03 Jan, 2015

Paush 20, 1421 Rabiul Awal 11, 1436 Regd No DA 6238 Vol 2, No 270

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2015 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

16 pages plus 24-page supplement Avenue-T | Price: Tk12

AVENUE T

7 | PRESCRIPTION

11 | OP-ED

12 | SPORT

FIVE STEPS TO FUN

EDUCATION WEST OF THE BORDER

ARE WE HAPPY?

GERRARD TO LEAVE ANFIELD IN SUMMER

TENSIONS MOUNT AS POLITICAL MAJORS LOCK HORNS AHEAD OF PROGRAMMES SCHEDULED FOR JAN 5

BNP’s tenacity shadowed by supporters’ doubts

Kamal: No rally if subversion planned

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

n Adil Sakhawat

While the BNP leadership continues to reiterate their determination of holding a January 5 rally in Dhaka “at any cost,” the party’s field-level activists have said they were still unsure whether their top leaders would join them on the streets on the day.

Although the BNP had made a similar announcement of holding a rally “at any cost” in Gazipur on January 27, it backtracked at the last moment – creating

uncertainty among its ranks. Further doubts were sown when no senior BNP leader came out to demonstrate on the streets during the two consequent hartals in Gazipur and across the country.

To make matters worse, the newly formed committee of Chhatra Dal also backtracked from holding a rally in Suhrawardy Udyan on January 2 – even after securing a last-minute permission from authorities. The student wing claimed they were unable to hold a programme in such a short notice.

However, the BNP’s Dhaka city unit had previously managed to hold many programmes in the capital after securing permission just hours before the programme.

The developments come as the country’s political arena is heated up ahead of January 5, when Awami League has announced a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan to mark the “Victory Day of Democracy,” while the BNPled 20-party alliance has also said they  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday said the BNPled 20-party alliance would not be permitted to hold any rally on January 5 if there was apprehension that the party’s activists might get involved in subversion.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating the Hajj and Umrah Fair at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, he said there was still time to

decide whether the permission would be granted.

The matter is under consideration, said Asaduzzaman, adding: “If there is no possibility of anarchy and the BNP can ensure a peaceful rally then we will consider the matter positively.”

The alliance has already sought permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police to hold a rally either at Suhrawardy Udyan or outside the Nayapaltan office, but a reply is still awaited.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 4

AL man shot dead in Chittagong n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong An activist of Awami League (AL) was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Satkania upazila in Chittagong yesterday night.

Officer-in-Charge of Satkania police station Mohammad Khaled Hossain said about five unidentified people, wearing masks, boarding on a CNGrun auto-rickshaw, attacked on Jamal Uddin, 32, son of Bodi Alam at Fultola Bazar under Kanchana union of the upazila around 7:30pm when he was chatting with some of his friends.

The attackers indiscriminately opened fire at him and fled the scene.

He died on the spot, the OC said.

On receiving information, police rushed to the spot and recovered the body of the victim, who was an accused of a mugging case lodged with Satkania police station. But the OC did not confirm the deceased’s political identity.

AL’s Chittagong south district unit General Secretary Mafizur Rahman claimed that Jamal was an activist of the party. He said he might have been killed over political enmity and members of Jamaat-Shibir were involved in the killing.

Dhaka Tribune could not reach any  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

INSIDE 3 | News

The authorities concerned are dawdling in investigating the death of Jihad as the probe bodies have missed deadlines for submitting reports.

4 | News

Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain has called for formation of a committee to find out irregularities and corruptions in the country’s Supreme Court.

5 | News

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has expressed disappointment about the government’s inability to draw meritorious people to the education sector.

6 | Nation

Chandpur’s month-long Bijoy Mela, a fair on Liberation War history, has turned into a commercial trade fair.

8 | World

Tug boats hauled the burnt-out hulk of the ferry that caught fire on Sunday off the coast of Greece to a southern Italian port yesterday, opening the way for an investigation into the cause of the blaze.

This signpost, erected at an unmanned level crossing in the capital’s Gendaria area, announces to pedestrians and drivers that railway authorities absolve themselves of any accountability in the event of an accident. However, there is no warning for the people who carelessly ride on the locomotive. The photo was taken yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

The bridge to nowhere n Shohel Mamun While the government hopes to inaugurate the much-awaited Padma Multipurpose Bridge by 2018, it is yet to construct a railway from Dhaka to Faridpur that would connect to the bridge.

The word “multipurpose” in its name refers to the road and railway link it is supposed to offer across the Padma River. An Australian firm has completed a feasibility study of the railway on the bridge but if tracks are not laid from Dhaka to Faridpur, the tracks on the bridge will be of no use.

Director General of Bangladesh Railway, Taffazzal Hussain said: “We are seeking funds for the construction of a railway track to connect Dhaka to Faridpur via the Padma Bridge.”

“We have sent a letter to the Asian Development Bank but they have not replied yet. In the meantime, the Plan-

PADMA BRIDGE ning Commission will try to collect funds for the Dhaka-Faridpur rail line,” he said.

A visit to the Padma Bridge project site on December 17 found construction work in full swing. Soil testing, dredging and river training work seemed to be moving quickly.

But there was no work being done, anywhere between Dhaka and Mawa, to build a railway track.

In January 2011, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) passed the design of the

Padma Bridge that included rail tracks on the bridge.

Railway sources said the Railway Ministry recently completed the Detailed Project Plan (DPP), according to which the Dhaka-Faridpur rail track will fall under two projects: one from Kamalapur Railway Station in the capital to Mawa and the other from Jajira Point to Bhanga upazila in Faridpur district.

The Padma Bridge railway track falls under the first project.

Sources said the draft DPP had been submitted to the Planning Commission for review.

The total cost of the two projects is estimated at Tk13,200cr. Authorities calculate that around Tk5,000cr would be needed for land acquisition and resettlement while the rest, about Tk8,200cr, will be needed for the  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

9 | World

The crew of a Pakistani fishing boat blew up and sank their vessel after trying to evade capture at the hands of the Indian navy in a high-speed chase at sea.

Teachers of Autism Welfare Foundation helping their students to perform a display at the annual sports 2015 event organised at Sultana Kamal Women’s Complex in the capital yesteday DHAKA TRIBUNE

Separate desk for providing MRP to Hajj pilgrims n Adil Sakhawat

Prospective hajj pilgrims will be able to secure a Machine Readable Passport (MRP) in the shortest time possible as there will be a dedicated desk at the passport offices for them. They will also enjoy an expedited police verification service.

Asaduzzaman Khan, the state minister for home affairs, made this disclosure yesterday while inaugurating the four-day Hajj and Umrah Fair organised

by Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).

The junior minister said: “Hajj pilgrims have to face several difficulties without an MRP. So an MRP has been made mandatory for them.”

He also said as per the instruction from Saudi Arabia, the government had announced the hajj policy ahead of time so that the hajj pilgrims could complete all procedure in time.

Warning the pilgrims of dubious agencies, the minister suggested HAAB members to rein in the two or three agencies who were tarnishing the image of the organisation.

Ibrahim Bahar, president of HAAB, urged to the government to extend the deadline for registration and deposit of hajj fees till June.

He also requested the government to allow all airlines to carry hajj pilgrims.

Currently the government allows only Bangladesh Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines to carry the hajj pilgrims.

Also present in the event, Secretary of Religious Affairs Ministry Babul Hassan said the government would think about the time extension.

Reiterating concerns about fake agencies, the secretary said: “Tougher action will be taken against those agencies which will try to cheat the hajj pilgrims.”

Hajj is likely to be performed on September 22 this year. And the government is planning to send an estimated 91,758 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia under private management. The estimated cost for each hajj pilgrims this year is minimum Tk2,96,206. l

Robberies at gunpoint commonplace in 2014 n Mohammad Jamil Khan Robberies using firearms were a permanent fixture in 2014 despite police claims that gun crimes had declined, with experts saying improper policing, the sheltering of criminals, and drug addiction were fuelling the crime wave.

Take the shooting robbery of a private car on December 8. Like a Hollywood action film, muggers riding on seven motorbikes, two per bike, stopped a car belonging to Monadik Enterprise in front of the Proshika building in Mirpur, shot its driver Jahid Hossain, and made off with Tk87 lakh.

The driver survived his gun-shot injuries. The crime is still under investigation and the money has not been recovered. Police detained three suspects but believe the crime’s masterminds are still at large.

A month before that, on November 10, three muggers stopped garment official Ajit Kumar and security guard Belayet Hossain in broad daylight in the Petrol Pump area of Hazipara in Dhaka’s Rampura neighbourhood, and took off with Tk2.8 lakh.

Neither the assailants nor the money have been tracked down.

On September 4, muggers attacked money exchange businessman, Israil Hossain, in the capital’s Shantipur area and stole Tk38 lakh after killing his only son, Sharif Hossain Saimon.

Police recovered Tk3.99 lakh, so far, and arrested two suspects.

Rampant armed robbery plagued the country last year, with estimates multiple incidents of robbery with a firearm or other deadly weapon taking place everyday across the country.

Only a tiny fraction of the crimes are reported to police, according to experts and victims.

Crime statistics at police headquar-

ters showed some 823 cases of muggings filed across the country last year.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police records show the corresponding figure of 226 reports in the capital.

Victims told the Dhaka Tribune that although they sometimes filed cases after losing their valuables, they lose interest in running the case when it seems unlikely the goods will ever be found.

Masudur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said police were increasing their patrolling of the capital.

Victims lost interest in their cases because the stolen goods will likely never be found Incidents of mugging were decreasing daily and many muggers had been arrested, he said.

Asked about the recovery of looted money, he said muggers divide up the spoils of their crimes and spend it all long before they are found out and arrested.

Police intelligence officials said, of the capital’s top 100 mugging spots, some of the big ones are Malibagh intersection, Kakrail, Rajarbagh Police Line gate number one, Kamalapur Railway Station, Shantinagar, Eastern Plus Market, Mirpur 1 intersection, Technical intersection, Mohakhali Bus stand, Uttara’s Jasimuddin Road, Rampura Bridge, Moghbazar, Jigatola Bus Stand, Babubazar and Hatirjheel.

The use of guns during muggings and robberies has increased in recent times.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

BCL faction enforces strike on CU n CU Correspondent

A faction of Chittagong University (CU) unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League has called an infinite strike on the CU campus from today to press home their sixpoint demand.

Their demand include removal of officer-in-charge (OC) of Hathazari Police Station; withdrawal of “false” cases filed against their leaders and activists over Taposh murder; immediate arrest of the main culprits of the murder, and ensuring securities at CU the dormitories.

Earlier on December 17 last year, Varsity Express (VX), a shuttle train based faction of CU unit of AL, had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the authorities

concerned to press home the demands.

SM Ariful Islam, organising secretary of dissolved committee of BCL CU unit, said: “We gave enough time to the CU authorities. But the administrations have failed to meet our demands.

“The VX will enforce an indefinite blockade at CU from tomorrow (today),” he said. On December 14,Tapos Sarkar, a first year student of the Sangskrit department and also a member of Choose Friend with Care (CFC), a shuttle train based faction of BCL of CU unit,, was shot dead over establishing supremacy on the campus.

A murder case was filed with Hathazari police station against 50 people including 30 BCL members of CU nit. l

News

Man held from Sabujbagh put on four-day remand n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu A court yesterday granted police four days to interrogate a man who was arrested along with three firearms and 1,000 bullets from Sabujbagh in the capital.

Metropolitan Magistrate Nuru Miah passed the order in response to a seven-day plea to interrogate Saifullah Khan.

The Detective Branch of Police arrested him from the office of the Mobile Servicing Engineers Association of Bangladesh on Thursday.

DB Sub-Inspector Md Wahidur Rahman filed a case with Sabujbagh police in this connection. l

Another Chhatra League man held over SUST violence n UNB

One more Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activist has been held in connection with the organisation’s infighting at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) that left one dead.

Police picked up Ramim Ibn Jahan, a third year student of Computer Science and Engineering Department and

son of Shahjahan of Dhunkipara village in Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj, from Surma Residential Area in Akhalia of the city early yesterday.

Later, he was shown arrested in a case filed for vandalism during the clash, said Officer-in-Charge of Jalalabad police station Akhter Hossain.

With this, a total of 39 people have so far been arrested in connection with

Saturday, January 3, 2015

the killing of the BCL men in the clash.

On November 20, BCL man Sumon Das, 22, was killed and 20 others were injured in a factional clash of the ruling party’s student wing over establishing supremacy on the SUST campus.

Later, the authorities announced the closure of the university for an indefinite period. Three cases were filed with Jalalabad police station. l

This man lying at the emergency unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital is a balloon seller who lost his left hand as his gas cylinder burst in the capital’s Shyambazar area yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

BNP hits back at JaPa chief Ershad for remarks on Khaleda

Crude bomb hurled at former Sylhet City Corporation mayor’s vehicle n UNB

n UNB

A crude bomb was hurled targeting the vehicle of former Sylhet City Corporation mayor and city Awami League President Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran at Pathantula here yesterday afternoon.

However, he escaped the attack unhurt as the bomb missed his vehicle narrowly and instead it exploded on the street.

Kamran said a group of several youths threw the bomb at his vehicle at Pathantula Point on his way to Ambarkhana after attending a marriage ceremony at a community centre.

Officer-in-Charge of Jalalabad police station Akhter Hossain said Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists brought out a procession at Pathantula demanding the withdrawal of cases filed against senior BNP leaders. “The crude bomb was blasted from the rally.” l

In a scathing attack on Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad for making “offensive” remarks against their party Chairperson Khaleda Zia, BNP yesterday branded the former military ruler as a “cruel Razakar”.

Ershad claimed Khaleda is now suffering due to the misdeeds she had committed during her stay in office

Suhrawardy Udyan rally on Thursday about Khaleda Zia. Rizvi alleged that Ershad was the chairman of the tribunal the then Pakistan regime had formed to try those army officers captured for fleeing the West Pakistan and joining the Liberation War. “The current regime is holding the trial of Razakars of the 1971… but this cruel Razakar (Ershad) is now a cohort of Sheikh Hasina,” the BNP leader said.

He also alleged that Ershad had removed many freedom-fighter army officers from their service when he was the army chief. “Not only that he was also the mastermind of the murders of late president Ziaur Rahman and Chittagong cantonment GOC Maj Gen MA Monjur.”

Rizvi claimed that Ershad had captured power at gunpoint by ousting an elected president Abdus Sattar. “This person is now spreading lies. We condemn and protest yesterday’s remarks of this political rogue and traitor.”

The Jatiya Party chief at the rally of his party accused Khaleda of initiating the politics of vengeance in the country and claimed that she is now suffering due to the misdeeds she had committed during her stay in office. l

Nagorik Student Front forms a human chain in front of the National Press Club yesterday protesting recent incidents of question paper leakage and different forms of corruption prevailing in the education sector of the country RAJIB DHAR

“Another offender has joined the illegal government’s false campaign. He is Ershad who is an expert in telling lies and champion of spreading rumours.

This autocrat is making various unguarded remarks in the interest of the illegal Awami League regime,” said BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

The BNP leader came up with the remarks at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office reacting to Ershad’s remarks at his party’s

Robberies at gunpoint commonplace in 2014

No rally if subversion planned

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

Police intelligence officials said at least 25 organised gangs were behind the armed robberies.

In Mirpur, the Khalifa, Arman, Akther, Monir and Babu groups are active; the Shahidul and Rajab groups prey on residents and commuters in Tejgaon; the Sohel and Forman groups are active in Badda; Nasir, Lengra Bacchu, Kailla Sentu, Akter, Atim Monir, Imu, Jakir, Arif, Sultan, Jahangir and Sagor groups work in Gulshan; and the Makbul group is active in Motijheel.

Furthermore, muggers are operating in the guise of the well-to-do, or are being joined by well-heeled criminals.

Rakibul Haque, a bank official, was recently mugged while on his way to Mohakhali from Gulshan by rickshaw.

Around 9:30pm, an expensive private car stopped his rickshaw. Its occupants beat him badly and took his valuables.

Rakib said his assailants were all aged between 20 and 28 years.

“They looked drunk and I think they took the money to buy drugs,” he said. Rakib said he would not file a case because he believes it is pointless to do so.

Former chairman of the criminology and police science department at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Associate Professor Mohammad Azizur Rahman, said muggings occur for basically three reasons.

The prime reasons are negligent investigations by law enforcement officials; drugs, which account for 80% of

muggings; and the political shelter of criminals.

Azizur said muggings could easily be controlled but fair investigations and the enforcement of strict punishments for criminals were required.

Punishment must be meted out not only to criminals but also their shelterers, he added.

Abdur Rahim Khan, former additional inspector general of police, said police could achieve anything if they wanted to.

Monirul Islam, joint commissioner of the Detective Branch of police, said plain-clothes policemen were patrolling the capital. “Our success rate is growing day by day and we hope these crimes can be brought under control,” he said. l

BNP’s tenacity shadowed by supporters’ doubts  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

would hold a rally in the city at any cost, even if permission is denied.

Against such a backdrop, the BNP is maintaining caution while drawing up a strategy for its movement and being careful to avoid any violence, as it might backfire and give an upper-hand to the government.

AL, BNP plans for January 5

At a press conference yesterday, BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said their rally would be peaceful. He also sought law enforcers’ assistance in making the programme successful.

He added that the rally would be held even if permission was not given, but expressed hopes that the administration would give permission for the sake of peace.

Meanwhile, at a separate event in the capital yesterday, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the BNP-led alliance would not be permitted to hold any rally on January 5 if there was concerns that the party’s activists might get involved in subversive activities.

Speaking elsewhere, Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ulAlam Hanif also said his party would resist the BNP in Dhaka on January 5 if there was any attempt at creating violence. Criticising Rizvi’s statement of holding a rally at any cost, Hanif said: “BNP leaders’ threats and provocative speeches prove that they have no respect for law.”

Uncertainty among the ranks

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, BNP activists said they were sceptical about the party’s strength of waging a movement as the government was taking a hardline approach against them.

“If senior leaders do not take to the street, then why would we take the risk? Activists get inspired seeing the leaders on the street. So the leaders have to take to the streets first,” a Dhaka city unit leader told the Dhaka Tribune seeking anonymity.

He also said the main challenge of the BNP was to ensure the presence of senior leaders on the street.

A former Chhatra Dal leader, preferring not to be named, said the BNP enjoyed mass support but failed to cash

in on it just because the senior leaders had a “stay safe” attitude.

“After calling hartal, senior leaders go into hiding and ask us to remain on the street. But when cases are filed against us, no one takes responsibility.

So now it is the turn of senior leaders [to take to the streets].”

He said the Dhaka city unit committee was reconstituted to strengthen the movement but this time their performance was also frustrating. “The hartal programme was an acid test for the city BNP but they completely failed.”

However, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia told a press conference on Wednesday that her party leaders stayed on the street during the latest hartal and would remain on the street in the future as well.

Concerns about violence

There are concerns in the public mind that renewed tension in the political scene might trigger a repeat of the violence that broke out during the resistance movement preceding the January 5 national election last year.

Abdul Moyeen Khan, a BNP standing committee member, said: “Whether

The rally would be held to mark what the alliance had described as the “democracy killing day”.

The Awami League, on the other hand, will observe January 5 as the “democracy protection day” and will celebrate its one year in office.

The party’s Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said yesterday his party would resist if BNP activists attempted to perpetrate violence in the capital while holding the January 5 rally.

Criticising BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi’s statement that the rally would be held at any cost, Hanif said: “BNP leaders’ threats and provocative speeches prove that they have no respect for law.”

Talking to reporters after a meeting at Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi office, he said police would decide who would hold rally on January 5 but BNP leaders were using provocative words.

The Awami League earlier announced to hold a rally on January 5 but later deferred it for a day when the BNP announced a rally for the same day.

“On January 5, the Awami League will hold rallies in divisions, districts and upazilas, and also in 16 points in the capital, including Suhrawardy Udyan. Besides, the rally on January 6 will be held at Central Shaheed Minar.

“Another rally will be held on January 10 at Suhrawardy Udyan marking the Homecoming Day of Bangabandhu,” Hanif added. l

any occurrence of violence will take place or not depends entirely on the attitude of the government, depending on their wiliness to put up with a peaceful protest or thwart it with power.

“The BNP believes in peaceful democratic process and the Awami League at times even makes a mockery that BNP is not capable of violent protest. In a way they are right; seems BNP never teaches its rank and files to impose a one-track philosophy on others, keeping its faith on the axiom that differing opinion is the essence of democracy,” Abdul Moyeen said.

Party sources, meanwhile, said some senior BNP leaders have been maintaining regular contact with top Jamaat leaders, while even Khaleda Zia had talked to Jamaat leaders over phone.

A Dhaka city BNP leader said coordination was going on between Jamaat and his party, with Jamaat already assuring Khaleda that they would be on the street this time with full strength.

With many BNP leaders staying out of sight to avoid arrest in different cas-

es, Khaleda Zia has also held a series of meetings with senior leaders of the party.

Party insiders said if the party chairperson was barred from holding a rally on January 5, she would start to move towards the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters from her Gulshan residence.

“Government might impose section 144 in the capital like Gazipur to foil the rally. But this time, we will not backtrack from the movement. Our leaders and activists will face it while remaining on the streets,” a senior BNP leader, seeking anonymity, told the Dhaka tribune.

The party’s front and associate bodies have already been asked to take allout preparations to make the upcoming programme successful, while sources said the government’s failure to give permission for the rally might prompt the party to call non-stop hartals from January 5 or 6, which would then be turned into a blockade programme.

However, the BNP may have to compromise their plans to sustain any long-term movement as the first phase of Bishwa Ijtema is scheduled to start from January 9. l

AL man  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

Jamaat-Shibir leader over telephone after repeated attempts at the time of filing the report.

Local sources said the killing might be the consequence of local AL’s factional conflict while the OC said that they were looking into the matter. l

The bridge  PAGE 1 COLUMN 4

construction of the rail track, rail bridge, stations and related infrastructure.

