless.

Jamal enjoyed around 70% possession.

Jamal, who are aiming nothing but the title, will take on Indian League side Mohun Bagan in their last group match this Thursday.l

Uddin Khan n Minhaz from Chittagong

the visitors also came back hard to get the home side reeling at 204 for six.

“I think there were few parts where the bowlers bowled brilliant. The fielders provided the energy and it was very enthusiastic. But we didn’t manage to do the same thing with the bat and it cost us the game,” said Chigumbura.

In-form batsman Hamilton Masakadza departed in the first over of their run-chase as the others too failed to rise up to the occasion with the exception of newbie Solomon Mire who fought for his maiden one-day half-century.

“It’s always good to see one of your youngsters making some runs and increasing confidence especially in his

second game. So hopefully he can carry what he did today (yesterday) in the rest of the series,” praised the Zimbabwean ODI skipper.

The visitors are yet to see the face of a win in their tour. After a whitewash in the Test series, and two-nil down in the limited-overs they now face a tough challenge as the teams fly back to Dhaka for the remaining three one-dayers.

However, Chigumbura is still optimistic of their chances in the oneday series and said, “There are three more games left and a lot can change.

Just one game can change everything.

I am sure if we win the next game, Bangladesh will be under very much pressure.” l

Blind cricketers ready for maiden WC Titu set to take national n team charge temporarily Raihan Mahmood

Bangladesh blind cricket team are keen to make their presence felt in their maiden Blind Cricket World Cup appearance as their captain Hafizur Rahman Bullet expressed confidence in putting up a good show.

The cricketers trained hard in the past two months and Bullet, who unfortunately lost his mother three days ago, said, “Our team is balanced and have some good players, they are raring to go, I am confident that the team will perform well.”

The 40-over ODI Blind Cricket World Cup is scheduled for Capetown, South Africa from November 26-December 9. Apart from Bangladesh, the tournament will also see Australia, New Zealand, England, West Indies, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

and Nepal taking part.

Bangladesh team are expected to fly to South Africa this Thursday and play their first match against Australia on December 3. Earlier, Bangladesh blind cricket team participated in the

SQUAD Hafizur Rahman Bullet (captain), Badal Kumar Das (vice captain), Monir Rana, M Shahadat Hossain, Shahinul Haque Joy, M Nayeem Mamun, M Solaiman Badsha, M Alam Islam, M Shakib Ahmed, M Mahbub Morshed, M Ibrahim Ali, Al Amin, Tanjilur Rahman, M Shaheen Mia, Khorshed Alam, Ripon Borua and Aminur Islam Officials Taijuddin (team manager), Sanowar Ahmed (coach) and Nazmul Kabir (assistant coach)

Twenty20 World Cup in 2012 in India and finished 8th.

The national blind cricket team practised under the patronisation of Manikganj-2 constituency Member of Parliament, Momtaz Begum, in Manikganj and team manager M Taijuddin thanked her for the assistance. Walton has provided the playing kits to the players and may sponsor the team before their departure. The logo and jersey of the national blind cricket team for the upcoming World Cup was also unveiled during a programme.

Bangladesh Blind Cricket Council (BBCC) chairman M Harun-ur Rashid, senior vice chairman Dr AKM Harun-ur Rashid Majumder, vice chairman Lion Alhaj Didarul Alam Chowdhury, director of administration Syed Kamrul Islam and team manager M Taijuddin were present on the occasion among others.l

n Raihan Mahmood Saiful Bari Titu is bracing for another stint as the head coach of the national football team when they take on the visiting Japan Under-21 team on December 18.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) previously thought of appointing Slovenian Ermin Siljak as the head coach of the national team on a short-term basis, including the Japan tie. Football’s governing body, however, decided to change their plans slightly.

“We may appoint Siljak for the Bangabandhu Gold Cup and it will be a test project. And against the Ja-

pan U-21 team, Saiful Bari Titu will be guiding the team. He (Titu) is currently abroad for his coaching diploma. He will return this Saturday and after he comes back, along with the two teams (Abahani and Sheikh Jamal) from the King’s Cup, we will start the national camp,” said BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag.

Meanwhile, Siljak submitted his curriculum vitae to BFF president Kazi Salahuddin at the start of this month. After the departure of Dutch coach Lodewijk de Kruif, Titu guided the Bangladesh team in two Fifa international friendlies at home against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh won the series 1-0. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

BANvZIM, 2ND ODI Bangladesh innings Tamim Iqbal run out 76 Anamul c Sibanda b Panyangara 80 Shakib al Hasan b Sibanda 0 Mushfiqur lbw b Kamungozi 27 Sabbir c Kamungozi b Panyangara 0 Mahmudullah c Panyangara b Kamungozi 12 Mominul Haque not out 33 Mashrafe Mortaza b Chatara 6 Rubel Hossain not out 5 Extras (lb3, w8, nb1) 12 Total (for 7 wickets; 50 overs)

251

Fall of wickets 1-158, 2-158, 3- 173, 4- 173, 5-204, 6-204, 7-225 Bowling Panyangara 10-1-51-2 (w1, nb-1), Chatara 10-0-58-1(w1), Kamungozi 10-0-38-2 (w1), Nyumbu 10-0-56-0 (w2), Sibanda 10-0-45-1(w3) Zimbabwe innings H Masakadza b Mortaza S Raza c Mahmudullah b Mortaza V Sibanda b Mortaza B Taylor c Mahmudullah b Sunny S Mire c Sunny b Shakib R Chakabva c Mortaza b Al-Amin E Chigumbura run out T Panyangara b Sunny J Nyumbu b Sunny T Chatara not out T Kamungozi b Sunny Extras (lb4, w5) Total (all out; 44.5 overs)

0 16 21 8 50 32 38 8 0 1 0 9 183

Fall of wickets 1-1, 2-37, 3-40, 4- 50, 5-115, 6-140, 7-177, 8-181, 9-182, 10-183 Bowling Mortaza 8-0-34-3 (w2), Al-Amin 8-0-44-1(w1), Rubel 6-1-28-0, Sunny 9.5-0-29-4 (w1), Shakib 8-2-18-1(w1), Mahmudullah 2-0-12-0, Sabbir 3-0-14-0 Bangladesh won by 68 runs and lead series 2-0

Three changes likely in BCB committees n Mazhar Uddin

Bangladesh blind cricket team players and officials pose for a photo at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium yesterday

COURTESY

Cricket’s governing body in the country is all set to undergo changes in three of its committees, informed Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan yesterday during the second ODI between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in Chittagong.

The BCB supremo said the board has already chalked out its plans for the next five years and the changes in the board are part of that. “Most possibly there will be changes in three committees and there will be a senior national team cricketer in the cricket operations committee,” said Nazmul.

The first change is expected to take place in the cricket operations committee. Its current chairman, former national captain Akram Khan, is likely to make way for inaugural Test skipper Naimur Rahman, who is now the chairman of the age-level development committee. Akram has been under severe pressure ever since the generators failed to work properly in a couple of matches in the ICC World Twenty20 hosted by Bangladesh earlier this year.

A change is also expected in the hierarchy of the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM). The post of CCDM president has been vacant ever

since its previous boss, AZM Nasir, was elected the vice-president of BCB. Chairman of the medical committee, Hanif Bhuiyan, is likely to replace Nasir.

The final change is expected to be the inclusion of a director in the BCB. The appointment of Nazmul as president emptied a place for a director and it is being rumoured that former captain Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu might get the nod. All the changes will be finalised in the upcoming board meeting.

Since the BCB election took place on October 10 last year, this will be the first time cricket’s governing body will experience changes. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

QUICK BYTES

AUSVSA, 5TH ODI South Africa Innings Q. de Kock c Wade b Cummins H. Amla c Wade b Maxwell R. Rossouw c Bailey b Cummins F. du Plessis c Bailey b Cummins D. Miller c Cummins b Smith F. Behardien c Smith b Faulkner W. Parnell not out R. McLaren not out Extras (lb5, w9, nb1) Total (6 wickets; 50 overs)

Siddikur finishes 57th in Manila Bangladesh golfer Siddikur Rahman did not have a good time in the first couple of rounds at the Resorts World Manila Masters in the Philippines. The 30-year old golfer from Madaripur ended his campaign in the same manner, finishing joint 57th tied with three other golfers. Siddikur hit a moderate five-over-par 77 in the fourth and final round yesterday to take his overall score to three-over-par 291, a full 23 shots behind the winner, Singapore’s Mardan Mamat. Siddikur carded a solitary birdie on the opening hole and an eagle on the fourth hole but four bogeys and two double bogeys on the second and 10th hole meant Siddikur would finish no better than 57th. While Mardan earned $180,000 for his title win, Siddikur accumulated just $3,350.

–Tribune Desk

Adam Scott said his near-miss at Sunday’s Australian Masters has primed him for his showdown with world number one Rory McIlroy at this week’s Australian Open. A duel between the world’s top two golfers is looming at The Australian course in Sydney after McIlroy pipped Scott on the final hole to win the Open title last year. Scott went within a lipped-out 60-foot birdie putt on the last hole of forcing a play-off with Australian winner Nick Cullen on Sunday as he sought a record-breaking third consecutive Australian Masters title. The 2013 US Masters champion lamented his opening round of oneover 73 which in the end cost him.

–AFP

Lyon miss chance to go second n AFP, Paris Lyon extended their unbeaten Ligue 1 streak to ten matches on Saturday, with a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Bastia, but wasted the opportunity to climb above Marseille into second spot.

Monaco failed to make up ground on the front-runners when they were held 2-2 at home by Caen, who have endured a turbulent week off the field.

And in the night’s other matches, Lorient eased their relegation fears with a 1-0 win over fellow-strugglers Lens, Rennes won the Brittany derby away at Guingamp by the only goal and Nice were held 0-0 at home by Reims.

Lyon’s Hubert Fournier, who has enjoyed just two victories in nine trips to Corsica as a player, looked on as the seven-time champions failed to break down the rugged home defence.

The draw also ended Lyon’s five match winning run and they next travel to arch-rivals Saint-Etienne next Sunday.

“It was a very difficult match because they pressed us high up the pitch and made it very hard to get our passing game going,” said Lyon’s French midfielder Maxime Gonalons. l

Bastia

0-0

Lyon

Guingamp

0-1

Rennes Ntep 37

Nice

0-0

Reims

Lorient

1-0

Lens

Guerreiro 21

Monaco

2-2

Imorou 5-og, Moutinho 75

Caen Koita 50, Kondogbia 59-og

DAY’S WATCH Sony Six 8:30AM NBA: Regular Season LA Lakers v Denver 11:15AM Aiba Womens World Championship Final Champion Tennis League 5:30PM Mumbai v Punjab 8:30PM Pune v Hyderabad

Star Sports 2 7:30PM Indian Super League North East v Delhi 1:45AM La Liga Granada v Almeria

Star Sports 1 1:45AM Italian Serie A Genoa v Palermo

Star Sports 4 2:00AM English Premier League Aston Villa v Southampton

107 18 51 2 5 63 18 1 15 280

Fall of wickets 1-54 (Amla), 2-161 (Rossouw), 3-164 (du Plessis), 4-187 (Miller), 5-206 (de Kock), 6-279 (Behardien) Bowling Hazlewood 9-1-52-0, Starc 10-1-60-0 (4w), Cummins 9-0-54-3 (4w), Faulkner 8-0-51-1 (1nb), Maxwell 8-0-30-1, Watson 1-0-11-0 (1w), Smith 5-1-17-1 Australia Innings D. Warner c Peterson b Parnell A. Finch c Rossouw b Peterson S. Watson c Rossouw b Morkel S. Smith c Rossouw b Peterson G. Maxwell C Behardien b Morkel G. Bailey c Rossouw b Abbott M. Wade b Peterson J. Faulkner not out P. Cummins b Peterson M. Starc not out Extras (w4, nb4)

Scott primed for McIlroy showdown

LIGUE 1

13

Monday, November 24, 2014

Total (8 wickets; 47.1 overs)

Australia captain George Bailey (2L, sitting) celebtrates with teammates and the winning trophy following their 4-1 series victory against South Africa after the fifth ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney yesterday AFP

Australia scramble to win, reclaim No 1 ODI ranking n Reuters, Sydney Australia scrambled over the line for a two-wicket victory in the fifth one-day international against South Africa on Sunday to move back to the top of the world rankings less than three months before the World Cup. What looked like being a stroll to a convincing 4-1 series triumph when Steve Smith departed for 67 with Australia 11 runs from their target of 275 was transformed into a tense finale by Robin Peterson.

The South African spinner (4-32) did most of the damage as the hosts lost four wickets for three runs but James Faulkner held his nerve to smash the winning runs off the first ball of the final over.

