27 Jan, 2015

Magh 14, 1421 Rabius Sani 6, 1436 Regd No DA 6238 Vol 2, No 292

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015 | www.dhakatribune.com | SECOND EDITION

20 pages | Price: Tk12

B1 | BUSINESS

7 | LONG FORM

11 | OP-ED

14 | SPORT

TANNERY OWNERS TO GET NO MORE COMPENSATION FOR RELOCATION

OBAMA IN INDIA: TIME TO CONVERT THE POTENTIAL INTO REALITY

A RIGHT, WITHOUT INTERFERENCE

RIQUELME CALLS TIME ON PLAYING DAYS

Innocent civilians doubly victimised Police allegedly arresting and harassing innocent people in security drives n Mohammad Jamil Khan Innocent civilians are being doubly victimised by the politics of picketing as they bear the brunt of firebomb attacks by blockaders on the one hand, and are getting ensnared in police dragnets on the other.

As of yesterday, more than 30 people have been killed around the country in blockade violence, at least five of them in arson. Hundreds of people are writhing in pain from burn injuries at various hospitals.

Meanwhile, a section of dishonest policemen are allegedly harassing innocent people with arrests as authorities beef up security drives in the wake of violence during the BNP-led alliance’s nationwide indefinite blockade.

The immense personal loss and damage to property and lives from arson has been well documented.

The sufferings of blockade victims has cut across all manner of social or regional distinctions.

Many of the initial blockade victims were working people connected to the transportation industry: CNG-run

PM: I feel insulted n Asif Showkat Kallol The prime minister yesterday said she felt insulted at having to return from BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s office on Saturday when her condolence call on the death of Arafat Rahman Koko was not received.

Several ministers, who asked not to be named, told the Dhaka Tribune that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shared the sentiment at a cabinet meeting.

“The matter was unexpected and it insulted me. I did not go there for politics. I went there for humanity and to offer condolences to a mother on the death of her child,” the prime minister was quoted as saying by her cabinet colleagues.

Ministers who attended the cabinet meeting said a discussion on the seeming rebuff was not on the agenda of the meeting.

The prime minister reportedly told  PAGE 2 COLUMN 6

autorickshaw drivers, bus drivers and transport helpers.

Take Jatrabari bus arson victim Nur-e-Alam, 40, who has suffered 48% burns and is suffering severe damage to his respiratory system. Doctors at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s Burn Institute say severe cases like his have become very common and the damage is often irreparable.

Our correspondent says that the beleaguered Burn Institute, serving over 500 patients in a facility designed to treat 300, is struggling to cope with the load and restore patients to health.

Take the case of the four Eden College students hit by arson or the case of two pharmacy students of Asia Pacific University, hit in a petrol bomb attack on their buses. Or the case of the twenty-two year old Ghorasal truck helper whose head was fatally injured when pickets threw a brick at his speeding truck.

One can take the stories almost at random and the picture that will emerge is that no place and no group in Bangladesh has been safe from random  PAGE 2 COLUMN 1

n Ashif Islam Shaon

Police have so far arrested 633 people in connection with arson attacks and vandalism of vehicles in the capital during the ongoing blockade and hartal enforced by the BNP-led alliance. the file photo shows four such suspects being taken to court MEHEDI HASAN

BNP seals dialogue door, Who calls the shots at say 14-party leaders Gulshan BNP office? n Abu Hayat Mahmud Any possible avenue of holding a dialogue with the BNP was shut down when the party demeaned the prime minister by turning her away from the doors of Khaleda Zia’s political office, several leaders of the 14-party alliance said yesterday.

The decision to not allow Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina into the Gulshan office – where she went to express condolences to the BNP chief for the loss of her son – also proved that the BNP did not want a political solution to the existing crisis, they said.

“BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has not only closed the door of dialogue, but also locked and sealed the door by demeaning and refusing to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Awami

DMP: People catch 106 anarchists so far

League Advisory Council member Suranjit Sengupta told a discussion in the capital yesterday.

Expressing grave concern over the killings of innocent people by the BNP-Jamaat alliance in the name of movement, Suranjit also said: “Violence and peace cannot stay together.

Likewise the patriots cannot compromise with enemies of the country. So, no dialogue will be held with the anti-state elements.”

He pointed out that Khaleda had made three mistakes in her political strategy: the first in 2013, when she refused Hasina’s proposal to sit in a dialogue for forming an election-time interim government; the second on January 5 last year when the BNP boycotted the 10th parliamentary election;  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla As a heavily sedated Khaleda Zia was not conscious and senior leaders were reluctant to take charge, her special assistant Shimul Biswas stepped up to fill the gap when Prime Minister Sheikh

‘We will request madam to invite the PM to attend the Qulkhwani but the decision is hers’ Hasina went to Gulshan on Saturday night and was sent back from the gate.

“It was a miscarriage of mismanagement and over-concern and that was why such a hotchpotch took place.

Shimul Biswas talked like a political leader and put the party into an unnec-

essary debate,” a senior BNP leader told the Dhaka Tribune.

Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, a transport workers’ leader with few credentials in national politics, allegedly controls everything inside Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office.

Sources said Shimul, along with some former bureaucrats turned politicians, leads a powerful syndicate in the Gulshan office that controls what happens there and who meets the leader.

Even senior BNP leaders do not have much say in what he does.

Mirza Abbas, a standing committee member of BNP, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that not giving the due respect to the prime minister was nothing but sheer stupidity on the part of the Gulshan office staff.  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

General people have so far caught 106 anarchists either before or after arson attacks and vandalism during the ongoing blockade and handed them over to law enforcers, police said yesterday, praising the public role.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police said it had arrested a total of 633 suspects of such destructive activities during the blockade and hartal enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance that have claimed more than 30 lives.

DMP Commissioner Mohammad Asaduzzaman Miah yesterday appreciated general people for their role in catching the perpetrators red handed.

He said of the 106 caught by the public, 67 had been found involved with the BNP or one of its associated bodies while 39 were identified as activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Mobile courts have sentenced 28 of the anarchists to imprisonment of different terms. Police have filed 149 cases against those criminals in the capital.

The DMP commissioner said  PAGE 2 COLUMN 5

Koko to be buried at Banani military graveyard today n Mohammad Al-Masum Molla The body of Arafat Rahman Koko is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka today and is expected to be buried in Banani military graveyard in the afternoon.

The last rites of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s younger son will take place amid the party’s crippling blockade and hartal programme.

Syrul Kabir Khan, an official of Khaleda’s press wing, said Koko’s mortal remains were expected to arrive in Dhaka at 11:30am local time and would be taken straight to his mother’s Gulshan office where she has been since January 3.

Koko’s body will be kept at the Gulshan office for three hours for party leaders to pay their respects before  PAGE 2 COLUMN 2

INSIDE

6 | Nation

Farmers who have already harvested winter vegetable and are interested in boro cultivation cannot start farming of the paddy because of labour shortage created by the on-going blockade.

3 | News

Dhaka Metropolitan Police yesterday announced rewards worth Tk25,000 to Tk1 lakh for providing information leading to the arrest of anarchists.

9 | World

200m people in East Asia moved to urban areas in one decade, the World Bank said.

5 | News

People in Chittagong have been suffering from dilapidated roads due to failure of Chittagong City Corporation.

12 | Sport

Speakers stressed on the importance of political stability for ensuring proper development of the port city as a commercial capital of the country.

Bangabandhu Gold Cup will be telecast live across all the six participating countries through Fox Sports and Channel 9, giving the much-awaited 11-day event a true international flavour. The tournament kicks off this Thursday in Sylhet with hosts Bangladesh taking on Malaysia.

8 | World

15 | Entertainment

The yesterday morning commute was normal for much of the Northeast as officials continued to urge residents to prepare for a ‘crippling and potentially historic’ storm that could bury communities from northern New Jersey to southern Maine in up to 2 feet of snow starting later in the day.

Dilruba Yasmin Ruhee is hot on the silver screen with her latest flicks, ‘Zero Degree’ and ‘Glamour,’ both set to be released on February 6. The former title is a Bangladeshi production directed by Animesh Aich while the latter is a Kolkata-based Indian production.

4 | News

01_FR 02_Ne 16_BA

2

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Another arson victim dies, pick-up van driver burnt in petrol bomb attack n Tribune Report

Yet another life was lost yesterday in an arson attack during the BNP-enforced nonstop countrywide blockade which began on January 5, demanding a fresh parliamentary election under a nonpartisan administration.

The arson victim Abdul Malek, 50, died around 3pm at the Intensive Care Unit of Rangpur Medical College Hospital’s burn unit. He suffered 15% burns when suspected blockaders hurled a petrol bomb at a truck in Dinajpur on Wednesday night.

He was going to his hometown from Dhaka where he had come to attend the recently held Biswa Ijtema.

Yesterday was also the second day of the 36-hour countrywide hartal, on top of the nonstop blockade, which

Innocent civilians  PAGE 1 COLUMN 2

and increasingly violent attacks this last month.

But now they must deal with a new menace.

Over the last couple of weeks, there have been several reports of innocent people getting picked up and later shown arrested in political violence cases as trouble-makers.

There are allegations that those who cannot pay bribes or do not have connections in the police force are the ones implicated falsely with already-filed political cases.

Around 11:30pm on January 7, street vegetable vendor Mohammad Ripon was going home with his rickshaw-van after a long day’s work when a team from the Mirpur police station picked him up at the Matbor intersection in Dakkhin Pirerbagh area.

He was later shown arrested in a violence-related case. This Dhaka Tribune correspondent recently met his relatives near Dhaka Central Jail where Ripon is now.

This correspondent met another man in front of the jail who said his relative, Md Imran, who sells betel leaves and cigarettes on the roadside in the capital’s Mirpur, was also picked up a few days ago by a team from the same police station.

Sometimes law enforcers pick people up just on suspicion and without any proof or definite charge and frame them under section 54 of the penal code. Under this section, police can arrest anyone without a warrant but must produce them before a magistrate court within 24 hours.

On January 2, two people were picked up from the Shah Ali Market area near the Mirpur 10 roundabout around 11pm charging them with car-jacking.

Later they were shown arrested under section 54 and placed before a court.

Shamim Reza, lawyer of one of the arrestees, Jahangir Alam, claimed that his client’s residence was nearby and they had come out to buy groceries that night.

According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) officials, at least 633 people have been arrested since the blockade began 21 days ago. A total of 149 cases have been filed with various police stations in the capital in connection with violence and anarchy.

When contacted, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzman Miah said: “We only arrest people on the basis of valid information and proof. It is just that sometimes we have to keep information secret for the sake of investigation.”

In addition to cases filed in the capital, around 800 violence-related cases have been filed across the country since the blockade began. In a countrywide joint law enforcement drive, around 11,000 people have so far been arrested in various parts of the country, although law enforcement agencies claim that the number is just 8,000.

The picking up of innocent people as suspected trouble-makers was going on in other parts of the country as well.

Kamrul Islam, 23, is a resident of Charfakira village of Companyganj in Noakhali district. He has been living in the United Arab Emirates for three years.

He came to Bangladesh on January 2 on vacation. But just a day later, Companyganj police arrested him terming him an “arsonist.” He had to pay a bond of Tk10,000 to getting free.

“This is totally uncalled for. Now I am thinking about leaving the country as soon as possible. I took two months’ leave from my work in the UAE. But I do not feel safe here,” he told our correspondent.

When contacted, Jalal Uddin Ahmed, assistant inspector general of police, said: “The police are conducting drives across the country to arrest arsonists and attackers. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any policemen who harass innocent people.” l

was observed with few stray incidents across the country. The capital was almost peaceful with increasing number of vehicles on the road.

Stray incidents of violence occurred outside of the capital. Our Chapainawabganj correspondent reports, pro-hartal activists attacked a convoy of trucks, escorted by law enforcing agencies, going to Sona Masjid landport from Chapainawabganj around 10am.

At Shantimore area, they hurled at least 10 crude bombs aiming the convoy and vandalised windshields of 10 vehicles. Earlier, Shibir men had held a street rally in the area but had fled upon seeing the law enforcers’ escorting. Once half the convoy had passed, the men suddenly launched an attack.

Meanwhile, law enforcers arrested three people early yesterday in connec-

tion with their alleged link to petrol bomb attacks in different areas of Habiganj during the ongoing countrywide blockade.

Faisal Mia, 18, Shahadat, 25, and Rahmat Mia, 32, were arrested in Omednagar area of the town soon after midnight, reports our Moulvibazar correspondent. The trio was involved in petrol bomb attacks at different parts of the district including the house of Habiganj’s superintendent of police and assistant superintendent of police on January 15 and 23 respectively, said Nazim Uddin, officer-in-charge of Habiganj Sadar Police Station.

Our Jhalokathi correspondent said pro-blockaders hurled petrol bombs at the house of the district Awami League’s organising secretary Afzal Hossain’s house at Daktarpatti. No one was hurt in the incident. Meanhwile, miscre-

ants hurled petrol bomb aiming a bus at Jhalokathi bus stand. Police arrested total seven men in these connections.

Meanwhile, in front of Jahangirnagar University miscreants hurled two crude bombs aiming two buses in the morning. No one was injured.

In Thakurgaon, a pick up van laden with chicks coming from Bogra was burnt around 12.30 am by miscreants who hurled petrol bomb at 29-mile point on Thakurgaon-Dinajpur highway 11km south of Thakurgaon town.

The chicks and the driver were burnt.

BGB sources said the van was moving in isolation without the assistance of BGB petrol. The miscreants took advantage of this opportunity and barricaded the road with wooden logs and hurled petrol bomb at the van.

Battalion 30 BGB Director at Thakur-

gaon Lt Col Tushar Bin Yunus said immediately after the incident, a task force of BGB and Police headed by a Magistrate rushed to the spot and rescued driver Nazmul Islam and his brother-in-law. They also conducted raids in different places in the area and arrested nine criminals involved in the incident. BGB ensured safety for the general people in the area immediately after the incident.

In Khulna district, miscreants vandalised at least five vehicles at different parts of the city.

In the capital, DMP in a special drive arrested 22 activists of BNP and Jamaat yesterday. The drives were conducted at Bongshal, Lalbagh, Motijheel, Paltan, Demra, Jatrabari, Shyampur, Tejgaon, Rupnagar, Pallabi, Bhasantek, Banani, Bhatara and Uttara East areas. l

Khaleda Zia sued in another arson case n Our Correspondent, Comilla BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday was sued in a new arson case in Comilla.

This was the second case filed against the BNP chief since the blockade began on January 6.

Forty-seven activists, 15 of them unidentified, of the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami were also accused in the case filed by Sub-Inspector of Chouddogram police station Nuruzzaman.

Police arrested Shibir activist Faruk Miaji of Chandishkora village of the upazila and sent him to jail under the case.

Officer-in-Charge of the station Uttam Kumar Chakrabarty said a group of miscreants torched a Chittagong-bound covered van on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in the Haidarpul area of Chouddogram upazila on Sunday.

Following the incident, SI Nuruzzaman filed the case against the 47 BNP-Jamaat activists and also accused Khaleda Zia as an instigator. l

Nanak: Lawsuit against those who spread lies about AL n Abu Hayat Mahmud Legal action will be taken against those who are trying to falsely implicate the Awami League in the arson attack on a BRTC bus in front of the Hotel Ruposhi Bangla on June 4, 2004 that killed 11 people, said Jahangir Kabir Nanak yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference at the prime minister’s political office in Dhanmondi, the Awami League’s joint general secretary claimed that the attack was perpetrated by Ramna police station following the order of Lutfozzaman Babar, the state minister of home affairs of the then BNP-Jamaat government, as proven at court during their tenure.

“BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, her leaders and intellectual followers have tried to put the blame on the Awami

League several times. But I have the documents that speak differently,” Nanak said.

Showing the documents at the conference to prove his point, he said: “That terrorist activity was carried out

by Ramna police, sanctioned by Babar.

No one else could have committed such atrocity at that place, because the then foreign secretary of the US was staying at the hotel at the time and security was tight around the area.”

Nanak said they tried to put the blame on him, then the president of the Juba League, and Mirza Azam, who was general secretary.

“These documents will be provided to the media outlets, TV stations, all other relevant parties. If anyone tries to implicate the Awami League in that attack again, they will face slander lawsuit,” he warned. l

Defying the 24-hr hartal called by the BNP-led 20-party alliance, Dhaka dwellers come out in numbers yesterday. The photo was taken at Farmgate SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN

Koko to be buried at Banani military graveyard today DMP: People catch 106  PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

being taken to Baitul Mukarram National Mosque for the Namaz-e-Janaza which will be held after Asr prayers.

Members of the diplomatic corps and BNP members have been offering their condolences and signing the condolence book at Khaleda’s Gulshan office.

BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi confirmed that the Janaza would be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque instead of at the party office in Nayapaltan, before the body is taken to Banani military graveyard for burial.

“Although some over-enthusiastic party leaders had decided to hold the Janaza in front of the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters, senior leaders intervened and opposed it because Koko was not a political figure,” a senior leader, asking to remain anonymous, said.

Rizvi asked party leaders and activists to take part in Koko’s Janaza prayers.

In a separate press release, Rizvi called on party activists outside the capital to take part in a Gayebana Janaza for Koko that will be held today at 10:30am across the country.

The party has been observing three days of mourning since Monday.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s youngest son Arafat Rahman Koko died in Malaysia on Saturday from cardiac arrest.

Koko’s first janaza was held on Sunday after Zuhr prayers at Malaysian national mosque Masjid Negara in capital Kuala Lumpur. His body was then kept at the mortuary of the University of Malaya.

Koko’s elder brother, party senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman, took part in a Gayebana Janaza in East London. l

Who calls the shots at Gulshan BNP office?  PAGE 1 COLUMN 5

“Why did the officials not talk to the senior leaders. Several senior leaders were there but the Gulshan office staff did not take instructions from them and did all those stupid things. This is a crime,” he said.

When the PM went there to condole her arch-rival on the death of Koko, at least six senior leaders were present inside the Gulshan office. The Dhaka Tribune has learned that BNP standing committee members RA Gani, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Nazrul Islam Khan, Vice-Chairman Abullah Al Noman and former home minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury were among them.

When news arrived that the PM was going to come, the senior leaders decided that RA Gani, the most senior among those present, would receive her. But because Khaleda Zia could not be reached, they could not press forward with their decision.

At that point, BNP’s Vice Chairman Selima Rahman told Shimul Biswas that the family had decided that it was not the right time for the high-profile encounter, sources said.

Shimul then ran the information through the senior leaders; but none of them were ready to go in front of the media and inform that the PM could not meet the BNP chief.

According to sources, Moudud Ahmed told his senior colleagues that if held a media brief, then people would smell conspiracy.

On Sunday, Moudud told reporters: “The prime minister was not treated with proper courtesy; but our chairperson was completely in the dark about this.” He made the remark after consulting some of his senior colleagues.

Gulshan office sources said Shimul has been having an open feud with Khaleda Zia’s Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan, who had been briefing media officially since the former prime

minister had started living in the office on January 3.

Since Maruf himself was also not eager to face the media because he had not heard anything from his boss, Shimul volunteered a brief conference at the office gate minutes before the PM had arrived.

“Madam [Khaleda Zia] is fast asleep under the influence of heavy sedatives.

I have talked to the PM’s APS. When she feels better, the PM’s office will be informed. Then she can come,” Shimul told reporters.

One senior leader who was present there on that day told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday: “Among all the confusion and hotchpotch, we were told that the PM had arrived. We did not know that the gate was locked.”

When the prime minister eventually arrived in front of the locked gate at 8:35pm, nobody important was present there to receive her. Soon, Shimul went there and had a chat with the PM’s APS from inside the locked gate. But the topic of that chat remains unknown.

The PM stayed there for around eight minutes and as the gate remained locked, she decided to return.

Hours later, Shimul claimed in another media briefing that he had rushed to the gate with a condolence book in which the PM could leave a message, but she had already left by the time he came down.

However, there were more than a hundred journalists present right in front of the locked gate and none has reported seeing him do anything like that. They said they first saw the condolence book in the press briefing two hours later.

A senior BNP leader told the Dhaka Tribune last night: “There can also be a debate surrounding why the PM went there despite being informed about Khaleda Zia’s condition from the Gulshan office.”

Yesterday, a day after the develop-

ments in Gulshan, BNP’s Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi issued a press release from an unknown place as he has been doing for more than a couple of weeks now.

He said that the PM’s visit was nothing but a “farce” because on the same day Khaleda Zia was implicated with a violence-related case.

Meanwhile, another senior leader claimed that Shimul was actually directed from London by Khaleda Zia’s eldest son Tarique Rahman to not let the PM in.

The leader claimed that Shimul had talked to Tarique over phone minutes before the PM arrived.

Tarique, senior vice-chairman of BNP, has been living in exile in London since late 2008 and only a select few can contact him over telephone or through e-mail.

Qulkhawani offers chance for detente

Senior BNP leaders are considering requesting BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to invite Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to attend Koko’s Qulkhwani.

Senior party leaders discussed the prime minister’s attempted condolence call and her return and decided to request Khaleda to invite Hasina to attend the Qulkhwani, a senior BNP leader said, asking not to be named.

“We will request madam [Khaleda] to invite the prime minister to attend the Qulkhwani but the decision will be taken by her,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.

He said not just Hasina but the senior leaders of other political parties as well would be invited to attend the religious event which might be held at Azad Mosque in Gulshan on Friday after Jummah prayers.

Nazrul Islam Khan, a member of BNP national standing committee, said: “We will request the chiefs and leaders of all political parties to attend the Qulkhwani.” l

 PAGE 1 COLUMN 6

83 people had so far suffered mild-tosevere burn injuries in petrol bomb or crude bomb attacks on vehicles and only 36 of these victims could be released after primary treatment.

Five such burn victims have lost their battle at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital while 45 are still fighting for lives. The injured include a child, a teacher, seven students including three females. The rest are common people from different professions.

Asaduzzaman Miah claimed that three on-duty policemen had lost lives in attacks of blockaders. In DMP area, 36 policemen and two Ansar members sustained injuries. Blockader have so far torched 120 vehicles on road and vandalised scores of others. The BNPled alliance has been observing nationwide blockade of roads and waterways since January 5. The period has been marked by a rise in incidence of arson attack. The government, RAB and police have announced rewards for catching the miscreants. l

BNP seals dialogue door  PAGE 1 COLUMN 3

and finally on Saturday, when she did not meet Hasina at her office.

On Saturday, the prime minister went to Khaleda’s Gulshan office to express condolence at the death of her younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, 44, who died of cardiac arrest in Malaysia.

At the entrance, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Mahbubul Haque Shakil spoke to Khaleda’s Special Assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas who reportedly told Shakil that Khaleda had been ill and kept asleep with sedative.

None of the BNP leaders came to receive the premier, and Hasina finally had to turn back after not being allowed entry.

However, BNP Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed on Sunday admitted that they failed to show proper respect to the prime minister.

Meanwhile, at a separate event yesterday, Workers Party Chairman Rashed Khan Menon said: “Khaleda’s door to dialogue with the government as well as the 14-party alliance was finally closed [after Saturday’s event].

“I thought she [Khaleda] would change her indecent politics after the death of her son. But no change has come to her. Her approach with the prime minister was not proper political or social etiquette,” Menon told a programme organised by Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) at the capital’s Bangabandhu Avenue.

In another programme, Relief and Disaster Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya slammed BNP leaders for not knowing how to respect or receive honour from others.

Spurning any possibility of talks with the BNP, Maya – also a central executive committee member of the Awami League – said: “No talks will be held with the BNP and they would have to wait until 2019 for the next 11th parliamentary election under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in accordance with the constitution. This is our final decision, and there is no chance to go back from here.”

Their comments came on the heels

of similar remarks by other leaders of the ruling alliance.

At a programme by the 14-party alliance on Sunday, Workers Party General Secretary Fazle Hossain Badsha said: “Kick the dialogue that was sought by the BNP... The BNP has finally lost it. They have no ability to return, because the country’s people have denied them. So there will be no dialogue with the BNP, no election before 2019...This is final.”

Echoing Badsha, Food Minister Md Qamrul Islam said: “Kick the dialogue with the BNP; this is not only what the 14-party leaders are saying, but is also the voice of the country’s people.

“No talks with the BNP... We want to see what they can do. If they try to do excess, the country’s people will resist them and already the people have started resisting BNP-Jamaat violence and sabotage” Qamrul claimed.

Dilip Barua, president of alliance member Samyabadi Dal, also told the event that it was time to resist BNP-Jamaat and continue ahead under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Also on Sunday, lawmakers in both treasury and opposition benches voiced that the BNP had violated all political etiquettes by not allowing the prime minister to convey condolence to Khaleda Zia on Saturday. l

PM: I feel insulted  PAGE 1 COLUMN 1

cabinet: “I went to Khaleda Zia’s office after communicating with them.”

But the main gate and pedestrian gate of the BNP chief’s Gulshan office both remained locked from within when the prime minister attempted to pay her condolence call.

BNP Standing Committee member Moudud Ahmed on Sunday said his party did not show proper courtesy to Hasina during her attempt to visit Khaleda.

Khaleda’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko died of cardiac arrest in Malaysia on Saturday around 12:30pm local time. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

3

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

5 people rewarded for helping police catch anarchists n Ashif Islam Shaon Dhaka Metropolitan Police yesterday announced rewards worth Tk25,000 to Tk1 lakh for providing information leading to the arrest of anarchists. The Rapid Action Battalion, which had announced similar bounties earlier handed the rewards to five ordinary people yesterday.

Leaflets have already been published containing phone numbers of officers in police and intelligence agencies, and the police commissioners concerned RAB chief Benazir Ahmed distributed Tk20,000 each to five people who had caught arsonists red handed in Narayanganj a few days back and given a good beating. They were later handed over to the police with Molotov cocktails and gun powder found in their possessions.

Earlier on January 23, the government announced Tk1 lakh bounty for handing in arsonists. RAB made its announcement the following day.

The move was taken in the wake of violence during the nationwide indefinite blockade enforced by the BNP-Jamaat-led 20-party alliance demanding ouster of the government.

Benazir at the event in the capital’s Gulistan area said all the law enforcement agencies were working together to arrest the anarchists and the planners. “If we can raise awareness against

the anarchists, the peace-loving people will come forward and resist them,” he said.

The names of informers and those who catch anarchists would be kept secret. “RAB will provide them adequate security,” he added.

Later the RAB chief also inaugurated distribution of leaflets and posters among the city commuters.

Meanwhile, DMP Commissioner Mohammad Asaduzzaman Miah announced the rewards from a press briefing at the DMP media centre.

“Tk1 lakh will be given if anyone helps the police in arresting the arsonists or the persons involved in vandalism red handed, Tk50,000 for information on hand bomb and Molotov cocktail attackers while Tk25,000 for helping in the arrest of those involved in making or storing bombs or explosives,” the commissioner said.

Asaduzzaman also said the police had strengthened operation against the arsonists. “Tk1 lakh bounty has been announced on bombers’ head as well.”

The DMP chief said they had already published leaflets containing phone numbers of officers in police and intelligence agencies, and the police commissioners concerned.

