12 dec, 2014

Agrahayan 28, 1421 Safar 18, 1436 Regd No DA 6238 Vol 2, No 248

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

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WEEKEND

7 | CAREER

11 | OP-ED

13 | SPORT

ALGEBRA AND POLITICS

FACING THE ULTIMATE QUESTION

THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ME

KOHLI DEFIES HELMET BOUNCER TO SCORE VITAL TON

Authorities clueless in the Sundarbans In 3 days, oil spill spread over an 80km area in remote forest Bakar Siddique n Abu from the Sundarbans Inability, inexperience, helplessness and lack of far-sight of the authorities are becoming clearer every passing minute, with very little done so far in tackling the environmental disaster that is already happening in the Sundarbans.

Around 11am yesterday, more than two days after the Southern Star 7 sunk in Sela River in the Sundarbans, the rescue ship hired by the owner salvaged the distressed oil tanker under the supervision of the navy.

BIWTA salvage vessel Nirveek reached the spot of the capsize after the hired ship finished the rescue operation.

In 2008, oil spill from a Shell pipeline crack in Niger Delta destroyed 1,000hc mangrove forest and affected 30,000 people But, by the time Southern Star 7 was pulled out of water, more than twothirds of the 357,664 litres of furnace oil had already spread over an 80km-area in the Sundarbans, officials said.

Moreover, divers are still looking for Mokhlesur Rahman, 50, shipmaster of the sunken ship, who went missing during the capsize.

However, as of last night, the authorities did not have any concrete plan to remove the oil that has already had visible adverse impacts on the environment.

They had two options. First, the oil could have been neutralised by spreading chemical dispersant, which navy’s ship Kandari 10 has already carried to the area. But the Forest Department has objected saying the chemical might

harm the wildlife and vegetation. So navy, who was ready to start spreading the chemical power last evening, could not start. Mongla port authorities said they would sit in another meeting soon to make a decision in this regard.

Second, oil-consuming bacteria could be spread over the oil. That is an organic way and is a lot less likely to harm the environment than the chemical dispersant. But, it would be a lengthy and highly expensive process because the bacteria will have to be imported.

Instead, following an “emergency” meeting among several authorities, the local people have been asked to manually collect as much of the furnace oil as possible from the water surface.

Furnace oil – which comes in concentrated semi-solid chunks – is different from other types of fuel oil. So, people can collect it using bucket-like containers or trapping it in clothes because this oil also does not get mixed with water.

Padma Oil Company, owner of the spilled oil, yesterday announced that they would buy the oil collected by the local people at Tk4,000 per 220 litres.

However, a few years ago, a similar thing happened in the Bishkali River in Borguna district. An oil tanker, containing only a few hundred litres of oil, capsized in the river. It took local people several days to collect all the oil from the water.

However, nobody has been able to say for certain how many days would it take for the local people in the Sundarbans to collect that much oil, which has already reached Mongla and Poshur River in the downstream and at least 20km in the upstream and travelled to some of the remotest parts of the deep forest via the connecting canals in 72 hours.

After the meeting yesterday, the authorities started encouraging local  PAGE 2 COLUMN 3

n Tribune Report

Top, a woman and some children collect furnace oil from the waters of Sela River in the Sundarbans yesterday. Bottom, the breathing roots of trees covered by a sheet of black oil on the banks of Sela SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Bureaucrat who ‘Bush knew everything’ met Khaleda n BBC fired n Shohel Mamun

A clandestine meeting with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on December 4 has earned a Ministry of Public Administration (MOPA) joint secretary, already on special duty, forced retirement.

A MOPA order issued yesterday read: “AKM Jahangir was sent to forced retirement in the ‘public interest’ and his tenure of service was 25 years. He will get due benefits.” The order was effective immediately.

Several present and former government officials are reported to have attended the covert meeting with Khaleda at the BNP office in the Gulshan area of the capital on December 4. Her party has denied that such a meeting ever took place.

Video footage shows two officials leaving the party office while the meeting was still under way.

Public Administration Secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday: “The government has the right to discharge any officer if it sees fit to do so.”

AKM Jahangir worked in the Appointment, Posting and Deputation Wing during the BNP–Jamaat alliance government between 2001 and 2006.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

Former US President George W Bush was “fully informed” about CIA interrogation techniques condemned in a Senate report, his vice-president says.

Speaking to Fox News, Dick Cheney said Bush “knew everything he needed to know” about the programme, and the report was “full of crap.”

The CIA has defended its use of methods such as waterboarding on terror suspects after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The Senate report said the agency misled politicians about the programme.

But the former Republican vice-president dismissed this, saying: “The notion that the committee is trying to peddle that somehow the agency was operating on a rogue basis and that we weren’t being told – that the president wasn’t being told – is a flat-out lie.”

In the interview aired yesterday, Cheney said the report was “deeply flawed” and a “terrible piece of work,” although he admitted he had not read the whole document.

President Bush “knew everything he needed to know, and wanted to know” about CIA interrogation, he said. “He knew the techniques ... there was no effort on my part to keep it from him.

“He was fully informed.”

Bush led the charge against the re-

port ahead of its release on Tuesday, defending the CIA on American TV. “We’re fortunate to have men and women who work hard at the CIA serving on our behalf,” he told CNN on Sunday.

A summary of the larger classified report says that the CIA carried out “brutal” and “ineffective” interrogations of al-Qaeda suspects in the years after the 9/11 attacks on the US and misled other officials about what it was doing.

Bush ‘knew everything he needed to know, and wanted to know’ The information the CIA collected using “enhanced interrogation techniques” failed to secure information that foiled any threats, the report said.

But Cheney said the interrogation programme saved lives, and that the agency deserved “credit not condemnation.”

“It did in fact produce actionable intelligence that was vital in the success of keeping the country safe from further attacks,” he said.

The UN and human rights groups  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

n Asif Showkat Kallol The National Pay and Services Commission is going to propose separate pay scales for the profitable stateowned entities, provided the pay scale structure follows the proposed salary scale.

The boards of directors of these profitable entities that are not depended on government financial support can fix their own salary structures with permission from the Finance Division, according to the commission’s recommendations.

The NPSC has prepared a set of 10 recommendations for the National Pay and Services Scale 2015 and is likely to submit it mid-December after Finance Minister AMA Muhith returns from Singapore, a number of officials at the commission told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Commission Chairman Mohammad Farashuddin has recently sent a letter to the finance secretary to extend the December 15 deadline for submitting the recommendations by 10 days.

The proposal brings good news for fresh government recruits as it recommends a settlement allowance for them.

It also recommends giving away increments to all staffs with the start of a fiscal year on July 1 irrespective of the date of their joining the service.

The commission also recommends raising the minimum basic pay of a public servant to Tk8,200 from the existing Tk4,200 and the maximum salary to Tk80,000 from Tk40,000 for secretaries.

Commission proposes settlement allowance for fresh recruits The NPSC report on the pay scale suggests a ratio of 1:9.76 for the lowest and highest salaries while withdrawing the existing efficiency factor in service, a member of the commission said.

The commission will also recommend that reducing the number of grades in the new salary structure to 16 from the existing 20 and withdrawing the existing class division of staffs and officials, according the summary of the proposal. The Dhaka Tribune has obtained a copy of the proposal.

The NPSC suggests issuing the Pay and Services Order 2015 in line with

3 | News

6 | Nation

A non-governmental organisation allegedly ran away after collecting half a crore Taka from villagers in the name of savings and loan.

5 | News

The district administration of Dhaka yesterday demolished at least 60 illegal structures on the bank of Buriganga River from Wiseghat to Badamtoli area.

8 | World

A laser weapon deployed aboard the USS Ponce in the Gulf has performed beyond expectations in four months of operational testing.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam thinks contempt of court proceedings should be initiated against the family of executed war criminal Abdul Quader Molla.

He expressed the opinion while talking to reporters at his office yesterday just after the press conference of Quader Molla’s son Hasan Jamil, who claimed that the government had “brutally killed” his father in the name of execution.

Jamil, speaking at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium, said Quader Molla, a senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader, could not know on what grounds the Appellate Division had dismissed his review petition against the death penalty. The full judgement on the review petition was released on November 25.

The International Crimes Tribunal on February 5 last year awarded Molla life imprisonment for committing crimes against humanity. He was later sentenced to death by the Appellate Division.

Known as the “Butcher of Mirpur” during the 1971 Liberation War, the Jamaat leader was executed on December 12 last year after the apex court had dismissed his review petition.

Jamil said the UN, the USA, the European Union and many other countries including Australia and Turkey, and international human rights organisations had urged the government to suspend Quader Molla’s execution.

“But defying their appeals, the government killed him.”

He also said the “dictator government” had not allowed the family to participate in Molla’s namaz-e-janaza.

Molla’s wife, Sanowara Jahan, and his lawyers were also present at the press conference.

Denying the allegations, the attorney general said Molla had been given every opportunity during the trial proceedings – from trial court to the Appellate Division.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

Pay commission ponders separate scale for profitable state entities

INSIDE The Anti- Corruption Commission yesterday asked the authorities concerned to take departmental action against Jebun Nesa Haider, a deputy director of the Audit Department, for her alleged involvement in laundering money through forgery.

AG: Claims of Quader Molla’s family contemptuous

15 | Entertainment

“Dolls House 2: Shat-ti Tarar Timir”, a daily soap, directed by actress Afsana Mimi, is being aired on ATN Bangla from Saturday to Tuesday at 10:55pm.

B1 | Business

Wahiduddin Mahmud said Bangladesh suffers from governance dysfunction despite significant progress in human development indicators, and reduction in poverty in 2 decades.

the 1977 pay commission before implementing the recommendations for the Salary and Service Commission 2013.

On the salary structure of autonomous bodies and specialised services, the commission recommends taking steps for turning the losing stateowned entities into profitable ones. If it is not possible, those entities might be divested.

On the manner of salary fixation, the commission recommends that the facilities for entry-level officials will not be applicable for an official who receives a salary of Tk80,000 and above.

If the existing salary of an official is higher than what he or she will get under the new pay scale, then the additional amount will be accommodated into the new scale.

If an official or staff gets promoted to the highest position on the date the new pay scale takes effect, their pay scale will be set at lower grade.

Finance Secretary Mahbub Ahmed yesterday said maximum resources will be arranged for the implementation of the new pay scale. “But we might rationalise the salary structures recommended by the pay commission.”

Sources said additional Tk20,000  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, December 12, 2014

14-party announces rally to protest PM killing plot n Abu Hayat Mahmud The Awami League-led 14-party alliance yesterday announced rallies in the upazilas across the country in January in protest at what it said a plot by the BNP-Jamaat alliance to kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Health Minister Mohammed Nasim announced the rallies, which would be held from January 15 to 22, while addressing a press briefing following a meeting with the 14-party central leaders at Hasina’s Dhanmondi office in the capital.

Chaired by Samyabadi Dal President Dilip Barua and moderated by Nasim, the meeting’s agenda was the present political situation of the country.

Nasim at the briefing said the BNP-Jamaat alliance had been defeated by the 14-party in every way possible and its leaders are now conspiring to kill the prime minister by instigating militants.

“We were shocked when we learned about the plot to kill the prime minister by a group of militants in a neighbouring country,” he said.

Nasim thanked the Indian intelligence officials for unearthing the plot

of the militants. He also claimed the BNP-Jamaat alliance is plotting to kill Sheikh Hasina with the help of several international militant organisations.

“The militants detained by the Indian intelligence officials had disclosed who incited them,” he said.

The Awami League presidium member said the next general election would be held under the incumbent government in accordance with the constitution.

Speaking at a conference of Bogra district unit of Awami League on Wednesday, Nasim said no election would be held even a day before 2019.

He also said Hasina would make it a hat trick as the prime minister after winning the next elections.

AL joint meeting today

The Awami League will hold a joint meeting with its associate bodies today at Hasina’s Dhanmondi office.

Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said in a statement yesterday that the meeting would start at 4pm, and requested the presidents and secretaries of the party’s Dhaka city unit and the associate bodies to attend the meeting. l

Students and teachers of Charukola (Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University) at a programme arranged in observance to the birth centenary of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin yesterday.

The photo was taken from Bokultola of Charukola DHAKA TRIBUNE

Bangladeshi shot dead for failing to make prayer call n Tribune Desk

Be economical in electricity Yeafesh: Nuclear power to use, Hamid urges people boost country’s confidence

A Saudi muazzin opened fire at two expatriate workers – one of them from Bangladesh – in a mosque on Sunday, killing one and injuring the other, according to police.

The incident took place at 3:30pm during Asr prayers in a mosque in Ortawwiyah in Majmaah district, 30km from the Riyadh city, reports Arab News.

When police arrived at the scene in response to a call from a citizen, they found Mohammed Rafiq Tajul Islam, 32, a Bangladeshi worker, in a pool of blood.

The other worker, an Indian, was alive with two gunshot wounds. He is undergoing treatment at King Khaled Hospital in Majmaah. The police have not released his name and said he is out of danger.

Sources from Ortawwiyah area said the Bangladeshi used to make the call for prayers – azaan – for the muazzin. On the day of the incident, he had failed to make the call on time, which infuriated the muazzin, they claimed.

Labour Counselor at Bangladesh Embassy Mohamed Sarwar Alam told the Arab News on Wednesday that the deceased had been working at the mosque for some time. He was from Kholapara in Shariatpur district.

He said the embassy’s legal team was sorting out the paperwork of the deceased and had informed his family about the tragedy.

The police arrested the murder accused. According to the police, the perpetrator is a psychiatric patient at a nearby hospital. However, investigations are continuing. l

President Abdul Hamid yesterday urged all to be economical in using electricity keeping in mind the energy security of the future generation.

He also suggested reducing system loss and increasing use of renewable energy by reducing dependency on fossil fuels.

“We must consider the energy security for the future generation. We will have to keep in mind that electricity production is an expensive process which needs a lot of investment,” he told the inaugural ceremony of “National Electricity Week 2014” at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the city. He inaugurated the Electricity Week.

Hamid further said: “We must come out of the mentality of using electricity as per our sweet will. We will have to be economical in using electricity thinking about the future generation.”

Terming electricity national resource and an indispensable element for development, Hamid said the increased power production was necessary for the country’s overall develop-

n UNB

ment on one hand and the economical use of it is also important on the other.

“With the observance of the Electricity Week, I hope that people will be able to know government activities for the development of the power sector,” the president said.

“You know there has been a change in world politics. Foreign investment is not available as in the past. This is why we have to move forward to achieve prosperity though we have resource constraints.”

Hamid said: “We will have to set up new factories to become a middle-income nation by 2021. The supply of electricity is important to implement the programme ‘Electricity for All.’ I came to know that 24000MW of electricity will be needed by 2021 and 40,000MW by 2030. So, we will have to increase our electricity generation capacity.”

Later, the president visited stalls of the electricity fair on the BICC premises where 97 public and private organisations, including IDCOL, Petrobangla, BERC, Board of Investment are participating. l

n UNB State Minister for Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman yesterday said the government’s decision to go for nuclear power plant is not just about adding electricity to the national grid, but also to boost the nation’s collective self-confidence.

“We believe the Rooppur nuclear power project will take our confidence to new heights,” he told a seminar at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in the city.

Russia will provide the same reactor and technology to Bangladesh that it gave to India – simply terming it “the latest one,” he added.

Osman was possibly referring to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant located in Tamil Nadu on India’s southern coastline that recently became fully operative, adding 1000MW to their national grid.

“India itself has been making advances in nuclear science and nuclear power generation. They too have offered to help us,” the state minister said.

The IEB organised the seminar titled “Energy Security and the Role of Nuclear Power.” Virginia Tech University Prof Dr Saifur Rahman made a presentation on the topic.

Prof Saifur raised a number of questions surrounding the safety and security of the proposed Rooppur project.

“Burnt fuel has been a key concern and key issue for Bangladesh as many countries in the world now is facing the problem with the issue.”

Responding to the questions and concern, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Member (planning) M Ali Zulquarnine said there would be five-stage safety in the Rooppur plant.

“Russia will supply fresh fuel and also take bank the burnt fuel for the entire lifetime of 65 years of the project.”

This was ensured in the contract with Russia, he said. Zulquarnine also revealed that the Russians were currently in the process of carrying out a feasibility study on the project.

Construction of the project will start in 2017 and completed by 2021 to come into operation. l

Deal inked for 8th Bangladesh-China friendship bridge n Tribune Report A Minutes of Meeting (MoM) was signed yesterday between Bangladesh and China to build the eighth “‘Bangladesh-China friendship bridge” on the river Kocha at Bekutia of Pirojpur.

Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division MAN Siddique and

Economic and Commercial Counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Dhaka Wang Zijian signed the MoM on behalf of their respective sides.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader was present at the event. Expressing gratitude, he hoped that China would continue to help develop the infrastructure of the country.

Charge d’Affairs of Chinese Embassy in Dhaka Qu Guang Zhou and senior officials of the RHD were also present.

The 1.48km-long bridge will establish road connectivity between Khulna and Barisal adding to the development of the country.

The cost of the bridge is estimated to be Tk1,000 crore, of which China

would provide Tk800 crore while the rest of the money would be ensured by Bangladesh.

The construction work of the bridge is expected to begin in January 2016 after finalising the design, consultant and other details. The bridge is likely to be opened to public in December 2018. l

Moudud tricks and pays for it Authorities clueless in the Sundarbans n Tribune Report After announcing a stay order and issuing rule, the High Court yesterday fixed December 14 for passing a further order on a petition filed by former BNP minister Moudud Ahmed challenging a lower court order in a land-grabbing case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Moudud allegedly grabbed government land worth over Tk300 crore in Gulshan of the capital by abusing power and submitting forged documents The ACC and the state side claimed that Moudud had moved the petition without informing them.

The case was filed by the ACC with Gulshan police on December 17 last year against Moudud and his brother Manjur Ahmed on charge of grabbing a government land worth over Tk300 crore in Gulshan of the capital by abusing power and submitting forged documents.

On September 14, a Dhaka court ac-

cepted the charges in the case. Moudud in November filed a revision petition with the High Court challenging the lower court order that accepted the charges.

After hearing arguments of Moudud and Deputy Attorney General Farhad Ahmed on the petition yesterday, the bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Bhabani Prasad Singha stayed the lower court order. The court also also issued a rule upon the ACC and the government to explain as to why acceptance of the charges should not be cancelled.

Later in the day, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam and ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan approached the bench and said they would place arguments on the petition.

The attorney general requested the bench for recalling (withdrawal) of the order and fix December 14 for further hearing and passing order.

The ACC lawyer told the Dhaka Tribune: “Moudud moved the petition without informing us. We got a copy of his petition half an hour after the court order.”

Mahbubey Alam also said they had not been informed in advance.

When contacted over phone repeatedly, Moudud disconnected the calls. l

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

people using loudspeakers to collect as much oil as they can.

Yesterday, this correspondent saw people, living in Joymonir Gol on the banks of Sela River some 7km away from the spot of the capsize, collecting chunks of floating furnace oil. While some said they were going to use the oil themselves, others said they would sell it.

In 2008, oil spill from a crack in the pipeline of global oil company Shell, at least 1,000 hectares of mangrove forest has been destroyed in the Niger Delta in Africa. Moreover, another 5,000 hectares of forest and more than 30,000 people were badly affected.

Traffic on Sela banned

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) yesterday suspended movement of all kinds of commercial vessels through the Sela River until further notice, said its Chairman Khandaker Shamsudoha.

The authority has suggested all vessels to take the alternate Mongla-Kokilmoni-Akram route to enter the Bay of Bengal, he said.

When asked whether they would open the Sela River route again after clearing the oil, he said: “Of course, why not?”

However, when asked what if anoth-

er similar accident happened again, he said: “The alternate route that we have suggested is much longer. If the owners of the vessels are comfortable using that route. Then we might keep the Sela River route closed.”

Dolphins invisible

Talking to local Forest Department official Abul Kalam Azad, our Khulna correspondent reports that dolphins have already become rare.

“We used to frequently see dolphins whenever we stood on the jetty. But we do not see them now. May be they have left the area...These marine creatures are very sensitive. Sensing danger, they might have fled the area...We need more time to be sure about the extent of damage. Even if marine creatures die from the contamination, their dead bodies would take a few more days to start coming to surface. Similarly, we will need more time to be able to say how far the vegetation is damaged,” Azad told our correspondent.

DU Professor and political ecology researcher Tanzim Uddin Khan told the Dhaka Tribune: “These waters now surely do not have enough oxygen for dolphins to breathe. Three things may have happened. Either the dolphins have choked to death, or they have travelled upstream into deeper forest,

or they have swam downstream towards the sea.

“The waterways upstream are very shallow and so are not suitable for these dolphins. On the other hand, the further they move downstream, the waters keeps getting more saline, which is also not an option for these sweet and brackish water dolphins. So, it is hard to say right now what has happened to them,” Tanzim said.

India on alert

The oil spill has sent a chill down the spine of wildlife officials in India. A high alert has been sounded and forest officials, along with other security agencies, have been closely monitoring the situation in the Sundarbans.

“Until now there has been no reports that the oil spill has reached the Indian part of the Sundarbans. All our field staffs, particularly those deployed in the camps along the Indo-Bangla border, have been alerted. Patrolling has been beefed up to check if the oil spill is spreading to the Indian Sundarbans,” Ujjwal Kumar Bhattachariya, chief wildlife warden of West Bengal, told the Hindustan Times.

However, Indian forest officials are hopeful that the spill will not affect the Indian side as each individual river drains into the sea. l

AG: Claims of Quader  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

“With the help of a particular quarter, his family is now making baseless statements to question the trial. He [Molla] was executed after trial at the apex court.

If the family thinks it is a murder then I think contempt of court proceedings should be started against them.” The top law officer, however, did not mention whether contempt proceedings would be initiated against Molla’s family or not. l

Pay commission  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

crore will be kept aside for the payment of salary as per the recommendations.

Currently, the government spends Tk38,000 crore for the payment of salaries and pensions of government staffs and officials. The 250-page report was printed at the Bangladesh Government Press five days ago.

The government had formed the 17-member commission, headed by Farashuddin, a former Bangladesh Bank governor, for more than 1.3 million current and former public servants.

Presently, there are more than 832,000 government employees and around 500,000 pensioners in the country. l

Bush knew  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

have called for the prosecution of US officials involved in the 2001-2007 programme.

“As a matter of international law, the US is legally obliged to bring those responsible to justice,” Ben Emmerson, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism, said in a statement made from Geneva.

He said there had been a “clear policy orchestrated at a high level.” l

Bureaucrat fired  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

Senior Assistant Secretary Ehsanul Haque, Ministry of Science and Technology Administrative Officer Ibrahim Miazee, Taufiqul Islam of the same ministry, Nurul Islam of the Jute and Textile Ministry, Abdul Mannan and AKM Humayun Kabir of the Local Government Ministry, Sarkar Toha of the Environment and Forest Ministry, Badiul Kabir of the Public Administration Ministry, Shahidul Haque of the Information Ministry and Mujahidul Islam Selim of the Cabinet Division also attended the meeting, sources said.

Many of the attendees were officers on special duty, according to sources.

A MOPA official, on condition of anonymity, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Those who attended the meeting will be issued show cause notices, and after their replies are received, they will be fined.”

“The government is seeking to determine the entire roster of civil servants who attended the meeting with Khaleda Zia,” he added.

But on Tuesday, State Minister for Public Administration Ismat Ara Sadique claimed that the attendees of the secret meeting had already been identified “with the help of intelligence agencies.”

At a press conference last Friday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina warned that the government would take action against the public servants who reportedly met with Khaleda. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Friday, December 12, 2014

Sagar-Runi murder accused Tanvir released n Our Correspondent, Gazipur

Flora along the Sela River in the Sundarbans is in a dire condition while water seems hardly recognisable two days after the oil spill.

Southern Star 7, the oil tanker that capsized with more than 350,000 litres of furnace oil, was taken to Joymuni Char of the Sela River after being rescued yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

ACC for departmental action against audit official Charge sheet against seven accused of forgery approved Chief Accounts Officer’s (CAO) office against the eight people with Ramna n Adil Sakhawat of the Finance Division under Finance police on July 4 last year.

The Anti- Corruption Commission yesterday asked the authorities concerned to take departmental action against Jebun Nesa Haider, a deputy director of the Audit Department, for her alleged involvement in laundering money through forgery.

At a regular meeting, the commission also approved a charge sheet against seven persons including a suspended official of the Finance Ministry for their alleged involvement in the same incident of laundering Tk1.31 crore through electronic fund transfer (EFT) forgery, said Pranab Kumer Bhattacharya, public relation officer of the ACC. The seven accused are Shariful Islam, the suspended SAS super of the

Ministry, Sadekul Islam, owner of Siam Crop Group, Tanvir Sarker, Khadija Khatun Dina, Firoj Kabir, Murad Morshed, Sufia Sarker.

The main accused illegally transferred Tk1.31 crore to six Dutch Bangla Bank accounts of six other accused showing them as government officials All the accused are relatives.

ACC Deputy Director SM Shahidur Rahman investigated the case filed

“Shariful, the main accused, is trained in EFT procedure which is used for paying salaries of the government officials. He illegally transferred the amount to six Dutch Bangla Bank accounts of his relatives [six other accused]. For doing this, Shariful showed his six relatives as government officials,” Pranab said.

An official of the commission requesting anonymity said Jebun Nesa while serving as an assistant chief accounts officer at the CAO’s office had helped Shariful transferring the money through forgery.

The ACC last month approved another charge sheet against the seven accused in another case filed with the same police station. l

Moosa’s relative KM Shahid Ullah grilled at ACC n Tribune Report The Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday interrogated KM Shahid Ullah, the editor and publisher of unknown newspaper Daily Pathajatra, for his alleged involvement in depositing a large amount of money to the bank account of Moosa Bin Shamser’s wife.

ACC Deputy Director Mir Joynul Abedin Shibli interrogated him as part of an ongoing inquiry into allegations of money laundering and accumulating illegal wealth against business tycoon Moosa Bin Shamser, also chairman of manpower recruiting agency Datco.