For much of the evening, though, the South Africans looked like they

were mentally on the plane home and looked unlikely to defend their original tally of 280 for six, let alone the amended target put in place after a short storm.

Australia’s masterblaster openers set about the chase in typical flamboyant fashion but David Warner (21) had already departed when the rain delay reduced their allocation of overs to 48.

There was no stalling Aaron Finch, however, and he put on 100 with Shane Watson before falling for 76 to a brilliant piece of fielding from Faf du Plessis, who caught the ball falling over the rope but offloaded it to Rilee Roussouw.

South Africa’s bowling appeared to lack bite without the rested Dale Steyn and Watson cashed in with 82 off 93 balls, clubbing a second huge six a couple of balls before holing out to Rous-

souw at deep midwicket.

Smith’s innings lacked the fluency of his 104 in Melbourne or his unbeaten 73 in Canberra and he admitted he had caught a couple of breaks, most notably when he was bowled by Kyle Abbot off a front foot no ball.

Earlier in the afternoon sun, Quinton de Kock’s fine 123-ball 107 anchored the South African innings before the opener became Pat Cummins (3-54) third victim when he nicked the ball attempting an uppercut and was caught behind.

Roussouw (51) and Du Plessis (2) had earlier fallen victim to the young Australian quick in one rain-disrupted over. De Kock’s exit left the tourists on 206 for five with just under 10 overs remaining but Behardien did his World Cup chances no harm with a blistering career-best 63 from 41 balls. l

21 76 82 67 7 4 3 6 0 1 8 275

Fall of wickets 1-37 (Warner), 2-137 (Finch), 3-218 (Watson), 4-246 (Maxwell), 5-264 (Smith), 6-264 (Bailey), 7-267 (Wade), 8-267 (Cummins) Bowling Morkel 10-0-69-2 (1w), Abbott 100-59-1 (3nb, 1w), Parnell 9-0-54-1, McLaren 7-0-41-0 (1nb, 2w), Peterson 6.1-1-32-4, Behardien 5-0-20-0 Australia won by 2 wickets (D/L), take series 4-1

Teammates will determine success of Kohli’s captaincy n Reuters, Sydney Virat Kohli says his team mates will determine the success or otherwise of his captaincy when he takes charge of India in place of Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the first test against Australia next month.

The 26-year-old batsman will make his test captaincy bow in Brisbane on Dec. 4 while Dhoni sits out the first of the four matches in the series to recuperate from a hand injury.

“I’m pretty confident of the ability the guys have,” he told reporters on Sunday in Adelaide, where India open their tour with a two-day match against a Prime Minister’s XI starting on Monday.

“It’s up to me how I handle them, how I handle different situations.

“As long as the team backs me and puts in the performances we want, I think I’m going to look good at the end

of the day.

“I don’t see any issues on why I can’t be up to the challenge.”

Kohli was very much the test rookie alongside the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman on India’s last tour of Australia in 2011-12.

He ended up being one of the few bright lights for the tourists as they slumped to a humiliating 4-0 sweep, however, and scored his maiden century in the fourth test in Adelaide.

Unlike many of his team mates, Kohli has the experience of playing on the hard Australian decks and in front of the vocally hostile crowds.

In 2012, he was fined half of his match fee in the second test in Sydney for responding to barracking from the crowd by gesturing at them with his middle finger.l

Now I can laugh: Van Gaal n Agencies Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says that he can now “laugh” after his “quality decision” to revert to a three-at-the-back formation saw his side beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

With injuries continuing to plague his squad, the Dutchman deployed youngsters Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett alongside Chris Smalling in central defence, with Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw on the flanks.

The Red Devils had seen an upturn in results since switching to a four-man back line in early September but Van Gaal now feels vindicated, though noting that he would have been castigated for the same decision if the result had gone the other way.

“If Arsenal had scored in the first 20 minutes, you would be asking about why I picked three defenders - but now I can laugh,” he observed to reporters.

“I am confident I made the right

decision. To make it before the match, that’s a quality decision. I can say that now, that’s the life of a coach. The result always gives you the reason or not.

“I have to say I cannot do other things because I don’t have many players. I think the players have done fantastic. Blackett, McNair and Shaw - how old are they?

RESULT Arsenal Giroud 90

1-2

Man United Gibbs 56-og, Rooney 85

“I hope some players come back from injuries because it’s unbelievably difficult to create consistency in the team,” he continued. “Every week I have to change my lineup. That is not always good to create ultimatism in the team.”

He remarked: “I was not pleased with the way we played in the first half but, of course, it was an away game against a top team and we have won so, OK, I can say yes, it’s my best victory.l

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney (R) is elated after an own goal by Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs during their English Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday REUTERS

Vintage Federer seals first Davis Cup for Switzerland n Reuters, Lille Roger Federer produced a vintage performance to crush Richard Gasquet 6-4 6-2 6-2 and seal Switzerland’s maiden Davis Cup title with a 3-1 win over hosts France on Sunday.

The 17-times grand slam champion shook off back problems during the weekend and recovered from Friday’s defeat by Gael Monfils to hand France a third defeat in their last three finals.

With Federer imperious on serve, there was a sense of inevitability in the air at the Pierre Mauroy stadium despite the support of a record 27,448

raucous crowd and Gasquet’s decent level of play.

He made more unforced errors than the gifted Frenchman -- 24 to 21 -- but hit an astonishing 62 winners, kneeling down before lying on his chest after wrapping up the match with a cunning drop shot.

“We fought hard for it. I’ve been playing this game for almost 15 years and clearly I had never come as close than this past weekend,” said world number two Federer, for whom the only major title missing from his collection is now an Olympic singles gold medal.

“I’m happy I stayed calm and played

a good match when I had to. I’m really happy for all the guys in the team.”

Gasquet said he was “very disappointed” to lose in straight sets.

“It’s the first time Roger plays at this level against me,” he said.

French captain Arnaud Clement had no complaints about the result.

“Right now I think we did everything right, me and the players. But Switzerland were better than us,” he said.

Federer dropped only four points on serve in the opening set, which he sealed with a whipping forehand winner after breaking Gasquet, the world number 26, in the third game.l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Monday, November 24, 2014

LIONEL MESSI EARLY CAREER Joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old in 2000 and shone in the youth ranks before then-coach Frank Rijkaard gave him his senior debut at the age of 16 in a friendly against Porto in 2003.

Made his La Liga debut in October 2004 and scored his first La Liga goal the following May in a match against Albacete at the Nou Camp.

Scored six goals in 17 appearances in 2005-06 as Barca won La Liga for the second year in a row but did not feature in their 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the Champions League final.

Messi played a key role as Barca claimed six trophies in the calendar year of 2009 including the Champions League, La Liga, the King’s Cup and the Club World Cup. Won the first of four consecutive World Player of the Year awards.

Inspired Barcelona to a 3-1 win against Manchester United in the 2011 Champions League final, scoring one goal and creating another.

Helped Barca to a third consecutive La Liga title in 2010-11 and was on the scoresheet as they beat Santos 4-0 to win the Club World Cup. While Barcelona failed to retain either La Liga or the Champions League, Messi completed 2012 with an extraordinary total of 91 goals in all competitions, a record for a calendar year. He smashed the La Liga scoring record for one season in 2011-12 with 50 goals.

Equalled the Champions League scoring record of 71 goals set by former Real Madrid and Schalke 04 forward Raul when he struck twice against Ajax Amsterdam this month.

Barcelona’s Argentinian starlet Lionel Messi is the toast of his teammates during their Spanish La Liga match against Sevilla at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona on Saturday

n AFP, Madrid Lionel Messi became the all-time top goalscorer in La Liga history with a hattrick as Barcelona swept aside Sevilla 5-1 on Saturday to remain two points adrift of league leaders Real Madrid.

Messi, 27, moved level with legendary Basque striker Telmo Zarra when he opened the scoring with a trade-

RESULTS Eibar

Led Argentina to the title at the 2005 World Youth Championship, scoring two penalties in a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final.

Made his debut for the senior side in a friendly against Hungary in August 2005 but was sent off less than a minute after coming on as a substitute for elbowing an opponent who had pulled his shirt.

Played only a bit-part role at the 2006 World Cup. Argentina were knocked out in the quarter-finals by hosts Germany after a penalty shootout.

Led Argentina to the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Part of the Argentina side coached

by Diego Maradona at the 2010 World Cup that was beaten 4-0

by Germany in the quarter-finals.

Messi failed to score and struggled to find his best form at the tournament in South Africa.

After a season disrupted by injury, captained Argentina to the final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where they lost 1-0 to Germany.

Messi, who scored four goals at the finals, won the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player.

0-4

Real Madrid Rodriguez 23, Ronaldo 43, 83-P, Benzema 70

5-1

Barcelona Messi 21, 72, 77, Neymar 49, Rakitic 65

Deportivo

ARGENTINA

REUTERS

Messi breaks Liga goals record with hattrick

0-0

Sevilla Alba 47-og

Real Sociedad

mark free-kick to register his 251st goal in his 289th appearance in the Spanish top flight.

A Jordi Alba own goal briefly brought Sevilla level early in the second-half, but Neymar swiftly restored Barca’s advantage before Ivan Rakitic made the game safe when he headed home Luis Suarez’s enticing cross against his old club.

Messi then took over as he slid in to convert Neymar’s low cross to set the new record and extended it moments later with a precise low finish to round off a fine evening for Luis Enrique’s men against a side that started the evening just two points adrift of the Catalans.

Earlier, Real Madrid saw off Basque minnows Eibar’s dreams of a giant-killing thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo double to register their 14th consecutive win in all competitions with a 4-0 victory.

Champions Atletico Madrid remain four points off the top as they overcame Malaga 3-1 at the Vicente Calderon thanks to goals from Tiago, Antoine Griezmann and Diego Godin.

At the other end of the table, Real Sociedad moved a point clear of the relegation zone in former Manchester United manager David Moyes’s bow as the Basques new coach as they drew 0-0 away to Deportivo la Coruna.

Messi’s moment came midway through the first-half as his free-kick curled perfectly into Beto’s top righthand corner to register his 12th goal of the season.

Real Madrid also enjoyed a comfortable afternoon in unfamiliar surround-

ings on their first league visit at the 5,000 capacity Ipurua stadium in Eibar.

The European champions had more than a touch of fortune in the first half as James Rodriguez headed home the

ALL-TIME GOALSCORERS IN LA LIGA

Won La Liga again in 2010 and retained the World Player award, beating shortlisted Spanish World Cup winners and Barca team mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

If anyone had said when a callow teenager called Lionel Messi netted his debut La Liga goal in May 2005 he would break Telmo Zarra’s top-flight scoring record within a decade they would have been dismissed as a lunatic.

Yet that is what the pint-sized 27-year-old Argentine achieved when he scored a hat-trick in Saturday’s 5-1 win for Barcelona over Sevilla at the Nou Camp, moving to 253 goals and surpassing Zarra’s haul of 251 over 15 seasons for Athletic Bilbao in the 1940s and 50s.

Messi equalled the record with a typically breathtaking effort, curling a free kick around the wall and past goalkeeper Beto to give Barca a 1-0 lead.

The likes of Hugo Sanchez (234 goals),

Raul (228), Alfredo Di Stefano (227) and Cesar Rodriguez (226) have been left trailing and, with years left in his career, Messi’s eventual tally could stand as long as Zarra’s if not a lot longer.

Messi also has a share of the Champions League scoring record, having equalled Raul’s haul of 71 goals this month and he could overhaul it in Tuesday’s game at APOEL Nicosia.

A glance at the numbers shows Messi’s goals per game ratio in La Liga is second only to Zarra’s who amassed his 251 in a mere 277 matches while the Barca attacker needed 289 games.

Sanchez’s 234 came in 347 matches, Raul needed 550 games to reach 228 and Di Stefano required 329 for his 227 goals.

Anyone who has watched Messi in recent years knows he can do things with a football that seem to defy the

yond Xabi Irureta just before the break.

Benzema smashed home the third 20 minutes from time before Ronaldo rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot.l

253 251 234 228 227

LIONEL MESSI

TELMO ZARRA HUGO SÁNCHEZ RAÚL GONZÁLEZ

DI STÉFANO

Matches

289

278

347

550

329

Country

Argentina

Spain

Mexico

Spain

Argentina/Spain

Clubs

Barcelona

Real Madrid

Real/Espanyol

Seasons Ratio

Athletic Bilbao Atletico/Real/Rayo

2004–

1957-1967

1981–1994

1994–2010

1953–1966

0.88

0.91

0.67

0.42

0.69

Leo leaves La Liga greats trailing n Reuters, Madrid

opener despite Ronaldo and Karim Benzema appearing to be in an offside position in the build-up to the goal.

Ronaldo then doubled the lead himself with a mishit shot that looped be-

laws of physics and he does not fit into the mould of a traditional striker.