Sources said it would take 82.32 km of rail track to run a train on the Padma Bridge – 44.32 km to connect Dhaka to the bridge, 6.15km to span the bridge, and 31.85 km from the bridge to Bhanga.

Railway Ministry sources said they hope the rail link will be in operation by 2022.

But it all depends on raising the funds by the beginning of the coming year.

The bridge’s rail link will not likely be ready if the bridge opens on time in 2018, sources said.

But Railway Minister Mujibul Haque said: “If the construction work starts quickly, it will be finished by 2018.”

Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday he said: “The prime minister has directed us to start the construction of the Dhaka-Faridpur railway. We hope the construction of the Dhaka-Faridpur rail route via the Padma Bridge will be started in the shortest possible time.”

“We hope the ADB will help fund the rail link. But they have not responded yet,” he said.

The feasibility study estimates that more than 365.10 hectares of land must be acquired for the railway, of which 273 hectares are private land. Moreover, 92 hectares are Roads and Highways land.

The project envisions four large bridges including over the Buriganga River and Shitalakhya River and 56 rail bridges of different lengths. Five level crossings and 3 flyovers will need to be built where the railway intersects the national highways.

The proposed railway spans 87 moujas, including those of Dhaka City Corporation and several upazilas. A very large number of establishments have to be removed from the alignment – a huge task, according to railway sources. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Saturday, January 3, 2015

JIHAD DEATH

Probe bodies miss report submission deadlines Mamun and n Shohel Mohammad Jamil Khan

The authorities concerned are dawdling in investigating the death of Shahjahanpur Railway Colony boy Jihad as the probe bodies have missed deadlines for submitting reports.

The Railways Ministry and Bangladesh Railway formed two separate probe committees after the four-year-old boy accidentally fell into a 500-foot abandoned pipe while playing with his playmates on December 26 last year. Some volunteers lifted out his body almost 23 hours later when the rescue operation was officially called off.

The Bangladesh Railway committee was supposed to submit its report within 24 hours, and the ministry committee within three days, but neither of the bodies has completed probe to date.

Shahjahanpur police also appear to be progressing sluggishly with the only criminal case lodged in this connection as whereabouts of the two accused still remain unknown.

Railway Senior Sub-assistant Engineer Jahangir Alam was responsible for coordinating operations of AR Traders, the contractor which was working to set up a deep tube well in the area.

Bangladesh Railway suspended Jahangir and blacklisted the contractor for negligence and formed a three-member committee with Dhaka Divisional Railway Engineer Mahmud Hasan as the head.

A day after, when Jihad was pulled out of the pipe, the Railways Ministry formed the other committee. It was a three-member body as well and Deputy Secretary of the ministry Masud Karim was made the chief of it.

Mahmud Hasan told the Dhaka Tribune the investigation was underway and nothing could be said before that ended.

Masud Karim also said the same, emphasising a thorough investigation.

He also said there was no need to ask for more time to complete the probe.

“The report will be submitted once the investigation comes to an end. Before that, we cannot say anything,” added Masud.

Railways Minister Mujibul Haque refused to say anything about this.

Several ministry officials, however, said on condition of anonymity that the state minister for home earlier got into trouble for commenting on the incident and the railways minister was keeping mum to avoid any such hassle.

They also claimed the ministry was not willing to ask the probe body to speed things up as the move would bring the issue back to the spotlight again.

Railway Director General Tafazzal Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune on Thursday the investigation was progressing smoothly and the committees were doing their job accordingly.

He also said he was hopeful that the reports would be submitted soon.

Investigation of the criminal case filed in connection with the incident is also moving at a snail’s pace.

Jihad’s father Nasiruddin Fakir filed the case on December 28 against Abdus Salam, owner of AR Traders, and the suspended railway engineer Jahangir Alam.

Abu Jafor, investigating officer of the case and sub-inspector of Shahjahanpur police station, told the Dhaka Tribune police were trying their best to track down the accused.

“We are doing our best and are hopeful about a positive outcome,” he said.

But police had not contacted the plaintiff since the case was filed.

Nasiruddin also told the Dhaka Tribune that he approached police to get an update on the investigation but they gave him no detailed information, except saying that it was underway.

“It is nothing but the negligence of police which is delaying the investigation. I fear that the accused might never be arrested,” he added. l

5 missing fishermen rescued in Teknaf n UNB

Heightened awareness needed to halt human trafficking

Five fishermen who went missing after a trawler capsized in the Teknaf estuary near the St Martin’s Island were rescued yesterday afternoon. The fishing boat sank after it was hit by a tourist vessel.

Five fishermen of the trawler who jumped into the water during the capsize were later rescued by a passenger vessel which was heading towards the St Martin at that time.

Owner of the fishing trawler, M Hossain, a resident of Mestri Para in the Shahpurir Island in the estuary, said he had heard from witnesses that the trawler sank as Teknaf-bound tourist vessel, ‘Keari Sindabad’, from the St Martin’s Island hit it in the mouth of the river in the Bay of Bengal around 3:30pm.

The fishermen on board of the trawler were rescued and the overturned trawler was also recovered following the accident, he added. Contacted over phone, in-charge of the tourist vessel, Shah Alam, confirmed the incident.

Officer-in-Charge of Teknaf police station Ataur Rahman said the police have been informed about the incident and they will take necessary steps in this regard. l

n BSS Amina was studying in class IX with financial assistance from the government. The oldest among four sisters and brothers she could felt her parent’s hardship, acutely. Therefore, she wanted to do something to reduce the burden of her day laborer father’s household. But she was unable to find anything. Her mother used to sew mats but income was very meager.

One day a smart youth named Mantu came to their house with her father.

Amina came to know Mantu, a businessman from Lalmonirhat. But her family didn’t know what kind of business. A distant sister of his lived in Amina’s village.

Mantu proposed marriage. Amina’s father, too, thought the boy was a good match for his daughter. His wife, too, liked the boy.

The boy did not demand any dowry; rather he offered to give gold ornaments and money to the bride’s family.

The marriage went ahead. But after a couple of months, Amina’s family

Women for Good Governance forms a human chain in front of the National Press Club yesterday demanding fair probe into the death of four-year-old Jihad who lost his life after falling inside an abandoned 600-ft deep water pump pipe in the capital’s Shahjahanpur on Saturday RAJIB DHAR

BNP: Journey to democracy from January 5 n Tribune Report

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s adviser Khandakar Mahbub Hossain said a new journey to restore the democracy in the country would start from January 5.

He said: “This January 5 will be different from the one in previous year as a new journey to restore democracy will commence on the day.”

He made the statement while addressing a discussion programme at the National Press Club yesterday.

Khandkar, who is also the president of The Supreme Court Ainjibi Samity, said: “The government held a one-sid-

could no longer trace her as Mantu’s cell phone remained switched off. His brother-in-law also had no knowledge of his whereabouts.

Five months later, a human rights’ organisation of Kolkata, India informed the family that Amina was staying with them. Apparently, Mantu had sold Amina to a brothel in India. The NGO had rescued her along with several other trafficked girls.

Not only Amina, due to poverty many girls were being trapped by traffickers. They were being sold in India, Pakistan and the Middle-East.

The media publishes stories only when trafficked people are rescued.

For the rest of the year the crimes go on silently. Recently news was published in a Bengali newspaper saying that 13 women and children were rescued while they were being trafficked to India. But it is only the tip of the iceberg.

According to sources, people, mostly women and children were trafficked to India. Later, they are taken to other countries. But law-enforcers cannot arrest the traffickers, as they were “high-

ed election on January 5 last year amid a boycott by the major political parties of the country.”

The 10th national election was held on January 5, 2013 with the BNP-led alliances boycotting it “Begum Khaleda Zia placed a seven-point proposal to resolve the ongoing political crisis. In line of the propos-

ly connected”. The trafficking of women and children goes unabated at all bordering routes including Benapole, Hili, Joypurhat and Lalmonirhat.

According to the United Nations, more than 3 lakh women and children were trafficked to India in the last 10 years. But different non-government organizations said this number is more than five lakhs.

The “Prevention of Women and Child Repression Act-2003” says traffickers were liable to be punished by death. The minimum punishment is 10 years Rigorous Imprisonment (RI).

If traffickers were punished trafficking would reduce.Victims also know about the law but even some lawyers do not about the law, adequately.

Training Consultant of Winrof International, a non government organisation working on human trafficking, Samina Atiq, said women should be aware of trafficking. She said guardians of children should also be conscious about it.

Implementation of existing laws was important but even more important was awareness about it, she added. l

al, the government should hold talks immediately.”

Issuing a note of warning, the BNP leader further said: “If the government does not take any effective step in this regard, it will have to face dire consequences.”

Earlier, the party sought permission from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Public Works Department to hold the January 5 rally either at Suhrawardy Udyan, in front of the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters or at Shapla square in Matijheel.

However, they are yet to get the permission. A delegation of the BNP went

to the DMP office on Thursday but failed to meet any official.

The ruling Awami League also announced to hold a rally on the same day to observe what they said “Democracy Protection Day”.

The 10th national election was held on January 5, 2013 with the BNP-led alliances and many other political parties boycotting it.

The Awami League formed the government for the second time in a row with absolute majority and the Jatiya Party became the main opposition though three of its lawmakers are also cabinet members. l

JU chemistry department celebrates 4th decade anniversary n JU Correspondent The Department of Chemistry at Jahangirnagar University (JU) celebrated its 40th anniversary and a get-together of its present and former students yesterday.

The department was established in 1972.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, who attended the programme as chief guest, said the university had progressed much in terms of providing tertiary education, practical knowledge.

Now it was the duty of its teachers and students to make and keep its environment normal, he said.

Former JU vice chancellor and Public Service Commission member Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir said: “The department has a noteworthy reputation at home and abroad and it should be perfectly carried forward in future.”

MP for Dhaka 19 seat (Savar) Dr Enamur Rahman said attended the programme as a special guest and appreciated different achievements of the university in the fields of education and research.

Vice Chancellor Prof Farzana Islam

said knowledge succeeds only when it comes to the use of people, adding that the department-provided education and -generated researches were effective for the people in the country.

Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Abul Hossain, General Secretary of Chemistry Department Alumni Association Professor Dr Wahiduzzaman also spoke at the programme.

Department of Chemistry Chairman Professor Dr Ilias Mollah, also president of the alumni association, presided over the programme.

Five professors of the Department of Chemistry and its two former students were given honorary crests for their extraordinary contribution in the field of chemistry education.

The teachers are Professor Dr Kalipad Kundu, Professor Dr Kazi Ali Aza, Professor Dr Abul Hashem, Professor Dr Abdul Hai, Professor Dr Rabiul Islam and the students are Nur Uddin and Dr Mohammad Ali. Earlier around 10am, former and current teachers, and students brought out. l

Gayeshwar sent to jail after remand n Md Sanaul Islam Tipu

BNP Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan placing floral wreaths at the grave of Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on occasion of the 36th founding anniversary of Chhatra Dal DHAKA TRIBUNE

A Dhaka court yesterday ordered to send BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy to jail after he was remanded for two days.

Metropolitan Magistrate Shahriar Mahmud Adnan passed the order when Sub-Inspector Bahauddin Faruki of the Detective Branch of Police, also the investigation officer of the case, produced Gayeshwar before the court.

Defence counsel Md Sanaullah Miah filed a bail petition but it was rejected by the court.

Earlier on December 30, another metropolitan magistrate granted twoday remand for Gayeshwar and three other BNP activists in a case filed under the Special Power Act with Turag police station for creating anarchy.

Three other BNP men – BNP’s Turag thana unit convenor Atiqur Rahman, party activist Mohiuddin Chowdhury and Mizanur Rahman – were also produced before the court and subsequently sent to jail.

On December 24, over 50 people were injured in the Bakshibazar clash that ensued just before BNP Chief Khaleda Zia appeared before a makeshift court at Bakshibazar in connection with Zia Orphanage and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases.

Awami League lawmaker Chhabi Biswas came under attack by BNP men in front of the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital during the clash.

After picking up Gayeshwar Chandra Roy from a house at Siddheshwari on December 26, he was shown arrested in the case filed in connection with the attack on Chhabi Biswas. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Dr Kamal requests CJ to form committee to probe corruption at Supreme Court n Abu Hayat Mahmud Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain has called for formation of a committee to find out irregularities and corruptions in the country’s Supreme Court.

“The state has lost the sense of humanity. Why? Those who are running the country have become totally isolated from people. They don’t give any importance to what people say,” he said.

“We were proud of the Supreme Court which carries around 150-year old heritage. But, now a days, it is facing various questions. I am requesting the Chief Justice to take immediate steps to find out all irregularities,” he said.

The eminent jurist said he will send a letter to Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain requesting him to take necessary steps in this regard soon.

“I will send a letter to the chief justice requesting him to form an investigation team for finding out all the problems of the court. I will also tell the press what type of answer I get from the chief justice,” he added.

Dr Kamal, also a constitution specialist, was addressing a discussion organised by human rights body Manabadhikar Parjabekkhan Parishad at the National Press Club in the capital yesterday.

Dr Kamal Hossain addressing a discussion on the current state of human rights in Bangladesh and the 43rd Victory Day organised at the National Press Club yesterday DHAKA TRIBUNE Some 10 former chief justices are still alive. The committee should be formed consisting of the former justices, he suggested.

“Our independence and democracy will become valueless, if the people do not get fair trial from the country’s apex court,” he said.

Dr Kamal said: “I will go to the Supreme Court on January 5 to give the letter to the Chief Justice.”

“On that day, a hearing on a contempt of court will be held. I will attend the hearing. In future, I will also attend the hearing on such type of all cases” he said.

On December 2 last year, Chief Jus-

Mass signature collection programme to halt traffic through Sundarbans starts n Tribune Report In the wake of the recent oil spill in Sundarbans, Biggan Andolon Moncho has started a nationwide signature collection campaign demanding restriction on movement of water vehicles through the largest mangrove forest in the world.

Members of the organisation, inaugurated the campaign in front of the National Press Club in the capital yesterday morning aiming to collect at least one lakh signatures by the middle of January.

The campaign also calls for scrapping of Rampal power-plant and other projects that can create hazards on the ecosystem of the Sundarbans.

They demanded immediate execution of those behind the oil spill and proper initiatives to curb the damage affecting the trees and aquatic ecosystem in the delicate mangrove forest.

Member secretary of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports Anu Muhammad said: “It was proved that government had no concern for Sundarbans and the catastrophe took place because of the negligence of government.”

The recently published report prepared by specialists from the United Nations Development Programme approves government’s roles in mitigating the damage in Sundarbans, however, in reality the government played no

role, rather, local villagers are engaged in collecting the 200,000 litre furnace oil which spread through rivers inside the Sundarbans.

Razekuzzaman Ratan, adviser to Biggan Andolon Moncho, said: “We cannot take the loss lightly, it has a long term negative impact on our Sundarbans.”

On December 9, around 6am an oil tanker Southern Star 7, carrying 357,664 litres of furnace oil collided with another vessel and partly sank in the Sundarbans’ Sela river, home to rare Irrawaddy and Ganges dolphins.

The campaign was presided by Imran Habib Rumon, central coordinator of Biggan Andolon Moncho. l

tice Md Muzammel Hossain asked all the heads of various tiers of the lower judiciary to take effective steps to check corruption.

“I take serious note of it. The information relating to corruption of any judicial officer or staff since there is a room for corruption in the judiciary,”

Workers: Reopen Sela River route or face movement n UNB River transport workers here yesterday threatened to wage a tough movement, including work abstention, from Tuesday if the Sela River route that goes through the Sundarbans is not reopened to vessel movement by Monday.

Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation, a platform of seven organisations of river transport workers, came up with the ultimatum from two separate rallies at Mongla and Sarankhola in the district.

‘Some 5000-6000 river transport workers became unemployed due to the suspension of traffic on the Sela River’

Biggan Andolon Moncho inaugurates the mass signature collection campaign to halt traffic through Sundarbans in front of the National Press Club yesterday SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Brac Bank employees run marathon

n Tribune Report

The employees of Brac Bank yesterday organised a marathon titled “Brac Bank DAUR 2015 – Kolyaner Pothochola” to raise fund for humanity, according to a press release.

The marathon started at 7am. A total of 4,000 employees from Brac Bank participated in the marathon that started from Police Plaza Point of Hatirjheel Point and ended at the same point covering 5.6km.

On the occasion, the employees raised a fund of more than Tk16 lakh, and the company made it Tk21.2 lakh with the rest from its fund.

Brac Bank donated Tk10 lakh to Subarta Trust that works for the welfare and healthcare of old-aged people of the country. After the marathon, Syed Mahbubur Rahman, managing director and chief executive officer, Brac Bank Limited, handed over the cheque to Selina Akhtar, general secretary and chief executive officer, Subarta Trust.

Benazir Ahmed, director general, RAB was present as the chief guest at the event. Management committee members of Brac Bank and its subsidiaries were also present. l

Tofail Ahmed: No talks with BNP before 2019 n JU Correspondent Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday rejected the possibility of holding talks with BNP before 2019.

He made the statement at the 4th decade anniversary and reunion programme of Jahangirnagar University

‘The next parliamentary elections would take place within the 90 days after the current government’s tenure ends and talks may be held then’ chemistry department while replying to questions of journalists after his speech at the programme as the chief guest.

The minister said: “Khaleda Zia was invited for talks before the January 5 polls last year but she arranged hartals and cordons instead. The people of

the country did not accept her movements.”

Regarding questions on the press conference of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her proposals, the commerce minister said the proposals were unreasonable and such course of actions have taken aback her own party men.

He said as she realised violent actions would not bring any good to them, she approached with the 7-point demands to keep her honour unaffected.

Tofail said: “Earlier, we approached them several times for holding talks but BNP did not response. I think she needs to wait more four years.

“The next parliament elections would take place within the 90 days after current government’s tenure ends and talks may be held then. Her proposal is irrational and that kind of discussion is not realistic.”

JU former vice-chancellor Prof Shariff Enamul Kabir, JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Farzana Islam, parliament member of Savar and Ashulia area Dr Enamur Rahman, pro VC Prof Abul Hossain were also present at the programme. l

he said while addressing a judges’ conference at the SC. In his speech, the chief justice said he will not take cognisance of any complaint of harassing judges, but he will take the allegation into consideration if it is sound, and such allegation will be investigated by a competent judge.

“If the corruption charge is proved, stern actions will be taken against the judicial officer or employee,” he said.

In it’s reports published in 2013 and 2014, corruption watchdog Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said corruption in Bangladesh’s judiciary is a common phenomenon.

Yesterday, Dr Kamal, one of the framers of the constitution, also said if the judiciary does not function properly, violation of human rights will remain continue in the country.

He urged for an alternative political platform – except Awami League and BNP – to create new leadership.

Pointing to Nagorik Oikkya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and former AL Lawmaker Golam Maula Rony whom were also addressed in the programme, Dr Kamal said: “Both of you [Manna, Rony] could make posters for campaigning for thereformation in politics and leadership.”

“We will provide all cost of the printing and campaigning posters,” he added. l

Following an oil tanker crash in the river with some 3.57 lakh litres of furnace oil, the government on December 10 banned the plying of all kinds of vessels through the route until further notice.

Oil spilled into a vast area of the world’s largest mangrove forest following the capsize that affected the biodiversity, ecosystem and aquatic life of the Sundarbans.

A UN expert team on Wednesday recommended halting the plying of water vessels through the Sundarbans to avert further environmental disasters.

Considering the environmental aspects, the movement of water vessels through the mangrove forest should not be continued, the UN team said while sharing the preliminary findings of the joint team of UN-Bangladesh Mission to Sundarbans Oil Spill at a meet-the-press programme.

Addressing the rallies, federation general secretary Chowdhury Ashiqul Alam said hundreds of river vessels remain stranded in the Pashur River for the last three weeks due to the imposition of ban on the vessel movement through the Sela River route.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has been using the Sela River for the last three years after Mongla-Ghashiakhali channel lost its navigation, he added. If the Sela River is not reopened for vessel movement

by January 5, they would go for work abstention for an indefinite period from January 6, he said.

Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation acting president Shah Alam said some 5000-6000 river transport workers became unemployed due to the suspension of the vessel movement through the Sela River.

He demanded that the river should be reopened to vessel movement gain until Mongla-Ghashiakhali channel is revived. l

Obaidul: Karnaphuli tunnel construction to be started at end of 2015

n FM Mizanur Rahaman, Chittagong Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said the construction work of the tunnel under Karnaphuli River in Chittagong would start at the end of this year and appointment process of consultants for the project would be completed by February.

The minister hoped China’s President Xi Jinping would inaugurate the construction works if he could manage time from his schedule.

“In a recent visit of China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had requested the minister to make a schedule of their president’s visit during the inauguration programme of the tunnel,” said Obaidul Quader.

After visiting the site of the tunnel in Chittagong city’s Patenga area in the morning, the minister said these in reply to queries of journalists.

During the visit, Awami League’s Lawmakers MA Latif and Samsul Haque Chowdhury accompanied the minister among other government high officials.

All the preparation for starting construction work of the tunnel would be completed by this June-July while the feasibility study of the tunnel had already been completed, said the minister.

The tunnel’s construction would cost about Tk8,000 crores and China Communication Construction Company would construct the tunnel within four years, he said. l

40-km tailback on Dhaka-Chittagong highway n Our Correspondent, Comilla Passengers had to suffer a lot as several hundred vehicles stuck on Dhaka-Chittagong highway for about 10 hours due to a long tailback yesterday.

A 40-kilometre long tailback was created from Padua Bazar area in Comilla to Chandina area, police said.

M Sohel Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Moynamoti highway police station, a heavy rush of vehicles due to last two day’s hartal was the main reason behind the tailback.

Additional police forces were deployed to remove the traffic jam, he said adding that traffic on the highway became normal around 2:00pm. l

Shaheed Anwar teacher dies n Tribune Report Shaheed Anwar Girls’ School teacher Shamsunnahar Chowdhury, wife of Professor Nuruzzaman Chowdhury, passed away on Thursday. She was 69.