An ACC official said Shahid Ullah was interrogated for two hours starting 11am. But, emerging from the interrogation, Shahid refused to make any comment.

KM Shahid Ullah is Moosa’s youngest son Zubi Azzat Bin Moosa’s father-in-law.

The ACC is looking into Moosa’s alleged involvement in laundering

Tk51,000 crore, now frozen in a Swiss Bank account. The commission is scheduled to interrogate the controversial business tycoon on December 18, the official said.

Twice before in 2010 and 2011, the anti-graft body also initiated inquiry against Moosa following newspaper reports about siphoning off large amounts of money abroad. However, those inquiries never saw daylight.

An ACC source said those inquiries could not take off because investigation officer Sheikh Fyaz Alam, another deputy director of the commission, failed to squeeze out enough information from the Bangladesh Bank’s financial unit.

Current investigator Shibli, a senior deputy director, is the third officer looking into the allegations against Moosa.

The first inquiry officer Deputy Director Akhter Hamid Bhuyan could not carry out his task due to health reasons, sources said. l

WAR CRIMES

Charges against razakars Taher, Noni of Netrokona accepted n Tribune Report A war crimes tribunal yesterday took into cognisance six charges submitted against two razakars from Netrokona for their alleged involvement in crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. Accused Obaidul Haque alias Taher and Ataur Rahman alias Noni were involved in the abduction and killing of at least 42 persons and looting and setting fire to over 400-450 houses during the war, according to the formal charge submitted by the prosecution on December 4.

The three-member International Crimes Tribunal 1 accepted the charges and set January 7 for indictment hearing.

Taher was a commander of Razakar Bahini, an auxiliary force of the Pakistan occupation forces, in Netrokona. His father late Monjurul

Haque was the president of Netrokona unit Nezam-e-Islami and also an influential leader of the district Peace Committee.

Both Taher and Monjurul had left the country for Pakistan just after independence. They came back in 1974, prosecutor Mukhlesur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune.

Noni’s family supported Muslim League and he had joined the razakar force with a view to establishing undivided Pakistan.

The accused were arrested on August 12 and sent to jail the following day.

On November 13, the investigation agency submitted its probe report against the duo to the prosecution.

Charges

The duo led razakars in the abduction of one Fazlur Rahman Talukder from Baushi Bazar of Barhatta on August 17,

1971. They later killed him at Trimohoni Bazar.

On August 4, the duo abducted acclaimed footballer Dabir Hossain from Barhatta and shot him dead near Moktarpara Bridge after torture.

On October 19, the accused abducted and murdered Jafor Ali Talukder and six others. They also raped one Nurunnahar in Laufa village of Barhatta.

The duo attacked the houses of Moloy Bishwas and lawyer Shishir Chandra in Netrokona, tortured and forced them to leave the country.

On November 15, the accused abducted six, including liberation war organiser Badiuzzaman Mukto, and shot them dead.

Both Taher and Noni abducted 27 people including teacher Kamini Chakrabarty from Netrokona jail gate.

They were later killed near Trimohoni Bridge in Barhattta. l

Witness: Hasan ordered to kill Hindus n Tribune Report Students and teachers of Dhaka University, the epicentre of a number of nationalist movements, bring out a rally with this giant flag in the capital’s Suhrawardy Udyan yesterday, with only three days left to the celebration of country’s 43rd Victory Day DHAKA TRIBUNE

BSF picks up labourer in Sunamganj n Our Correspondent, Sunamganj Border Security Force (BSF) of India detained a coal labourer from Tahirpur border area of Sunamganj yesterday.

Ehsanul Haq went to collect coal to the Meghalaya hills after crossing the

border at around 12 noon when the BSF arrested him. He hails from Lalghat village in Uttar Baradal union of Tahirpur upazila.

Subedar of Tekghat border outpost Mohsin said BSF was being contacted to bring back the labourer. l

The third prosecution witness in the case of fugitive war crimes accused Syed Md Hasan Ali yesterday described how the accused had killed his father and uncle during the 1971 Liberation War at Shimulhati village of Kishoreganj.

During the attack, the accused was saying that no “malaun” (referred to the Hindus) would be spared.

Sunil Chandra Paul, aged around 60, gave his statement before the International Crimes Tribunal 1.

After his cross-examination, the three-member tribunal led by Justice M Enayetur Rahim adjourned the case until December 21.

The witness said on September 9, 1971 around 8-10 persons equipped

with rifles came to their Paul Para of village Shimulhati on boat. All of them were wearing khaki dress. One of them having beard and white cap had ordered other razakars to catch and kill the Hindu people.

During the attack, the accused was saying that no ‘malaun’ (referred to the Hindus) would be spared Seeing them, Sunil said he went back home and informed others to flee.

He then took shelter in a jungle from where he saw razakars tying his father Okrur Paul and uncle Sharat Chandra Paul took them to one Jogo-

dish Paul’s house and shot them to death.

“That white cap person shot my father and uncle,” the witness said adding: “At that time, I also heard that person saying ‘my name is Hasan Daroga [police officer] and no malaun will be able to escape.’”

The razakars also took 10 persons to the west side of the village and “later I heard the sound of gunshots,” Sunil said. The next day villagers found 12 bodies from different places and decided to float the corpses into the Bherontola Beel without funeral.

The survivors of the attack later left the country for India and took shelter in Baghmara refugee camp.

After the testimony, state-appointed defence counsel Abdus Shukur Khan cross examined the witness. l

Journalist couple Sagar-Runi murder case accused Tanvir Rahman was released from jail yesterday. He secured bail from the High Court on December 2.

Tanvir came out of Kashimpur High Security Jail around 11:15am, Mizanur Rahman, senior superintend of the jail, told the Dhaka Tribune.

The jail authorities had received the documents of Tanvir’s bail on Wednesday evening, he added.

The High Court bench of Justice Md Nizamul Haque and Justice SH Md Nurul Huda Jaigirdar granted him bail in the case. The National Human Rights Commission filed the bail petition keeping the request of Tanvir’s father as there is no specific allegation against the arrestee.

Journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi were found dead at their rented house in the capital’s West Rajabazar on February 11, 2012.

A friend of the slain journalist couple, Tanvir was arrested on October 1, 2012. He was sent to Dhaka Central Jail on October 17 the same year. Later, he was shifted to Kashimpur High Security Jail on October 20.

Rapid Action Battalion has been investigation the case since April 2012 after it took over the responsibility from the Detective Branch of Police, as per a court order.

A Dhaka court on December 9 asked RAB’s investigation officer to appear before it in person on December 30 with all the probe-related documents, and clarify how much time the elite force needed to complete the task. l

Jamunanews24.com editor remanded

n Court Correspondent A Dhaka court yesterday placed Jahangir Alam Jony, editor of online newspaper Jamunanews24.com, on a two-day remand in a case where he was accused of publishing false news.

The court of Metropolitan Magistrate Emdadul Haque passed the order after Investigating Officer Abul Kalam Azad produced him before the court with a 7-day remand petition.

On Tuesday, Ramna police arrested Jony from the newspaper’s office at Moghbazar in the capital.

On December 4, Hasan Manjur, coordinator of SATV, filed the case with Dhaka Cyber Crime Tribunal under the Information and Communication Technology Act. The case was filed for publishing a report on the television channel, which the plaintiff claimed was false. l

Kader Siddique’s indictment hearing February 12 n Court Correspondent Even though the plaintiff is not interested to continue the case, a Dhaka court yesterday fixed February 12 to begin indictment hearing against Krishak Sramik Janata League President Abdul Kader Siddique in a defamation case filed for calling former home minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir a “razakar.”

Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ali Masud Sheikh passed the order after a hearing in the case.

Before the order, plaintiff of the case freedom fighter Ruhul Amin Majumder apologised for his absence in the court during the previous proceedings.

He also responded to a show-cause notice issued by the court on November 11 saying that he had been ill and engaged in family affairs, for which he could not be present at the court.

Ruhul Amin and his lawyers yesterday told the court verbally that they would file a petition on the next day with a prayer for the withdrawal of the case, assistant public prosecutor Anisur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune.

On November 11, the court issued arrest warrant against Kader Siddique, a former Awami League leader, as he remained absent on 14 consecutive dates.

The police have not submitted to the court any execution report on the arrest warrant. Kader Siddique last appeared before the court on March 18 last year and got bail.

Ruhul Amin filed the case on February 19 last year. The case says the accused at a party conference on February 9 last year said the war crimes trial was not possible since the home minister had been a “razakar” (collaborator of the Pakistani occupation forces).

Alamgir stood against the 1971 Liberation being the additional deputy commissioner of Mymensingh. “I was a witness to his role,” Kader said. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, December 12, 2014

RIGHTS OF INDEGENOUS PEOPLE

Khandker Mahbub accuses govt of human rights abuses n Tribune Report

Changes in political culture a must n RU Correspondent Changes in the existing political cultures and mindset of politicians are inevitable to ensure human rights of the indigenous people in the hills and plains, speakers said yesterday.

Member of civil society should play more active role to stop the violations of human rights in the country. The government should come forward to protect the rights of the underprivileged communities, they said at a programme in Rajshahi.

The views came up at the closing function of a two-day human rights fair on “Hands of Humanity for Protecting Humans Rights” held on the Green Plaza premises of the Rajshahi City Corporation.

Marking the International Human Rights Day, the Adibashi Sangskritik Unnayan Sangstha (ASUS) organised the fair in association with Oxfam and the European Union.

Different human rights organisations and ethnic minority groups set up stalls to showcase their cultural heritages, books and other publications at the fair.

Two panel discussions titled “The Land Problems of The Indigenous and Ethnic Minority of The Northern Area and Solution” and “The Duty of The Human Rights Defender, Law Enforcing Agency and Civil Society to Ensure Human Rights of The Indigenous and Ethnic Minority” were held on the last day of the fair.

Jatiya Adivasi Parishad (JAP) President Rabindranath Soren and Kapeng Foundation Executive Eirector Pallab Chakma read out keynote papers in the sessions.

Rajshahi University anthropology department Chairman Dr Faijar Rahman and mass communication and journalism department Associate Professor Dulal Chandra Bishwash moderated the sessions.

Rajshahi 2 constituency lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha was present at the event as the chief guest, while RU Pro-VC Prof Chowdhury Sarowar Jahan, Oxfam acting country director ABM Akhter and Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Muhammad Shamsuddin also spoke as special guests. l

Scholastica students attend Mathematica 2014 n Tribune Report

A 14-member team from Scholastica’s Mirpur campus attended the Mathematician’s convention “Mathematica 2014” in Lucknow, India from 2 to 5 December.

Naveed Ashfaq, Mohammad Raziv, Tausif Hossain Hasan and Abdullah al Mahin won Bronze medals in the ‘Math Wiz’ competition while Naveed Ashfaq won a Bronze medal at the ‘Solve–a– thon’. The team also received a special prize ‘Pronto’ for being the most prompt team in the competition.

Distinguished judges, Dr. Simon Chua from The Mathematicians Guild, The Philippines, and Dr. Mark Saul, Director, Center for Mathematical Talent, at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Science, New York University, judged the competitions along with several others.

The four days of competition on ‘Symmetry, Congruency, Integration, and Infinity’ provided an opportunity for students to compete within a multicultural and multilingual group.

The mathematical extravaganza had 21 schools from 18 countries and 56 schools from India participating with a total number of 700 students.

Apart from taking part in this exciting competition, the Scholastica students also explored the historical places of Lucknow and enjoyed the local delicacies. l

ULAB holds seminar on impact of IT on global business n Tribune Desk

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) organised a seminar on impact of information technology on global in the age of globalisation on Tuesday.

Nizam Mahmood, an infrastructure architect at Manulife Financial, Canada, delivered a speech at the programme titled “The Age of Globalization: Impact of Information Technology on Global Business” in the Seminar Room of ULAB’s Campus B in Dhanmondi.

Mahmood discussed the trends of employment in the IT and business sector in USA and Canada and how the global economy is being affected by the trend.

More opportunities for jobs in IT industry will be created globally. So, the students should prepare themselves to get the best from these opportunities, he said.

CSE Department Head Prof Dr Sazzad Hossain, its course coordinator Dr Sifat Momen, among others, were present on the occasion. l

Body of 40-year-old man found in pond n CU Correspondent Dead body of a man named Sajol Das, who went missing three days ago, was found in a pond in Chittagong’s Patiya upazila yesterday.

Sajol Das, 40, was a rickshaw-puller by profession and son of late Fonindo Lal Das hailing from Kailashahar area of the upazila. Patiya police station Sub-Inspector Kamrul Hasan said around 11am locals spotted his body floating in a pond inside the property of a local resident Dilip Deb and informed police. Police sent the body to Chittagong Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, said SI Kamrul.

Sajol, who was addicted to drugs, went missing around 7pm on Sunday. Failing to trace him, his family members lodged a missing dairy with the Patiya police station, he said. l

Work for a Better Bangladesh Trust, a non-profit organisation working for health rights, forms a human chain in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts in Dhaka University yesterday demanding easily accessible healthcare facilities for women DHAKA TRIBUNE

Boy allegedly strangled in Narsingdi n Our Correspondent, Narsingdi

Police yesterday recovered the body of a 12-year-old boy from Uttar Ghorashal Charpara area in Palash upazila in Narsingdi yesterday.

The deceased, Nahid Mia, was a son of Abul Hashem Mia, and a student of class IV at Nur Mohsin School and College.

Police suspect that Nahid was strangled to death.

Palash Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mujibur Rahman said there were some injury marks in the victim’s body.

Nahid’s father Hashem said his son remained missing after one Joni Mia,20, son of Abul Khoer of the village, called him from their house around 8:00pm

on Wednesday.

Yesterday, some children found the victim’s body lying at an abandoned place near to their house.

Hashem alleged that Jony killed his son over a previous enmity.

Police said Jony is absconding after the incidence.

Police, however, detained Jony’s father Khoer and mother Hasna Begum. l

The vice-chairman of the Bangladesh Bar Council, Khandker Mahbub Hossain, yesterday blamed the government for violating human rights.

At a press conference at the Bar Council auditorium on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, he said reported extra-judicial killings, disappearances, detentions and filing of false cases against thousands of opposition political leaders and activists amounted to gross violations of human rights.

Unelected and controversial lawmakers had been empowered to remove Supreme Court judges in order to keep the senior judiciary in a state of panic, he alleged adding that the government wanted to stay in power by victimising its opponents.

Also an adviser to the BNP chairperson, Khandker Mahbub said the government was trying to gag the press by amending the Information Technology and Communication Act and that hundreds of people who oppose the government have reportedly been victims of disappearances and abductions during the last nine months. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Friday, December 12, 2014

5

domestic help falls to Hizb ut-Tahrir active to build up hype Female her death from 20th floor Activists of the banned outfit recently distributed leaflets in the city n Our correspondent, Sylhet Like many other parts of the country, the banned Islamist militant outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir is trying to build a strong network in the Sylhet district as well.

For this, they are carrying out a range of publicity and propaganda activities across the city which includes distribution of different promotional materials like leaflets and posters.

Police said the Hizbut men are carrying out their activities mostly in areas nearby different mosques in the city. They have particularly targeted Muslims who come out of the mosques after the Jummah prayers on Fridays.

Apart from distributing leaflets and pasting posters by the roadside walls,

they have also brought out processions.

In the Hawapara Mosque area, four to five members of the outlawed organisation were seen distributing leaflets

Police said the Hizbut men are carrying out their activities mostly in areas nearby different mosques in the city without any fear yesterday, according to locals.

Kotwali police station Officer-inCharge Asaduzzaman said informed by locals, the police went to the spot that day, however, found no one. Sensing

the presence of police, they had managed to flee.

In May this year, some members of Hizb ut-Tahrir, that aims to establish an Islamic state in Bangladesh, brought out a procession in the city’s Abu Turab mosque area.

Although the procession was barred by police, the Tahrir men have continued their activities till date.

Two weeks ago, some activists of Hizb ut-Tahrir were seen pasting posters on the roadside walls, while on Friday, they were spotted distributing leaflets near different mosques in the city.

On August 8, Sylhet Airport police arrested four Hizb ut-Tahrir men for distributing leaflets in front of a

mosque near the police station. All of the arrested were students at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST).

Hizb ut-Tahrir started its activities in Sylhet in 2001 with members mostly from SUST. Later, it spread network among students of other reputed educational institutions including Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and Sylhet MC College.

OC Asaduzzaman said although he had been appointed at the Kotwali police station lately, his team would remain alert against Hizbut.

Home Ministry banned Hizb utTahrir on September 24, 2009, as the organisation’s objectives contradicted with the country’s constitution. l

n Tribune Report A female domestic help was killed after she allegedly fell from the 20th floor of an apartment in a commercial cum residential building, Karnaphuli Garden City, near Shantinagar area of the capital on Wednesday night.

Police recovered the body early yesterday around 1:30am and sent it to Dhaka Medical College morgue for autopsy.

The dead Champa Begum, 35, was wife of Hazrat Ali and hailed from Shibganj upazila of Bogra district.

Shafiqul Islam, who has been working as an operator of the building’s elevator since the last 13 years, said: “Champa had been working as a domestic help at the house of Md Mizanur Rahman for 20 days. On Wednesday night, Mizanur along with his family

went out around 8:30pm locking the front door from the outside.

“The family returned around 10:30pm and found the door locked from the inside. Despite repeated knocks and calling, no one responded the door.”

“Later, the family called police and a team led by Sub-Inspector Nazrul Islam of Ramna police station came and broke the door of the apartment. After entering, they found the window grill of the dining space open and several sarees and a long rope was tied-up with the sewerage pipe that went down along the outside walls,” Shafiqul said.

“At the end of the rope, police found Champa lying in a pool of blood on the rooftop of the fourth floor with a packet full of gold ornaments, he said adding that when police went down for the body they recovered Tk12,000 cash. l

60 illegal structures demolished n Tribune Report

30th DU council session of Chhatra Union begins n DU correspondent

The district administration of Dhaka yesterday demolished at least 60 illegal structures on the bank of Buriganga River from Wiseghat to Badamtoli area.

“We have also freed up 10 acre of land during the drive while one person was given one month imprisonment for obstructing our work,” said Executive Magistrate Sarwar Alam, who carried out the eviction drive from 1pm to 5.30pm.

“We carried out the drive as per the instruction of the High Court. It helps the pedestrians to move smoothly and allows the government to reclaim grabbed land to a great extent,” he added.

The drive demolished illegal shops, clothes market, storage houses, and vendors in the area.

Earlier on Monday another eviction drive was carried out from Badamtoli to Mitford Hospital. l

With a call for ‘creating democratic autonomous public university’, the 30th council session of Dhaka University (DU) unit Bangladesh Chhatra Union (BCU) kicked off yesterday.

Poet Helal Hafij inaugurated the twoday programme at Aparajeya Bangla of the university by hoisting the national flag and the flag of the organisation.

Addressing the occasion, he said: “Students must unite to materialize the spirit of liberation war and a non-communal and discrimination-free society through education.’”

He also emphasised on holding the election of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) without any delay as without it the student politics would not be effective.

President of Chhatra Union Hasan Tarek underscored the role of university students in spreading the light of knowledge to eliminate darkness and inequality in society. BCU General Secretary Lucky Akhter, DU unit President Maruf Billah, and General Secretary Liton Nondi were present.

A colourful cultural programme was held at Raju Memorial Sculpture. l

Pedestrian dies as gas cylinder goes off n Tribune Report

Illegal structures being demolished from the bank of Buriganga River in a drive led by Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority yesterday. The picture was taken from Badamtoli area near the Sadarghat in Old Dhaka MEHEDI HASAN

A pedestrian was killed and another received injuries as a gas cylinder exploded in Sutrapur area of Bogra town yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Ruku Chowdhury,18, son of Maksud Chowdhury, a resident of Gohail Road area in the district town.

Quoting witnesses police said Ruku had died on the spot and a rickshaw-puller sustained injuries as some parts of a gas cylinder for inflating balloons hit them after it went off on the Gohail Road in the area around 10am.

The injured was sent to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in a critical situation.

After the incident local people expressed angry saying that the balloon seller was using the gas cylinder for inflating balloons and he kept the cylinder on road. l

WEATHER

DRY WEATHER LIKELY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12

Dense fog disrupts communication in the southern region n Our Correspondent, Barisal People travelling from and to Barisal and the nearby areas suffered for hours yesterday morning as heavy fog disrupted waterways communication in the region.

The unexpected disruption caused the travellers a delay of six to eight hours in their journeys. Hundreds were stranded on their routes, suffering health, food and sanitation problems, sources said.

Newspapers reached and were distributed in the city in the afternoon.

Acknowledging the matter, Abul Bashar Majumdar, deputy director of traffic and passenger safety at Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in Barisal Port, said the water transports plying the river routes have no fog lights and sonar equipment for safe commute and anchoring.

Although the lowest temperature was recorded at 16 degree Celsius and

highest at 26 degree Celsius in Barisal and the nearby areas yesterday, but the dense fog reduced visibility to 50-60 metres on river routes after 1am, said Pronob Kumar Roy, official at the met office in Barisal.

This kind of weather in early December is not unusual and may have resulted from the fluctuation of daytime and nighttime temperature, he added.

Coming from Dhaka, water transports such as triple-decker launches reached Barisal port two to six hours behind schedule, said Saidur Rahman Rintu, vice-president at Barisal Launch Owners’ Association.

Similarly, many vessels sailing from Barisal port were also behind schedule. One such vessel, rocket steamer PS Turn travelling on the Dhaka- Morelganj route, was six hours late when it left the port at 11:45am, said Gopal Chandra Majumdar, assistant general manager at BITWTA’s Barisal station.

Abdur Rashid, a launch passenger,

DHAKA TODAY TOMORROW SUN SETS 5:13PM SUN RISES 6:32AM FORECAST FOR TODAY 26 28 26 25 26 27 28 28

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

15 17 13 13 14 16 13 18

n RU Correspondent

11.1ºC Rajshahi

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Jumma Asr Magrib Esha

5:11am 6:31am 11:52am 3:36pm 5:12pm 6:33 pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

n Our Correspondent, Barisal Female leaders and activists demanded more seats in parliament and direct participation in the general elections for women at the 11th district conference of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad in Barisal Auditorium yesterday.

The leaders said Bangladeshi women are progressing every day, keeping up with the world, overcoming socio-religious obstacles, superstitions and fundamentalism.

They called the women’s rights activists to make a stand against the barriers in establishing equal rights for women, legally and socially, in the country.

More than 2,000 women from different areas and sectors of the district attended the day-long programme.

With the theme “Skilled, experienced and ideal leadership in facing the challenges of the 21st century,” the conference was attended by Merete Lundemo, the Norwegian ambassador

to Bangladesh, as the guest of honour.

Rabeya Khatun, president at Bangladesh Mahila Parishad’s Barisal wing, presided over the event.

Addressing the activists, the Norwegian Ambassador praised women’s progress at different sectors in Bangladesh.

She said women faced long and hard challenges while playing significant roles in the RMG, shrimp cultivation, agricultural, cottage industry and entrepreneurship sectors.

She called to implement indiscriminate wage and labour rights for male and female workers.

Terming child marriage as one of the major problems in the country, the ambassador stressed keeping the minimum age of marriage for females 18 years, following the international standards.

The event also included a procession from Ashwini Kumar Hall to Barisal Auditorium, flag hoisting, discussion, and Mahila Parishad’s district session at the auditorium. l

Justice still a far cry for slain Chhatra League leader’s family

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

29.4ºC Cox's Bazar

said his launch lost visibility due to the fog near Chandpur and had to anchor in the river, causing anxiety among the passengers on board.

Abdus Salam, member of the crew of launch MV Sundarban, said the high density of fog forced many water transports to anchor at different locations in Meghna River until 6:30am.

Ferry services connecting Bhola, Patuakhali, Kuakata, Mawa and Daulatdia remained suspended until late morning yesterday as heavy fog descended on the lower part of Meghna and Arial Kha Rivers and their branches, sources said.

This situation was similar on the roads as well.

Aftab Hossain, president of Barisal Bus Workers’ Association, said transports coming from the northern and eastern parts of the country reached Barisal six to eight hours late as fog disrupted the ferry services for hours, creating long tailbacks. l

Activists demand more seats for women in parliament

Calling for prompt action to mitigate the damage caused by the concentrated oil spilling from a sunken vessel in Sela River on Sundarbans, Poribesh Bachao Andolan forms a human chain in the capital’s Shahbagh area yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Firoza Begum, mother of slain leader of the Bangladesh Chhatra League Rajshahi University (RU) School and College unit Rabiul Islam, is still crying for justice as killers are roaming at large.

Rabiul Islam, vice-president of BCL Rajshahi University (RU) School and College unit, was hacked to death by a group of Islami Chhatra Shibir and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists on April 14 last year.

“Despite I have lost my son, now I am in fear of losing my elder son as the killers repeatedly threatening my son that they will murder him if we do not withdraw cases filed against them.

“Where we should go for justice if police do not nab the killers and failed to ensure safety for us,” Firoza continued while tears were rolling down from her eyes.

She disclosed her frustration and

agony at a press conference held at RU central cafeteria yesterday morning.

The criminals hacked Rabiul to death with witness of hundreds of people while he was enjoying a cultural programme at Meherchandi of the city.

Shafiqul Islam, elder brother of deceased, filed a murder case with Boalia police station accusing 12 Shibir and JCD men.

The 12 accused were identified as Mithu, 23, Sumon, 20, Jamil, 27, Koyel, 28, Suruj, 20, Babla, 20, Shohag, 18, Sayeed, 25, Rejaul, 26, Nitul, 23, Rajon, 20, and Setu, 20.

Of the accused, Suruj, Jamil, Rejaul and Mithu were involved with the politics of Shibir and the rest of them were identified as the activists of the JCD, the locals said.

Police then arrested only Setu who is now in jail in connection with the case. But police submitted charge sheet on May 5 this year scraping the name of

Mithu, Koyel, Jamil and Sumon, said the complainant.