Most of the other players at the top of the charts were considered out-andout goalscorers while Messi tends to roam the pitch.

His ability to dribble at speed past opponents is outstanding and as well as netting a phenomenal number of goals, he regularly sets up team mates to score.

Comparing Messi’s playing style to some of La Liga’s previous top marksmen is problematic as relatively little television footage exists of the likes of Zarra, Di Stefano and Cesar.

Di Stefano, who died this year aged 88, perhaps had the strongest all-round game and was often seen bossing the midfield and tackling back in defence as well as bearing down on goal.l

‘I never imagined breaking Zarra’s record’ n AFP, Madrid Lionel Messi thanked teammates and coaches past and present after becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in La Liga with a hat-trick in Barca’s 5-1 demolition of Sevilla on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Argentine’s opener brought him level with Telmo Zarra on 251 goals in just his 289th appearance in the Spanish top flight.

Messi then went on to score his side’s fourth and fifth goals to register his 27th Barcelona hat-trick and put him out in front as the leading marksmen in the history of Spanish football.

“When I scored this goal, I couldn’t imagine I could break any record, let

LIONEL MESSI’S 10 GREATEST BARCELONA GOALS

A floppy-haired Messi scored his first La Liga goal against Albacete in May, 2005, a delicate chip over the keeper from a Ronaldinho through ball.

The goal Messi scored against Getafe in April, 2007, has been compared to Maradona’s brilliant solo effort against England at the 1986 WC. From the halfway line Messi went past two players before leaving several more as he bore down on goal and then rounded the keeper to score.

Messi leapt to head in Barcelona’s second goal as they won the 2009 Champions League final 2-0 against Manchester United in Rome. He had just enough height to nod Xavi’s cross back across goal and into the corner.

The Argentine showed his quick-thinking to chest in Xavi’s cross in extra-time against Estudiantes to win the Club World Cup in December, 2009. The victory helped Barca secure all six trophies they contested in the 2009 calendar year.

Against Arsenal in April, 2010, Messi scored all four of Barca’s goals in a 4-1 win at the Nou Camp. His third stood out as he raced through the Arsenal defence and slipped the ball over a helpless Manuel Almunia.

Manchester United were again on the receiving end of a Messi goal in a Champions League final. This time it was 2011 and he scored the second in a 3-1 win at Wembley Stadium with a fizzing 25-yard drive into the corner.

Messi showed poise and subtlety as he received a pass from Andres Iniesta and nonchalantly lifted the ball over Arsenal keeper Almunia before scoring from close range on the volley in the March, 2011, Champions League clash.

In the heated atmosphere of the Champions League semi-final, first leg at Real Madrid in 2011, Messi scored both goals in a 2-0 win. For the second he played a short one-two with Sergio Busquets before setting off towards goal, beating four Real players and then keeper Iker Casillas.

Atletico Madrid defenders were still organising a wall when Messi scored with a quick free-kick in their 2012 La Liga game. The angle was against him on the left before Messi struck an inch-perfect shot into the top-right corner.

Messi mesmerised the Athletic Bilbao defence to score a memorable goal in their 2013 La Liga game. He dribbled past four players before slotting the ball into the corner.

alone this one previously held by the great Telmo Zarra,” he wrote on his official Facebook page alongside his first Barca goal against Albacete in May, 2005.

“I was only able to achieve this because of the support I have had from so many people during my time here and I would like to dedicate this achievement to you all. Thanks for always being with me. I would also like to dedicate this to the people who are no longer with us anymore. I will never forget you. Thank you everyone for standing with me.”

Current Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has only had the pleasure of coaching the four-time World player of the Year for a matter of months, but believes he will be remembered as the best of all time.l

Pogba brace, Tevez restore Juve lead n AFP, Milan Ten-man Juventus restored their three-point lead on Roma with a brace of goals in either half from Paul Pogba and a Carlos Tevez strike underlining the champions’ credentials in a 3-0 win at Lazio on Saturday.

Juventus were down to 10 men after midfielder Simone Padoin saw red in the 70th minute when he was cautioned for a second time after a foul on Italy international Antonio Candreva.

By then, the damage had already been done, Pogba hitting the opener in the 24th minute and Tevez doubling Juve’s lead with a fine strike on 55 minutes. Pogba effectively put the match beyond reach for Stefano Pioli’s men in the 64th minute.

Earlier, Roma fought back from a Maxi Moralez goal in the first minute away to Atalanta to prevail 2-1 thanks to Adem Ljajic’s 23rd minute leveller and Radja Nainggolan’s winner three minutes from half-time. l

SERIE A Atalanta Moralez 1

Lazio

1-2

Roma

Ljajic 23, Naiv nggolan 42

0-3

Juventus

Pogba 24, 64, Tevez 55

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

15

Monday, November 24, 2014

The Hundred-Foot Journey: AR RAHMAN’s food opera!

Sex and the City WB, 9:30pm

n Mosabber Rahman

NIPUN’s Ekattorer Ma Janoni selected for US Film Fest n Hasan Mansoor Chatak Nipun’s “Ekattorer Ma Janoni” has been selected for the US Film Festival to be held on December 27. The film, in which Nipun plays the protagonist, tells the story of the Birongonas of the Liberation War. Dhaka Tribune caught up with the actress and was asked whether she was planning to attend the festival, the two time National Award winner said: “It depends on the circumstances. The film is scheduled for release on December 19 and I feel that I should be home when it comes out. But I still have the invitation and if the situation allows, then I will attend the festival.”

She said she had to appear for a screen test for the role, her first screen test ever.

About the role Nipun said: “I think my character in the film is undeniably challenging compared with my earlier work. I play women of two different ages in the film, a 6o year-old and a 24-year-old. Besides, portraying a character in the environment of 1971 was not stress-free.”

“When watching some clips from the film, I could not recognise myself.

I think my acting calibre can be judged by watching the film,” she added.

Nipun, who is going to debut in a film about the Liberation War with “Ekattorer Ma Jononi,” said: “Sometimes people consider films like this art films and predict they will only run in 3 or 4 theatres. But I think this is not an art film and has the ability run in more than a hundred theatres.”

Currently the film is being colour corrected and sound mixed abroad.

The film, which is supported by government grants, will hit theatres on December 19.

As its title suggests, the movie is about the glorious Liberation War of Bangladesh. The script is influenced by the novel “Jononi Shahoshini 1971,” written by Anisul Haque.

The film, directed by Shah Alam Kiron, features popular actors of the silver screen: Agun, Shakil Ahmed, MM Morshed and Chitrolekha Guho along with Nipun. Uttom gave the art direction and a theatre troupe also worked in the making of the film. l

The best thing in the movie is the music of AR Rahman.

The second best thing in the movie is Om Puri as the hilarious Mr Kadam, the buffoon-with-brains. The third best thing in the movie is Helen Mirren as the elegant Madame Mallory, the she-devil-with-feelings. And lastly there is Charlotte Le Bon as Marguerite, just because there is nothing more romantic than a French girl riding a bicycle in a French village wearing a French skirt (though Le Bon is actually Canadian and almost thirty, but hey, who cares – it’s a movie).

I think the first time I ever saw a Frenchwoman riding a bicycle was Bernadette Lafont in François Truffaut’s “Les Mistons.” Now that is an iconic image.

“The Hundred-Foot Journey” is a movie where the Indians speak with Indian accents and the French speak with French accents and if you go to Paris you can see the Eiffel Tower from everywhere. Of course no Frenchman will speak English in France, I mean, never – after all French used to be the lingua franca! The film is more of a fairy tale with cartoon-realism where everything is predictable, you know exactly how it’s going to end, but that’s the fun of this genre.

First and foremost this is a romantic comedy, but that does not adequately describe the movie, since it’s like one of those sub-sub-sub brands. To be more precise, it is a romantic comedy set in a small village in France where an elite one-star French restaurant striving for its second Michelin star faces serious trouble when a new Indian restaurant opens just a Hundred-Foot across the street.

We soon have conflicts between the owners, Mr Kadam and Madame Mallory, and friendship between the cooks, Hassan and Marguerite. And yes, food becomes the cross-cultural bridge of love. So it is really a food movie.

The way the movie hypes food, chefs and restaurants (like the search for The One in “The Matrix”) looks quite silly, because frankly I just could not relate to it. Why not?

Perhaps because in our country most food contains either poisonous preservatives or pesticides and there is an epidemic of IBD from eating in restaurants. How can I say chefs are magicians? Just watch Aamir Khan’s brilliant show “Satyamev Jayate” episode on food (Season 1, Episode 8: Poison on our Plate?). My favourite scene in the

A New York writer on sex and love is finally getting married to her Mr Big. But her three best girlfriends must console her after one of them inadvertently leads Mr Big to jilt her.

Taken

Star Movies, 7:30pm

movie is where Hassan makes an omelet as if he is conducting an opera.

The movie should be watched at least for AR Rahman’s beautiful music. I just love these tracks: “Afreen”, “My Mind Is a Stranger Without You”, “You Complete Me”, “India Calling”. Did you know AR Rahman has more money than the top three Hollywood composers – John Williams, Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman – combined?

Producers Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey hired Lasse Hallström to direct the film based on Richard C Morais’s first novel. Hallström, who made “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” is an able director but one wonders if Mira Nair would have been a more apt choice for the film.

I would say “The Hundred-Foot Journey” was quite enjoyable. What I felt about the movie is best described

by Johnny Carson: “Folks thanks for the wonderful time, I am going to remember this as long as it takes me to reach my car.” Come on, we cannot expect every movie to be a masterpiece, but that should never stop us from enjoying a movie. A person told me he never rates a movie 10/10 because no movie can be that good, so he rates his all-time favourite movie “Dark Knight” 8/10. Well, I am more generous by nature, I will rate “The Hundred-Foot Journey” 8/10. l

n Asit Kumar

n Entertainment Desk

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 The Maze Runner Into The Storm Blockbuster Cinemas Jamuna Future Park

Zee Studio, 11:30pm

Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman are still fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple. Their journey takes them through Europe where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they reinvent.

KHAN HASAN MD RAFI

DEEPIKA PADUKONE learns Bangla for Piku

With a strong belief that classical music has the capacity to express every change in nature, to express every mood of the human mind, Lakshyapar arranges classical music programs in five of the six seasons of the region.

Recently they held a late autumn session of classical music at Sudhijan Pathagar in Narayanganj.

To present the audience with a variety of music, the evening soiree opened with a tabla solo. Promising tabla artiste, Mir Naqibul Islam, gave a solo recital traditionally called “laharaa.”

What was great about the young artiste was his well planned approach to the performance. He

Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted

A musical programme on ‘Our Beautiful Universe’ organised by Jaago Foundation was held at Red Shift Coffee Lounge on November 22. Children played the role of astronauts, planets, stars, meteors, the sun, the moon and many more bodies found in space to the accompaniment of Imran Rabbani on guitar and Mahbub Farid on keyboard

Classical Concert by Lakshyapar in Narayanganj looked very sure of what he was going to perform.

He was focused and was in a very good mood that evening. Though he had his initiation from Madan Gopal Das & Ashoke Paul, with an open mind he blended his repertoire from all schools of the genre.

By his selection of compositions, his control over tempo and his communicative power he gave an impressive performance. Tamnia Islam accompanied the artiste on harmonium with a mature sense of tempo and patience.

The next item was vocal music. Rezwan Ali performed a raag associated with the season. Raag Hemanta was created by Ustad Alauddin Khan, who impressed Tagore and inspired him to compose a song on it. Rezwan Ali improvised on the raag in a khayal perfomance as Sabuj Ahmed aptly provided accompaniment on tabla. Sabuj also accompanied the next artiste to perform.

Dipon Sarker was the last performer of the night.

The audience waited impatiently to see his little known instrument, the chaturangi. Actually it is a Hawaiian slide guitar which has been customized to suit the mood of Indian classical music. Dipon played three compositions in three raags. They were raag Desh, raag Kirwani and raag Bhairabi.

The second performance cast in the dhun format deserves to be specially mentioned.

The program was broadcast live by two online radio stations, Radio Lakshyapar and Radio Nree. The host of the programme was Sudhijan Pathagar. l

A retired CIA agent travels across Europe and relies on his old skills to save his estranged daughter, who has been kidnapped while on a trip to Paris.

After learning Tamil for “Chennai Express” last year, and flaunting a Maharashtrian accent for “Happy New Year,” recently, Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone is now learning Bangla for her next film, “Piku.” The film is based in Kolkata.

A source from the sets revealed that the 28-year-old has not only been doing workshops with the film’s director Shoojit Sircar, who happens to be a Bangalee, but she also took help from veteran actor Moushumi Chatterjee. “During the recent Kolkata shooting schedule, Deepika sat down with Moushumi on the sets amid shots and learnt some Bangla pronunciations,” says the source.