He warned that criminals, instigators and masterminds would not be spared.

“Killing innocent people in the name of movement cannot be a way of doing politics. Rather it is a criminal offence.”

Asked what step they will take against BNP chief Khaleda Zia as her name had been mentioned in the FIR in connection with Jatrabari arson incident, Asaduzzaman said the authorities would take steps in line with the investigation and deposition of witnesses. l

As per a previous declaration, two persons – present in the event wearing masks for security reasons – were awarded by the Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Benazir Ahmed for helping to apprehend arsonists. The photo was taken yesterday from the capital’s Gulistan area MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

ACC approves case filing against Nasir Group chief n Adil Sakhawat The Anti-Corruption Commission has approved the filing of a case against 10 persons including the Nasir Group chief for their alleged involvement in money laundering and tax evasion.

In its regular meeting yesterday, the commission approved the filing of a case against the 10 men including Nasir Group of Industries Chairman Nasir Uddin Biswas, confirmed ACC Chair-

man M Bodiuzzaman.

The commission will soon file a case against the accused with a police station, said the ACC chief.

The other accused are Nasir Group General Manager (Import) Alfaz Uddin, GM (Marketing & Sales) Shamim Ahmed, GM (Accounts & Finance) Sidddiqur Rahman, Assistant GM (Purchase) Mobaidul Islam and Cashier Mohammed Shamim, officials of AJ Money Changer Saiful Biswas and Mohammed

10 years of murder of SAMS Kibria, 4 others n Our Correspondent, Habiganj

The prosecution hopes that the two cases filed over the killing of five people including former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria will end in the next six months as it is now at the trial stage, nearly 10 years after the grenade attack.

Families of the victims and local people too hope that those responsible for the attack would be given exemplary punishment.

Prosecutor Alamgir Bhuiyan Babul said the case would soon be transferred to the Sylhet Speedy Trial Tribunal for quick trial. “We hope that the case can be disposed of in six months.”

Babul said they would not hesitate to take risks in dealing with the cases.

Five people including Kibria were killed in a grenade attack after attending a rally in Boidyer Bazar of Habiganj

on January 27, 2005. The former minister was critically injured in the attack and died on the way to hospital.

The four other deceased were his nephew Shah Manzurul Huda, and Awami League leaders Abdur Rahim, Abul Hossain and Siddique Ali. Over 100 people were injured the grenade attack.

Sylhet district unit Awami League leader Abdul Mazid Khan MP filed two cases the following day – for murder and use of explosives. Then the police superintendent of Habiganj, Emdadul Haque, had been dismissed for diverting the motive and merit of the case.

Recently, police filed supplementary charge sheets in the cases adding the names of 11 people including the mayors of Sylhet and Habiganj, and Harris Chowdhury, a former political adviser to Khaleda Zia. The government also suspended

Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury and Habiganj Municipality Mayor GK Gaus as their names appeared as accused in the cases. A Habiganj court on January 25 ordered the seizure of all properties owned by 10 fugitive accused in the cases.

“As the supplementary charge sheets have been pressed after around nine years and a half months, we hope that the trial will end during the tenure of the incumbent government and the killers be punished,” Mazid told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.

Awami League’s district unit President Abu Zahir, who was also injured in the attack, said the previous BNP-Jamaat alliance government had tried to stage “Joj Mia” drama with these sensational cases. “But now the trial has begun adding the names of main culprits.”

The Awami League, its front organisations and Kibria Smriti Sangsad will observe the day through different programmes including placing wreaths at the memorial in Boidyer Bazar, special prayers and discussions.

Kibria’s wife Asma Kibria said the police did not allow the family to observe pre-scheduled candlelight vigil considering the current political situation. Fresh programmes would be announced in February, she said.

Other accused in the cases include former home state minister Lutfozzaman Babar and 11 leaders of banned Islamist outfit Huji.

Kibria joined the Awami League in 1994 and became its adviser. He was made finance minister in 1996 and elected a lawmaker in 2001 from Habiganj 3 constituency (Sadar and Lakhai). l

Emdadul, Hundi businessman Firoj Ahmed and his son Adil Ahmed.

On December 20 last year, the inquiry official SM Rafiqul Islam recommended filing a case against them and submitted an inquiry report to the commission.

According to the report, the suspects laundered around Tk100 crore (Tk60 crore, $400,000 and 300,000 euro) to the USA, Hong Kong, Switzerland and China during 2010-2013.

The investigation by ACC Assistant Director SM Rafiqul also found that by changing Harmonised System or HS codes of imported products and giving large amounts of bribes to tax officials, the Nasir Group had evaded around Tk500 crore to Tk700 crore in taxes.

Earlier last year, the inquiry official went to the Nasir Group chairman’s office to interrogate him; but Nasir Uddin Biswas and nine others later ignored an ACC summon on December 15. l

Hefazat demands release of Mufti Harun n Tribune Report The central leaders of radical Islamist platform Hefazat-e-Islam yesterday demanded the immediate release of Harun Bin Izhar, son of Senior Nayeb-eAmeer Mufti Izharul Islam Chowdhury.

In a statement, the Hefazat leaders also warned of tougher movement if Mufti Harun was not freed.

Mufti Harun is in jail in a grenade blast case at his father’s Lalkhan Bazar Madrasa in Chittagong which is believed to be a den of banned Islamist group Huji.

Leaders of the platform, comprising Islamist parties mainly of the BNP-led alliance, alleged that the government had arrested Mufti Harun in a “fake,

preplanned and staged” incident and that he was serving jail term “without committing any offence.”

His rearrest from jail gate recently by detectives is a clear violation of human rights, Hefazat claims.

A Chittagong court on June 25 last year indicted Mufti Izhar, Mufti Harun and seven others in a case filed over recovery of picric acid after the grenade blasts on October 7, 2013.

Several locally-made grenades were set off at Jamiatul Ulum Al Islamia Madrasa, a Qawmi madrasa headed

by Mufti Izhar, leaving five students injured critically. Later three of them succumbed to their injuries. Police filed three cases in connection with the blast, killing and recovery of picric acid. l

Mymensingh to become a new division n Shohel Mamun

Polash, 36, with 24% burn injury in his body has been going through unbearable pain. Since his admission at the burn unit of DMCH three days ago, his condition has not improved. He fell victim to the arson attack on a bus in Jatrabari on Friday night MAHMUD HOSSAIN OPU

Youth arrested for ‘insulting’ PM n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong A youth was arrested yesterday by the Detective Branch of Chittagong Metropolitan Police for posting “insulting” comments about the prime minister, defense forces and law enforcers on social media network.

The arrestee, Shahadat Hossain, 23, a student of the city’s Bagghona Madrasa, was held from Didar Market area in the city around 9pm.

However, when approached for arrest, he identified himself as a personnel of Directorate General of Forces In-

telligence (DGFI), DB sources said.

DB Assistant Commissioner (port zone) Anwar Hossain said Shahadat had been posting insulting comments about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Police and Bangladesh Chhatra League on Facebook.

“The writings are derogatory and instigating, and poses a risk to the law and order situation of the city as well as the country,” he said.

The DB team also found four mobile sets, eight mobile SIM cards, his national identity card and other personal documents from his possession.

The assistant commissioner said after the arrest Shahadat was brought to the DB office for interrogation as he claimed himself to be a DGFI official, which was suspicious. Later in interrogation, he confessed that he used the fake identity in a bid to save himself from the law enforcers and avoid arrest, the AC said adding “We are suspecting that he has been using this identify for other purposes too.”

The arrestee was handed over to Kotwali police station and two cases were lodged against him. The DB official also said Shahadat might be involved with any banned organisation. l

The government has directed the Cabinet Division to take steps to turn Mymensingh district into a new divisional headquarter.

The decision was made at a regular cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday.

Cabinet Secretary M Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan briefed reporters after the meeting at the secretariat.

The cabinet division will form an inter-ministerial committee for taking further measures to this end.

“The committee will submit a report to the National Implementation Committee for Administrative Reforms [Nicar] who will then make the final decision,” the cabinet secretary said.

The cabinet yesterday also dis-

cussed whether another division could be made out of the Faridpur district, one of the biggest in the country.

The cabinet also approved on principle the draft of the ‘Bangladesh Tea Bill, 2015’ aimed at developing the tea industry The PM also gave instructions for a feasibility study on splitting Chittagong to make a separate division out of either Noakhali or Comilla, Bhuiyan told reporters.

The cabinet also approved on prin-

ciple the draft of the “Bangladesh Tea Bill, 2015” aimed at developing the tea industry.

The proposed bill has provisions for minimum six months and maximum two years’ jail for violating law.

The “Bangladesh Tea workers Welfare Fund Bill 2015” was also finalised.

The cabinet yesterday apprised the comparative socioeconomic advancement and macroeconomic statuses between the periods 2009-2014 and 2001-2006.

A report submitted by the Finance Devision said there was macroeconomic stability in the last five years because of steady growth and marked improvement in the key indicators.

The cabinet members expressed condolences at the death of Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. l

Inclusion of Tangail in proposed Mymensingh division protested n Our Correspondent, Tangail Cross sections of people in Tangail oraganised several programmes including road blockade and human chain yesterday protesting of the district’s inclusion in proposed Mymensingh division.

They blocked the Mymensingh-Tangail Highway and brought out a procession under the banner of All-party

Unity Forum. The procession rounded several roads in the town.

The district Jatiya Party president Salam Chakladar, BNP organising secretary Farhad Iqbal, Bar Association president Shafiqul Islam Ripon, Zila Byabosayee Oikyajoat president Mostofa Kamal Labu, addressed the programme among others.

The speakers presented arguments

against attachment of Tangail district with proposed Mymensingh division and vowed to resist any bid in this regard.

There would be tougher agitation programmes including disruption of communication between Dhaka and northern districts if any attempt is made to exclude Tangail from Dhaka division, they said. l

4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Political stability needed for Ctg to develop into commercial capital

Worker unrest closes RMG unit in Gazipur; 10 hurt in Ashulia n Tribune Report

An official says development of the port city is prerequisite for that of country among other sectors should be shifted n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong to the port city.

Speakers at a seminar held at the Chittagong Press Club on Sunday evening stressed the importance of political stability for ensuring proper development of the port city as a commercial capital of the country.

“Although there are many development activities, the port city has not yet developed as an appropriate commercial capital due to issues such as

Speakers emphasised relocating headquarters of trade, business, industry, power and energy, among others, to the port city lack of civic amenities, infrastructure and industrial development,” they said at the seminar “Kemon Banijyik Rajdhani Chai” (What Type of Commercial Capital Do We Want?), organised

by Chittagong’s online news portal Ctgnews.com.

They added that Chittagong has many opportunities and skilled manpower which can be used at home and abroad to bring in more achievements for both the city as well as the country.

“China, India, Myanmar and other countries are realising the importance of Chittagong and Chittagong Port and want to invest in the city. The government should take the chance to grow our reserve and utilise our huge manpower,” they added.

They said the headquarters of trade, business, industry, power, energy

NU 2012 honours 3rd year results out n Our Correspondent, Gazipur Honours third year results of different subjects of 2012 under National University (NU) were published yesterday.

Around 95.02 per cent students have been successful in the exam.

The results are available at the university’s website www.nu.edu.bd and www.nubd.info.

Students can also get their results by sending a text message as follows: nu<space>h3<space> roll to 16222, said a press release. l

Finance and Planning Ministry’s State Minister MA Mannan, who was the chief guest at the event, said: “A counter-revolutionary force is trying to create anarchy across the country, conducting sabotage which is disrupting development and regular activities of the country.”

He added that the port city has to achieve its commercial capital badge through its own strength, opportunities and scenic beauty.

Pointing out mismanagement, lack of coordination and public awareness in the city, Chittagong’s District Deputy Commissioner Mezbah Uddin said the development of the country will not be complete without Chittagong’s development.

Chittagong Metropolitan Police’s Additional Commissioner (Traffic Administration and Finance) AKM Shahidur Rahman attributed the hindrances of becoming an appropriate commercial capital to traffic congestion, water logging and cleaning problems in the city.

Mahbubul Alam, president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, suggested the port city have an industrial base for proper development of the city, while other speakers, including Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mahbubul Alam and Chittagong Club President MA Salam, also director at Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries, spoke at the seminar, retirating the need for industrial development as well as a deep sea port in order for Chittagong to grow into the commercial capital of the country.

Bangabandhu Law Temple’s Principal Advocate AM Anwarul Kabir and Ctgnews.com Editor Soeb Kabir spoke at the seminar among others. l

Bangladesh Adivasi Forum organises a human chain in front of the National Museum in the capital’s Shahbagh area yesterday protesting the attack on the Santal village of Parbatipur in Dinajpur. They also demanded quick arrest and trial of the perpetrators MEHEDI HASAN

POLICE WEEK 2015 BEGINS TODAY

86 police officials to be awarded for bravery, heroic performances n Mohammad Jamil Khan The Police Week 2015 will begin at Rajarbagh Police Lines ground in the capital today.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the three-daylong the programme, and will take salute of police parade at the parade ground.

Some 86 police officers and constables will be awarded with Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM) and President Police Medal (PPM) for their bravery and heroism in their services in 2014, according to a statement issued from the police headquarters.

Of the 86 policemen, 10 will get the BPM award and 16 will the PPM award for their outstanding performances in their job, it said.

Moreover, 20 police officials will be given BPM (service) awards and 40 other officials will get PPM (service) award for solving sensational cases, unearthing mysteries and performing duties accurately, it added.

BB to donate Tk50 lakh for burn unit n Tribune Report Bangladesh Bank is going to give an assistance of Tk50 lakh to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for buying medical equipment for its burn unit, says a media release issued the central bank yesterday.

The decision has been taken considering the country’s recent crisis, the statement added.

The assistance would be given in favour of the banking sector to establish

a separate unit with a capacity of 100bed, three burn tanks and other medical equipment. The central bank also decided to manage donation from the financial institutions under their corporate social responsibility programmes to establish the proposed burn institute.

Over the last 20 days of blockade imposed by the BNP-led 20-party alliance, above 100 general people sustained burn injuries in bomb attacks in the capital as well as elsewhere in the country. l

Child shot over land feud Mahmud, n Tarek Chittagong A child was shot and four others were injured during a clash between listed criminal Kirich Babul and locals at Masterpul area under Bakalia police station in Chittagong city yesterday.

The child, Imon, 13, was admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital soon after the incident.

The clash took place over dispute about a local school’s land ownership.

Chittagong Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner (Kotwali circle) Shah Mohammad Abdur Rouf said Kirich Babul and his accomplices went to occupy the school land in the morning but the locals resisted them.

At one stage, both Babul’s gang and locals locked into a clash. During the clash, Imon received bullet injuries when Babul’s men fired at the locals. The clash caused four others minor injuries, he added.

He said police went to the spot and took control of the situation.

Later, they raided Ba-

Police constables Imam Uddin and Abdul Awal Bhuiyan who were killed in the post January 5 national election violences, and constable Abdul Malek who was shot dead in a gunfight with robbers will be given posthumously BPM award, said a circular issued by the home ministry on January 22.

The circular signed by senior assistant secretary Farzana Jesmin said two sub-inspectors, one nayek, one lance nayek, and three constables will also be given the BPM award.

The selected officials for BPM (service) award are: Shahidul Islam, deputy inspector general (DIG) of special branch; Golam Faruk, additional DIG (admin and operation); Monirul Islam, joint police commissioner of Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP); Jahangir Hossain, deputy police commissioner of DB, DMP; Krishna Pada Roy, deputy police commissioner of DB, DMP; Habibur Rahman, superintendent of police (SP) of Dhaka; Sheikh Nazmul Alam, dep-

uty police commissioner of DB, DMP; Chowdhury Majurul Kabir, SP of Satkhira; Shah M Azad, senior assistant SP of Rab-8; Shamsul Haque, assistant SP of Faridpur; and Abu Bakkar Siddique, officer-in-charge of Dhanmondi police station.

Meanwhile, Adnan Kabir, a major of Barishal Rapid Action Battalion-8; SM Shirajul Huda, senior ASP of Moulovibazar; Shah Md Azad, senior ASP of Barisal RAB-8; Rasel Shaikh, senior ASP of Savar circle; Hasibul Haque, captain of RAB-8 of Barisal; Sikdar Akkas Ali, OC of Paikgasa police of Khulna; Shirajul Haque, SI of Kotowali police of Rangpur; Kamal Hossain, SI of Model police station of Feni; Shafiqul Islam, SI of Cantonment police DMP; Dulal Hossain, ASI of RAB-13 of Rangpur; Aminul Islam, ASI of Satkhira; Masud Mia, corporal (army) of RAB-7 of Chittagong; Gias Uddin, constable of police training centre of Noakhali and Md Shahjahan, OC of Lohagara Police of Chittagong will get the PPM award. l

The authorities of an apparel factory in Gazipur shut down their unit in the face of worker unrest centring yearly bonus yesterday.

Besides, at least ten RMG workers in Ashulia sustained injures in charging baton by police while they were on protest in demand of reopening their factory.

In Gazipur, workers of Tamishna Fashionware Limited in Mulaidbazar area in Sreepur upazila found a closure notice at the main gate yesterday during their office hours and they started demonstrating in front of it protesting the decision.

Being informed, industrial police rushed to the spot and drive away them.

On the previous day, the workers went on work abstention demanding the release of five of their fellow workers who were allegedly confined to a room there by the factory authorities.

On the other hand, Inspector of Gazipur industrial police Shawkat Kabir said the authorities concerned fired five workers on Thursday for beating up three senior officials of the unit.

But the agitating workers claimed that the suspension appeared as the five tried to gear up a protest among the other workers demanding yearly bonus.

Lutfor Rahman, general manager of the factory, said inefficiency of the five led to the suspension. “At last we have shuttered down the factory on security grounds,” he added.

In Ashulia, at least ten people were injured as police charged baton on the agitating workers of Bird’s Garment Ltd in demand of reopening their factory in Burirbazar area in the morning. The injured were admitted to the local hospitals.

When contacted, Ashulia Industrial police Director Mostafizur Rahman confirmed the incident, saying they forcefully drove away the workers from in front of the factory to shun any untoward incident.

Earlier, the authorities concerned shut down the factory in the face of worker unrest demanding wage hike. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

News

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

5

Ctg citizens suffer from CCC failure to fix roads n FM Mizanur Rahaman, Chittagong People in port city of Chittagong have been suffering from dilapidated or incomplete roads due to failure of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) to complete the infrastructural work.

The citizens have alleged that a lack of collaboration among Chittagong Water Supply & Sewerage Authority (Wasa), CCC, Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) and Bangladesh Telephone and Communication Limited has resulted in the slow progress of their development, thus leading to prolonged period of infrastructure work which generates more dust.

People are suffering from the dusty environment caused by these incomplete projects which leave materials out in the open and thus expose the people to even more dust According to CCC sources, Chittagong city has around 800km of pacca road under the corporation’s jurisdiction.

This problem arose due to unplanned digging on the roads, and a lack of cooperation between public service institutions.

Sources say, Chittagong Wasa had begun the construction work of a new pipeline, supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), with the aim to provide fresh water for all.

However, the construction work is still going on in the city.

Furthermore, CDA has begun work on Lalkhan Bazar-Muradpur flyover where CCC has again failed to repair the cut sections of the road despite Wasa having completed the development work on time, sources say.

Wasa sources say the authorities have covered the road using only soil, bricks and sand while they were waiting for renovation work by the city corporation. However, even this small development goes in vain as it is subject to traffic on a regular basis.

While visiting areas including the city’s GEC intersection, Wasa circle, Agrabad, Ambagan, Railway Station Road, New Market, BRTC, Bahaddarhat, and Lalkhan Bazar, this correspondent noted the citizens had to use their hand or mask to cover their face from the dust in the air.

Besides, CCC’s work has clogged up roadside spaces in different areas, with wastage piling up from the drains, which, when dried up, causes even more difficulties for commuters.

“It has been more than one and a half month since Wasa cut the road from Agrabad to Chowmuhony and completed their duty but CCC is yet to carpet the road,” said Al Masud, an accountant at a private company in Agrabad area.

M Kader, a traffic police constable at GEC intersection, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Although I use masks during my duty in the area, I still struggle to merely breath in the dusty environment.”

Chittagong Wasa’s Chief Engineer Ezaz Rasul told the Dhaka Tribune: “We already paid the money before the pipeline work began. We don’t know why CCC has not yet renovated the roads.”

CCC’s Executive Engineer Kamrul Islam says the renovation work has begun in different areas of the city, and CCC staff members have begun carpeting the roads. He added that the repair work would be completed as early as possible and that the waste from roadside sewer would be cleaned in the nighttime.

Health hazards

There are also grave health risks arising from the dusty environment, which is a result of unfinished infrastructural work.

People are suffering from the dusty environment caused by these incomplete projects which leave materials out in the open and thus expose the people to even more dust.

This has led to serious air pollution and posed threats to public health. Various diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, and respiratory problems double during such dusty weather, physicians say. l

The Bangla Academy compound is busy with the preparations for the Amar Ekushey Grontho Mela 2015. The photo was taken yesterday

AL men start excavation of canal without permission n Our Correspondent, Barisal Although the results of a tender bid called for the re-excavation work of Lakutia canal in Barisal is yet to come out, local influential people mainly from the ruling party Awami League have started digging the water body.

Local people alleged that as the people were from the Awami League, the authorities concerned did not dare to raise voice against the irregularities.

Moreover, the ruling party men who have started re-excavation work of the canal a week back are not maintaining standard of the work.

Local people had been demanding excavation of the canal for long since the water body playing a vital role in the irrigation of about 800 hectares of land.

If the canal is excavated properly about 20,000 farmers of Babuganj upazila could be benefited from it, local

people said.

The 11-kilometre long Lakutia canal has been excavated by Rajchandra Roy, landlord of the area, in the middle of 19th century to connect Babuganj upazila with Barisal district town through waterway.

In Pakistan period, local farmers started using water from the canal for irrigation purpose and after the Independence of the country the water body has become the main source of irrigation for local farmers.

In the passage of time, lack of proper maintenance and random grabbing made the canal narrow and flow less.

In January, 2013, Babuganj upazila nirbahi office has taken a decision to dig the canal again.

Then, a team of the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) after conducting a survey approved a plan to re-excavate the canal.

In November 2013, Babuganj upazi-

A police offer was killed and four constables were injured in a road accident in Foujdarhat area of Sitakunda upazila of Chittagong early yesterday.

The deceased was Md Kabir Hossain, 40, in-Charge (IC) of Foujdarhat Highway Police Outpost, and hailing from Uttar Khirapur area of Comilla, police said. A police van carrying the five policemen collided with a covered van in the area around 4:30am.

They were rushed to the CMCH where doctors declared Kabir dead. l

n Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

WEATHER National Board of Revenue (NBR) holds a procession in front of the Jaitya Press Club yesterday to mark the International Customs Day 2015 DHAKA TRIBUNE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27 DHAKA

TODAY SUN SETS 5:36PM

TOMORROW SUN RISES 6:43AM

FORECAST FOR TODAY 22 26 17 17 24 25 21 26

Dhaka Chittagong Rajshahi Rangpur Khulna Barisal Sylhet Cox’s Bazar

16 16 11 11 11 14 13 16

YESTERDAY’S HIGH AND LOW

27.7ºC Teknaf

8.0ºC Ishwardi

Source: Accuweather/UNB

PRAYER TIMES Fajr Sunrise Zohr Asr Magrib Esha

5:23am 6:41am 12:11am 4:04pm 5:40pm 6:59pm

SourceL IslamicFinder.org

la nirbahi office evicted land grabbers from there.

After that the Local Government Engineering Department called a tender under Kashipur Sub-project of Small Scale Water Resources Development Sector Project in November 2014.

But the ruling party men could not wait for the results for the tender bid and started the work under the nose of administration.

Showing urgency of water flow for boro cultivation, the influential quarters have started re-excavation.

Barisal office of LGED acknowledging the facts said despite the current re-excavation, the canal may be needed to dig again as work standard was not maintained properly.

According to the condition of the tender, bottom of the canal should be excavated from three to six feet depth and all the land grabbers have to be evicted. The cost of the work was esti-

mated at Tk1.08 crore.

But labourers are dumping the excavated mud at the side of the canal which could fill up the canal bed again after a little rain.

The interested parties are doing the excavation hurriedly to misappropriate allocated money, said Bazlur Rahman, a local resident.

No one can do any development without taking permission from authorities concerned, said Ruhul Amin, executive engineer of Barisal LGED. Abul Bashar, sub-divisional engineer of the LGED, acknowledging the fact said the work without maintaining proper standard and design was just waste of money.

Dr Mujibur Rahman, president of Kasipur ward Awami League, said they had taken permission from higher authorites. He also expressed hope that they were going to get the work order soon. l

Arsonists lurk in the dark, panic grips passengers in Rajshahi

Traffic sergeant killed in Chittagong n CU correspondent

DRY WEATHER LIKELY

MEHEDI HASAN

World Bank to provide $375m credit to fight natural disaster n Tribune Report

The World Bank (WB) will provide $375m loan for reducing vulnerability of Bangladeshi coastal population prone to natural disasters.

An agreement was signed with the International Development Association (IDA), the WB’s concessional arm that helps the world’s poorest countries, for the multipurpose disaster shelter project, said a WB statement released yesterday.

Senior Secretary of Economic Relations Division (ERD) Mohammad Mejbahuddin and WB Country Director Johannes Zutt signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations at the ERD in the capital.

The credit from IDA has a 38-year term, including a six-year grace period and a service charge of 0.75%.

The project will build and improve multipurpose disaster shelters in nine coastal districts, which are identified as high priority locations in a recent assessment by the government.

These districts are Barisal, Bhola, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Feni, Lakhshmipur, Noakhali, Pirojpur, and Patuakhali.

It will construct 552 new multipurpose disaster shelters, improve 450 existing shelters, and build connecting roads and communication networks in 9 coastal districts.

The project will benefit 1.4 crore coastal populations living in the front line of climate change. The project will introduce steel shelter designs for the first time in Bangladesh for ensuring improved construction quality and durability as well.

“Its geographical location makes Bangladesh prone to floods and cyclones, and climate change could increase the frequency and intensity of these extreme-weather events,” said Zutt.

“The project will build and upgrade shelters to reduce the vulnerability of people living in coastal areas and help Bangladesh build a long term disaster resiliency.”

The shelters are designed such that they would serve as primary schools during the year, and provide safe haven to local community during natural disasters.

The shelters will be able to protect people from high wind speeds and storm surges.

The shelters will be equipped with water supply systems and separate sanitation facilities for men and women. They will also have space for animals and livestock.

“Over the last decades, Bangladesh successfully created a growing network of cyclone shelters and the community-based early warning system that saved lives and assets during natural disasters,” said Mejbahuddin, “The Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP) calls for the repair and construction of additional shelters in the coastal zones as a priority intervention. The project will help Bangladesh to improve disaster preparedness and risk reduction,” he added. l

Arsonists in Rajshahi are resorting to new tactics of violence by launching attacks during the darkness of the night.