“Though these four are the prime accused and the masterminds behind the killing, police bypassed their name taking bribe,” said Shafiqul, who was also present at the press conference.

A court issued arrest warrant for Suruj, Shohag and Babla, but the trios were seen in the village regularly and police do not arrest them, he said.

However, the victim’s mother who was earlier given donation by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after losing her son again sought for intervention of PM in the matter.

Nur Hossain Khandakar, officer-incharge of Boalia police station, refusing the allegation of taking bribe told the Dhaka Tribune that they were still trying to nab the trio.

“We will also ensure the security for the victim’s family if they come to us,” he said. l

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DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Friday, December 12, 2014

NGO flees with clients’ money, but administration clueless n Our Correspondent, Chandpur A non-governmental organisation (NGO) allegedly ran away after collecting half a crore Taka from villagers in the name of savings and loan scheme.

The NGO “Ashroy Unnayan Sangstha” got its license from the Microcredit Regulatory Authority and was operational only for 17 days. In that short span they collected Tk10,000 to Tk1 lakh from some hundred clients in at least 12 villages promising them of easy loans, which was supposed to be paid on December 7.

However, the youths fled the area on December 3. When clients to the office, they found a lock hanging on the front door of the office. The mobile phone of the office was also out of reach.

According to sources, four youths set up the NGO on November 17 on the ground floor of a house at the bazar area of Shuchipara Uttar union. The signboard at the office mentions its registration number obtained from the

Microcredit Regulatory Authority.

The youths were identified as Director of the NGO Shamim Raihan, son of Tofazzel Hossain of Bhangura upazila in Pabna, loan disbursement officer Mohd Faisal and Mohd Mohsin. Identity of the other person could not be known.

Locals said the NGO had collected money from about 14 villages including Bharua, Pathoir, Doikamota, Bhabanipur, Dhamra and Krishnapur of Shahrasti upazila. By promising loans 10 times the saved amount in easy condition, they collected about Tk50 lakh from the people of these villages.

One of the victims, Hosneara Begum said, she deposited Tk15,000 through the deposit book of the NGO. They were told to come on December 7 to collect their loan.

Bilkis Begum of Shuchipara, Hajera Begum of the same area and Ishaque of Doikamota said they had deposited Tk50 thousand, 20 thousand and 30 thousand respectively. “We have come

today to collect our loan amount but we see that the office has been shut down.

We have no idea how to get the money back. The administration also does not know anything,” they said.

Owner of the building that housed the NGO, Mohd Babul Hossain said the four youths rented four rooms on the ground floor for Tk6,000 monthly. “They were also supposed to pay Tk50,000 as security deposit on December 10, the day the office was said to be formally inaugurated. We saw people regularly coming in to deposit their savings since it was opened. On December 3, we got to know that the youth ran away with the money.”

When asked, Shuchipara Uttar union Chairman Habibur Rahman Patwari said he had come to know about the incident at the very end. None of the youths had contacted him while setting up the office. He claimed that the organisation was a fake one.

Shahrasti Upazila Cooperatives Officer Hasibul Islam told the Dhaka Trib-

une that he did not know about of the matter. After hearing the name of the organisation, he opined that it was a matter for the social welfare department. “It is a service oriented organisation, it cannot do any kind of monetary business,” he added.

No one from the Chandpur Social Welfare Department was available for a comment on this.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Shahrasti ATM Kawsar said: “I just heard the news from you. I had no idea! If any of the affected clients lodge a complaint, we will take legal action.”

Mozammel Hossain, officer incharge of Shahrasti police station said he also was not aware of the incident.

“I was in Dhaka for the last three days.

Moreover, no one filed any complaint in this regard. Such incidents often happens in the villages as some people take advantage of the ignorance of the villagers. Due course of action will be taken after knowing the full story,” the police man replied. l

1 YEAR OF JUBO DAL LEADER JEWEL KILLING

Family yet to know whereabouts of graveyard n Our Correspondent, Lakshmipur It has bee one year since Iqbal Mahmud Jewel, joint secretary of Jubo Dal Lakshmipur district unit, allegedly killed by members of the Rapid Action Battalion, but his family is yet to get trace whereabouts of his body or graveyard.

Monowara Begum, wife of Jewel, told the Dhaka Tribune that police opened fire at Jubo Dal men when they brought out a procession in the district town on December 12, 2013. Jewel died on the spot. Later, police picked up his body from the scene.

The Jubo Dal men brought the procession after police shot at the leg of Sahabuddin Sabu, general secretary of district unit the BNP. During the firing, at least 10 BNP and Juba Dal leader received bullet injuries.

“My children do not know where their father has been buried,” she said.

She also alleged that she had gone to Lakshmipur Sadar upazila to lodge a case, but police did not file a case.

Nurul Islam, father of Jewel, citing witnesses said RAB took the body to district police line. Later, the body was sent to an unknown place by a helicopter.

Mizanur Rahman Polash, joint convenor of district unit Sechchhasebok Dal, told the Dhaka Tribune that they had contacted with high ups of police administration but they kept mum about the issue.

Iqbal Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sadar police station, said he did not know anything about disappearance of Jewel’s body.

“I came to know about the matter from newspapers’ stories,” he added. l

A life of neglect for freedom fighter Edris Ali n Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj Bearing the injuries from the Liberation War to this date, freedom fighter Edris Ali, from Dhubajura village in Mithamain upazila, Kishoreganj, spends every day struggling to make it to the next day.

“I have been carrying my war injuries for 43 years. I never had the money to treat my injuries. I have gone to many places for help, but have gotten none,” the 60-year-old freedom fighter told the Dhaka Tribune.

He received his bullet injuries on his back when Pakistani soldiers attacked him while he was crossing a river on a boat with other freedom fighters to join a training.

“I also do not get the monthly freedom fighters’ allowance because my name is not on the official list of freedom fighters,” he said.

Edris’s impoverished family of nine people lives in a thatched hut on the compound of Dhubajura Government Primary School. He does not own any land. Unable to have a steady job due to his condition, Edris, who is the only earning member in the family, works different odd jobs to provide for his family.

“I can barely take care of them. Even if I manage to find some work, what I earn is not enough to meet my family’s needs,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

“We often pass our days barely fed, and sometimes without any food,” he said. Edris’s pleas for help was once heard by the Mithamain upazila nirbahi officer in 1999, who took the initiative to send him to the Alberuni Hospital in Dhaka.

Investigating his case, the doctors at the hospital said Edris had a damaged shoulder blade from the bullet injuries from 1971, and leaving it untreated for so

Joypurhat Sugar Mills to start operation with 6,422 tonnes of unsold sugar Correspondent, n Our Joypurhat With a stack of around 6,422 tonnes of unsold sugar from the previous years, the Joypurhat Sugar Mills starts operation for the current season today.

The mill has set a target to produce 6,525 metric tonnes of sugar by crushing 90,000 metric tonnes of sugarcane within 65-66 days.

The target has been set at a lower rate compared to the previous years because the production of sugarcane in the zone witnessed a decline this year.

In the fiscal 2012-13, the mill produced 9,019 metric tonnes of sugar by crushing 1.26 lakh metric tonnes of sugarcane.

According to the current market rate, which is Tk37 per kilogramme, the price of the sugar in stock stands at around Tk23.76 crore.

A number of local sugarcane farmers have expressed discontent over the sale of their produces.

They alleged that after meeting the transport expenses and others, the amount they get is meager.

“Every year we go through a lot of hassle while realising our due payments from the sugar mills. That is why we have produced less this year,” said Subrata Kumar Mondol, a sugarcane farmer from Amla village.

Price of one quintal (100kg) of sugarcane is Tk100. After meeting the transport and labour costs the farmers are left with Tk50 per quintal. Even that is not paid timely by the mills authorities, alleged the sugarcane farmers.

Despite incurring losses every year, the Joypurhat Sugar Mills accommodates 774 permanent employees and 465 employees on contract.

Former leader of Joypurhat Sugar Mills Dewan Badiuzzaman said: “Tk75 is spent for producing one kilogrammes of sugar. But in the market, one kilogramme sugar is sold at Tk37 which causes huge losses to the sugar mills.”

He convened the authorities concerned to consider the sugar mills while setting the price of sugar and also give away the wages and allowances to the labours and employees. l

Abducted schoolboy rescued after 3 days Correspondent, n Our Savar Police yesterday rescued a schoolboy from a house at Palli Bidyut area in Ashulia 3 days after his abduction.

Hridoy Mondol, son of Harun Mondol of Baipail, is a tenth-grader at Gakul Nagar High School.

Police also detained the owner of the house, Atikur

Rahman, who is suspected of having a hand in the abduction.

Hridoy’s family said he remained missing since Monday after he went out for school. The family filed a case with Ashulia police station in this connection.

Police said the detainee would be questioned about the abduction of the 17-year-old. l

many years had worsened his condition.

Based on the doctors’ assessment, the UNO sent a report to the then deputy commissioner of Kishoreganj on November 8, 1999, asking to provide help to Edris considering his sacrifices and contribution during the war.

But Edris has not received any help from the district administration yet.

The only donation that he received was Tk3,000 from President Abdul Hamid, who was the speaker at parliament at that time.

He has periodically kept in contact with the district administration, who always said his application was being processed.

The Dhaka Tribune contacted the district Muktijoddha Parishad in this regard. Asadullah, commander at the parishad, said they did not have the fund to help the freedom fighters who seek financial assistance. l

The government starts to send schoolbooks for new year curriculum. The picture shows text books are carried by vans for Government Laboratory High School of Rajshahi yesterday AZAHAR UDDIN

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Career

7

Friday, December 12, 2014

Facing the ultimate question What kind of compensation are you expecting from a job? be better off refusing the job altogether.

The power of compensation

Your compensation amount actually has far more implications in your career than you realise, especially if it is your first job. Statistically, it is better to be a bit under compensated than being over compensated. You might feel that being over compensated is a good thing: after all who does not enjoy a bigger income and benefits.

It is the question that will show both parties the significance they have of each other in the event that you are hired. Unfortunately, this is also where most candidates make mistakes in answering the question tactfully

T

n SM Tahmid

By the time you have been called in for interview, they have already invested time and money to sort through all the resumes to find you, so they have some incentive to not let you go

ruth be told, today’s job market is saturated with potential candidates left and right. Such is the scenario that a feat in its own accord is achieved when a candidate is called in for an interview alone. We have all been there, excited and nervous about the potential questions and whether or not you can answer them properly.

After going through the usual questions such as describing your skills and why you want to work in that particular institution, the interviewer might be impressed enough to talk about potential employment and then ask probably the toughest question: What kind of a salary or compensation are you looking for?

This has become a very important question, and it is something that

Not being a n00b with it n Career Desk Adware – A software application which displays unwanted pop-up advertisements on your computBIZ er while in use. Adware is VOCAB often installed at the same time as free software or shareware Bloatware/fatware – Pre-installed software that occupies a lot of space, leaving little memory for storing personal data Bug – A defect or fault in a programme that prevents it from working correctly.

Bugs are caused by mistakes or errors made by those who write the programme Cache – A sort of fast memory used for temporary storage of recently accessed web pages, which enables the browser to display them more quickly on the next visit Cookies – Small piece of information on the times and dates you have visited web sites.

A web server can temporarily store this information within your browser. The main purpose is to identify users and possibly prepare customised web pages for them Crash – What happens when a programme or the entire operating system, unexpectedly stops working Cursor – A blinking symbol on the screen that shows where any new text will next be entered Driver – A special programme which enables a computer to work with a particular piece of hardware such as a printer e-Business – Business done over the internet or any internet-based network Font – A particular kind of lettering Firewall – Specialised hardware or soft-

ware designed to prevent unauthorised access into or out of a computer or network Hit – A visit to a website Netiquette/Network etiquette – A set of informal rules defining proper behaviour on the intenet Portal – A website that acts as a gateway or entry point to the internet (for example, Yahoo).

Typically, a portal offers a search engine and links to other sites grouped into categories, as well as news or other services Provider – Company that provides access to the internet Spam – Unwanted, irrelevant or inappropriate e-mail messages, especially commercial advertising. Also referred to as “junkmail” Spyware – Software that collects information, without your knowledge, about your web-surfing habits and uses it for marketing purposes. Very often contained in free downloads or shareware programmes Trojan – A computer programme that is hidden in a useful software application and actually used to gain access to your computer. It then performs malicious actions such as displaying messages or erasing files. Trojans may be found in a hacked legitimate programme or in free software Worm – A self-replicating computer programme, similar to a computer virus.

It infects additional computers (typically by making use of network connections), often clogging networks and information systems as it spreads Wysiwyg – What you see is what you get (pronounced ‘ wizzy-wig’). A WYSIWYG application enables you to see on the screen exactly what will appear when the document is printed

will decide if you are going to get the job or not, or whether you are going to be satisfied even if you do get in. It also signals to the employer what your thought processes are about the work you do, and in general a good indicator of your communication and negotiation skills to the employer.

It is also a question that can reveal to you, the candidate, the intentions of your potential bosses as well. It is the question that will show both parties the significance they have of each other in the event that you are hired. Unfortunately, this is also where most candidates make mistakes in answering the question tactfully.

What exactly should candidates do?

Since compensation is such an important issue, you need to be prepared to answer it with a lot of diplomacy. Re-

member, you may feel that you are of no particular importance to your potential employer but it is not true. By the time you have been called in for interview, they have already invested time and money to sort through all the resumes to find you, so they have some incentive to not let you go. This does not mean that they cannot pick another candidate though, so keep your expectations average.

To prepare for this, you need to research the typical compensation package for the position you are applying for, and depending on your skill level and experience add or deduct from that average. If you feel there might be a bit of a haggling (unlikely) then you need to keep some room to negotiate as well, but not when it comes to the basic salary amount.

When asked about compensation

you need to include weekends, work hours, potential bonuses and increments in addition to the basic salary if possible, so that you can reduce the expectations in some other field than the basic salary which will determine your future increments.

Ask for an industry average, and your employer will understand that you know what to expect and have knowledge about the field of work already. However, do not make a lowball offer just to get employed—you will regret that later and become dissatisfied with your career. Usually, the employer will make a counteroffer a bit lower than the one you proposed, and the negotiation will be minimum.

If they decide to haggle like a fish market then it is a big warning sign that there will be more cases of stinginess down the road, so you would probably

But over time it raises dissatisfaction of your employers on you, and your co workers, since they will feel that you are being paid more than you deserve, while you will feel that you already have enough and the struggle to be the best you can be will lag behind.

This will result in stagnation of your career, both in terms of your skill development and in terms of promotion, since your employer will hesitate to pay even more for your work.

Having said everything, everyone must try to make just one point clear: you need to be your own judge and set a target on what you think your skills are worth, and find a job accordingly.

One must do a thorough self-evaluation before going into the interview to face the issue of compensation, and it is also important to understand what the standards are in the industry.

But remember, doing a job for the money is the worst possible mindset you can have—the job needs to come first, and then decide what you need to make it satisfactory. So do your research on this and set your priorities right, before you walk into any future interviews. l SM Tahmid is an Intern, Content Writing at GradInsights, the career intelligence service of GradConnect. More articles from the team can be found at www.grad-insights.com

The leadership challenge – a comprehensive review of a young mind n Career Desk James Kouzes and Barry Posner started their dissertation on leadership over 25 years ago. Through their research, they came up with numerous books, DVDs, and computer based products to be used as a source for individuals or organisations aspiring to become better, more effective leaders.

“The Leadership Challenge” is an inspirational book about leadership and becoming a better leader. The authors outline key points of successful

‘Creating shared values is a process that must include everyone… they get people involved in creating shared values’ leadership based on the practices of exemplary leaders and based on stories of extraordinary leadership. The overlying idea of “The Leadership Challenge” is that we are all leaders in some sense and that leadership is not a skill only a few individuals possess, but rather it’s a learned process or technique that can be attained by all.

Based on research through stories, surveys, questionnaires, interviews and observing, the authors enumerated five practices common to extraordinary leadership experiences. Kouzes and Posner coined these to be the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership.

Model the way

Good leadership means being able to set the example. A leader must have a clear set of goals and values and a

strong belief in a vision. The vision is the framework for actions leaders must take to model the way. To have a clear vision, a leader must find their own voice. Finding your own voice, your own vision, your own belief system is one of the first steps to becoming a successful leader. Finding your own voice enables you to be passionate about your values and beliefs. In order to get others to believe, you must first believe. Having a clear understanding of values and beliefs is a sign of competence and credibility.

When a leader has a clear understanding of the values and beliefs and inspires a shared vision within the organisation, the leader is then able to use the vision as a guide to what behaviours are necessary to aspire to the collective goals and vision of the organisation.

Strong leaders are willing to show the value and importance of something by doing it themselves. They are willing to work at various levels. It is important as a leader to remember, “Don’t ask for someone to do something you are not willing to do yourself.”

“Unity is forged, not forced.” As the book highlights, it is essential to the success of an organisation for all to have a common understanding of shared values. Quoting from the book, “Creating shared values is a process that must include everyone… they get people involved in creating shared values.” Creating shared values within an organisation is key to being able to inspire a shared vision. l The contributors are students of East West university.

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Friday, December 12, 2014

CIA torture sparks outrage globally n AFP, Washington A damning report on the United States’ brutal treatment of War on Terror detainees triggered worldwide condemnation and calls for CIA agents and senior officials to face justice.

That US interrogators tortured Al-Qaeda suspects in secret jails was known, but a detailed Senate report into the scandal was seized upon by America’s shocked friends and gloating enemies alike.

China and Iran, whose own human rights records have often been criticized by Washington, denounced the

abuses – but so did Germany and the new pro-US leader of Afghanistan.

“Such a gross violation of our liberal, democratic values must not happen again,” German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said, reflecting the embarrassment of Washington’s European allies.

European Commission spokeswoman Catherine Ray welcomed the transparency of the report but warned it “raises important questions about the violation of human rights by the US authorities.”

America’s great power rival China – often on the end of US censure for its

rights record – was equally unimpressed.

“We believe the US side should reflect upon itself, correct its ways and earnestly respect and abide by the rules of international conventions,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.

Sensing an opportunity to poke its traditional foe, Iran seized upon the report to throw back some of the human rights criticism that its own notorious prisons regularly receive.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took to Twitter to declare the United States a “symbol of tyranny against humanity” – not just in the CIA

torture program but in domestic law enforcement.

In next door war-torn Afghanistan, the new leader, who America hopes will work with it to ensure a smooth end to the US combat mission there, distanced himself from his ally’s excesses.

“The Afghan government condemns these inhumane actions in the strongest terms,” President Ashraf Ghani told a specially convened news conference at his presidential palace in Kabul.

“There can be no justification for these kinds of actions and inhumane torture in today’s world.” l

US warns N Korean officials over prison camps n AP, Washington The United States had a tough message Wednesday for officials running North Korea’s notorious network of prison and labor camps: We know who you are, we know what you are doing.

US assistant secretary of state, Tom Malinowski, made the remarks as he shared a stage at the State Department with two young North Korean defectors to mark international human rights day.

UK police arrest 76 at London Eric Garner ‘die-in’ protest n Reuters, London

Syrian family moves from war to new world n AP, Tripoli The Syrian teen, driven from his home by his country’s civil war, swipes across the world on a mobile phone map, over China and the blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

He searches until finally he finds Uruguay.

For 19-year-old Ahmad Aloun and his family, the country some 12,000 kilometers (7,400 miles) away soon will become home. The tree-lined boulevards of Montevideo might as well be on another planet.

Uruguay has offered to accept 120 refugees from Syria’s civil war, the Alouns among them. It’s a small number compared to the 3 million Syrians who have fled the conflict, now in its fourth year, crowded into overwhelmed neighboring countries or who tried to reach Europe.

The Alouns’ luck won’t spare them, however, from the challenges facing all Syrians violently uprooted by war, the alienation that distance brings, the loss of family and the challenge of a new language. Asked about his new home, Ahmad Aloun offers this: “They like this one guy in particular. His name is Leo?” He means Lionel Messi, the Argentinian soccer star.

The Alouns’ hometown of Maaret al-Numan, a city in northern Syria on a main highway linking Homs and Aleppo, quickly joined the uprising against President Bashar Assad’s rule in March 2011. Assad’s forces violently repressed the protests. In the ensuing war, bombs and tank fire struck all around the Alouns.

Finally one night, a shell destroyed their home.

They lived first in an olive grove. Then

they fled to Lebanon, eventually settling in Tripoli. The memory of war never faded from this family of eight children, especially for 4-year-old Shahd.

“This little one used to go into shock if she heard the sound of a door closing,” father and school teacher Mohammed Aloun says, hugging her.

Two years after they fled Syria, the UN refugee agency said the Alouns could resettle in Uruguay, offering them Spanish lessons, free health care and schooling for the children.

Mohammed Aloun hasn’t given much thought to how his conservative Muslim family will fit in. He’s unsure if there are mosques in Uruguay. They don’t know what to pack. They didn’t realize it’s currently summer in the southern hemisphere nation.

He’s just relieved to be going somewhere safe.

“Sure it will be a bit hard for them, but we’ll be one family,” he says. “Regardless of what it is like there, it won’t be worse than it was in Syria. Any country will be better.”

Not everyone will be leaving. Amira Aloun, the 26-year-old sister of Mohammed Aloun’s wife, will stay behind.

Authorities rejected her asylum application. Her husband, missing in Syria, is Mohammed Aloun’s brother.

She’ll remain in Tripoli with her two daughters and her elderly mother, with no job prospects and no cash.

“I need my sister. If she leaves me, I’ll be destroyed. She’s all I have,” Amira says, bursting into tears. “I would like to be how we were in Syria — with the fear, sickness, tiredness, but we were together.” l

Displaced Syrians try to repair a damaged tent after heavy rains in the Bab Al-Salama camp for people fleeing the violence in Syria yesterday on the border with Turkey. Aid workers fear a major humanitarian crisis for millions of Syrian refugees in the Middle East after funding gaps forced the United Nations to cut food assistance for 1.7 million people AFP

Jihadists kill 5,042 in a month n AFP, London

Jihadist attacks around the world in November killed a total of 5,042 people, showing Islamist extremism is “stronger than ever” despite Al-Qaeda’s declining role, a new study published yesterday said.

There were 664 attacks in 14 countries during the month, according to the joint report by the BBC World Service and the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR) at

King’s College London.

The research found Islamic State jihadists in Iraq and Syria were responsible for around half of the violence – 308 attacks responsible for 2,206 deaths.

“The data makes it clear that jihadists and Al-Qaeda are no longer one and the same,” the report said.

It said that 60% of the killing was done by groups with no formal association with Al-Qaeda, pointing to “an increasingly ambitious, complex,

sophisticated and far-reaching movement.”

“It seems obvious that the jihadist movement... (is) stronger than ever and that countering (it) will be a generational challenge,” the research said.

The worst-affected country was Iraq – where deaths accounted for around a third of the monthly total – followed by Nigeria, Afghanistan and Syria.

The study is the first of its kind and could not be compared to previous monthly statistics. l

Ukraine leader pleads with Russia to Dispute over what killed Palestinian official withdraw as truce holds n AFP Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko yesterday pleaded with Russia to withdraw its troops from his country and close the border, saying doing so would create peace in the war-torn region within weeks.

Poroshenko, on a visit to Australia, spoke as a day-old ceasefire largely

held along the bloodied frontline in eastern Ukraine, but hopes of peace talks and pulling back heavy weaponry still hung in the balance.

“Please stop the fire. Please release the hostages. Please withdraw your troops from my territory,” Poroshenko said in a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

“Please close the border. And I

promise if you close the border, within one, two, three weeks, we have peace and stability in Ukraine. Very simple.”

Residents in the main rebel stronghold of Donetsk experienced an unfamiliar silence overnight as both Ukrainian and rebel forces called off shelling.

“It was quiet for the first time in two months,” said 26-year-old Oksana Leventova, who lives in Donetsk. l

n AP, Ramallah

Israeli and Palestinian pathologists disagreed yesterday on whether a blow to the body or a bad heart was the main cause of death of a Palestinian Cabinet minister who collapsed shortly after scuffling with Israeli troops during a West Bank protest.

Palestinian doctors said Ziad Abu Ain died from a blow, not natural causes. Israeli doctors said the 55-year-old

‘US Navy laser weapon performing well’ n Reuters, Washington A laser weapon deployed aboard the USS Ponce in the Gulf has performed beyond expectations in four months of operational testing, the chief of Navy research said Wednesday, lifting hopes for a new US defense against cheap anti-ship arms.

Rear Admiral Matthew Klunder, head of the Office of Naval Research, said the $40 million laser weapon was fully integrated into systems aboard the USS Ponce at the end of the summer for a year of testing.

“This is the first time in recorded history that a directed energy weapons system has ever deployed on anything,” he said.

New video of the 30-kilowatt laser showed it dazzling a small aerial drone in two seconds, frying its electronics and sending it plummeting into the sea before it had time to catch fire.

Another showed it targeting a hard-to-see rocket-propelled grenade aboard a small, distant attack boat, causing the device to detonate and send a spray of shrapnel across the water.

“We’re not testing it any more. This is operational. It’s on a ship in the Persian Gulf,” Klunder said. “This isn’t something we’ve got in a box we’re saving for ... a special moment. They’re using it every single day.”

The deployment of the weapon comes as the Pentagon is concerned about losing the technological edge that has enabled it to rapidly overcome rivals on the battlefield for decades.

Many countries are developing precision munitions, long-range missiles and other systems to counter US superiority. China, Iran and other nations have developed accurate anti-ship mis-

A UN commission of inquiry has accused the authoritarian government of running political prison camps with up to 120,000 inmates in a report issued in February, alleging crimes against humanity. The commission also warned that leader Kim Jong Un could be held accountable.

Malinowski said the UN Security Council will soon discuss the North’s human rights situation, amid a push for a referral to the International Criminal Court. l

siles to force the US Navy to operate further from their shores.