She died at 7:15am on her way to hospital, according to a yesterday press release. She had been in teaching profession for more than 40 years.

Shamsunnahar was buried at Banani graveyard on top of her father, late Syed Abdul Aziz Miah. Her Qulkhwani will be held today.

She is survived by her mother, husband, two daughters, 8 siblings and a host of relatives and well wishers. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

5

Saturday, January 3, 2015

'We cannot draw meritorious people to education sector' n Abid Azad Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has expressed disappointment about the government’s inability to draw meritorious people to the education sector.

“We have trained about one million teachers up to secondary-level education in different manners, but still there is lacking that we can not attract meritorious people in this sector,” the minister told the inauguration ceremony of the three-day seventh Bangladesh

'We have already changed the traditional education system and launched a timebefitting and modern education system in the country' English Language Teachers Association (BELTA) International Conference at Dhanmondi’s National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM).

“Teachers are the main force to build a qualified generation and scholars in the country. For this we should try more to support them,” he told the conference, organized by BELTA with the British Council as its lead partner.

Speaking as the chief guest, Nahid also emphasised on the importance of learning and teaching English language, saying: “This is high time that we need to flourish the English language in both learning and teaching system in order to build modern and digital Bangladesh and to implement the ‘Vision 2021.’

“We have already changed the traditional education system and launched a time-befitting and modern education system in the country,” he added.

Also present there, Education Secretary Nazrul Islam Khan said: “English is not only a language; it has now also become a technology and an important tool to develop the country.”

The conference provided a professional forum for English teachers, trainers, policy makers, administrators, materials writers, researchers, educationists and technologists related to English Language Teaching (ELT), Learning, Testing and Administration.

According to BELTA, about 550 participants including representatives from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia are attending the event.

Under the conference’s theme “English Language Education: Directions, Transformations, Sustainability,” presentations would be made offering a range of topics from young learners to adult education, tertiary and secondary education, curriculum and materials design, community-based learning, the use of technology, examinations and their impact on society to the concept of developing innovative practice.

The keynote speaker was Dr Peter Medgyes, who is professor emeritus of Applied Linguistics and Language Pedagogy in Hungary’s Eotvos Lorand University.

British Council Country Director to Bangladesh Barbara Wickham, Asia Pacific University Vice-Chancellor Dr Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, American Centre Director Ann B McConnell and Deputy British High Commissioner Mark Clayton also delivered speeches at the event. l

The Gonojagaron Moncho observes a sit-in at the capital’s Shahabagh intersection yesterday, demanding immediate execution of verdicts announced against war criminals

Gonojagoron demands execution of verdict on Kamaruzzaman without any delay n DU Correspondent The Gonojagoron Moncho yesterday observed a sit-in programme at capital’s Shahabag intersection also known as ‘Projonmo Chattar’, with a call to execute the verdict announced against war criminal Kamaruzzaman as soon as possible.

Addressing the programme, the activists expressed dissatisfaction over delay in executing verdicts of war criminals.

They also urged the government

to execute verdicts given by the War Crimes Tribunal against all war criminals, including Kamaruzzaman, as early as possible.

While talking to journalists Moncho spokesmen D Imran H Sarkar said: “Delivering verdict does not mean that the war trial process in going well, the government must have to execute verdicts of all war criminals without any delay.”

He also urged the government not to do politics with the issue.

He said: “The government could have

WEATHER

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3 DHAKA

TODAY SUN SETS 5:24PM

TOMORROW SUN RISES 6:42AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY 28 29 25 25 28 28 28 28

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

21 20 18 17 25 20 18 21

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

31.0ºC Sylhet

14.3ºC Dinajpur

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

n Our Correspondent, Sylhet

Rana Plaza tragedy victims and their relatives yesterday unveils a compilation book named '24th April: Outcries Of A Thousand Souls' along with distinguished guests at the auditorium of Bishwo Shahityo Kendro MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Rana Plaza carnage compilation book unveiled n Tribune Report

LIGHT RAIN

5:21am 6:41am 12:03am 3:04pm 5:25pm 6:45pm SourceL IslamicFinder.org

that it refrain itself from executing verdict of Jamaat leader Kamaruzzaman.

Imran threatened that if the government did not take effective steps within short time, they would go on tougher programme.

“Now we announced programme only a day in a week, but it would be extended soon if we do not get positive indication from the government”.

“We will be forced to start stern movement across the country”, he added. l

Jamaat-Shibir sprawling under fake identities

Assistant secretary sued over money embezzlement n Our Correspondent, Gopalganj Anti-Corruption Commission has filed a case against five including Assistant Secretary Shahriar Matin for embezzlement of around Tk25 lakh in the name of acquiring land in Gopalganj.

Deputy Assistant Director of ACC Faridpur office Md Fazlul Bari filed the case with Gopalganj police station.

The four other accused are Abdul Jabbar, Firoze Mahmud Munshi, Sajid Molla and Rajib Miya.

Previously, Shahriar Matin was suspended temporarily on August 30, 2013 in a similar case, said Md Fazlul Bari.

According to the case statement, on different dates in June, 2013, they embezzled the money by showing Sajid Molla and Rajib Miya as owners of lands in Bedgram village under Gopalganj.

Gopalganj police station Officer-inCharge Selim Roza said investigation in the case would start soon. l

executed verdict of at least 50 war criminals in five years, but it has done only one just before the 10th general election.

“There is a strong indication of conspiracy regarding the execution, though all the relevant activities of Kamaruzzaman execution has been completed, it is delayed with unknown reason”, Imran siad.

Imran claimed that many foreign embassies, Europeo Union (EU), USA and others influential countries are putting pressure on the government so

RAJIB DHAR

A compilation book of Rana Plaza carnage titled “24th April: Outcries Of A Thousand Souls” was unveiled in the capital yesterday.

Victims and their families unveiled it along with distinguished guests at the auditorium of Bishwo Shahityo Kendro.

Bangladesh Garment Workers Solidarity edited the book, stating 162 workers as missing and 1175 others as killed, including the missing ones, in the tragedy.

Anjuara Begum, mother of a miss-

ing worker called Hridoy; Ruby Begum, mother of a dead worker named Sentu and a missing worker called Sikander; Selina, sister of a missing worker named Santona; Abul Kashem, father of dead workers Uzzal and Afzal; severely injured workers Eanur, Jewel, Professor Sirajul Islam Choudhury, Professor Anu Muhammad, human rights activist Hamida Hossain, Barrister Jotirmoy Barua, among others were present at the ceremony.

Labelling the book as a compilation of history, Professor Sirajul Islam Choudhury said this book was about the shouts, shrugs, tears and protests.

Ctg road accidents kill two, injure two others n FM Mizanur Rahaman Two persons were killed and two others were injured in separate road accidents at Hathazari upazila in Chittagong yesterday (Friday).

The deceased are Sawon, 14, son of Belal Chowdhury, hailing from Fatikchari upazila, and Hosen, 3, of Hathazari upazila, said Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) Police Outpost Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Pankaj Barua; adding that the injured -- Parvin Akhtar, 35, and Lucky Akhtar, 15, -- were admitted into CMCH.

ASI Pankaj said a speedy CNG-run auto rickshaw hit Sawon at Islamiahat of Hathazari at around 1:30pm when he was crossing the road, leaving him critically injured. Later, he was whisked off to CMCH where the on duty doctors declared him dead, he said.

Meanwhile, a speedy truck hit a CNG-run auto rickshaw from back at Ananya Residential Area of the upazila at around 2:30pm, leaving Hosen, his mother and another woman critically injured, while CMCH on duty doctors declared Hosen dead after taking the three to CMCH, said ASI Pankaj. l

‘What happened inhumanly seems to have disappeared today, but this book will keep it alive in future,” he said.

Professor Anu Muhammad said the scenario of the garment industry should have been changed after Rana Plaza tragedy, but it did not, which indicates that the owners and the government were not concerned about it at all.

The compilation book has 480 pages with 9 chapters. It is dedicated to the souls of Rana Plaza, Tajreen and so on tragedy victims.

Bangladesh Garment Workers Solidarity Coordinator Taslima Akter presided over the programme. l

Leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir are adopting different fake identities to run their operations smoothly in Sylhet region.

“It is their new strategy to be more organised. They are adopting different identities and changing them frequently as with the name of ‘Jamaat’ they cannot stay at one spot for long,” said Kotwali police station Officer-inCharge Asaduzzaman.

“However, we are aware of their motives,” he said.

Recently two groups of Jamaat-Shibir men were held from two different areas inside the city while holding meetings under the banner of “Dorji Kalyan Samity” (Tailors’ Welfare Association) and “Sramik Kalyan Federation” (Workers’ Welfare Federation).

Yesterday around 11am, police held five Jamaat-Shibir activists – Md Ansar Uddin, Shahin Ahmed, Md Ibrahim, Ali

Hossain Khokan, and Md Yunus – from Sylhet Court area.

Around 25 men had gathered at the district bar hall to hold a secret meeting under the banner of Sramik Kalyan Federation, among them, five were arrested while the rest managed to flee, said the OC. Last year on December 20, Kotwali police raided Al Hamra Shopping Complex and held 15 Jamaat-Shibir activists while holding a secret meeting in Hamadan Restaurant situated on the fourth floor of the shopping mall.

Around 100 leaders and activists of Jamaat-Shibir hold the two hour meeting from 9am under the banner of Dorji Kalyan Samity.

Sensing the presence of police, rest of the leaders including Jamaat Sylhet unit Ameer Ahsanul Mahbub Zubair managed to flee. However, on December 28, Zubair surrendered before police in connection with the murder case of Chhatra League leader Jagatjyoti Talukder, said OC Asaduzzaman. l

CU Shibir leader held for vandalism during hartal n CU Correspondent Police arrested a leader of Islamic Chhatra Shibir of Chittagong University (CU) unit from Andarkillah area in Chittagong city yesterday night for vandalism during hartal hours in 2013.

The arrestee, Khandakar Munir Hossen, a final year student of CU Anthropology department, is accused of four cases in which two were lodged with Kotwali police station and two others with Hathazari police station, said po-

lice sources. Munir Hossen is the organising secretary of a sub-unit of CU Shibir unit, said Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Assistant Commissioner (Kotwali Circle) Shah Mohammed Abdur Rauf.

Police arrested Munir from the area around 11pm following on a tip off.

Nezam Uddin, inspector (investigation) of Kotwali police station, said the Shibir leader was produced before a Chittagong court seeking five-day remand while the court sent him to the jail keeping the remand hearing pending. l

Editor of a weekly with seven others sued under ICT Act n Our Correspondent, Gazipur Eight people, including the Editor and Publisher of Weekly Banglabhumi Nazrul Islam Azhar, were sued for allegedly spreading false news using information technology.

CEO and founder of the web portal www.dearjulius.com, Julius Choudhury, filed the case under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act with the Joydebpur police station on Thursday night. This was the

first case under the ICT Act in Gazipur since the act came into force.

Julius said: “Nazrul Islam posted false information about me on Facebook on December 24. Besides, he and seven others published the same false information on the website of Weekly Banglabhumi on December 17.”

“This has tarnished my image and posed a threat to my life,” he claimed.

The seven other accused are Syed Moksedul Alam Liton, chief editor of the weekly, Aminul Islam, managing editor,

advisor Abdus Sattar Khan, news editor, special correspondent, staff reporter and web master of the Weekly Banglabhumi.

Joydebpur SI Ajay Chakrabarty acknowledged the case and said as per the ICT Act publishing fake information, which could harm an individual, using information technology could be considered as an offence.

Office-in-Charge of Joydebpur police station Khandkar Rezaul Karim Reza said the investigation of case was underway. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Commercialisation plagues Bijoy Mela n Our Correspondent, Chandpur Chandpur’s month-long Bijoy Mela, a longstanding fair on the history of the liberation war of the country, has turned into a commercial trade fair losing much of its spirit and appeal. It is also allegedly infested with irregularities and corruption.

Though the aim of the fair was to instigate patriotism among the young generation by giving them information about the liberation war, the fair nowadays is dominated by stalls filled with commodities.

Moreover, freedom fighters of the district have also allegedly been left out from the fair which was supposed to be a celebration of their gallantry.

People who came to visit the fair expressed disappointment over such commercialisation of the spirit of the liberation war.

Zerin Akter, a visitor and student of Chandpur Govt. College said: “It’s called Bijoy Mela. But there is nothing on the war here. There is only one stall with some photos and information.

The fair is not serving its purpose.”

Another visitor Zahid Hasan said it should be called trade fair instead of Bijoy Mela. This year there are 137 stalls in the fair which began on December 8 at Chandpur Hasan Ali Government High School premises. Former foreign minister Dipu Moni inaugurated the fair organised by a committee formed with noted freedom fighters, local politicians, cultural personalities and other influential people of the district.

Except for one stall, the rest are selling various products ranging from clothes to furniture to household items.

Ironically the fair on the liberation war has on display only one photo-book published by the national museum and some documents.

Visitor Mainuddin said the lone stall that had information on the liberation war was difficult to find since it had been placed at a corner of the premise.

Moreover, the size of the stall has also been reduced making it less attractive to the people. Meanwhile, the local

Muktizoddha Sangshad has declared to boycott the fair for allegedly neglecting the freedom fighters and for the gross commercialisation.

As per the decision of the organisation, all the freedom fighters of the district have separated themselves from the fair since December 27.

Freedom fighters alleged that the inauguration ceremony of the fair did not have the photo of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Moreover, the organisers did not feature the prominent freedom fighters and accord them proper respect.

Commander of Chandpur Muktizoddha Shangshad and President of the fair’s Steering Committee M A Wadud said: “The fair has become a means of income for some people. There is no transparency here.”

About the financial aspect of the fair, Wadud said rent for each stall used to be Tk500-Tk1000 but now the rent was minimum Tk14,000. “The number of stalls has also increased. And the price for lucky coupon has risen to Tk10 from Tk5. However, there is no proper accounts of the income and expenditure of the fair,” he alleged.

“For all those reasons we have boycotted the fair this time. After the fair ends, we will ask for an account and have discussion with people from all walks of life for a better fair next year,” said Wadud.

However, Chairman of the fair organising committee Selim Akbar refuted all the allegation made by Wadud.

“We neither disgraced Bangabandhu nor neglected any freedom fighters.

We have given due respect to all. Many freedom fighters expressed their solidarity with us. If the commercialisation of the fair is an issue, Wadud is responsible for this as much being a committee member.”

Convenor of the fair “There are at least 18 sub-committee responsible for organising the fair. The committee regularly gets updated on the accounts.

Moreover, we have financially helped about 200 freedom fighters so far. There is no financial irregularities.” l

Growers net a huge number of fishes from a pond at Parila village under Godagari upazila in Rajshahi yesterday. These fishes have been produced under carp fattening method. Fish growers in the district are happy as fish produced in carp fattening method has huge demand among customers and they have already pocketed a good profit AZAHAR UDDIN

Perching method gains ground in Kishoreganj n Our Correspondent, Kishoreganj Perching method as alternative to pesticide has gained popularity among farmers in Kishoreganj in the recent years because it is playing a significant role in protecting paddy fields from pest attacks.

Some indigenous species of fish have already become extinct while many others are on the verge of extinction because of indiscriminate use of adulterated pesticide, said sources at Department of Agricultural Extension.

Considering the fact, field-level Sub-Assistant Agricultural Officers of the DAE had started motivational programmes for farmers so that they agree to use the method.

In the method, farmers erect bamboo poles on their paddy fields in a particular gap. In search of food, birds perch on the poles and eat pests that

Police try to prevent Swehchhasebak Dal men from bringing out a procession in Bandarban yesterday. Leaders and activists of the associated body of the BNP tried to take out the procession demanding release of central leaders DHAKA TRIBUNE

NEWS IN BRIEF CNG autorickshaw driver found dead in Comilla

Police recovered dead body of a CNG autorickshaw driver from Comilla’s Alekharchar village yesterday. Six days ago, the dead Monir Hossain, 32, son of Farid Uddin, went to Chandina Health Complex to see his wife and newborn and did not return, said family members.

His mobile phone was switched off.

Yesterday around 10am locals spotted his body with throat-slit lying beside the house of a man named Firoze Miya in the village and informed police. – Our Correspondent, Comilla

Worker electrocuted

One construction worker died while one got injured after being electrocuted at a construction site in Ashulia yesterday morning. Witnesses said the dead Rafiqul Islam, 45, and another worker named Kabir were working at an under construction building owned by a local Jamal Hossain in Polashbari area in Ashulia. Being electrocuted, Rafiq, son of Shamsul Sarder of Sirajganj, died on spot while Kabir recovered critical injuries and was taken to a local clinic. Police sent the Rafiq’s body to the DMCH. – Our Correspondent, Savar

Illegal sand lifting threatens MymensinghJamalpur Highway n Our Correspondent, Jamalpur Illegal sand lifting has threatened roads and vast tracts of crop lands and homesteads along the Brahmaputra river in Jamalpur.

Locals said the sand was supposed to be lifted from the selected zones alone. The influential quarters were however lifting it from wherever they would like to.

Thus, Jamalpur-Mymensingh highway, vast tracts of crop lands and homesteads have become vulnerable along the river, they said and urged the government to protect them.

After the BNP came to power in 1991, some of its local influential leaders managed 23 licenses from the government and started lifting sands from the river.

In 2005, the government handed over the sand zones to the deputy commissioners to lease out and take care of them, canceling the licenses

across the country.

The sand zones licensees petitioned the High Court against this move, stopping the leasing-out process.

It is nine years since the petitions were filed, but they have not still been settled.

Jamalpur Paribesh Rakkha Andolon General Secretary Selim Jahangir said the environment would lose its balance if sand was to be lifted this way. Besides, the depths of the river increased with lifting sands from it and so erosions occurred largely in the rainy season.

When Deputy Commissioner Md Shahabuddin Khan was contacted about this, he said: “We cannot move against them since their cases are still pending with the court.

“Because of the same reason, the government is losing its revenues.

However, we are conducting mobile court drives often to prevent illegal sand lifting from here and there.” l

could be harmful for the growth of paddy plants.

Most farmers have already learned how to protect their crop fields from pest attacks through the system. Farmers can save money by using the effective natural method, said Tajul Islam, assistant agriculture officer of Tarail upazila office.

He said the DAE had undertaken the programme and initiative to popularise the method among farmers a few years back so that farmers could produce paddy without using insecticides.

“We are trying our best to bring all paddy fields of the upazila under perching method,” he added.

Abdul Hakim, a farmer of Kalna village and Shahab Uddin of Sahilati village of Tarail upazila, said they used to spend a huge amount of money for buying insecticides to use it on paddy field to protect pests a few years back. l

Acute gas crisis cripples Lakshmipur n Our Correspondent, Lakshmipur Lakshmipur has again been hit by an acute shortage of gas after nearly a month.

Residential units as well as factories are bearing the brunt of the crisis and locals are aggrieved at the situation but the gas authorities in Bakhrabad said the problem would be addressed soon.

The latest crisis hit the area two weeks ago.

The number of legal gas connections in Lakshmipur and adjacent areas is estimated to be 7,500, including residential and commercial consumers, but locals said the figure would be almost double if illegal connections were taken into account.

Manager of Mitali Food and Products Limited Masud Alam said gas is supplied in the late hours of night but

again becomes unavailable after 6am, which is seriously hampering production at the gas-run factories.

Mahfuza Akhter, who lives in Lakshmipur town, said she was forced to stay awake till late at night because of the gas crisis.

“How can I cook if there is no gas?” she said.

She also said she sometimes uses clay stove to cook.

Sundarpur gas field is producing 2 million cubic feet of gas per day while the expected production is 10 million cubic feet, said Md Borhan Uddin, sub-assistant engineer of Bakhrabad Gas System Limited.

He attributed the presence of saline water and dirty water to the crisis.

The authorities have been informed of the problem and we are expecting a speedy resolution, added Borhan. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Prescription

7

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Asthma can be managed easily Asthma is a common condition that results in problems with breathing. Asthma may run in families.

Most people with the condition are able to manage it with medication and live normal lives

A

n Dr Delwar Hossain

are affecting symptoms.

sthma is caused by inflammation of the airways and in particular, the small air passages, or bronchi, of the lungs. When someone has an asthma attack, the muscles surrounding these airways become tight and the lining of the air passages swells and produces mucus, which limits the amount of air that can pass through.

Wheezing, coughing and difficulties with breathing result.

There are five common triggers that may lead to the onset of asthma.

Some of the factors that can cause an asthma attack are: 1) Allergies to pollen, animals, dust mites etc.

2) Respiratory infections such as cold or flu 3) Smoke 4) Certain medicines 5) Changes in weather

Features of asthma

Not every person with asthma has the same symptoms in the same way.

You may not have all of these asthma symptoms, or you may have different symptoms at different times. Your symptoms may also vary from one asthma episode to the next. Symptoms may be mild during one asthma episode and severe during another.

Early Warning Signs of an Asthma Attack

Early warning signs start before the more prominent symptoms of asthma and are the earliest signs that a person’s asthma is worsening. Early warning signs and symptoms of an asthma attack include: l Frequent cough, especially at night l Losing your breath easily or shortness of breath l Feeling very tired or weak when exercising, in addition to wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath l Decreases or changes in peak expiratory flow, a measurement of how fast air comes out of the lungs

FOOD THERAPY

Food for flat tummy

Daily intake of proper food can change your tummy to a flat one. On the other hand few foods like rich in sugar or fat can ruin flat abs program. So, strictly follow the diets, calculate daily need of calories, do some exercise and get a flat tummy within a month.

Almonds

Not only are almonds packed full of skin-boosting vitamin E and protein, but their high fibre content stops you feeling hungry. In 2007, researchers at Purdue University also reported that – despite the fact they are relatively high in calories – almonds themselves do not contribute to belly fat.

Leafy Greens

Include a portion of leafy green vegetables at every meal. Leafy green vegetables are all extremely low in calories, full of fibre and offer several vital vitamins and minerals that help to ease water retention without causing the bloating and discomfort that some other vegetables might do.