Confirming the same, Deepika says, “I’ve played a Tamilian, a Maharashtrian, a Gujrati in ‘Ram Leela,’ a Goan in ‘Finding Fanny,’ and now I’m playing a Bangalee. It’s always fun to learn a new language, as it’s a different learning experience. Bangla is a soft and lovely language. I’m enjoying the experience.”

The film also stars Amitabh Bachchan. l

A-listers assemble for John Lennon IMAGINE project of John Lennon, asserted that a n Entertainment Desk dream one dreams alone may be To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child which was ratified by the General Assembly on November 20, 1989 UNICEF is joining forces with Yoko Ono and producer and DJ David Guetta to launch the #IMAGINE project — the world’s largest sing-along to bring awareness to UNICEF and its global mission.

Yoko Ono, who is the widow

a dream, but a dream two people dream together was a reality.

The project is a multimedia happening with global stars like Katy Perry, will.I.am, Idris Elba, Seth Green, Angelique Kidjo, Daniela Mercury, and Priyanka Chopra lending their voices to a black and white video recording of the legendary song, “Imagine.” Lennon and Ono’s voices can be heard in clips from old recordings. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Monday, November 24, 2014

Order on Khaleda’s petitions today n Tribune Report

TAZREEN FASHIONS FIRE

Accused still free to walk the streets Hossain Ovi and n Ibrahim Md Sanaul Islam Tipu Survivors are still bearing the brunt of the country’s deadliest fire at Tazreen Fashions that occurred two years back while punishment is yet to be meted out to those responsible for the tragedy.

On February 10, 2013, a Dhaka court sent Tazreen Fashionss Limited Managing Director Delowar Hossain and his wife Mahmuda Akter Mita to jail as the couple surrendered to the court.

On July 24, a High Court bench granted two month’s ad interim bail to Delowar, which was later extended to six months.

The families of those killed in the fire received some compensation but the financial support the injured victims received was not enough compared to gravity of the wounds they sustained, said worker-leaders.

They said the money provided by the government and BGMEA was not sufficient to treat their wounds.

“I cannot move by myself as the lower part of my body down from the waist is still numb as I jumped to save my life, Shamsunnar, a sewing operator of Tazreen Fashions, said.

I am unable to bear the expense of treatment as the money I received from the government and the BGMEA had already been spent.

She had received Tk50,000 from government and Tk1,00000 from BGMEA. “We are greatly shocked that while we are suffering the worst, the owner for whose negligence the fire broke out has not yet been punished,” she said.

“I joined the factory to support my father but now my father is working hard to bear my treatment expenses, said a regretful Saiful, another operator of Tazreen Fashions.

“I am now jobless and unable to do anything as my legs were damaged in the incident. If the government or the BGMEA supported me to run a small business it could help me survive, said Sumon Khan, a worker of the factory.

The victims did not receive the compensation they are entitled for and that is why we are still demanding compensation as per the ILO convention, said Roy Ramesh Chandra, secretary general of IndustriALL Bangladesh Council.

He also urged the brand to form a trust fund like Rana Plaza to compensate victims of the incident.

The families of dead received Tk7 lakh each but the injured workers did

Textile Garment Workers Federation forms a human chain in front of the National Press Club yesterday, marking two years of the Tazreen Fashions fire tragedy not get enough to bear their treatment expense, said Sirajul Islam Rony, president of Bangladesh National Garment Workers Employees League.

He urged the government and the BGMEA to take steps to rehabilitate victims taking into consideration their physical conditions.

According to BGMEA data, so far 109 dead were identified and their beneficiaries were paid Tk7 lakh each.

BGMEA paid Tk1 lakh to 90 workers each. The money was donated by Li & Fung.

Meanwhile, though two years into the deadly Tazreen fire incident has gone by the trial is yet to begin in the cases filed over the industrial tragedy in 2012.

Court source said, 11 months have already elapsed after the submission of a charge sheet.

On December 31 last year Dhaka Senior Judicial Magistrate Wasim Sheikh issued warrants for the arrests of four fugitives accused in the case.

More than 10 months have already passed after the issuance of arrest warrants but the reports on the fugitives

On December 31 last year Dhaka Senior Judicial Magistrate Wasim Sheikh issued warrants for the arrests of four fugitives accused in the case are yet to reach the court, a source in the court said.

Earlier on December 22, 2013, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) pressed homicide charges in the cases against 13 people including Tazreen Fashionss Managing Director Delwar Hossain.

Other accused are Delwar’s wife and Tazreen Chairman Mahmuda Akhter, Manager (admin) Dulal Uddin, Storein-Charges Hamidul Islam, Security in-Charges Al Amin and Anisur Rahman, guard Rana, loader Shamim Miah, Engineer Mahbubul Morshed, Production Manager Mobarak Hossain Manju,

Factory Manager Abdur Razzak and Quality Manager Shahiduzzaman.

Of them, Morshed, Manju, Razzak and Shahiduzzman went into hiding soon after the incident.

Their whereabouts have still remained unknown while the rest of the accused were freed on bail including Tazreen’s MD Delwar, also managing director of Tuba Group.

According to the charge sheet, Delwar and his wife constructed the building on a faulty plan with the help of the engineer and illegally used the groundfloor walkway as a warehouse.

There was no fire exit in the factory although a provision of the labour law stipulates that there must be two exits in every factory, said the charge sheet.

CID Inspector AKM Mohsinuzzaman Khan, also investigation officer (IO) of the case, earlier told reporters: “The factory was built a mile away from the main road making it very difficult for the Fire Service vehicles to enter the factory compound.”

Managers and security guards were charged for their insistence that workers got back to work, even though

MEHEDI HASAN

smoke was billowing from the spot.

“Fire alarms rang as soon as the blaze broke out. Panicked workers tried to leave the factory before the fire spread. But managers and security guards told them it was nothing serious,” the IO said.

After the deadly incident, two cases were filed in connection with the blazing inferno.

Of the cases, police filed one with Ashulia police station accusing 15 staff for murder due to their negligence.

The second case was filed against Delwar and 30 others on May 29 with Dhaka Chief judicial magistrate court

by Abdul Matin, brother of missing victim Rehana Begum.

Anwarul Kabir Babul, additional public prosecutor of Dhaka Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, said: “It is very disappointing that the court cannot start trial of the sensational incident for lack of the police reports.

On November 24, 2012 devastating fire broke out at Tazreen Fashions at Savar on the outskirt of the city, which killed 112 workers and over 200 workers were injured. l

No rehabilitation of families affected by Padma Bridge project n Asif Showkat Kallol Rehabilitation of the families affected by land acquisition for the Padma Bridge project have not been done yet, officials concerned said in an internal meeting of the Bridges Division under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges last week.

The contract of Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh, delegated with the task of rehabilitating the affected families, has been extended from October to January, according to sources at the meeting.

There will be 66 pillars for the bridge in total, but 42 will directly support the 6.15-km bridge over the Padma River. The rest will be for the approach roads and auxiliary construction A deputy director of the Bridges Division said it was mainly because the process was “lengthy,” and the ownership of some of the plots was disputed.

So far, out of 2,592 families that have been affected by the land acquisition, only 857 have been given plots. Officials attending the meeting said the government would appoint another NGO to help develop livelihood opportunities for those rehabilitated under the project.

The construction of Padma Bridge was well underway, with some of its key components almost 30% complete

by the end of October, the Bridges Division officials said at the meeting.

Soil testing, which is currently in progress, will decide the due course for piling, which essentially prepares the base for setting pillars.

There will be 66 pillars for the bridge in total, but 42 will directly support the 6.15-km bridge over the Padma River.

The rest will be for the approach roads and auxiliary construction.

The review meeting, presided over by the Bridge Division Secretary Khandokar Anwarul Islam, was told that geo-technical investigation for soil testing began on November 7, fairly on schedule.

However, despite the completion of service area 2 by the Bridges Division, the electricity lines were yet to be connected due to delay by the Power Development Board.

“We hope the construction of the main bridge will start within two or three days, and the entire project will certainly be complete within four years,” Project Director Shafiqul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday said vehicular movement on the much-talked-about Padma Bridge would start by 2018.

“The construction of Padma Bridge is continuing defying all odds. Vehicles will start plying the bridge by 2018,” he told reporters during a visit to the construction site.

Sinohydro, a Chinese state-owned hydropower engineering and construction company, will start river training work in January, the minister said, adding that China Major Bridge Engineering Co Ltd has already st arted some construction of the main part of Bangladesh’s longest bridge. l

Students take their first public examination, Primary School Certificate, that began across the country yesterday. The photo was taken from an examination centre at Kalabagn Lake Circus Girls’ School in the capital MEHEDI HASAN

Family in despair as Felani re-trial adjourned for four months n Our Correspondent, Kurigram The parents of Felani Khatun said they were frustrated at the adjournment of the re-trial of their daughter’s death.

The re-trial has been adjourned for four months as the accused BSF official, Amiya Ghosh, suddenly fell ill in court during Thursday‘s session.

Amiya‘s sickness was reported by the BBC and several other media outlets.

The trial, according to sources, will begin on March 25 next year but Felani‘s parents say the delay is a cause

for concern and disappointment.

“I see no hope. Amiya‘s treatment might have been arranged after the pornouncement of the verdict,“ said Felani‘s father Nur Islam.

Kurigram‘s Public Prosecutor Advocate Abraham Lincoln also expressed frustration at the adjournment but said he was hopeful that justice would be dispensed.

A special court set up by the BSF in Cooch Behar of West Bengal acquitted Amiya of the charges on September 6 last year.

But the BSF initiated a re-trial on

September 22 in compliance with a decision made during a biltaeral meeting attended by BGB and BSF officials.

Felani‘s father again testified in the court against Amiya on November 17 and pleaded for the BSF official‘s highest punishment.

On January 7, 2011, Felani died in a BSF shooting while climbing over the brabed wire fence at Anantapur border in Phulbari upazila.

Her death generated widespread outrage, prompting a trial which began at the special court on August 13 last year. l

The Appellate Division is set to deliver its order on two leave-to-appeal petitions filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia regarding acceptance of charges and indictment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.

One of the appeals was filed in 2012 challenging a High Court verdict that rejected her petition against a lower court order accepting charges against Khaleda in the orphanage trust case.

On the other hand, Khaleda filed the other petition with the apex court on July 26 this year challenging another High Court verdict that upheld a lower court’s indictment order against her over the same allegation.

The five-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain fixed the date yesterday.

The court also adjourned hearing on another appeal in Zia Charitable Trust case until today.

Khaleda’s counsel Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, also her adviser, yesterday started hearing on another petition in the charitable trust case. During the hour-long hearing, he read out the first information record (FIR) of the case before the court.

He claimed that the prosecution could not provide any evidence in the case, which was filed out of political vengeance.

The hearing on Khaleda’s leave-toappeal petitions began last Monday and ended on Thursday.

The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the cases in 2008 and 2011 against Khaleda, her elder son Tarique Rahman and seven others on charges of raising funds illegally for the two charities and embezzling the amounts. l

‘Big fishes engage with illegal call termination’ n Muhammad Zahidul Islam Big shots of the ruling party and other political parties are engaged with the business of illegal international call termination, Jatiya Party lawmaker Kazi Feroz Rashid yesterday claimed in parliament.

In a notice, Feroz Rashid said thousands of crores of taka are being plundered by misusing licences of VoIP. “From newspaper reports we came to know that incoming international calls constitute 14 crore minutes every day but the government has recorded only 4 crore minutes, which causes Tk13 crore losses a day. The losses stand at Tk5,000 crore a year,” he said.

“What initiative has the government taken to save this huge amount of money?”

In reply, Obaidul Quader, the communications minister who is on parliamentary duty for the Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology Ministry, said the government had taken a massive initiative to bring illegal calls through a white channel. As a result, daily legal calls have increased up to 10 crore minutes.

He said the government had conducted massive operations against illegal call termination and at the same time slashed the termination rate ¢1.5 from ¢3 every minute.

“Illegal call termination has now come to an end and the government’s revenue is secure,” he added. l

AL leader, freedom fighter shot dead in Jessore n Our Correspondent, Jessore A local Awami League leader and a freedom fighter were shot dead by unidentified miscreants at Goakhula village in Abhaynagar upazila yesterday.

Mollah Oliur Rahman, 55, was joint general secretary of Abhaynagar upazila unit AL and also a councillor of Abhaynagar Municipality.

The freedom fighter’s brother Rezaul Islam said some armed miscreants shot his brother in a close distance on the Goakhula bypass road in the village around 7am while he was on a morning walk after saying prayers, leaving him critically injured.

Later, villagers took him to Khulna Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead around 8am.