Due to the active presence of law enforcers during the day, miscreants have been setting buses and trucks on fire at night creating panic among the passengers.

According to the Rajshahi Police Commissioner Muhammad Shamsuddin, pro-blockade activists had set fire to a number of vehicles and injured several people in the last few days.

“Though no major incidents are happening during the day, the arson attacks have increased at night. This is mostly to create panic among the people,” the commissioner said.

“We are trying our best to resist the arson attacks. But it is quite impossible to patrol the entire highway with a limited number of manpower,” he added.

Shamsuddin further said despite being vigilant, police could not always nab the arsonists as they come out after sunset and change their positions randomly.

On Sunday night, the pro-blockade activists hurled a petrol bomb at an empty truck leaving the driver and helper injured.

They were identified as driver Shasti Chandra Das, 45 of Puthia Sadar and helper Shahabur Rahman, 33, of Kanaipara of the upazila.

They were taken to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) for treatment.

The truck came under attack at around 9pm at Hemeto intersection of Charghat Upazila, said Khandakar Golam Mortuza, officer-in-charge of the Charghat police station.

Earlier on Thursday, another truck was vandalised and torched in the Rajshahi city. No one was injured in the incident.

Again on Friday night, nine people, including women and a child, sustained burn injuries when fire bombs

were thrown at a bus in front of Brac office in Rajshahi’s Tanore upazila.

The injured are now undergoing treatment at RMCH. Rajshahi Metropolitan Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Ifte Khayer Alam said: “Arsonists hurled petrol bombs at the passenger buses mostly in the darkness of the night to create panic among the passengers who dare to travel at night.”

We are trying our best to resist the arson attacks. But it is quite impossible to patrol the entire highway with a limited number of manpower “The remote areas of Rajshahi such as Charghat, Toba, Tanor, and Banesshwar union are vulnerable to arson attacks as there is lack of police vigilance,” he added.

The number of passenger are declining because of frequent arson attacks at night, said Manjur Rahman Pitar, general secretary of Rajshahi Highway Transport Association.

“The relative calmness of the day encourages passengers to travel but the violence unleashed at night is putting their lives at risk,” he said.

Though a good number of buses and trucks ply during the day, the number comes down significantly at night.

Atik Khan, a wholesale trader of electronics in Rajshahi city told the Dhaka Tribune that he had been incurring losses as he could not travel.

He also admitted that it was not possible for law enforcers to ensure security all the time.

“The only solution is to put an end to the blockade and resolve the political crisis,” Atik Khan said. l

6

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Nation

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Cottage industry in dire state in Lakshmipur n Our Correspondent, Lakshmipur The longstanding small and cottage industry of Lakshmipur is on the verge of extinction due to the rise of plastic products and lack of raw materials.

Hundreds of families who are dependent on this industry are also becoming unemployed or being forced to give up their family tradition.

According to Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), at least 300 artisans in Lakshmipur are directly involved with the cottage industry. Many of them have been making bamboo and cane products for the last 50 years carrying on the family custom and indigenous artistic skills.

Even a few years ago, the household products made by these artisans were in good demand because of unique designs and quality.

However, with the advent of modern day technology, availability of cheap plastic products and expensive raw materials, the demand for bamboo and cane products has slumped significantly. This has led to unemployment of the artisans who are still struggling to hold on to the inherited craftsmanship.

Residents of the villages of Charruhita union, Pashchim Lakshmipur, Tewariganj, Bangakha, Raipur and Ramgati of the district have been famous for their skills and quality products. Various household items like mats, utensils, racks, hand-fan, wooden toy, small furniture, and other daily necessary items were in high demand.

The cottage industry in Lakshmipur developed due to abundance of bamboo and canes. Bamboo groves would grow up around the villages without much effort. Canes would also be avail-

Polytechnic principal’s house attacked in Sylhet n Our Correspondent, Sylhet

able in plenty beside the ponds. Artisans were able to collect their raw materials and pour their heart into making necessary products.

But rapid urbanisation and loss of lands have resulted in less production of bamboo and canes.

Artisans said they are having to buy a piece of bamboo for Tk200 to 350 now whereas it used to be Tk50-120.

“The price has gone high because of a decline in the production. This coupled with a slump in demand for these products has hit us real hard,” they said.

Amena Begum of Banchannagar village in Sadar upazila said: “The way bamboo prices are increasing day by day, it is almost impossible for us to stick to this profession. We also cannot compete with the plastic products.”

The artisans said many of them inherited the profession from their families and have been in the business for the last 50 years.

“But many people gave up their profession. We desperately need support from the government to save the industry,” the artisans said.

Coordinator of Lakshmipur BSCIC unit Arvind Das said: “Apart from training and financial support for the artisans, marketing of these products should also be enhanced.”

Manik Uddin, a retailer of bamboo and canes products in Lakshmipur bazar, said there was no permanent market for these products. Also, the products are losing appeal since there is a lack of variety.

Lakshmipur artisans urged the government for easy loan and partnership with private companies to bring back the glory of the cottage industry in the country. l

Members of law enforcement agencies take position at Shantimor intersection in Chapainawabganj yesterday afternoon a few minutes later miscreants vandalised some vehicles with brick chips DHAKA TRIBUNE

3 killed in road accidents n Tribune Report Three people were killed in separate road accidents in two districts of the country.

A trader was killed after he fell off a motorcycle in Boda upazila of Panchagarh yesterday afternoon.

The dead Abdul Kader, 35, was a resident of Kaleshor village in Amlahar area of the district’s Sadar upazila and son of Amir Hossain.

Regarding the accident, Magura Union acting chairman Md Shopijul Islam said Kader along with two others were going home on a motorcycle when the accident took place in front of Amlahar Madrasa.

Kader fell off the bike when the motorcyclist tried to give way to a brick-laden truck, he added.

He died on the spot when the truck ran over him, he said.

Officer-in-Charge of Panchagarh thana Md Mominul Islam confirmed the matter.

Meanwhile in Moulvibazar, two people were killed and two others were injured in a head-on collision between a minibus and a car in Moulvibazar Sadar upazila on Sunday evening.

The dead were Abul Munaim Fahim, 22, and the car’s driver Md Abdullah, 26. The injured were Fahim’s parents Abdul Kayum and Shefali Begum.

According to police and locals, a minibus bound for Moulvibazar and a car coming from the opposite direction collided head-on around 6:30pm on the Moulvibazar-Srimongal road near Mokambazar area of the upazila, leaving Fahim and Abdullah spot dead. l

Farming hampered for labour shortage in Tangail n Our Correspondent, Tangail Farmers who have already harvested winter vegetable and are interested in boro cultivation cannot start farming of the paddy because of labour shortage created by the on-going blockade inforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

Labourers who come from Rangpur, Dinajpur, Natore and Kurigram districts to work as farm labourers during the winter season cannot go there for the current political unrest.

Finding no way, farmers have engaged their family members, including children and women, in the cultivation process.

Fuad Miah of Dhalla village under Mirzapur said wage of farm labourers had increased to a great extent which sometimes a burden for poor farmers like them.

He said: “I would cultivate boro paddy on five bighas of land this year.

But I am facing a serious problem as I am not getting adequate number of labourers to cultivate my land.

“I went to Mirzapur to bring some labourer two days ago, but I saw only four labourers were waiting there while the number of land owners were nine. Taking advantage of the situation, labourers demanded Tk400 for a day as their wages while the amount was Tk200 a few days back. So I came back without hiring any labourer.”

School going children are engaged in plucking paddy saplings at Dhalla village under Mirzapur upazila, Tangail. Farmers are compel to engage their family members, including children and women, in the cultivation process because of labourer shortage created by the ongoing blockade DHAKA TRIBUNE He said his wife with their three school-going children were engaged in cultivation.

Another farmer Insu Miah of Daoubari village of Sakhipur upazila said: “I will cultivate six bighas of land this year. But I could not start

Over 200 become ill having biryani n Our Correspondent, Comilla At least 211 workers of a ready-made garment factory have been hospitalised reportedly after having biryani supplied by the unit’s authorities in BSCIS industrial area in the district town till yesterday.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, a worker named Maleka Begum, 35, died while undergoing treatment at Comilla Medical College Hospital.

Admission of the workers had started from Saturday noon and finally their number stood at 211.

The factory namely Farid Fibre’s owner Yusuf Jamil Liton said they used to arrange banquet for their workers each year and as part of which there was a such type of event in Comilla Club.

When contacted, Comilla Medical College Hospital Director Dr Habib Abdullah Sohel said the workers have become sick due to taking poisonous food or water. There were 126 workers in the hospital while the figure was 85 in the district hospital. l

cultivate my land for the shortage of labourer.”

He said to get sufficient labourers they have to wait until the political situation of the country became normal.

According to the Department of

Agricultural Extension (DAE), cultivation of Boro farming started form November 15 and it continue till March 15. The department has fixed the production target of about 6,58,811 tonnes of paddy from 1,70,082 hectares of land this year. l

NEWS IN BRIEF Businessman killed in Gopalganj

A trader was beaten to death in Parulia area under Kashiani upazila of the district yesterday. The deceased was identified as Rana,30, son of Jahangir Alam of Vaduria village in the area. Khshiani police station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam said Rana had been running the business of flexi and mobile phone in the area. The miscreants killed him at night while he was returning home.

– Our Correspondent, Gopalganj

Robbery committed in Meherpur Robbery was committed at two houses in Sadar upazila yesterday. Sources said the robbers at first entered the house of Kuet expatriate Enamul Haque at Amjhupi village around 3am. They looted valuables worth about Tk6 lakh.

Later, they entered another house of the village and looted gold ornaments, mobile sets and valuables. They exploded several bombs when the villagers tried to protest them. At least seven people were injured during the incident.

– Our Correspondent, Meherpur

Woman crushed under train A woman was crushed under the wheels of a train in East Bhurulia area of Gazipur yesterday. The identity of the deceased, aged about 55, could not be known immediately.

Joydebpur Railway station police outpost ASI Dadon Mia

said the accident took place around 7:30am when the woman was crossing the rail crossing in the area. He said the body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

– Our Correspondent, Gazipur

Youth sent to jail for eve teasing A mobile court in Gazipur district yesterday sentenced a youth to two months’ jail for eve teasing. Sreepur Model police station Officer-in-Charge Mohshin-ul-Kader said Rafiqul Islam,25, used to disturb a schoolgirl on the way to her school. On the day, he tried to pick up the girl while she was returning home. Hearing her screaming, loclas went to the spot and caught Rafiq red handed. On information, police went to the spot and arrested him. The court led by Assistant Commissioner Shamii Rahman handed down the verdict.

– Our Corresp[ondent, Gazipur

One found dead in Jhenaidah Police recovered the body of an unidentified man from the Chitra River under Kaliganj upazila of the district yesterday.

Anwar Hossain,officer-in-charge of Kaliganj police station said locals found the body in the river and informrmed police. On information, the police recovered the body and sent to Jhenidah Sadar hospital for autopsy, the OC added.

– Our Correspondent, Jhenidah

Miscreants attacked the house of Sylhet Polytechnic Institute principal on Sunday allegedly for refusing to allocate money for arranging Saraswati Puja at the institute. Dakkhin Surma police outpost Sub-Inspector Shafiqul Islam Khan said the miscreants confined Principal Sushanto Kumar Bose into a room and carried out vandalism in his house around 12 midnight.

Miscreants also snatched mobile handset and laptop from the principal, said the SI. On information, a team of RAB-9 rushed to the spot and rescued the principal from confinement.

Quoting the polytechnic institute students, SI Shafiq said: “Tension was prevailing on the campus as the principal denied to allocate money for Saraswati Puja. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Long Form

7

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Obama in India: Time to convert the potential into reality

REUTERS

I

n Vikram Mansharamani

ndia celebrated the 64th anniversary of its foundation as a republic with a special guest in the reviewing stand. Barack Obama, president of the world’s oldest democracy, lent his presence at the celebration of the world’s largest democracy.

This is Obama’s second visit to India in five years. The two nations do share common values and interests including the need to contain an aggressive China from militarily dominating the Asian region. Yet, the fact it took this long for a grand encounter is a reminder of the issues that divide them and the current urgency to strengthen their ties.

Ranging from investment and trade to defence cooperation, enormous opportunities exist for both sides to create a mutually beneficial and balanced relationship.

Direct economic cooperation is an obvious area for collaboration. India needs infrastructure and power, for instance, and US companies want foreign markets. India has a globally competitive IT talent pool, and US enterprises are on an unending search for technical knowhow.

Consider the collaboration opportunities of merging Indian IT talent with US automobile manufacturers as data from billions of automobile sensors explode in volume, generating what is expected to be the second fastest growing segment of the emerging big-data market.

Further, India’s desire to increase its manufacturing capacity may align with American desires to diversify from China, where average hourly earnings now exceed $3.52, versus 92

cents in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been marketing India as having three ingredients US companies seek: demand for goods, attractive demographics and a democratic regime. The direct economic benefits of trade and investment will accrue to both Indians and Americans.

China’s economic slowdown provides a powerful tailwind for India’s economy. As the credit-fueled Chinese investment boom ends, the entire supply chain of raw materials fed into its building boom is vulnerable, creating lower prices for many investment commodities – iron ore, lead, steel, zinc, copper and more.

Thus, the Chinese slowdown has reduced the prices of many of the natural resources upon which India depends, lowering inflationary pressures within India, and thereby creating room for rate cuts that can spur economic growth. It allows India to remove subsidies and address trade disputes to allow further liberalisation.

It’s unlikely the November agreement between the United States and India allowing stockpiling to address food-security issues would have been reached in an environment of high food prices. The resolution of this lingering dispute breaks a deadlock holding up global trade talks.

India needs energy, and as the United States allows increasing volumes of crude exports, why shouldn’t the US consider a long-term supply agreement with India? Doing so would solidify relationships with a large, growing market. India would become less dependent upon Russia and Iran, removing a key market from these struggling oil economies.

At a time when much of the west-

If Modi and his team can help get India out of its own way, there’s no reason the country can’t become the fastest growing large economy in the world. Participating in and encouraging this growth is in America’s interest

ern world laments the ills of capitalism gone wild, India is disposing of Soviet-style planning agencies – Modi disposed of the 5-year plans during his first Independence Day speech – and rushing headlong into increasingly capitalist policies.

In 1992, Deng Xiaoping kicked off an explosion of Chinese economic reform around the mantra “to get rich is glorious” – an economic turning point that resulted in staggering growth over the next decades, as suggested by some Sinologists. Modi’s turn towards capitalism and away from socialist policies has a similarly transforma-

The blunt reality is the United States needs India – as a beacon of democratic capitalism in a strategically and militarily critical part of the world

tive economic reform agenda, one organised around the mantra “to get efficient is glorious.”

If Modi and his team can help get India out of its own way, there’s no reason the country can’t become the fastest growing large economy in the world. Participating in and encouraging this growth is in America’s interest.

A leading obstacle to faster growth is India’s problematic relationship with Pakistan, an association that has focused upon the Kashmir territorial dispute since independence in 1947. Pakistani relations with India chilled noticeably following the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks attributed to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terror group that operates from the region.

India, Pakistan and the United States would benefit from a more stable and prosperous Pakistani economy. Modi invited pro-business Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to attend his inauguration, and relations were improving until Pakistan courts granted bail to an accused terrorist involved in the Mumbai attacks.

Modi’s powerful electoral mandate

opens the opportunity for an innovative re-engineering of the India-Pakistan relationship, the basis of which can be increased bilateral trade. His identity as a Hindu nationalist offers potential political cover from domestic Indian opposition to increased collaboration with Pakistan; his bluntly stated objective of accelerating economic growth may mitigate Pakistani concerns of his ultimate goal.

Modi is the first Indian prime minister born to an independent India, and brings a refreshingly focused and open mind to the issues. Pakistan’s Sharif is equally interested in economic progress. Vibrant Pakistan-India trade has the potential to build mutual trust and might ultimately improve political relations – developments that are good for Pakistan, India and the United States.

The United States can and should encourage such developments by offering incentives for both parties and simultaneously increasing counter-terrorism collaboration with both nations to alleviate ongoing concerns.

It might even consider deepening military ties with both nations as a means to both diffuse potential Pakistan-India hostilities as well as deter an ambitious China from getting militarily aggressive.

Richard Haas, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, recently described US-India relations while introducing Modi at a CFR event: “The bilateral relationship is potentially one of the most important for the United States … The challenge and the opportunity for both countries … is to translate all this potential into reality.”

One of the main challenges is to overcome the stigma of four recent bilateral flare-ups – each provides compelling evidence of an immature relationship that still requires effort.

First, the spectacular momentum generated by President George Bush’s civil nuclear agreement was lost when India passed a nuclear liability law that de facto prevented US commercial participation in the Indian civil-nuclear industry.

Second, the Indian imposition of protectionist policies and taxes on foreigners generated trade disputes that derailed progress.

Third, Modi’s ascent reminded the world that the United States had barred the former Gujrat minister from entering the country because of his supposed role in 2002 riots that left about 1,000 dead, mostly Muslims.

Lastly, diplomatic hoopla surrounded the arrest and strip-search of Devy-

While the many hiccups over the years have raised concerns about each country’s ultimate commitment to the other, the commonalities of interests are overwhelming and the impetus to convert the potential of shared values into a functional reality is urgent

ani Khobragade, India’s deputy consul general in New York. India escalated tensions by lessening security for US government employees in New Delhi.

Another challenge stems from areas where American and Indian interests diverge. Consider India’s dependence upon foreign energy supplies, defence equipment, power technologies and its prickly nationalism born of centuries of colonial rule.

These factors create Indian alliances that run counter to US interests, particularly the India-Russia relationship. In December, Russian oil giant Rosneft signed a 10-year crude-oil supply agreement with India’s Essar Oil, and the Russian state-owned Rosatom agreed to build 12 nuclear reactors for civilian power generation in India.

Along with these announcements came Modi’s public assurances that Russia would remain India’s top defence supplier. A simultaneous announcement stated that India would build 400 Russian Ka226-T twin-engine multi-role helicopters a year.

Both countries should look beyond these speed bumps, because the blunt reality is the United States needs India – as a beacon of democratic capitalism in a strategically and militarily critical part of the world.

The blunt reality for India is that it needs the United States – as an economic and military superpower capable of assisting the quest to achieve peer status.

While the many hiccups over the years have raised concerns about each country’s ultimate commitment to the other, the commonalities of interests are overwhelming and the impetus to convert the potential of shared values into a functional reality is urgent. l

Vikram Mansharamani is a lecturer in the Program on Ethics, Politics, & Economics at Yale University and a senior fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Follow him on twitter @mansharamani. This article was first published on Yale Global online.

8

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Greek leftists ally with right against bailout n Reuters, Athens

A New York City snowplow, loaded with salt, sits parked in midtown Manhattan as light snow falls, yesterday. Northeast residents are girding for a heavy snowstorm that could bury communities from northern New Jersey to southern Maine in up to 2 feet of snow AP

Nor’easter threatens Northeast with up to 2 feet of snow n AP, New York The yesterday morning commute was normal for much of the Northeast as officials continued to urge residents to prepare for a “crippling and potentially historic” storm that could bury communities from northern New Jersey to southern Maine in up to 2 feet of snow starting later in the day.

The National Weather Service said the nor’easter would bring heavy snow, powerful winds and widespread coastal flooding through Tuesday. A blizzard warning was issued for a 250mile stretch of the Northeast, including New York and Boston.

Officials cautioned residents to not be misled by a relatively smooth morning commute. They warned

that getting home could be difficult and asked residents to avoid any unnecessary travel.

The morning commute was delayed Modnay for drivers on a section of Interstate 81 near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. A tractor-trailer jack knifed, and a truck hauling beer crashed into the median. No injuries were reported.

Some schools were planning to close early or not open at all yesterday in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

Government officials began to activate emergency centers on Sunday as professional sports teams, schools and utilities hastily revised their schedules and made preparations.

“This could be a storm the likes of which we have never seen before,”

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference in a Manhattan sanitation garage where workers were preparing plows and salt for the massive cleanup on about 6,000 miles of city roadways.

In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker warned residents to prepare for roads that are “very hard, if not impossible, to navigate,” power outages and possibly even a lack of public transportation.

Boston is expected to get 18 to 24 inches of snow, with up to 2 feet or more west of the city, and Philadelphia could see up to a foot, the weather service said.

The Washington area expected only a couple of inches, with steadily increasing amounts as the storm heads north.

“We do anticipate very heavy snow-

fall totals,” said Bob Oravec, lead forecaster with the weather service in College Park, Maryland. “In addition to heavy snow, with blizzard warnings, there’s a big threat of high, damaging winds, and that will be increasing yesterday into Tuesday. A lot of blowing, drifting and such.”

President Barack Obama, who is traveling in India, has been briefed on the storm, spokesman Josh Earnest said yesterday. White House officials also have been in touch with officials from states “up and down the Eastern seaboard” that are in the storm’s path, Earnest said.

Wind gusts of 75 mph or more are possible for coastal areas of Massachusetts, and up to 50 mph further inland, Oravec said. l

Greek left-wing leader Alexis Tsipras on yesterday agreed to team up with a right-wing party to form a new hardline, anti-bailout government determined to face down international lenders and end nearly five years of tough economic measures.

The decisive victory by Tsipras’ Syriza in Sunday’s snap election reignites fears of new financial troubles in the country that set off the regional crisis in 2009.

It is also the first time a member of the 19-nation euro zone will be led by parties rejecting German-backed austerity.

Tsipras’ resounding victory is likely to empower Europe’s fringe parties, including other anti-austerity movements across the region’s economically-depressed southern rim.

The trouncing of conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras represents a defeat of Europe’s middle-ground political guard, which has dallied on a growth-versus-budget discipline debate for five years while voters suffered.

Within hours of victory on a cam-

Secret Service recovers ‘device’ at White House n AP, Washington A spokesman for President Barack Obama said yesterday that a “device” was found on the grounds of the White House while the president and first lady were in India but that it posed no threat.

It was unclear if the president’s daughters were at home at the time of the incident. Secret Service had no immediate comment on what it found.

Police, fire and other emergency vehicles swarmed around the White House in the pre-dawn hours, with several clustered near the southeast entrance to the mansion. The White House was dark and the entire perimeter was on lockdown until around 5 am, when pass holders who work in the complex were allowed inside.

“There is a device that has been re-

Russia blames Ukraine for violence, ‘Wasted’ hoax caller urges West not to support Kiev taunts British spy agency n Reuters, Moscow Russia blamed Kiev on yesterday for a surge in violence in southeastern Ukraine and urged the West not to show its support with actions such as imposing new sanctions on Moscow.

Pro-Moscow separatists, backed by what Nato says is the open participation of Russian troops, have launched an offensive in eastern and south-eastern Ukraine and Kiev said on Saturday

30 civilians had been killed in shelling of the city of Mariupol.

Russia has denied sending arms and troops to back the rebels and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the separatists were responding to attacks by Ukrainian government forces.

“We see attempts to derail the peace process and attempts again and again by the Kiev leadership to solve the problem by using force to suppress the southeast. These attempts

Assad seeks agreement over US air strikes in Syria n Reuters, Beirut President Bashar al-Assad has said US-led air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria should be subject to an agreement with Damascus and Syrian troops should be involved on the ground.

Assad was speaking in an interview with the US-based Foreign Affairs Magazine published on yesterday.

“With any country that is serious about fighting terrorism, we are ready to make cooperation, if they’re serious,” Assad said, when asked if he

would be willing to take steps to make cooperation easier with Washington.

Washington supports opposition forces fighting for the past four years to topple Assad, but its position has become complicated since Islamic State and other hardline groups emerged as the most powerful rebel factions.

Since Islamic State took over much of Syria and Iraq last summer, the United States has mounted regular air strikes against it. But it has rejected the idea of allying itself with the Syrian government despite them now having a common enemy. l

Libya peace talks resume n AFP, Geneva A new round of peace talks between Libya’s warring factions resumed in Geneva yesterday as the country continued to sink into chaos.

During a first round of UN-mediated discussions in the Swiss city earlier this month, warring factions from the strife-torn country agreed on a roadmap to form a unity government.

The UN’s envoy to Libya, Bernardino Leon, had warned as the talks first opened on January 14 that they were a last-ditch effort to prevent all-out chaos.

He warned that Libya was becoming a hotbed of Islamist insurgency, echoing concerns by Libyan officials and world leaders.

The north African nation has been wracked by conflict since the overthrow of dictator Moamar Kadhafi in a 2011 uprising, with rival governments and powerful militias battling for control of key cities and the country’s vast oil riches.

Talks continued yesterday with participants from a range of groups and representatives of civil society.

But the Islamist-backed Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) militia alliance, which took over Tripoli last summer, was not officially taking part.

However, it did declare a ceasefire with Libya’s army following the January 15 agreement, and some of the group’s high-level officials from cities beyond the capital, including Misrata, were in Geneva for the negotiations. l

lead nowhere,” Lavrov told a news conference.

“We expect our Western partners ... not to do anything that gives the Kiev authorities the impression that all their actions automatically will win support in the West.”

He urged the West not to whip up anti-Russia hysteria and said it would have been naive to believe the separatists would accept being shelled by government forces without responding. l

n AFP, London A hoax caller who was put through to Prime Minister David Cameron after pretending to be one of Britain’s spy chiefs boasted about being “off my face” on alcohol and drugs, a newspaper reported on yesterday.

The giggling prankster telephoned The Sun tabloid and described how he had just made a hoax call to communications monitoring agency GCHQ,

paign of “Hope is coming!,” the 40-yearold Tsipras sealed a coalition deal with the small Independent Greeks party which also opposes Greece’s EU/IMF aid programme.

Syriza won 149 seats in the 300-seat parliament, leaving it just two seats short of an outright majority and in need of a coalition partner. The Independent Greeks won 13 seats.

“From this moment there is a government in the country. The Independent Greeks give a vote of confidence in Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. There is an agreement in principle,” the smaller party’s leader Panos Kammenos said after talks with Tsipras.

The alliance is an unusual one between parties on the opposite end of the political spectrum brought together by a mutual hatred of the 240-billion-euro bailout programme keeping Greece afloat at the price of budget cuts.

The Independent Greeks and Syriza are at odds on many social issues such as illegal immigration, raising the prospect of tensions within a coalition united by its opposition to the international bailout. l

managing to speak to agency boss Robert Hannigan.

He said he would do again, and just hours later, another hoax call – presumably made by the same man – was made to Cameron’s Downing Street office by someone pretending to be Hannigan.

“I’ve just made complete monkeys out of GCHQ. I’ve got the mobile number of the director,” the unnamed man told the best-selling paper. l

covered by the Secret Service at the White House,” said press secretary Josh Earnest. “The early indications are that it does not pose any sort of ongoing threat to anybody at the White House.”

Earnest spoke from New Delhi, where Obama and his wife, Michelle, were on a three-day visit. They also planned to stop in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday before they return to Washington.