Oats

Oats are filling, which makes it hard to believe that they can help you lose weight. But eating a portion in the morning for breakfast as part of a lowcalorie diet is a great way to provide your body with slow-release, natural energy throughout the day.

Olive Oil

Poly unsaturated fats like those found in olive oil can stave off hunger pains, while olive oil itself contains a naturally-occurring chemical called oleic acid, which aids the breakdown of excess fats in the body.

Beans

Each tiny bean is packed with nutrients, including protein and fibre, while remaining low in calories and full of slow-release energy. This means you’ll feel fuller, while the high protein content will help firm up your muscles and keep you toned.

asthma

Management of Asthma

5 common asthma triggers

The symptoms of asthma can be mild to severe and can last from a few minutes to days. Common symptoms of asthma include: l Frequent cough, especially at night l Shortness of breath l Wheezing l Chest tightness, pain, or pressure

your

QUICK TIPS

Green Tea

It has been found to speed up the metabolism, which can aid the burning of excess fat in the body.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes have been found to reverse leptin resistance. Leptin is a type of protein which helps to regulate metabolic rate and appetite, so our bodies rely on it to shed those extra pounds

Cucumber

Cucumbers have very similar slimming properties. It is a natural diuretic, which means consuming it eases water retention and bloating in the body.

Brown Rice

If you’re looking to flatten and tone your belly, you should aim to eat a complex carbohydrate that is rich in muscle-strengthening protein and vitamins, like brown rice. It’s better than white rice, because it contains a rich supply of energizing B vitamins, which could help you burn calories faster.

Natural Yoghurt

Pro-biotic, live natural yoghurt can help to relieve bloating and discomfort in the stomach, because it contains live bacteria that aid digestion.

Opt for a low fat option to cut down on saturated animal fats, too.

Mackerel

Eating plenty of oily fish is a good idea if you want to tone up your tummy, because it is high in protein and low in ‘bad’ or saturated animal fats. It is also a rich source of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are crucial to proper brain function. Slimmer AND smarter?

Sounds good to us…

Peaches

Peaches are great for restoring balance to an upset or bloated stomach, as they have both laxative and diuretic properties due to their alkaline nature.

| Compiled by Dr Kazi Mahbuba Akhtar

when you exhale forcefully Signs of a cold or other upper respiratory infections, or allergies l Difficulty sleeping l

How Is Asthma Diagnosed?

A number of tests to diagnose asthma. First, the doctor reviews your medical history, symptoms, and does a physical exam. Next, tests may be given to check the general condition of your lungs, including: l Chest X-ray in which a picture of the lungs is taken. l Pulmonary function test (spirometry): A test that measures how well the lungs can take in air and how well this air can be exhaled (lung l

function). The patient blows into a tube placed between the lips. l Peak expiratory flow: A test that measures the maximum speed that air can be exhaled from the lungs. The patient blows into a hand-held device called a peak flow meter. l Methacholine challenge test: A test used to see if the airways are sensitive to methacholine, an irritant that tightens the airways. l Other tests, such as allergy tests, blood tests, sinus X-rays and other imaging scans, and esophageal (throat) pH tests may also be ordered. These tests can help your doctor find out if other conditions

Education, consciousness and caution these three issues can make an asthma treatment successful. By avoiding asthma triggers, taking medication, and carefully monitoring daily asthma symptoms, asthma attacks can be avoided or at least limited. Proper use of medication is the basis of good asthma control. Drugs used to treat asthma include bronchodilators, anti-inflammatories, and leukotriene modifiers. l Bronchodilators to Treat Asthma: These drugs treat asthma by relaxing the muscle bands that tighten around the airways. They rapidly open the airways, letting more air in and out of the lungs and improving breathing. Bronchodilators relieve or stop asthma symptoms during an asthma attack. l Anti-inflammatories and Asthma: These asthma drugs, which include inhaled corticosteroids, reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. As a result, airways are less sensitive and less likely to react to triggers. Antiinflammatories are taken daily for several weeks before they begin to control asthma. If taken every day, they can control or prevent asthma symptoms. l Leukotriene Modifiers for Asthma Treatment: Leukotrienes are chemicals that occur naturally in our bodies and cause tightening of airway muscles and production of mucus and fluid. Leukotriene modifiers work by limiting these reactions, improving airflow and reducing asthma symptoms.

Dr Delwar Hossain is a chest physician working as an Associate Professor in BIRDEM Hospital, Dhaka

About gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops in women during pregnancy.

During pregnancy a mother’s body proDID YOU duces more insulin to KNOW? provide her baby with sufficient energy and her body naturally becomes more insulin-resistant.

Gestational diabetes develops when the woman’s body is unable to cope with the demands for extra insulin and blood glucose levels rise.

Problems can occur with the baby because increased glucose in the blood crosses the placenta. This means there’s a risk the baby could grow larger than normal which can lead to a birth difficult. It may also cause the baby have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when born and also increases their risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Symptoms of gestational diabetes include: Increased thirst, the need to urinate frequently, Feeling tired and Thrush.

Gestational diabetes affects about three to eight per cent of pregnant women and usually begins in the second half of pregnancy. Glucose levels usually return to normal after birth but

women who have gestational diabetes in one pregnancy are more likely to have it in future pregnancies and are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Risks for developing gestational diabetes include: Being overweight, Having a family history of gestational or Type 2 , Being over 30, Having polycystic ovary syndrome.

Treating gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is usually treated with diet and exercise. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed by a glucose tolerance test. This involves fasting overnight, drinking a glucose solution then

having blood tests at different intervals to test how your body is reacting to glucose levels over time. You’ll be advised how to control blood sugar levels by cutting down on sugar, saturated fat and simple carbohydrates and boosting your intake of healthy foods. Regular moderate intensity physical activity, such as walking or cycling, will also help reduce blood sugar levels. Regular testing of blood sugar levels will also be taken to monitor changes. If the condition can’t be controlled through diet and exercise you may need to have insulin injections. | Compiled by Endocrionologist Dr HS Ferdous

Few simple words about heart attack Coronary Heart Disease is a condition that affects the blood vessels. It is the leading cause of death in the world.

Coronary Heart Disease is a condition that affects the blood vessels (coronary arteries), which supply the heart’s muscle with blood, oxygen and nutrients. If these become partially blocked, a person can have decreased heart function and may experience pain in the chest, arm, neck or jaw (angina). If the vessels become completely blocked, some of the heart muscle can die. This is a heart attack.

The disease process can start when conditions – like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and smoking – cause damage to artery walls.

There are many lifestyle factors and medications that can help reduce the risks The body tries to repair the damage, but in the process, fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances can be deposited in artery walls. At the same time these can become narrowed from fat and cholesterol build-up inside the artery walls, which is a disease known as atherosclerosis.

Over time this build-up (plaque) can narrow the artery walls and can also develop a hard fibrous cap. If this fibrous cap ruptures, a blood clot can form and completely block the blood vessel, leading to a heart attack.

The most common symptom of heart disease is chest pain, but in many cases there are no symptoms before a heart attack. The “classic” heart attack symptom is pain or pressure in the chest that can spread to the arm, shoulder, neck or jaw. Some people experience abdominal pain, nausea, shortness of breath, palpitations or weakness without any chest pain.

If you have any of these symptoms, call an ambulance immediately.

Many different factors affect your risk of heart disease. Some of these risk factors can’t be altered, like family history and age but there are many others that can be controlled, like smoking, exercise, body weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.

There are many lifestyle factors and medications that can help reduce the risks of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and heart attack.

| Compiled by: Shirsho Saaeadat

Trash the nappy rash n Dr Mahmudur Rahman Mihi

Nappy rash is a skin inflammation in babies and is usually caused by a wet or dirty nappy left touching the skin for too long. The red, CHILD CARE sometimes blistering rash is very common, with about 35 per cent of babies getting nappy rash at some stage.

Most cases are caused by a reaction of the skin to waste products. Bacteria in the baby’s skin can turn the waste products into chemicals, such as ammonia. These chemicals start to eat into the baby’s skin, which causes stinging.

A fungal infection due to a damp nappy can also cause nappy rash. The germ Candida, which causes thrush, thrives in the moist nappy and on the inflamed skin. Typically, the red skin that comes with nappy rash is not serious and can be treated with nappy rash cream. If it leads to blistering, crusty or oozing rashes, you will need to see a doctor.

the doctor) rash will be bright red, very warm and swollen. Blisters, crusts or pimples appear. The rash does not go away after a few days of treatment.

How to treat nappy rash

Symptoms of nappy rash

Different types of nappy rash have different symptoms. Symptoms depend on severity. If it is mild- Red (but not bright red) rash are seen in the area covered by nappy. Baby only shows distress when they are wet or soil

themselves. Symptoms disappear after a few days with treatment. If there any fungal infection is added the skin became bright red, rash may appear in the folds of skin and on the bottom.

Baby cries when you change nappy. In case of Serious infection (when to see

To treat nappy rash, change nappies frequently, even during the night. Opt for disposable nappies as they absorb more fluid from the baby’s skin. Clean genitals after every change and use warm water and a mild soap to clean your baby rather than disposable wipes which contain alcohol.

Let the baby’s bottom ‘air’ by removing the nappy when you can. Apply a thin layer of nappy rash cream after every change ensuring skin is dry beforehand. Give pain relief if necessary as the rashes can be painful.

Visit a doctor if a rash doesn’t clear up after a few days or if you see oozing, blistering sores. Medical treatment may include antifungal creams for thrush or steroid creams.

The writer is a dermatologist, working as an Associate Professor in Holy Family R.C Medical College Hospital, Dhaka

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Egypt urged to release Al Jazeera staff n Agencies The family of jailed Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste have applied to have him released by presidential decree in Egypt, describing it as their “best option” after a court ordered a retrial for him and two of his colleagues.

Greste, along with colleagues Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed, has been imprisoned for 370 days, after being falsely accused and then found guilty of aiding the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

“Peter’s Egyptian lawyer lodged an application with the Egyptian attorney-general’s office to have Peter deported,” Mike and Andrew Greste, the brothers of Greste, told reporters in Brisbane.

The brothers said yesterday the decision by an appeals court to order a retrial was a “positive step in the legal process and one step closer to justice being served.”

But they added that a decree from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in November allowing him to deport foreigners sentenced to prison or on trial was “the best option to get Peter home.”

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Andrew Greste said the family was “seeking ap-

plication to have Peter brought back to Australia.”

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Greste could be transferred home under the decree, although it had yet to be tested.

“The law is not very clear. It is a new law. But it does provide for a couple of options for prisoners to be transferred back to their home country - in this case, Australia,” Bishop told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

If the deportation application fails, the brothers said Greste’s lawyer would apply for bail at the retrial, adding they had been advised that it could start in 45 days.

Greste and Fahmy were sentenced to seven years in prison, while Mohamed received an additional three years for having a spent bullet in his possession, which he had picked up at a protest site.

The three defendants were not at Thursday’s hearing in Cairo, which lasted just 30 minutes.

Al Jazeera has called the accusations against its three journalists absurd and repeatedly demanded their release.

The US State Department welcomed the retrial as a recognition that “the original decision was flawed.” l

A helicopter flies over the Italian-owned Norman Atlantic ferry off the coast of the port of Brindisi yesterday. Bari prosecutor Giuseppe Volpe ordered the Italian-owned vessel to be towed to Brindisi so that it can be searched for corpses and for clues as to what caused the huge fire that erupted on board on December 28, 2014 AFP

Monitor: 19 killed in rebel fire on Syria’s Aleppo

n Reuters, Brindisi

n AFP, Beirut

Burnt-out ferry towed to Italy Tug boats hauled the burnt-out hulk of the ferry that caught fire on Sunday off the coast of Greece to a southern Italian port yesterday, opening the way for an investigation into the cause of the blaze that killed at least 11 people.

Listing visibly to starboard, the Norman Atlantic multi-deck car-andtruck ferry was held outside the port of Brindisi as officials decided where it should be moored.

The fire broke out on one of the lower garage levels and left the vessel drift-

ing without power in stormy seas. It took Greek and Italian rescue teams 36 hours to evacuate 477 passengers and crew from the ship amid strong winds.

Most were winched into helicopters from the upper deck of the ship as the blaze raged below, but dozens may still be missing, including migrants not listed on the ship’s manifest, Italian officials have said.

“Given that the ship was indisputably carrying illegal migrants who were probably hidden in the hold, we fear that we’ll find more dead people once we recover the wreck,” Giuseppe

Volpe, the Italian prosecutor leading the investigation into the cause of the fire, said earlier this week.

Reports of the number of missing have varied widely. The Greek coastguard said on Thursday that 18 are still unaccounted for, while Volpe has said the number may be as high as 98.

In his end-year address, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi praised the rescue effort for having prevented far more deaths and complimented the ship’s captain, Argilio Giacomazzi, for staying aboard the ship until it was evacuated.

But rescued passengers have criti-

Iraqi Kurds recapture key village from ISIL

Kenyan court suspends new anti-terrorism laws

Kurdish Peshmerga forces say they have recaptured a strategic village in northern Iraq from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Sources told Al Jazeera yesterday that at least three Peshmerga fighters died when the group captured the village of Sultan Abd’Allah, just 80km away from the Kurdish regional capital, Erbil.

Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Adow, reporting from Erbil, said fighters had engaged in house-to-house battles with ISIL fighters in the village, demonstrating the lengths to which the group had to go in countering ISIL. “One commander said the group had limited firepower, and were fighting with old AK-47s and that their other weapons were from the Iran-Iraq war 25 years ago,” our correspondent said.

Sultan Abd’Allah is on the banks of the Tigris river, and a highway to Mosul passes through the village.

The Kurds are determined to keep hold of the village, because losing it would mean opening up Erbil to a possible ISIL invasion.

US-led air strikes A renewed push by ISIL in the north in August drove Kurdish forces back towards the capital of their autonomous region, helping to spark a US-led campaign of air strikes against ISIL. That effort has since been expanded to training for Iraqi forces aimed at preparing them as quickly as possible to join the fight against ISIL. l

n Reuters, Nairobi

n Al jazeera

Kenya’s High Court yesterday suspended some of the anti-terrorism measures signed into law two weeks ago by President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying objections raised by the opposition over the laws’ constitutionality should be settled by the judiciary.

Kenyatta said when he signed the law on Dec. 19 that it did not go against the bill of rights or any provision of the constitution, but opposition groups have said the measures, which increased the time suspects can be held without charge to 360 days from

Libya has extinguished a fire at oil storage tanks at the country’s biggest oil port, Es Sider, that had been raging for a week, officials said yesterday.

Es Sider and its adjacent Ras Lanuf terminal have been closed since a group allied to a rival government in Tripoli moved three weeks ago to try and take them, part of a struggle between former rebels who helped topple Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 but are now fighting for power and a share of oil reserves.

At least 19 people were killed overnight by Syrian rebel fire on government-controlled parts of the northern city of Aleppo, a monitor said yesterday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the dead included at least five children, three of whom were killed with their mother when a rocket hit the car they were in.

The Britain-based group said at 32 people were wounded in Thursday night’s violence in the western part of

the city.

Once Syria’s economic hub, Aleppo has been ravaged by fighting that began there in mid-2012.

The city is divided with government forces controlling the western part and rebels controlling the east.

However, government forces have advanced steadily around the eastern outskirts of the city, threatening to besiege opposition-held districts.

More than 200,000 people have been killed in Syria since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011, according to the Observatory. l

90 days, threaten liberties and free speech.

Kenyatta has faced mounting pressure to boost security since Somali al Shabaab rebels killed 67 people in a Nairobi shopping mall in September 2013 and after frequent attacks in 2014.

Last month he replaced the interior minister and the police chief.

Issuing his ruling yesterday, High Court Judge George Odunga also criticised the manner in which the law was passed in parliament: opposition legislators threw books at the Speaker, shouted, chanted and sprinkled water over his deputy. l

Al-Shabab Attack on Military Base in Somalia n Reuters, Mogadishu Somalian al Shabaab militants attacked a military base in the outskirts of the town of Baidoa yesterday morning, killing at least seven soldiers, a Somali military official said.

The attack came two days after the United States said it had killed the chief of al Shabaab’s intelligence and security wing, Tahliil Abdishakur, in a drone strike. Al Shabaab seeks to topple the Western-backed Mogadishu government and impose its own strict

version of Islamic law.

“Al Shabaab attacked our base unexpectedly, early in the morning today. We lost seven soldiers,” Captain Ahmed Idow, a Somali military officer, told Reuters by telephone from Baidoa.

Idow said Somali soldiers killed three al Shabaab insurgents during the attack.

A spokesman for al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab said the group had briefly seized the base and killed more than 10 soldiers. Al Shabaab often cites a higher death toll than the number given by officials. l

Officials: Libya extinguishes fire at biggest oil terminal n Reuters, Benghazi

cised the ship’s crew for mishandling the emergency and not sounding the fire alarm.

“We tried to do everything possible,” Giacomazzi told television reporters outside his home on Thursday.

“I wanted to bring them all home,” he said of the dead and missing.

Italian and Albanian magistrates agreed to impound the ship so the cause of the fire could be investigated.

The Italian-flagged ferry was chartered by Greek ferry operator Anek Lines and was sailing from Patras in western Greece to Ancona in Italy. l

A week ago, a rocket hit Es Sider’s storage area, setting it on fire.

Al-Mabrook al-Buseif, the top oil official of the recognised government, said the fires had been extinguished. He had on Tuesday said the fire had destroyed two tanks and up to 1.8 million barrels of crude.

“I thank the firefighters of National Oil Corp,” he said.

Ali al-Hassi, a military spokesman for oil guards at Es Sider, said there would be a news conference to give more details.

The battle for control of the oil ports

is part of a wider struggle in the North African country, which has had two governments since a group called Libya Dawn seized the capital in August. The internationally recognised premier, Abdullah al-Thinni, operates out of the east with the elected House of Representatives.

The fighting has reduced Libya’s crude output to around 380,000 barrels a day, state-run National Oil Corp (NOC) has said.

Es Sider is fed from fields run by Waha Oil Co, a joint-venture between Libya’s National Oil Corp with US companies Hess, Marathon and ConocoPhillips. l

Italian Doctor Fabrizio Pulvirenti attends a news conference at the Spallanzani hospital in Rome yesterday. Medical staff of Spallanzani hospital announced Pulvirenti was cured after he contracted Ebola while working in Sierra Leone REUTERS

Doctor declared Ebola-free in Rome n Agencies

An Italian doctor who contracted Ebola in November while working in Sierra Leone has been declared cured and been discharged from a Rome hospital.

Fabrizio Pulvirenti said at Spallanzani hospital yesterday that while he was gravely ill, he tried to mentally analyse his symptoms as a way to keep himself sharp.

The doctor, who worked with the Italy-based Emergency aid group, was given the same experimental drugs used in the US and other European countries to treat people infected with the virus, according to officials at the hospital.

Pulvirenti, in his 50s, was Italy’s first Ebola patient. He said it was impossible to know when he contracted the virus.

After regaining full strength, Pulvirenti says he will consider returning to Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone is the worst-hit country in West Africa with more than

9,000 Ebola cases and the number of infections continue to grow.

It accounted for 337 of 476 new laboratory-confirmed cases since December 24.

The disease has so far killed more than 2,700 in Sierra Leone so far.

President Ernest Bai Koroma asked the country to begin a week of fasting and prayers on Thursday to end the spread of the virus.

In a New Year’s Day broadcast, Koroma said the seven days of prayers and fasting would begin immediately.

“Today I ask all to commit our actions to the grace, mercy and protection of God Almighty,” he said.

Schools to reopen In his remarks, Koroma said schools - which have been shut since July to curb the spread of the virus - would reopen soon.

“The ministry of education is putting in place modalities to reopen schools and colleges in the shortest possible time,” he said, without giving a specific date.

Many schools are being used as Ebola holding centres, raising questions as to how soon they will be able to reopen.

Koroma urged people not to touch the sick or corpses and not to disobey quarantine orders.

“I know what we are being asked to do is very difficult; we are a people that have built our humanity on hugging each other, on shaking hands, on caring for the sick and showing communal empathy by participating in funeral activities,” he said.

“But today the Ebola devil of illness and death hides in the innocent clothing of our culture to get us,” he said.

The number of known Ebola cases globally has exceeded 20,000, the World Health Organisation said in its most recent figures released on Wednesday.

The death toll from the outbreak, which has been mostly confined to West Africa, has risen to 7,905, the WHO said, following 317 fatalities recorded since it last issued figures. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

9

Saturday, January 3, 2015

AIRASIA CRASH

Rescue teams battling monsoon rains n AP, Pangkalan Bun After nearly a week of searching for the victims of AirAsia Flight 8501, rescue teams battling monsoon rains had their most successful day yet yesterday, more than tripling the number of bodies pulled from the Java Sea so far. An Indonesian navy official said some of the dead were still strapped to their seats.

Of the 30 corpses recovered in total, 22 were found yesterday, many of them by a US Navy ship, according to officials.

The Airbus A320 carrying 162 passengers and crew went down Sunday, halfway into a flight from Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, to Singapore.

Minutes before losing contact, the pilot told air-traffic control he was approaching threatening clouds, but was denied permission to climb to a higher altitude because

of heavy air traffic.

It remains unclear what caused it to plunge into the sea.

Col. Yayan Sofiyan, commander of the warship Bung Tomo, told MetroTV five bodies pulled in by his crew were still fastened in their seats.

Indonesian search and rescue chief Henry Bambang Soelistyo said he knew of only two victims found in their seats, but said a total of 30 bodies have been recovered.

Rescue teams hope many of those on board are still within the fuselage, which has not been located.

Several countries involved in the massive effort are using sophisticated sonar equipment and metal detectors to scour the relatively shallow ocean floor for the wreckage — and the plane’s black boxes.