The Navy laser lifts hopes for a more powerful 100-150 kw system able to deliver a jolt of energy that could destroy a multimillion-dollar missile for about a dollar, giving the US military an asymmetric edge in countering anti-ship threats.

The more powerful laser is under development and expected to be deployed on a ship by 2017, Klunder said, adding that if effective,

it could be widely produced and deployed on ships.

While the current laser aboard the Ponce has not yet engaged an actual threat to the vessel, it has been tested against the kind of targets it is expected to counter.

“That’s all worked well. As a matter of fact, we’ve never missed,” Klunder said. “If we have to defend that ship today, we will destroy a threat if it comes inbound.” l

US Navy handout image showing the Afloat Forward Staging Base USS Ponce (ASB(I) 15) conducting an operational demonstration of the Office of Naval Research (ONR)-sponsored Laser Weapon System (LaWS) while deployed to the Gulf AFP

died from a blockage of the coronary artery due to arterial bleeding that could have been caused by stress.

Abu Ain’s death, along with the Palestinian autopsy findings, could further inflame tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said Abu Ain was the victim of a crime and of a “barbaric act” and decreed three days of mourning. l

British police said yesterday they had arrested 76 people at a protest about the death of Eric Garner, an unarmed black man killed in New York in a police chokehold, after demonstrators attacked a shopping center in west London.

London’s Metropolitan Police said a small group had broken away from the main protest, a “die-in for Eric Garner” on Wednesday night, and tried to break into the Westfield shopping center, one of Europe’s largest inner city malls.

They clashed with security staff and damaged property, leading to 76 arrests for public disorder offences.

“We will always work with those that wish to demonstrate lawfully - as the majority of protestor did yesterday,” said Chief Superintendent Mark Bird who led the policing operation.

“However, we will not tolerate the small minority that offer violence or commit other criminal acts, such as that witnessed outside Westfield yesterday evening.”

There have been protests across the United States since a grand jury decided not to charge a white New York City police officer over the death of Garner in July. l

US owes back pay for Syria air operations n AP, Washington The Pentagon is giving hundreds of troops thousands of dollars in back pay for flying airstrike and surveillance missions over Syria since mid-September, due to an oversight in danger pay guidelines, defense officials said Wednesday.

Acting Assistant Defense Secretary Stephanie Barna signed a new memo this week designating the airspace over Syria as a dangerous location so that troops can now receive additional money when they fly through there.

Until this week, US forces could receive imminent danger pay for serving on the ground in Syria as well as a number of other warzone locations, but the Syrian airspace was not listed. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

9

Friday, December 12, 2014

Pranab’s book throws new light on 1975 Emergency n Agencies The 1975 Emergency was perhaps an “avoidable event” and Congress and Indira Gandhi had to pay a heavy price for this “misadventure” as suspension of fundamental rights and political activity, large scale arrests and press censorship adversely affected people, says Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

Mukherjee, who was a junior minister under Gandhi in those turbulent times, is also unsparing of the opposition then under the leadership of the late Jayaprakash Narayan, JP, whose movement appeared to him to be “directionless.” The President has penned his thoughts about the tumultuous period in India’s post-independence history in his book The Dramatic Decade: the Indira Gandhi Years that has just been released.

He discloses that Indira Gandhi was not aware of the Constitutional provisions allowing for declaration of Emergency that was imposed in 1975 and it was Siddartha Shankar Ray who led her into the decision.

Activists of Ahle Hadees Youth Force shout slogans in front of a burning UN flag in Multan yesterday to protesting against the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai. Malala Yousafzai vowed December 11, to struggle for every child’s right to go to school as she became the youngest ever Nobel laureate AFP

Hong Kong protesters: We’ll be back n Reuters Hong Kong police arrested pro-democracy activists and cleared most of the main protest site yesterday, marking an end to more than two months of street demonstrations in the Chinese-controlled city, but many chanted: “We will be back”.

Most the activists chose to leave the Admiralty site, next to the Central business area, peacefully, despite their demands for a free vote not being met.

But the overall mood remained defiant.

Groups of up to four police arrested

holdout protesters one by one, hours after workers used wire cutters to remove barricades and dismantle bamboo scaffolding.

Martin Lee, one of the founders of the main opposition Democratic Party, student leader Nathan Law, media mogul Jimmy Lai and legislators were among those arrested.

Lai said 75 days of protests would never have been enough to see the demands met.

“We are not so naive,” he told CNN before he was arrested. “We know there will be many battles before we

Iran: Fall in oil prices ‘treachery’

n AP, Tehran Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday that the sharp fall in global oil prices is the result of “treachery,” in an apparent reference to regional rival Saudi Arabia, which opposed production cuts.

Oil prices have plunged by more than 40% since June to around $65 a barrel, placing severe strain on Iran’s economy, which is already hobbled by international sanctions imposed over its nuclear program. An OPEC meeting last

month failed to reach agreement on production curbs, mainly because of Saudi opposition.

Rouhani told a Cabinet meeting Wednesday that the fall in prices is at least partly “politically motivated,” the result of a “conspiracy against the interests of the region, the Muslim people and the Muslim world.” His comments reflect concerns among Saudi Arabia’s rivals that the kingdom is capable of withstanding the revenue losses and is forcing lower oil prices to damage their economies. l

Man charged with trying to take US military documents to China

n Reuters, Washington A former Connecticut resident and Chinese citizen who allegedly worked on the F135 engine was charged with trying to take sensitive documents about military technology to China, according to a criminal complaint unsealed on Tuesday.

Yu Long was en route to China in November via Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey where

customs officers found proprietary documents in his luggage that included equations and test results used to develop titanium for US military aircraft, prosecutors said.

Yu Long was arrested two days later in Ithaca, New York.

US defense officials have sounded the alarm in recent years about increased efforts

by China, Russia and other countries to gain access to US military technologies. l

China’s Urumqi bans Islamic veil, sparking rights concerns

n Reuters, Beijing The capital of China’s far western Xinjiang has banned the wearing of Islamic veils in public, the regional government said yesterday, in a move experts worry could spark more unrest in the troubled region.

The restriction comes as China is stepping up curbs on religious clothing amid increasing nervousness about Islamist extremism. Beijing blames Islamist separatists for several deadly bomb and knife attacks that have killed hundreds of people over the past two years or so.

Many Xinjiang experts say

the outlawing of veils and the heavy-handed enforcement of the rules would further stigmatize the region’s minority Uighurs.

Uighurs have traditionally followed a moderate form of Islam, but many have begun adopting practices more commonly seen in Saudi Arabia or Pakistan, such as full-face veils for women, as China has intensified a security crackdown in recent years.

The veil ban was “considered and approved” by the Urumqi parliament’s Standing Committee on Wednesday, the official news website of the Xinjiang government said. l

win the war.”

Hong Kong Federation of Students leader Alex Chow said: “You might have the clearance today but people will come back on to the streets another day.”

The mainly peaceful protests have represented one of the most serious challenges to China’s authority since the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations and bloody crackdown in and around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

Going forward, protest leaders have said they will consider other forms of civil disobedience, given Beijing’s continued refusal to grant any concessions.

“Blocking government may be even more powerful than blocking roads,” Benny Tai, one of the leaders of the movement, has said. “Refusal to pay taxes, delaying rent payments ... and filibustering in the Legislative Council, along with other acts of non-cooperation, could make governing more inconvenient.”

At the protest site, authorities used around 20 large trucks with cranes to remove mountains of rubbish. A government spokesman said roads would be reopened to traffic as soon as possible. l

Ironically, it was Ray, then chief minister of West Bengal, who also took a sharp about-turn on the authorship of the Emergency before the Shah Commission that went into “excesses” during that period and disowned that decision, according to Mukherjee.

Mukherjee, who celebrated his 79th birthday yesterday, says: “The Dramatic Decade is the first of a trilogy; this book covers the period between 1969 and 1980 ... I intent to deal with the period between 1980 and 1998 in volume II, and the period between 1998 and 2012, which marked the end of my active political career, in volume III.” “At this point in the book, it will be sufficient to say here that many of us who were part of the Union Cabinet at that time (I was a junior minister) did not then understand its deep and far reaching impact.”

Mukherjee’s 321-page book covers various chapters including the liberation of Bangladesh, JP’s offensive, the defeat in the 1977 elections, split in Congress and return to power in 1980 and after. l

PTI’s ‘Plan C’ set to paralyse Karachi n Agencies Sticking to ‘Plan C’, The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has been successful in motivating some associations to voluntarily join its appeal for a citywide shutdown in Karachi, party leaders claimed a day ahead of the strike.

The planned closure is a continuation of PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s push to pressure the government into carrying out an inquiry into alleged rigging in the May 2013 general election.

Using the term “shutterdown,” senior PTI leader MNA Dr Arif Alvi told Dawn yesterday that the essential components of the city’s daily operations, such as transporters and traders, are supporting the party in its bid to hold sit-ins and protests at various

points of the city.

“It will be a total shutdown. Transporters and traders have responded favourably,” Alvi said. “Peoples’ sentiments are in our favour because Karachi is looking for change.”

When asked if the party has entered talks with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to support Friday’s strike, Alvi said, “We have not approached them but we welcome everyone’s support.”

President of PTI’s Sindh chapter, Nadir Leghari said the strike will be a ‘peaceful protest’.

“The Karachi community will come out and support PTI; there will be no armed goons or thugs and we are not forcing anyone to join. People will chip in if they want change.” l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Friday, December 12, 2014

CODE-CRACKER

End impunity for BCL criminals

A

whole year after 21 members of the Jagannath University unit Chhatra League were convicted of the brutal murder of Bishwajit Das, 13 of his killers remain at large.

The killing of Biswajit Das in December 2012 shocked the nation as he was barbarically hacked to death in front of many people in a busy part of Dhaka.

It is completely unacceptable that not only are these absconders, two of whom were awarded the death penalty and the rest sentenced to life imprisonment, still not apprehended, but that some of them are openly disclosing their whereabouts on social media and even attending public rallies.

The government has a duty to support the police in immediately acting on the intelligence available to help bring all of Biswajit Das’s murderers to justice.

While this is a high profile case attracting special attention, the public is also deeply concerned about the impunity which permits other BCL members and politically connected persons accused of crimes, to act as if they are above the law.

Following recent acts of criminality at the Dhaka University campus, the prime minister and other senior members of the ruling party made welcome expressions of zero tolerance for party activists found to be involved in criminal activities.

The government must put these statements into practice. The public has to be reassured that its safety will be guaranteed and authorities will be vigilant in upholding the rule of law.

The public has to be reassured that its safety will be guaranteed

Be heard Write to Dhaka Tribune FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Sukrabad, Dhaka-1207 Email letters.dt@dhakatribune.com Send us your Op-Ed articles: opinion.dt@dhakatribune.com www.dhakatribune.com Join our Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/DhakaTribune

Whose fault is it?

November 27 the founding fathers of this ever struggling party for Navid B peoples’ rights? Bhashani, Suhrawardy and Sheikh I had no idea the quotas were that high. There Mujib, the last one being selected as the greatest should never have been one for political affiliation Bengali of all time. What a tragic slide down! at all. I can see a case for saying whether two generations of freedom fighters’ families should Fugstar get some favours, but then with all the news HT Imam is a bit of a liability to all. He was shown of fake certificates and non-AL people being up and humiliated, while denying the government delisted, I wonder. massacre last May on Al Jazeera.

I think it is a self-serving mistake to argue nds that all sections want liberal democracy. But it’s And who has presided over this sordid drama probably on your funding application. In a place of democratic election? None other than AL, like our desh, those who wear liberalism on their the oldest political party claiming to be the sleeves only do so to protect their privileged uncompromising crusader to establish pristine status. democracy in this land of autocrats. And who were

Minister Mohsin ‘sleeps on stage’ again

Investment key for building RMG brand

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Build new factories that require the government to help facilitate the provision of land, and reliable energy and transport links

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SUDOKU

December 6

his week’s Dhaka Apparel Summit saw a wide range of agreement on the priorities for Bangladesh’s RMG industry.

For Bangladesh to progress toward the BGMEA’s target of $50bn in garment exports by 2021, the vital work being done by government and stakeholder safety initiatives needs to be matched by major investment in improving infrastructure.

We are encouraged that the conference highlighted the desirability of building a better brand for Bangladesh’s RMG industry by encouraging relocation to new, safe, purpose-built factories. A lot of the problems of poor safety which have cost lives and hindered the industry can be traced to the sector’s development in non-purpose-built residential buildings.

Building new factories requires the government to help facilitate the provision of land, and reliable energy and transport links. Provided this can be done, there is room for optimism that buyers and factory owners can collaborate on finding the $1bn to $3bn worth of investments which the industry needs to secure long-term growth.

Bangladesh would not have reached its position as the world’s second-largest exporter if it did not already have many world-class factories. The challenge now is to spread and integrate the higher productivity and better conditions of these factories across the whole sector.

In this regard, it is good to see industry leaders seeking to incorporate environmental sustainability and productivity improvements as part and parcel of making the investments it needs to undertake to correct flaws found by safety inspections.

Looking to the future is the best way to improve the industry’s image and attract the investment it needs to secure future jobs.

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 15 represents G so fill G every time the figure 15 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.

MB “He also drove away the photographers who wanted to have a snap.”

Mr Sleeper caught again in the act! lol

HC embarrassed to hear Jannati’s bail petition

DU evades controversy in teacher recruitment November 27

Dr Ahsan Habib This is a good move. Any media report must get proper response. However, the practice in Bangladesh to have impeccable records in four exams to be a university teacher is questionable.

I also went through this process before being appointed as a lecturer in economics at DU in 1973. But in my opinion, SSC and HSC results should be ignored if someone shows promising results in later exams. People who do good in the SSC or HSC exams will reap their dividend as a university student. But if others can do better, there is no justification to set them aside.

On the cusp of regional connectivity November 27

December 6

SA Once again, another reminder, that in the land we live in, the amount of justice one gets is in proportion to one’s “position,” bank account, and whom one knows. I hope the HC bench gets over its “embarrassment.”

‘Social media inaccessibility could prevent leak’ November 27

Murad Hossain People who say, “Let’s ban something,” are usually wrong. In this case, seeing as though plenty of countries manage exams perfectly honestly while having far more social media and other distractions, it is particularly stupid. Not very apt for his posting is it?

DAH An idiotic comment. Social media is not responsible. Why will leaks happen in the first place? I teach here in the USA. No matter how much social media is present, my questions were never leaked. The questions on the SAT, ACT, GMAT, MCAT, and so on are never leaked. Neither are the questions of various public service commission exams of federal and state governments.

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.

rose “Saarc members can lead the way and unleash the region’s true potential.”

The Saarc countries should get more united, and work towards the betterment of the people of their countries.

Mend your heart

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Deeply engrossed (4) 4 Prolonged pains (5) 9 United (3) 11 Wander (4) 12 Raised platform (5) 13 Prayer ending (4) 14 Sell (4) 15 Letting contract (5) 19 Jargon (5) 21 Close (4) 25 Employ (4) 26 Stringed instrument (5) 28 Border (4) 29 Spoil (3) 30 Appears to be (5) 31 Tidings (4)

DOWN 1 Flower (4) 2 Insect (3) 3 Concretion of nacre (5) 5 Cowardly (6) 6 Habitual dwelling (4) 7 Flat (4) 8 Transmits (5) 10 Corruptly mercenary (5) 16 High regard (6) 17 Artillery salute (5) 18 Cricket trophy (5) 20 Garden ornament (5) 22 Conceal (4) 23 Advise strongly (4) 24 Sailors (4) 27 Jurisprudence (3)

November 26

Aminul Islam Sujon Well written, and am glad to read this.

RS “Urbanisation brings opportunities, but it also brings new and unique health challenges.”

Yes indeed. Proper health facilities are required along with research in this sector.

China state media says 24 coal miners die in fire

CALVIN AND HOBBES

November 26

ozonator My condolences to their families and loved ones.

‘Bangladesh ICT Act most liberal law in world’

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

November 20

PEANUTS

Kudus Betar “The ICT Act of Bangladesh only allows both the defendants and the state to file an appeal with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against the judgment of the tribunal, Sheikh Hasina says.”

Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Impunity is the fault of all our past governments, and The Hague won’t deal with crimes before 1998, so we have to make do.

One thing which Cambodia etc get right though, is not having a death penalty. Our insistence on one means we will never be able to extradite anyone from the EU, leaving them both immune from justice and free to propogandise about ‘martyrs.’

10-year-old girl killed after rape in capital November 22

SE It is truly heart-rending to know that such a small girl has been raped and then killed by the rapists. Such miscreants should be caught and punished severely.

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Friday, December 12, 2014

This land was made for you and me severe apprehension that BJP, which is keen on coming to power in West Bengal, would use the issue to its proper advantage.

Religious vote-bank politics

The bulk of the Muslim population in West Bengal has always been treated as a voting brigade or a safe vote-bank by parties in power or by aspirants.

The TMC, under Banerjee, proved to be no exception.

It has made all attempts to woo the common Muslim voters at any cost by keeping the religious leaders happy without actually doing anything to change the socio-economic conditions of the religious minorities.

In fact, this has been so unabashed that it has started the process of handing over the middle-of-the-road Hindu population to the BJP. This section, which had earlier been the supporters of the left front, turned towards the TMC when it got disillusioned with the neo-liberal policies of the mainstream left itself.

However, their hopes were dashed within a couple of years since the TMC came to power in 2011, and the smile on Banerjee’s face was short-lived with an exodus towards the BJP.

Heal our borders

BIGSTOCK

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n Sushovan Dhar ur nationality or citizenship is so innate that we rarely need to reckon about what life would be otherwise. Yet, numerous people living on those tracts of lands called chitmahals – pieces of land along the Indo-Bangladesh border – have been outcasts or outsiders in their “own” countries.

These nowhere-people, devoid of either citizenship or voting rights, are neither contacted by census personnel nor government enumerators.

Residents of enclaves, or chitmahals, are separated from the mainland of their respective countries and are residents of none.

There is a glimmer of hope with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s eventual announcement to operationalise the “controversial” Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) with the neighbouring Bangladesh.

This might give a sail of life to an otherwise stalled land deal that has been over 40 years in the offing.

Following Modi’s declaration, a Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs tabled its report

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in which it recommended that the constitution amendment bill be moved to end the boundary issue between the two nations.

It is estimated that there are 130 Indian chitmahals in Bangladesh, covering an area of about 20,957 acres.

Then again, there are 95 Bangladesh chitmahals in Indian soil totaling 12,289 acres. Estimates by the NGO, Oxfam calculate that there are around 150,000 Indian chitmahal residents who are citizens of neither country.

Past

It is worth recalling that efforts in the past have not been fruitful due to political rivalries or hostilities between the ruling parties and others, particularly in India.

The present-day LBA had earlier been signed between the previous Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh and her Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka in September 2011. However, the first deal between the two nations was originally signed way back in 1974.

The Indira Gandhi-Sheikh Mujib agreement of 1974 witnessed both countries concur in exchanging the

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In this age of vote-bank politics, where dominant political parties tend to treat everyone as voting-identities over any other socio-political ones, the conditions of these unfortunate enclave populations can create voteswings away from Banerjee’s party, the TMC. Even though they are denied voting rights, their plight could make an impact on the “mainlanders” (especially near the borders) who share a lot of connections with them – of blood or otherwise.

The TMC, mired in a number of scams and corruption charges, is passing through its worst possible phase since its inception 27 years ago.

The direct involvement of a section of its leadership in the Saradha chitfund scheme is so infamous these days that the political scripts are heavily against them. This is combined with the unprecedented rise of the BJP in the state of West Bengal, attracting all detractors and dissidents.

Banerjee would do everything in her means to keep her vote-bank intact. She would neither let BJP nor Modi take advantage of the plight of chitmahal residents, nor allow them to take credit for this LBA deal. There is

enclaves of land that both countries had within each other’s territory.

Subsequently, the Bangladeshi parliament ratified the agreement but its Indian counterpart refused to act likewise. When the UPA-II tried to move the constitutional amendment bill in parliament, it was strongly opposed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).

Mamata Banerjee’s U-turn

It is a pleasant surprise, and also a matter of great relief, to witness West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, earlier a staunch opponent of any deal with Bangladesh in neither land nor water, declaring her approval for the deal.

With Banerjee’s approval, the prospects of arriving at a genuine settlement seems brighter than ever. The question buzzing within political circles concerns the factors contributing to her change of heart.

What prompted her to commit a U-turn?

It can be said with a certain degree of certitude that the fundamental reason contributing to her “changed heart” is the pathetic condition of the residents of the chitmahals.

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This has been exploited by parties of all hue and colour for ages. The current contention to attract them is between the TMC and BJP with the CPI(M) and the Congress relegated to distant positions. It seems that the consequences of her populist politics landed Banerjee between the deep sea and the devil.

Political compulsions across the border

The LBA, if it eventually comes into fruition, will certainly be a matter of rejoice for numerous populations in the enclaves. It seems that the political compulsions acting on rulers of both sides might be able to persuade them to a durable accord.

Bangladesh stands to gain more territorially, as it has to leave around 12,289 acres, vis-a-vis India’s 20,957 acres. It will also gift a fresh bout of oxygen to the severely discredited AL government, which is getting isolated day by day owing to a number of factors.

It can finally boast getting some concessions from India which is increasingly seen as an aggressor by the common Bangladeshi masses. No doubt this will somewhat help Sheikh

The LBA, if it eventually comes into fruition, will certainly be a matter of rejoice for numerous populations in the enclaves

In fact, Banerjee’s refusal to allow any deals with Bangladesh earlier was also because she was keeping the minority vote bank in mind.

The Shahbagh protests and the movement for the capital punishment of war criminals in Bangladesh had enormously sharpened contradictions between Sheikh Hasina’s government and the religious right in Bangladesh.

Banerjee was not keen on doing anything that might give her an “antiMuslim” image and consequently erode her minority vote bank.

It is important to note that members of the Muslim community constitute more than a quarter of West Bengal’s population. They are a majority, and also form key segments in a number of parliamentary and assembly constituencies.

Years and decades of neglect and impoverishment has turned this community so inward that they can be exploited politically by evoking religious sentiments.

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Hasina in claiming achievement and credibility.

On the Indian side, not only Banerjee, but Modi’s own men, like Arun Jaitley and others, were seen saber-rattling against the LBA in the Rajya Sabha (lower house) in 2013.

Today, things stand altered. The Indian capitalists and corporates that were seen actively endorsing and promoting Modi during the general elections want to expand to everywhere, even beyond the national frontiers.

“It must nestle everywhere, settle everywhere, establish connections everywhere,” primarily in the South Asian region. Therefore, “brand Modi” ought to develop a South Asian face.

Nevertheless, the agreement would mean a lot to those enclaved people who live in near destitute conditions. l Sushovan Dhar is an activist. He is based in Kolkata.

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Politics vs diplomacy n Nadeem Qadir

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n August 4, 1971, late US President Richard Nixon told a news conference that Washington had provided $70m up till that time to Bangladeshi refugees in India.

The amount was more than all the help that came from the rest of the world. For East Pakistan, which was facing food shortages, 360,000 tons of grain had been kept ready, while $3m was allotted to ship them to this strifetorn country.

Nixon also said pressuring West Pakistan would be counter-productive, and the other matter would be discussed “only in private channels.”

That was the US help to Bangladesh as far as dollars were concerned, but the astonishing fact was that the statement of President Nixon came just two weeks after the military crackdown on East Pakistan called “Operation Searchlight.”

I find, from documents released by the US in that period, that Washington was forcing itself to ignore the genocide being carried out by the

We have moved on with Pakistan, then why not superpower US, our major trading partner?

However, he said Washington was of the opinion that the best role they could play was to continue their economic assistance to West Pakistan and, in that way, influence the course of events in a manner that would manage the problem of hunger in East Pakistan. This would reduce the refugee flow into India, which would look toward a viable political settlement in the future.

Pakistani army and focusing more on a “political settlement” between East and West Pakistan.

Possibly the major issue was its ping-pong diplomacy – an effort to build stronger ties with China through Pakistan.

Those are the brief facts about the US role in 1971. That was its national interest, and thus, the thousands being killed were not important. There was

dissent in the US on such a role later on, but a lot of lives were already lost.

It sent the seventh fleet in favour of West Pakistan. These are historical facts that Bangladeshis will not forget, but it does not mean it would take steps to endanger relations build over the past decades. We have moved on with Pakistan, then why not superpower US, our major trading partner?

Bangladesh, as a sovereign country, has its national interest irrespective of big or small friendly countries. This is something that Washington has started to understand, maybe with some difficulty.

That a comment by a senior minister of the government will kill Washington-Dhaka ties is something very unacceptable to me. Washington’s people in Dhaka know that our political leaders often comment on issues to cheer on their supporters, many of whom are uneducated, and love such bites against a major power.

The politics of developing countries are weird compared to the developed world. It was a party program outside Dhaka, and such bites are not uncommon.

Nisha Desai’s visit to Dhaka and her inability to make an appointment with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the failure of its embassy in Dhaka to convince the busy head of government of what issues would be on the agenda, and why it would be important for Bangladesh.

If it is simply a reiteration of

“inclusive elections” or when the next voting will be, the Dhaka government has made its stand very clear repeatedly – if the BNP-Jamaat alliance stayed away, it is their mistake or problem. Why should the constitution be sacrificed? Many analysts believe BNP-Jamaat would have had a fair chance at a good result if it had contested.

It is also sad to note, if press reports are true, that Nisha was in Dhaka due to lobbying by the BNP. Why should the prime minister waste her time on a meeting which has nothing new on the agenda, nor bring good news for Bangladesh?

The other important factor is that if the sacred constitution was violated, and elections were rescheduled to a date later than January 5, 2014, then there would have been a bloodbath, and possibly another state of emergency. Sheikh Hasina spared the nation from such a catastrophe, and one must admit that without being partisan.

Democracy has survived, and it is unacceptable to say that without BNP and Jamaat, democracy is not functional.

There is a functional and productive parliament which Bangladesh did not have for decades, thanks to the Jatiya Party of HM Ershad for being a constructive parliamentary opposition.