The incident is the latest in a string of White House security breaches that have led to questions about Secret Service effectiveness. Four of the agency’s highest-ranking executives were reassigned earlier this month. Former Director Julia Pierson’s was forced to resign last year after a Texas man armed with a knife was able to get over a White House fence in September. l

Church of England consecrates first woman bishop

n Reuters, York

The Church of England will consecrate its first woman bishop on yesterday, the culmination of years of efforts by Church modernisers to overcome resolute opposition from traditionalists. More than two decades after the Church allowed women to become priests, 48-year-old mother-of-two the Reverend Libby Lane will be consecrated as Bishop of Stockport in a ceremony at York Minster, a Gothic cathedral in northern England. l

In Mosul, Islamic State turns captured city into fortress n Reuters, Baghdad In a government building in Mosul, a handful of Iraqi contractors gathered to compete for a tender last month.

It was the kind of routine session that happens in cities everywhere – except here the contract was for fortifications ordered by the new rulers in town, Islamic State.

One member of the radical Islamist group grabbed a map and explained to those present what was required.

“Under Islamic State’s tender document, a trench two meters in depth and two meters in width needs to be dug around Mosul,” said a source in the city close to the tendering process.

The winning contractor will be paid the equivalent of $4,000 for each kilometer of trench, the source said.

The tender demonstrates Islamic State’s determination to defend the city that it conquered in June, as the extremists grabbed a large area of territory from Baghdad. Rich in Muslim history, Mosul stands at the center of the group’s aim to carve out a modern caliphate from large parts of Syria and Iraq.

Interviews with 11 Mosul residents, several of whom fled this month, reveal how Islamic State has created a police state strong enough to weather severe popular discontent and military setbacks, including the deaths of senior leaders.

Along with the planned trench, the militants have sealed Mosul’s western entrance with giant cement walls.

They also blew up a bridge that Kurdish fighters could use to attack Mosul.

“They will fight to the last drop of blood defending Mosul, and for them this battle could define their existence. Losing Mosul means a final defeat for Islamic State in Iraq,” said a retired army general living in Mosul.

In Mosul’s city center, in the old provincial council building, sits Islamic State’s religious court. Verdicts can be ruthless.

Islamic State runs at least four security organisations in Mosul, including traffic police and a tax force that collects revenues from businesses and individuals Last week, Islamic State in Mosul posted on the Internet its version of justice: the stoning of a woman accused of adultery; two men crucified, accused of armed robbery; and two men thrown from a building for allegedly being homosexual.

Reuters interviewed Raheel, a 71-yearold Christian woman, who was brought before the court this fall and forced to convert to Islam.

Taken from a senior citizens home in Mosul, Raheel and nine others appeared before a bearded judge. Armed guards stood in the room.

“The judge began his speech, in a soft

and elegant manner, and he was citing verses of the Koran and sayings of the Prophet Mohammad,” Raheel told Reuters.

“He said that Islam is the true religion and that we must embrace it or we would die as infidels,” she said after her freedom was obtained this month in an arrangement between Islamic State and Chaldean church representatives.

Islamic State runs at least four security organisations in Mosul, including traffic police and a tax force that collects revenues from businesses and individuals.

The most feared groups are an elite security committee that makes special arrests and gathers intelligence; and the Islamic moral police, or Hisba, that enforces the jihadists’ brand of religious law.

Hisba and the intelligence units have also rounded up dozens of former officers, holding them to forestall any revolt and seeking to tap their military knowledge.

“We investigate them to figure out why they are not joining Islamic State,” an Islamic State leader told Reuters by phone.

The religious code enforced by Hisba includes bans on smoking and on t-shirts with English writing.

Businesses must close at prayer times; women and girls must veil their faces; and schools are segregated.

A Mosul father stopped sending his 13-year-old daughter to school because she was forced to cover her face.

“She was saying to me ‘Dad, I feel I can’t breathe,” the father told Reuters. “It is better she is free inside our house than

a prisoner in school here.”

The jihadists have forced Mosul’s remaining civil servants to work in Islamic State’s new government offices, which cover municipal services, energy, education, religion and health.

Baghdad earmarks at least $130m monthly to pay Mosul government employees, whether they have stayed in the city or left, said Anwar Matti Hadaya, the exiled head of the Nineveh provincial council’s finance committee.

The money is picked up in Kurdish-held Kirkuk by a department representative and taken to Mosul.

Baghdad says the salaries will remind people the national government has not forgotten them. It is unclear how much money reaches employees still in Mosul, but the cash has helped keep the city afloat.

Food is readily available. Meat, vegetables, bread and fruit cost the same as before, and some prices are lower than Baghdad.

Only fuel prices are high and electricity, supplied by generators, has been cut to six hours a day. Tankers provide drinking water.

Islamic State extracts payments from residents on a daily basis. Butchers must pay a tax of around $4 a day to enter slaughterhouses to buy cattle and sheep.

Shop tenants in buildings confiscated

by Islamic State must now pay rent to the militants.

As air strikes make smuggling oil from Syria more difficult, dozens of homemade refineries belching black smoke have sprung up around Mosul. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

World

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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Obama celebrates India’s Republic Day n AP, New Delhi President Barack Obama’s experience at India’s Republic Day celebration may have felt a little like his two presidential inaugurations.

He watched the two-hour parade of military hardware, marching bands and elaborately dressed camels from a rain-soaked, open-air reviewing stand.

The experience was somewhat similar to his inaugurations in Washington. But it was different in some respects, too.

Obama stepped out of his armored limousine and into the rain bare-headed Obama watched both inaugural parades from an enclosed, glass-fronted reviewing stand that temporarily erected on the north side of the White House. The weather both times was dry and biting cold. There were no tanks or other military hardware doing a slow roll up Pennsylvania Avenue.

No dressed-up camels, either.

But there are always plenty of marching bands.

Republic Day commemorates the anniversary of when India’s constitution came into force in 1950.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Obama to be the celebration’s chief guest, which an Indian TV commentator said is one of the most significant honors India can bestow upon a foreign leader.

Obama is the first American president to attend Republic Day. He sat between Modi and Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

On television, Obama was seen smiling as a group of children in blue uniforms danced and clapping after another performance. Michelle Obama, who accompanied her husband, also smiled at a dance performed by a big group of children in bright jumpsuits.

White House reporters who logged the nearly 7,500 miles to New Delhi to provide real-time coverage of Obama’s attendance at the parade arrived to find out that some of them wouldn’t be able to.

India, the world’s largest democracy, gave the small “pool” of US re-

porters that travels with the president a distant view of him during the two hours that he spent watching the colorful procession.

They also were not allowed to bring some of the most essential tools of 21st century journalism: the BlackBerries, iPhones and laptop computers they rely on to file quickly.

Security even confiscated ball-point pens. Cell phone service was also limited.

Reporters who didn’t venture out to the parade site hung back at their temporary workspace to watch the festivities unfold on TV and take notes.

The unspoken political rule that political leaders should avoid putting anything on their heads apparently has no place in India.

Modi showed up at the parade wearing a safa, a traditional celebratory headdress that some Indian men wear for festivals and special occasions.

Modi’s had a large, red pleated circular plume and an orange scarf running down his back.

Obama stepped out of his armored limousine and into the rain bare-headed.

The president once said that “you don’t put stuff on your head if you’re president.” But he broke his rule last year by posing in a tiara with tiara-wearing members of a Girl Scout troop from Tulsa, Oklahoma, that participated in a White House science fair.

The photo, taken by the official White House photographer, has circulated widely on the Internet.

The significance of an American president viewing the elaborate parade won’t be lost on India’s contentious neighbors — Pakistan and China.

Until recently, relations between India and the US were lukewarm at best.

Just look at some of the earlier Republic Day guests of honor: Yugoslavia’s Josip Broz Tito in 1968 and 1974, Bulgaria’s Todor Zhivkov in 1969 and Tanzanian politician Julius Nyerere in 1971.

In those days, India was largely aligned with the former Soviet Union while Washington’s closest regional ally was Pakistan — India’s bitter rival.

Back then, India would not have dreamed of inviting a US president as the guest of honor. And, if asked, an American president may have politely declined.

But the chill is gone and India and Washington are warming up to each other. l

Maharashtra and Gujarat tableaus on display during the 66th Republic Day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi yesterday

Top Indonesian anti-graft official resigns amid row with police n AFP, Jakarta A top Indonesian anti-corruption official tendered his resignation yesterday after being arrested and warned of a campaign to “destroy” the country’s graft-fighting agency, amid an escalating row with the police.

Bambang Widjojanto, deputy chief of the Corruption Eradication Commssion (KPK), was arrested last week, days after the body accused a senior police official of graft, prompting his appointment as national police chief to be postponed.

Widjojanto’s supporters have accused the police, regarded as deeply corrupt, of seeking revenge against the anti-graft commission, which is popular among the public but has made many enemies after years targeting

high-profile figures.

New President Joko Widodo put forward the police official to be the new chief, and his response to the row is being closely watched to see whether he lives up to a pledge to stamp out corruption in Indonesia.

Announcing that he would step aside temporarily due to the police investigation into accusations he interfered in a legal case, Widjojanto urged the public to keep up their strong support for graft-fighting efforts.

“I am convinced that the case against me is a fabrication and based on fiction,” he told reporters. “It’s not only to weaken the KPK, but to destroy it, and in a very systematic way.”

The heads of the KPK and the president must still accept his resignation.

He was arrested on Friday, accused

of ordering witnesses to give false testimony in a 2010 court case while acting as a lawyer. He was granted a conditional release early Saturday.

Police say that he could face seven years in prison if found guilty.

Widjojanto’s arrest sparked a protest last week by hundreds of anti-corruption activists outside KPK headquarters in Jakarta, who urged Widodo to take action to defend the agency.

Widodo had already faced criticism for putting forward Budi Gunawan, a three-star police general, as his sole pick for police chief.

Gunawan was named a corruption suspect shortly after being nominated.

The president refused to revoke the nomination, but later postponed his appointment until the KPK investigation was complete. l

AFP

Ex-Thai PM’s party vows calm n Reuters, Bangkok Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s Puea Thai Party vowed on yesterday it would not retaliate a five-year political ban imposed on the ousted leader, and a leading party figure said their movement could survive without the powerful family.

In a near identical repeat of her billionaire brother’s fall from power, Yingluck was last week banned from politics for five years and indicted on criminal charges over her involvement in a state rice buying scheme that cost Thailand billions of dollars. Yingluck’s supporters say the charges against her are an attempt to limit the political influence of her brother, ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and weaken his Puea Thai Party. Anusorn Iamsa-ard, spokesman for the Puea Thai Party, said the decision to ban Yingluck from politics would not be a trigger for unrest. l

200 million people moved to cities in East Asia in decade n AFP, Singapore

China’s Pearl River Delta, which incudes Guangzhou (pictured), Shenzhen, Foshan and Dongguan, has overtaken Tokyo as the world’s largest urban area both in size and population AFP

Almost 200 million people in East Asia moved to urban areas in the decade to 2010, the World Bank said on yesterday, creating a massive challenge to the region’s planners.

About 36% of people in the region – which under the World Bank’s definition includes Northeast and Southeast Asia – were living in urban areas as of 2010, up from 29% ten years before.

This suggests the region will see decades more of further population shifts, it said in a report released yesterday.

The report contains data gathered through satellite imagery and “geospatial” mapping which the bank said should help planners ensure that policies will benefit a larger number of those moving to cities, especially the poor.

“For the first time, the data compares urban areas and their population

Hackers target Malaysia Airlines, threaten data dump n AFP, Kuala Lumpur The website of Malaysia Airlines was commandeered for several hours on yesterday by hackers who referenced the Islamic State jihadists and threatened to expose data taken from the carrier’s servers.

The attack, whose motivation remained unclear, was claimed by the “Lizard Squad,” a group that has taken credit previously for denial-of-service attacks around the world.

It was not clear why the troubled airline was targeted, but the Lizard Squad said on its Twitter feed that it was “Going to dump some loot found on malaysiaairlines.com servers soon.”

Visitors to the website were re-directed to another page bearing an image of a tuxedo-wearing lizard and reading “Hacked

by LIZARD SQUAD – OFFICIAL CYBER CALIPHATE.”

It also carried the headline “404 - Plane Not Found,” an apparent reference to the airlines’ puzzling loss of flight MH370 last year with 239 people aboard which tipped the already struggling carrier into crisis.

Media reports said versions of the website takeover in some regions included the wording “ISIS will prevail.”

Normal access to the site appeared to be restored later yesterday, but it marked another bout of bad press for the beleaguered national carrier.

The unexplained loss of MH370 and the airline’s poor handling of the crisis severely damaged public confidence in the carrier, sending business into a tailspin.

It has since been taken over by a Malaysian government investment fund seeking to rescue the company.

A few hours before the website was restored, Malaysia Airlines had released a statement confirming its Internet domain

name had been compromised, re-directing users to the dummy page.

“At this stage, Malaysia Airlines’ web servers are intact,” it said.

“Malaysia Airlines assures customers and clients that its website was not hacked and this temporary glitch does not affect their bookings and that user data remains secured,” it said.

However, the hackers disputed that, releasing on Twitter what appeared to be a screen grab of some airline data including reservations.

“We would like to point out that (Malaysia Airlines) is lying about user data not being compromised,” it said, giving no further information.

The Lizard Squad is a group of hackers that has caused havoc in the online world before, taking credit for attacks that took down the Sony PlayStation Network and Microsoft’s Xbox Live network last month.

The extent of any links with the Islamic State, however, are not known.

The jihadist group has seized large swathes of Syria and Iraq in a brutal campaign and declared an independent Islamic “caliphate.” It also has used social media in recruiting and spreading its message.

The IS group has prompted world revulsion with its video-taped executions of journalists and other foreigners it has captured.

On Sunday, it claimed to have beheaded a Japanese security contractor. A second Japanese captive has also been threatened with execution.

Concerns over IS have spiked in Malaysia after scores of its citizens were lured to the Syrian jihad.

Malaysian authorities last week said they have detained 120 people suspected of having IS sympathies or planning to travel to Syria. l

in a consistent manner across East Asia, providing governments and local leaders with a better understanding of the shape and scale of the growth so they can get urbanisation right – creating opportunities for all,” the bank said.

The data shows that urban areas in East Asia expanded at an average rate of 2.4% per year during the decade, with urban land reaching 134,800 square kilometres (71,043 square miles) in 2010.

Urban populations rose at a faster rate of 3.0 percent, according to the report, which also found a direct link between urbanisation and income growth.

The region had 869 urban areas with more than 100,000 people, including eight “megacities” with a population of over 10 million as of 2010, according to the report.

China’s Pearl River Delta, which in-

cudes Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan and Dongguan, has overtaken Tokyo as the world’s largest urban area both in size and population, it said.

As of 2010, the report stated that there were 42 million inhabitants in the Pearl River Delta, a population larger than that of Argentina, Canada or Malaysia.

World Bank urban development expert Abhas Jha said he hopes the report will push policy makers to a shift from a “car centric” to a “people centric” strategy in growing cities like Jakarta and Bangkok.

“Massive traffic congestions in urban cities calls for a new paradigm shift in urban planning to move from a car-centric to people-centric urban plan,” he told reporters in a video conference from Singapore, adding that a more efficient public transportation system could be one way to alleviate this problem. l

Japan seeks Jordan’s help on gaining hostage’s release n AP, Tokyo Japan sought help from Jordan and other countries yesterday in its race to save a hostage held by the extremist Islamic State group, with no signs of progress on securing his release.

The chief government spokesman refused direct comment on the contents of talks with Jordan, where a Japanese envoy is coordinating regional efforts to save hostage Kenji Goto.

The Islamic State group said in an online video on Jan. 20 that it had two Japanese hostages and would kill them within 72 hours unless it paid $200m.

Over the weekend, a new, unverified video showed a still photo of Goto, a 47-year-old journalist, holding a picture of what appears to be the body of fellow hostage Haruna Yukawa. It in-

cluded a recording of a voice claiming to be Goto, saying his captors want a prisoner exchange instead of ransom.

Asked if the latest demand, which brings Jordan into the picture, makes the situation more complex, Yoshihide Suga avoided a straight answer. But he said, “Naturally, Jordan has its own thoughts.”

“The government is doing its utmost as the situation is still developing,” he told reporters. “We are seeking cooperation from every possible party toward a release (of the remaining hostage).”

Japanese officials have indicated they are treating the video released over the weekend as authentic and thus accepting the likelihood that Yukawa, a 42-year-old adventurer captured in Syria last summer, was killed. l

10

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Editorial

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

CODE-CRACKER

No excuse for taking law into own hands

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he AL’s action in forming so called resistance committees is wrong in principle and dangerous in practice.

Nobody, least of all responsible officials in the ruling party, should need reminding of the risks inherent in people taking the law into their own hands.

The beating to death of seven suspected robbers in Sadar upazilla by a lynch mob on Monday highlights the problems posed by vigilantism.

While many would applaud the local people who acted to help a robbery victim and apprehend the suspected robbers in the early hours of the morning, there can be no excuse for the suspects being attacked and killed instead of being handed over to the police.

Rule of law requires that the law be administered and upheld by impartial public officials. Everybody has the right to a fair trial. Punishment has to be kept solely the prerogative of the courts, not law enforcers or the public.

There is nothing wrong with people expressing support for the police in carrying out their duties. Indeed there is a good case for the government to support community policing initiatives that are open to and involve all citizens.

However, it clearly crosses a line for political parties themselves to be talking of patrolling the streets and catching criminals as some AL leaders have been doing. Such language brings the independence of the law into question and smacks of interference.

No public good can be served by appearing to control or usurp the role of the police.

Rule of law and police independence must be paramount.

For political parties themselves to be talking of patrolling the streets is wrong in principle and dangerous in practice

Keep schools open

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majority of schools in Dhaka are witnessing reduced student attendance, as parents feel increasingly fearful about the possibility of political violence harming their children.

While most schools have made it a point to remain open, student attendance has dropped to nearly 70%, a significantly lower rate than usual, especially for the beginning of the academic year.

Students, parents and teachers alike are facing enormous stress and uncertainty as classes and exams are having to be rescheduled.

There is nothing to be gained from impeding children’s education. Our country’s economic and social development cannot bear the cost of political disputes impacting on the education of the nation’s children.

If politicians want to receive public support to lead the nation, they must put the nation’s interests first. It is incumbent on the parties calling the blockade to do more to reduce the fear their actions are creating in order to allow schools to function normally.

The government and the BNP should of course also move more swiftly to resolve the crisis.

In the meantime, the government and the police have a duty to keep schools open and reassure the public.

All practical means of additional protection, from providing extra security outside schools to ensuring escorted patrols on public buses, needs to be implemented without delay.

It is vital to support parents and schools in ensuring that children’s education is not interrupted any further.

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

The human side of climate change January 12

curtaincall “Expect that the respondents, ie these vulnerable groups, are at our mercy, ready and willing to provide us with any data or information that we might need.”

That cannot be the approach of any study or project and no study will succeed if you go into a community thinking that. You have to build a relationship with the community, show them that you care about the issues they’re facing, and most importantly, be honest. You have to disclose the goal of the study. Most people are willing and eager to share their stories if it will mean solutions to problems, many times those solutions come from within the community.

KH A little too emotional perhaps, but I cannot disagree with the underlying message that it is after all human beings that shifts in climate affect the most.

Paul Clark Bangladesh is growing as the Ganges deposits silt.

It’s always flooded – nothing to do with “climate change” of the human-made variety.

BCB names Mahmud as the new manager

Arrest warrant against Tuhin Malik

Nazmul Khair Mahmud was also guilty like Ashraful, but while Ashraful got his punishment, Mahmud and Rofiq are still looked at as gentlemen (who can do no wrong).

Between a rock and a hard place January 13

Karl Hungus “The street becomes the parliament, and voices are replaced by firearms and arson.” It’s not like there is much difference between the streets and our parliament anyway - both venues see groups of thugs exchanging torrid insults with each other.

Lalon Shah Chora na shoney dhormer kahini. Little point in preaching to those beyond redemption. Black swan, where are you! rose Honestly, the opposition party, instead of resorting to violence, ought to think of other ways of implementing its ideas. vhs Brilliantly written piece that doesn’t take sides, but sees this craziness for what it is.

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.

January 13

Guest Personality cult in the making, eh? Bangladesh is a free country and is above criticism, Bangabandhu included, a colossus as he was notwithstanding.

Is the government telling me that curtailing freedom of speech is in line with the spirit of Liberation? Oh, please.

Nirjhor Guest: Okay forget that, but can someone be charged with sedition if he/she stands against the constitution (a pillar of our state) and call for its removal?

Provide extra security to ensure children’s education is not interrupted

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Even if this climate change boogeyman was true, the poor are far better off if we continue to improve living standards with fossil fuel development and adapt to the changes as they come.

The cost-benefit-analysis for “action” doesn’t work, hence AGW is merely the great unscientific politico-ideologico gravy-train of our day.

Fran Rametta Bangladesh is already training 2 million of its women to be solar energy technicians, and are installing solar panels at the rate of one per minute. (By comparison, the USA is installing solar panels at the rate of one every three minutes.) It appears they are bypassing the fossil fuel route and moving directly to renewable energy.

January 16

How to solve: Each number in our CODE-CRACKER grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. For example, today 21 represents H so fill H every time the figure H appears.

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

Some letters of the alphabet may not be used.

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

Fugstar Nirjhor: Constitutions are negotiable, especially Bangladesh’s, nobody was consulted over it.

Nirjhor Fugstar: You think the original constitution, or the amendments of it, required consultation?

Nowhere in the civilised world was a constitution was brought in by a referendum, if you are talking about public consultation that is. They were always done by representatives, courts, leaders, etc.

The US Constitution, for example, was done by its founders – Jefferson, Paine, and others – common US citizens were too illiterate to opine on such a constitution, Bangladesh is/was no different.

So you agree with Tuhin Malik’s remarks?

If one finds the constitution to be so offensive, then a writ petition should be the way forward, should it not?

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Sports enclosure (5) 5 Heavenly body (4) 8 Wise counsellor (6) 9 Poignant (5) 10 Fasten around (4) 11 Lottery (5) 12 Rounded vase (3) 15 Acting part (4) 18 Closes up (5) 21 Spanish nobleman (3) 22 Implement (4) 24 Smart and fashionable (4) 25 Likeness (5) 28 Malicious destroyer (6) 29 Rind (4) 30 Bullock (5)

DOWN 1 Counting frame (6) 2 Flightless bird (3) 3 Fish traps (4) 4 Afresh (4) 5 Not intoxicated (5) 6 Three-legged stand (6) 7 Blushing (3) 13 Concerning (2) 14 Indigenous (6) 16 Behold! (2) 17 Make beloved (6) 19 Confined to an area (5) 20 Accordingly (2) 23 Covers (4) 24 Drinking vessel (3) 26 Floor covering (3) 27 Drink (3)

Romeo vs Juliet to hit cinemas on January 16

CALVIN AND HOBBES

January 13

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS CODE-CRACKER

imzy Is that why they have 5 billion films with English titles – Warning, Honeymoon, etc?

It’s funny, they think using English titles will get people to watch the film. If I want English, I can go and watch Hollywood movies.

PEANUTS

CROSSWORD

Ekram killing: Two accused surrender January 12

Dr Ahsan Habib Wait for a few days before the bail is issued.

Maus Dr Ahsan Habib: Then what sir? Another dramatic twist? So characteristic of when politics gets involved. :-/

Petrol bomb kills one in Gaibandha January 12

Nisha Hoque Talukder Well, that’s very sad. :(

SUDOKU

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Op-Ed

11

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

The small things of God n AHM Mustafizur Rahman

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There is always an eye on you

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BIGSTOCK

M

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A right, without interference

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n Ikhtisad Ahmed eople conscious of being watched are forced by the interference to act less free, making them, in essence, less free. Surveillance advocates would use this as an argument in favour of restraining privacy, at the very least to serve as an effective preventative measure.

They and governments, worried that it would be difficult to convince the public to forsake its prized freedom, have been left dumbfounded by how easy it has been. Privacy was arguably surrendered the day CCTV cameras were accepted, nay, welcomed, by the populace, never to be won back, only to be restricted more and more until naught remained.

Perhaps unsurprisingly in the realm of politics, where hypocrisy is a beloved mistress often brazenly paraded, the nation that pioneered surveillance and continues to revolutionise means of invading privacy is the one that speaks loudest for freedoms.

Hooverite and McCarthyist America has grown and spread its seed throughout the world. The Rubicon was firmly crossed with the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act 2001.

That and the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill, passed by the UK Parliament in 2014, set the state’s dogmatic hatred of the rights and freedoms of its citizens in stone.

David Cameron, in hopefully his last

five months in office, has promised the inevitable: Anti-privacy laws will be expanded to encompass social media and smartphone applications.

The same carnal avidity that masterminded PRISM, NarusInsight, Tempora, ECHELON et al prevents the righteous West from judging Bangladesh, the Middle East and their kin when they enforce blackouts and strict monitoring, using security as justification for curtailing rights.

states to disregard the prized privacy of its citizens. When governments overreach, and justify this by claiming the feeble security defence to manipulate the universal legal system and the sacred values it exists to uphold in its sworn duty to represent the people and their interests, they are saying either that everyone is guilty until proven innocent, or that noone can be proven innocent, and it is only a matter of time until proof of guilt can

Illegal surveillance, using advanced technology that may not even be available to the masses, is a favourite of governments

There is no transparency in politics, least of all at the decision-making level. Citizens are not aware of how their money is being spent, and are, therefore, powerless to hold those responsible to account.

It is unforeseeable that leaders will be honest and forthcoming. They do not have to worry for as long as they remain leaders – it is only when they are relegated to the status of ordinary citizens that they need concern themselves with forced transparency and the death of privacy.

Absent suspicion of wrongdoing it is not only illegal, but also immoral for

be established.

If the authorities are equipped with this supreme power, they are certain to be corrupted by it as its implementation requires corruption of humanity and all Earthly constructs. Such governments cannot be good for the people.

It is ironic that their verbose claims to the contrary get louder the more they stray from the interests of the people they exist to serve, or perhaps it is telling that the protestations of these servants drip with desperation.

Much of what is conceivable in the deplorable realm of surveillance in the

name of security is probably in effect already, since the world may not be aware of the technology available to security forces due to the inherent lack of transparency and honesty.

That does not make it right. Indeed, there is enough evidence on hand to assert that illegal surveillance, using advanced technology that may not even be available to the masses, is a favourite of governments and law enforcement authorities, going beyond infringing on every individual’s indisputable right to privacy.

In their insatiable lust for limitless power, the ruling class has been so concerned with whether it could do this to the naive pawns who have put it in place, that it does not stop to ask whether it should.

Despite its status as an absolute, tangible guiding principle in servitudes, morality is only an abstract concept that exists to provide boundless joy by being mocked in absolute rules.

Politicians and law enforcement agents should at least keep up the pretence of dignity by baring their all to the public that is being forced to bare all rather than being shown up for being cowardly voyeurs.

Those having the audacity to seek to justify the unjustifiable acts of the authorities need only heed Benjamin Franklin’s words: “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” l

ad, why am I a Christian and not a Muslim?”