“We will focus on underwater detection,” said Indonesia’s Search and Rescue Agency chief Henry Bambang Soelistyo. l

Indonesian officers carry coffins with the remains of passengers of the AirAsia flight QZ8501 before they are sent to Surabaya, at the base in Pangkalan Bun, the town with the nearest airstrip to the crash site, in Central Kalimantan yesterday. Indonesian recovery teams narrowed the search area for AirAsia Flight 8501 yesterday AFP

Mourning and fury over China stampede deaths

Nawaz asks France sends search president to reject appeals of 5 death experts to jet crash scene of 50 metres (165 feet) at which the Inrow convicts n Reuters, Paris donesia Air Asia wreckage is believed n AFP to be located, experts say finding the France’s BEA crash investigation agenn Agencies boxes should not be difficult as long The bitter pain of bereavement turned cy said a specialist black box search Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday wrote a letter to President Mamnoon Hussain, urging him to reject the mercy petitions of five condemned prisoners who were convicted for their involvement in terrorism cases.

The convicts include: l Muhammad Ikramul Haq alias Lahori alias Farooq Haider (son of Bashir Ahmed) l Ahmed Ali alias Asif alias Shish Naag (son of Ghulam Abbas) l Mohammad Tayyab alias Sajjad (son of Nabi Ahmed) l Ghulam Shabbir alias Doctor alias Nasir alias Zeeshan alias Sohail (son of Bashir Ahmed) l Zulfiqar Ali (son of Abdul Hameed) The five prisoners hailing from Karachi and convicted for target killings had been arrested in different instances.

On Dec 17, Nawaz had approved the removal of moratorium on the death penalty after the attack on Peshawar’s Army Public School which killed 148 people — including more than 132 schoolchildren.

In the wake of the removal of the moratorium on the death penalty, seven executions have been carried out.

The moratorium on the death penalty was imposed by former president Asif Ali Zardari during the tenure of the Pakistan Peoples Party government in 2008. l

team and equipment arrived yesterday at the search area for the Indonesia AirAsia flight which crashed on Sunday en route from Indonesia to Singapore.

The agency said a ship carrying two hydrophones, or underwater listening devices, was bound for the suspected crash site with French, Singaporean and Indonesian experts on board.

Investigators hope the black boxes will reveal the sequence of events both in the cockpit and the jet’s systems, but safety experts stress it is too early to say what caused the crash.

The BEA assists in investigation of any air crash involving an Airbus aircraft because the company is France-based.

It is also seen as specialised in underwater searches after leading a twoyear search for an Air France jet that crashed in the Atlantic in 2009.

Heavy seas have stopped divers reaching the possible wreck of the AirAsia Indonesia jet off Borneo.

Although bad weather was again hampering search efforts yesterday, the operation is seen unlikely to stretch the limits of technology in the same way as the deep-water search for Air France 447 or the fruitless search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared last year.

Given the relatively shallow depth

as the beacons - with a range of 2,000 to 3,000 metres (6,560-9,840 feet) are working.

Commercial aircraft carry two black boxes, one for flight data and the other for cockpit recordings.

Each is equipped with a beacon or “pinger” able to emit signals for at least 30 days - which in practice can be closer to 40, according to manufacturers.

Regulators ordered the minimum transmission time to be increased to 90 days after Air France 447, but this does not take effect until 2018.

Black boxes from a Kenya Airways jet that crashed off Ivory Coast in 2000 in 50 metres of water were recovered intact.

At such depths, investigators prefer to carry out acoustic searches with hydrophones, such as those that arrived yesterday, for as long as the pingers are supposed to be working.

They are seen as more effective than alternative methods such as sonars, magnetometers or video, according to a blueprint drawn up by the BEA after the AF447 disaster.

But how quickly investigators can zero in remains sensitive to a slew of factors from the water’s salinity to its temperature to noise from machinery and marine life. l

This handout photograph released by The Indian Ministry of Defence yesterday, is said to show a burning vessel off the coast of the western Indian state of Gujarat in the Arabian Sea early on Thursday. The crew of a Pakistani fishing boat blew up and sank their vessel after trying to evade capture at the hands of the Indian navy in a high-speed chase at sea, officials said AFP

Pakistani boat blows self up after India navy chase n AFP, New Delhi The crew of a Pakistani fishing boat blew up and sank their vessel after trying to evade capture at the hands of the Indian navy in a high-speed chase at sea, officials said yesterday.

All four people on board the vessel from near the Pakistani port city of Karachi are believed to have been killed in the dramatic episode in the Arabian Sea on New Year’s Eve, according to India’s defence ministry.

Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft tried to intercept the boat near the maritime border with Pakistan, around 365 kilometres (225 miles) from

the coastal state of Gujarat, following an intelligence tip-off.

“However, the boat increased speed and tried to escape away from the Indian side of maritime boundary. The hot pursuit continued for nearly one hour,” a defence ministry statement added.

Although the boat did eventually stop after warning shots were fired, the four-man crew then hid themselves below deck before setting the boat on fire which triggered a large explosion.

“Due to darkness, bad weather and strong winds, the boat and persons on board could not be saved or recovered.

The boat burnt and sank in the same position, in early hours of January 1,”

said the statement.

Although the defence ministry would only say that the crew were planning “some illicit transaction,” it also stated that the boat was carrying explosives.

The incident has evoked memories of the 2008 Mumbai attacks when Pakistani militants managed to sneak into India’s financial capital by sea and then began a 60-hour siege of India’s economic capital that left 166 people dead.

India reacted furiously last month to a Pakistani court’s decision to grant bail to the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai attacks, although he has since been detained again. l

to tears of anger yesterday for relatives of the 36 killed in a New Year’s Eve crush in Shanghai, as they accused authorities of failing to control the crowds.

Li Juan was only a few metres away from her younger sister Li Na on the Bund when the accident happened on a wide stairway leading to a waterfront promenade.

“It all feels like a dream and I still cannot believe that she is gone,” she said, weeping uncontrollably and struggling to get her words out. The 23-year-old victim worked as an assistant teacher in an early learning centre.

“The government is responsible for the accident,” Li said, adding she only

saw six to eight police on the staircase.

“I couldn’t see any other police on the plaza” below, she added, before collapsing in grief on the floor.

The stampede took place as vast numbers of people crammed into a square named for Chen Yi, Shanghai’s first Communist mayor.

Most of the fatalities were young women, authorities said, and Li was from one of three families who spoke to AFP yesterday about their lost loved ones.

Qi Xiaoyan, a 21-year-old migrant worker, came to Shanghai from nearby Anhui province just four months ago to earn money to support her family back home, her cousin said.

“I cannot imagine something like this would ever happen in a city like Shanghai,” said Cai Jinjin, who has

lived in Shanghai for 10 years.

“Besides the sadness, I’m more bitterly disappointed in this city.”

All but four of the dead on a list of 32 identified victims released by the city government were aged 25 or under, and 21 were female. The youngest was a 12-year-old boy, Mao Yongjie.

He became separated from his mother in the overwhelming flow of revellers, news magazine Caixin reported, and efforts by hospital staff to save his life failed. His mother spent New Year’s day crying until she passed out from exhaustion, Caixin added.

The crush is Shanghai’s worst accident since a fire in a high-rise residential building killed 58 people in 2010, and a black mark for the commercial hub’s international reputation. l

Top Chinese diplomat sacked for corruption n Reuters, Beijing A senior Chinese diplomat has been sacked and is under investigation for suspected corruption, the foreign ministry said yesterday, the first time a top diplomat has fallen victim to a sweeping campaign against graft.

Zhang Kunsheng is no long an assistant foreign minister as he was “suspected of violating discipline and is

being investigated,” the ministry said in a brief statement, using the usual euphemism for corruption.

Media said Zhang was the most senior of the country’s four assistant foreign ministers, who rank below the vice foreign ministers, and was in charge of the protocol department.

Qin Gang, who was the ministry’s chief spokesman, had assumed the protocol position, Chinese

newspapers said.

Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao will be acting chief spokesman, a role he previously had, the reports said.

President Xi Jinping has cracked down on corruption since assuming office two years ago, warning, as others have before him, that the problem is so bad it could affect the Communist Party’s ability to maintain power. l

Delhi rapes increase by one third in 2014

Two UP cops allegedly gang-rape minor girl in police station, absconding

n AFP, New Delhi

n PTI, UP

The number of rapes reported in New Delhi increased by nearly a third in the last year, police said yesterday, highlighting the alarming levels of sexual violence against women in the Indian capital.

At an annual briefing with reporters, Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi said that a total of 2,069 rape cases were reported in New Delhi in the 12 months leading up to December 15, against 1,571 reported the previous year, an increase of 31.6%.

The city sealed its reputation as India’s “rape capital” two years ago when a medical student died after being gang-raped on a moving bus, prompting mass protests and triggering a series of policing and legal reforms.

The figures were released the same

day that an Uber taxi driver accused of raping a female passenger in Delhi last month made his second appearance in court.

Shiv Kumar Yadav, 32, was remanded in custody for another three days over the alleged December 5 attack.

But the police commissioner insisted the new figures did not necessarily indicate that the city was becoming more dangerous for women but rather highlighted a growing willingness of victims to come forward.

“More cases are being reported now as women feel more confident about approaching us,” he told reporters, while adding that more still needed to be done to change attitudes and increase sensitivity about sex crimes.

“Both society and police’s mindset needs to change for crimes (against women) to be reported and registered,” he said. l

A 14-year-old girl was allegedly abducted and gang-raped by two constables inside a police station here in Uttar Pradesh, prompting the authorities to suspend the accused who are absconding.

The girl was allegedly abducted from her house on December 31 by constables Veer Pal Singh Yadav and Avnish Yadav, police said yesterday.

She was taken to Musajhag police station and allegedly raped there, superintendent of police (City) Lallan Singh said.

An FIR was registered after the victim’s mother lodged a complaint against the two policemen, who are absconding.

The two cops have been suspended and police were trying to trace their trace them. l

China’s Three Gorges dam ‘breaks world hydropower record’ n AFP, Beijing China’s Three Gorges dam has broken the world record for annual hydroelectric power production, more than a decade after it became the world’s largest power plant, its operator said.

The Yangtze river power station generated 98.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2014, the Three Gorges Dam Corporation said in a statement, topping

the 2013 production from the Brazilian-Paraguayan Itaipu dam.

The amount of electricity generated by the Three Gorges plant is roughly equivalent to burning 49 million tonnes of coal, said Thursday’s statement, thereby preventing 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

But concerns have been raised about the environmental and human cost of the huge project, which saw more than a million people moved before it opened around a decade ago.

Thousands remain in poverty, and China’s government in 2012 made a rare admission that the treatment of migrants relocated for the dam was still an “urgent problem.”

Campaign groups say it has damaged biodiversity, threatening the critically endangered Yangtze river dolphin.

The Three Gorges dam is the world’s largest power plant by installed capacity with 22,500 megawatts, a third more than Itaipu, on the Parana river. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Saturday, January 3, 2015

CODE-CRACKER

Quality key to growing exports

W

e welcome the prime minister’s call for the private sector to pursue initiatives to constantly improve the quality and range of products for export.

In her speech opening the 20th Dhaka International Trade Fair this week, Sheikh Hasina highlighted the importance of exploring newer markets and new products.

She is correct to observe that quality and productivity are not areas where the country can afford to stand still, but must constantly keep improving, as once Bangladesh becomes a mid-income country exporters may lose some LDC facilities and the country’s industries will need more than ever to be able to compete at a global level.

The DITF’s 516 stalls and pavilions offer a welcome annual platform for businesses of all sizes to showcase their products and attract new customers.

With countries such as Australia , China, Germany, India, Turkey, UK and the US taking part in this year’s fair, events like this are vital to help businesses attract new customers and grow their exports.

The interest generated by the fair provides a valuable reminder to businesses and consumers alike of the potential of Bangladesh’s economy.

Countries such as China and South Korea have used export-led growth as the base to lift millions of their people out of poverty.

There is no reason why Bangladesh cannot do the same.

The government should keep working with the private sector to improve infrastructure and speed up the expansion of special economic zones. Creating a more amenable environment for investors is vital to help businesses deliver the improvements needed to support healthy growth in exports.

Help businesses constantly improve quality and productivity to sustain growth

Shifting central jail to outskirts a good idea

T

he government intends to complete its plan to shift the Dhaka Central Jail to Keraniganj by June. In its place, it will open the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and National Four Leaders Memorial Museum, while turning the remaining area of the plot into a park.

We applaud this move as it both serves the public’s need for more open spaces for recreation and demonstrates a welcome regard for heritage and history.

It makes little sense to keep the jail in the city as it takes up valuable space which could be otherwise utilised for the public good.

This is something the government can and should replicate in not only Dhaka, but in the other cities and district towns as well.

Shifting the central jail to Dhaka’s outskirts is also a good step towards decentralisation. The government should take more such steps to shift other services and offices from Dhaka in order to relieve the burden that falls on it.

The government should follow through on constructing the new jail, and use the space in a way that best serves the interests of the people. There is already a lack of open space and parks. Using the remaining part of the plot for a park in which children can engage in recreational activities, such as sports, is a sensible idea.

Decentralisation of services and offices offers multiple benefits

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

Rickshaws to be ‘replaced’ with commercial motorcycles December 23

rose The problem of traffic congestion in the capital city should be tackled one step at a time, with the bigger picture kept in mind.

ony with high cost and zero savings, dreaming they could also have luxuries like we elites do, which they could have had if they had made their earning sources within their villages and towns.

RetiredBUET Ludicrous. Most rickshaws operate short distances for which they are ideal and cleaner. DMP cannot even make sure existing bikers wear helmets.

This is an invitation to more waste and carnage, and will do nothing to alleviate congestion – good buses with bus lanes is the only way to reduce congestion in a city of our size.

Rodders Akhdar Fauad Khan: This has to be a long-term kind of project. I will be honest; I have mixed views towards rickshaws. Yeah, they sure do provide a source of income for a certain socioeconomic group who otherwise would have nothing to survive by, but as a motor vehicle user, I just cannot stand them. In those chipa golis and residential streets they are a constant nuisance, making sudden unexpected turns, and scraping against your car just for the fun of it, and also clogging up important exits.

If we want to move forward as a country, we have to provide some alternative, a more financially rewarding form of employment to the vast number of rickshaw-wallas who ply our urban areas around the country. One thing we can take heart from is that, in many rural areas, the scenario isn’t as bad as it was say 25 years ago, which led to people flocking to the cities in search of work. Although the situation is still not perfect, the majority of rural inhabitants really don’t have any incentive anymore to move long-term to the cities. This will make this project easier to manage.

Akhdar Fauad Khan Rickshaws should be banned on every major road with public transport, but allowed in chipa golis and on small roads in residential and commercial areas. In the end, driving away all these rickshaw pullers is the actual challenge. If an alternative proper earning source is not arranged for them, like farming, or dairy farm, or handicrafts, this huge mass is likely to turn around and attack us elites in Dhaka with crime and chaos. It took 20 years, but within these years, we elites are now a minority to these migrating people, almost caged within our home, which is the only safe place until someone crashes in.

Our government could have used those 20 years to give these people hope and better living arrangements within their villages/towns, and opportunities to earn sufficient income and accumulate massive savings, due to low cost of living in those places. But instead, they are now living in ag-

Violence at Bakshishibazar December 25

Abdul Baten “A Chhatra League activist opens fire during a clash with BNP supporters in the Bakshibazar area of the capital.”

Our home minister, Kamal, is blind. The minister also said the gunman is not a member of Chhatra League. But a lot of witnesses, with both the print and electronic media have realised who the real criminals are, who were armed in the Bakshibazar violence.

Ibrahim Roni What the photo seems to be saying is: “I will shoot you like the stray dogs you are.”

Mohammad Zahinul Islam Where The Mind Is Without Fear Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high / Where knowledge is free / Where the world has not been broken up into fragments / By narrow domestic walls / Where words come out from the depth of truth / Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection / Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 14 represents W so fill W every time the figure 14 appears.

You have two letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them it in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters go in the missing squares.

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

As you get the letters, fill in the other squares with the same number in the main grid, and the control grid. Check off the list of alphabetical letters as you identify them.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

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

Maus Rodders: This plan is possible, but only if the government makes decentralisation a priority. Until that happens, the situation is only likely to worsen.

The strong arm of the law December 23 Kamrul Good piece on an interesting issue. Hope we see more pieces from this writer.

Mr Kahn “With authorities clearly sanctioning police brutality, we have entered a more dangerous world. We need to challenge these measures and make it safe again.”

We need more of these ideals, and to act on them. Staying silent just makes the tyrant feel like he/she is safe.

Jishan “The decision by the current government and the mayor of London allowing the use of water cannons to help protect the peace is the most glaring example of this increasing recklessness on the part of the authorities.”

I was not aware of the water cannons being allowed in London. Goes to show how much really is happening without the world kicking up a fuss.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Bellow (4) 3 Box (4) 7 Period of time (3) 8 Stoppers (5) 11 Nimble (4) 12 Intended (5) 13 Correct (5) 15 Utter wildly (4) 18 Fasting period (4) 19 Nettlerash (5) 20 Permission (5) 21 Lose colour (4) 23 Time in grammar (5) 24 Top airman (3) 25 Refuse (4) 26 Microbe (4)

DOWN 1 Annul (6) 2 Keen insight (6) 4 Vigour (3) 5 Reach destination (6) 6 Narrow beam (3) 9 Mild (6) 10 Sorrowful (3) 11 Try hard (6) 14 Threaten (6) 16 Exact satisfaction for (6) 17 High regard (6) 19 Headwear (3) 21 Passing craze (3) 22 Lair (3)

vhs “We have allowed the state to implement policies that could prove more damaging in the long run.”

This stuff is so much more applicable to Bangladesh than to the West it’s not even funny.

Dreampie vhs: Actually, it is kinda funny. Maybe not “HA HA” funny, but funny nonetheless.

Bakshibazar clash: BCL denies involvement December 25

Spring Bloom What a joke!

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

Arch Bishop And the Pope must be a Baptist!

CHT violence has gone too far

CROSSWORD

December 19

PEANUTS

Bappi Tsangma “This is not a matter of taking sides, but a matter of protecting the basic rights of all Bangladeshi citizens.”

Thank you for this editorial.

Kangaroo court leads schoolgirl to suicide December 21

sirajulmo@yahoo.com “Rahima Khatun, the neighbour of the deceased, alleged that the village arbitrators, UP members Samsul Haque and Abdus Satter, allegedly called the girl a ‘prostitute’ and threatened the girl when she tried to speak up.”

These village judges should be hanged.

SUDOKU

Op-Ed

DHAKA TRIBUNE

11

Saturday, January 3, 2015

The art of leadership n FS Aijazuddin

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BIGSTOCK

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Are we happy?

I

n Ekram Kabir

think Bangladesh should have come first in the year-end WIN/ Gallop International survey, in which Fiji has come first, and Iraq has come at the end. Earlier in 2012, the Happy Planet Index had ranked us 11th among 151 countries.

We have a natural tendency to say: “Bhalo achhi (I’m fine).”

A Bangladeshi would perhaps never say: “Ami bhalo nei (I’m not okay).” We Bangladeshis become happy very easily; a sudden traffic-free road makes us happy, and then we forget almost all the unhappiness we went through.

A simple cricket win after a series of losses take us to the sky.

Almost all the foreigners I’ve met in Bangladesh told me they were happy in this country. Initially when they plan to travel to this country in order to spend a few years, they get scared; they arrive here with a fearful mind.

They’ve heard so many negative things about Bangladesh.

But when they arrive in this country and start living their lives, they feel that apart from the traffic, this is the most comfortable country in the world. Really, several foreigners including diplomats and many South Asians have said this to me.

Apart from our traffic system, is Bangladesh really comfortable? Well, to the foreigners, it may be, as they usually are well taken care of by their

employers or business partners here.

But for an average Bangladeshi, their country is yet to be comfortable in the global context. Take the experience of one of my teammates as an example.

He was going home to Old Dhaka from Karwan Bazar on a bus. Much ahead of the Zero Point near Gulistan, the police suddenly appeared and asked all the passengers to step down from the bus, as the government needed the bus for its purpose.

ural deaths make us depressed. These deaths could have been avoided if the government machinery were a little caring.

Surely, the old people or the lame or blind children we see begging on the streets aren’t happy by any indication. Someone should be taking care of these humans. The retired man who has to pay bribes to get his pension money can never be happy.

Businesspeople who have to pay the

Happiness is a strange phenomenon. It depends on the individual

The passengers protested, but the police sergeant didn’t listen; he said it was a direct order to get the bus for police purpose. The passengers got down from the bus, very unhappy.

They wished the government would at least let them reach their destination before taking the bus.

There are millions of unhappy moments for Bangladeshis. We suffer from the lack of electricity, water, food, and shelter. Thousands of unnat-

speed money to get things moving, are far from being happy. Have we ever wanted dig into the minds of the parents of those garment workers who either passed away in factory fires or in a building collapse? Not really.

Happiness is a strange phenomenon. It depends on the individual, on how one feels about his or her life. Some just feel happy when they are spending time with their friends.

Some love to work out and be happy;

some only pray to be happy; many find happiness in eating out; some become happy when they can afford a trip abroad.

There are many faces of happiness.

For some, it’s satisfaction, and for some, it’s wellbeing. Happiness is a sentiment that nests within each person. There are many ways to get it. But if we look at human history, the ways to well-being are deeply connected to the respect for dignity and the creation of opportunities to freely pursue or dreams.

However, the number of dream-shattering incidents is too high in our country. When you ask if we are happy, we don’t tell you the dream-shattering experiences. Whenever someone asks us, we reply with a smile: “I’m fine.”

But the question that we actually expect from our leaders as a Bangladesh citizens – are you satisfied? – is never asked. Our state cares little about when our food is poisoned, either with chemical fertiliser or with formalin.

Our wish is that we want to find reasons to feel, happy, satisfied, and served. Life would be much nicer if we had those reasons, if we saw that our guardians were trying to make things happen for us. We’re ready to show our happy face all the time. l Ekram Kabir is Head of Program, ABC Radio 89.2, and a Dhaka Tribune columnist.

inston Churchill did not begin painting until he was 40. He used it in the manner Nehru practised yoga – as “a respite from crowding events and pulsating politics.”