Politics is such a game that if you make one tactical mistake, you lose.

The BNP-Jamaat have lost and have

to wait until the next polls. This time, it is in the hands of Sheikh Hasina, the victor. Also, powers do not enjoy a truly nationalist leader as they do not compromise or sell the country’s interest.

Last but not the least, people in general do not want violence, and they know an election means disruption of normal life. The garment sector has made it clear that political stability is a must to attain its $50bn target.

Foreign Minister Mahmud Ali is scheduled to visit Washington soon,

and I can predict that the trip will have no reflections on a minister’s passing comment because Washington needs its strategic partner Bangladesh as much as Dhaka needs Washington for its economic development.

Washington should advise BNPJamaat to find constitutional and democratic political strategies for the next elections, as the EU has made its stance clear. l Nadeem Qadir, a senior journalist, is a UNCA Dag Hammarskjold Scholar in journalism.

In 1971, Nixon turned a blind eye to the atrocities

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE Friday, December 12, 2014

13 Kohli defies

helmet bouncer to score vital ton

14 Nasri, Neymar

stunners seal the deal for City, Barca

14 River Plate

win Copa Sudamericana

Sport BRIEF SCORES Prime Bank v Kalabagan KC Prime 193/6 in 25 overs (maximum) Shadman 54; Nasum 3/28, Razzak 3/38 Kalabagan KC 146/9 in 25 overs Taijul 2/19, Enamul Jr 2/23, Farhad 2/36 Prime won by 47 runs Abahani v Kalabagan CA Kalabagan CA 185 all out in 32.5 (33) overs Sabbir 83, Imtiaz 48; Saqlain 2/21, Al Amin 2/44 Abahani 186/3 in 32 overs Liton 108, Majid 45 Abahani won by seven wickets Victoria v Brothers Union Victoria 203/6 in 34 overs (maximum) Imrul 72; Denly 2/26, Asif 2/27 Brothers 169/9 in 33 overs Yasir 65, Avishek 52; Sohrawardi 2/35 Victoria won by 28 runs (D/L method)

n Mazhar Uddin Table-toppers Prime Bank continued their winning run in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League defeating Kalabagan Krira Chakra by 47 runs in Mirpur yesterday.

In the other matches of the 10th round yesterday, a brilliant century from Liton Kumar Das guided second-placed Abahani to a seven-wicket victory over third-positioned Kalabagan Cricket Academy in Fatullah while Victoria beat Brothers Union by 28 runs according to the Duckworth/Lewis method at BKSP 3.

Owing to foggy weather, the match was curtailed to 25 overs-per-side as Prime posted a competitive 193/6. Youngster Shadman Islam led the way blasting 54 from 51 balls with the help of half a dozen boundaries. Kalabagan KC spinner Abdur Razzak and Nasum Ahmed bagged three wickets each.

Kalabagan KC’s reply ended on 146/9 with Tasamul Haque registering the highest, 31, while Shamsur Rahman chipped in with 29 as no other batsmen were able to score quick runs. Left-arm spinners Taijul Islam and Enamul Haque Jr took two wickets each for Prime while Farhad Reza also picked up two wickets.

Kalabagan CA v Abahani

Bangladesh Premier Football League champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club became the first club to complete the local players’ registration for the upcoming football season 2014-15 when they signed the official papers last Wednesday.

Their 23-man squad will no doubt be the most formidable among the top-flight clubs comprising 12 national players who were recently called up for the forthcoming international friendly against the Japan Under-21 side scheduled for this Thursday at Bangabandhu National Stadium.

There are no changes in the squad that recently clinched the King’s Cup in Bhutan. Following the departure of Haitian sensation Sony Norde last season, the Dhanmondi-based outfit have bolstered their squad.

Auckland win in Club World Cup shoot-out n AFP, Rabat Auckland City of New Zealand are through to the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup in Morocco after beating local champions Moghreb Tetouan on penalties on Wednesday.

Appearing at their sixth Club World Cup, the champions of Oceania triumphed 4-3 on penalties after the match finished 0-0 in Rabat.

To the bitter disappointment of the 40,000 home fans, Mehdi Khallati hit the post with the Moroccan side’s final penalty to give Auckland a quarter-final tie in Rabat on Saturday against African champions ES Setif of Algeria.

The winners of that match will face San Lorenzo of Argentina, Copa Libertadores holders, in the semi-final next week.

In the other half of the draw, Mexico’s Cruz Azul meet Western Sydney Wanderers of Australia, the Asian champions, in the quarter-final on Saturday for the right to face Real Madrid in the last four.

However, Tetouan’s early exit threatens to have a huge impact on local interest in the competition.l

Overcast condition forced the tie to be reduced to 33 overs-per-side as Kalabagan CA were bundled out for 185 with one ball of their innings remain-

ing. Emerging cricketer Sabbir Rahman smashed 83 off just 64 deliveries, his whirlwind knock featuring six fours and five sixes. In pursuit of 186, a hurricane 108 from Liton inspired Abahani to the target with seven wickets remaining and an over to spare.

Brothers Union v Victoria

Imrul Kayes smote 62 as Victoria put up 203/6 in 34 overs in an encounter that was cut down by 16 overs due to foggy conditions. Victoria opener Jashimuddin scored 34 while his partner Mahbubul Karim added 31. Asif Hasan, Sadiqur Rahman and Joe Denly scalped two wickets each for Brothers.

Brothers eventually managed 169/9 as their chase ended an over early owing to bad light. The Oranjes were short by 34 runs but actually conceded a 28-run defeat as per the D/L method. Brothers openers Yasir Ali (65) and Avishek Mitra (52) put on 88 runs but a flurry of wickets thereafter hampered their chase.l

POINTS TABLE Teams Prime Bank Abahani Kalabagan CA Prime Doleshwar Rupganj Mohammedan Victoria Sheikh Jamal DC Brothers Union Kalabagan KC Partex Old DOHS

M 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

W 9 8 7 6 6 6 6 4 4 2 2 0

L 1 2 3 4 4 4 4 6 6 8 8 10

Pts 18 16 14 12 12 12 12 8 8 4 4 0

NRR 0.94 1.029 0.627 0.705 0.455 -0.009 0.418 -0.271 -0.302 -0.744 -1.153 -1.612

Bidyut’s glittering career ends with silver medal

Sk Jamal complete players’ registration n Shishir Hoque

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Moeen Ali is the only England player to score 200+ runs and maintain a strike rate above 120 in an ODI series

Prime Bank continue winning

Prime Bank v Kalabagan KC

Prime Bank opener Shadman Islam smacks one through the off-side during their DPL match against Kalabagan KC in Mirpur yesterday

Did you know?

n Shishir Hoque

The most eye-catching recruit is that of Denmark-based Bangladeshi defensive midfielder Jamal Bhuiyan who has already made his debut for the club in the King’s Cup. Other notable additions include Gambian attacking midfielder Landing Darbow from Feni Soccer Club, winger Rubel Miah from Brothers Union along with goalkeeprs Osman Goni and Shahidul Alam Sohel.

As the inter-club players’ transfer window was extended to January 7 last Wednesday, Sheikh Jamal still have time on their hands to add or exclude players according to their needs. Head coach Maruful Haque, however, said they will not make any more changes.

“The club have already signed the local players. The squad we have now will challenge for all the titles. We need to win,” said Maruful yesterday. l

SLvENG, 5TH ODI R

B

Sri Lanka T Dilshan b Jordan K Perera c Jordan b Finn K Sangakkara c Root b Woakes M Jayawardene c Jordan b Woakes A Mathews c Woakes b Jordan L Thirimanne lbw Tredwell J Mendis c and b Woakes T Perera c Root, Woakes S Senanayake b Woakes D Prasad not out A Mendis b Woakes Extras: (b2, lb2, w15)

35 31 0 2 91 123 2 3 40 76 8 19 12 15 27 17 0 2 5 5 0 1 19

Total (all out, 49 overs)

239

Bowling Finn 6-0-28-1, Woakes 8-0-47-6 (w5), Ali 10-0-50-0 (w3), Jordan 10-0-56-2 (w2), Tredwell 10-2-33-1 (w1) Root 5-0-21-0 (w2) England A Cook lbw, Senanayake M Ali b Senanayake J Taylor c Mendis, Perera J Root not out R Bopara c Thirmanna, Dilshan E Morgan c T Perera, A Mendis J Buttler not out Extras (lb 6, w2, nb1)

R

B

20 4 68 104 28 5 2 9

30 4 90 117 49 5 1

Total (5 wickets, 49.1 overs)

240

Bowling T Dilshan 9.1-0-45-1, Senanayake 10-035-2, A Mathews 4-0-14-0, D Prasad 4-0-24-0 (w2), J. Mendis 7-0-41-0, A Mendis 9-0-49-1 (nb1), T Perera 6-0-26-1 England won by five wickets

Bangladesh weightlifting icon Bidyut Kumar Roy called time on his 27-year illustrious career with a silver medal in the 34th National Weightlifting Championship held at the National Sports Council gymnasium yesterday.

Bidyut, whose journey started off with a silver medal in 1988, thinks it is high time for him to retire from the sport he loves and make way for the newcomers and guide them.

“It is enough. I have been playing for 27 years and now I want to give the new ones some space. I want to distribute the light of ‘Bidyut’ among the others,” he said indicating his interest to take up coaching.

The 43-year-old, however, has no regret for not signing off with a gold while he was lifted and cheered on the shoulders by his co-athletes and was later drowned in flower garlands.

“I have played and won enough.

The body is not working like before.

The decision is mine and my family.

Now I want to utilise my talents upon the newcomers. If the federation or Ansar give me a chance I want to coach them,” added the veteran weightlifter from Mymensingh.

Bidyut’s achievements speak for itself as he won gold medals across different categories in the past 27 years and is on the verge of writing his name in the Guinness book records.

“I submitted my documents to Guinness book last year. They are working on it. I am confident of having my name in the book as I played in many tournaments in abroad too,” said Bidyut who won his 25th consecutive gold in the national event last year.

However, a gold in international events remains a wish unfulfilled for Bidyut who bagged bronze in three editions of the South Asian Games and won silver in the 2012 Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship and the 2012 South Asian Weightlifting Championship. l

Bidyut Kumar Roy is hoisted by the weightlifters following his retirement at National Sports Council gymnasium yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Joe takes root to steer England to 5-wicket win n Reuters Joe Root’s third hundred powered England to a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the fifth one-day international in Pallekele on Thursday and kept alive their hopes in the seven-match series.

After rain forced play to be suspended on Wednesday, the visitors returned to chase down a 240-run victory target with five balls to spare. They trail the hosts 3-2 in the series.

The 23-year-old Root (104 not out) added 104 for the third wicket with James Taylor (68) after England lost both openers cheaply to off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake.

The Yorkshire right-hander, who hit seven fours in his 117-ball knock, reached his hundred by slog-sweeping Ajantha Mendis for a six in the penultimate over.

Senanayake, back in the Sri Lanka team after being cleared to bowl again with a remodelled action, bowled Moeen Ali (four) in the second over.

He then compounded England’s problems by getting under-fire captain

Alastair Cook, who has faced criticism following a string of poor results and lack of runs, out lbw for 20.

Taylor and Root consolidated initially before launching into the bowlers and laying down a solid platform for the chase.

The 24-year-old Taylor, who hit five fours and a six, showed nimble footwork against the spinners to get to his second successive half-century before he was dismissed by Thisara Perera.

Root and Ravi Bopara (28) took England close to the target with a fourth-wicket stand of 86 runs. Bopara and Eoin Morgan (five) fell in quick succession with England in touching distance of the win.

England paceman Chris Woakes (647) tore through the Sri Lankan lower order to bowl out the hosts for 239 in 49 overs on Wednesday despite a cultured 91 from Kumar Sangakkara.

A torrential downpour then kept the players off the pitch and prompted the match officials to abandon the day’s play.

Both the teams will now lock horns in the sixth and penultimate ODI in Pallekele tomorrow. l

New Zealand look to bounce back in Pakistan series n AFP, Sharjah New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said his team had the capacity to bounce back against Pakistan in the second one-day international in Sharjah on Friday.

Pakistan overcame early batting jitters in the first one-day to win by three wickets in Dubai on Monday for a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

But Williamson, leading the side in the absence of regular captain Brendon McCullum who left for home to prepare for the series against Sri Lanka, hoped his team learn from mistakes made in the first game.

“It’s important to bounce back,” said Williamson on Thursday. “”We have done that in the past and in the Test and Twenty20 series on this tour.”

New Zealand staged a remarkable comeback to level the three-match Test series 1-1 after losing the first game and drawing the second and also had a come from behind parity in the twomatch Twenty20 series.

Williamson said it would be enjoyable to bowl again after being cleared over an illegal bowling action on Tuesday. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Kohli defies helmet bouncer to score vital ton

QUICK BYTES

Rummenigge optimistic over Thiago return Bayern Munich’s Spanish international midfielder Thiago Alcantara could be back to full fitness in three months club chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge told Wednesday’s daily Bild. “We are optimistic. He should be back in February or March as the healing process is well underway,” said Rummenigge.

The 23-year-old brought to Bayern from Barcelona by Pep Guardiola, underwent a first knee operation in August. But after a swift recovery he then injured the same knee again in October, forcing a second bout of surgery. Rummenigge’s prognosis comes after Bayern club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wolfhart and Thiago’s personal medical advisor Dr Ramon Cugat gave him an update on the player’s knee.

“The meeting had been scheduled and we conducted a check-up on his progress,” explained Rumminegge. Bayern coach Pep Guardiola has admitted that Thiago’s cortisone treatment in Spain before his relapse was possibly a terrible error. But insisted the medical staff had got it right the second time.

–AFP

n AFP, Adelaide

Ricciardo targets world title Australian Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo said Thursday he considers himself a legitimate title contender after a breakthrough season in which he won three races for Red Bull. The 25-year-old’s stellar year, which saw him finish third in the drivers standings behind Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, has him now setting his sights on the championship. “I definitely think I can,” he told reporters in Melbourne in launching the season-opening 2015 Australian Grand Prix when asked if he could be a title contender. “It’s a long season and a lot comes into play, but I definitely believe if I got the opportunity and the equipment behind me, then I can do it. “I proved this year I’m a race winner and can race hard at the front and deal with the pressure.” Ricciardo will go into new season as Red Bull’s number one driver after four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel moved to Ferrari. His new partner will be Russian Daniil Kvyat, who switches from Toro Rosso. Ricciardo famously started the 2014 season by finishing second in Melbourne, only for officials to disqualify him over a technical infringement.

–AFP

Adebayor allowed personal leave Togolese international striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been allowed to return to Togo by his Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur for personal reasons, the team tweeted on Wednesday. The 30-year-old - who has not played for the club since the November international break - has been bedevilled by fitness issues and illness this season. Tottenham did not divulge any further details, stating in a tweet it was a “private matter”. Adebayor, who has scored twice in 12 appearances for Spurs this term, has been affected by hamstring and back injuries followed by a virus. However, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has denied the fragile striker would be off-loaded in the January transfer window. “All players that we have in the squad are part of the plans for the future,” the Argentine said. Adebayor, who has also played for Spurs’ bitter north London rivals Arsenal, was given compassionate leave by another of his former clubs Manchester City in 2010 after the Togo team bus was attacked by gunmen at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, resulting in three deaths.

–AFP

India captain Virat Kohli is struck on the head by a bouncer from Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson during day three of their first Test at Adelaide Oval yesterday INTERNET

n Reuters A Mitchell Johnson bouncer that struck India captain Virat Kohli on the helmet during the first Test on Thursday might actually help players get past the shock of Phillip Hughes’ death, according to Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

After taking the wicket of opener Murali Vijay before lunch on day three at Adelaide Oval, a fired-up Johnson banged in a short ball which struck Kohli flush on the badge of his helmet.

With all mindful of fallen batsman Hughes’, who died in hospital two days after being hit in the neck by a bouncer, the Australian fielders bolted to the middle out of concern for Kohli, who took his helmet off to inspect it.

Though fans at the ground had applauded the first short ball that India’s Varun Aaron sent down to opener David

Warner on day one, the Kohli hit hushed the terraces and Australia captain Michael Clarke consoled Johnson as he walked back to his mark visibly distressed.

Kohli was unharmed and went on to score a rousing 115 before Johnson returned to dismiss him late in the day.

Asked whether the blow and Kohli’s response might assist players still struggling to cope with the loss of Hughes, Lyon said it might be beneficial.

“It probably has been a positive thing as well, as bad as that sounds,” said the offspinner, who took two wickets as Australia battled to hold India to 369-5 in response to their first innings declaration at 517-7.

“We know the helmets work, and ... have that confidence for our quicks to have a bouncer again.”

Lyon said players had discussed the hit over lunch and Johnson had not

6:00PM, 9:30PM Int’l Tennis Premier League 6:00AM (Saturday) Australia v India 1st Test, Day 5

Star Sports 2 1:45AM Spanish La Liga Almeria v Real Madrid

Ten Action 1:30AM French Ligue 1 Olympic Lyon v SM Caen

Ten Sports 1:45AM Sky Bet Championship Brighton & Hove v Millwall

SCORECARD, DAY 3 Australia 1st innings 517/7 dec (Warner 145, Clarke 128, Smith 162*) India 1st innings M Vijay c Haddin b Johnson 53 S Dhawan b Harris 25 C Pujara b Lyon 73 V Kohli c Harris b Johnson 115 A Rahane c Watson b Lyon 62 R Sharma not out 33 W Saha not out 1 Extras (lb4, w1, nb2) 7 Total (5 wickets; 97 overs) 369 Fall of wickets 1-30 (Dhawan), 2-111 (Vijay), 3-192 (Pujara), 4-293 (Rahane), 5-367 (Kohli) Bowling Johnson 18-5-90-2 (2nb), Harris 17-549-1, Lyon 30-3-103-2, Siddle 13-2-62-0 (1w), Marsh 11-4-29-0, Watson 5-1-13-0, Smith 3-0-19-0

been too affected by it.

“He’s feeling good and I can guarantee he’s going to come out and fire in the second innings and have that aggression that we all love him for,” he added.

Johnson was off his best and was punished by India’s batsmen, particularly by Kohli after the new ball was taken after tea.

But the seamer fired up again after having the captain caught out and subjecting India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha to a stern examination of shortpitched bowling in the final overs.

Clarke showed great courage to score 128 on day two as he battled through the pain of a lower back injury. He was in the field for all but a few overs on Thursday, though restricted in his movement. Lyon said he thought Clarke would “definitely” play out the rest of the Test. l

India skipper Virat Kohli raises his bat after striking a hundred against Australia during the third day of their first Test match in Adelaide yesterday AP

Dominant Pakistan, Australia in Champions Trophy semifinals n AFP, Bhubaneswar

Ten Cricket

Star Sports 1

Stand-in skipper Virat Kohli survived a fearsome blow on the helmet from a Mitchell Johnson bouncer as he scored a defiant century to keep India in the first Test against Australia Thursday.

Kohli was heavily struck by the first ball he faced from Johnson, briefly setting nerves jangling following last month’s freak death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes.

But he went on to register his third Test ton against Australia as India reached 369 for five at stumps on day three, trailing the hosts’ overnight first-innings declaration of 517 for seven.

Kohli was out for 115, three overs from stumps, when he hooked Johnson to Ryan Harris at fine leg.

Rohit Sharma was not out 33 with wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha on one, after surviving a Johnson peppering, to place the tourists 148 runs behind with two days left.

It was Kohli’s second Test hundred in Adelaide after his 116 almost three years ago at the famous ground.

The tourists easily negotiated the follow-on target of 318 on the placid Adelaide pitch to raise have hopes of taking an innings lead.

It didn’t start well with Kohli ducking into the path of Johnson’s menacing bouncer, which thudded into the front of his helmet.

While Kohli went on to reach three figures, Murali Vijay (53), Pujara (73) and Ajinkya Rahane (62) all wasted good starts, failing to emulate Australia’s three first-innings centurions - Steve Smith (162 not out), David Warner (145) and Michael Clarke (128).

Kohli is captaining India in the absence of wicketkeeper M.S. Dhoni, who is recovering from a hairline fracture of his thumb and is expected to resume his post for next week’s second Test in Brisbane.

Before lunch Johnson removed Vi-

jay, who had looked threatening in reaching his seventh half-century off 88 balls with three fours and two sixes.

Vijay slammed off-spinner Lyon for both sixes, while Pujara missed his chance of a first Test century in Australia when he was bowled in unfortunate circumstances by off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Pujara played a defensive shot, but the ball dribbled off the bat and on to the stumps.

Rahane, playing his first Test in Australia, became Lyon’s second victim for 62 off 76 balls.

Rahane played back but the ball hit the rough and popped up off the glove for Shane Watson to accept an easy catch.

Lyon, coming off an underwhelming series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, where he took three Test wickets at an average of 140, was Australia’s best bowler with two for 103 off 30 overs, while Johnson claimed two wickets.l

Kohli bouncer to help players past Hughes shock: Lyon

DAY’S WATCH 5:00PM New Zealand Tour of Pakistan 2nd ODI

13

Friday, December 12, 2014

Pakistani player Irfan Muhammad (L) in action against the Netherlands during their Champions Trophy match in Bhubaneswar on Thursday AP

Muhammad Irfan scored two penalty corners in as many minutes as Pakistan bounced back to stun world number two the Netherlands 4-2 for a place in the Champions Trophy semi-finals on Thursday.

World champions Australia, seeking what would be an incredible sixth successive title, also cruised into the last four with a 4-2 win over Argentina in the eastern Indian city of Bhubaneswar.

Pakistan, winless against the Dutch in their last 12 Champions Trophy meetings since 1998, had lost all three league matches in the current competition, including an embarrassing 2-8 thrashing by England.

But the tournament format, which ensured all eight teams a place in the knock-out rounds irrespective of the results in the league, helped Pakistan turn their fortunes around in dramatic style.

A sixth minute goal from Jeroen Hertzberger was equalised by Mu-

hammad Bhutta in the second session before skipper Muhammad Imran converted a penalty corner to put Pakistan 2-1 ahead by half-time.

Constantijn Jonker drew level soon after resumption, but the Dutch were handicapped in the fourth quarter after Sander Baart was benched with a yellow card for almost 10 minutes.

Pakistan seized the opportunity to swamp the defence of their depleted rivals and Irfan struck twice in quick succession to hand his team a shock win.l

Mou ready to swim with Euro sharks Button chosen to partner n AFP, London

Jose Mourinho insists Chelsea will show no fear when they dive into the shark infested waters of the Champions League last 16.

Mourinho’s side got back on track with a 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in their Group G finale at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday to erase the bitter taste of their first defeat of the season at Newcastle last weekend.

As group winners, the Blues will be pitted against one of big-spending French club Paris Saint Germain, Italian champions Juventus, Swiss side

Basel, Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen or Shakhtar Donetsk of the Ukraine in Monday’s draw for the knockout stages of Europe’s elite club competition.

Asked how he felt about the impending draw, Mourinho produced a typically memorable response as he suggested he would have no problem taking on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the rest of the expensively assembled Paris squad.

“I like swimming with sharks -- in a cage! I did it in French Polynesia. I didn’t want to do it, but my wife and kids pushed me,” he said.

“The draw is the draw. We have five possible opponents. I think Paris would

be good because it is easy to travel for us and the fans. But we can’t decide.

“Everyone is hard. You think Basel is easy? We lost twice to them last year and they beat Liverpool this season and Manchester United a few years ago.

“Leverkusen is a German team, Shakhtar? I don’t think there is an easy team at this moment.”

Mourinho’s men scored 17 goals in their six group fixtures - more than any other team in this season’s tournament - but the Blues boss acknowledges the challenges standing between him and the third Champions League title of his career will get much sterner from now on.l

Alonso at McLaren n AFP, London Jenson Button will remain at McLaren to partner returning driver Fernando Alonso in 2015, the British Formula One team announced on Thursday.

The announcement follows weeks of speculation over whether Button, world champion with Brawn in 2009, or rookie Dane Kevin Magnussen would be retained to team up with Alonso, who returns to the team from Ferrari.

“I am extremely excited to be em-

barking on my 16th year in Formula 1 and my sixth season for McLaren,” Button, 34, said in McLaren website.

“Like Fernando, I am certain that McLaren and Honda will achieve great things together, and I feel sure that, working together, all of us will pull incredibly hard to create a brilliantly effective winning team.” Magnussen finished in 11th place in the drivers’ championship in his maiden campaign, three places behind Button. He will remain at McLaren as test and reserve driver.l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Friday, December 12, 2014

Manchester City defender Gael Clichy raises his hands in celebration after teammate Pablo Zabaleta (not seen) scores during their Uefa Champions League football match against AS Roma at the Olympic stadium in Rome on Wednesday

‘Rome, sweet Rome’ for City Barca’s MSN gets revenge against PSG as Chelsea win again n Agencies

AFTER CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE

Manchester City have pulled off a 2-0 win over AS Roma in Italy to book their spot in the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League.

Manuel Pellegrini’s City side required victory at the Stadio Olimpico to finish second behind group winners Bayern Munich and produced exactly that courtesy of second-half goals from Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabaleta.

The opener came on the hour-mark when Nasri fired home a stunning attempt from range before Zabaleta’s 86th-minute goal assured City a path through to the knockout phase of Europe’s premier club competition.

The reigning Premier League champions will join German giants Bayern in the final 16 after Pep Guardiola’s men accounted for CSKA Moscow 3-0 at home thanks to goals from Thomas Muller (penalty), Sebastian Rode and Mario Gotze.