Abhaynagar police station OC Choiruddin Ahmed echoed Rezaul, saying unidentified miscreants killed him and fled immediately.

Police detained a man named Yunus Ali from Sharankhola village for interrogation in this connection. l

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B3 Draghi throws ECB door open to money printing as global prospects dim

B4 Religion and risk drive Islamic finance boom

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

2010 MARKET CRASH IMPACT

Merchant banks in deep trouble with pile of default loans ‘It is upsetting figure, I do not want to disclose’

n Kayes Sohel Most of the merchant banks dealing mostly with share lending are in deep trouble, as considerable amount of fund remained stuck-up since the 2010 stock market crash.

Market sources said the merchant banks that are subsidiary of the scheduled banks are in worst situation due to whimsical lending on fundamentally weak stocks.

A few of the merchant banks are trying to get out of the sorry state while some falls in problem afresh recently as the market situation is going through high volatility at present.

“We are facing severe problem due to rising default loan since the market crash,” Tanjil Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Merchant Bankers Association (BMBA) told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

‘The margin lenders have little or no tool to recover the loans, unlike the commercial banking practices’ However, he declined to disclose the figure of default loan saying “it is upsetting figure, I do not want to disclose” in interest of the business and the market as well.

“Equity of most clients went negative due to weak market situation, leading to pile up margin loans that remained as unrealised losses for long,” he said.

To overcome the situation, the BMBA on Thursday last wrote to Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) to take immediate steps to help strengthen the financial footing and improve governance of the merchant bankers.

The margin lending business has severely been affected after the 2010 market crash, said the letter.

“The margin lenders have little or no tool to recover the loans, unlike the commercial banking practices. The capital adequacy of many merchant bankers has been severely affected. There is no visible recovery map on the sight either.”

The BMBA president said some immediate measures, including tax incentive, low-cost fund facility and provisioning relaxation need to bail out the merchant bankers of the worst situation.

“Given the current scenario, we need a systematic approach to recapitalise the institutes by injecting fresh equity and do the right provisioning in a phased out manner,” he said.

According to BMBA proposal to the regulator, under the prevailing circumstances of the capital market, the Commission might grant any applicant, on case to case basis, time extension of existing facility of provisioning, at a rate of 20% in five equal quarterly till 20015, considering the business severity of that respective companies.

Presently, merchant bankers should comply with the provisioning requirement guidelines of BSEC for own portfolios by every year end.

The merchant bankers should not allow any more account to enter into negative equity zone and increase the provisioning burden further and any account falling below 20% of its equity will be subject to daily basis adjustment, the proposal said.

It said the merchant bankers should follow some prudential guidelines, which is a proposed optional requirement and the BSEC should consider allowing the merchant bankers for another three years time to complete the capital injection and require provisioning phase by phase, who agree to adhere to the proposed prudential guideline.

To facilitate the recovery of huge default margin loan, the association proposed that clients having loan with more than Tk1 crore come under CB reporting to Bangladesh Bank, as the merchant bankers do not have any other functional resources, it said.

It also sought clarification of provisioning circular and said auditors and businesses are explaining it differently.

Some are considering unrealised losses, some counting both unrealised and realised losses, some considering deterioration at total portfolio level and some counting negative equity at individual client level in provisioning, the letter said.

The association also proposed to bring reform in prudential guidelines on equity management in the light of the present market situation.

It also proposed the merchant bankers will not accrue any income from negative equity accounts and part it as interest suspense.

“The objective is to follow the conservative principle of accounting. Also when the principal amount of loan is not being recovered, booking income from that bad asset does not sound prudent. Also booking fictitious income and paying taxes cut of it is detrimental to shareholders interest,” it said.

The proposal said for the accounts which are severely affected will be liquidated and closed gradually, if client does not commit to settle his or her liabilities. Appropriate notices should be sent to the clients first. However, a merchant banker will decide on its own, if it wants to set a stricter threshold, it said. l

Bangladesh Bank for the first time awards the remitter heroes at a programme in the capital yesterday, recognising their contributions to the country’s forex

RAJIB DHAR

NRBs want better facilities than foreign investors n Tribune Report

Bangladesh Bank yesterday awarded 24 highest remitters in recognition of their contributions to the country’s foreign reserve and investment.

The award was given away at a ceremony titled “Bangladesh Bank Remittance Award” introduced for the first time by the central bank to encourage expatriates to send more foreign currency home.

Deputy Governor SK Sur Chowdhury and Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB) President Ali Reza Iftekhar addressed the function, with Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Nazneen Sultana in the chair.

Of the remitters, 20 were awarded for sending highest remittance and four for investing in bonds.

Some 11 of the remitters were Bangladeshi expatriates living in Middle

East. The country received lion’s share of remittances from the middle-eastern countries.

Mohammad Mahtabur Rahman, chairman of Al Harmail Perfume Group of Companies, Dubai, who received the award and shared his experience with the audience, said most remittance comes from Middle East countries as there is no chance of getting citizenship from those countries and so non-resident Bangladeshis try to establish their business home.

On the other hand, European countries provide citizenship and the expatriates invest into those countries after having permanent resident status. As a result, inflow of remittances from the European countries is comparatively low, he said.

He urged the government to provide the non-resident Bangladeshi investors with more facilities than foreign

investors. Foreign investors take back their profit plus their investment after a certain period but non-resident Bangladeshi investors reinvest their profit into the country.

Mohammad Mahtabur Rahman demanded that a separate EPZ zone be established and one stop service for NRB introduced.

He requested the bankers to reduce differences between buy and sale of dollar and proposed to take service charge on the buy of dollar instead of existing commission system.

“If the difference is reduced, tendency to send dollar through unfair means will stop and the country’s reserve will increase,” he said.

Mahtabur was awarded with his two other family members, Mohammed Emadur Rahman and Mohammad Oliur Rahman, for their contributions to remittance sending.

Remittance from Middle East falls 23% n Tribune Report Remittance inflow from middle-eastern countries fell 23.38% in October due to restriction on manpower recruitment from Bangladesh.

The country received remittance of $599 million in October from Middle East countries compared to $782 million in previous month, according to the central bank data released yesterday.

The remittance inflow from middle-eastern countries has fallen for one and a half years.

The total remittance declined by 8.33% to $8.40 billion in the fiscal year of 2013-14 compared to $9.16 billion in the previous fiscal year.

The country experienced a 10% rise in remittance inflow from Middle East in the fiscal year of 2012-13 compared to $8.3 billion in the previous fiscal year.

The remittance inflow from Europe increased 10% in the fiscal year of 2013-

14 compared to the previous fiscal year.

It, however, dropped by 25% to $419 million in October compared to $561.99 million in the previous month as the overall remittance declined.

The total remittance declined by 8.33% to $8.40 billion in 201314 compared to $9.16 billion in the previous fiscal year The total remittance dropped by 24% in October compared to the previous month.

Wage earners sent home $1bn in October compared to $1.3bn in September.

As Eid ul-Azha was held in the first week of October, the previous month saw higher receipt from expatriates.

Manpower export from Bangladesh

has significantly declined as no new job market was created overseas in more than a year, said a senior executive of Bangladesh Bank.

Moreover, many of major manpower recruitment countries continued restricting their recruitment from Bangladesh.

The major countries to recruit manpower from Bangladesh are Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar, Malaysia, Oman and Singapore, of which, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Oman have imposed restrictions on recruitment from Bangladesh.

According to reports of Bangladesh embassies there, illegal activities including murder and theft and overstaying their visas by Bangladeshi migrant workers have tarnished the image of the country.

The situation has brought sufferings to many Bangladeshi aspirants. l

Bangladesh ranks 77th in CIP index n Tribune Report

Bangladesh has advanced 25 notches up to rank 77th in the latest competitive industrial performance (CIP) index. Its position in CIP was 102nd in 1990.

Among the south Asian nations, India stood at the 44th, Nepal 128th , Sri Lanka 78th and Pakistan 72nd, according to a new report titled Competitive Industrial Performance Report 2012/2013 recently released by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The CIP ranking does not include Afghanistan, Bhutan and the Maldives.

The CIP index is a composite index that measures the ability of countries to produce and export manufactured goods competitively, using several individual indicators to proxy various dimensions of industrial performance.

The CIP report also involves the concept of competitiveness and industrial performance and provides a theoretical foundation and justification for the CIP index, ten years after its first publication.

The CIP ranking, which includes 114 countries, puts Germany, Japan, the United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and China at the top of the most industrially competitive nations when the bottom five were Paraguay, Congo, Gabon, Kenya and Suriname.

Besides, Poland and China, Bangladesh showed the phenomenal move in the CIP ranking. During 1990-2012, Poland and China moved up by 29 and 27 steps accordingly.

Germany tops the CIP ranking due to its high level of industrial exports while Japan’s industrial competitiveness is supported by its large manufacturing base, high-tech exports as well as enhanced per capita manufacturing.

Industrial competitiveness in the US also arises from its large manufacturing base, although this is more aimed at the domestic market compared to Japan or any other developed country. South Korea has a competitive manufacturing sector based on a high share of medium- and high-tech industries.

While noting the significant improvement of Bangladesh in the CIP ranking, the report also brought attention to some major chal-

lenges, suggesting that those should be addressed carefully.

“Skills and talent improvement, innovations, industrial policy and resource efficiency are four areas, which are in the common interest of government, the private sector and society,” it said.

“It is critical to address this convergence of interests because overlooking an advanced manufacturing strategy could lead to a lack of competitiveness within manufacturing value chain.”

It also recommended that the manufacturing sector needs to move into a more proactive strategic approach to meet key challenges such as demographic shifts in the consumer market, skills gap and technological innovations.

The report said economies occupying the middle quintile of the CIP ranking are again very heterogeneous. With the exception of four large and highly populated countries, namely Iran, Egypt, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The remaining countries are mainly small economies from South and Central Asia, Latin America and Africa. l

Sur Chowdhury called upon the remitters not to send remittance through ‘hundi’ or any other illegal ways.

“The remittances coming through illegal channels are identified as black money and have possibility to be spent on drugs, smuggling, human trafficking and terrorist financing,” he said.

The country’s economic growth was good in the last three years in comparison with global economy and the remitters have direct and indirect contribution to this success, said ABB president Iftekhar.

The remittance growth increased by 11% between the year 2009 and 2013 compared to 7% growth in other Asian countries, he said, referring to World Bank data. The remittance inflow stood at $14.46bn in the fiscal year of 2013, according to the central bank data.

Inward remittance stood at $5.02bn till October in the current fiscal. l

Startup Dhaka holds entrepreneurial show to promote e-commerce

n Tribune Report

Startup Dhaka – a platform for entrepreneurs and investors – hosted an entrepreneurial programme titled “Innovation Xtreme” in the capital on Saturday.

The initiative aimed at showcasing the potentials of innovators and entrepreneurs in the country.

Startup Dhaka in collaboration with Grameenphone orgainsed the event with the theme “Innovation in Bangladesh” highlighting the success stories and opportunities of the entrepreneurs.

Over 350 people including high-profile speakers from home and abroad attended the programme. The event was designed to showcase opportunities to people redefining the rules of borderless market.

Investors, experienced entrepreneurs, corporate professionals, local and international media got together to bond business relationship.

Innovation Xtreme showed four leading e-commerce ventures, including 10 handpicked start-ups – Biponee, Bongo, Bucket Engineers, Dam Com, Kokhon, Lidia May, LightCastle Partners, Paralax-Logic, Sobji-bazar and ZuumZuum from Bangladesh.

The 10 start-ups were presented with a view to collect fund. Of the 10, ZuumZuum.com, Bongo and Dam. com.bd were able to lure the investors.

Startup Dhaka Founder Mustafizur R Khan said it is a kind of event which has never been held before.

“We are very happy to hold such an event that validated our vision of e-commerce in Bangladesh.”

Fayaz Taher, co-founder, said: We are here to disrupt the traditional way of business in Bangladesh. We want to bring all stakeholders under the same roof and we have done just that.”

The Startup initiative has inspired early starters and connected everyone.

The organisers also pledged to hold this event next in 2015 with a different approach for tech businesses. l

B2

DGEN falls to twomonth low amid poor turnover n Tribune Report

since July 24 this year. Share prices of more than 80% issues eroded, as out of 301 issues traded, 63 advanced, 206 lost and 32 remained unchanged.

All large cap sectors closed in red. Food and allied lost the most, plunging 3.6%, driven by the heavyweight BATBC that fell 4.6% following its declaration of 100% interim cash dividend.

Power sector came second as it was down 2.5%, followed by telecommunication 1.6%, pharmaceuticals 1.2% and banks 1%. Low cap sectors, including cement and engineering also closed negative.

Lanka Bangla Securities said shares held on to their losses in the face of continual selling pressure in market. It said market might be going through a correction phase, where stocks, which rallied fast in previous months, have now bucked the trend for a while.