Churchill’s first attempt was not encouraging. He sat before a blank canvas intimidated, as many a beginner is, by its challenging expanse. A visiting friend – Lady Hazel Lavery, herself an artist – sensed his apprehension.

She squirted paint on his palette, and applying colour in vigorous strokes, exorcised his fears.

Over the next 48 years, Churchill produced more than 500 paintings.

He composed directly on the canvas, painting whatever stood for him: A vase of camellias, the interior of Blenheim Palace, verdant landscapes, his holiday retreat Marrakesh, the goldfish pond at his country home Chartwell.

Some paintings he sold. Others he gave away to friends and family members. A cache remained with his favourite daughter Mary Soames. She died on May 2014, bequeathing 38 of them to the British nation for display at Chartwell. Her heirs have put the others on the market for collectors who value his name more than his talent.

Ironically, Churchill’s antagonist Adolf Hitler tried to earn his living as an artist. Although more competent and prolific than Churchill, Hitler never achieved the artistic recognition he craved. He took a reverse route. He escaped from art into politics.

Paintings by Hitler – usually architectural studies of facades in Vienna or of rustic homes – carry the stigma of his name. At the end of the Second World War, many of his paintings were captured by the US Army. They are stored somewhere, hidden from public view, incarcerated in an arty Guantanamo Bay. Former US president George W Bush took up painting after he retired.

His subjects understandably were not GITMO prisoners. Bush preferred portraits of his pets and of world leaders such as a chipper Tony Blair, a glum Hamid Karzai, a famished President Putin, a depressed Dalai Lama, and Saddam Hussein whom Bush depicted as a circus clown complete with a red nose. A self-portrait that went viral on the internet showed Bush having a shower. It is not the sort of study that would find a ready buyer.

Bush’s works were displayed recently at the George W Bush Presidential Center in an exhibition titled “The Art of Leadership.” Hitler and Churchill have stopped painting; Bush’s critics wish he would.

Hitler once told the British Ambassador Nevile Henderson that he regarded himself as an artist, not a politician, that he wanted to end his life “as an artist.” There were echoes in that remark of the epitaph the Roman despot Nero uttered as he committed an assisted suicide: “Qualis artifex pereo!” (“What an artist is now about to perish!”)

Churchill took a longer view. “When I get to heaven,” he said, “I mean to

spend a considerable portion of my first million years in painting.”

The only artistic talent Pakistan’s current leaders have exhibited is an aptitude for white-washing the graffiti of their previous pronouncements. In this, Asif Zardari can be considered an Old Master. He continues to escape accountability for his unexplained affluence, for his dilatoriness while president in bringing his wife’s murderers to book, and for his usurpation of his in-laws’ property - the PPP. Meanwhile, his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari sulks in London – an angry, brooding Hamlet, haunted by the ghost of his mother.

Who will exercise power in 2015? Choices before the voters are not pleasant

Imran Khan pouts for a different reason. His microphone has been snatched from him, his call for defiant insurrection upstaged by the horrific slaughter at the Army Public School at Peshawar. To his chagrin, prime minister Nawaz Sharif survives blithely in office, a patrician harijan, untouchable and untouched.

Suddenly, the Peshawar trauma has brought the colour khaki back on the palette of leadership. Smarting from the butchery of his soldiers’ children, COAS General Raheel Sharif acted swiftly. He “seized the hour” and declared war on the Taliban. He demanded constitutional cover that all future conviction of captured terrorists should be by his brisk military courts, not sluggish civilian ones.

An all-party committee of politicians acquiesced. By agreeing to pass an enabling amendment to the Constitution, though, they have knowingly taken a step that could well return them to the pavilion, leaving the crease to the umpire.

Who will exercise power in 2015? Choices before the voters are not pleasant: A corrupt PPP, an incompetent PML-N, an inexperienced PTI or the seasoned game-spoiler MQM. The army may well decide that it too has a choice, if it is called upon to accept the burden of responsibility without the backbone of authority.

Does General Sharif harbour any Bonapartist inclinations? He may share Napoleon’s view of politicians: “They fade and disappear for lack of unity.”

Or like that other French monolith General de Gaulle, once said: “Politicians are of no importance. What counts is who commands.” l FS Aijazuddin lives in Lahore and is a columnist for Dawn, Pakistan’s main Englishlanguage newspaper. This article was first published in Dawn.

Newspapers won’t die n Md Shamim Alam

T

he popularity of newspapers, in English or otherwise, is on the wane throughout the world. The popularity of the English language, however, is on the rise. This allows us to look at English newspapers in two ways.

First, they are a source of news, something that has come to be regarded as a utility product like gas, water, or power (the Internet is a new challenger in this regard). Second, we can look at English newspapers as one of many different sources of English texts, a source being read by individuals who are more or less educated and are interested in national and international news written in English.

If we cast a critical eye on the first point, that of English newspapers as just a source of news, it becomes evident why newspapers are losing currency around the world. People find broadcast media more interesting because they are more “multimedia,” employing video and sound along with pictures and writing. Radio channels only have sound at their disposal, and yet they are more popular than newspapers both in Bangladesh and elsewhere. Why? This is partly because receiving news is effortless when it comes to the electronic media – just press the power but-

ton on the remote, sit back or lie down on your sofa, and enjoy. Getting news is even more effortless if it is on the radio.

You don’t even have to keep your eyes open. All you have to do is listen to the speakers or plug in your earphones.

In today’s world, we are becoming more and more averse to reading in general. Advancements in science and technology have brought along many gadgets and devices that have impinged upon our habit of reading. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, portable audio devices, video game consoles, and of course social media, have invaded our hours.

This is not so much about newspapers as it is about reading. We do not have as much time to read anymore, be it newspapers or anything else.

If we consider the second point, that of English newspapers as a source of English texts – like novels and biographies – we begin to realise that English newspapers are perhaps more relevant to us this way. You wake up in the morning, yawning and rubbing your eyes, and then you find a fresh copy of your newspaper on your doorstep or on the nightstand every day.

The moment you take the copy in your hands, you can feel that there is something new and fresh about it, something that the novels and biographies stacked upon your bookshelf

cannot afford you.

In one of my previous articles published in this paper (published on July 20), I suggested that English newspapers serve, to whatever extent, the purpose of language-learning in a country like Bangladesh, where English is not spoken natively. A copy of an English newspaper is a beautiful package, stuffed with English articles and news.

Another reason why English newspapers still are and will continue to be useful – at least to some extent – is that some people simply cannot do without reading an actual newspaper, which commands a certain amount of respect and trust from its readership. Newspapers publish serious news, and people take them seriously in return.

People involved in the translation of news stories from Bangla to English, or vice versa, frequently turn to English newspapers. Some educational institutions have their students use newspapers for their studies in translation.

These and many other facets give us grounds for optimism that English newspaper are not going to go out of circulation in Bangladesh any time soon. After all, it is a country whose vibrant media has won international acclaim in recent times. l Md Shamim Alam teaches English at Northern University.

BIGSTOCK

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE Saturday, January 3, 2015

13 Murray,

Wawrinka into Abu Dhabi semis

14 City joint top

after 5-goal Spurs sink Chelsea

14 So much, so little

for Liverpool great Gerrard

Sport

Did you know?

Lampard (176) is the only midfielder to have scored more Premier League goals than Steven Gerrard (116)

BANGABANDHU GOLD CUP

BFF in dilemma over start date n Raihan Mahmood Bangladesh Football Federation’s long aspired Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football is all set to defer once again as the fate of the proposed sixteam event is likely to be decided at the Extra Ordinary Congress of the Asian Football Confederation on January 9.

On Thursday, the president of Bangladesh Football Federation Kazi Salahuddin moved out of the proposed kick-off date saying BFF had not officially declared January 16 as the inaugural day. Before Salahuddin’s statement the news media in the country circulated January 16-27 as the tournament date decided by the BFF, who are yet to finalise the sixth team officially.

Meanwhile, it is almost confirmed that Lodewijk de Kruif, the Dutch coach who was discontinued by the BFF in October last year, will take charge of the national team for the tournament only. Kruif, who was speculated to land on January 3, however, is not sure

BRIEF SCORES Abahani vs Kalabagan CA Abahani 247/9 in 50 overs Nasir Hossain 104, Farhad Hossain 35 Sabbir Rahman 6/43 Kalabagan CA 248/9 in 49.5 overs Mahmudul Hasan 82, Irfan Sukkur 44* Jubair Hossain 2/35 Kalabagan CA won by one wicket Prime Bank vs Mohammedan Prime Bank 230/10 in 49.4 overs Farhad Reza 76, Nurul Hasan 32 Mashrafe Bin Mortaza 4/40 Mohammedan 210/10 in 45.5 overs Mashrafe 62, Ariful Haque 60 Mahmudullah 3/33 Prime Bank won by twenty runs Doleshwar vs Rupganj Legends of Rupganj 221/9 in 50 overs Abul Hasan 51, Nazmul Hossain 42 Elias Sunny 2/27, Asif Ahmed 2/41 Prime Doleshwar 224/2 in 39.1 overs Mehedi Maruf 118*, Mominul Haque 56 Doleshwar won by eight wickets

when he will arrive as the tournament itself is not confirmed yet.

BFF will be under tremendous pressure as the ICC Cricket World Cup will start from February 12 and will conclude on March 29. With Bangladesh playing in the World Cup, BFF will have to think about the media coverage during the top cricket tournament in the globe. Completing the tournament before the World Cup is a possibility, but the option becomes difficult for BFF as the participant teams also needs time for preparing.

Another aspect is the number of participant countries including Bahrain preferred sending U-23 teams to the tournament with Bangladesh host one group of the AFC U-23 qualifiers at the end of March. Tagging some of the participant teams in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup after the qualifiers may prove convenient for BFF. Salahuddin said he will finalise everything by January 12 after returning from the AFC Congress, and the football arena has to wait till that long. l

Prime Bank’s Farhad Reza sweeps during his blistering 76 against Mohammedan CS in their DPL surper league match at BKSP 3 yesterday

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Abahani perish as Primes set final showdown Nasir and Maruf smash hundreds in contrasting results, Farhad Reza stars for table toppers Prime Bank

n Mazhar Uddin A combined effort from Kalabagan CA’s Sabbir Rahman and Mahmudul Hasan overshadowed Nasir Hossain’s hundred and pushed Abahani Limited out of the Dhaka Premier League title race while Prime Bank CC and Prime Doleshwar claimed crucial wins to take the excitement to the last day of the league.

A scintillating century from Mehedi Maruf not only ensured an easy eightwicket win for Doleshwar against Legends of Rupganj, but also increased their net run-rate which might eventually decide the league winners tomorrow.

Prime Bank, leading the chart with 24 points, will take on Abahani on the final match day tomorrow while Doleshwar on 22 points will be praying the Sky Blues beat the bankers and they win their match against Kalabagan.

Abahani v Kalabagan, SBNS

Nasir’s return in form was probably a relief for the selectors ahead of the World Cup, but his 98-ball 104 went in vain as Abahani failed to defend 247 at the home of cricket in Mirpur yesterday. Nasir struck 13 boundaries to continue his good run of form in the league.

However, Nasir’s competitor in the national team Sabbir out-shined the

Gerrard to leave Anfield in summer n AFP

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard announced Friday he was leaving the club at the end of the season and would be heading abroad, in what he said was the “toughest decision of my life”.

The 34-year-old midfielder has captained the Reds for 12 years and never played for another club, winning the Champions League, two FA Cups, three League Cups and the UEFA Cup among other honours.

“I’m going to carry on playing and although I can’t confirm at this stage where that will be, I can say it will be somewhere that means I won’t be playing for a competing club and will not therefore be lining up against Liverpool - that is something I could never contemplate,” Gerrard told the club’s official website.

Amid speculation that he might take a coaching role at Anfield in the future, the former England captain said: “It is my sincere hope and wish that one day I can return to serve Liverpool again, in whatever capacity best helps the club.”

Liverpool’s principal owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner said there would always be a place for the club for a player whose contribution was “almost beyond measure”.

Manager Brendan Rodgers added: “This is an era where the word ‘legend’ is vastly overused, but in his case it actually doesn’t do him justice. Gerrard’s career at Liverpool, which began when he joined the club’s academy at the age of eight, had been the subject of speculation for several months.

Despite his extraordinary achievements, he has also suffered agonising

near-misses, never laying his hands on the Premier League trophy and enduring nothing but heartbreak in 14 years with England. Gerrard said he wanted to “experience something different in my career and life and I also want to make sure that I have no regrets when my playing career is eventually over”.

He thanked Rodgers, the owners, his team-mates and the staff, saying: “I am leaving on great terms. It is a very special place to be part of.”

Gerrard’s teammates also paid fulsome tribute to the player, with striker Mario Balotelli comparing him to legendary Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

“Vision, technique but he is powerful as well. Stevie can do anything, he’s an amazing player. It’s going to be very difficult for the team to find another player like him in the future,” he said.l

FACTS Name : Steven George Gerrard Age : 34 Date of birth : May 30, 1980 Place of birth : Whiston, Liverpool Height : 1.83m Weight : 83kg Playing career Club : Liverpool (1998-present) Debut : Nov 29, 1998 695 appearances, 180 goals International Debut : May 31, 2000 v Ukraine 114 England caps (captain 38 games) 21 goals, Retired from international football after 2014 World Cup Main Honours FA Cup 2001, 2006 League Cup 2001, 2003, 2012 Champions League 2005 UEFA Cup 2001

regular bowlers as the tricky leg-spinner, who sometimes even prefers the offies, bagged 6 for 43 runs to take notice of the selectors as well.

In reply, Mahmudul’s 82 off 107 balls was well complimented by a quickfire 44 from Irfan Shukkur as Kalabagan landed a one-wicket nerve wracking win in the last over.

Prime Bank v Mohammedan, BKSP-3

Mohammedan skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza made 62 with the bat and plunged four wickets but his heroics were not enough to secure a win as the Motijheel based club fell short by 20 runs during their 230-run chase which was majorly registered by Prime

Bank on the back of Farhad Reza’s blistering 76.

Ariful Haque also scored 60, but there were no other contributors for Mohammedan who were bowled out for 210 with Mahmudullah, Farhad and Shuvagata Hom sharing seven wickets.

Earlier, Prime’s damage up front was repaired by Farhad who slammed eight fours and four sixes off 56 balls.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan, Soumya Sarkar and Shuvagata also chipped in with scores in thirties before Prime were bundled out with two balls to spare.

Doleshwar vs Rupganj, Fatullah

Maruf’s 119-ball 118 and Mominul

Haque’s 56 saw the title chasers reach their target of 222 with over 10 overs to spare.

Maruf in particular was attacking during his second century of the season and struck 14 fours and three sixes.

Earlier, Shakib al Hasan, who opened the batting and made 28, did not hesitate to bat on the chilly morning.

Pace bowling all-rounder Abul Hasan scored a half century while Nazmul Hossain Milon added 42 as Legends of Rupganj were restricted to 221 for nine in 50 overs. Delwar Hossain, Asif Ahmed and Elias Sunny took two wickets each for Doleshwar. l

Dragan looks to fire Russel to glory n Raihan Mahmood Dragan Djukanovic, the Montenegrin coach of Sheikh Russel KC is looking ahead to prove his worth in his second stint with the club and also expects a different work atmosphere compared to the previous year.

Djukanovic’s initial term with Russel last season did not last long as the coach left before the season was completed, but he ensured the club their path to the final round qualification for the AFC President’s Cup. He was the top candidate in the club’s preferred list. Djukanovic, who arrived in the capital on Wednesday night, is the third overseas coach to take the charge of a Bangladesh Premier Football League outfit this season. Earlier, Austrian George Kottan flew in to guide Abahani Ltd while Flavio Raffo of Italy came in for Muktijoddha SKC. “I remember the proceedings of the last season, I had offers in Malaysia and Indonesia but to avail the offer I had to wait till the end of January, thinking a lot over the offer of Sheikh Russel I decided to take the challenge and I have a

target of doing better.”

“Last year, I was not satisfied with the team but I tried hard to make things good, there were no balance in the team as one section had plenty of players while the other section had only one, I was tired of all these disorganisations and left. I have been told the team this time is stronger than the previous year and I hope it is true,” expressed the 45-year-old Djukanovic who worked for the youth team of Serbia Super League Club OFK Beograd before his arrival in Dhaka.

Last time the Montenegrin was given the task, after Russel’s treble winning coach Maruful Haque left, he

took five matches to open his account.

“Sheikh Russel is a big club who won three titles in a season but could not continue the trend, this year I hope I will do something good, I love winning and my work ethics is based on discipline and team spirit. I managed to insert that in the AFC President’s Cup, I hope to continue the trend,” he added.

Djukanovic thinks the Bangladesh top flight will be even more competitive this time as the number of foreign signings have been cut down to three. He urged to have good quality foreigners alongside capable locals at his disposal.

“With strong clubs like Sheikh Jamal DC, Abahani and Mohammedan SC, I think the rivalry last year was not that bad, this year as the federation has cut the number of foreign players to three, I think it would make an impact as you have to rely on the local players also, I would also like have good quality overseas players this time,” concluded Djukanovic.

Sheikh Russel have been drawn against Tajikistan’s Khayr Vahdat FK in the 2015 AFC Cup play-off scheduled on February 10 in Tajikistan.l

Walton extended their support to the first ever netball training course for the females organised by Bangladesh Women’s Sports Association yesterday. The trainees, BWSA and the Walton officials pose for a photo at the Dhanmondi Complex yesterday COURTESY

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

13

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Kohli will probably be aggressive captain:Johnson n Reuters, Sydney

QUICK BYTES

Bayern tie up deal for rising star Kimmich Bayern Munich have snatched rising German star Joseph Kimmich from under the noses of Bundesliga rivals VfB Stuttgart. Highly-rated defensive midfielder Kimmich, 19, a member of Germany’s under-19 European championship-winning side, was due to leave RB Leipzig at the end of the season to return to his former club Stuttgart. But Bayern director of football Matthias Sammer and coach Pep Guardiola had singled Kimmich out as being high on their list of transfer priorities and the club moved in with an undisclosed offer to Stuttgart to allow the player to join the Bavarians instead on July 1 on a five-year contract.

–AFP

Japan’s Yoshida signs new Southampton deal Japanese international defender Maya Yoshida has agreed a new three-year deal with Southampton, the English Premier League club announced on Friday. “Southampton Football Club is pleased to announce that Maya Yoshida has agreed terms on a new three-year contract,” read a statement on the club website. The 26-year-old centre-back previously played for Nagoya Grampus in his homeland and Dutch outfit VVV Venlo before moving to England in 2012. He was due to be out of contract at the end of this season but will now remain at St Mary’s until 2018. Yoshida came off the bench in Saints’ 2-0 win over Arsenal on New Year’s Day but has now departed for the Asian Cup in Australia, where Japan kick off their campaign against Palestine in Group D in Newcastle on January 12.

–AFP

Lavezzi, Cavani fail to show up for PSG Attacking duo Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani were the notable absentees as Paris Saint-Germain resumed training after the New Year break on Friday morning, an AFP journalist reported. The two had already missed a training camp in Morocco, culminating in a 1-0 friendly win over Inter Milan on Tuesday, further fuelling speculation that one or both could be leaving the club during the January transfer window. According to the Le Parisien newspaper’s Twitter account, the two players arrived back at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport on a flight at 11:00 (1000 GMT), the precise time the training session in the Paris suburbs was due to begin. After the pair had failed to show up for the Inter Milan friendly, coach Laurent Blanc said he would be awaiting “some explanation” from both Cavani and Lavezzi.

–AFP

Jailed Hoeness wins partial freedom Former Bayern Munich boss Uli Hoeness was on Friday granted day-release for the remainder of his prison term for tax fraud, justice officials said. The decision, announced by the regional justice ministry in the southern state of Bavaria, comes seven months after Hoeness, who turns 63 on Monday, began a threeand-a-half year prison term. Hoeness, who was sentenced for having cheated the state out of 28.5 million euros ($34.3 million), had already been released to spend Christmas and then New Year with his wife and family out of prison.

Bild daily published Friday a front-page photo of Hoeness on a snowy walk with his wife, Susi, under the headline “Hoeness is practising freedom”.

–AFP

DAY’S WATCH Ten Cricket 2:00PM South Africa v West Indies 3rd Test Day 2

Star Sports 4 2:15PM T20 Big Bash League Melbourne Renegades v Melbourne Stars 9:00PM English FA Cup Tranmere Rovers v Swansea City

Star Sports 1 9:00PM English FA Cup West Brom v Gateshead

Star Sports 2 Spanish La Liga 9:00PM Atletico Madrid v Levante 11:00PM Sevilla v Celta Vigo 1:00AM Elche v Villarreal 3:00PM Deportivo v Athletic Bilbao

Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee holds the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy as he poses with children at Manly Beach in Sydney yesterday

AFP

Injuries hamper New Zealand, Sri Lanka ahead of second Test n AFP, Wellington Concerns Friday over injuries to Tim Southee and Rangana Herath disrupted preparations for New Zealand and Sri Lanka on the eve of the second Test in Wellington.

Both camps have given their key bowlers until just before the Test starts on Saturday to prove their fitness.

With yet another green wicket promising plenty of bounce, the toss will be crucial with New Zealand and Sri Lanka both looking to bowl first.

Sri Lanka have signalled they now have a plan to combat the dominance of the hosts’ captain Brendon McCullum,

who set up the Black Caps’ eight-wicket win in the first Test in Christchurch when he blasted 195 in the first innings.

Wellington’s Basin Reserve is a favourite ground for McCullum where last year he led New Zealand to victory over the West Indies by an innings and 73 runs, and scored 302 in a match-saving knock to draw a Test against India.

“We have a few plans (for McCullum) so we will look to try and execute that and perfect it,” Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said.