“Son, it’s because we were lucky and fortunate enough to be chosen as Christians, and we must thank the Almighty for bestowing us with this privilege.”

That’s probably the conversation every inquisitive son (or daughter) has had with their father at some point in his/her adolescence. Religion can appear to be so outlandish, so incredible at times that those keen for answers are naturally puzzled by it, and desire to clarify their young minds.

The father’s response is also typical, and it’s the standard template for every religion – he was most likely given the exact same answer by his own father. Every religion believes itself to be the definitive (and rightfully so, perhaps), and therefore every follower within its umbrella is privileged to have been “chosen” to be so.

But what’s the real picture? Ask yourself a question: Are you a Muslim because you were “chosen” or because you just happened to be born into a family in which Islam is the practiced religion? You may feel particularly special, privileged even, to be chosen, as your father wants you to believe, but would you feel any differently if you were born into a different religion?

“Dad, what happens to boys and girls from other religions? Will they go to heaven?”

“Son, unfortunately they aren’t chosen or privileged like us. So they will not be lucky enough.”

I can’t even begin to imagine what a young boy would go through hearing those words for the first time. How troubled and confused his young mind would be, picturing how his best friend, who has no particularly bad qualities and is a darling to all, shall be condemned to eternal hellfire simply because he was born into another religion.

Some careful insight into most religions would likely lead to results slightly different, but that’s not the point here. The point here is that most young children grow up believing that anyone not from their religion is going to hell, and there are few people who

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

actually seek out the truth. Again, this information has been passed down from generation to generation, so no one really is at fault here.

So what’s my point in all of the above meandering? It’s to try and get people thinking. Maybe, just maybe, there’s more to being a good person than following religious doctrines, to be more specific, religious doctrines as preached and believed by others without concrete research done on the matter.

A few searches on Google will yield incredibly heartwarming messages from just about every religious book, reinforcing my personal faith that all religions exist for a good purpose.

Yet, the harmony one would expect to exist between religions only exists in a mythical land.

Here, we are taught that other religions are false, clueless, and in some cases, pure evil. They’re billed as detractors, foes, and enemies, and there is absolutely no basis for such gross accusations. It’s a simple case of that person being born into an alien religion, of having a different set of beliefs and values.

Imagine the number of friendships that have been broken because the two friends were from different religions.

Imagine the lovers who were torn apart because, despite their compatibility, they can never be together because they don’t worship the same God (though in all likelihood, they probably do).

Let’s not even get started on the blood spilt in dispute. How weak and fragile must faith be for such individuals, to let a few stray words affect them so much that they resort to brutality and even murder. I liken it to a man hunting down and killing a dog that happened to bark at him. But that’s what happens in the world.

I sound very confused and directionless throughout this piece, but that’s because I actually am. Our children aren’t coming into a very happy world. There’s a lot of misery, a lot of darkness, a lot of trouble. Surely, we can try and relieve their worries by allowing them to embrace and respect all religions? l AHM Mustafizur Rahman is a freelance contributor.

BIGSTOCK

Politics is a game, football is serious n Mohd Fahad Ifaz

I

was surprised to notice that people around me, my football-loving friends included, were less excited or did not even know that Fifa had allowed Bangladesh direct entry into the Fifa World Cup 2018 qualifiers for

the first time.

However, the same group of people kept a very keen tab on what our politicians have been up to. Thanks to the media, who seemingly have taken an oath that “bad news is breaking news.”

A nation which gets divided over

BNP and Awami League also goes gaga over Brazil and Argentina. But no one seems to be excited over the news of Bangladesh being granted direct entry to the World Cup qualifiers. So, I am assuming that these days, the only thing that excites us is news about burnt vehicles and bombs.

BIGSTOCK

So, according to the new regulations, the first 34 ranked teams of the current 46 members of Asian Football Confederation will play in the Fifa World Cup 2018 qualifiers directly.

The remaining 12 teams will have to participate in the play-offs first, and the six winners will join the aforesaid 34 to complete the 40-team qualifier process.

This gives us a great opportunity to start planning and building a great team for 2018.

When the youth of Bangladesh think of politics, the temptation is to think of boring old men and women sitting around and pointing fingers at each other. When they think of football, well, they find the local football boring as well.

They think of the glitz and glamour of the Premier League or LaLiga – young millionaires driving fast cars and living the life most people can only dream of. This is where we have failed. Over the decades, we have popularised dirty politics and have let the excitement of our local football go down the drain.

Football and politics may seem a million miles apart, and in all reality they are. Yet the relationship between

football and politics is unique. Football and politics share more similarities than some may at first assume.

Both have audiences of millions.

Both generate extreme tribalism. Both share expectations, revel in triumphs and, yes, in rivals’ defeats. Like in all teams, there is infighting and disagreement along the way as well. There are tantrums and disciplinary proceedings.

In football, you keep passing the ball. In Bangladeshi politics, we keep passing the buck

In football, you keep passing the ball.

In Bangladeshi politics, we keep passing the buck.

In football, players commit fouls. In Bangladeshi politics, fouls are called

“violations of the constitution.” If there is a foul in football, the referee can warn or send a player out of the ground. In politics, the parliament is the referee.

In football you have critics who have never kicked a ball or set foot on a field but tend to getreally critical about strategies, game plans, and players’ abilities. In politics, by virtue of all the talk shows, we now get all these critics and intellectuals doling out ideas and criticising the strategies of politicians. If you ask them to take a penalty, in front of a crowd of 50,000, they will surely have a nervous breakdown.

Football can get dirty with rough tackles and fouls. So can politics.

Bangladesh needs to reinvent its football so that we can once again celebrate all that is good about this game, and through it, celebrate all that is good about the ordinary people up and down the country who are passionate about the game.

Let the politicians play their game of politics – it’s time for us to get serious about football. l Mohd Fahad Ifaz is a private sector development consultant.

12

DHAKA TRIBUNE Tuesday, January 27, 2015

13 Hosts, Congo

advance in Cup of Nations

14 S Korea storm

past Iraq to reach final

14 Riquelme calls

time on playing days

Sport

Did you know?

Rahul Dravid is the only batsman to score 300+ runs in a bilateral ODI series on four separate occasions (NZ 1999, West Indies 2002, Pakistan 2005 and Sri Lanka 2005)

Gold Cup will be live in six countries The Bangabandhu Gold Cup International Football will be telecast live across all the six participating countries through Fox Sports and Channel 9, giving the much-awaited 11-day event a true international flavour. The tournament kicks off this Thursday in Sylhet with hosts Bangladesh taking on Malaysia in the opener. Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bahrain and Singapore are the other participating teams.

The details and sponsors of the tournament were officially announced by the Bangladesh Football Federation through a press conference at BFF House yesterday in the presence of Enayetur Rahman Bappi and federation president Kazi Salahuddin.

BFF chief Salahuddin was overwhelmed by the response of the sponsors and said, “With the presence of such admirable personalities I see a bright future for Bangladesh football and I hope the bonding will continue.”

AB Bank is the presenting sponsor of the mega event while Ha-Meem Group, National Bank and Modhumoti Bank are the official partners. Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Novo Air are the international and domestic airlines partners respectively while Muskan is

the beverage partner.

AK Azad, managing director of HaMeem Group, expressed his desire of uplifting the standard of football in the country saying, “The revival of Bangabandhu Gold Cup after 16 years is a good omen for football. BFF has to take the required steps to uplift the standard and we will be beside the development.”

“We believe that football can revive its glory with such initiatives,” were the words that came from Moshiur Rahman Chowdhury, the deputy managing director of AB Bank, while the managing director of National Bank Ltd, Shamsul Huda Khan said, “National Bank’s involvement with football is not a new one and we look forward to continuing the relationship.”

Bappi emphasised on lifting football to a better level and said, “The local players get quite a handsome amount by playing the professional league.

Football is a big industry globally and if we can take the right initiatives, Bangladesh can enter the global industry.

Bangladesh will be showcased in all the other five countries through Bangabandhu Gold Cup.” Shafikul Islam and Mofizur Rahman represented Biman and Novo Air respectively during the conference. l

Main attraction in closing ceremony n Tribune Desk The Bangladesh F o o t b a l l Federation yesterday said the opening ceremony of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup this Thursday will be a low-key programme as football’s governing body of the country is reserving the major attraction for the closing ceremony in Dhaka, slated for February 18.

The opening ceremony will be officially inaugurated by the Finance Minister and the chairman of the tournament’s organising committee, Abul Maal Abdul Muhith at Sylhet District Stadium.

The opening ceremony will be followed by the opening match between hosts Bangladesh and Malaysia.

Popular artists Mila and Shuvro Dev as well as Manipuri dances by local performers is likely to be on the menu for the opening ceremony, said ceremonies committee chairman Shamsul Haque Chowdhury.

A giant screen will be installed on the Keane bridge for the spectators who will be unable to avail tickets of the matches.

Sylhet will host three group stage matches as well as the first semifinal.

It was learned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be present as the chief guest in the closing ceremony.

A laser display is being planned for the closing ceremony which will project the history of Bangladesh sports and the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Songs and dance shows followed by firecrackers will bring the curtain down on the 11-day tournament. l

Dhaka opener Rony Talukder (R) raises his bat after reaching his double hundred against Barisal on the second day of their NCL opener in Mirpur yesterday

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

Rony stars on century-filled second day n Mazhar Uddin Dhaka’s Rony Talukder smashed the first double hundred of the 16th National Cricket League yesterday as the capital city are heading towards a huge first-innings lead against Barisal following the second day’s play of the first round.

In the other matches of the opening round, centuries from Tushar Imran and Nurul Hasan enabled Khulna to the driving seat against Sylhet while Rangpur and Dhaka Metropolis took a stranglehold over Chittagong and Rajshahi respectively.

Dhaka v Barisal Resuming the second day’s play on 180 for no loss, overnight batsman Rony guided Dhaka to a mammoth first innings total of 591/4. Rony hit 227 runs off 266 balls with the help of 26 boundaries and three sixes.

National discard Rakibul Hasan (145) also struck a century, his knock featuring a dozen fours and two sixes while Taiabur Parvez remained

unbeaten on 85 at the end of the day’s proceedings.

Barisal were earlier skittled out for just 139 on the opening day.

With two days remaining, Dhaka are leading by 452 runs.

Rangpur vs Chittagong After Naeem Islam’s brilliant ton on the first day, Rangpur resumed the second day’s play on 218/8 and were eventually dismissed for 269 in their first innings. Overnight batsman Sohrawardi Shuvo was the top scorer for his side with 62.

In reply, Chittagong were bundled out for just 107 with Irfan Shukkur scoring the highest 32.

Rangpur paceman Shuvashish bagged three wickets while Bishwanath Halder and Ariful Haque shared two wickets apiece.

Rangpur will resume the third day’s play with a first-innings lead of 162 runs.

Dhaka Metropolis vs Rajshahi Dhaka Metro took a first-innings lead of 84 runs after dismissing Rajshahi for

218. Resuming the second day’s play on 8/0, Rajshahi kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were dismissed for 218 with national discard Junaid Siddique scoring the highest 55. Dhaka Metro paceman Mohammed Shohid and off-spinner Sharif Ullah shared six wickets between them.

In reply, Dhaka finished the second day on 115/3, an overall lead of 199 runs.

Khulna vs Sylhet Resuming the second day on 280/4, both the overnight batsmen Tushar and Nurul blasted centuries as Khulna declared their first innings on 536/8.

Khulna skipper Tushar was undefeated on 177 having faced 337 deliveries while Nurul was dismissed after scoring 115. Tushar smote 24 boundaries while Nurul struck 13 fours.

Sadiqur Rahman and Sylhet captain Alok Kapali bagged three wickets each.

In reply, Sylhet were in a spot of bother losing four wickets for 86 runs.

Sylhet will begin the third day’s play today trailing by 450 runs. l

BRIEF SCORES Khulna v Sylhet, BKSP 2 Khulna 536/8 in 156 overs Tushar 177, Nurul 115, Kayes 63, Amit 60, Mithun 57; Kapali 3/76, Sadiqur 3/108 Sylhet 86/4 in 22 overs Sayem 44; Robi 2/7 Chittagong v Rangpur, Fatullah Rangpur 269 allout in 112.5 overs Naeem 107, Shuvo 62; Alauddin 4/49, Moniruzzaman 3/47 Chittagong 107 allout in 59.3 overs Shuvashish 3/37, Bishwanath 2/1, Ariful 2/32 Dhaka Metropolis v Rajshahi, BKSP 3 Dhaka Metro 302 allout & 115/3 in 29.4 overs Mehedi 46, Saykat 46; Saqlain 3/47 Rajshahi 218 allout in 62.5 overs Junaid 55, Jubair 54; Sharif 3/44, Shohid 3/86 Dhaka v Barisal, Mirpur Barisal 139 allout Dhaka 591/4 in 128.4 overs Rony 227, Rakibul 145, Taiabur 85*, Shuvagata 40

Lampard, Terry turned my career around - Drogba n Reuters

BSJA hosts annual award night Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association hosted its annual Awards Night at Ivy Rahman Swimming Pool Complex adjacent to Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Sikder distributed the prizes to the awardees as the chief guest. A total of 66 sports personalities and sponsors were awarded for their contribution in the sports arena of the country. Mrs. Nusrat Jahan Khan, mother of Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal and former cricketer Nafees Iqbal and former cricketer Ram Chand Goala were honoured with special awards. BSJA president Sayeeduzzaman and general secretary Saidur Rahman Shamim were also present on the occasion l

MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK

n Raihan Mahmood

Didier Drogba has paid tribute to the inspirational way Chelsea team mates Frank Lampard and John Terry helped turn his career around after suffering some difficult times in his early days at Stamford Bridge.

The powerful Ivorian striker, signed in a big-money deal from Olympique de Marseille 11 years ago, was frequently criticised by reporters for the theatrical way he would go to ground but he said Lampard and Terry made him clean up his act.

“I’m very proud because I managed to push things and also that I learned from my mistakes,” Drogba told Reuters in an interview, his relationship with the media turning full circle on Sunday night when he was honoured by the Football Writers’ Association for his outstanding contribution to the game.

“I tried to learn the culture in order to know them (the media) better, to change. I needed to change the way they were looking at me because it was not the real Didier so I was really sad.

“But I’m really happy because now they know who I am. They know I’m passionate and when I do things I give all my heart. l

DHAKA TRIBUNE

QUICK BYTES

‘Transfer talk won’t distract Dortmund’ Borussia Dortmund’s battle to avoid relegation will not be derailed by constant transfer talk regarding top players leaving the Bundesliga club, defender Mats Hummels said on Monday. Last season’s runners-up Dortmund, who were also German champions in 2011 and 2012, are 17th in the league, level on points with last-placed Freiburg after a terrible first half to the season saw them lose 10 of their 17 games. Centre back Hummels, winger Marco Reus and midfielder Ilkay Guendogan are among several of their players reportedly being targeted by leading European clubs with Dortmund’s possible failure to play in Europe next season fanning speculation. “I cannot imagine that (distraction) happening,” Hummels told Bild newspaper. “It is not that things have never been written before about us. Even about me there are things being circulated but I am still here.”

–Reuters

Roma sweat on Strootman injury Serie A title challengers Roma are sweating on Kevin Strootman after the Dutchman was forced off with a suspected knee injury during a 1-1 draw away to Fiorentina on Sunday. Strootman only returned to the Roma fray prior to Christmas having missed the end of last season and the 2014 World Cup with a knee injury suffered in March last year.

The 24-year-old Dutch international was replaced in the 34th minute by Miralem Pjanic after tumbling to the ground clutching his knee following a challenge. Roma coach Rudi Garcia told Sky Sport he believes the injury is “not too serious”. “We had him looked over by the doctor and it doesn’t look too serious. We hope he will be okay because he’s an important player for us. We’ll see tomorrow,” said the Frenchman. Roma’s third consecutive league draw allowed champions Juventus, 2-0 winners over Chievo earlier, to extend their Serie A lead to seven points.

–AFP

Rhino rodeo as bizarre Cahill memes trend Australia’s Tim Cahill is celebrating his Asian Cup heroics by retweeting a series of bizarre memes of himself, from floating in space to rodeo-riding a rhino, sparking a social media trend. Copycat followers have jumped on the hashtag #cahilling - featuring a photo of the Socceroos sharp-shooter scoring his outrageous bicycle kick against China in the quarter-finals - poking fun of celebrities from Justin Bieber to Chuck Norris. An Aussie cultural icon who embodies the grizzled, never-say-die sporting virtues so cherished in his home country, the former Everton forward reposted a meme of himself riding on a rhino, rodeo-style, to his 722,000 Twitter followers. Cahill also reposted photos of himself as a space-walking astronaut, his face superimposed over George Clooney’s in the Hollywood smash “Gravity” and another of him booting an asteroid in the build-up to Tuesday’s semi-final against the UAE –AFP

Defour sent off after fans unveil severed head banner

Anderlecht midfielder Steven Defour was sent off on his return to former club Standard Liege on Sunday after home fans unveiled a graphic banner targeting the Belgium international. Defour, who spent five years with Standard before signing for Portuguese side Porto in 2011, was already on a yellow card when he was sent off for kicking the ball at the home fans during Anderlecht’s 2-0 defeat at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne.

The giant banner, which was unfurled before kick off, showed a man holding a sword and a cartoon of Defour’s severed head with the words “Red or Dead”.

The 26-year-old Belgium international apologised for his actions on Instagram saying: “Apologies to my fans... although I do not understand the red card -- you can not see or hear the referee.” Former Standard captain Defour joined arch rivals Anderlecht in August after spending three years with Porto.

–Reuters

Sport

Rejuvenated Venus lights up Australia Day n Reuters, Melbourne A scintillating fireworks show that illuminated the cityscape and commemorated Australia Day fittingly capped an explosive performance by Venus Williams and the Stars and Stripes brigade at the Australian Open on Monday.

The fireworks display, which has disrupted play previously at Rod Laver Arena, began minutes after Venus advanced to her first grand slam quarter-final since the 2010 U.S. Open with an upset win over sixth seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

The 34-year-old’s victory ensured three American women would be in the last eight of a grand slam for the first time since the 2004 U.S. Open as she joined younger sister Serena and teenager Madison Keys.

Men’s top seed Novak Djokovic also moved up a gear to beat Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller and next faces Milos Raonic, who became the first Canadian male since Robert Powell in 1912 to reach a third career grand slam quarter-final.

“Not having played Gilles before was tricky coming in,” Djokovic said in a courtside interview. “I did find it uncomfortable at times but I found a way through.”

U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori’s

quest to become the first Asian male to win a grand slam advanced with a clinical victory over Spanish ninth seed David Ferrer.

“I was feeling a lot of confidence (because) I had nothing to lose so I played almost 100 percent tennis,” said the Japanese.

Nishikori will meet defending champion Stan Wawrinka in the quarter-finals after the Swiss exacted some 2014 French Open revenge with a four-set victory over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

That French Open victory by the Spaniard ensured Wawrinka became the first Australian Open champion to lose in the first round at Roland Garros since Petr Korda in 1998.

Serena also avenged an early loss at the 2014 French Open to Garbine Muguruza with a tough three-set victory over the hard-hitting Spaniard.

The American was justifiably nervous, having failed to advance further than the quarter-finals in her last three Australian Opens as she self-destructed against lower-ranked opponents.

After they shared the first two sets Williams, battling a cold, somehow managed to hold off six break points in her first service game of the decider and eventually ended the 21-year-old’s resistance.

“I had to play the best match of the

tournament or else I was going to be out,” Serena said. “When I have to go up a level, I have to. I can’t afford to stay at the same level or I will be where I was at the French Open.”

Williams will meet last year’s beaten finalist Dominika Cibulkova who outslugged twice champion Victoria Azarenka.

It was the Belarusian’s earliest exit at Melbourne Park since she lost at the same stage in 2011 to China’s Li Na, though after an injury-plagued 2014 the unseeded 25-year-old was pleased with her progress on her comeback.

“I think there are a lot of positive things to take from here. It’s a good start,” she said.

Azarenka’s exit passed the mantle of the most dangerous outsider to watch to 19-year-old power-hitting Keys who is coached by former world number one Lindsay Davenport.

Keys, who destroyed twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the third round, was equally as destructive in her 6-2 6-4 win over compatriot Madison Brengle as she set up a clash against Venus.

“I haven’t been in this situation before,” said Keys. “I’m going to make the most of it but, at the same time, no matter what I’m not really going to be satisfied with any win. l

Venus Williams of the US celebrates her win over Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska on day eight of the 2015 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne yesterday AFP

Australia talk up chances of Hosts, Congo advance in Cup of Nations n beating UAE at Asian Cup RESULTS AFP, Bata

n Reuters, Sydney

The United Arab Emirates did Australia a great favour when they upset Japan in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup but are not expecting charity in return.

Not only did UAE book themselves a place in the last four with their stunning win, they also spared the host-nation a rematch against the country that beat them in the last Asian Cup final and the 2007 quarter-finals.

The Australians were cursing their rotten luck after they lost to South Korea in the group stage, ruining their chance of playing their semi-final at Sydney’s sprawling Olympic Stadium on Australia Day. They will instead play at Newcastle’s much smaller Hunter Stadium, a day later on Jan. 27, but not against their great foes, thanks to UAE’s shock win.

Brimming with self-confidence, the Australians have promised to repay UAE with a ruthless display, and have already started the trash-talk.

“I don’t think the UAE has got the legs to go with us for 90 minutes,” Australian defender Trent Sainsbury told reporters on Sunday.

“As soon as we lose the ball, (we’re going to) try and win it back, try and choke them until they’re blue.

“You have got to go for it in this game. You can’t hold back.”

Australia and UAE have played each other just twice before with both matches ending in scoreless draws. But the Australians should have a big advantage this time.

Not only are they playing on home soil, but they also had an extra day’s rest after they comfortably won their quarter-final against China 24 hours before UAE beat Japan on penalties after the teams were still level after extra time.

“The tempo of the games looked like all the teams have been through a pretty tough schedule so far,” Postecoglou said. “I don’t expect them to come out at us.

“What they do becomes a little bit irrelevant... we still want to dictate the game.”

The UAE head coach Mahdi Ali bemoaned the lack of time between games but hasn’t given up hope of his team pulling off another upset.

“Playing against Australia in Australia, it will also be a very tough game but we have just finished and we have only two days (to recover),” he said.

“They have three days and we have to travel, so we will try to recover for the next match. l

Russell blasts Windies to one-wicket win n Reuters, Port Elizabeth All-rounder Andre Russell smashed a match-winning half-century as West Indies claimed a nail-biting one-wicket victory over South Africa in the fourth one-day international at St George’s Park on Sunday.

The hosts’ David Miller had earlier struck a first one-day international century as he caressed 11 fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 130 from 133 balls to take the Proteas to 262 for eight in their 50 overs.

Russell took West Indies past their victory target with nine balls and just a single wicket remaining, hitting five

sixes in his unbeaten 64 from 40 balls.

He put on 27 for the final wicket with Sheldon Cottrell (one) as the tourists pulled a game back in the series to go into the fifth and final match in Pretoria on Wednesday trailing 3-1. The victory is a rare high-point on a disappointing tour for the Caribbean side, but should give them some confidence going into next month’s World Cup, albeit against a much-changed Proteas lineup.

West Indies lost early wickets but rallied with a 93-run sixth wicket partnership between Marlon Samuels (68) and Darren Sammy (51), before Russell strode to the crease and proved the perfect finisher. l

DAY’S WATCH Star Sports 4 3:00PM AFC Asian Cup SF2: Australia v UAE

Sony Six 6:00AM & 2:00PM Australian Open 2015 Day & Evening Sessions

Ten Action 1:00AM Capital One Cup SF: Chelsea v Liverpool

13

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

West Indies batsman Andre Russell (L) celebrates after the win against South Africa in the fourth ODI in Port Elizabeth on Sunday AFP

Hosts Equatorial Guinea and Claude Le Roy’s Congo Brazzaville defied the odds to become the first teams to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

The duo were considered the outsiders in Group A when the competition began, but Congo advanced in first place after beating Burkina Faso 2-1 in Ebebiyin while Equatorial Guinea sunk Gabon 2-0 amid emotional scenes in Bata.

After drawing their first two match-

es at the tournament, the Nzalang Nacional had to beat Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon to go through and did so to match their achievement of reaching the last eight as co-hosts in 2012.

A disputed 55th-minute penalty, won and converted by former Real Madrid forward Javier Balboa, set Equatorial Guinea on their way in front of a sell-out 35,000 crowd before Spanish-born substitute Iban Edu secured the win four minutes from time.

Tears of joy from some home play-

Equatorial Guinea players celebrate a goal during their Group A soccer match against Gabon at the African Cup of Nations in Bata on Sunday REUTERS

SCORECARD South Africa M. van Wyk c Ramdin b Cottrell R. Rossouw c Sammy b Cottrell F. du Plessis c Ramdin b Holder A. de Villiers c Ramdin b Russell D. Miller not out J. Duminy c and b Sammy F. Behardien b Holder W. Parnell b Holder A. Phangiso c Carter b Holder K. Abbott not out Extras (lb2, w17)

18 4 4 19 130 43 12 12 0 1 19

24 3 11 25 133 68 16 17 1 2

Total (8 wkts, 50 overs) 262 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Rossouw), 2-32 (Du Plessis), 3-32 (Van Wyk), 4-76 (De Villiers), 5-166 (Duminy), 6-196 (Behardien, 7-259 (Parnell), 8-259 (Phaniso Bowling: Cottrell 6-0-39-2 (3w), Holder 10-1-53-4 (2w), Russell 10-1-60-1, Sammy 10-1-46-1 (1w), Brathwaite 10-1-39-0 (3w), Samuels 3-0-19-0, Gayle 1-0-4-0 West Indies D. Smith b Morkel C. Gayle c Behardien b Duminy L. Johnson run out (De Villiers) M. Samuels b Behardien D. Ramdin lbw b Behardien J. Carter run out (Miller) D. Sammy c De Villiers b Parnell A. Russell not out J. Holder c Miller b Duminy C. Brathwaite run out (De Villiers) S. Cottrell not out Extras (b4, lb3, nb1, w14)

0 3 10 19 18 40 68 93 3 5 5 13 51 52 64 40 13 12 11 14 1 1 22

Total (9 wkts, 48.3 overs) 266 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Smith), 2-12 (Gayle), 3-41 (Johnson), 4-48 (Ramdin), 5-73 (Carter), 6-166 (Sammy), 7-189 (Samuels), 8-218 (Holder), 9-239 (Brathwaite) Bowling: Morkel 9-1-58-1 (1nb, 7w), Abbott 9.3-0-62-0 (1w), Duminy 6-0-29-2 (1w), Phangiso 10-1-41-0 (2w), Parnell 100-48-1 (2w), Behardien 4-0-21-2 (1w) Result: West Indies won by one wicket Series: South Africa lead the five-match series 3-1 Toss: West Indies

Equatorial Guinea

2-0

Gabon

2-1

Burkina Faso

Balboa 55-pen, Iban 86

Congo Brazzaville

Bifouma 51, Ondama 88

Bance 86

ers greeted the final whistle and celebrations spilled over onto the streets as the nation soaked up a success that was unimaginable just a few short weeks ago.