IDLC Investments said market plunged into red as correction continued amid weakening turnover.

“The major index shed as investors hurried to minimise portfolio loss.”

Three newly listed companies came up in the top turnover list.

Western Marine Shipyard was the most-traded stocks with shares worth Tk19.6 crore changing hands.

It was followed by Jamuna Oil, Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag, Bangladesh Electrodes Dynamics and Pharma Aids, Meghna Petroleum, Square Pharmaceuticals and JMI Syringe. l

Stocks dipped for the second consecutive session yesterday with benchmark DSEX falling to more than two-month low.

Trading activities also took a dive with turnover at the Dhaka Stock Exchange coming down below Tk400 crore after over four months, as investors preferred to stay sidelines due to heavy volatility in recent months.

Market plunged into red as correction continued amid weakening turnover.

“The major index shed as investors hurried to minimise portfolio loss The benchmark DSEX lost 61 points or 1.3% to close at 4,838, its lowest since September 17 this year.

The Shariah index DSES dropped 12 points or 1% to 1,133. The comprising blue chips DS30 ended at 1,785, shedding 29 points or 1.7%.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, closed at 9,139 with a fall of 115 points.

Turnover on DSE stood at Tk349 crore, a sharp decline of over 18% over the previous session and worst

Weekly capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index : DSE LOSER Company Mithun Knitting -A Prime Islami Life -A Shurwid Ind. -N National Tubes -A WesternMarine -N Khan Brothers-N Usmania Glass -A Shahjibazar Power-N EXIM Bank 1 MF-A Alltex Industries -Z

Closing (% Change) -18.50 -17.16 -15.98 -14.57 -12.90 -10.20 -9.13 -8.72 -8.70 -8.47

CSE LOSER Company Mithun Knitting -A Shurwid Ind. -N Usmania Glass -A WesternMarine -N Khan Brothers-N Alltex Industries -Z Aramit -A Janata Insur -A Khulna Printing-N Shahjibazar Power-N

Closing (% Change) -16.84 -14.81 -13.20 -12.47 -10.41 -8.95 -8.73 -7.30 -6.90 -6.82

4838.11016

(-) 1.26%

1785.13285

(-) 1.63%

14959.81490

(-) 1.20%

12287.44650

(-) 0.91%

9138.97480

(-) 1.24%

Average (% Change) -16.55 -15.82 -13.91 -12.62 -9.84 -8.03 -13.77 -8.72 -8.70 -10.07 Average (% Change) -16.27 -12.88 -10.93 -9.74 -7.70 -7.72 -8.73 -7.48 -6.68 -4.76

ANALYST

ClosingAvg. 77.08 71.65 35.71 125.60 67.88 55.01 128.26 257.60 6.30 17.60

ClosingAvg. 77.24 36.06 127.67 67.81 54.87 17.82 309.40 16.45 27.51 622.53

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 267.38 212.77 33.89 691.14 142.17 644.09 30.10 250.79 585.74 31.32 79.80 9.47 19.06 70.36 28.91 21.11 46.34 75.57 43.22 203.95 2.84

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

DHIGH

74.90 70.50 34.70 122.50 64.80 52.80 127.40 257.60 6.30 17.30

Closing

79.90 74.10 37.30 133.50 70.40 60.00 134.90 257.60 6.30 18.90

DHIGH

78.00 35.10 123.60 65.30 52.50 17.30 309.40 16.50 27.00 612.20

78.00 37.80 132.00 70.50 60.10 19.20 309.40 16.50 28.50 638.00

Turnover (Million Taka)

Company

3,489.98

Turnover (Volume)

77,495,743

Number of Contract

85,349

Traded Issues

301

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

66

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

228 7

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,576.04

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

31.22

CSE key features November 23, 2014 Turnover (Million Taka)

268.44

Turnover (Volume)

7,345,550

Number of Contract

10,973

Traded Issues

213

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

38

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

167

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

7

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,498.04

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.28

Turnover in Million

74.40 70.10 34.10 121.50 63.90 52.10 127.40 257.60 6.30 17.20

Latest EPS

8.386 0.893 20.584 14.193 196.048 111.060 5.015 0.155 0.013 7.303

3.40 4.95 0.76 1.24 2.11 1.36 0.52 9.00 0.64 3.28

Turnover in Million

DLOW 75.10 35.00 123.30 64.50 52.00 17.20 309.40 16.40 26.70 612.20

% change 7.66 6.10 0.97 19.80 4.07 18.46 0.86 7.19 16.78 2.29 0.27 0.55 2.02 0.83 0.60 1.33 2.17 1.24 5.84 0.08

Million Taka 16.93 8.79 3.78 60.98 6.86 28.12 33.34 35.51 8.89 8.85 6.28 4.72 11.48 1.32 0.55 1.85 13.05 7.80 25.93 0.00

CSE

% change 5.94 3.08 1.33 21.40 2.41 9.87 0.00 11.70 12.46 3.12 3.10 2.20 1.66 4.03 0.46 0.19 0.65 4.58 2.74 9.10 0.00

Latest EPS

0.294 3.155 0.428 30.415 17.395 1.551 0.062 0.007 2.875 2.988

Million Taka 284.31 221.56 37.67 752.12 149.03 672.21 30.10 284.13 621.25 40.20 88.65 15.75 23.79 81.84 30.23 21.66 48.19 88.62 51.02 229.87 2.84

Sonali Ansh -A R. N. Spinning-Z United Insur -A JMI Syringes MDL-A Midas Financing-Z Progressive Life-A Apex SpinningA Pharma Aids A Berger Paints-A Takaful Islami Insu-A

Closing (% Change) 9.89 9.28 6.98 6.96 6.47 6.39 5.92 5.74 5.31 4.89

CSE GAINER

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

DLOW

Monday, November 24, 2014

DSE GAINER

DSE key features November 23, 2014

3.40 0.76 0.52 2.11 1.36 3.28 14.12 0.37 2.60 9.00

Latest PE 22.7 14.5 47.0 101.3 32.2 40.4 246.7 28.6 9.8 5.4

Total

Company R. N. Spinning-Z Midas Financing-Z JMI Syringes MDL-A National Polymer -A Takaful Islami Insu-A ICB -A Anwar Galvanizing-B AIBL 1st Is. M. F.-A MeghnaCement -A The Ibn SinaA

Closing (% Change) 9.66 9.63 7.29 5.16 5.00 4.74 4.29 4.08 3.35 2.98

Average (% Change) 6.37 6.89 6.97 5.83 6.81 6.64 1.75 5.89 4.72 5.62 Average (% Change) 7.09 9.63 5.60 0.75 16.17 4.73 3.88 2.21 3.35 2.98

ClosingAvg. 168.19 25.44 36.84 215.50 14.91 93.17 74.35 287.40 1,214.76 27.80

ClosingAvg. 25.51 14.80 216.07 68.55 27.30 1525.92 36.91 5.08 132.50 107.30

Closing 172.20 25.90 36.80 216.70 14.80 93.20 76.90 289.00 1,216.80 27.90

Closing 26.10 14.80 217.80 69.30 27.30 1526.00 36.50 5.10 132.50 107.30

DHIGH 172.30 26.00 37.40 219.70 15.20 94.00 77.30 294.50 1,220.00 28.50

DHIGH 26.10 14.80 220.00 69.70 27.90 1526.00 37.20 5.10 134.00 113.30

DLOW 155.00 22.00 36.40 209.00 13.60 91.70 72.30 278.00 1,156.00 24.90

DLOW 24.00 14.80 211.30 65.50 27.00 1525.75 36.50 4.80 131.50 100.10

Turnover in Million 30.040 43.383 0.070 73.377 0.328 0.559 14.737 84.223 10.204 1.074

Turnover in Million 11.104 0.007 10.911 0.370 0.041 0.229 0.185 0.046 0.133 0.236

Latest EPS 0.76 2.19 2.91 4.48 -7.00 2.30 0.86 9.88 49.25 1.43

Latest EPS 2.19 -7.00 4.48 2.76 1.43 35.69 0.84 -0.08 6.71 3.77

Latest PE 221.3 11.6 12.7 48.1 -ve 40.5 86.5 29.1 24.7 19.4

Latest PE 11.6 -ve 48.2 24.8 19.1 42.8 43.9 -ve 19.7 28.5

News, analysis and recent disclosures BATBC: The Board of Directors of the Company has declared 100% (i.e. Tk. 10.00 per share of Tk. 10.00 each) interim cash dividend for the year ending on 31st December 2014. Record date for entitlement of interim dividend: 03.12.2014.

BENGALWTL: The Board of Directors has recommended 23% cash dividend (except Sponsor Directors) for the year ended on June 30, 2014. The Sponsors Directors hold 64.90%, i.e. 4,90,66,560 shares of the Company and Public shareholders will get cash dividend of Tk. 6,10,26,912.

Date of AGM: 28.12.2014, Time: 11:00 AM, Venue: Bengal Multimedia Studio, 95/A, Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1208. Record Date: 02.12.2014. The Company has also reported EPS of Tk. 3.05, NAV per share of Tk. 26.89 and NOCFPS of Tk. 2.14 for the year ended on June 30, 2014 as against Tk. 3.16, Tk. 26.24 and Tk. 0.494 respectively for the year ended on June 30, 2013.

RAHIMAFOOD: (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/(loss) after tax of Tk. (2.08) million with EPS of Tk. (0.10) as against Tk. (4.81) million and Tk. (0.24) respectively for the same period of the previous year. Accumulated profit/(loss) of the Company was Tk.

(139.59) million as on 30.09.2014.

ACTIVEFINE: The Company has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company has decided to purchase a land measuring area of 26.51 decimals at Shoilmary, Botiaghata, Khulna, total value amounting to Tk. 26,51,000/- excluding registration and other related expenses.

ICB: As per Regulation 30 of DSE Listing Regulations, the Corporation has informed that a meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on November 23, 2014 at 2:35 PM to consider, among others, audited financial statements of the Corporation for the year ended on June 30, 2014.

GP: The Company has informed that Mr. Rajeev Sethi has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company in place of Mr. Vivek Sood with effect from December 01, 2014.

SAIHAMCOT: The Company has informed that Cash dividend for the year ended on April 30, 2014 has been credited to the respective shareholders' BO Accounts through Bangladesh Electronic Fund Transfer Network (BEFTN).

Primary Status of IPO: C & A Textiles Ltd.: All concerned are hereby informed that the primary status of the IPO of C & A Textiles Ltd.: Total amount of subscription (excluding NRB) is Tk. 8,657,107,112.

Total amount received from NRB is Tk. 31,960,000.00 up to 13 November 2014.

Final Status of IPO: National Feed Mill Ltd.: All concerned are hereby informed that the final status of the IPO of National Feed Mill Ltd. is, Total subscription received from General Public=Tk. 5,508,250,000, Affected Small Investors=Tk.618,345,000, NRB=Tk. 336,535,000 & Mutual Fund=Tk. 1,981,500,000. Total subscription received=Tk. 8,444,630,000 against Public Issue of IPO of Tk. 180,000,000 which is over subscribed by 46.91 times.

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.

Latest PE 22.7 47.4 245.5 32.1 40.3 5.4 21.9 44.5 10.6 69.2

Shares held on to their losses in the face of continual selling pressure in market.