“When a guy smashes you all over the park and gets almost a double hundred it’s quite hard to set fields because he was not orthodox. We have to be patient and

wait for his mistakes, which will come.”

Left-arm leg spinner Herath is central to Sri Lanka’s strategy, having removed McCullum in three of the four innings when they last met in a twoTest series just over two years ago.

He finished that series with 21 wickets at 13.90 and was sorely missed by Sri Lanka when he did not play in the Christchurch Test because of a hamstring injury that continues to be troublesome.

McCullum said being personally targeted by Sri Lanka was “a good challenge”, and was more concerned about whether strike bowler Southee would recover from an ankle knock.

“Tim’s probably the major concern at the moment. We’ll see how he scrubs up in the morning and if we think he’s a risk that’s not worth taking, then we won’t take it,” he said.

Doug Bracewell will share the new ball with Trent Boult should Southee be ruled out, but otherwise New Zealand are likely to field an unchanged lineup even though Kane Williamson is nursing a sore shoulder.

The first Test win completed a golden year for New Zealand in which they won five Tests for the first time, and McCullum wants to continue the momentum to push them up the world rankings with fifth spot beckoning.l

Having featured regularly in war of words with new India captain Virat Kohli in the ongoing test series, Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson believes the volatile batsman will probably be more aggressive than previous skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Kohli replaced Dhoni after the wicketkeeper’s sudden retirement from test cricket after the drawn third match in Melbourne.

“Ever since I’ve seen him play cricket, I’ve always seen him pretty fiery,” Johnson told reporters in Sydney ahead of the fourth and final test match, which starts on Jan. 6.

“So he’ll definitely be an aggressive type of captain I think in the way he sets fields, and I think you’ll see a lot different to what MS did.

“He’s an interesting character. He is a fierce competitor and he really does like to get involved in it all.”

Kohli, who led India in Dhoni’s absence in the first test in Adelaide, has been involved in a battle with virtually the entire Australian team this series, exchanging heated words on the field particularly with Johnson and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

The 26-year-old fuelled that further during the third test in Melbourne when he said he deliberately set out to provoke the Australians because they could give it, but not take it, on the field.

“I like playing against Australia because it’s really hard for them to stay calm,” he told reporters after he scored a brilliant 169 that included carting Johnson all around the MCG. “I don’t mind an argument on the field. It really excites me and brings the best out of me, so they don’t seem to be learning the lesson.”

Johnson, however, said the banter between the two sides had not been particularly venomous.

“It’s just harmless stuff, that’s out there,” Johnson said.

“There’s a lot of talk out in the media at the moment as bad sledging and pretty full on stuff but it’s all pretty harmless.

“Virat’s just been telling us how many runs he’s scored and we’ve just been saying we’re two nil up in the series so that’s pretty much it.

“It’s always been part of the game and always will be.” l

Murray, Wawrinka into Abu Dhabi semis War-torn Iraq seek n AFP, Abu Dhabi Andy Murray set up a Mubadala World Tennis Championship semi-final clash with Rafael Nadal when he battled to a hard-earned 7-6 (7/1), 5-7, 6-4 win over

Spain’s Feliciano Lopez on Thursday.

Murray, 27, needed five match points before he secured victory and will next look to clinch a double over Nadal in the Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament having defeated the Spanish great in

Andy Murray of Britain returns the ball to Feliciano Lopez of Spain during their opening match at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi on Thursday REUTERS

the final in 2009.

“It was really good,” Murray told the www.national.ae.

“We played two-and-a-half hours, and it was a fairly high-quality match.

There were some periods in the match, a couple of games, where the level dropped a bit, but there were some good rallies.

“Lopez is a different opponent to most of the players you play on the tour these days, so it was a good test for me, and I am happy I got two-and-a-half hours of good, competitive tennis to start the year.”

Murray said he was looking forward to facing Nadal as the world’s top players use the three-day exhibition tournament for crucial practice ahead of the new ATP season, which gets underway this weekend.

“When you have not played a match after a while, normally you can wake up a bit stiff the next day, a bit sore,” added Murray.l

Asian Cup fillip n Reuters Sporting success is an effective relief for any war-torn nation and Iraq, caught in a bloody war with Islamic State, will be seeking more respite when they launch their campaign for a second Asian Cup title in Australia.

The Lions of Mesopotamia sent shockwaves around the globe with their triumph at the 2007 Asian Cup, beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final courtesy Younus Mahmood’s 73rd minute header.

Mahmoud, 31, has been without a club for more than one year but head coach Radhi Shenaishil has brought back the talismanic striker, injecting vital experience to a young side who begin their Group D campaign against Jordan in Brisbane on Jan. 12.

The veteran forward represented Iraq’s mainly under-23 side at the

Asian Games in September, where his four goals helped them win the bronze medal in South Korea.

The former champions secured their sixth consecutive finals appearance on the final day of qualifying before being drawn in a group which also contains four-time winners Japan and AFC Challenge Cup winners Palestine. Iraq’s buildup for the tournament has been far from smooth. They lost 2-0 to Peru in September, followed by their winless Gulf Cup of Nations campaign, which led to the sacking of head coach Haskim Shakir.

Qatar Sports Club (QSC) allowed head coach Shenaishil a leave of absence last month to take charge of the Iraq team, which includes talented Swindon Town midfielder Yaser Kasim, American-born Colombus Crew forward Justin Meram and 18-year-old playmaker Humam Tariq.l

Harmer halts West Indies progress n Agencies Debutant off-spinner Simon Harmer broke two promising partnerships as the West Indies reached 172 for four at tea on the first day of the third and final Test at Newlands on Friday.

Harmer dismissed Devon Smith (47) and Leon Johnson (54), while part-timer Stiaan van Zyl claimed the important wicket of Marlon Samuels.

The first wicket fell to fast bowler Dale Steyn, who became the joint second-highest Test wicket-taker for South Africa when he had Kraigg Braithwaite caught at gully.

It was his 390th Test wicket, equal with Makhaya Ntini on South Africa’s all-time list, which is headed by Shaun Pollock, who took 421.

Harmer, 25, was added to the South African squad after the rain-hit second Test in Port Elizabeth ended in a draw. He replaced leg-spinner Imran Tahir in the only change in the South African team.

His first wicket came off the last ball before lunch when Smith tried to cut a

ball too close to his body and chopped the ball onto his stumps. Smith and Johnson had put on 50 for the second wicket.

Smith undid all his good work against the quick bowlers when he missed a delivery from the new South African off-spinner that clipped his

3RD TEST, DAY 1, AT TEA West Indies, first innings R B K Brathwaite c Elgar b Steyn 7 35 D Smith b Harmer 47 86 L Johnson lbw b Harmer 54 84 M Samuels c Du Plessis b Van Zyl 43 70 S Chanderpaul not out 9 47 J Blackwood not out 7 15 Extras (lb3, nb1, w1) 5 Total (4 wkts, 56 overs)

172

Fall of wickets 1-30 (Brathwaite), 2-80 (Smith), 3-131 (Johnson), 4-162 (Samuels) Bowling Steyn 14-4-31-1 (1w), Philander 12-1-42-0 (1nb), Morkel 12-0-50-0, Harmer 15-4-412, Van Zyl 3-1-5-1

middle stump to give Harmer a first test wicket.

Samuels was out for 43 after succumbing to the temptation of a floated delivery from Van Zyl leaving Shivnarine Chanderpaul (9) and Jermaine Blackwood (7) at the crease at tea.

Johnson, who survived a review by a matter of millimetres when he padded up to an inswinging ball from Morne Morkel when on four, shared a 51-run partnership with Samuels and added 50 runs with Smith.

It took South Africa until the 14th over to make a breakthrough despite a steady diet of uncomfortable pace bowling.

Kraigg Brathwaite was out first, offering a thick edge to Dean Elgar in the gully, as Dale Steyn tied Makhaya Ntini as South Africa’s second highest wicket-taker with the 390th victim of his career.

The West Indies won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket expected to produce runs in sunny conditions at the picturesque ground, nested in the shadow of the imposing Table Mountain. l

South Africa’s Simon Harmer picks up his maiden Test wicket with the last ball before lunch against West Indies in their 3rd Test in Cape Town yesterday AFP

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Saturday, January 3, 2015

blames referee City joint top after 5-goal Spurs sink Chelsea Mou for White Hart pain

n Reuters, London Chelsea and Manchester City ended a memorable first day of 2015 locked together at the top of the Premier League as City’s dramatic 3-2 win over Sunderland was followed by a shock 5-3 defeat for Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea, previously beaten only once this season, were blown away by their effervescent London rivals with inspired front man Harry Kane scoring twice and setting up two more goals.

To rub in the pain for Chelsea fans it was former hero Frank Lampard who came off the bench to give City their

RESULTS

Aston Villa

0-0

Crystal Palace

Hull

2-0

Everton

Elmohamady 33, Jelavic 43

Liverpool Gerrard 17-P, 40-P

Man City

2-2 3-2

Toure 57, Jovetic 66, Lampard 73

Newcastle

3-3

Burnley Dummett 19-og, Ings 66, Boyd 86

1-1

Fer 20

Southampton

Sunderland Rodwell 68, Johnson 71-P

Taylor 15, Colback 26, Sissoko 78

QPR

Leicester

Nugent 58, Schlupp 60

Swansea Bony 90

2-0

Arsenal

1-1

Man United

Mane 34, Tadic 56

Stoke Shawcross 2

Tottenham

Falcao 26

5-3

Kane 30, 52, Rose 44, Townsend 45+4-P, Chadli 78

West Ham

Chelsea Costa 18, Hazard 61, Terry 87

1-1

Sakho 10

West Brom Berahino 42

victory after they had thrown away a 2-0 lead for the second time in a week.

When the dust settled on a day of drama that underlined why the Premier League remains the most watched domestic competition in the world, City and Chelsea were on 46 points from 20 games with an identical goal difference of plus-25 having both scored 44 goals.

Manchester United are third on 37 points after a 1-1 draw at Stoke City, Southampton occupy fourth spot on 36 after beating Arsenal 2-0, with Spurs up to fifth on 34.

Diego Costa put Chelsea ahead but rampant Spurs surged back with goals

by Kane, Danny Rose and an Andros Townsend penalty to lead 3-1 at halftime.

Kane fired his second goal seven minutes after the restart and though Eden Hazard pulled one back, Nacer Chadli completed a joyous day for a hugely impressive Spurs with the fifth goal 12 minutes from time before John Terry got a late third for Chelsea.

The result completed a remarkable change in fortunes for Man City who, after dropping points at home to Burnley on Sunday, again allowed a 2-0 lead to slip in a blizzard of second-half goals.

Yaya Toure and Stevan Jovetic put them 2-0 up before City old boys Jack Rodwell and Adam Johnson, with a penalty, made it 2-2.

Lampard then sailed to the rescue, as he has done so often this season, by heading the winner -- the fourth goal in a crazy eight-minute spell -- three minutes after coming on as a 70th-minute substitute.

The league’s bottom two, Leicester City and Burnley, came from behind to draw 2-2 at Liverpool and 3-3 at Newcastle United respectively. l

n Reuters, London Jose Mourinho added another entry to his extensive personal diary of conspiracies on Thursday when, after Chelsea were ripped apart 5-3 by Tottenham Hotspur, he blamed the defeat on a penalty that was not given.

“At 1-0 one clear action could make it 2-0 and normally with 2-0 the result would be completely different,” he told reporters after the Premier League tussle at White Hart Lane.

“At the end of the day we are speaking about two matches. We have one point out of six when two crucial decisions would give us six,” Mourinho added, referring to the 1-1 draw with Southampton on Sunday when he also railed against a penalty that was not given.l

POINTS TABLE

Tottenham Hotspur’s English striker Harry Kane shoots to score their first goal during the English Premier League football match against Chelsea at White Hart Lane in London on Thursday AFP

So much, so little for Liverpool great Gerrard n

AFP, London

Steven Gerrard, who announced his departure from boyhood club Liverpool on Friday, is a player destined to be remembered as much for his extraordinary achievements as for his agonising near-misses.

The 34-year-old midfielder has captained Liverpool for 12 years, notably lifting the Champions League trophy after an unforgettable comeback against AC Milan in 2005, but coveted successes elsewhere have eluded him.

Although he has also won two FA Cups, three League Cups and the UEFA Cup, among other honours, he has never laid his hands on the Premier League trophy and met with nothing but heartbreak in his 14 years with England.

The last 12 months have reflected the latter years of his career in microcosm -- glorious opportunity, followed by crushing disappointment.

Gerrard was poised to capture his first Premier League title last season, but his cruel slip in an April defeat against Chelsea tilted the momentum in the title race in Manchester City’s favour.

Weeks later, after one of the most accomplished seasons of his career, he went to Brazil hoping for a memorable international swansong at the World Cup, only for England to crash out after two matches.

“It’s probably been the worst three months of my life,” he admitted during Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the Unit-

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard gestures as he leaves the club’s Melwood training centre in Liverpool, northern England yesterday REUTERS ed States.

Gerrard has endured more than his fair share of disappointment since inspiring Liverpool to glory in the 2006 FA Cup, with the 2012 League Cup the only major honour he has won since.

He also went close to winning the league title under Rafael Benitez in 2009, when Liverpool looked destined for the championship, only for Manchester United to steam past them in the home straight.

It was a similar story with England, who he represented on 114 occasions and captained at three major tournaments.

His first England goal was a sizzling 25-yard strike in a famous 5-1 win away

to Germany in 2001, but his international career thereafter was a succession of false dawns and high-profile failures.

But taken as a whole, in his club career -- which began when he walked through the doors of Liverpool’s academy at the age of eight -- Gerrard has scaled almost all the heights.

From the header that sparked the comeback to end all comebacks against Milan in Istanbul to the sensational 35yard thunderbolt that took the 2006 FA Cup final to extra time, he has swaggered through his Anfield career with the audacity of a comic-book hero.

He came third in the voting for the Ballon d’Or in 2005 and was voted the

Few Chelsea fans would have begrudged Frank Lampard his farewell Premier League cameo at Manchester City but the goodwill is starting to dissipate after he scored another goal to keep his new club in the title hunt.

On Wednesday, Chelsea’s all-time record scorer Lampard tied up the deal that extends his loan from New York City to Manchester City until the end of the season and 24 hours later he showed exactly why Manuel Pellegrini was so keen to keep him.

The league champions, for the second time in four days, had blown a 2-0 lead in front of their own fans, this time against Sunderland, and were in danger of again handing the initiative to leaders Chelsea who were in action later.

Lampard, who had been on the pitch for three minutes, then stepped up to the plate yet again, meeting a Gael Clichy cross with a firm header in the 73rd minute to earn a 3-2 lead which they held to the end to take them level on points with his former club.

It was the 36-year-old’s fifth league goal, and seventh in all, in a season

where he has started most games on the bench but where his calmness and experience is becoming increasingly important.

“Nobody can be surprised with Frank Lampard,” Pellegrini told reporters. “He is a top player with a huge amount of important goals in his career.

“When you use him in the second half, when players are tired, he knows exactly where to go and how to move.

I always said we would try to keep him for the rest of the season, it was not an easy decision but Frank is very happy to stay here and we need him here.”

While City fans are delighted to have the former England midfielder, supporters of the club’s American franchise are not so impressed, with one group “publicly denouncing” his decision to stay until the end of the season.

“We reject out of hand any suggestion NYCFC is in any way secondary to Manchester City FC and are disappointed City Football Group would give such an appearance,” supporters’ group the Third Rail said in a statement.

Pellegrini had some sympathy. “I understand. To see Lampard in New York is an amazing thing,” he said. l

P

W

D

L

GD Pts

1 Chelsea 1 Manr City

20 20

14 14

4 4

2 2

25 25

3 Man United

46 46

20

10

7

3

14

37

4 Southampton 20 5 Tottenham 20

11 10

3 4

6 6

19 2

36 34

6 Arsenal 7 West Ham

9 9

6 5

5 6

9 7

33 32

20 20

8 Liverpool

20

8

5

7

1

29

9 Swansea 10 Newcastle 11 Stoke City

20 20 20

8 7 7

5 6 5

7 7 8

1 -6 -2

29 27 26

12 Aston Villa 13 Everton 14 Sunderland 15 Hull City 16 QPR

20 20 20 20 20

5 5 3 4 5

7 6 11 7 4

8 9 6 9 11

-11 -4 -12 -6 -13

22 21 20 19 19

17 West Brom 20 18 Crystal Palace 20 19 Burnley 20

4 3 3

6 8 8

10 -10 9 -10 9 -15

18 17 17

20 Leicester City 20

3

5

12 -14

14

Reaction to Gerrard leaving Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers “As a player he is immense and the influence he has on games should never be understated.

At times he has carried this club on his back and in my time here he has always shown the ability that has rightly seen him be regarded as one of the world’s best for well over a decade.

“As a leader and as a man, he is probably incomparable to anyone I have ever worked with. He takes professionalism to a new level and the dedication he has to his work is an example to everyone in the game. “He is also someone who has always put the club and team ahead of himself and I think that will ultimately be his legacy.”

Liverpool owners John W Henry and Tom Werner “His contribution to the club is almost beyond measure and it’s testimony to his influence, that despite Liverpool having such a long and distinguished list of legendary figures, the name Steven Gerrard will always be at the summit.

“Another emotion that resonates today is respect; a respect not just for his achievements but also the decision he and his family have reached.

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge “Stevie will always be a legend, not just for Liverpool but to England as well. He’ll go down in history as one of the best midfielders in the game. He’s just unbelievable every day, a great leader and the perfect example for every young player around the country.”

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge “I always knew he was going to be a star. I’ve been watching Liverpool for 50 years and he is the best player I have ever seen. “Someone like Kenny Dalglish was different class but my logic is when Kenny played all 11 players were superstars but Steven has played with some basic, ordinary footballers who wouldn’t have gotten into Kenny’s reserve team.”

Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton “It must have been a huge decision for Steven but it is sad for him because he has been a fantastic servant for the club. He has seen some of the tough times as well as the good times. “To go out season after season shows the character of the player. He has been first class.”

Premier League clubs set to dominate in January window

‘Super Frank’ not so popular at Chelsea now n Reuters, London

greatest player in Liverpool’s history by fans in a 2013 poll. No less a judge than Zinedine Zidane observed in 2009: “Is he the best in the world? He might not get the attention of Messi and Ronaldo, but yes, I think he might be.”

No longer the box-to-box game-changer of his pomp, Gerrard has successfully streamlined his game under current Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, sitting in front of the back four and spraying passes around the pitch with unwavering precision.

He will leave Anfield as Liverpool’s third-highest appearance-maker, behind only Ian Callaghan and Jamie Carragher, and with a claim to the title of the club’s greatest-ever player that only Kenny Dalglish can contest.

“Because of what he has done for the club, I believe he is the best,” Carragher, Gerrard’s fellow Scouser and former team-mate, told the Daily Telegraph in 2012.

“Dalglish, (Graeme) Souness and Ian Rush all played together in a great team, but because football is a team game, it’s been harder for Stevie because he’s not always played in great teams.

“I definitely think it’s a case with Stevie that people will not fully realise how good he has been until he stops playing.

“None of the players who’ve played alongside him would dispute he’s the best the club has ever had, and I would hope none of the managers would, either.” l

Team Name

n AFP, Paris

Man City’s Frank Lampard applauds fans after the match against Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday. Lampard scored the winner as City won the game 3-2 AFP

The January transfer window in Europe is poised to open this weekend, with the bulk of the spending set to be done by clubs in the English Premier League.

Among the continent’s leading nations, clubs in Spain will be the first ones to be able to sign reinforcements, with the window there opening on Friday and shutting on January 30.

In England, Germany and France, the window opens on Saturday, January 3 and will not shut until Monday, February 2, while a shorter window in Italy opens from January 5.

Premier League teams splurged a record £835 million ($1.3 billion, 1.075 billion euros) in the summer and they should again be the busiest in this shorter window.

Most of the movement is unlikely to come before the final, crazy days of the window, but in the meantime much of the talk will surround Manchester United, who are said to have no upper limit on the amounts they can spend.

The Old Trafford club spent a net sum of £122m in the summer, but

manager Louis van Gaal still needs to strengthen at the back in particular.

He has been linked with moves for fellow Dutchman Ron Vlaar, of Aston Villa, and Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, while Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman of Roma is another target.

Elsewhere, Manchester City’s spending potential is limited because of Financial Fair Play, but Chelsea are set to sign Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric from Rijeka for £7 million and loan him to Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem.

Southampton have agreed a deal to bring in Dutch winger Eljero Elia on loan from Werder Bremen and new managers - Tony Pulis at West Bromwich Albion and possibly Alan Pardew at Crystal Palace - will be given funds.

In contrast, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said he will be quiet this month.

“There won’t be a lot of activity, if any, in January,” he said. “I don’t think it is a good time to spend. Last year we never brought anyone in.

“We brought in a lot of players (in the summer) who we felt could develop and they are starting to adapt. My

job is to coach and manage the players here and maximise that talent.”

In Spain, Real Madrid are seemingly focusing their energy on the pursuit of Dortmund and Germany star Marco Reus while dismissing suggestions they will allow Gareth Bale to depart.

“We would never listen to any offer for Bale regardless of the amount,” said Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Nevertheless, midfielder Sami Khedira is out of contract in the summer so can now negotiate his next move, and the reigning European champions could replace him with Brazilian prospect Lucas Silva, of Cruzeiro.

Meanwhile, Barcelona cannot sign any new players until 2016 after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a one-year transfer ban imposed by FIFA for breaching rules on signing youth players.

Instead they must focus their energy on offering new terms to right-back Daniel Alves, who is out of contract in the summer.

Atletico Madrid have already moved to bring back former idol Fernando Torres, who arrives after a disappointing six months in Italy with AC Milan.l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

Saturday, January 3, 2015

AMRITA plays for keeps on the silver screen with Game

15

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey HBO, 4:25pm

n Entertainment Desk After much speculation, Amrita Khan is making her long-awaited debut on the big screen with “Game,” released in cinemas yesterday.