Seeds

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Atletico Madrid (ESP) Real Madrid (ESP) Monaco (FRA) Borussia Dortmund (GER) Bayern Munich (GER) FC Barcelona (ESP) Chelsea (ENG) Porto (POR)

2nd bowl

Europa League

Juventus (ITA) Basel (SUI) Bayer Leverkusen (GER) Arsenal (ENG) Manchester City (ENG) Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) Schalke 04 (GER) Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

Olympiakos (GRE) Liverpool (ENG) Zenit St Petersburg (RUS) Anderlecht (BEL) AS Roma (ITA) Ajax (NED) Sporting Lisbon (POR) Athletic Bilbao (ESP)

In Group G, Chelsea finished six points clear on top after beating Sporting Lisbon 3-1 at Stamford Bridge with early goals from Cesc Fabregas (penalty) and Andre Schurrle setting up the triumph before John Obi Mikel scored his very first goal in the Champions League.

Jose Mourinho’s Blues will be joined

by Bundesliga club Schalke in the next phase after they edged NK Maribor 1-0 in Slovenia while Sporting will drop into the Europa League Round of 32.

Group F’s heavyweight match-up saw Barcelona see off Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 at Camp Nou despite the Catalan club falling behind early on.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted for PSG against his former club in the 15th minute before Lionel Messi levelled five minutes later prior to Neymar’s goahead goal just before the break.

Luis Suarez then scored his second European goal for the Blaugrana with just over 20 minutes remaining to give

Luis Enrique’s side top billing in the group, two points ahead of PSG, who suffered the first defeat of the group stage.

Dutch powerhouse Ajax ended their campaign strongly with a 4-0 home win over APORL Nicosia with thanks from a Lasse Schone double which sees them qualify for the Europa League.

And in Group H, FC Porto drew 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk at home to finish five points clear of the second-placed Ukrainian side while Athletic Bilbao defeated BATE Borisov 2-0.

The draw for the Champions League Round of 16 will take place in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday, December 15.

Two seeding pots of group winners and runners-up will be formed with no team able to play a club from their group or any side from their own association.

Seeded group winners will be away in the round of 16 first legs on 17/18 and 25/26 February and at home in the return matches on 10/11 and 17/18 March. l

POINTS TABLE P

W D L GF GA PTS

Group E Bayern Munich (Q) 6 Man City (Q) 6

5 2

0 2

1 16 2 9

4 8

15 8

Roma CSKA Moscow

6 6

1 1

2 2

3 3

14 13

5 5

Barcelona (Q) Paris SG(Q)

6 6

5 4

0 1

1 15 1 10

5 7

15 13

Ajax APOEL Nicosia

6 6

1 0

2 1

3 5

8 10 1 12

5 1

6 6 6 6

4 2 2 0

2 2 1 3

0 17 3 2 9 14 3 12 12 3 4 13

14 8 7 3

6 6 6 6

4 2 2 1

2 3 1 0

0 16 4 1 15 4 3 5 6 5 2 24

14 9 7 3

8 6

Messi reaches new record mark Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (C) celebrates his goal with teammates during the Group F match against PSG at the Camp Nou stadium on Wednesday.

The Argentine now has 76 European goals, putting him level with former Real Madrid star Raul, with Cristiano Ronaldo one behind.

Messi needed just 95 European appearances to reach the landmark. All bar one of those goals have come in the Champions League. l

Group F

Group G Chelsea(Q) Schalke 04 Sp Lisbon Maribor

Group H FC Porto(Q) Shakhtar (Q) Athletic Bilbao BATE Borisov

PSG fans knifed after Barca game n AFP, Barcelona

Ruthless Real seeking perfect twenty

Two Paris Saint-Germain supporters suffered knife wounds in two separate incidents following the French side’s Champions League match on Wednesday against Barcelona in the Spanish city, police said.

The two victims, whose lives were not in danger, were taken to hospital for treatment, a police spokesman said, adding that the identity of their attackers was not known. One of the two victims remained in hospital.

The attacks come less than two weeks after a Deportivo fan was killed after being beaten and pushed into a river during clashes outside Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon stadium before a La Liga match between the two sides.

The Spanish government sacked the security heads of the two clubs after the death and Spain’s Football Federation and the government-controlled Higher Sports Council have said tougher sanctions for clubs over violent behaviour by supporters will come into force on December 15. Barcelona won the match 3-1 but both sides qualified for the last 16 knockout stages of the competition.l

n

AFP, Madrid

La Liga leaders Real Madrid will look to make it 20 consecutive victories in all competitions as they travel to managerless Almeria on Friday for their final league outing of the year.

The European champions head off to Morocco next week to contest the Club World Cup and will be keen to keep their fine run going into 2015.

After downing Celta Vigo last weekend, a comfortable 4-0 victory over Ludogorets Razgrad in midweek saw Los Blancos beat the previous Spanish record of 18, a figure set by Barcelona in the 2005/06 season.

Real became only the sixth side to go through the group stage with a clean sweep of victories in the Champions League -- they are the only side to do it twice -- and their fine form is delighting boss Carlo Ancelotti.

“It is a result we have achieved with extraordinary seriousness and an incredible amount of professionalism,” the Italian said of his side’s run.

“It is not easy preparing for each

game with the same levels of motivation and eagerness that these players are showing. I know that I have an extraordinary group of players.”

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 28th goal of the season and his 72nd overall in the Champions League on Tuesday and will look to continue his lethal form in front of goal as they visit an Almeria side who have not won in the league since September.

Monday’s 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Eibar finally cost Francisco Rodriguez his job with the Andalusians only above the relegation zone on goal difference.

Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Isco and Toni Kroos were the only first team regulars not handed the night off by Ancelotti in midweek, so the likes of Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema are set to return.

James Rodriguez will be missing, though, as the World Cup’s top goalscorer joins fellow midfielders Luka Modric and Sami Khedira on the sidelines after picking up a calf injury against Celta last weekend that is likely to see him miss the rest of the year.l

AFP

Nasri, Neymar stunners seal the deal for City, Barca n AFP, Paris A memorable 50th appearance in the Champions League for Samir Nasri helped Manchester City into the last 16 on Wednesday night, while a Neymar stunner set Barcelona on the way to topping their group.

Neymar’s superb goal - a curling right-footed effort from outside the area before half-time - put Barcelona into the lead against Paris Saint-Germain in a game the Catalans had to win to pip their opponents to top spot in Group F. Nasri’s goal was worthy of his 50th appearance in the competition, as he created space for himself and cracked in a stunning right-footed effort from just outside the box that beat Morgan de Sanctis, hit the post, and went into the net on the hour mark.

Nasri then turned creator with just under five minutes remaining as his pass set up Pablo Zabaleta for a well-taken second City goal and the Argentinian’s first ever in the competition.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who has guided them to six successive wins, was delighted with the manner in which his players had handled the pressure.

“I had a lot of trust in what we could do,” said the Chilean.

“I said I didn’t want to talk about players not in the team. This team deserve a little more credit than the press always give us.”

His Roma counterpart Rudi Garcia was disappointed his team had fallen just short of reaching the knockout stage for the first time since the 2010/11 season.

“We’re disappointed with the defeat, especially as we started the match off so well,” said a resigned-looking Garcia.

“Efficiency is a trademark of great teams and they were a lot more efficient than us in that respect tonight.”

Despite Ibrahimovic’s early goal -his first against the club he spent a season with in 2009/10 -- Barcelona were worthy of their victory and Messi man-

RESULTS

0-2

Roma

Man city Nasri 60, Zabaleta 86

3-0

Bayern Munich

CSKA Moscow

Mueller 18-P, Rode 84, Goetze 90

3-1

Barcelona Messi 19, Neymar 42, Suarez 77

Ajax

PSG Ibrahimovic 15

4-0

APOEL

3-1

Sporting

Schoene 45+1-P, 50, Klaassen 53, Milik 74

Chelsea Fabregas 8-P, Schuerrle 16, Mikel 56

Maribor

Silva 50

0-1

Schalke 04 Meyer 62

FC Porto

1-1

Aboubakar 87

Athletic Bilbao

Shakhtar Donetsk Stepanenko 50

2-0

BATE Borisov

San Jose 47, Susaeta 88

aged to mark the occasion with another landmark goal to bring the sides level.

The score same him equal the record mark for most goals in all European competitions. The Argentine now has 76 European goals, putting him level with former Real Madrid star Raul, with Cristiano Ronaldo one behind.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was pleased with the performance and said they had achieved their first target.

“It would be a lack of respect if I said I want this team or that one in the draw (on Monday),” he said.

“We have fulfilled our part of the contract by finishing first. And the team that draws us will undoubtedly not be happy.”

PSG coach Laurent Blanc was downcast about letting slip the chance to top the table and nervous about the draw.

“It is a disadvantage to finish second. In a group with FC Barcelona, you can expect to be in a real battle to finish first. We couldn’t do it, and now we impatiently await the draw,” said Blanc.l

River Plate win Copa Sudamericana n AFP, Buenos Aires

River Plate won their first continental title in 17 years on Wednesday when they beat Colombian side Nacional Medellin 2-0 in the second leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana.

The first leg in Medellin had ended in a 0-0 draw and the sides were still deadlocked at half-time in Buenos Aires.

But two goals in five minutes after 54 and 59 minutes from defenders Gabriel Mercado and Germán Pezzella set River Plate on course for the trophy considered to be South America’s second most prestigious after the Copa Libertadores.

Coached by former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marcelo Gallardo, it was River Plate’s first continental title since 1997.

The club hit rock bottom in 2011 when they were relegated from the top flight, but they battled their way back under coach Ramon Diaz and topped the league in June of this year.

Diaz was subsequently named as coach of Paraguay’s national team and Gallardo was named to take over from him.

“I am really proud to have played at this club and now to have come back and to savour this victory from the bench,” he said.l

Players from Argentina’s River Plate celebrate with the Copa Sudamericana trophy after beating Colombia’s Atletico Nacional in Buenos Aires on Wednesday REUTERS

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

RAGHAB CHATTERJEE and CHIRKUTT to perform at IGCC n Entertainment Desk To celebrate the 44th Victory Day of Bangladesh, a musical evening

by Raghab Chatterjee from India and Band Chirkutt will be held today at 6:30pm at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Dhanmondi.

Raghab Chatterjee started his journey in music as a guitarist at the age of nine. He initially started learning from his mother Shila Chatterjee, a fine classical singer.

Thereafter he trained under Dr Amya Ranjan Banerjee and finally under Guru Pt Ajoy Chakraborty for six years at ITC/SRA. Recently he is taking lessons from Ustad Rashid Khan. His Bengali albums are “Bhorer Alo,” “Tumi Nei Bole,” “Sharodia, Amaar Akash,” “Aat Range,” “Bhubanamohini,” “Shamiana, Nameplate,” “Srot” etc.

“Chirkutt’ recently participated in the 8th South Asian Band Festival in New Delhi, and also performed at Rashtrapati Bhavan before the President of India Pranab Mukherjee.

The band’s fame has transcended the borders of Bangladesh and has reached foreign shores, courtesy their performances at several reputed international music festivals, such as the India Music Week and the Jaffna Music Festival in Sri Lanka where they represented new dimensions of Bangladeshi band music to critical acclaim.

Band Chirkutt released their first international music video “Trams and Empty Streets” from Oslo, Norway. Their music videos have been featured also on MTV India.

Last year, they won the RTV Best Band Award 2012. l

Friday, December 12, 2014

AFSANA MIMI: Dolls House 2 focuses on younger generation with completely new casts n Shadma Malik

pletely focused on today’s young generations.

“Dolls House 2: Shat-ti Tarar Timir”, a daily soap, directed by actress Afsana Mimi, is being aired on private television channel ATN Bangla every Saturday to Tuesday at 10:55pm.

The first series of the drama gained much popularity among the country’s young people. Dhaka Tribune caught up with Afsana to know about her recent and her upcoming directorial ventures:

What are your impression about the works of the new film makes in the country?

Parallel

Maasranga TV, 7:40pm

At present, it is the time of youth. The younger generations are coming with fresh ideas and implementing quite well. I can see the evolution in the film industry. At one point, our industry will completely be changed.

So, drama serial ‘Dolls House’ is your brainchild, right?

Yes, at the initial stage, it was my brain child. I was fortunate enough to be part of the production and making such a drama serial. It was a vivid depiction of metro life. Not only portraying the busy and hectic lifestyles of the city dwellers, but also depiction of colourful and interesting aspects of lives of the people.

2nd seasson of Dolls House is now on air. Tell us the difference between the seasson and the previous one, if there is?

In the first series, the lead actress were Suborna Mustafa, Shompa Reza, Mita Chowdhury, Wahida Mollick Jolly,Chitralekha Guha, Tropa Majumder, Bijori Barkaullah, Saberi Alom. These lead stars are experience in the various forms of art. But in this sequel of “Dolls House,” promising actress such as Moushumi Hamid, Moutushi Bishwash, Sanzida Prity, Swarna, Toya, Joyeta, Shormi are playing roles. The theme is same, but I have distinct with the time and age where a group of young girl faces issues living in the capital city like Dhaka.

Who inspired you to direct films?

I am always surrounded by my well wishers and family members. It is there believe and positive energy to gear me up and spot me in this position. l

In the Line of Fire HBO Hits, 10:50pm

Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan couldn’t save Kennedy, but he’s determined not to let a clever assassin take out this president.

Cellular

A young man receives an emergency phone call on his cell phone from an older woman. The woman claims to have been kidnapped.

I had a keen interest in working for producing dramas.

Since film is a broad canvas. I prefer to experiment. I always do experiment in making the fiction films.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

What challenges you faced in making your debut feature ‘Run’. As a new film maker and working on a theme like on liberation war, how did you deal with the challenges?

HBO Defined, 10:30pm Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is aid-

KHAN HASAN MD RAFI

One of the utmost challenges, I have faced is to portray a history in today’s time. And making a film based on Liberation War is far more difficult. My effort was to create such environment where the audience can relate to themselves in 1971.

If you could tell a synopsis of the film to our readers.

Not much to reveal about this film. Only the theme of the film is Liberation War and cricket. This film is com-

ed in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by Lisbeth Salander, a young computer hacker.

Meghmallar to hit cinemas today

n Entertainment Desk The increasingly fervent audience for biblical films has been given a glimpse of their next cinematic saviour: Ewan McGregor, playing Jesus in the drama “Last Days in the Desert.”

With his beard, humble clothes, Caucasian complexion and surf-bro hair, McGregor’s Jesus cleaves to the image beloved of children’s Bibles, as well as previous cinematic incarnations such as Jim Caviezel in “The Passion of the Christ.”

The film will explore a crucial event in the life of the son of God: his decision, after being baptised, to spend 40 days and nights in the desert fasting.

He is visited by Satan, who tempts him, trying to get him to break his fast – he suggests that Jesus should turn stones into bread to eat, let God catch him after jumping from a height, and finally worship Satan in exchange for all the kingdoms of the world. l

Dina meets with her ex-lover Arup behind her husband Shovon’s back as he couldn’t manage to give much time to her.

Movies Now, 7:35pm

How did your enthusiasm to make film grow up?

Ewan McGregor as Jesus in Last Days in the Desert

15

Madhurapochana Ittarong, ambassador of Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka and Christoph Voegeli, general manager of Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, at the opening ceremony of Thai Food Festival in the capital on December 6

n Hasan Mansoor Chatak “Meghmallar,” a feature film adapted from legendary writer Akhtaruzzaman Elias’ acclaimed work, “Raincoat”, is all set to hit the country’s cinema halls today.

Based on the Liberation War, the film won the National Filmmaking Grant in 2013. Bengal Creations Ltd produced the film directed by Zahidur Rahim Anjan.

After a watching the premier show of the 92 minute-long drama on November 18, distinguished film critics, including Muhammad Khashru, praised the first directorial venture of Anjan. Khasru, also pioneer in coun-

try’s film society movement, has recently written an extolled criticism on the film.

He wrote: “The silence depicted in the film ‘Meghmallar’ has become the symphony of sound at the end. The under-acting in the film seems very cinematic. How the depictions of the constant raining, the lone railway track without a trace of single locomotive, the secluded greenery have come through Sudhir Palsane’s camera, I never observed the phenomena in any other Bangladeshi film before.”

In an earlier interview with the Dhaka Tribune, the film’s female lead actor Aparna Ghosh said: “I read the novel earlier and it was one of my

favourites. When the director asked me to play the role, I did not think a twice before accepting the offer of the project.”

“I feel privileged to be considered for such an important part,” she said.

In the film, Aparna will act as the female protagonist Asma.

Unlike conventional portrayal of the Liberation War, the film depicts the survival story of a middle-class family, not the horrors, sufferings and upheaval.

Other major casts of the film includes the national award winner Shahiduzzaman Selim, Jayanta Chattopadhyay, Zara, Aminur Rahman Mukul, Mosharraf Karim and Aditi. l

BOB DYLAN uncovers Frank Sinatra in new album

Exhibition

16th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh Time: 11am – 8pm National Art Gallery Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Meet the Faces

By Nasreen Sultana Mitu Time: 3pm – 9pm Alliance Francaise

Dhaka Comicon 2014: Age of Brilliance n Entertainment Desk A major event for comic book lovers, Dhaka Comicon 2014: Age Of Brilliance is being held at the Banani Chairmanbari field. Celebrating the time of pop culture phenomenon in Bangladesh and the various cosplayers, artists and fans

are all set to add to the festivity. This year, cosplay competition will take place along with a short film competition, action figure photography competition, artists’ corner, collectors’ exhibitions and so on. The three day festival, made extravagant with live music of popular artists, will end tomorrow. l

Be Smart About Art Time: 10am – 8pm Athena Gallery of Fine Arts

Film

Roar, Fury Ek Cup Cha Big Hero 6 (3D) Pipra Bidda, Ouija Time: 10am – 10pm Star Cineplex

n Entertainment Desk Bob Dylan has announced his next studio album — and it will be all Frank Sinatra.

The classic rocker says “Shadows in the Night” will arrive on February 3 via Columbia Records.

All 10 tracks will be Frank Sinatra covers, including Dylan versions of “Full Moon And Empty Arms,” “Stay With Me” and “Some Enchanted Evening.” He released the cover and Full Moon in May. Now he’s unveiling the rest of the album.

Dylan explains in a release that he has “wanted to do something like this for a long time but was never brave

enough to approach 30-piece complicated arrangements and refine them down for a 5-piece band. That’s the key to all these performances.

He also says that the album was “all done live. Maybe one or two takes. No overdubbing. No vocal booths. No headphones. No separate tracking, and, for the most part, mixed as it was recorded” Dylan doesn’t think of it as “covering” the songs.

“They’ve been covered enough.

Buried, as a matter a fact. What me and my band are basically doing is uncovering them. Lifting them out of the grave and bringing them into the light of day.” l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

POBA blames BPC for Sundarbans oil spill n Aminur Rahman Rasel Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has to take responsibility of the oil spill in the Sundarbans river as the vessel was on its way to a power plant carrying oil from the Khulna Padma Oil Depot, says an environment group.

“Padma Oil under the BPC is also responsible for the incident as it did not conducted proper inspection before operating such activities,” Poribesh Bachao Andolan (POBA) Chairman Abu Naser Khan told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

“The responsible people in the company has to be identified and their punishment has to be ensured,” he added.

Oil tanker Southern Star 7 sank in the Sela River on Tuesday on its way

BPC chairman: There was no negligence on our part. We have formed a five-member probe committee to calculate the loss to the Gopalganj power plant with 357,664 litres of furnace oil.

The BPC has formed a five-member probe committee to investigate the incident with its Director of Operations and Planning Mosleh Uddin as convener. The committee has been asked to submit its report by December 14.

BPC Chairman Md Eunusur Rahman meanwhile told the Dhaka Tribune: “There was no negligence on our part.

We have formed a five-member probe committee to calculate the loss.

“Such incidents generally do not happen and we load and unload oil after conducting proper inspection.”

Habibul Alam, president of the Oil Tanker Owners Association, however, told the Dhaka Tribune that such accidents often happened as tankers were not built maintaining the required quality.

He said: “These vessels were per-

mitted to operate without following the proper procedure. Even inspection during loading and unloading of oil is done properly.”

These vessels do not have any registration and have no insurance.

Habib suggested making the river routes one-way to avoid such accidents.

A total of 200 private vessels carry oil under the BPC. Generally, it signs a twoyear contract with the oil tanker owners.

According to BPC officials, the oil that Southern Star 7 was carrying was worth Tk60 per litre, which means its total cost was Tk2.10 crore.

As per contract, the owner of the sunken oil tanker has to pay the total amount of oil to Padma Oil. An owner said oil tankers operating from Chittagong port to different destinations have a capacity of 600-1,800 tonnes and these ships are made in foreign countries such as Japan and Germany.

Besides, there are a few ships with a capacity of 600 tonnes or below that are made in Bangladesh, and they are below the quality. This low quality ships are one of the main reasons behind such accidents.

“Our vessel was made in our country with a load capacity of 341 tonnes and it is not possible to run bigger vessels on that route. It did not have any registration with any association,” Md Gias Uddin, manger of Harun and Company that owns the Southern Star 7, said.

Meanwhile, POBA activists formed a human chain yesterday urging the government to take immediate steps to stop the spread of oil in the Sela river and save the biodiversity of the Sundarbans.

Speakers at the event, held in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, also demanded that the government forms a committee of specialists in this regard.

Traditional methods should be used by the local people for collecting the oil, they suggested, adding that failure to ensure swift action for stopping the oil spill would result in irreversible losses for the biodiversity of the Sundarbans. l

Back Page

Friday, December 12, 2014

F LY I N G B L I N D

A plane descends through a blanket of fog that significantly reduced visibility, prompting runway lights to be turned on during the afternoon for the sake of safe landing. The photo was taken at Dhaka airport yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

JU female students protest ‘discriminatory’ rules n Mahadi Al Hasnat

Students of Jahangirnagar University have been raising their voice against some freshly imposed restrictions by the university authorities – which they claim are discriminatory against the female residential students.

Students brought out processions and met with the authorities to protest the restrictions that include the closing of hall gate after 10pm and making 75% attendance compulsory only in the dormitories for female students.

On December 7, authorities at the university’s Jahanara Imam Hall – where only female students reside – imposed a decree signed by hall Provost Prof Dr Shyamal Kumar Roy, reading: “The gate of the dorm will be closed at 10pm following the university rules, while no student would enter or exit when the gate is closed.

“If any student needs to stay outside after 10pm for departmental programme, they have to inform hall authorities before one day of the programme,” the notice added.

The students were also asked to keep their ID cards with them at all times and maintain at least 75% attendance at the hall in order to get their hall clearance for exam admit cards.

Demonstrating students told the Dhaka Tribune that the move was discriminatory against the female students as the authorities did not consider the needs of those who had jobs or tuitions in Dhaka, at least more than an hour away from the campus.

Students were also upset as the authorities had reportedly cancelled the seats of some female students in separate female dorms as they had failed to fulfil authorities’ requirements, a move which they claimed never took place in

JS body tells Rajuk to recover occupied lands n Tribune Report The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Housing Ministry has recommended Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) to recover all illegally occupied lands under its remit immediately, and to decide steps to build flats for overcoming the housing crisis of government employees.

The recommendation was made at the committee’s meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban yesterday. The committee recommended Rajuk to cancel the plot or flat of any individual owning more than one plot or flat in Rajuk projects. It also urged actions to recover the illegally occupied canals under the ministry. l

mar said the decision was made at the hall committee’s meeting, while the hall gate would be closed as per university rules.

Afifa Farzana, a residential student of Jahanara Imam Hall said: “Discriminatory rules like closing dormitory gate at 10pm, carrying ID cards and regular presence are always being imposed against the female students, not the boys. Now we are fighting against those discriminations.”

JU anthropology department teacher Snigdha Rezwana told the Dhaka Tribune: “The authorities are not only discriminating on gender issues, rather they are discriminating against the university’s students.”

When contacted, JU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Abul Hossain said the authorities would consider the students’ demands and would not impose restrictions on female dormitories. l

‘One credible leader can make the difference’

Split DCCs get new administrators n Abu Hayat Mahmud As speculations continue about a possible date for the next Dhaka City Corporation polls, the bifurcated local governing bodies have received two new administrators.

The Public Administration Ministry issued a gazette notification in this regard yesterday, only days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hinted that the next DCC polls might take place this winter.

Jute Department’s Director Rakhal Chandra Barman has been appointed as administrator to the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), while Home Ministry’s Special Officer Md Showkat Mostofa has been made the head of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).

According to the rules, the newly appointed administrators are supposed hold the posts for six months. However, the order did not mention anything regarding their tenure.

At a cabinet meeting on December 8, Hasina reportedly gave the go ahead to hold the Dhaka City Corporation polls this winter, in February next year to be specific. l

male dorms.

The demonstrations against the university’s decisions began on Wednesday evening when 500 students led by boarders of the Jahanara Imam Hall along with activists of JU Pragatisheel Jote – a platform of progressive students – brought out a procession on the campus.

A team representing the demonstrators also met with JU authorities yesterday to present their demands, which included stopping the restrictions and harassment in female dorms, returning seats to the victimised evicted students and allowing students’ female guests inside the dorms.

Sources said female residential students of the Jahanara Imam Hall, the Pritilata Hall and the Sheikh Hasina Hall have arranged more separate programmes to press home their demands.

Asked about the issue, Jahanara Imam Hall Provost Prof Shyamal Ku-

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

A signpost clearly warns of punishment for illegally parking buses near the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, but nobody seems to care. The photo was taken yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

6th National Mathematics Olympiad ends today n Tribune Report The final round of the 6th National Undergraduate Mathematics Olympiad 2014 will be held today at Dhaka University’s newly inaugurated eight-storey maths building, AF Mujibur Rahman Ganit Bhaban.

In the final round, 60 participants from around the country will compete to become the winner of this year’s Olympiad. The top 10 will be awarded with crests and certificates of excellence, while the top finalists will be given financial awards for pursuing their knowledge.

The Olympiad kicked off with regional round at Khulna University on November 14. Since then, the regional rounds were held at Rajshahi, Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Chittagong and Sylhet regions.

In the first round, around 600 participants took part in the six regions and appeared for a rigorous 90 minutes mathematics exam which included vector and analytical geometry, algebra and calculus. All the participants were awarded certificates for taking part in the exam.

The Olympiad is being organised by Bangladesh Mathematical Society. AF Mujibur Rahman Foundation, a charity dedicated to education, is providing financial support.