It said market might be going through a correction phase, where stocks, which rallied fast in previous months, have now bucked the trend for a while

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

Stock

DHAKA TRIBUNE

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company

% change 7.53 5.87 1.00 19.92 3.95 17.81 0.80 7.53 16.46 1.06 2.35 0.42 0.63 2.17 0.80 0.57 1.28 2.35 1.35 6.09 0.08

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 Jamuna Oil -A Khan Brothers-N Barakatullah E. D.-A Pharma Aids A Meghna Petroleum -A Square Pharma -A JMI Syringes MDL-A Ratanpur Steel -N Keya Cosmetics -A

Brac Bank -A Grameenphone-A BD. Thai Alum -B DESCO Ltd. -A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Alltex Industries -Z

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company WesternMarine -N Khan Brothers-N R. N. Spinning-Z JMI Syringes MDL-A Grameenphone-A LafargeS Cement-Z BEXIMCO Ltd. -A SAIF Powertec-N Appollo Ispat CL -N Aftab Auto.-A

Keya Cosmetics -A The Peninsula CTG.-N RAK Ceramics-A Barakatullah E. D.-A People`s Leasing-A

VolumeShares 2,888,200 692,175 2,019,000 2,387,854 293,050 321,707 300,424 340,500 1,009,600 2,452,757

Value in Million 196.05 180.59 111.06 91.79 84.22 82.81 77.72 73.38 70.35 68.48

% of TotalTurnover 5.62 5.17 3.18 2.63 2.41 2.37 2.23 2.10 2.02 1.96

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

1,827,712 197,295 1,323,288 847,451 1,444,504 4,845,000

448,500 317,000 435,250 50,500 31,400 72,500 162,490 72,200 219,800 56,150

145,100 127,400 66,420 100,160 148,496

67.95 65.14 64.12 58.70 56.14 113.67

30.41 17.39 11.10 10.91 10.51 8.29 6.30 5.02 4.83 4.35

4.06 3.91 3.91 3.84 3.59

1.95 1.87 1.84 1.68 1.61 1.51

11.45 6.55 4.18 4.11 3.95 3.12 2.37 1.89 1.82 1.64

1.53 1.47 1.47 1.44 1.35

ClosingP 64.80 257.50 52.80 37.60 289.00 254.70 257.70 216.70 68.60 27.80

37.20 328.90 47.70 68.10 38.60 22.90 ClosingP

65.30 52.50 26.10 217.80 329.70 113.20 38.60 67.50 21.90 77.10

27.80 30.50 58.20 37.80 23.80

Change % -12.90 -2.17 -10.20 -4.33 5.74 -2.53 -0.96 6.96 -0.87 1.09

-1.06 -1.53 -1.04 -2.99 -0.77 4.09

Change %

-12.47 -10.41 9.66 7.29 -1.26 -1.48 -1.28 -6.38 -1.35 -2.65

1.09 -1.93 -3.48 -3.82 -0.83

ClosingY 74.40 263.20 58.80 39.30 273.30 261.30 260.20 202.60 69.20 27.50

37.60 334.00 48.20 70.20 38.90 22.00 ClosingY

74.60 58.60 23.80 203.00 333.90 114.90 39.10 72.10 22.20 79.20

27.50 31.10 60.30 39.30 24.00

DHIGH 70.40 265.70 60.00 40.20 294.50 266.00 262.00 219.70 71.00 28.70

DLOW 63.90 250.00 52.10 35.40 278.00 239.00 238.00 209.00 67.50 25.00

37.60 340.00 49.80 71.40 39.80 24.20

34.00 320.00 43.50 64.00 35.10 20.50

DHIGH

DLOW

70.50 60.10 26.10 220.00 339.00 117.40 39.90 72.50 22.30 78.40

64.50 52.00 24.00 211.30 328.60 113.00 38.50 67.10 21.80 76.90

28.50 31.20 60.30 39.40 24.70

27.10 30.50 57.50 35.40 22.00

AvgPrice 67.88 260.90 55.01 38.44 287.40 257.40 258.68 215.50 69.68 27.92

37.18 330.18 48.46 69.26 38.87 23.46

AvgPrice

67.81 54.87 25.51 216.07 334.63 114.30 38.75 69.52 21.97 77.53

27.96 30.71 58.84 38.32 24.15

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

B3

Monday, November 24, 2014

Draghi throws ECB door open to money printing as global prospects dim n Reuters, Frankfurt

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi threw the door wide open on Friday for more drastic measures to prevent the euro zone from sliding into deflation, promising to use whatever means necessary as China also acted to boost its sagging economic growth.

With many fearing the euro zone could be heading for a Japanese-style lost decade of deflation and recession, Draghi’s remarks were reminiscent of when he pulled the bloc back from possible disintegration in 2012 by promising to do “whatever it takes” to back the common currency.

Painting a bleak picture of the state of the 18 countries in the euro bloc, Draghi stressed that “excessively low” inflation had to be raised quickly.

In a blunt message, he said there was now no sign of improvement in the months ahead and the ECB would pump more money into the euro bloc if its current measures fell short.

“We will do what we must to raise inflation and inflation expectations as fast as possible,” he told an audience of bankers in Frankfurt.

“If ... our policy is not effective enough to achieve this, or further risks to the inflation outlook materialise, we would step up the pressure and broaden even more the channels through which we intervene, by altering accordingly the size, pace and composition of our purchases,” he said.

Annual euro zone inflation was 0.4% in October, far short of the ECB’s medium-term target of just below two percent.

Draghi’s comments, which many read as inching very close to possible buying of government bonds, received a warm reception from Italian finance minister Pier Carlo Padoan, who said ECB action was welcome to revive eco-

Mario Draghi, President of the European Central Bank (ECB) delivers his speech at the European Banking Congress in the Old Opera house in Frankfurt nomic growth in the euro zone.

The ECB said on Friday it had started buying asset-backed securities. Along with purchases of covered bonds, a secure form of debt often backed by property, it is trying to encourage banks to lend and revive the economy.

Draghi said earlier this week that if the current measures were not enough, or if inflation expectations deterio-

Falling inflation a worry for Europe but also the world n Reuters, London European Central Bank President Mario Draghi has moved closer to launching sovereign debt purchases and data this week will show just how dangerously low inflation has fallen in the $13tn euro zone economy.

A sickly Europe has held back global economic growth for years, and now it is contributing significantly to powerful forces already dragging down inflation across the globe.

A spectacular drop in crude oil prices over the past month will be the centre of discussion when ministers from the world’s top oil exporters meets in Vienna on Friday.

The key question there is whether Saudi Arabia, which signalled last month it was comfortable with lower oil prices, accelerating a plunge in the price of crude to a third since June, will stick to that view.

But rapidly-increasing US oil production, coinciding with shaky demand from China and Europe, is likely to keep a lid on the price no matter what the Organisation of Petroleum

Exporting Countries (OPEC) decides.

The latest Reuters poll suggests euro zone inflation relapsed to 0.3% in November, far from the ECB target of just below 2%. “It is essential to bring back inflation to target and without delay,” Draghi said on Friday.

“Monetary policy can and will do its part to achieve this. But it is also clear that, as monetary policy works on the demand side of the economy, other policies can assist in this process - or at least not counteract it.”

After many years of austerity, Draghi and others have come around to the idea of loosening fiscal policy to invest in infrastructure. But Germany, which could best afford it, is focused on balancing its books for the first time since 1969.

Alarm bells

Despite years of zero interest rates across mature economies and trillions of dollars worth of emergency stimulus from central banks, alarm bells are ringing worldwide.

Japan’s experiment in raising sales taxes to try to revive inflation spawned news of yet another recession. l

rated further, the ECB could widen its purchases to include debt of euro zone governments, a strategy which German policymakers strongly oppose.

Economists expect bold ECB action.

“Draghi all but announced that the central bank will step up monetary easing soon. Mr Maybe has become Mr Definitely,” said Nick Kounis of ABN Amro.

But it is unclear how much such a

move can help Europe as the prospects for the global economy and one of its chief engines of growth, China, grow ever more uncertain.

China cut its benchmark interest rates for the first time in more than two years on Friday to stimulate economic growth, which is on track for its lowest annual rate in 24 years.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

REUTERS

has called snap elections, seeking a mandate for his struggling “Abenomics” revival strategy after the economy unexpectedly slipped into recession.

The euro zone grew 0.2% in the third quarter, giving an annual rate of 0.8%, according to a flash estimate from the European statistical agency Eurostat.

Of the major national economies, Italy has already fallen back into recession. l

Putin stands by hawkish Russian central bank – for now n Reuters, Moscow With Russia’s economy battered by economic sanctions and plunging oil prices, President Vladimir Putin has allowed the central bank to administer strong medicine, sharply raising interest rates even as it freed the rouble to float.

Such tough measures may well help push the country deeper into recession next year, but have so far staved off financial panic, runaway inflation or a currency meltdown like the one that helped catapult Putin into power in the 1990s.

Those who follow the central bank say the hawkish moves are a result of Putin, known for closely managing Russia’s machinery of power, giving the bank’s technocrats free rein.

“There is ongoing criticism of the central bank and of the whole government being Putin’s lap dog,” said a high-ranked government source. “But all things considered, the central bank is now much more autonomous than it is broadly perceived.”

The high interest rates will hurt. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development says recession is certain, predicting 0.2% contraction for the full year of 2015.

Politicians have grumbled. Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev sent a letter to the Kremlin in the summer urging greater “cooperation” between the bank and the government, viewed as a plea for looser policy.

“There is a tension between the government and the central bank as regards growth. The effect of these stabilization policies is going to be to deepen the recession,” said Christopher Granville, managing director of London-based consultancy Trusted Sources. Putin himself has complained about high borrowing costs. But so far, he seems to trust the hawkish instincts at the bank. l

Countdown to missed opportunity for EU economy n Reuters, Paris The countdown has begun to what threatens to be a missed opportunity to revive Europe’s stalled economy.

When European Union leaders meet on Dec 18-19 under new management, they have a chance to launch a joint assault on the economic stagnation and high unemployment that are fuelling disenchantment and anti-EU protest among voters.

All the signs are they are set to fall short.

The 18-nation euro zone is struggling to pull out of the aftermath of its debt crisis, aggravated by the economic impact of a standoff with Russia over Ukraine.

Inflation and growth are hovering below 1% while unemployment is stuck at 11.5%, and more than double that level in Spain and Greece. Even EU powerhouse Germany has hit a slowdown.

Former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers says Europe risks “secular stagnation” - a long-term, self-perpetuating slump similar to the one that followed the Great Depression in the 1930s.

France’s economy is flatlining, Italy’s has fallen back into recession and both countries are failing to cut their budget deficits and debt in line with EU rules, causing tension with Brussels and Berlin.

“Without jobs and growth, the European idea itself is in danger,” outgoing European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said last week. His successor, Poland’s Donald Tusk, will have the task of trying to forge a summit agreement on a new economic policy mix.

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi set out the agenda for what might become a New Deal for Europe in a speech to global central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in August.

He called for a combination of national budget measures to boost demand, greater EU public investment and growth-friendly structural economic reforms alongside the ECB’s monetary stimulus.

Draghi highlighted the scale of the challenge on Friday, painting a gloomy outlook and promising to act “as fast as possible” to combat worryingly low inflation.

Yet despite a show of unity this month, he is struggling to overcome opposition led by German Bundesbank chief Jens Weidmann to bolder measures such as buying government bonds, known as quantitative easing.

“What Draghi needs is an ambitious agreement at the summit on investment, a commitment to coordinated economic reforms and stronger fiscal rules, to give him political cover to move to quantitative

Green Delta Insurance in collaborations with Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, has recently launched GD Health, a comprehensive health insurance scheme for corporates, professionals and entrepreneurs

easing,” a senior EU official said, referring to the policy of large-scale asset purchases by the central bank.

“But there is a risk that the summit will be a let-down.”

'Fake money' New European Commission President JeanClaude Juncker has promised a 300bn euro ($376bn) investment programme on public works such as transport, energy and digital networks.

But it is expected to involve largely recycling existing EU budget and European Investment Bank funds with little if any new public money. French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron said last week that an investment programme based on “fake money” without at least 80bn euros in new “real money” would risk disappointing.

Germany, aiming to balance its budget, has rebuffed calls to stimulate domestic demand and made only a token gesture towards more investment in public infrastructure, promising a paltry extra 10bn euros over three years.

At the same time, France and Italy, the euro zone’s troubled second and third economies, are balking at going beyond half-measures to shake up rigid labour markets and open up to more competition.

Barring a last-minute surprise, EU leaders are heading for a hollow agreement that won’t fundamentally change a set of economic policies that has failed to reignite growth so far.

“The architecture of the euro zone doesn’t make it easy to provide the radical policy solutions that depression requires,” said Nicholas Childs, professor of economic history at the University of Warwick.

“I can’t see supply side reforms delivering enough in the short term to help. That means the ECB, a fair weather central bank, is going to be tested in a storm.”

Domestic constraints, divergent economic philosophies and mutual mistrust make a disappointing summit outcome likely.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is convinced Europe cannot grow its way out of crisis on borrowed money and thinks France and Italy are falling short on economic reforms.

One hope may lie in a Franco-German study to be presented this week (Nov 29) identifying priorities for structural reforms and public investment in both countries.

Paris and Berlin may yet take recommendations by economists Jean PisaniFerry and Henrik Enderlein as the basis of a grand bargain matching more French reform with more German investment. l

Khulna zone of Jamuna Bank Limited has recently held its regional business conference at a hotel in Jessore. The bank’s chairperson, Shaheen Mahmud inaugurated the conference as chief guest

Bangladesh Commerce Bank Limited (BCBL) has recently opened its 47th branch at Sonargaon in Narayangonj. BCBL’s chairperson, Md Yousuf Ali Howlader inaugurated the branch as chief guest

The MD and CEO of NCC Bank Ltd, Golam Hafiz Ahmed has recently attended an inaugural ceremony of a month long foundation training course for its bank officials, as a chief guest

Al Arafah Islami Bank Ltd has recently signed an agreement with Cross World Power Ltd (CWPL) for the supply, installation, erection, commissioning and testing of 2 generators.