“I am really excited because the first film released in 2015 is one of mine, and is actually my first as well. Earlier I reckoned that this year would bring fortune for me and I hope this is the beginning.

“With everyone’s help, I hope to establish myself as a perfect actress on the big screen,” she said.

Jointly directed by M Sharfuddin Anik and Royal Khan, the film casts Nirab Hossain and Amrita Khan in the leading roles with Irfan Khan, Mukit Jakaria and Biplob in supporting roles.

Ramp model Ruma makes an appearance in the film with an item song while Bilop, vocalist of Prometheus, debuts on the big screen as the villain of the piece.

Amrita, a niece of late actor Khaled Khan, made her break-through appearance in a commercial made by Afzal Hossain in 2002. Currently the sizzling youth is busy with several big screen ventures including Ispahani Arif Jahan’s “Gunda: The Terrorist,” Wazed Ali Sumon’s “Pagla Diwana” and Razu Ahmed’s “Osomo Prem.”

The actress will fly to South Africa on January 4 to take part in the shooting of “Mission Africa,” directed

by Maruf Khan Rizbhi. l

Popular TV show hosts n Entertainment Desk Anchoring TV shows has become an in-demand profession for aspiring small screen starlets. Many of the anchors are treated like celebrities and their shows are quite popular as well. Dhaka Tribune has compiled a list of some of the top anchors in the country who have worked in various genres from entertainment to sports to talk shows.

Film

Meghmallar Ouija Interstellar Gone Girl Ek Cup Cha Into The Storm Blockbuster Cinemas Jamuna Future Park

Solo Art Exhibition

By Proshanta Karmakar Buddha Time: 10am – 10pm

Nabila

Masuma Rahman Nabila started her career back in 2006 as a TV host. Many TV hosts choose to appear in other programmes but Nabila is not thinking of anything else other then anchoring.

She said she might work as a director 10 years later but had no plans to act.

Apart from hosting TV shows, she has worked in some TV commercials.

Nusrat Faria

Before anchoring shows, Nusrat Faria started off her career as a RJ on Radio Foorti. A gorgeous host of reality shows, Nusrat Faria anchored “Handsome: The Ultimate Man” in 2014. Nusrat believes that strength is her confidence and she is not at all a camera-shy person. In her shows, one can detect a mix of energy and spontaneity which brings positive vibes in her programme. She is regular in hosting Eid specials on TV. Apart from that, the show Late Night Coffee has become popular among the youth.

Nusrat has bagged a role in Redowan Rony’s upcoming film “Morichika.”

Nowshin

Nowshin Nahreen Mou started her career as a radio jockey in 2007 but later became a host and presenter. At one point, she became regular in hosting TV shows. She hosted the popular programme “Jege Aso Ki” on RTV but is now busy acting in films and TV plays. She is also working as a model for several brands. l

handed over to renowned artist and printmaker Monirul Islam for his valuable creative contribution in the field while three young printmakers have awarded the young printmakers award 2015 on this occasion. The event was inaugurated

by Asaduzzaman Noor, the cultural minister, while art connoisseur Durjoy Rahman Joy attended the program as special guest. The programme has presided over by renowned artist Rafiqun Nabi. l

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag Star Gold, 8:30pm

The truth behind the ascension of Milkha “The Flying Sikh” Singh who was scarred because of the India-Pakistan partition.

Wild Hogs Zee Studios, 11:50pm

Café Mango Gallery House 3/A, Road 72, Gulshan 2 Nakshi Kantha: Zainul Abedin Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhanmondi Bangladesh Comic-con Time: 2pm – 9pm Baridhara DOHS Convention Center

A group of suburban biker wannabes looking for adventure hit the open road, but get more than they bargained for when they encounter a New Mexico gang called the Del Fuegos.

EMMA STONE: Having colic as a baby is what gave me my trademark husky voice n Entertainment Desk

Munmun

Maria Nur came into the limelight as a presenter by hosting the sport talk show “Ultimate World Cup” on Channel 24. A modelcum-RJ, Maria loves football and is an ardent fan of Ronaldo. She is also interested in cricket. She used to present a cricket programme named “T 20 cricket blast” in 2014. A sport enthusiast, Maria has worked in several TV plays and commercials but she believes she can establish herself as a presenter and model.

The 4th Kibria Print Fair has been arranged to mark the 6th founding anniversary of Dhaka Art Center, from Januarty 1 to 5, 2015.

Fourteenth printmaking studios from around the country have participated in the fair with prints created by eminent and young printmakers.

At the inaugural ceremony of the fair, a life-time achievement award

Exhibition

From culinary shows to lifestyle programmes, Sharmin Lucky anchored the show of Bengal Classical Music Festival last year. Lucky never tries to come into limelight through acting in any television play or film despite her huge demand.

Lucky won many hearts during her stint in the “Siddika Kabir’s Recipe.” In “Lux Bridal Show”, she said that it is fun to dress up as a bride for every episode of the show, which shows her rage of talent for hosting programmes.

Maria Nur

n Entertainment Desk

Meghmallar Brick Mansions Big Hero 6 (3D) Pipra Bidda Lavel 8, Star Cineplex, Bashundhara City

Sharmin Lucky

For the sixth time in a row, Mummun anchored the Lux Channel i Superstar show. She loves anchoring the beauty pageant as it feel a nostalgic to her as she was among the top four contestants in 2006. She regularly hosts lifestyle shows. Her glowing smile, easygoing personality and the ability to interact with the audience make her one of the most sought-after anchors. A well articulated person, Munmun also hosts big shows that take place in the capital.

Print-making artworks on display

A reluctant hobbit sets out to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain home.

BONO: I may never play guitar again n Entertainment Desk U2 frontman Bono says he fears that he may never play guitar again following a bike accident last November. He made the comment in his A to Z of 2014, published on the band’s website.

Bono broke his arm in six places and fractured his eye socket, hand and shoulder blade in what he called a “freak accident” in New York. In the letter to his fans, he said he was unable to move around physically and would have to “concentrate hard” to be fit for U2’s next tour.

The 54-year-old Dubliner revealed he now had a titanium elbow.

Bono continued: “Recovery has been more difficult than I thought. As I write this, it is not clear that I will ever play guitar again.”

“I personally would very much miss fingering the frets of my green Irish falcon or my (red) Gretsch. Just for the pleasure, aside from writing tunes.” l

The Birdman star and boyfriend of Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield is in demand, but admits she struggled to come to terms with her fame.

Emma Stone has made a career out of taking wildly different roles – a sullen bass player, a nerdy schoolgirl, a zombie killer and Spider-Man’s girlfriend Gwen Stacy among others. In her latest film, “Birdman,” she plays Sam, a rebellious daughter just out of drug rehab whose father, played by Michael Keaton, is a washed-up actor mounting a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory.

In a latest interview with Mirror, the 26-year-old said that the trademark husky voice of her came as she was a colicky baby in her childhood. “I think it came because I was a colicky baby, but I don’t know that for a fact. That’s just what I attribute it to. Nobody’s ever really said I was getting a part because of my voice, but it’s the only one I’ve got so I’m sticking with it!” she said.

While asked about how Emma cope with the demands of filming “Birdman” and “Spider-Man 2” at the same time, she said “I thought it was going to be more intense than it actually was. It was really liberating to break off from playing someone like Gwen Stacy to play Sam, who is probably the shadowy side of Gwen. It felt invigorating.” l

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY actor says movie is not misogynistic n Entertainment Desk The hotly-anticipated February release of “Fifty Shades of Grey” has many people wound up, but not necessarily in a good way.

But the film’s star, actor Jamie Dornan has defended not only “Fifty Shades of Grey,” but also BDSM

(bondage, domination and sadomasochism) culture.

“I can understand why people say tying a woman up and spanking her is misogynistic. But actually, more men are submissive than women. Very powerful men,” Dornan said of BDSM in an interview with Elle UK magazine.

“It’s a far bigger scene than I imagined:

ANUSHKA: KATRINA is my favourite co-star

n Entertainment Desk

Anushka Sharma is currently basking in the warm sunlight of “PK”’s success and believes that actresses should kill cat-fights. She also stated that Katrina is her favourite co-star.

“As an actress, we need to kill those cat-fight things.

I called Kangana Ranaut when I watched ‘Queen’, I called Deepika Padukone after ‘Cocktail’. I was like more than excited about it.”

“Katrina is my favorite co-star because I had such a good relationship with her. She is a real person and not pretentious. I had a great time working with her (in ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’). I know she feels happy for me,” she said.

Asked if she is happy with whatever she has achieved so far, Anushka said: “I won’t lead my life little bit if I was not happy. I know what I want to do and I don’t like falling into brackets and categories.” “I didn’t want to do too many films.

Whatever I have done, I have done best. People give advices but I do what I feel is right. I am very satisfied right now. I think my career graph is going well,” she added. l

in pretty much any city in the world that you could name, people want to get spanked with a paddle with studs on it.” But in the film, he continued, “[t]he love story is more important than the BDSM aspect. I mean, we are going to tell a love story, you know, it can’t just be what happens in the Red Room, that’s not a film.” l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Saturday, January 3, 2015

‘Commodifying deer will mean more, not less, poaching’ n Abu Bakar Siddique Forest officials claim the Deer Rearing Policy 2014, currently being formulated by the government, will decrease deer poaching and reduce human intervention in the Sundarbans, but conservationists are not convinced.

The new policy, which aims to accommodate a growing demand for deer as a luxury pet and for venison, has failed to persuade environmentalists, who say commodifying the animal will create new incentives for poaching.

Conservation experts worry that it will be difficult to determine whether live deer or venison available in the market is sourced from licensed farms or protected wildlife stocks.

The licensing fee to set up a farm in metropolitan areas has been set at Tk20,000.

At the district level, the fee will be Tk10,000 “The deer rearing policy will help halt deer poaching from the forest as well as reduce human intervention in the forest. Both of these issues are harmful for the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystems,” Ratan Kumar Majumder, deputy chief conservator of forests, told the Dhaka Tribune.

But Wild Team Executive Director Professor Anwarul Islam said allowing deer farming would not bring good results but would rather encourage poaching.

The government should properly enforce the existing Bangladesh Wildlife Protection and Safety Act, 2012 to stop wildlife poaching as well as human intervention in the forest, he said.

Prof Anwarul, also a zoology professor at Dhaka University, said poachers not only hunt deer but are also often caught with tiger parts.

In addition, he said, they cut down different types of trees from the Sund-

arbans, which is extremely harmful to the forest. Bangladesh is considered a noteworthy site of wildlife poaching especially for tigers, spotted deer and other animals.

The illegal trade in animals and animal parts from Bangladesh primarily targets the demand for wildlife parts in Asian and European markets.

The new policy will allow interested parties to rear a maximum number of ten deer as domestic animals or as livestock for venison without seeking a farm license.

But those interested in establishing a deer farm – defined as rearing more than 10 animals – must apply to divisional forest officials for a permit.

The licensing fee to set up a farm in metropolitan areas has been set at Tk20,000. At the district level, the fee will be Tk10,000.

To stock their farms, deer farmers must buy breeding stock from the Forest Department, public zoos or existing licensed farms. The cost of each animal has been fixed between Tk15,000 and Tk25,000.

The new policy allows activities related to rearing deer – hand over, sale and consumption – at a distance beyond a threshold 30 kilometres from the forest.

Farid Uddin Ahmed, chief executive of Aranyak Foundation, which works for sustainable forest management in Bangladesh, said the proper implementation of the Wildlife Protection and Safety Act, 2012 would be the best thing for the preservation of the Sundarbans.

He expressed doubt that the government could effectively verify the source of deer or venison in the market – whether the are wild or farm reared – and expressed worry about the scope for abuse.

In Bangladesh, wild spotted deer is only found in mangrove ecosystems like the Sundarbans. Currently around 70,000 spotted deer roam the Bangladesh Sundarbans.

Several thousand more roam Nijhum Dwip, an island in Noakhali district, after being released there by the Forest Department. l

A woman and two young girls share a fishing net laid out in the open at Alimganj village in Rajshahi’s Godagari upazila yesterday. The woman, a representative of the older generation, lays out freshly harvested mustard seeds to dry, while the young girls ready their brand new textbooks for the school year ahead AZAHAR UDDIN

Political violence kills 19 CU students in 2 decades n FM Mizanur Rahaman, Chittagong

Over the past few decades, politics-related deaths have stained the reputation of Chittagong University – which is known to many as a den of Jamaat-Shibir activists.

Since 1988, at least 19 Chittagong University students have been killed in alleged political violence; none of those cases have seen justice being delivered.

The latest victim was Tapos Sarkar, a first year Sangskrit student, who was shot and killed on December 14 last year during an infighting between CU Chhatra League factions.

In a routine-like manner, the death prompted the formation of a probe body in the face of public outrage; but also like clockwork, the recommendations of the investigators are never implemented.

University officials, who had been involved with the investigations of previous student deaths, blamed political intervention and the lack of evidence and witnesses as some of the reasons why there was no success in serving justice to the perpetrators.

Sources at the university said most of the student killings had been committed by activists of Jamaat-e-Islami’s

student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir; but factional clashes of Chhatra League had also triggered violent clashes that led to student fatalities.

Khan Tawhid Osman, director of CU Students Counselling Centre and a soil sciences department teacher, said: “The probe committee’s work is figuring out the facts behind the incident, but [in most cases] evidence and witnesses cannot be found during investigation.”

The first notable violence on the CU campus took place in 1983. Although no one died, the wrist of a Chhatra Samaj activist – Hamid – was chopped off allegedly by Shibir men.

The first fatality took place in 1988, when a second-year statistics student – Aminul Islam – was killed allegedly by Shibir supporters.

On December 23, 1990, Shibir men attacked a jubilation procession – brought out to celebrate the fall of Ershad’s regime – killing Chhatra Maitri leader Farukkuzaman Faruk. The same attack also injured former CU vice-chancellor Prof Mohammed Sirajuddin and others.

The next victim of Shibir violence was CU Chhatra Dal organising secretary Nurul Huda Musha, son of CU history Prof Enamul Haque, who died 13 days after receiving serious wounds

Two more Shibir leaders – Rahimuddin and Mahmudul Hasan – died in an alleged Chhatra League attack on the campus.

There was a lull in the violence afterwards, which eventually broke in 2001 when CU Chhatra League’s senior vice-president Ali Mortuza was gunned down at Chararkul area near his residence allegedly by Shibir cadres.

The next fatality was in February 10, 2010, when BBA student Mohiuddin Masum was murdered by unknown miscreants at Sholoshahar Railway Station area, while police recovered the slaughtered body of Harunor Rahid beside the university’s railway track on March 29 at Fateyabad area under Hathazari upazila.

On April 15 the same year, Chhatra League activist Asadul Islam was killed by local villagers at CU Railway Station area during Pahala Baishakh programmes on the campus.

On February 8, 2012, two Shibir men – Masud Bin Habib and Mujahid – were killed during a clash between the Chhatra League and Shibir over establishing supremacy at the campus.

On January 12 last year, Mamun Hossain, a fourth-year soil science student, was hacked to death allegedly by Chhatra League men during a clash inside the Shah Amanat Hall. l

Most cancers ‘just bad luck’

Two minors violated in capital n Tribune Report Two minor girls were raped allegedly by their neighbours in the capital’s Rampura and Goran on Wednesday night and yesterday morning respectively.

The mother of the three-year-old girl raped in Rampura told the Dhaka Tribune she heard the scream of her daughter in the house while cooking in the kitchen around 8pm.

“I saw my daughter bleeding from her private organ and she said a man named Rabiul hurt her. Rabiul lives in a nearby house,” she said.

The mother claimed that her landlord had suggested settling the incident through negotiation, adding that neighbours did not let her complain to police or take the girl to hospital on that night.

Relatives of the victim took her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital yesterday noon but the 18-year-old accused fled.

Aminul Islam, assistant sub-inspector of Rampura police station, said a case would be lodged in this connection.

In another incident, a man named Aminul Islam allegedly violated a fouryear-old girl in Goran yesterday morning.

Police later arrested Aminul. The victim’s father told the Dhaka Tribune that his daughter went out with Aminul for a short walk in the morning.

“After around an hour, she returned alone. She was crying and bleeding.

We started looking for Aminul and locals found him in a nearby lane. They confined him to a rickshaw garage and called police,” he said.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Firoz Ahmed of Khilgaon police station said the girl was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.

“The accused is in police custody and a case will be filed in this connection,” he added. l

from a Shibir attack on October 27, 1994.

In 1997, Shibir men attacked and killed CU aspirant Aminul Islam Bokul – suspecting him to be a Chhatra League supporter.

The month of May in 1998 was one of the deadliest in CU history.

On May 6, 1998, another CU aspirant – Ayub Ali – was murdered allegedly by Shibir men at Shah Amanat Hall during a clash between Chhatra League and Jamaat’s student wing. Following their deaths, both Shibir and Chhatra League claimed that Bokul and Ayub belonged to their parties.

Only 12 days after the death of Ayub, Shibir cadres shot dead Musfiq Salehin, a medical student and son of CU teacher Ahmed Nobi, during an attack on a teachers-students’ bus at the Baluchara area in Chittagong.

Besides, on May 15, Shibir leader Jubayer was killed in an attack allegedly by the Chhatra League; on May 24, Chhatra League cadre Saifur Rahman accidentally shot himself in the chest while fixing a firearm in his room at the Shah Amanat Hall.

In August, Sanjay Talapatra, a fine arts student and Chhatra Union activist, died following a brutal attack by Shibir men in the city’s Battali Railway Station area.

n BBC

Two women burst into tears at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital after identifying their mother Hanufa Begum’s body. Hanufa died after the human haulier carrying her plunged into a roadside ditch in the capital’s Kadamtoli area yesterday MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Five die unnatural deaths in Dhaka n Tribune Report

Five people, including a woman labourer, died unnatural deaths in different part of the capital yesterday.

Two sweepers died after inhaling toxic gas while working in a sewerage line in the capital’s Mugda area.

The deceased were identified as Dila Mia, 55, and Nuru Hawlader, 60.

Police sources said three day labourers – including the two deceased men, entered the manhole in a road near Maniknagar Model School in Mugda around 3pm.

When the two men failed to respond to calls after getting into the manhole, they were pulled out with the help of local residents and rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH)

around 4pm where duty doctors declared them dead, co-worker Babul said.

They were residents of Maniknagar Wasa Road.

Doctors suspected they had died after inhaling toxic gas. Mugda police Officer-in-Charge Omar Faruk said the workers fell unconscious while working in the sewer.

In a separate incident, Juwel Matubbbor, 30, was electrocuted to death while using a drill in his home in the Kadamtola area of Murdapur around 3:30pm.

He was rushed to the DMCH where duty doctors declared him dead around 4:20pm, according to DMCH police outpost In-Charge Mozammel Haque.

In another incident, two construc-

tion workers were killed when a human haulier plunged into a roadside ditch in the Shyampur area of the capital around 7am.

The deceased were identified as Nazrul Islam, 38, and Hanufa Bibi, 40.

They died on the spot in East Shyampur when the vehicle fell into a ditch after the driver lost control of it, Abdus Salam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kadamtali police station, said.

The bodies of the deceased were sent to the Dhaka Medical College morgue for autopsy, he added.

Four other passengers survived the accident, Salam said.

Contacted, Rejwan Ullah, station officer of Postagola fire service said fire fighters recovered two dead bodies from under the vehicle. l

Most types of cancer can be put down to bad luck rather than risk factors such as smoking, a study has suggested.

A US team were trying to explain why some tissues were millions of times more vulnerable to cancer than others.

The results, in the journal Science, showed two thirds of the cancer types analysed were caused just by chance mutations rather than lifestyle.

However some of the most common and deadly cancers are still heavily influenced by lifestyle.

And Cancer Research UK said a healthy lifestyle would still heavily stack the odds in a person’s favour.

In the US, 6.9% of people develop lung cancer, 0.6% brain cancer and 0.00072% get tumours in their laryngeal (voice box) cartilage at some point in their lifetime.

Toxins from cigarette smoke could explain why lung cancer is more common.

But the digestive system is exposed to more environmental toxins than the brain, yet brain tumours are three times as common as those in the small intestine.

Root of cancer

The team at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health believe the way tissues regenerate is the answer.

Old tired cells in the body are constantly being replaced with new ones made by dividing stem cells.

But with each division comes the risk of a dangerous mutation that moves the stem cell one step closer to being cancerous.

The pace of turnover varies throughout the body with rapid turnover in the lining of the gut and a slower pace in the brain.

The researchers compared how of-

ten stem cells divided in 31 tissues in the body over a lifetime with the odds of a cancer in those tissues.

They concluded that two thirds of cancer types were “due to bad luck” from dividing stem cells picking up mutations that could not be prevented.

These cancer types included Glioblastoma (brain cancers), small intestine cancers and pancreatic cancers.

Cristian Tomasetti, an assistant professor of oncology and one of the researchers, said a focus on prevention would not prevent such cancers.

“If two thirds of cancer incidence across tissues is explained by random DNA mutations that occur when stem cells divide, then changing our lifestyle and habits will be a huge help in preventing certain cancers, but this may not be as effective for a variety of others.

“We should focus more resources on finding ways to detect such cancers at early, curable stages.”

Poor lifestyle

The remaining third of cancer types, which are affected by lifestyle factors, viruses or a heightened family risk, include some of the most common – Basal cell carcinoma - a type of skin cancer made more common by too much UV exposure; Lung cancer - strongly linked to smoking; Colon cancer - increased by poor diet and family risk genes.

Two common types of cancer, breast and prostate, were not analysed as the researchers could not find a consistent rate of stem cell division in those tissues.

Separate research by Cancer Research UK shows more than four in 10 of the total number of cancers were down to lifestyle.

Dr Emma Smith, senior science information officer at the charity, said: “We estimate that more than four in 10 cancers could be prevented by lifestyle changes, like not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet and cutting back on alcohol. l

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