The aim of the undergraduate Mathematics Olympiad is to create an opportunity for young talented students throughout the country to shine and show their mathematical and analytical ability. It also aims to create a nationwide awareness of the importance of Mathematics and to foster the development of mathematical skills. l

4 killed, 17 hurt in Joypurhat freight train crash n Our Correspondent, Joypurhat Four people died and at least 17 were injured in a freight train accident at Shimultoli Shahid Railgate area in Panchbibi upazila yesterday evening.

Of the four, three could be identified – Jewel, Sadequl and Ajahar Ali. The injured were taken to Joypurhat District Modern Hospital, but four of them were later shifted to Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital as their condition deteriorated.

Witnesses said five to six bogies of the Parbatipur-bound freight train, which set off from Khulna carrying oil, got detached as it reached Khashbaguri area.

The driver stopped the train immediately after getting a call from the guard but the accident took place when the separated bogies moved and rammed into the engine. l

Integrity, honesty and above all credibility of the top leader of a political party are what drive voters. Even if there is one or two leaders who are not so good, political parties can still do well in elections if the top leader is seen as “perfect,” just like what happened with Narendra Modi in the recent Indian Lok Sabha elections, an Indian researcher said.

Sanjay Kumar, director of Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, made these observations while talking to the Dhaka Tribune exclusively after a discussion at the office of the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in Dhaka yesterday.

He said: “Leadership is already a big issue in Bangladesh. It is not like what it is in India. If elections were conducted on the basis of two leaders and three leaders, it is about how credible the leaders are. In India, people raised questions about BJP’s ministers, but they also said Modi is perfect. He is a man who makes the decisions...works hard...he is honest.”

Sanjay also said just doing good work was not enough in today’s context, political parties must also know how to publicise them.

“The big message is all about how you can send your messages to the voters. That is a strategy a party should adopt rather than getting into criticising others. Congress did some good works but they failed to send those messages to the voters. They initiated some good projects but the message did not reach the people,” he said.

At the discussion titled “Election with a difference: Analysing the verdict of Lok Sabha Election 2014,” Sanjay gave a presentation on the Indian election.

He observed that the 2014 elections not only resulted in change of government, but also marked some new challenges in Indian electoral politics.

The Delhi-based research organisation found in a survey that dissatisfaction with the Congress-led UPA gov-

ernment at the centre continued to rise during the electioneering stage. Apart from Modi’s persona, corruption and price hike of essentials also contributed to anti-incumbency sentiment in which Media played a big role.

“Intense or aggressive campaign in a sense is the key component in winning election and what matters is how a party reaches to its voters or how a party sends its message to people,” the Indian think tank said in the survey.

It said if there was a level playing field in polls campaign, if Congress and BJP campaigned honestly and if there was some formal platform to campaign, then Congress would not have done so badly and BJP would not have done so well in the election.

‘Intense or aggressive campaign in a sense is the key component in winning a poll’ The survey also found that 27% voters would have changed votes if Modi was not a prime minister candidate. The upper castes, some backward classes, dalits and indigenous communities also voted in good number for BJP. Most interestingly, Modi was popular among the young voters aged between 18-22, the survey said.

Sanjay also pointed out some features of the election that made it unique. Turnout reached an all time high of 66.4%, BJP became first non-Congress party to get majority with 283 seats and also the first party to get single majority in 30 years.

CPD Chairman Rehman Sobhan, distinguished fellows Rounaq Jahan and Debapriya Bhattacharya, BNP leaders Osman Farruk and Inam Ahmed Chowdhury, Sujan secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar and economist MM Akash were present at the discussion. l

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B3 UN: Weak eurozone,

Ukraine weighing on global growth

B4 At Stanford, venture capital reaches into the dorm

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2014 www.dhakatribune.com/business

Economic governance poor in Bangladesh

Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud honoured It is evidenced from the abysmal quality of ‘free services’, abuse of authority in the form of bribe and illegal n Tribune Report Eminent economist Dr Wahiduddin fees, leakages of resources, patronage culture in distribution of resources and so on: Prof. Mahmud Mahmud was honoured yesterday for his contribution to the country’s econn Tribune Report omy through research and policy forEconomist Wahiduddin Mahmud yesterday said Bangladesh suffers from governance dysfunction despite significant progress in human development indicators, and reduction in poverty levels taking place over the last two decades.

“The implementation of welfare policies and programmes in Bangladesh, however, has to contend with a serious problem of governance dysfunction, as the country is rated very poorly according to most global indicators of political and economic governance,” he told an international conference at a city hotel.

Wahiduddin Mahmud said despite achievements in many welfare indicators, Bangladesh performs poorly in basic civic and human rights.

BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) in association with Effective States and Inclusive Development (EISD), International Growth Centre and Think Tank Initiative organised a three-day international conference on political economy, accountability and governance.

The eminent economist said although there was a transition from an authoritarian rule to parliamentary democracy in 1991, political culture did not flourish and so did democratic practices.

“The core governance system is characterised by a dysfunctional highly conformational politics and absence of democratic practice within the major political parties,” he mentioned.

Apart from these, the economist said, politicisation of state institutions, a corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy, and a widespread culture of patronage politics in which spoils and privileges are parceled out to different clientele groups, have become political management tools in Bangladesh.

“The consequences of this extremely weak governance structure and non-existent accountability mechanism are most acute in the spheres of public provisioning of services, as evidenced in the abysmal quality of ‘free services’, abuse of authority in the form of bribe and illegal fees, leakages of resources, patronage culture in distribution of resources and so on,” he said.

The economist said the national elections held under the system of caretaker government since transition to parliamentary democracy were seen

mulation.

Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) in association with a Bangla daily, Banik Barta, organised the event in the city.

BIDS Director General Mustafa Kamal Mujeri and Banik Barta Editor Hanif Mahmud handed over a crest to the veteran at the reception.

Dr Wahiduddin expressed desire that he would continue development research for Bangladesh throughout the rest of his life.

The economist is also a member of the UN Committee for Development Policy and chairman of the South Asian Network of Economic Research Institutes.

He had served the Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) as chairman for the last 10 years.

Two potential entrepreneurs were also honoured by Bonik Barta. They are Gosto Chandra Paul, owner of Kalaroa Clay Tiles from Satkhira, and AKM Selim, owner of Lily Chemicals in Dhaka. l

Economist Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud speaks at an international conference on accountability and governance at a city hotel yesterday

RAJIB DHAR

Bangladesh this is absence.

“The Election Commission should not have any link with political parties as we have seen in Bangladesh. This is a huge challenge for Bangladesh as to how you construct institutions with no political link. Though its average performance is very low, India is better than Bangladesh.”

Charge, High Commission of Canada in Dhaka Brian Allemekinders said although governance and corruption are still great challenges for Bangladesh, the country has by and large made significant progress.

“However, a lot needs to be done to address these challenges as we all realise by looking at the Rana Plaza tragedy and, as was noted earlier, the traffic here in Dhaka,” he said.

“Bangladesh has very good laws, but enforcement needs to be improved.

There is a strong contrast between Bangladesh’s economic and social development successes and the challenges that academics and researchers speak of as the Bangladesh Paradox,” he said.

“However, it is important to bear in

mind that democracy is about much more than elections,” he said.

He said democracy requires strong independent institutions, including the judiciary and the Election Commission.

He added that the relationship between democracy, good governance, and development has been strikingly clear.

“Without truly representative democracy, there cannot be good governance, and without good governance, social and economic development will always be hamstrung in one way or another.”

Economist MM Akash said peasants and small businesses pay bank interests but the rich are defaulters because of their strong political clout.

Chairing the second session, CPD Chairman Rehman Sobhan said, “Political settlement in Bangladesh context, the prevailing democratic process that we have should permit the principal political parties to alternate in power for five years when they satiate themselves the predatory activities.” l

as fair and credible.

“People seemed to have demonstrated willingness to move against regimes once they crossed some vaguely defined threshold with respect to poor governance and corruption, as evidenced by the fall of successive government led by the Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” he said.

He said this created an incentive structure in which public representatives tried to respond to the genuine popular sentiments to win re-election while still engaging in rent-seeking activities.

Mashiur Rahman, economic affairs adviser to the prime minister, inaugurated the conference.

He said influence that politics has on economic decisions or political economics of government affect the economy.

Mashiur added that accountability has expanded but it should have a route through professional rules.

“Any kind of criticism should be sustained by specified professional and standard rules.”

Effective States and Inclusive Development joint Research Director Kunal Sen said in China and South Korea, political stability is maintained without democratic process so that is an accountability question, which may or may not be democratic.

“Under the situation, without democratic process, can you maintain political stability?” he queried, adding that this is a fundamental question of today in Bangladesh.

Political settlement in Bangladesh does not allow the management political stability without rather corrupt process that exists, he said.

“Democratic process is important to maintain political stability because our political system does not allow one party people and one administration to include enough people in policy structure,” he said.

He said Bangladesh should not be complacent in comparison with India because the latter is a very diverse country where election is run by third parties having no political link and people accept the election while in

GP clarifies profit sharing row n Tribune Report Grameenphone, in a statement, has clarified its stance on profit sharing row with employees.

Referring to a report “GP staff members demonstrate for profit sharing” published in Dhaka Tribune yesterday, the mobile phone operator said the relevant law had not made it responsible to share profit with employees for the years 2010-2012 as the law included mobile phone companies in the provision in 2013.

However, as per the promise, Grameenphone will pay for the years too.

It said the management has already transferred money equivalent of the WPPF for 2010-2012 years to an independent board of trustees, which is responsible for disbursement of that money.

The statement said the trustee board has been unable to disburse the money yet as they need some legal clarification on “nature of the fund and eligibility of receiving the payment.”

The expectation is that this will be resolved through the current legal process or as an extension thereof, it added. l

Change of owners’ mindset on safety Experts suggest leather industry to go issues in RMG industry stressed for high-end products n Tribune Report The issue of workers’ safety in garment industry has remained a big challenge, observed speakers at a conference yesterday.

They emphasised the need to change owners’ mindset on safety and security issues and improving relations with workers while facing the challenge.

The observation came at a function titled “Global social responsibility- shareholder value versus social re-

sponsibility” held at a city hotel.

Bangladesh German Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the event in cooperation with Germany’s international development initiative GIZ. It discussed the challenges in Bangladesh’s RMG sector in regards to environmental compliance as well as social safety issues of workers.

The speakers urged not to set up warehouses and generators in factory buildings as part of safety measures.

Independent journalist and contrib-

utor to The New York Times Amy Yee moderated the discussion.

“Setting up warehouses, boilers and generators outside the factory buildings and at a safe distant can prevent fire incidents,” said ABM Khorshed Alam, additional secretary, National Skills Development Council Secretariat.

He criticised factory owners as they often appeared describing fire incidents as an act of sabotage but never took any step to prevent such sabotage.  B3 COLUMN 1

n Tribune Report Poor skills and technology as well as lower productivity standards are the limitations of Bangladesh to manufacture value added leather products and enter into the high-end markets, speakers told a conference in Dhaka yesterday.

They pointed out the difficulties at a session of the conference titled “Global Social Responsibility- Shareholder Value versus Social Responsibility” held at a city hotel.

The session was aimed at discussing the problems and potentials of the leather industry, the second largest export item in terms of value.

Bangladesh German Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised the conference in cooperation with German development cooperation agency GIZ. The speakers also listed Bangladesh’s advantages like availability of high quality leather, competitive cost base, huge workforce with low wages, duty-free access to global markets and

Asian middle class. They suggested Bangladesh to take the opportunity of shifting business from china.

Poor skills and technology mean that Bangladesh is failing to extract 90% maximum value addition from its raw materials, Adnan Nafis, head of trade promotion Bangladesh German Chamber of Commerce (BGCCI), said in his presentation.

Bangladesh mostly supplies lower and mid-level products and lacks skills to target the higher end products, he said.  B3 COLUMN 1

New DSE trading platform takes off n Tribune Report Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) yesterday launched the new trading system for increasing its technological capability and improving transparency.

The bourse was also hopeful that new trading platform will get rid of repeated technical glitches seen several times earlier.

The DSE installed the upgraded system with the support of worldclass technology partners NASDAQ, FlexTrade, CISCO, HP, VMware, F5, Emerson and Microsoft.

State Minister for Finance MA Mannan inaugurated the new trading system at the inaugural ceremony at a city hotel.

He said the government needs strong support from business communities to transform the business sectors into time befitting ones.

“Private organisations will be on

the driving seats of the country’s economic development and the government will not interfere in their activities unnecessarily,” he said.

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) chairman M Khairul Hossain said introducing high-end technologies and ensuring good governance in the stock market will help restore investors’ confidence, which became shaky after stock market debacle in December 2010.

DSE managing director Swapan Kumar Bala said the DSE is now proud of offering a world class trading platform for the issuers and investors.

“The new system will have multi asset class capabilities on a multi platform offering and we will make further announcements in this regard over the coming months,” he said.

Justice Siddiqur Rahman Miah,

Dhaka Stock Exchange launches a new trading system yesterday to improve transparency Former BSEC Chairman Faruq Ahmad Siddiqi, CSE (Chittagong Stock Exchange) Chairman Muhammad

Abdul Mazid, CSE managing director Wali-ul-Maroof Matin, managing director of NASDAQ Robert

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Frojd and CEO at FlexTrade Online Business Jean-Michel Blanco were present at the ceremony. l

B2

Stock

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Stocks face setback as new trading platform launched

DSE key features December 11, 2014

n Tribune Report

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

6

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,640.28

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

32.00

lower than the previous session.

All the large cap sectors closed marginally lower with power leading the way falling 0.8%. Other sectors, non-banking financial institutions, telecommunication, pharmaceuticals, cement and banks edged lower.

Textile was the only sector that ended in positive territory.

IDLC Investments said the first day of new trading platform ended with another flat-end, squeezing participation significantly as the market tried to adapt.

It said consequently, total turnover nosedived, putting overall market in a depressed mood. “Besides, volatility was prevailing like past few sessions of investors’ spread search,” it said.

Lanka Bangla Securities said on Motijheel street, stocks were traded on per unit basis as DSE introduced an “auto adjustable trading system” with a view to accelerating trading activities by resolving existing complexities.

It said this flex trading system allows investors to buy or sell only one share or unit; there will be no market lot of shares. “As market commenced under this new trading system, investors were watchful about stock price movement in morning session which hit the day’s low at 4900 points.” l

The new trading platform that allows investors to buy or sell only one share has made them (investors) cautious yesterday, hitting both the trade volume and indices.

Stocks ended marginally lower and turnover at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) dipped below Tk200 crore and slipped to 14-month low, following the launching of the new trading system at DSE. The market dived in the morning plunging around 45 points but as day progressed the market started recovering some points.

The benchmark DSEX lost over 10 points or 0.2% to close at 4,933, hitting highest 4,943 in mid-session and lowest 4,906 in the beginning.

The Shariah index DSES witnessed fractional losses of 0.8 points to 1,155. The comprising blue chips DS30 ended at 1,823 with a slight fall of 3 points.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, settled at 9,256 with a drop of 33 points.

BRAC-EPL said turnover suffered heavily as the new trading system would require some time to settle in. Consequently, total turnover dipped below Tk200 crore, hitting a 14-month low value.”

The DSE turnover stood at about Tk137 crore, which is more than 67%

Weekly capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index : DSE LOSER Company

Closing (% Change)

Modern Dyeing -Z WesternMarine -N Shahjibazar Power-N Standard Ceramic -A Hamid Fabrics -N Dulamia CottonZ Sonali Ansh -A Meghna Con. Milk -B Safko Spinning-A Midas Financing-Z

-8.86 -8.14 -7.40 -6.15 -6.01 -5.81 -4.73 -4.60 -4.37 -4.05

CSE LOSER Company WesternMarine -N Hamid Fabrics -N Premier Leasing-Z Safko Spinning-A FAS Fin. & Inv. Ltd-B H.R. Textile -A AMCL 2nd MF-A DBH 1st MF-A LR Global BD MF1-A IFIC 1st MF-A

Closing (% Change) -7.53 -6.42 -6.06 -4.99 -4.55 -4.52 -4.26 -4.26 -4.26 -4.00

4933.03008

(-) 0.22%

1823.64439

(-) 0.19%

15180.79590

(-) 0.38%

12443.03000

(-) 0.005%

9256.52540

(-) 0.36%

Average (% Change) -14.28 -8.26 -6.20 -1.10 -10.03 -5.02 -5.17 -3.83 -3.99 -5.28 Average (% Change) -6.97 -9.91 -5.54 -4.24 -5.50 -3.83 -3.40 -3.02 -2.37 -3.60

ANALYST

ClosingAvg. 80.00 48.43 242.96 45.00 44.22 8.13 113.98 8.29 32.99 16.49

ClosingAvg. 49.11 44.43 9.38 32.98 20.79 29.64 4.54 4.49 4.54 4.82

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 104.46 82.33 12.27 256.02 49.41 119.53 2.10 174.91 180.05 5.93 92.33 29.80 8.98 49.15 47.00 10.02 12.74 54.12 16.04 61.77 0.00

DHIGH

84.40 47.40 234.10 42.70 43.80 8.10 112.80 8.30 32.80 16.60

Closing

89.00 51.90 258.10 43.50 46.20 8.30 117.90 8.50 34.60 17.00

DHIGH

47.90 43.70 9.30 32.40 21.00 29.60 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.80

51.30 46.60 9.50 33.60 21.00 30.00 4.60 4.60 4.60 4.90

DSE GAINER Company

1,368.93

Turnover (Volume)

33,997,970

Number of Contract

65,102

Traded Issues

306

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

74

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

226

CSE key features December 11, 2014 Turnover (Million Taka)

250.48

Turnover (Volume)

7,773,931

Number of Contract

10,657

Traded Issues

218

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

53

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

158

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

6

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,544.32

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.84

Turnover in Million

DLOW 84.30 46.80 233.50 41.20 43.30 8.00 110.50 8.20 32.00 15.80

47.30 43.00 9.30 32.20 20.00 29.50 4.50 4.40 4.50 4.80

Latest EPS

0.004 43.784 7.408 0.009 33.796 0.142 2.097 0.097 3.836 0.156

Turnover in Million

DLOW

% change 7.63 6.01 0.90 18.70 3.61 8.73 0.15 12.78 13.15 6.74 2.18 0.66 3.59 3.43 0.73 0.93 3.95 1.17 4.51 0.00

Million Taka 21.42 8.29 4.87 47.00 6.07 18.98 53.62 19.13 6.80 22.09 5.49 1.18 8.40 4.69 1.46 1.12 8.74 5.67 20.93 0.00

CSE

% change 8.05 3.12 1.83 17.67 2.28 7.14 0.00 20.16 7.19 2.56 8.30 2.06 0.44 3.16 1.76 0.55 0.42 3.29 2.13 7.87 0.00

-2.16 1.80 9.00 0.60 3.12 -3.84 0.60 -4.32 1.24 -7.00

Latest EPS

13.995 18.484 0.061 0.478 0.038 0.104 0.023 0.061 0.073 0.022

Million Taka 125.89 90.62 17.14 303.02 55.48 138.51 2.10 228.53 199.17 12.73 114.41 35.29 10.16 57.54 51.69 11.48 13.87 62.85 21.71 82.69 0.00

Northern Jute -Z Anwar Galvanizing-B Shampur Sugar -Z Rahim Textile -A Tung Hai Knitting -N Quasem Drycells -A Prime Islami Life -A Aziz PipesZ Agni Systems -A Rahima Food -Z

Closing (% Change) 8.74 7.91 7.45 6.72 6.25 6.17 5.72 5.64 5.15 4.95

CSE GAINER

1.80 3.12 0.08 1.24 1.27 1.75 0.72 0.56 0.69 0.48

Latest PE -ve 26.9 27.0 75.0 14.2 -ve 190.0 -ve 26.6 -ve

Company Anwar Galvanizing-B Quasem Drycells -A Rahima Food -Z Tung Hai Knitting -N Agni Systems -A Padma Islami Life*-N Imam Button -Z BD. Thai Alum -B Bangladesh Lamps -A Active Fine Chem.-A

7.29 6.53 6.32 6.32 5.52 4.72 4.65 4.15 3.43 2.99

Average (% Change) 5.87 9.54 6.79 5.10 2.97 4.72 2.55 2.93 1.26 1.15

ClosingAvg. 259.90 41.63 10.10 289.23 19.91 76.47 68.78 27.40 29.93 38.11

ClosingAvg. 42.18 77.47 38.70 19.79 30.17 39.90 8.85 52.32 117.63 71.43

Closing 259.90 42.30 10.10 296.80 20.40 77.40 70.20 28.10 30.60 38.20

Closing 42.70 78.30 38.70 20.20 30.60 39.90 9.00 52.70 117.60 72.40

DHIGH 259.90 42.70 10.30 298.00 20.60 78.00 70.40 29.00 30.80 39.30

DHIGH 42.90 79.00 38.70 20.50 30.70 39.90 9.00 53.90 118.00 72.50

DLOW 259.90 39.00 9.40 278.10 18.90 71.00 64.00 26.00 28.80 36.70

DLOW 40.80 74.50 38.70 18.50 28.00 39.90 8.40 50.60 117.50 70.20

Turnover in Million 0.003 6.620 0.140 11.127 38.203 72.205 1.039 0.625 40.676 0.394

Turnover in Million 0.337 6.113 0.019 12.930 3.837 0.080 0.018 7.714 0.047 0.429

Latest EPS 1.00 0.84 -52.72 11.00 1.19 2.24 4.95 -0.37 1.32 -0.80

Latest EPS 0.84 2.24 -0.80 1.19 1.32 1.10 -1.72 1.09 1.13 3.51

Latest PE 259.9 49.6 -ve 26.3 16.7 34.1 13.9 -ve 22.7 -ve

Latest PE 50.2 34.6 -ve 16.6 22.9 36.3 -ve 48.0 104.1 20.4

News, analysis and recent disclosures GLOBALINS: National Credit Ratings Limited (NCR) has announced the rating of the Company as A in the long term based on audited financial statements of the Company up to December 31, 2013.

UNIONCAP (BSECS Consent for issuance of Cumulative Redeemable Pref. Shares): The Company has informed that BSEC has given its consent under the Securities and Exchange Commission (Issue of Capital) Rules, 2001 for raising the Capital of Union Capital Limited through issuance of 50 Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares of Tk. 1.00 crore each totaling to Tk. 50.00 crore only through Private Placement. The consent has been accorded subject to the conditions that the Company shall comply with the relevant laws and regulatory requirements and also shall adhere to the conditions imposed by BSEC under Section-2CC of the Securities and Exchange Ordinance, 1969.

IPO Subscription: Shasha Denims Limited subscription date 14 to 21 December 2014, NRB upto 30 December 2014. @ taka 10, face value taka 35 and market lot 200. Zaheen Spinning Limited subscription date 28 December 2014 to 04 January 2015, NRB upto 13 January 2015. @ taka 10, face value taka 10 and market

lot 500.

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. FIRSTSBANK Subscription period for rights issue will be from 07.12.2014 to 28.12.2014. Record date for entitlement of rights share: 20.11.2014.

Dividend/AGM HFL: 10% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 30.12.2014, Record Date: 22.12.2014.

SONALIANSH: 10% cash AGM: 30.12.2014, Record Date: 21.12.2014.

KEYACOSMET: 20% cash, Record Date: 21.12.2014. Date, Time and Venue of the AGM will be notified later.

RECKITTBEN: 175% interim cash dividend (second time), Record date for entitlement of interim dividend: 15.12.2014.

ICB: 45% cash, AGM: 20.12.2014, Record Date: 03.12.2014.

BATBC: 100% interim cash dividend, Record date for entitlement of interim dividend: 03.12.2014.

BENGALWTL: 23% cash, AGM: 28.12.2014, Record Date: 02.12.2014.

MPETROLEUM: 95% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 16.01.2015, Record date: 04.12.2014.

ENVOYTEX: 12% cash and 3% stock

dividend, AGM: 24.12.2014, Record date: 02.12.2014.

AFTABAUTO: 17% cash, AGM: 24.12.2014, Record date: 30.11.2014.

JAMUNAOIL: 90% cash and 10% stock, AGM: 07.02.2015, Record date: 11.12.2014.

GEMINISEA: 7.50% cash, AGM: 22.12.2014, Record Date: 08.12.2014.

KBPPWBIL: 10% stock, AGM: 29.12.2014, Record Date: 08.12.2014.

RAHIMAFOOD: No dividend, AGM: 24.12.2014, Record Date: 04.12.2014.

DACCADYE: 10% stock dividend, AGM: 12.12.2014, Record date: 25.11.2014.

ORIONINFU: 15% cash dividend, AGM: 18.12.2014, Record date: 25.11.2014.

KOHINOOR: 25% stock dividend, AGM: 18.12.2014, Record date: 25.11.2014.

PHARMAID: 25% cash, AGM: 28.12.2014, Record Date: 02.12.2014.

TALLUSPIN: No dividend, AGM: 23.12.2014, Record Date: 01.12.2014.

MITHUNKNIT: 20% stock, AGM: 23.12.2014, Record date: 20.11.2014.

WMSHIPYARD: 5% cash dividend to the general shareholders only, and 10% stock dividend to all the shareholders, AGM: 21.12.2014, Record date: 20.11.2014.

PRIMELIFE: 10% cash and 15% stock dividend, AGM: 24.12.2014, Record Date: 20.11.2014.