The bank’s DMD, Mofazzal Hossain and Syed Raziur Rahman Chowdhury, chairperson of CWPL were present at the signing ceremony

The investors of Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort has recently held a press conference at Atrium Auditorium of East London to request the NRB investors to keep on their active support and patronize in the same way as in the past. Shahid Hamid FIH, the company’s executive director put up a presentation on their prospect at the conference

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Monday, November 24, 2014

Religion and risk drive Islamic finance boom n AFP, Kuwait When a Muslim cleric told Ahmad Salim that sharia law forbids paying interest, he returned his days-old loan to the bank and turned to the fast-growing industry of Islamic finance.

It is a market that has doubled in size over the past four years and is now worth more than $2tn (1.6tn euros), with demand forecast to soar to new heights.

Salim returned a $35,000 loan just two days after he received it from a conventional bank in Kuwait.

“A cleric told me it is not permissible under Islam to take loans from a nonIslamic bank because they charge interest,” the white-collar worker said.

A few days later, he arranged for a loan from an Islamic bank after paying a $700 service charge.

As well as the religious aspect, customers are attracted to Islamic finance by its flexibility, link to real economic activity and its ban on transactions involving speculation or uncertainty, experts say.

To meet ever-increasing demand, Islamic finance has developed numerous products compliant with sharia law, from loans for cars and houses to funding for major infrastructure projects.

“Despite being governed by strict religious principles, Islamic finance remains highly flexible and less risky.

These have helped it to expand fast and meet various forms of demand,” Kuwaiti economist Hajjaj Bukhdur told AFP. Around 40 million of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims are now clients of the Islamic finance industry, which has surged in popularity since its days as a small niche market in the early 1970s.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and other global economic bodies estimate that the assets of Islamic financial institutions grew nine-fold to $1.8tn between 2003 and last year.

They are estimated to have already crossed the $2tn mark.

The industry, which spans more than 70 countries, could be worth $4tn

A person seen using an ATM booth by 2020, according to forecasters including Standard and Poor’s.

About 80% of the assets are now in banks, 15% in Islamic bonds called Sukuk, four percent in investment funds and one percent in Islamic insurance known as Takaful.

Iran accounts for about 40% of Islamic banking assets, Saudi Arabia 12%, and Malaysia 10%.

Shunning toxic assets

Proponents argue that Islamic banks outperformed their conventional counterparts during the 2008 global financial crisis.

Their capital and liquidity buffers are seen as helping to shield them dur-

AFP

ing market turbulence or credit shocks.

“Islamic banks generally escaped the worst effects of the 2008 financial crisis because they were not exposed to subprime and toxic assets,” World Bank managing director Mahmoud Mohieldin said in a recent research note.

But the industry, based on the sharing of profit and losses, was badly hit by the second round of the crisis which affected real estate and other sectors in the Gulf region.

“In the Gulf, both Islamic and conventional banks and companies were hit equally by the crisis. Some Islamic investment companies were forced out of the market,” Saudi economist Abdulwahab Abu-Dahesh said.

Islamic finance’s link to solid assets is seen as one of its major strengths.

“They do not deal in derivatives or speculation,” said Abu-Dahesh, a former senior economist with a conventional bank.

Introduced more than a decade ago to cater for large-scale financing, Sukuk bonds are among the most successful Islamic financial products.

Sharia prohibits trade in debt, so unlike conventional bonds, which give ownership of debt, Sukuk are assetbased securities that give investors a share in the project. They also offer better yields.

In June, Britain became the first sovereign issuer of Sukuk outside the

Islamic world with an issue of 200m pounds ($310m, 250m euros), an offering that was swamped by strong demand.

The global value of such outstanding bonds was $269bn at the end of 2013, and the market is expected to expand at a double-digit rate, Dubai International Financial Centre governor Essa Kazim estimates.

Sceptics say the booming industry owes its success to religion, but others say it also makes financial sense.

“I have been dealing with Islamic banks for the past two decades for purely economic reasons and good profit,” said Amin Mahmoud, a private sector manager. l

Switzerland bans Dutch poultry imports, new bird flu cases in Holland n AFP Switzerland on Friday said it was banning chicken imports from Britain and the Netherlands, as Dutch officials said they detected bird flu on three more farms.

The Swiss move will come into effect on Saturday and apply to live chickens and chicks as well as eggs from the affected zones in the two countries, the Federal Office for Food Security and Veterinary Affairs said.

Belgium meanwhile ordered poultry owners to confine their birds as a precautionary measure following the outbreak in neighbouring Holland.

The Dutch economic affairs ministry confirmed that a second bird flu outbreak detected on Thursday on a farm at Ter Aar, close to the first case east of The Hague, was the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain, previously detected only in Asia.

Some strains of avian influenza are fatal for chickens, and pose a health threat to humans, who can fall sick after handling infected poultry.

Bird flu was detected on three other farms in and around Kamperveen, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of the first outbreaks, the Dutch economic affairs ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The birds on all three farms will be destroyed and the farms disinfected, the ministry said, with tests being carried out to establish if the strain is the highly infectious H5N8 strain.

Britain has also reported an avian influenza outbreak at a duck breeding farm in Yorkshire, northern England, which on Tuesday was confirmed to be H5N8.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu has killed more than 400 people, mainly in southeast Asia, since first appearing in 2003.

Another strain of bird flu, H7N9, has claimed more than 170 lives since emerging in 2013.

The H7N7 strain of avian flu severely hit the Netherlands in 2003 with health authorities destroying some 30 million birds in an effort to quash an outbreak. l

China rate cut knocks legs OPEC divided on oil output before from under yuan rally crucial meeting

Indian finance minister pledges 'second-generation' reforms n Reuters, Shanghai

n AFP, New Delhi

India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley promised yesterday to unveil a whole series of “second-generation” reforms to try to kickstart the stuttering economy.

In an interview with the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency, Jaitley said the reforms that would be unveiled in the budget early next year would help the country cross the six percent growth mark in 2015-16.

“The country needs a larger opening out in more sectors ... I think we have a lot of exciting times ahead of us and I do see investments coming into India,” he told the agency.

Asked about the broad contours of the budget, Jaitley said there was “a whole set of second-generation reforms”.

The first generation in 1991 opened up India’s economy to foreign investment while introducing major trade liberalisation and tax reforms.

The economy grew by 5.7% in the first financial quarter, its best pace since early 2012, spurred by growing business confidence following the landslide election victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. l

China’s surprise interest rate cut is another step toward softening the country’s exchange rate, setting the yuan on course to end the year lower for the first time since its landmark revaluation in 2005.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) cut one-year benchmark lending rates on Friday, a move celebrated by Chinese corporates struggling against a toxic combination of high debt load and weak end demand.

Analysts say it could also signal the end of a rally in the yuan CNY=CFXS since May, especially if the central bank follows up with a cut to reserve requirement ratios, which would flood money markets with cheap renminbi.

Investors have long been attracted to yuan-denominated assets, seen as relatively safe given implicit government guarantees, and at the same time higher yielding than similarly rated dollar-denominated instruments.

These high yields, along with the prospect of forex appreciation, encouraged speculative “hot money” to flow into China, maintaining upward pressure on the exchange rate.

Friday’s rate cut now reduces the relative attractiveness of the yuan

and makes it more risky to hold going forward.

“The rate cut overnight, along with prolonged weakness in the Japanese yen, will increase political pressure on the PBOC to allow a modest devaluation in the currency, both to reflect a normal market response to rate cuts and also to shore up export competitiveness in the face of downward pressure on Asian currencies across the board,” Eurasia Group analysts wrote in a research note distributed to clients on Saturday.

The yuan dropped sharply at the start of the 2014, losing over 3% in the course of two months, a phenomenon widely seen as an attack on currency speculators by Beijing. The currency remains down 1.17% for the year, despite rising steadily since May. Markets were already growing wary of that trajectory, however, given a 10% rally in the US Dollar Index .DXY in the second half of the year, followed by broad drops in Asian currencies led by the Japanese yen JPY. But economists warn that the PBOC is unlikely seeking to provoke a dramatic drop, and markets did not aggressively revalue the offshore yuan CNH=D3 in response to the announcement. l

Ovum: Mobile data to account over half of global roaming revenues by 2019 n Tribune Business Desk Mobile data roaming will generate approximately US$50bn in revenues by 2019, contributing as much as 56% to global roaming revenues, according to new research by global analyst firm Ovum.

Ovum’s latest roaming forecasts show that Europe continues to be the largest contributor to global roaming revenues, accounting for 46% of global roaming revenues, with much of the revenue growth coming from the EU. The revenue contribution from Asia is also increasing, particularly from Central & Southern Asia, which is expected to grow at a compound average growth rate (CAGR) of 12% over the forecast period, as one of the highest amongst all regions. “The sheer size of the region contributes to the increase, as does the fact that mobile services will penetrate

further into these markets over the forecast period, and the overall propensity to roam is set to improve gradually,”according to Nishi Verma Nangia, Senior Analyst at Ovum.

Mobile data will experience the fastest revenue growth over the forecast period, and is expected to drive growth of roaming revenues as voice revenues begin to stagnate. The increasing penetration of smartphones and SIM-enabled tablets, along with the deployment of LTE networks, is driving the growth of mobile data usage. Mobile users increasingly want to use the same services everywhere, whether they are at home or traveling abroad.

“To meet these expectations, operators are extending the reach of their LTE networks through agreements with operators in other markets, and in doing so are laying

a solid foundation to allow travelers to maintain the same high-speed access to the Internet they have while in their home markets, ” said Nangia.

Indeed, the report highlights that roaming growth is still impeded by the cost of roaming services and the legacy of “bill shock”. Telecoms regulators in some regions – especially in the EU – have been taking steps to make roaming services more affordable for consumers. In addition to regulatory developments, there have recently been commercial initiatives, as operators in some regions have launched new roaming propositions to stimulate adoption among their customer base.

“But it’s not pricing alone; operators need to demonstrate the relevance of roaming service to travelers, particularly in emerging markets, to encourage roaming adoption,” concluded Nangia. l

n AFP The OPEC oil producers cartel will hold one of its toughest and most significant meetings in recent years as, faced with sliding prices, its members must contemplate whether to cut output.

Ahead of Thursday’s meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries in Vienna, home to the cartel’s headquarters, its dozen member countries are split on what direction to take after a 30% drop in crude prices since June has slashed revenues.

OPEC’s poorer members, led by Venezuela and Ecuador, have called publicly for a cut in output, while Iran has hinted at a need to reduce production.

But the cartel’s Gulf members, led by kingpin Saudi Arabia, are rejecting calls to pump out less oil unless they are guaranteed market share in the highly competitive arena, according to analysts.

Separately, Russia - which is not a member of OPEC but is nevertheless a major crude producer - declared Friday that it was considering cutting its oil production in a bid to revive falling prices.

OPEC produces about one third of global crude at more than 30 million barrels per day.

According to the International Energy Agency, which advises on energy policy, OPEC pumped out 30.6 million barrels per day in October - above its 30 million bpd target.

“The next meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries... should be the most interesting since the change from individual quotas to a group target in early 2012,” said Tom Pugh, an analyst at Capital Economics research group.

“The key driver (behind tumbling prices) has been increasing supply, although other triggers for Brent’s slump from $115 in June have included weak demand, particularly from Europe and China, and the strength of the US dollar. The decline has probably also been compounded by panic selling by producers and investors.”

On Friday, the price of benchmark Brent North crude oil traded at $79.56 a barrel.

US output surge

Rather than cut its official output ceiling, OPEC could decide to reduce the amount it is over-producing.

Police officers stand guard on the rooftop of Vienna's OPEC headquarters “The minimum consensus that appears likely to be reached at OPEC’s meeting is a commitment to better comply with the official production target of 30 million barrels per day,” Commerzbank analysts said in a note to clients.

Ahead of the meeting, the world’s top oil producer Saudi Arabia has cut what it charges US customers, in a move seen aimed at maintaining its market share as it is faced with increasing competition from oil extracted from shale rock in the United States.

Pugh said that “any cut in the cartel’s production target will simply be as a response to lower demand for its oil, rather than a concerted attempt to push up prices”.

Faced with surging US output crude production in the world’s biggest economy is set to hit a 45-year high of

DILBERT

REUTERS

9.5 million barrels a day in 2015 - Venezuela has called for a meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC countries to address the slide in oil prices.

Venezuela depends on crude exports for 96% of its foreign currency, and the price crunch has added to the headaches of a government struggling to halt rampant inflation and ease severe shortages of food and medicine.

“What is for certain is that the price is currently trying to find a new equilibrium after a number of years with crude oil trading above 100 dollars,” said Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen.

“High prices were primarily driven by a rapid increase in demand from emerging economies and as a result of high prices we saw the emergence of new sources of supply, not least shale oil.” l