Last summer they were disqualified from the competition for fielding an ineligible player in a qualifier against Mauritania, only to be reinstated as the replacement hosts following Morocco’s withdrawal over Ebola fears.

But coach Esteban Becker hardly had any time to put together a competitive team after being appointed at the start of this month, and he later described the triumph as a “Cinderella story”.

“The poor team beat the rich team on merit, thanks to their sacrifice, their commitment, their pride and their passion,” he said.

“This squad only came together 20 days ago in Madrid, then we went to Lisbon and put in place a style of play with optimism.

“We were convinced in every training session that we could go far. To be in the top eight in Africa is an honour for such a small nation.” l

ODI between Australia and India rained out n AFP, Sydney Monday’s tri-series one-day international between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground was abandoned due to rain.

After a delayed start, with returning Australian captain George Bailey winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Indian innings lasted just 16 overs before the players were forced from the field.

India were 69 for two, with opener Ajinkya Rahane on 28 and Virat Kohli on three. The outcome means India will play England at Perth’s WACA Ground on Friday for a place in the final

of the one-day tri-series. The winner of that game will face Australia – who are unbeaten in four matches in the series – in Sunday’s final in Perth.

While the match was brief, it lasted long enough to confirm the shaky form of opener Shikhar Dhawan.

With Rohit Sharma out injured, Dhawan has been holding onto his place.

But he failed again, making just eight before being caught by Aaron Finch off the bowling of Mitchell Starc (1-11).

The 29-year-old has made just 11 runs in three innings in the tri-series at 3.66, after making 168 runs in the preceding Test series against Australia at 28. l

Afridi set for English T20 stint n AFP, London Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi is to play for Northamptonshire in the first six rounds of English cricket’s 2015 T20 Blast competition, the Midlands county announced Monday.

One of the most spectacular hitters of a cricket ball the game has know, the 34-year-old Afridi – nicknamed ‘Boom Boom’ for his dynamism with the bat – holds the record for the most sixes in oneday internationals with 342 to his credit.

Renowned for his rapid run-scoring, Afridi - also an effective leg-spinner – has a strike-rate of 116.29 from 389 ODIs and 145.29 from 77 T20 games for Pakistan.

“He doesn’t need a big introduction.

He is one of the top one-day cricketers

of the last decade,” Northamptonshire coach David Ripley told BBC Radio Northampton.

“I think we were in the right place at the right time to get a bit of dialogue going,” the former Northamptonshire wicketkeeper added.

“It’s a very exciting signing. It’s for the start of the competition so hopefully we can come out of the blocks quickly.

“We might not be able to finance another player further down the line, but we haven’t given up hope on that.”

Afridi, who has also played county cricket for Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Kent and Hampshire, has said he will retire from ODI cricket following this year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which starts next month. l

14

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Sport

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

S Korea storm past Iraq to reach final n Reuters, Sydney South Korea moved a step closer to burying their 55year Asian Cup hoodoo when they grabbed a goal in each half to beat Iraq 2-0 on Monday and set up a final against Australia or United Arab Emirates.

Lee Jeong-hyeop gave the Taegeuk Warriors the lead with a 20th minute header and defender Kim Young-gwon lashed the second into the net five minutes after the break as the South Koreans reached the final for the first time since 1988.

Iraq, perhaps emotionally and physically drained by their dramatic quarter-final victory over Iran last week, played with plenty of passion but were unable to become the first side to breach the Korean defence in five matches in Australia.

Their hopes of another fairytale run to the title to match their 2007 triumph were washed away in the Sydney rain and it is twice champions South Korea who will return to Stadium Australia next Saturday in search of a first Asian Cup crown since 1960.

RESULT South Korea

2-0

Iraq

Lee Jeong-Hyeop 20, Kim Young-Gwon 50

South Korea had looked the most likely to score in a cagey opening to the match with Son Heung-min, the twogoal hero of South Korea’s quarter-final victory over Uzbekistan, drawing a fingertip save out of Jalal Hassan with a long-range effort.

A minute later and the Koreans were in front, Kim Jin-su curling a free kick into the box and Lee rising above the Iraqi defence to head down and into the net. l

South Korea’s Lee Jeonghyeop celebrates scoring against Iraq during the semi-final at the AFC Asian Cup in Sydney yesterday

AFP

Riquelme calls time on playing days Valencia go fourth in La Liga n AFP, Buenos Aires

Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36 after a 18-year-long career.

“It’s a very important day for me because I have decided to no longer play football,” he said in an interview with ESPN television.

“After realising all my dreams with Argentinos (Juniors) and with Boca Juniors, I think this is the right time to stop.

“It’s a new life that is opening up in front of me and I do not know what part football will play in it.”

Riquelme has indicated that he would be keen to become president of Boca, the club where he spent the bulk of his career, playing 388 times, scoring

Liverpool scent Chelsea blood as Wembley looms n AFP, London

With Chelsea reeling from FA Cup humiliation, Liverpool will visit Stamford Bridge for their League Cup semi-final second leg on Tuesday with increased confidence of reaching the final.

Liverpool were unfortunate not to emerge victorious from last week’s first leg at Anfield, drawing 1-1, and they will scent blood after Chelsea were bundled out of the FA Cup by third-tier Bradford City on Saturday.

Liverpool’s own FA Cup tie did not go quite according to plan, a 0-0 draw with Championship side Bolton Wanderers leaving them with an unwanted replay, but they were at least spared the embarrassment that befell Chelsea.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho branded the result a “disgrace” and declared himself “ashamed” after seeing the Premier League leaders throw away a

n Reuters, Barcelona

89 goals and winning five league titles in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2008 and 2011.

After a glittering early career he moved to Barcelona in a big-money deal in 2002, but failed to make his mark and settle at the Nou Camp, eventually moving to Villarreal where he stayed for four seasons. He returned to Argentina and Boca in 2007.

He played 51 times for his country between 1997 and 2008, scoring 17 goals and was Argentine footballer of the year four times.

“I took a decision which I think was the fairest,” he said.

“I just felt I could not pull on the shirt of another club having given my all for Argentinos, Villarreal, Barcelona and with the national team.

“I am very happy with the career that I have had.” l

2-0 lead to lose 4-2 to a team 51 places below them in the English league pyramid.

Elimination by Liverpool on Tuesday would see his side’s potential trophy haul cut in half in the space of four days, leaving the west London club with only the league and Champions League as objectives.

Former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge could make his return in the game after close to five months on the sidelines with thigh and calf injuries.

Hazard’s goal gives Chelsea a slight advantage, but away goals will only be taken into consideration if the game finishes level at the end of extra time.

The teams’ reunion has been given an extra dash of intrigue by reports that Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson and Chelsea striker Diego Costa clashed in the tunnel after last week’s game.

Both teams will recall key players after making changes for the weekend’s FA Cup matches. l

Dani Parejo hit a double as Valencia beat Sevilla 3-1 in a highly-charged clash and moved above them into fourth place in La Liga on Sunday.

Both teams have their sights set on the final Champions League place and in a stormy match, with three penalties awarded in the first half, Valencia came out on top and have 41 points, two more than their rivals who have a game in hand.

With the top three teams all winning on Saturday, Real Madrid lead the standings with 48 points, one more than Barcelona and four clear of champions Atletico Madrid.

Seventh-placed Malaga drew 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao after Javi Guerra’s 78th minute strike followed Mikel San Jose’s

Drogba wants to remain with Chelsea ‘family’ n AFP, London Didier Drogba said Sunday he wanted to remain a member of the Chelsea “family” beyond the end of the current English season.

The Ivory Coast forward made the announcement as he received the 2015 Football Writers’ Association Tribute Award at a dinner at London’s Savoy Hotel on Sunday.

“When you have achieved so much and won so many trophies like we have done in the past 10 years, that creates something special,” said Drogba, who was powerless to prevent Chelsea losing 4-2 at home to third-tier Bradford City on Saturday in one of the greatest FA Cup upsets of them all.

“I hope, and the club makes me believe, I am part of this big family, so we are going to find the best thing for both of us to promote the club in the best way.” l

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil (R) shoots to score against Brighton and Hove Albion during their FA Cup fourth round match at the Amex stadium in Brighton, southern England on Sunday REUTERS

earlier effort for the Basque side.

A brace from Christian Stuani and another goal from Felipe Caicedo gave Espanyol, in ninth place, a 3-0 win over Almeria. l

LA LIGA RESULTS

Deportivo la Coruna 2-2 Rodriguez 34, Perez 38 Athletic Bilbao San Jose 70 Espanyol Stuani 37, 40, Caicedo 74 Valencia Parejo 18-pen, 32, Javi Fuego 56

1-1

Granada Piti 7, Ibanez 83 Malaga Javi Guerra 78

3-0

Almeria

3-1

Sevilla Bacca 36-pen

Bayern’s Guardiola in no rush for contract extension n Reuters, Berlin German champions Bayern Munich have repeatedly signalled their desire for a contract extension with coach Pep Guardiola but the Spaniard seems in no rush to sign a deal past 2016.

Guardiola led Bayern to the domestic league and Cup double in his first season in charge last year but any talk of a contract extension past his original three years will happen later in the year.

“We still have time to talk about that (contract extension) after the end of the season in the summer. Football is today like that and completely different the next day,” Guardiola told Bayern fans during visits to fan clubs on the weekend. l

Pogba inspires Juve, Inter stunned n Reuters, Milan

SERIE A RESULTS

Paul Pogba scored a typically majestic goal to set Serie A leaders Juventus on the way to a 2-0 win over Chievo while troubled Inter Milan were booed off by their own fans after losing 1-0 to Torino with the last kick of the game on Sunday.

Former Argentina forward Javier Saviola scored his first goal for Verona in a 1-0 win over Atalanta and there was another goal-line controversy in the 1-1 draw between Sampdoria and Palermo.

Juve struggled for an hour to break down lowly Chievo before Pogba glided past an opponent and scored with a low, left foot shot from the edge of the area. The Frenchman also played a large part in the second goal when his volley, following a superb piece of control, was saved by Albano Bizzarri and Stephan Lichtsteiner netted from the rebound.

Juventus, who have 49 points, extended their lead to seven points after second-placed AS Roma were held 1-1 at Fiorentina, their fourth draw in five

Verona Saviola 53 Inter

1-0

Atalanta

0-1

Torino Moretti 90+4

Juventus 2-0 Pogba 60, Lichsteiner 73 Parma Cascione 76-og Sampdoria Eder 6 Fiorentina Gomez 19

1-2

Chievo Cesena Pulzetti 21, Rodriguez 89

1-1

Palermo Vazquez

1-1

Roma Ljajic 49

Serie A matches. Third place Lazio and Sampdoria are level on 34 points.

Inter were booed off at San Siro after Emiliano Moretti was left unmarked to head in from a corner in the fourth minute of stoppage time, giving Torino their first win away over their oppo-

nents since 1988.

Inter, who have won only twice in nine league outings since Roberto Mancini took over as coach, are languishing in ninth, level on points with neighbours AC Milan.

Eder gave Sampdoria a sixth-minute lead with a breakaway goal and Franco Vazquez fired home a spectacular equaliser for seventh-placed Palermo early in the second half.

Saviola broke his duck for Verona when he turned the ball in at the near post following good work by Lazaros Christodoulopoulos early in the second half. The 33-year-old has now scored for nine clubs in six countries.

German forward Mario Gomez followed up his midweek Coppa Italia brace to give Fiorentina the lead in the 19th minute. Roma equalised straight after halftime when Juan Manuel Iturbe got around the back of the Fiorentina defence and pulled the ball back for Adem Ljajic who refused to celebrate against his old club. l

Premier League trio avoid fresh FA Cup shocks

Lyon reclaim Ligue 1 summit, PSG win n Reuters, Paris

n AFP, London

Ligue 1 top scorer Alexandre Lacazette scored from the penalty spot but then went off injured as Olympique Lyonnais extended their lead at the top to four points with a 2-0 win against 10man Metz on Sunday.

Lyon have 48 points from 22 games, ahead of second-placed Marseille.

Champions Paris St Germain are third after they beat St Etienne 1-0 on Sunday. l

Holders Arsenal won through to the FA Cup last 16 with a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Brighton on Sunday as West Ham and Aston Villa also avoided the embarrassment of becoming the latest Premier League clubs to be knocked out by lower league opposition.

English football was still reeling from a sensational Saturday that saw Premier League leaders Chelsea beaten 4-2 by third-tier Bradford City at Stamford Bridge, while Manchester City lost 2-0 at home to Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough.

However, after West Ham won 1-0 away to third-tier Bristol City thanks to Diafra Sakho’s header nine minutes from time and Aston Villa beat Championship leaders Bournemouth 2-1, Arsenal completed a Premier League sweep of Sunday’s Cup ties.

It took Arsenal, the joint-record 11-times FA Cup winners, fewer than 90 seconds to open the scoring away to Championship club Brighton when

FA CUP RESULTS Aston Villa Gil 51, Weimann 71 Brighton O’Grady 50, Baldock 75 Bristol City

2-1

2-3 0-1

Bournemouth Wilson 90 Arsenal Walcott 2, Ozil 24, Rosicky 59 West Ham Sakho 81

Theo Walcott, played in by Calum Chambers, struck from 12 yards out.

Arsenal were cruising at 2-0 in the 24th minute when when Germany World Cup-winner Mesut Ozil scored just his second goal of the season.

Nevertheless, Tomas Rosicky restored Arsenal’s two-goal lead at the Amex Stadium in fine style with a 59th-minute volley that was too hot for Brighton goalkeeper David Stockdale to handle.

But the Seagulls set up a grandstand finish when Sam Baldock expertly chipped the ball over Gunners keeper Wojciech Szczesny 15 minutes from time. l

LIGUE 1 RESULTS Lyon Lacazette 31-pen, Tolisso 83 Evian

2-0

Metz

1-0

Toulouse

Thomasson 4 Reims Rennes Andre 15 Saint-Etienne

0-0 1-4

Lens

Caen Privat 4, Nangis 50, Feret 85, Da Silva 89

0-1

Paris SG Ibrahimovic 60-pen

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Entertainment

RUHEE set to sizzle with same-day double bill

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

15

SUFI FEST

Dhaka’s music lovers to enjoy Brazilian ‘samba music’

The Lone Ranger Star Movies, 6:30pm Cast: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer

n Entertainment Desk Dilruba Yasmin Ruhee is hot on the silver screen with her latest flicks, “Zero Degree” and “Glamour,” both set to be released on February 6.

The former title is a Bangladeshi production directed by Animesh Aich while the latter is a Kolkata-based Indian production.

Ruhee’s second Bangladeshi big screen venture to hit the cinemas, “Zero Degree,” a psychological thriller, will feature Mahfuz Ahmed and Jaya Ahsan as well.

She plays Neera, the wife of a man who neither forgets nor forgives.

The death of Neera’s son in an accident causes her husband to blame her for the death and to take revenge on her.

In “Glamour,” she plays a fashion model opposite Parambrata Chatterjee.

The pursuit of new and different roles has taken the actress to Kolkata, adding another dimension to her career.

Ruhee, with her sensational looks as a ramp model and her graceful acting, seems on track to achieving even greater acclaim. l

Native American warrior Tonto recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid, a man of the law, into a legend of justice.

n Shadma Malik A three-day Sufi Fest will begin at the Army Museum in the capital today.

Organised by Blues Communications, members of Brazilian band Projeto Saravá will perform at the festival which begins at 6pm.

The show will present a tour of Brazilian music, which passes through languages like syncopated samba, samba de roda and capoeira.

The musicians from Minas Gerais of Brazil shared their musical journey with the Dhaka Tribune.

“We work with traditional Brazilian music, especially with the samba. We are happy and grateful for getting this opportunity to perform in this country,” said a member of band over Facebook conversation “The Projeto Sarava is a band that has been

The Bling Ring HBO Hits, 10:50pm Cast: Israel Broussard, Emma Watson

around for seven years. Now we count with several partners, participating with us, according to each occasion,” the musician said.

“In Dhaka, Goa and Kolkato, we will present us with the following instrumental training: 7-string guitar, cavaquinho, percussion (pandeiro (tambourine), conga, surdo (drum), caixa (snare drum), trumpet, vocals and two dancers,” the musician added.

Formed in 2008 Projeto Saravá presents the insight of Brazilian music which work features original compositions and interpretations of popular musical genres.

The music is original production destined by compositions of the group’s members.

Moreover, Projecto Sarava takes inspiration of great Brazilan musicians on national and local level where it interprets their music with a more contemporary approach. l

Inspired by actual events, a group of fame-obsessed teenagers use the internet to track celebrities’ whereabouts in order to rob their homes.

DENIS DAILLEUX: Dhaka is much like Cairo

Film

8th International Children’s Film Festival Time: 11am – 9pm Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Public Library, National Museum, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka

Exhibition

Chronology, By Kazi Rakib Tine: 11:00am – 7:30pm Galleri Kaya, House 20, Sector 4, Uttara Tarshito: Embroider the World Time: 12pm – 8pm Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Road No 16 Bangladeshi-German joint dance production ‘Made in Bangladesh’ was staged at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy yesterday.

An initiative of Goethe-Institut Bangladesh in association with Shadhona, two shows of the production was staged at the theatre KHAN HASAN MD RAFI

FARHAD HOSSAIN

Exploring Diverse Mediums Time: 3pm – 8pm Dhaka Art Centre, Road No 7, Dhanmondi

KAYA SCODELARIO to star in Pirates 5 n Entertainment Desk “Skins” and “The Maze Runner” actress Kaya Scodelario has been cast in “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” producer Jerry Bruckheimer announced on Twitter.

The English actress joins Johnny Depp and Australian rising star Brenton Thwaites as confirmed members of the cast of what would be the fifth in-

stallment in the Pirates franchise. Javier Bardem is in talks to play the villain.

Shooting on “Dead Men Tell No Tales” is scheduled to begin next month in Australia. The film will be helmed by Norwegian directors Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg and Disney confirmed that the film will be released on July 7, 2017.

Scodelario has recently finished filming the sequel to The Maze Run-

ner in New Mexico. So she’ll be pleased to be jetting off to Queensland, Australia, next month when production gets under way on Pirates 5.

Scodelario is engaged to marry Benjamin Walker, an actor who she met while working on The Moon And The Sun. l

JAMES FRANCO finds his most despicable character in True Story n Entertainment Desk Killing an exaggerated version of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Sony’s controversial comedy “The Interview” wasn’t a problem for actor James Franco but he found challenges in playing real-life murderer Christian Longo for thriller “True Story.”

“He’s probably the worst person that I’ve ever played, just because I have such a great family and there’s just something so horrible about killing your kids. So I have very little connection to him,” Franco told Reuters.

“True Story,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday and will be released by Fox Searchlight in US theaters on April 10, is based on the memoir of former New York Times journalist Mike Finkel, who formed a friendship with a murderer who used his name as an alias.

What unfolds is a complex relationship as Finkel, played by Jonah Hill, meets Franco’s Longo, an Oregon man awaiting trial for brutally killing his wife and three children. The two men find common ground in writing but the dynamic wavers as each man struggles with his search for intellectual credibility.

“I think it’s to do with nemesis. I think it’s a very male thing,” said director Rupert Goold, who made his film debut with “True Story.” l

n Farhad Hossain French photographer Denis Dailleux is one of the notable photographers participating in Chobi Mela VIII photography festival currently taking place in the capital. Dailleux has won several prizes in his 20-year career of professional photography. Currently living in Cairo, he has done multiple series on people living in Egypt.

A fan of distinctive delicacy, Dailleux’s work appears to be calm at first glance, but a closer look reveals an undercurrent of his self-doubt as well as his personal connection with his subjects. The Dhaka Tribune caught

up with the world-renowned photographer for a chat and asked what drove him to settle in he Egyptian capital.

“My aim was to find out the everyday life in Egypt – the uniqueness of its mood, its magical light and unspeakable tenderness towards its inhabitants,” he said.

“I aspire to get as close to the people as possible. The moment I take a photo, I enter a situation where I get surprised and express my feelings into the situation.”

Asked how he would describe his photography, Dailleux said: “I kind of get lost in it. I melt and translate the feelings into my photographs.

“I love it very much. The moment I take pictures, the moment when I push the button of the camera because the particular senses give me the feel, I am alive.”

Talking about Chobi Mela, he said: “This is my first time at Chobi Mela – as well in Bangladesh. I love this city; it is kind of similar to Cairo, especially Old Dhaka where my work on the theme “Intimacy” is being exhibited.”

Asked about his recent photography exhibition, Dailleux said: “Last year, I participated in World Press Photo contest. In the category of staged portraits, my photo series ‘Mother and Son’ was selected for the second prize.”

His work, titled “Egypt, My Love,” is on display at Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts in Old Dhaka, an extended venue of Chobi Mela VIII. l

SHABANA AZMI: Happy time for women in Bollywood n Entertainment Desk Veteran actress and social activist Shabana Azmi has expressed hope for women in Hindi cinema, observing that roles are becoming substantial for them and are being written for all age groups. “I am very hopeful. I feel the roles are becoming substantial in films that are women-centric, but even within the films themselves,” Azmi said at a special session of the Kolkata Literary Meet.

The National Award winning actress highlighted the fact that the current crop of films are incorporating characters of working women, and that women artists are demanding meatier roles.

“Today even in gangster movies, women are working. I think there is a greater understanding within the women artists themselves where they are demanding more meat if not necessarily in terms of the length, but definitely in terms of what the character is,” she said.

“Also, various age groups are being portrayed in Hindi cinema today,” she added.

“I think it is a very important time for Hindi cinema because roles are being written for all age groups.

“The advent of multiplexes has thrown up choices,” she added.

“Why did we have a certain kind of film in the 1970s and 1980s? Because the intent of the producer was to cater to the lowest common denominator because you wanted to get the maximum number of people in the audience,” she said. l

16

DHAKA TRIBUNE

CMP baffled as criminals use aliases to dodge punishment n Tarek Mahmud, Chittagong When police arrested Zahed soon after he had returned home from the Middle East last year, he was baffled. Police claimed he had been wanted for a drug-related case for a long while; but he claimed he was innocent.

Then a little investigation revealed that Zahed’s identity had been hacked by his own brother Selim, who was arrested with Phensidyl in 2013 and gave Zahed’s details to police instead of his own. He went into hiding right after getting bail, and police were led to the real Zahed a year later.

In another case, police searched for one Abul Hossain, prime accused in a murder case in Chittagong city, only to find him in Chittagong Central Jail on December 9, 2013, who had been hiding in prison under the name of Sajib since September 8, arrested for three minor charges.

‘We are currently working on a database of criminals across the country’ Using aliases after getting arrested has become popular among criminals in Chittagong to evade the repercussions after committing major offences. Notorious criminals in the port city follow this method to create a fallback plan for escape when they get arrested.

Sources at Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) said 75 such cases were found in the past one year, and they suspect there may be more of these cases yet to be discovered.

The trick is to flee immediately after committing crimes in an area and relocate to another, under a different police station, give fake information regarding name and other details in the event of getting arrested, acquire bail and flee again. In some cases, they use even the information of real people.

“As the inquiry slip and First Information Report (FIR) do not include a photograph of the offender, it is easy for the criminals to use this technique – even multiple times,” said Banaz Kumar

Majumdar, additional commissioner of crime and operation at the CMP. By using such aliases, real criminals are escaping punishment while the innocent are getting arrested, the CMP sources said.

Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Sub-Inspector Zahir Hossain of Kotwali police station said they had found a number of cases where the real perpetrators were escaping arrest by continuously changing their names, while also keeping up their criminal activities.

“We have also discovered some of them hiding in prison using fake identity. We are gathering information about them,” he said.

The trend first came to police’s notice when a couple of people were arrested in Cox’s Bazar in 2008, but was later proved to be innocent and having the same name as the real criminals.

“After the Cox’s Bazar incident, a proposal was sent to the police headquarters to start using the accused’s photos along with the inquiry slip, but it was not followed through,” Assistant Commissioner Banaz told the Dhaka Tribune.

“But we are currently working on a database of criminals across the country, listing their descriptions and other relevant information. When it is finished, this problem will be resolved,” he said.

The database, titled the Criminal Database Management System, was inaugurated by State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan on November 27, 2013. When finished, the database will have detailed information of around 40,000 criminals in the country, including their fingerprints and retina scans. It will also include the details of all the inmates in the 64 prisons across the country.

The CMP is also raising awareness through the ward councillors in Chittagong among house and flat owners, providing contact information and asking them to report any potential criminal and terrorist activities.

“If people are aware about criminals and report their activities, the alias trick will no longer be effective,” said Shah Mohammad Abdur Rouf, assistant commissioner of Kotwali circle at the CMP. l

Back Page

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

W AT E R B E AT S F I R E

Traders increasingly use the waterways to carry goods because of rampant arson attacks on the highways. But vegetable stocks are piling up because wholesalers are not able to get their stock to retail vegetable merchants who are mostly dependent on road transport. The photo was taken yesterday RAJIB DHAR

Narsingdi mob kills seven ‘robbers’ n Our Correspondent, Narsingdi

A mob beat seven suspected robbers to death at Chakshal village in Narsingdi Sadar upazila early yesterday.

Another 40-year-old man in the gang named Abdul Rahim was also injured in the beating, and was admitted to Narsingdi District Hospital. He is the son of Samsu Mia of Jhauakanda village in Araihazar of Narayanganj.

Neither of the seven could be identified.

Police and locals said a group of 1012 armed men, claiming themselves as security officials, knocked on the door of the house of Ershad Munshi in the village around 2:45am.

But they broke into the house, and stole gold ornaments as well as cash by holding the residents at gunpoint when no one opened the door from inside, said Anisul Islam, son of Ershad Munshi.

The robbers blasted crude bombs in order to create panic when they were

leaving but neighbours came out when the members of the house yelled out in fright.

The robbery was also announced on the loudspeaker of a mosque in the village, hearing which a host of villagers and also people from nearby Bhatpara village came out to chase the robbers.

The criminals were chased over an area of three kilometres in both villages and were given a mass beating, causing seven of them to die on the spot.

Anisul said the robbers also tied up the family members and beat them.

Motiur Rahman, a witness to the incident who lives in Bhatpara village, said he saw the robbers blasting crude bombs while escaping.

“They were captured and beaten in rice fields in different areas,” he added.

Rahim told reporters at the hospital that a man named Rehan of Kalyandi village in Araihazar brought him to Narsingdi on a trip on Sunday.

“We visited Dream Holiday Park,

an amusement park, in Pachdona and Rehan took me to the house of Dulal at Chaua village at night where the robbery was orchestrated,” he said.

Rahim also claimed he did not know the identities of other robbers in the group as he met them fleetingly.

Officer-in-Charge of Narsingdi Sadar Model police station KM Abul Kashem said police reached the scene after being informed and began looking for bodies in the fields when it was still dark.

“Rahim admitted that he came to commit robbery and Reham was accused in a robbery case filed with Araihazar police station. Autopsy has been performed on all seven bodies at Narsingdi Sadar Hospital,” he said.