27.3 14.2 117.3 26.6 16.4 16.9 6.3 8.0 6.6 10.0

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company

Total

Closing (% Change)

Average (% Change) 8.74 5.98 6.43 3.01 4.57 7.69 3.49 5.26 1.60 4.47

Latest PE

The first day of new trading platform ended with another flat-end, squeezing participation significantly as the market tried to adapt

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

Turnover (Million Taka)

Friday, December 12, 2014

% change 7.70 5.54 1.05 18.53 3.39 8.47 0.13 13.98 12.18 0.78 7.00 2.16 0.62 3.52 3.16 0.70 0.85 3.84 1.33 5.06 0.00

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

SummitAlliancePort.-A Quasem Drycells -A Grameenphone-A BD. Thai Alum -B WesternMarine -N Square Pharma -A Agni Systems -A BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Tung Hai Knitting -N Hamid Fabrics -N

LafargeS Cement-Z Beximco Pharma -A Bata Shoe Ltd. -A Olympic Ind. -A Keya Cosmetics -A

CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company SummitAlliancePort.-A Hamid Fabrics -N WesternMarine -N Tung Hai Knitting -N BEXIMCO Ltd. -A BD. Thai Alum -B Khan Brothers-N Grameenphone-A Quasem Drycells -A MJL BD Ltd.-A

UNITED AIR-A Keya Cosmetics -A City Bank - A Golden Son -A LafargeS Cement-Z

VolumeShares 905,320 944,223 137,403 933,605 903,996 165,413 1,359,056 1,070,314 1,918,746 764,307

Value in Million 78.57 72.21 50.02 49.08 43.78 43.24 40.68 40.67 38.20 33.80

% of TotalTurnover 5.74 5.27 3.65 3.59 3.20 3.16 2.97 2.97 2.79 2.47

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

282,157 451,692 22,631 96,281 829,069

217,292 416,000 285,000 653,500 312,281 147,452 206,000 19,000 78,910 48,888

485,828 166,000 201,040 100,000 35,000

32.00 28.87 25.68 22.63 22.19

18.81 18.48 14.00 12.93 11.90 7.71 7.00 6.93 6.11 5.69

4.54 4.48 4.46 4.40 3.95

2.34 2.11 1.88 1.65 1.62

7.59 7.46 5.65 5.22 4.80 3.11 2.83 2.79 2.47 2.30

1.83 1.81 1.80 1.78 1.59

ClosingP 87.40 77.40 363.10 52.90 47.40 260.80 30.60 37.90 20.40 43.80

112.70 63.90 1117.90 236.80 26.80

ClosingP

87.10 43.70 47.90 20.20 37.80 52.70 34.20 364.70 78.30 116.40

9.30 26.90 22.20 43.70 112.40

Change % 2.70 6.17 -0.52 4.34 -8.14 -0.61 5.15 -1.56 6.25 -6.01

-0.44 -0.62 -0.65 2.11 0.00

Change %

2.71 -6.42 -7.53 6.32 -2.07 4.15 -1.44 -0.05 6.53 -1.85

-1.06 0.00 -0.89 -2.67 -0.35

ClosingY 85.10 72.90 365.00 50.70 51.60 262.40 29.10 38.50 19.20 46.60

113.20 64.30 1125.20 231.90 26.80

ClosingY

84.80 46.70 51.80 19.00 38.60 50.60 34.70 364.90 73.50 118.60

9.40 26.90 22.40 44.90 112.80

DHIGH 87.70 78.00 369.00 53.70 51.90 262.90 30.80 38.70 20.60 46.20

DLOW 85.10 71.00 361.40 50.00 46.80 258.00 28.80 37.70 18.90 43.30

115.90 64.80 1135.00 238.50 27.30

112.00 63.00 1110.00 231.00 26.50

DHIGH

DLOW

87.30 46.60 51.30 20.50 38.50 53.90 34.40 370.00 79.00 118.10

85.20 43.00 47.30 18.50 35.00 50.60 33.40 362.00 74.50 116.20

9.60 27.40 22.50 45.00 113.90

8.90 26.60 22.00 43.50 111.70

AvgPrice 86.78 76.47 364.00 52.57 48.43 261.39 29.93 37.99 19.91 44.22

113.40 63.91 1134.82 235.07 26.77

AvgPrice

86.58 44.43 49.11 19.79 38.11 52.32 34.00 364.67 77.47 116.45

9.35 26.97 22.19 44.03 112.79

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

B3

Friday, December 12, 2014

UN: Weak eurozone, Ukraine weighing on global growth n AFP The global economy will improve over the next two years but eurozone weakness combined with the Ebola crisis and the Ukraine conflict are weighing on growth, a UN report said Wednesday.

The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2015 report put global economic growth at 3.1% in 2015 and 3.3% in 2016, up from 2.6% in 2014.

“Many risks and uncertainties could dash efforts to get the global economy on track and moving forward,” said Pingfan Hong, director at the UN economic and social affairs department.

The report said western Europe was headed for “only a slight improvement in growth”, held back by ongoing sluggishness in the eurozone where some members teetered on the brink of recession this year.

East Asia will remain the fastestgrowing region, expanding 6.1% in 2015 and 6% in 2016.

Africa looks set to continue to steam ahead, posting growth at 4.6% in 2015 and 4.9% in 2016. But the region remains vulnerable to a worsening of the

Ebola epidemic, the report said.

The crisis in Ukraine, where proRussian fighters are battling government forces, is having “major regional macroeconomic repercussions”, mostly due to the impact of sanctions targeting Russia, the report said.

The US economy is expected to improve over the next two years, expanding by 2.8 and 3.1%, after maintaining an annual growth rate above 2% in 2014.

The UN report said the US Federal Reserve’s plans to normalize interest rates “holds significant risks and uncertainties for the global economic outlook, depending on the timing and strategy of the monetary tightening, as well as the response by financial markets.”

Japan is headed for a slowdown, mainly attributed to a drop in private consumption due to higher taxes.

Economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean is projected to moderately improve, according to the UN report.

It also cites volatile oil prices as having significant impact on oil exporting and importing countries. l

Construction workers at the site of the European Central Bank's new headquarters in Frankfurt am Main

Australia’s unemployment rate hits 12-year high n AFP, Sydney

Australia’s jobless rate hit a 12-year high in November, data showed yesterday, as more people looked for jobs in a softening economy hurt by falling commodity prices and weak Chinese demand.

Unemployment edged up to 6.3% as 42,700 jobs were added to the economy, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said. The figure is up from 5.8% last November.

Full-time positions increased by 1,800 as part-time employment soared 40,800, with the data slightly stronger than economists’ expectations of 15,000 jobs created.

“Despite the unemployment rate printing a touch higher in rounded terms, November’s report was overall slightly better than the market expected, and suggested labour market con-

ditions improved modestly in November,” ANZ economists Savita Singh and Riki Polygenis said.

“From here - and now that the ABS appears more comfortable with the veracity of the survey - we expect the unemployment rate to level out.”

The latest figures came two days after the ABS said it would accept all recommendations from an independent review into how the labour force survey is collated, following questions about its accuracy.

The review said the timing of supplementary surveys had contributed to the volatility in the monthly data.

The Australian dollar jumped a quarter of a cent to 83.7 US cents after the data release before easing slightly.

The participation rate - which measures the proportion of adults in work or looking for work - rose a seasonally adjusted 64.7% from 64.6%. Total ag-

gregate hours worked fell 4.4 million hours to 1,610.6 million.

‘Room for lower interest rates’

Australia’s economy - which has avoided a recession for more than two decades - is struggling to shift towards non-mining-led growth with a sharp drop off in resources investment is expected next year.

Pressure is building on the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut interest rates from their record low of 2.5% following weaker-than-expected third-quarter GDP growth data released last week.

The slowdown in China, Australia’s largest trading partner, has weighed on the resources sector and hurt the wider economy, while tumbling commodity prices have hit the nation’s incomes.

Consumer confidence has fallen in the second half of the year, with the latest survey from Westpac Bank and

the Melbourne Institute released on Wednesday showing that sentiment had weakened to its lowest since August 2011.

National Australia Bank senior economist David de Garis said while there has been growth outside the resources sector, jobs were not being created at a sufficient pace.

The increase in the underemployment rate - from 13.5% a year ago to 15% in the latest figures - was also pointing to the slack in the labour market, de Garis told AFP. “The labour market is creating some jobs, but they are part-time and not a lot of income growth ... that would be fuelling a pick-up in consumer spending right now,” he added.

“So it seems from a domestic demand point-of-view, there is room for the RBA to ease further without creating inflationary pressure.” l

REUTERS

Dollar mixed after falls on risk aversion n AFP, Tokyo The dollar was mixed in Asia yesterday, after taking a hit in New York as dealers shifted to safer investments such as US government bonds.

The greenback climbed to 118.15 yen in Tokyo afternoon trade, up from 117.85 yen in New York but still sharply down from 118.88 yen in Tokyo earlier Wednesday. The US unit had touched a seven-year high of 121.84 Monday.

The euro rose to $1.2451 and 147.11 yen from $1.2446 and 146.68 yen in US trade.

Stock markets across the globe closed lower for a second day on Wednesday as energy companies were hammered by plunging oil prices.

With risk aversion prevailing, the yen, considered a haven in times of

turmoil, rebounded against the dollar over recent days, while US Treasuries have also risen, leading to lower yields - linked to interest rates - and crimping demand for dollars. However, the dollar edged up against the yen Thursday, helping Tokyo stocks trim early losses, said Daisuke Karakama, head of forex spot trading at Mizuho Bank.

Tokyo’s Nikkei stock index was down more than two percent soon after opening but clawed some of that back on dip buying to end the morning 0.95 percent lower. But Karakama said the yen could soon pick up again in the short-term.

“Considering it had lost more than 10 yen (to the dollar over the past month), a correction by 3-4 yen to bring the dollar to the 117 or 116 yen range will be fully possible,” he said. l

Experts suggest leather industry RBI finds falling inflation a hard sell for consumers to go for high-end products n Reuters, Mumbai

 B1 COLUMN 6

“We need value addition to our leather industry as it can enlarge our business and earnings as well,” said Md. Saiful Islam, MD, Picard Bangladesh Ltd. The sector is trying to protect the workers’ rights and to pay living wage to them, but it must be on the basis of our country perspective, he said. There are some factory disasters in different sectors, but the leather sector did not have any casualties in last few years, he added.

Giving importance on workers’ training, Sabur Ahmed, Assistant Professor of Institute of Leather, Engineering and Technology, said: “During the process of raw hides, the unskilled workers cut leather, which makes uncompetitive in the global market.”

Bangladesh lacks proper collection and preservation methods. More value addition needed to make the sector a vibrant one, he added.

“We should consider the impact of using chemicals as it pollutes environment. Relocating tannery is a good news but the government has to take initiatives to relocate other factories like finished leathers and other backward linkage,” said Tariqul Islam Khan, Chairman, Minikin ltd.

Bangladesh leather sector needs to go the next level as the Center of Excellence is working to enhance the workers productivity through several training programmes, said Md. Mominul Ahsan , CEO, Centre of Excellence for Leather Skill Bangladesh.

“We also working to make the sector truly compliant, which shows our commitment to the sector,” he added.

According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh earned $1.1 billion in the first five months of the current fiscal year. According to an estimate, the sector employs over 850,000 workers. l

Change of owners’ mindset on safety issues in RMG industry  B1 COLUMN 3

“If the owners think the incidents as sabotage, they should know how to protect their factories from such acts of sabotage,” said Khorshed Alam who also wanted a definition between industry buildings and commercial buildings.

Alliance managing director M Rabin said change in owners’ attitude towards workers’ safety is a key challenge.

He stressed the need for change in security guards’ behaviour as they do not open collapsible gate in fire incidents preventing workers’ escape.

Funding for remediation works in flawed factories, bringing subcontracting factories under inspection, use of proper fire equipment and enhancing inspection capacity also remain as challenges, he added.

Accord’s executive director Rob Wayss said lots of progress have been

made in 18 months regarding fire, electrical and structural safety.

“But more things need to be done to ensure safety,” said Rob. He also laid emphasis on doors installation, removal of shutter of collapsible gate, decentralisation of fire brigades and improved industrial relations.

Rob added the factory floors and staircases should be kept clean removing finished goods and other irrelevant things.

“Behavior change is also key element regarding safety, and hope many factory owners are making factory safer as it is important for the business and getting orders,” he said.

Sammilito Garment Sramik Federation president Nazma Akter said the workers were being educated about their rights and responsibilities and tackling emergency situations.

“If the workers are empowered, the sector will be sustainable,” she said. l

Waiting for the right moment to cut interest rates, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) faces a problem over public perceptions that price rises will return to double-digits even though forecasts show retail inflation fell to a record low of 4.5% last month.

Explaining why he left the policy rate at 8%, despite inflation’s steep fall from over 11% in November last year, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said last week that he wanted to be sure inflation and inflationary expectations are really waning.

He also wants to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s seven-month-old government reduce the fiscal deficit. If the signs are good, the RBI could reduce rates early next year, the central bank said in its policy review statement on Dec 2.

Aside from looking at the strength of on-going deflationary impulses, the RBI is listening to people like Siddhi Mindalkar, a 34-year-old Mumbai housewife, taking into account their views on how prices will behave to determine the best time to cut.

“I am spending about 20% less on fruit and vegetables now than six months ago, but prices will probably rise again once the summer comes,” said Mindalkar as she shopped for vegetables at a roadside stall.

Food prices, which have the biggest weighting in the consumer price index, typically rise as the summer heat cranks up in March, and thereafter largely depend on how kind the monsoon rains are to farmers.

The RBI expects inflation in 2015 to hover around 6% - its target for January 2016 - and sees risks to the target evenly balanced.

Retail price inflation data is due to be released on Friday. A Reuters poll of analysts forecast that inflation rose 4.5% from a year ago in November, down from 5.5% in October and the lowest since the data series was introduced in 2012.

The RBI will release its next quarterly survey of inflation expectations at the end of this month. What matters most, according to Rajan, is not what

A vendor waits for customers at his vegetable stall at a wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Mumbai

'Inflation has been pretty high in the past few quarters which certainly has had an impact since consumers are being very careful in terms of spending' people think inflation will be, but how much their views are changing. Last week, the RBI said expectations for inflation were falling.

The last survey in September showed more than 70% of households had expected consumer inflation at double digits in the three months and year-ahead periods.

Careful spenders

“While inflation expectations have started easing, the pace of easing is very slow,” said Rupa Rege Nitsure, chief economist for Bank of Baroda in Mumbai.

Cutting rates when inflation expectations remain too high could make them far less effective in terms of boosting consumer demand - vital for an economy growing at around 5%, well below the 8% needed for full employment.

Top Indian consumer companies such as Hindustan Unilever Ltd remain cautious about demand.

“Inflation has been pretty high in the past few quarters which certainly has had an impact since consumers are being very careful in terms of spending,” said Lalit Malik, chief financial officer of Dabur Ltd, which produces personal and health care products.

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Changing perceptions of inflation risks is difficult in a country where food prices are so unpredictable. The situation is exacerbated by India’s structural problems, with bad roads, poor storage facilities leading to high wastage.

Food prices have wrong-footed other central bankers. Duvvuri Subbarao, Rajan’s predecessor, cut rates by 75 basis points in the first three months of 2013 expecting inflation to ease.

Instead, he got surging onion prices after a bad crop, sparking a loss of consumer confidence that contributed to the previous Congress government’s defeat in elections last May. Tukaram Malusure has been selling vegetables for the past five decades.

“There is no fixed pattern,” the 70-year-old stallholder shrugged. The only certainty, he says, is that “prices go up after the Holi festival” in March. l

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Friday, December 12, 2014

OPEC cuts 2015 demand forecast for its oil to lowest in a decade n Reuters, London Global demand for OPEC crude in 2015 is expected to fall to the lowest level in more than a decade and far below current output, the group said on Wednesday, pointing to a hefty supply surplus without OPEC output cuts or a slowdown in the US shale boom.

In a monthly report, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) forecast demand for the group’s oil will drop to 28.92 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2015, down 280,000 bpd from its previous expectation and over 1 million bpd less than it is currently producing.

The report follows OPEC’s decision last month not to try and prop up prices by cutting output. Top exporter Saudi Arabia urged fellow members to combat the growth in US shale oil, which needs relatively high prices to be economic and has been eroding OPEC’s market share.

OPEC’s Nov 27 decision to retain its output target of 30 million bpd sent prices plunging. Brent crude on Wednesday was trading below $66 a barrel, close to a five-year low and down more than 40% since June.

The report cut its forecast for growth in global demand in 2015 due to a weaker outlook for Europe and Asia,

and predicted higher supply growth from shale and other non-OPEC sources, although it said this may be slowed if prices stay weak.

“Should the current fall in crude prices continue over a longer period, it will impact the non-OPEC supply forecast for 2015, especially anticipated growth in tight crude,” OPEC’s report said, using another term for shale oil.

For now though, OPEC’s report indicates that, with OPEC pumping 30.05 million bpd in November according to secondary sources cited by the report, there will be a surplus of 1.13 million bpd in 2015, and 1.83 million bpd in the first half.

Next year’s average demand for OPEC crude is expected to be the lowest since 28.15 million bpd in 2004, using the December reports published on OPEC’s web site each year as a comparison.

According to the secondary-source figures, OPEC output fell by 390,000 bpd from October, largely because of unrest in Libya and smaller reductions in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Saudi Arabia told OPEC it trimmed production by 80,000 bpd - a reduction that industry sources said earlier this month probably reflects lower domestic demand in power plants rather than a cut in exports. l

Saudi to end domestic wheat purchase n AFP, Jeddah Saudi Arabia will stop buying domestically-grown wheat in two years’ time and rely completely on imports of the grain, the water-short kingdom’s new agriculture minister said on Wednesday.

By investing tens of billions of dollars, the desert nation’s output grew through the 1980s until it ironically became one of the world’s largest wheat exporters.

But since a surge in global food pric-

es in 2008, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have looked abroad to nearby Sudan and other countries to secure food supplies through agricultural investment, including land acquisition.

“The kingdom has decreased domestic wheat production since 2008 by 12.5% annually,” Agriculture Minister Waleed al-Khuraiji told the Londonbased International Grains Council, which met in the Red Sea city of Jeddah for a twice-yearly forum. l

Japan's auto giant Honda Motor displays the company's fuel cell vehicle 'FCV concept', which can be driven over 700 kms with a charge of hydrogen, at the Eco-Products 2014 environmental products and service exhibition in Tokyo on December 11, 2014. Honda is expecting to put it on the market in 2015 while Toyota will start to sell their company's fuel cell vehicle on December 15 AFP

UAE official: Market, not OPEC, will determine oil price n Reuters, Dubai Market forces and the response of highcost crude producers to the recent fall in prices will determine the cost of oil in the coming months, rather than OPEC, a United Arab Emirates (UAE) oil official said on Tuesday.

Prices have fallen more than 40% since June and Brent crude for January delivery hit $65.33 a barrel on Tuesday, its lowest since September 2009.

“The way I see it, it is the market which will dictate the oil price. Prices are driven by supply and demand ... mar-

ginal fields are going to set the price,” said Mubarak al-Ketbi, deputy director of the marketing and refining directorate at state-run Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC). “OPEC is not a price setter.

The market will set the price,” Ketbi told the Platts Middle East Crude Oil Summit in Dubai, declining to comment later on any specific oil price target for the UAE, a core Gulf OPEC producer.

At a meeting last month, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided against reducing production, despite its own forecasts of a surplus and calls from

members including Iran and Venezuela for output cuts to shore up prices.

Rising oil supplies from non-OPEC members such as Russia and US shale producers was a reason cited by several OPEC delegates for keeping the group’s output ceiling unchanged at 30 million barrels per day at last month’s meeting.

“We are facing a new condition for OPEC that has not been faced before.

For OPEC to adjust output alone to support prices ... is almost impossible in practice,” Mohammed Sadegh Memarian, head of the OPEC research team at the Iranian oil ministry said in Dubai.

“There is the US and Russia... It’s a three dimension (process).”

Memarian said he expected oil prices to rebound to $80 a barrel by the third quarter of 2015 “provided that OPEC sticks to its ceiling of 30 million bpd with no price war.”

On Monday, the head of Kuwait’s state oil company predicted that oil prices were likely to remain around $65 for the next six to seven months, echoing the views of Gulf OPEC delegates who saw oil hovering around $65-70 per barrel for a few months before bouncing back to around $80. l

At Stanford, venture capital reaches into the dorm Brent edges up toward n $65, but Saudi stance on output curbs gains Reuters, Stanford

At the end of their first year at Stanford University, a half dozen students snagged an apartment-style dormitory on the third floor of Griffin House, overlooking the campus golf course. A little over a year later, in the autumn of 2014, just two were left at Stanford.

The others had gone to work on their startups.

They had a big advantage: Fellow roommate Chris Barber, 21, was a budding venture capitalist, already learning about the business of injecting funds into promising new firms. He funded companies run by three of his roommates.

Long one of America’s elite universities, Stanford has grown into the leading alma mater, by far, for entrepreneurs receiving early-stage funding from top venture capital firms.

What most outsiders don’t see: how early the investment community starts cultivating Stanford students, how committed the students are, and how deeply the VC culture has burrowed its way onto campus.

At Stanford now, venture capitalists are teaching, investing in students’ startups, volunteering as mentors, occasionally even visiting the dorms. Professor-turned-VC Balaji Srinivasan visited Griffin House last autumn, shortly before he joined top venture firm Andreessen Horowitz. He was invited to discuss the emerging currency bitcoin.

The dedication can come with a price. Last year social gatherings at the suite, Griffin 304, were rare. A small fridge held mostly soda, not beer. For most of the academic year, Barber was the only roommate with a regular girlfriend. One of his roommates, Jesse Leimgruber, complained that girls drain hours in the late evening, “the most productive time for a startup.”

For VCs, the attraction of academia is simple: Some of the hottest tech start-ups are founded by college kids.

Student-run firms that met venture capital backers at Stanford include Snapchat, the photo-sharing service.

Chief executive Evan Spiegel dropped out two years ago to work on the venture. His first VC backer, Jeremy Liew,

n Reuters, Beijing

Chris Barber, a student at Stanford University, uses a laptop as he conducts business from his dorm room in Stanford, California is a Stanford alumnus.

Perhaps most famously, Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin were Stanford graduate students. They met their first investor through an introduction from Professor David Cheriton, who also ended up investing.

Some on campus find the industry’s reach troubling. The students’ focus on doing business, they say, distracts from the scholarly mission of college and opens up instructors to potential conflicts of interest. The venture money also provides a temptation to drop out.

“VCs can be a bad influence and are not a good role model for students,” says Vivek Wadhwa, a fellow at Stanford’s Rock Center for Corporate Governance. Faculty members who aren’t venture capitalists counter that VCs provide invaluable real-world insights.

Stanford’s graduation rates have dipped somewhat in recent years. Of students who enrolled in 2009, 90 percent had graduated within five years, Stanford said, compared with a five-

year graduation rate of 92.2 percent five years earlier. Some students say they are quitting to start companies.

Stanford says it doesn’t track the reasons students leave.

Reuters asked Stanford President John Hennessy whether there would be a conflict of interest if a Stanford instructor offered a student an implicit incentive, in the form of venture cash, to leave school.

“It’s clearly at some level a conflict,” says Hennessy. “It’s not a direct conflict, but it is a worrisome issue.”

Late last year, the university introduced a formal policy to govern faculty investments in student companies. If a faculty member has direct involvement in the student’s academic program, the investment requires approval, including from the vice provost and dean of research.

The new policy states “The strong presumption is that such involvement would constitute a significant conflict of interest that could not be mitigated

REUTERS

or managed and that it would therefore not be permitted.” It applies only to people with full-time positions.

A Stanford spokeswoman said no requests for approval have been made by faculty members.

Some investor-professors bristle at the notion they are buttressing their portfolios with projects from current students. The vast majority of junior students stick around to earn their degrees, and most don’t start companies, they point out. At the School of Engineering, the department that has done the most to welcome venture capitalists in roles such as instructor, adviser or guest lecturer, faculty members say VCs serve a valuable pedagogical purpose.

“If someone wants to go deep, getting a practitioner like a venture capitalist to talk about what they do works,” says Tom Byers, an engineering professor and director of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program. “Every instructor invites a venture capitalist into their classroom in that vein.” l

Brent crude ticked higher yesterday but remained below $65 per barrel, not far from a five-year low hit in the previous session, with the market’s bearish tone largely intact.

Comments by the Saudi Arabian oil minister shrugging off an output cut on Wednesday renewed worries of a global glut that has slashed oil prices by more than 40 percent since June.

Brent crude edged up 18 cents to $64.42 by 0735 GMT (02:35 am EST), almost a dollar away from the previous session’s low of $63.56 - the weakest since July 2009. Brent closed down almost 4 percent on Wednesday.

“This is a bit of a return to a more normal pattern of trading for us in this time zone,” said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist for CMC Markets in Sydney. “Often we reverse the overnight moves as the shorter-term trading interests take a profitable cut out of their positions.”

Sentiment was also aided by a slightly weaker dollar.

U.S. crude rose 29 cents to $61.23, after sharp losses of nearly 5% in the previous session, its biggest daily drop in almost two weeks. It also hit a near 5-1/2 year low, of $60.43, on Wednesday.

But gains in US oil prices were capped as data from the Energy Information Administration showed crude inventories in the country rose unexpectedly. Crude stocks rose by 1.5 million barrels in the week to Dec. 5, com-

DILBERT

pared with analysts’ expectations for a 2.2-million-barrel draw.

Traders are now eyeing an increasingly competitive battle for market share among OPEC exporters, for clues on when and at what price they would step in to help balance oil markets.

Leading the challenge is Kuwait, which has set the official selling price for its crude sales to Asian buyers for January at $3.95 a barrel below the average of Oman/Dubai quotes, a trader said, the lowest it has been since December 2008.

'This is a bit of a return to a more normal pattern of trading for us in this time zone' Global demand for OPEC crude in 2015 is expected to fall to its lowest in more than a decade and far below current output, the group said, indicating a hefty supply surplus without OPEC output cuts or a slowdown in the US shale boom. ANZ slashed its forecast for oil prices in 2015 by more than 20% on Thursday, predicting an average price of $71 for Brent and of $68 for West Texas Intermediate.

“Some supply discipline should kick-in during the second half of 2015, but not enough to significantly reduce swollen inventories built earlier in 2014,” Natalie Rampono and Mark Pervan of ANZ said in a note. l