A murder case was filed against 600 to 700 unnamed villagers with the police station.

Another lawsuit was lodged against 14 people, including Rahim, in connection with the robbery. l

Hindu house gutted in arson n Tribune Report An arson attack on the house of a Hindu family in Mirsarai late on Sunday night turned valuables worth Tk30 lakh to ashes.

Dhrubo Banik, owner of the house at Azamnagar village of Hinguli union, said some people had knocked on the door around 1:30am and that he asked to identify themselves.

“But they poured petrol, set the house on fire and fled quickly.”

He said the fire destroyed furniture, cash, gold ornaments and important documents. “Firefighters from Feni put out the fire but everything was gutted by then.”

SI of Zorarganj police Md Alamgir said he had visited the scene and asked the victims to lodge a complaint.

Leaders of the upazila unit of Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council have condemned the attack. l

Man shot dead by RAB identified

Biranganas list on the way to be finalised

n Tribune Report

n Muhammad Zahidul Islam

A man shot dead on Sunday by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was identified by his wife yesterday at Dhaka Medical College (DMC) morgue.

One of two men killed in a “gunfight” with RAB in Dhaka’s Rampura area, Abul Kalam Azad, 45, was positively identified at the DMC morgue by his wife Shaheenur Begum who said he was a private car driver.

RAB 3 Operational Officer Saiful Islam told the Dhaka Tribune the “gunfight” occurred after the two men refused to yield to a RAB check-post near Ideal School and College in Banasree on Sunday.

After the “gunfight,” RAB personnel said they had yet to investigate whether the men killed in the “shootout” had criminal records.

“My husband had no affiliation with any political party but he was accused in a number of cases filed with different police stations over small criminal activities like theft and snatching,” she said, adding that her husband had served five years behind bars. He was released last October.

RAB personnel said the two dead men were involved in committing crimes disguised as police detectives.

They said they recovered two Detective Branch (DB) of police jackets, a pair of handcuffs, a Walkie Talkie set, two foreign pistols, two magazines, six bullets and a holster.

The Bhola native, his wife and three daughters lived in Tongi’s Chankirtek area.

The other man shot by RAB remains unidentified.

Around 1:45pm, in the presence of Executive Magistrate Sarwat Mehjabeen, Sub-Inspector of Rampura police station Tipu Sultan held an inquest into the deaths. l

The government has begun finalising the list of Biranganas from the Liberation War, and is expected to complete it within two months, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque told parliament yesterday.

In reply to a question from opposition lawmaker Nur-e-Hasna Lili Chowdhury, Mozammel said the nation has not forgotten the plight of the female members of our society, who were subject to sexual violence during the war.

“The father of the nation recognised them as Biranganas. We will definitely recognise them as freedom fighters,” he said, adding that those who wish their names to not be published will be left out of the list, keeping in line with their wish.

He told the House that there will be three lists of Biranganas.

“Only those who wish to make public their names will be featured on the list, which will be published through a gazette notification and given due recognition and allowances as other free-

An autorickshaw driver puts on a helmet to save himself from attacks of pro-blockade and hartal activists. The photo was taken from Dhaka University area yesterday MEHEDI HASAN

dom fighters.”

There are many Biranganas who wish their names not be listed on a public forum due to social stigma attached to victims.

“That list will be still made and preserved in private to keep record,” Mozammel said.

He also said the government had taken fresh initiatives to make a list of Al-Badar, Al-Shams and Razakar so that the future generation could know about the atrocities they committed during the liberation war.

He added that there was a list of collaborators of Pakistani occupation force in the Home Ministry but the past BNP-led government had destroyed that list.

A total of 134,000 new applications for enrollment as freedom fighters have come in, he said, adding that the process of cancelling the certificates of fake freedom fighters was going on and that cases were being filed against many freedom fighters based on field reports of National Security Intelligence. l

Philippines says deadly clash a mistake, hopeful peace not derailed n Reuters, Manila The Philippines yesterday said a clash between security forces and Muslim rebels in which dozens of people were killed was a mistake and both sides said they were hopeful the violence would not scupper a peace deal the rebels are negotiating.

Security forces said about 50 policemen and eight rebels were killed in what a top official described as a “misencounter” during an operation on Sunday to arrest two militants who had

taken refuge with Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters.

The rebels, fighting for 45 years in the south of the largely Christian country, have agreed to disband their force and surrender weapons in exchange for an autonomous government.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas said the police were hunting two “high-value” militants but police commandos ran into a group of rebels who thought the police were mounting an attack.

“This was a misencounter,” Roxas told a news conference in Cotabato City

in the south of the country.

“We expect that naturally there will be impact but we are hopeful and confident this will not derail the peace talks.”

Efforts to bring peace to the main southern island of Mindanao have raised hopes for the development of a long-neglected region rich in mineral resources.

The fighting has killed 120,000 people and displaced 2 million.

Mohagher Iqbal, head of the rebel peace panel, said the police failed to coordinate their operations with the ceasefire committee.

“They entered our area and attacked us, what are we going to do?” he asked.

“What happened was self-defense.”

Iqbal said he was confident the peace deal would not be affected because both sides were committed to it.

The government and the rebels signed a truce in March 2014 but a final deal is still being worked out. The next stage of the process involves the Senate drafting a law on autonomy for the region.

Roxas said police had been trying to arrest Zulkifli bin Hir, a Malaysian member of the al Qaeda-linked Jemaah Isla-

miah militant group behind numerous bomb attacks in the Philippines, and another militant called Abdul Basit Usman.

Bin Hir, alias Marwan, is the most wanted Islamist militant in the Philippines and the United States has offered a reward of $5 million for him.

A $1 million reward has been posted for the Filipino Usman.

Roxas said there was a high likelihood Bin Hir had been “neutralised” but DNA tests would be carried out to confirm the suspicion. Usman had escaped, he said. l

Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower, 8/C Panthapath, Shukrabad, Dhaka 1207.

Phone: 9132093-94, Advertising: 9132155, Circulation: 9132282, Fax: News-9132192, e-mail: news@dhakatribune.com, info@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com

B3 Japan exports grow most

B4 Got a spare billion?

in year, signalling steady recovery from recession

Investment bankers are keen to help

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015 www.dhakatribune.com/business

Foreign aid pledges fall 35% in H1 n Kayes Sohel

Foreign aid commitments continued to fall, as it was down 35% in the first half of the current fiscal year due to persisting “go slow” policy adopted by some key development partners, officials said.

According to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) data released yesterday, the foreign assistance commitment during Jul-December period of the current financial year stood at $1bn in loan and grants compared to $1.54bn in the same period a year earlier.

During the period, the aid disbursement, however, grew 15% to $1.5bn from $1.31bn in the corresponding period of last fiscal year.

Development experts said sluggish project implementation process has held back aid commitment. Improved efficiency is crucial to boost foreign aid confirmation, they said.

Of the total commitments during the period, $812m came in the form of loans and $191.3m in grants, and of the $1bn aid disbursement, the government has received $1.28bn in loans and $222.22m in grants.

Among the development partners, the World Bank disbursed $339.9m, the Asian Development Bank $496.81m, Japan $128.41m, China $100.37m, Islamic Development Bank $91.41m and India $8.66m.

Meanwhile, the government during the period paid back $632.9m, including $538.45m as principal amount and $94.45m as interest, to the development

partners against the outstanding loans.

In the same period last fiscal year, it had paid back debts of $630.74m, including $536.58m as principal amount and $94.16m as interests, to the foreign lenders.

“Negotiations for some pipeline projects were delayed after a new government assuming office in January, 2014. So, the aid commitment has also been affected. I hope the situation will be changed soon,” said a senior ERD official.

Besides, the political turmoil on the issue of national election has also affected the aid commitment to Bangladesh, he added.

Amid slower pace of implementation and delay in aid finalisation, the World Bank is going to review 15 development projects in Bangladesh under its funding worth $3.16bn.

The WB would sit with the government agencies on Thursday to review the nine ongoing projects and six other pipeline projects that the Bank has already identified as the poor-progressing ones.

The government received a record $3bn worth of foreign aid in the last fiscal year following a significant rise in disbursement by the World Bank and China.

However, officials expected the foreign aid commitment and disbursement might pick up in the second half of this fiscal, as some big loans of the World Bank and a couple of other donors are in the pipeline for signing soon. l

Tanker wagons carrying diesel from Khulna get stranded at Ishwardi junction in Rajshahi due to the 72-hour hartal called by the BNP-led alliance. The photo was taken yesterday AZAHAR UDDIN

Bangladesh RMG makers lose EU market share n Ibrahim Hossain Ovi

Bangladesh’s RMG sector is gradually losing its share in the European Union market due to factors like political unrest and lack of compliance, which gives boost to its global competitors.

According to Eurostat data, the country’s apparel export registered slow growth in July-October period last year compared to its competitors.

In 10 months of last year the country earned 11.7% RMG export growth in the EU market while Vietnam posted 22.88% growth, Cambodia 25.41% and Pakistan 28.26%.

Apart from political unrest and compliance issue, the productivity of Bangladesh garment industry is lower than that of other leading players on the global market, said Reaz Bin Mahmood, vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

He said despite the rise in production cost, the product price has not increased, which also makes the sector less competitive and lose market share.

BGMEA vice president Shahidullah Azim said many EU buyers shifted their orders from Bangladesh to other competing countries as political instability

continued and factories were closed after compliance inspection.

“Such situation also affect the production capacity of the industry,” he added referring to Accord and Alliance inspection initiative after Rana Plaza catastrophe and subsequent closure of many factories.

Abdus Salam Murshedy, president of Bangladesh Exporters Association (EAB), told Dhaka Tribune that they had introduced production engineering and automation to reduce production cost and enhance productivity to tackle the situation.

He said Rana Plaza building col-

No more relocation compensation for Hazaribagh tannery owners

Stakeholders want better coordination between port, customs, users

n Abid Azad

n Tribune Report

No more compensation will be provided to tannery owners for relocating their factories from Hazaribagh area in the capital to Tannery Industrial Estate in Savar, said a parliamentary watchdog chief.

“The government has provided many facilities and opportunities to tannery owners.

They should relocate factories as soon as possible now to save people from pollution,” said Dr Md Abdur Razzaque, chairman of parliamentary standing committee on finance ministry.

He made the statement during his visit to the tannery industrial estate in Savar yesterday. Two committee members - Hazi Rahim Ullah and Abul Kalam Azad accompanied him.

Dr Razzaque said the tannery owners were given Tk250 crore as compensation, land, gas, electricity and other necessary facilities including roads.

He urged the tannery owners to shift their factories to Savar for the sake of people and environment. But the tannery owners said they won’t be able to relocate within March deadline.

“The government gave us Tk250 crore in response to our Tk1,000 crore demand as compensation. But this is not sufficient,” said Shahin Ahmed, president of Bangladesh Tannery Owners’ Association.

He said most of the owners had no enough fund to relocate factories in a short time.

Tannery owner Engr Abu Taher urged the government to provide low-interest loans for relocation works.

Dr Razzaque admitted the necessity of low-interest loans for the owners.

“We will definitely propose to provide loans at below 10% interest to owners. Otherwise, it will be tough for our tannery industry to keep

Speakers at a seminar have underscored the need for ensuring better coordination among the port authorities, customs and service recipients to mitigate the tax related complexities and expedite the export-import activities.

State Minister for Home Affairs MA Mannan attended the seminar as chief guest at the seminar held yesterday in the port city Chittagong with commissioner of the Chittagong Customs House Mashud Sadique in the chair.

Commissioner of the Excise and VAT commissionerate Syad Golam Kibria presented a keynote paper at the seminar.

Addressing the seminar, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Atiqul Islam said there was a target to export garment products worth US$27bn but 80% of the target fulfillment largely depends on the customs facilities.

President of Chittagong Chambers of Commerce and Industry Mahabubul Alam said once there were 43 steps in the customs procedure, which came down to only eight steps in the recent period.

He, however, opined that political stability was an essential matter in expediting the export-import business in the country.

Commissioner of the Customs, Excise and VAT commissionerate Jamal Hossain and commissioner of the Customs Band Commissionerate Abdul Mannan Sikder, among others, present at the seminar. l

Households forced to endure the highly toxic water flowing in canals near Hazaribagh pace with $220m world market,” he said.

Sirazul Haider, project director of the tannery industrial estate, said they had already provided 202 plots to 155 industrialists to set up industries.

Moreover, 152 industry layouts have already been approved while some three industries still do not submit their layout plan, he said.

“We have already constructed boundary, police camp, gas and electricity line. 50% works of CETP have been completed.”

Sirazul Haider hoped the works of central effluent treatment plant (CETP) on 17.50 acres of land will be completed by June this year.

He sought cooperation of tannery owners in relocation of factories.

Amid growing environmental concerns, the government took the Tannery Estate project in 2003 for implementing it by 2005.

DHAKA TRIBUNE

But Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) could not yet fully implement it though over a decade has elapsed.

Earlier, after a public interest litigation was lodged, the High Court in June 2009 asked the government to relocate the tanneries from Dhaka to a proposed leather estate at Harindhara, Savar by February 28, 2010 or face shutdowns.

More than 200 factories in Hazaribagh release several thousand litres of untreated and highly toxic liquid waste into the Buriganga River, posing a serious threat to public health.

Department of Environment reported some 22,000 cubic meters of raw and liquid waste from tannery units in Hazaribagh flow into Buriganga, where the oxygen level is zero instead of minimum six required for aquatic species. l

Data centre, ship procurement proposals okayed n Tribune Report The proposal to set up a tier-4 national data centre has been approved by the cabinet committee on economic affairs yesterday.

Another proposal to procure six ships also received the committee’s nod.

The two projects of the ICT division and shipping ministry will be implemented with concessional loans from China under direct

procurement process. Export-Import Bank of China will provide $338m in loans at 2% interest.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith presided over the meeting.

“The cabinet committee has given its consent in principle to set up data centre and procure ships,” Cabinet Division joint secretary Mostafizur Rahman said after the meeting.

According to the loan proposal, the re-

payment period for the loan of Export-Import Bank will be 20 years with a five-year grace period. An amount of $154m will be used to construct the data centre from the loan while the rest of the money will be spent to procure ships for Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC).

The shipping ministry proposal said the CMC first demanded around $208m for six ships but the ministry through several

rounds of negotiations managed to bring down the figure to $184m.

Of the six ships, three are oil tankers and three bulk carriers. Currently, BSC has a fleet of only eight ships, the average age of which are over 30 years, said the shipping ministry proposal.

No ship was added to the fleet since 1991 due to high prices, which the government could not afford with its own resources. l

lapse, Tazreen Fashion fire and political unrest acted as catalyst to the slow export growth to the EU market.

Murshedy sought policy support from the government to reduce production cost and continuation of supports provided by the authorities.

He urged the government to fix a special dollar rate for the export-oriented sectors as appreciation or devaluation of the greenback affect their business.

According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data, in July-December of 2014 Bangladesh earned $7.30bn posting a 3.5% growth compared to $7bn during the same period in 2013. l

Land acquisition process for garment palli begins anew n Asif Showkat Kallol The government has to cancel land acquisition process for the proposed garment industrial park at Bausia in Munshiganj district as the Chinese investor failed to pay money for affected land owners by the stipulated time.

A fresh process has already got under way to acquire land and the investor will be asked to give money by June this year, officials said. The time to acquire 530.78 acres of land for the garment palli (village) project ended in the last week of December 2014.

“We have already started a new process of land acquisition at Bausia in Munshiganj,” said Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner Md Safiul Hasan Badul.

An inter-ministerial meeting at the commerce ministry office decided on Sunday to ask the Oriental International Holding (OIH) Limited to hand over fund within June 7 this year.

The meeting was presided over by additional commerce secretary Shawkat Ali Waris.

He said the government would complete construction of the proposed Garment Industrial Park in three years time and the fresh new

process for land acquisition won’t be a problem.

The proposed garment palli is a OIH-BGMEA joint venture project.

After construction of the park, a total of 10,000 people will get jobs there, said Munshiganj DC adding that there will be no possibility of disasters like Rana Plaza collapse.

According to the proposal, the garment industrial village will have plots with infrastructural facilities, utility services, medical facilities, central effluent treatment plants, day-care centres, roads, drainage facilities, waste-dumping yards, fire-fighting equipment, banks, insurance offices and IT (information technology) parks.

This will be a unique model for the apparel sector meeting all compliance issues like workplace environment, health and fire safety, said the people concerned.

According to commerce ministry sources, the government felt the necessity of setting up a garment palli on 530 acres of land at Bausia at a cost of Tk770 crore.

The RMG factories, built particularly in an unplanned way in the capital, will be relocated at the proposed garment palli. l

B2

Stock

DHAKA TRIBUNE

DSE GAINER

Stocks continue to slide amid low turnover

DSE key features January 26, 2015

Traded Issues

307

n Tribune Report

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

105

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

197

Snail-paced activities failed to generate any handsome turnover, staying barely over Tk200 crore The Shariah index DSES was marginally down 3 points or 0.2% to end at 1,110. The comprising blue chips DS30 closed at 1,736 with a drop of 9 points or 0.5%.

Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Selective Categories Index, CSCX, declined 26 points to 8,742.

Investors who remained nervous over the political uncertainty continued to find exit door, which led turnover to decline.

Trading at DSE remained sluggish as it stood at Tk204 crore, with 8.5% down over the previous session.

Newly listed company C&A Textile continued to remain at top of the liquidity chart with turnover worth Tk17.2 crore.

Weekly capital market highlights DSE Broad Index : DSE - 30 Index : CSE All Share Index: CSE - 30 Index : CSE Selected Index : DSE LOSER Company

Closing (% Change)

Northern Jute -Z Shampur Sugar -Z Beximco Syn.-Z C & A Textile -N Modern Dyeing -Z National Feed-N GSP Finance-A Standard Insurance-A Argon Denims Limited-A DESCO Ltd. -A

-8.73 -6.02 -5.36 -5.36 -4.78 -4.35 -4.22 -3.77 -3.60 -3.16

CSE LOSER Company

Closing (% Change)

Eastland Insur -A IFIL Islamic M.F.1-A Eastern InsurA FAS Fin. & Inv. Ltd-B National Polymer -A Hakkani P& Paper -B Janata Insur -A Quasem Drycells -A Standard Insurance-A Rupali InsurA

-9.91 -9.68 -9.50 -9.50 -8.12 -8.09 -7.27 -6.31 -5.86 -5.48

4708.33480

(-) 0.18%

1736.36261

(-) 0.54%

14424.38410

(-) 0.16%

11723.24990

(-) 0.12%

8742.30410

(-) 0.24%

Average (% Change) -6.83 -3.61 -3.21 0.54 -4.68 -5.71 -2.47 -0.93 -2.42 -0.88 Average (% Change) -9.91 -9.39 -9.55 -9.50 -8.21 -8.09 -7.70 -1.51 -5.94 -5.26

ANALYST

ClosingAvg. 258.29 8.00 10.85 26.02 99.35 34.02 32.01 23.53 37.98 68.72

ClosingAvg. 29.10 5.60 30.48 16.20 62.16 25.00 15.23 59.26 22.50 20.70

Closing

Closing

Bank NBFI Investment Engineering Food & Allied Fuel & Power Jute Textile Pharma & Chemical Paper & Packaging Service Leather Ceramic Cement Information Technology General Insurance Life Insurance Telecom Travel & Leisure Miscellaneous Debenture

DSE Million Taka 330.83 161.54 26.44 167.31 69.90 247.73 2.49 391.86 158.71 7.56 80.13 7.81 15.18 61.50 56.24 8.32 22.99 88.91 21.03 116.78 0.00

DHIGH 289.00 8.00 11.30 27.50 105.00 36.10 33.90 23.20 39.00 71.00

DHIGH

29.10 5.60 30.50 16.20 62.20 25.00 15.30 56.40 22.50 20.70

60,806,355

29.10 5.60 30.50 16.20 63.00 25.00 15.30 62.90 22.50 20.70

66,857

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

5

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,520.01

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

30.55

CSE key features January 26, 2015 Turnover (Million Taka)

202.86

Turnover (Volume)

7,065,519

Number of Contract

12,554

Traded Issues

229

Issue Gain (Avg. Price Basis)

77

Issue Loss (Avg. Price Basis)

145

Unchanged Issue (Avg. Price Basis)

6

Market Capital Equity (Billion. Tk.)

2,439.02

Market Capital Equity (Billion US$)

29.56

Turnover in Million

DLOW 253.90 7.70 10.60 24.40 97.00 32.80 30.30 22.90 37.00 67.00

Latest EPS

1.137 0.020 1.098 171.334 0.046 62.583 40.319 0.012 7.801 46.162

1.00 -52.72 0.08 1.46 -2.16 1.37 1.59 3.07 3.79 4.48

Turnover in Million

DLOW 29.10 5.60 30.40 16.20 62.10 25.00 15.20 55.50 22.50 20.70

% change 16.19 7.91 1.29 8.19 3.42 12.12 0.12 19.18 7.77 0.37 3.92 0.38 0.74 3.01 2.75 0.41 1.13 4.35 1.03 5.72 0.00

Million Taka 22.03 12.36 2.98 18.95 5.63 19.51 57.02 10.38 6.24 10.92 4.91 2.44 7.36 4.36 0.43 0.67 6.91 3.84 19.77 0.02

CSE

% change 10.17 5.70 1.37 8.74 2.60 9.00 0.00 26.31 4.79 2.88 5.04 2.26 1.13 3.40 2.01 0.20 0.31 3.19 1.77 9.12 0.01

Latest EPS

0.001 0.042 0.008 0.008 0.019 0.005 0.005 0.179 0.000 0.001

Million Taka 352.86 173.90 29.42 186.26 75.53 267.24 2.49 448.88 169.09 13.80 91.05 12.71 17.63 68.85 60.61 8.76 23.66 95.82 24.86 136.55 0.02

EXIM Bank 1 MF-A Shahjibazar Power-N Anwar Galvanizing-B Fareast Finance-Z Phoenix Fin. 1st MF-A DBH 1st MF-A Eastern Lubricants -A Reckitt Benckiser -A Marico BD Ltd-A SummitAlliancePort.-A

Closing (% Change) 8.96 8.54 7.25 5.33 4.65 4.55 4.16 4.01 3.86 3.33

CSE GAINER

3.33 1.52 2.31 1.27 2.76 0.64 0.37 2.24 3.07 2.52

Latest PE 258.3 -ve 135.6 17.8 -ve 24.8 20.1 7.7 10.0 15.3

Total

Company Brac B.C. Bond-A Aziz PipesZ Fareast Finance-Z Sinobangla Indu.-A Bata Shoe Ltd. -A Saiham Cotton-A Fareast Islami Life -A Beacon Pharma Ltd.-Z MutualTrust Bank-A Anwar Galvanizing-B

Closing (% Change) 10.68 9.60 6.02 4.28 4.22 4.21 3.73 3.70 3.63 3.20

Average (% Change) 8.96 6.96 1.83 4.42 3.02 3.86 4.17 4.49 1.54 (0.13) Average (% Change) 10.68 9.55 4.78 4.23 4.20 3.99 3.77 3.39 1.24 3.20

ClosingAvg.

Closing

7.30 233.42 36.13 17.49 4.44 4.57 388.03 1,060.00 1,107.97 61.38

ClosingAvg.

7.30 240.10 37.00 17.80 4.50 4.60 388.00 1,059.70 1,129.80 62.00

Closing

1010.00 19.39 17.30 26.83 1208.73 19.79 72.32 16.78 19.56 35.50

1010.00 19.40 17.60 26.80 1209.00 19.80 72.30 16.80 20.00 35.50

DHIGH 7.30 240.60 37.90 18.00 4.60 4.70 390.50 1,059.70 1,134.80 63.20

DHIGH 1010.00 19.40 17.70 26.90 1210.00 19.90 73.50 16.90 20.00 35.50

DLOW 7.30 225.00 35.00 17.00 4.20 4.40 370.00 1,058.80 1,082.00 59.80

DLOW 1010.00 18.30 16.30 26.80 1205.00 19.40 72.00 16.00 19.50 35.50

Turnover in Million 0.000 43.870 3.399 9.361 0.851 0.276 0.175 0.053 3.140 44.178

Turnover in Million 0.005 0.008 1.752 0.040 0.133 0.601 0.070 0.191 1.616 0.011

Latest EPS 0.64 9.00 0.84 1.08 0.84 0.56 3.12 42.33 48.72 0.88

Latest EPS 0.00 -0.37 1.08 1.21 52.96 1.68 4.60 0.08 2.45 0.84

Latest PE 11.4 25.9 43.0 16.2 5.3 8.2 124.4 25.0 22.7 69.8

Latest PE -ve 16.0 22.2 22.8 11.8 15.7 209.8 8.0 42.3

News, analysis and recent disclosures PADMAOIL: (H/Y Un-audited): Net Profit after tax from July14 to Dec14 was Tk 884.26 million with EPS of Tk. 9.00 as against Tk. 1,015.30 million and Tk. 10.34 respectively for the same period of the previous year. Whereas net profit after tax from Oct14 to Dec14 was Tk. 422.39 million with EPS of Tk. 4.30 as against Tk. 345.61 million and Tk. 3.52 respectively for the same period of the previous year.

EASTRNLUB: (H/Y Un-audited): Net Profit after tax from July14 to Dec14 was Tk. 1.55 million with EPS of Tk. 1.56 as against Tk. 2.99 million and Tk. 3.01 respectively for the same period of the previous year.

Whereas net profit after tax from Oct14 to Dec14 was Tk. 1.04 million with EPS of Tk. 1.04 as against Tk. 1.69 million and Tk. 1.70 respectively for the same period of the previous year.

MEGCONMILK: (H/Y Un-audited): Net Profit/(loss) after tax from July14 to Dec14 was Tk. (35.33) million with EPS of Tk. (2.21) as against Tk. (36.65) million and Tk. (2.29) respectively for the same period of the previous year. Whereas net profit/

(loss) after tax from Oct14 to Dec14 was Tk. (18.12) million with EPS of Tk. (1.13) as against Tk. (18.29) million and Tk. (1.14) respectively for the same period of the previous year. Accumulated profit/(loss) of the Company was Tk. (1,071.94) million as on 31.12.2014 resulting total shareholders equity stands at Tk. (443.11) million.(End) MEGHNAPET: (H/Y Un-audited): Net Profit/(loss) after tax from July14 to Dec14 was Tk. (2.63) million with EPS of Tk. (0.22) as against Tk. (7.77) million and Tk. (0.65) respectively for the same period of the previous year. Whereas net profit/(loss) after tax from Oct14 to Dec14 was Tk. (1.33) million with EPS of Tk. (0.11) as against Tk. (6.23) million and Tk. (0.52) respectively for the same period of the previous year Accumulated profit/(loss) of the Company was Tk. (166.01) million as on 31.12.2014 resulting total shareholders equity stands at Tk. (26.49) million.

FUWANGCER: The Company has credited the bonus shares for the year ended on June 30, 2014 to the respective shareholders BO Account on January 25, 2015.

TRUSTBANK: The Company has informed that the Share Department of the Company has been relocated at Shadhinata Tower, Level-1, Bir Srestha Shaheed Jahangir Gate, Dhaka Cantonment, Dhaka.

BATASHOE: The Company has informed that the Board of Directors has decided to close the share liaison office at 6BB Avenue, Gulisthan, Dhaka. The Company has further informed that it has requested all its stake holders to communicate only to their head office Share Department, Bata Shoe Company (Bangladesh) Limited, Tongi, Gazipur.

ISLAMIBANK: As per Regulation 30 of DSE Listing Regulations, the Company has informed that a meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on February 14, 2015 at 3:00 PM to consider, among others, audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended on December 31, 2014.

BDWELDING: The Company has informed that the Registered office of the Company has been shifted from 87, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka to 55/B Purana Palton, Noakhali Tower, (11th Floor) Dhaka-1000.

Latest PE 8.7 3.7 13.2 12.8 22.5 39.1 41.2 26.5 7.3 8.2

The market ended flat. Though the index regained in the morning session, the stocks retraced the previous day’s bearish tone in market sentiment

SECTORAL TURNOVER SUMMARY Sector

▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

254.00 7.80 10.60 24.70 99.50 33.00 31.80 23.00 37.50 67.40

2,043.64

Number of Contract

The major sectors reckoned mixed performance in the session.

Telecommunication faced yet another sale-off session, declining 2.9% while banks, non-banking financial institutions and pharmaceuticals edged higher.

Other sectors included food & allied, cement and power closed marginally lower.

Losers outpaced gainers, as out of 307 issues traded, 111 gained, 133 dropped and 52 remained unchanged.

IDLC Investments said the market tried to revert from the recent downtrend in the morning but failed to break the resistance, as the session ended in red.

It said snail-paced activities failed to generate any handsome turnover, staying barely over Tk200 crore.

Political deadlock kept getting messier and choking the economic system.

Naturally, investors look around to watch over the upcoming monetary policy statement to understand the central banks response.

Bangladesh Bank will announce its half-yearly monetary policy statement on Thursday.

LankaBangla Securities said the market ended flat. Though the index regained in the morning session, the stocks retraced the previous day’s bearish tone in market sentiment.

After C&A Textile, other top turnover leaders included BRAC Bank, Grameenphone, National Feed Mills, Alltex, Lafarge Surma Cement Limited and Dhaka Electricity Supply Company. l

Stocks continued to fall for the second consecutive session yesterday, with turnover slipping to onemonth low.

The market has struggled to make up previous sessions’ losses in the morning but failed to retain the momentum, as sale pressure finally took over buying pressure.

The benchmark index DSEX fell 8 points or 0.1% at 4,708—its lowest since September 9 last year.

Company

Turnover (Million Taka) Turnover (Volume)

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

DSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company

% change 15.61 7.69 1.30 8.24 3.34 11.82 0.11 19.86 7.48 0.61 4.03 0.56 0.78 3.05 2.68 0.39 1.05 4.24 1.10 6.04 0.00

Prepared exclusively for Dhaka Tribune by Business Information Automation Service Line (BIASL), on the basis of information collected from daily stock quotations and audited reports of the listed companies. High level of caution has been taken to collect and present the above information and data. The publisher will not take any responsibility if any body uses this information and data for his/her investment decision. For any query please email to biasl@bol-online.com or call 01552153562 or go to www.biasl.net

C & A Textile -N Brac Bank -A Grameenphone-A National Feed-N Alltex Industries -Z LafargeS Cement-Z DESCO Ltd. -A SummitAlliancePort.-A Shahjibazar Power-N GSP Finance-A

Square Pharma -A WesternMarine -N Agni Systems -A SAIF Powertec-N CVO PetroChem RL-A Pharma Aids A CSE TURNOVER LEADERS Company C & A Textile -N National Feed-N WesternMarine -N SummitAlliancePort.-A Alltex Industries -Z GSP Finance-A Grameenphone-A LafargeS Cement-Z BEXIMCO Ltd. -A Jamuna Oil -A

SAIF Powertec-N UCBL - A Agni Systems -A UNITED AIR-A Khulna Power-A

VolumeShares 6,585,239 2,422,857 240,344 1,839,632 1,712,554 389,854 671,740 719,780 187,946 1,259,478

Value in Million 171.33 97.13 80.05 62.58 55.48 47.79 46.16 44.18 43.87 40.32

% of TotalTurnover 8.39 4.75 3.92 3.06 2.72 2.34 2.26 2.16 2.15 1.97

VolumeShares

Value in Million

% of TotalTurnover

138,491 709,717 1,122,863 480,874 61,818 182,020

1,232,483 354,778 148,382 117,245 188,270 166,091 15,093 41,280 154,923 22,812

54,136 123,869 107,360 363,690 50,917

35.08 34.67 34.52 32.51 32.45 47.73

31.86 12.06 7.25 7.21 6.10 5.55 5.07 5.06 4.77 4.59

3.67 3.65 3.29 3.08 2.94

1.72 1.70 1.69 1.59 1.59 1.57

15.89 6.01 3.62 3.60 3.04 2.77 2.53 2.53 2.38 2.29

1.83 1.82 1.64 1.53 1.46

ClosingP 24.70 40.10 329.30 33.00 32.10 122.30 67.40 62.00 240.10 31.80

253.10 48.70 31.00 67.80 523.50 263.80 ClosingP

24.70 32.90 48.70 61.80 32.00 32.90 330.90 122.80 30.50 198.70

67.60 29.40 30.80 8.40 57.00

Change % -5.36 2.04 -2.92 -4.35 -1.53 0.00 -3.16 3.33 8.54 -4.22

0.36 0.41 2.65 0.44 0.81 5.10

Change %

-5.36 -4.36 0.41 2.32 -2.44 -1.50 -2.04 1.24 -1.93 0.76

0.30 1.73 1.99 -2.33 -0.70

ClosingY 26.10 39.30 339.20 34.50 32.60 122.30 69.60 60.00 221.20 33.20

252.20 48.50 30.20 67.50 519.30 251.00 ClosingY

26.10 34.40 48.50 60.40 32.80 33.40 337.80 121.30 31.10 197.20

67.40 28.90 30.20 8.60 57.40

DHIGH 27.50 40.50 343.00 36.10 33.50 124.50 71.00 63.20 240.60 33.90

255.00 49.80 31.30 68.90 532.70 269.80

DLOW 24.40 39.10 328.00 32.80 31.70 121.20 67.00 59.80 225.00 30.30

252.30 48.20 30.10 66.00 517.50 251.40

DHIGH

DLOW

27.40 36.00 49.70 63.00 33.50 34.70 344.00 124.00 31.50 204.30

24.30 32.00 48.20 59.20 31.80 30.30 330.00 121.00 30.40 197.20

70.00 29.80 31.30 8.70 58.20

66.10 29.00 30.00 8.30 56.60

AvgPrice 26.02 40.09 333.08 34.02 32.40 122.59 68.72 61.38 233.42 32.01

253.33 48.85 30.75 67.60 524.94 262.22 AvgPrice

25.85 33.98 48.88 61.52 32.40 33.44 335.95 122.68 30.77 201.27

67.78 29.45 30.66 8.46 57.69

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Business

B3

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Japan exports grow most in year, signaling steady recovery from recession n Reuters, Tokyo Japan’s exports grew the most in a year in December, helped by a weak yen and a pick-up in overseas demand led by the United States, an encouraging sign for the recession-hit economy even as doubts persist about the strength of global consumption.

The 12.9% year-on-year rise in exports marked a fourth straight month of growth, supported by shipments of cars to the United States and of electronics parts to China, data by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) showed on Monday.

A recovery in exports, which has been a soft spot in the world’s thirdlargest economy, could be a source of comfort for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is battling to re-kindle growth after an April sales tax hike drove Japan into a recession.

Still, with the exception of the United States, a largely gloomy global economic outlook has cast a cloud over external demand. The slump in oil prices to below $50 a barrel has also heightened global consumption and deflation concerns.

Imports rose less than expected, leaving Japan with a trade deficit for a record 30th month in a row.

“Exports have bottomed out but I doubt whether they will accelerate from now on due to growing uncertainty over the global economy,” said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute.

The MOF data showed exports to the United States rose 23.7% in the year to December, while those to China rose 4.3%.

Shipments to Asia, which account for more than half of Japanese shipments, grew 11% year-on-year in December.

EU-bound exports rose 6.8%.

Overall imports rose 1.9% on the year in December versus a 2.3% gain expected, as sharp falls in crude oil prices cut into the value of purchases.

A container ship is loaded at a port in Tokyo That helped cut the December trade nearly in half from a year ago to 660.7bn yen ($5.62bn).

For the full-year 2014, however, Japan’s trade deficit hit a record 12.78tn yen, largely due to heavy imports of liquefied natural gas as utilities burned more of the fuel to compensate for the shutdown of all nuclear plants for safety checks after the Fukushima disaster of 2011.

Euro hits 11-year low on Greece fears, equities muted n AFP, Hong Kong

The euro sank to an 11-year low yesterday and Asian equities were muted after an anti-austerity party won Greece’s election, throwing its international bailout into doubt and raising fears it could leave the eurozone.

Oil prices resumed their downward trend after rallying on Friday in response to the death of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, which fuelled uncertainty in the crude market.

The far-left Syriza party was two seats short of winning an outright majority in Sunday’s polls, giving it more bargaining power to take a hard line on rowing back austerity measures.

The group had campaigned on renegotiating the 240-billion-euro European Union-International Monetary Fund bailout that imposed strict spending and taxation rules on Athens.

The possibility of Greece defaulting on its debt repayments is likely to spark renewed fears it could be forced to leave the eurozone.

As the result became clear, party leader Alexis Tsipras told thousands of flag-waving supporters in Athens: “Greece is leaving behind disastrous austerity.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron was among the first world leaders to react, tweeting that it “will increase economic uncertainty across Europe”.

The news hit the single currency in early Asian trade. The euro dived at one

point to $1.1088, its lowest level since September 2003, before recovering slightly to $1.1195. That compares with $1.208 Friday in New York.

It was also at 131.99 yen compared with 132.03 yen on Friday.

The dollar was at 117.86 yen compared with 117.80 yen in New York “Euro selling pressure will continue as Greeks rejected fiscal austerity, heightening the possibility of Greece leaving the currency bloc,” Toshiya Yamauchi, a senior analyst in Tokyo at Ueda Harlow Ltd., told Bloomberg News. “Markets are sensitive to risk.”

However, Elsa Lignos, a senior currency strategist at RBC Capital Markets, said in a note that the chances of Greece leaving the eurozone were limited.

The single currency was already suffering heavy selling after the European Central Bank on Thursday unveiled a bigger-than-expected bond-buying programme aimed at kickstarting the eurozone economy and fighting off deflation.

The popular mobile messaging application WhatsApp, acquired by Facebook last year for nearly $22bn, unveiled a new service Wednesday for sending messages from a Web browser.

WhatsApp, which claims some 500 million users, said its Web service will be a “mirror” and would require an Internet-connected phone to work.

“Our Web client is simply an extension of your phone: the Web browser mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device - this means

Double-edged sword

But cheap oil also compounds the challenge for the BOJ’s aim of hitting its 2% inflation goal around the coming fiscal year from April, which analysts see as impossible to achieve.

Indeed, on Wednesday the BOJ sharply cut its inflation forecast, and Governor Haruhiko Kuroda conceded it may take longer than expected to hit

the price target.

The yen has fallen sharply against the dollar although it has pulled back from recent lows. The dollar was at around 118 yen yesterday, off a 7-year high of above 120 yen hit last month, but still about 35 percent higher since Abe took office in late 2012.

Despite the yen’s depreciation under Abenomics stimulus policies, ex-

Asian stock markets, which surged Friday in response to the ECB move, mostly sank early Monday. But they recovered towards the afternoon, with some ending in positive territory.

Tokyo fell 0.25%, or 43.23 points, to 17,468.52, while in late trade Hong Kong was 0.39% lower and Shanghai edged up 0.40%.

Seoul ended marginally lower, dipping 0.41 points to close at 1,935.68. l

all of your messages still live on your phone,” WhatsApp said in a blog post.

The new messaging service currently only works with Google’s Chrome browser and will not be available to iPhone users “due to Apple platform limitations,” according to WhatsApp. Facebook in October completed its buy of WhatsApp in a stock-and-cash deal.

The acquisition highlighted the stunning growth of mobile messaging but also prompted analyst questions on the price paid by Facebook and future plans for the service. l

ports have been slow to pick up as Japanese firms shifted production overseas, while others have sought to boost profits by maintaining sales prices rather than cutting them to boost their export volume.

New domestic orders and new export orders both rose at a faster clip in January, a private manufacturing survey showed last week. l

Oil prices down in Asia n AFP, Singapore

Oil fell in Asia yesterday after the antiausterity party Syriza swept to victory in Greece’s general elections, dealing a further blow to the struggling euro, analysts said.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for March delivery plunged by as much as 2.7% to $44.35 a barrel in New York, and Brent crude for March tumbled by up to 1.9% in London.

Both contracts regained some ground and in afternoon trade in Asia, WTI was trading at $45.02, down

57 cents, or 1.25%, and Brent was at $48.31, off 48 cents or 0.98%.

“Oil prices plunged just when they opened. We believe that the initial drop was sparked by the Greek elections,” said Daniel Ang, an investment analyst with Phillip Futures in Singapore.

“We even saw a glimpse of panic selling once the market opened. However, prices did rebound shortly after it dropped,” he told AFP. The victory by the Syriza Party, whose anti-austerity policies have sparked fears Greece could exit the eurozone, sent the euro plunging to fresh

11-year lows against the US dollar.

Analysts say this makes dollarpriced oil more expensive, denting demand and adding further downward pressure on oil prices.

Syriza wants to renegotiate the terms of Greece’s 240bn euro ($269bn) bailout deal with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund which the party says is stifling any chance Greece has of economic recovery.

Singapore’s DBS Bank said “markets will be worried over the new government’s take on the reform agenda and austerity measures”. l

Gold climbed towards a five-month high yesterday as an electoral win by Greece’s anti-austerity party sparked fears of renewed instability in Europe, triggering safe-haven demand for bullion.

Greek leftist leader Alexis Tsipras, whose Syriza party swept to victory in a snap election on Sunday, was set to become prime minister of the first euro zone government openly opposed to bailout conditions imposed by the European Union and International Monetary Fund during the economic crisis.

European leaders have said Greece must respect the terms of its 240bn euro bailout deal, but Tsipras campaigned on a promise to renegotiate the country’s huge debt, raising the possibility of a major conflict with euro zone partners.

The euro hit an 11-year low on Monday after the election results, and US stock futures also fell.

“People are very uncertain about the markets and are wondering whether Greece will break out of the euro zone,” said Ronald Leung, chief dealer at Lee Cheong Gold Dealers in Hong Kong, adding this was helping gold prices.

Spot gold was steady at $1,294.40 an ounce by 0322 GMT, after rising as much as 0.4% earlier in the session.

It held close to a five-month high of $1,306.20 reached last week.

The yellow metal has had a good start to the year, gaining about 9% so far this month, largely due to safe-haven demand sparked by falling oil prices and European uncertainties.

The improvement in sentiment has been seen in investor positioning.

Speculators raised their bullish bets in gold futures and options for the fourth straight week in the week ending Jan 20, while holdings in SPDR Gold Trust, the top gold-backed exchange-traded fund, have also increased.

New gold contract

CME Group’s Asian gold contract began trading in Hong Kong on Monday, a new entrant in the regional race to provide a price benchmark.

The 1 kg physically settled contract was trading at a premium of $2-$3 an ounce over the global benchmark.

The launch of the CME contract within six months of new contracts in Singapore and China underscores a desire in top consuming region Asia to have price benchmarks that reflect regional market dynamics, although liquidity has been a problem.

“There have been lots of recent contracts in Asia, vying for liquidity.

For CME, the delivery point is in Hong Kong, so that should make it an interesting one,” said a precious metals trader in Hong Kong, which is the main conduit for gold into top consumer China. l

CORPORATE NEWS

Oil prices retreat

WhatsApp adds messaging from Web n AFP, San Francisco

REUTERS

Gold rises towards $1,300 as Greek vote sparks safehaven demand n Reuters, Singapore

Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited has recently won ICMAB award for its performance. The company’s chairperson, Md Faizur Rahman Chowdhury and its MD, Md Monwar Hossain have received the award from chief guest, Finance Minister AMA Muhith at a gala award giving ceremony

Rabeth Khan named in jury board of Asia’s Most Promising Brands 2013-14 n Tribune Business Desk Rabeth Khan, chief executive officer of MediaAxis – a leading media and marketing communication expert in Bangladesh, was recently invited to be a jury at the jury board of Asia’s Most Promising Brands 2013-14 awards event

held in January at Oberoi, Gurgaon, New Delhi, India.

He is the first brand individual from Bangladesh to be selected as a jury from Bangladesh for one of the leading brand award platforms in the international arena, said a press release. Rabeth Khan was also the panel speaker at the event. l

Jamuna Bank Limited has recently held its 259th board meeting. The bank’s chairperson, Al-Haj Nur Mohammed presided over the meeting

KFC, a restaurant chain has recently opened new outlets in Panthapath and at Eastern Plaza in Hatirpool. Akku Chowdhury, managing director and CEO of Transcom Foods Ltd was present at the inaugural ceremonies

China-Bangladesh joint-venture company named Rich Time Enterprise Limited has announced to set up an industry of leather and leather products in Mongla Export Processing Zone with an investment of %21.5m. The company’s MD, Md Suzan and Sayed Nurul Islam, member (investment promotion) of BEPZA have signed an agreement in this regard

B4

DHAKA TRIBUNE

Back Page

Got a spare billion? Investment bankers are keen to help n Reuters, London

The growing ranks of the super rich and their increased appetite for risk have caught the eye of investment bankers.

Traditionally focused on companies and institutions, investment banks are hiring staff and reorganising teams to cater to wealthy clans, from Chinese multi-millionaires to old world dynasties in Europe and the United States.

While some such families have been involved in direct investment for years, many more are just getting interested, seeing more potential for profit there than in funds or markets.

“The global scale of this is meaningful so the group takes notice,” said Philip Higson, Vice Chairman of the Global Family Office Group at Swiss bank UBS which, like others, had previously courted individuals via its wealth management arm.

Unsurprisingly, investment banks in Switzerland, the global hub of wealth management, have led the way in targeting family offices, the private firms that manage the financial affairs of the richest families.

But US banks are also deploying more investment bankers to focus on the super rich, whose numbers are on the rise. At the top end, a study by UBS and consulting firm Wealth-X identified 2,325 billionaires last year, up 7.1% over 2013.

BoA Merrill Lynch hired a Goldman Sachs banker last year to look after family offices within investment banking, while JP Morgan asked two of its investment team to focus on the area.

And banks are also trying to reorient their structure to seize the opportunity - UBS created a joint venture between its investment bank and wealth management department at the end of 2010, and Credit Suisse has also adapted.

“At Credit Suisse we set up a private banking multi-asset class sales desk within the investment bank, so the client has one point of contact,” said Matthew Haimes, Managing Director and Head of Family Office and Institutional Clients.

Family offices traditionally managed a clan’s day-to-day financial affairs, from paying the heir apparents’ school fees to dealing with tax and charitable interests. For investment advice they tapped private bankers and fund managers.

But since interest rates tanked in the wake of the global financial crisis, they

China’s Shanghai eliminates 2015 economic growth target n Reuters, Beijing Shanghai eliminated its economic growth target for this year, the city’s mayor said on Sunday, as China works to shift its focus to qualitative goals with the economy slowing.

The financial hub did not provide a target for growth in an annual report but said Shanghai would maintain a steady expansion and aim for greater efficiency.

“We are not too concerned about GDP,” Mayor Yang Xiong said at the opening of the city legislative session, according to a state radio report. He said the government is paying more attention to developing a pilot free-trade zone and to economic and social reforms.

Shanghai’s economy grew 7% in 2014, he said.

The Chinese leadership has called for greater tolerance for slower growth, and a handful of provinces and municipalities have lowered their goals for 2015 growth after missing targets last year. Influential economic advisors said in December that China should cut its 2015 economic growth target to 7%.

Beijing is under pressure to take assertive steps to avoid a sharper downturn, after reporting the Chinese economy grew at its slowest pace in 24 years in 2014. Property prices cooled and heavy debts weighed on companies and local governments.

Yang also said that a New Year’s Eve stampede that left 36 dead was a “terrible failure in public safety.” l

DILBERT

US one dollar bills blow near the Andalusian capital of Seville in this photo illustration have been hiring in-house advisers, often ex-investment bankers keen to do business with former colleagues.

They are helping family offices to look for more creative ways of earning a return than simply handing their cash over to fund managers, whose 2% annual fees and 20% on any profit earned are falling, but not fast enough for some.

Robert Bibow, Managing Partner at private investment advisor Bidwell Capital and a former employee of Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank, cites one client, a member of the Saudi royal family, who decided that after 20 years of investing in private equity funds to focus only on investing directly into deals.

Trust

Wealthy families made a string of highprofile deals in 2014. The Qatari royal family poured 1.75bn euros ($2bn) into Deutsche Bank’s 2014 rights issue, while the billionaire March clan’s holding firm Corporacion Financiera Alba took an 8% in Spanish airport operator Aena ahead of its initial public offering (IPO) this year.

Having a family buy into a new share

deal can be a trump card for investment bankers because they are willing to tie up their funds for a long time.

“More and more in the context of pitching equity capital market (ECM) mandates, having access to such anchor investors is a differentiating factor,” said Sam Losada, head of International Strategic Equity Solutions and co-head of Global Rates & Currencies Origination at BoA Merrill Lynch.

Family offices offer investment banks the possibility of a lengthy and lucrative relationship and are also often easier to deal with than institutional investors whose decisions are often delayed by internal committees.

“If they call us with a deal opportunity and we respond in 24, 48 hours, they like that,” said Marc Meyohas, whose private equity vehicle Greybull Capital invests money from his own “entrepreneurial industrialist” family, and one other.

UBS said it expects to earn around 260m Swiss francs ($297m) in Global Family Office revenues outside the United States in 2014. Within that, earnings from direct deals grew fastest of all, although it is still dwarfed by income from the foreign exchange divi-

REUTERS

sion for example.

But establishing the connection can be difficult. In the rarefied world of family money, deals between dynasties are still favoured.

The average deal size for office-tooffice deals in 2013 was $119m compared to $76m syndicated by investment banks, according to UBS and family office data provider Campden Wealth.

“Family offices need someone they trust,” Haimes said. “You need to go into each meeting without an agenda, without trying to presuppose what a client wants.”

In an industry where one professional recommends “hanging round Mayfair” as a good way to find business, industry figures say investment bankers used to cold-calling with ideas need to work to establish rapport.

“You’ve got to find points of entry other than a pitch about the investment opportunity of the quarter,” said Andrew Porter, director of research at Campden.

“Family offices are for life, I always say. If you don’t have patience, if you don’t want to engage in a non-transactional way, don’t bother.” l

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Moody’s: Pakistan fuel crisis weighing on credit worthiness n AFP, Islamabad

Pakistan’s ongoing fuel shortage that has led to worsening power blackouts is weighing on its credit worthiness and hindering its ability to meet key reform targets laid out by the IMF, ratings agency Moody’s warned yesterday.

The country is currently in the grip of one of its worst power crises in years due to a shortfall in imported oil, with the situation exacerbated Sunday by an attack on a key powerline in restive Baluchistan province.

Moody’s said that increasing energy imports without addressing structural issues that create so-called circular debt “will further strain Pakistan’s budget and balance of payments, a credit negative”.

“Fuel shortages also reflect the strained finances of state-owned distribution companies and the fuel importer, Pakistan State Oil corporation, and are a setback to the sector’s progress on reforms made so far under Pakistan’s financial support program with the International Monetary Fund.”

The IMF granted a $6.6bn loan to Pakistan in September 2013 on the condition that it carry out extensive economic reforms, particularly in the energy and taxation sectors.

Moody’s, which in July 2014 upgraded Pakistan’s rating outlook from “negative” to “stable” in a boon for the shaky South Asian economy, said that structural reforms had been a “key

driver” in its decision last year.

“Circular debt” - brought on by the dual effect of the government setting low electricity prices and customers failing to pay - is at the heart of the crisis.

State utilities lose money, and cannot pay private power generating companies, which in turn cannot pay the oil and gas suppliers, who cut off the supply.

The fuel crisis began last week when Pakistan State Oil was forced to slash imports because banks refused to extend any more credit to the government-owned company, which supplies 80 percent of the country’s oil.

The shortfall led to long queues of angry motorists at petrol stations, though these have since dissipated as fuel supplies have reached the pumps.

But Moody’s warned that the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, which made solving the energy crisis a key campaign pledge, had so far failed to offer policy solutions and increasing oil supplies would only add to the fiscal burden.

“The government’s targeted fiscal deficit of 4.5 percent of GDP in fiscal 2015 from 4.7 percent in fiscal 2014 is already impeded by delays in implementing electricity tariff adjustments and legal challenges related to tax collections,” it said.

Increasing fuel imports, which currently comprise 35% of total imports would further weigh on Pakistan’s import bill, it added. l

Pakistan slashes interest rates to 10 year low n AFP, Karachi Pakistan’s central bank Saturday slashed the basic interest rates by one percent to a 10-year low on the back of improving economic indicators at home.

Addressing a press conference in the country’s financial capital Karachi, the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Ashraf Mehmood Wathra said the discount rate was being lowered by one percent to 8.5%.

“Central board of directors has decided to reduce the SBP policy rate by 100 basis points from 9.5% to 8.5% effective from 26th January 2015,” he said.

The central bank also revised its in-

flation rates projection for the current fiscal year from 4.5 to 5.5%, compared to an earlier target of 8%.

Reduction in inflation rates was the result of a staggering drop in the global oil and other commodities prices.

“Given the reduction in domestic oil prices and its second round impact, such as on transport services, inflation is likely to decrease further going forward,” Wahtra said.

Pakistan has successfully completed the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 4th and 5th reviews linked to a $6.6bn loan programme in November leading to release of $1.1bn in December. l

Workers in Europe’s oil hub hope for the best

India turns to corner shops, mobile phones for banking revolution

n AFP, Aberdeen

n Reuters, New Delhi

On the docks in Aberdeen, oil workers put a brave face on hundreds of job cuts linked to sinking crude prices while union leaders warn that the worst is yet to come.

“It has happened before and it will happen again. There will probably be job losses but that’s the way the industry works,” said Tony Maguire, a rig worker.

But for Jake Molloy, a regional organiser for the RMT union in Aberdeen, Europe’s oil capital in northeast Scotland, workers who lose their jobs face “a lifetime crisis”.

Molloy was one of 20,000 people who lost jobs in a downturn in 1986 and said the decline is more dangerous now because North Sea offshore fields are depleting.

“I hope this is just a blip ... but I am more concerned now than I was (then),” he told AFP in an interview in the city, which has been built on oil revenues.

Oil prices are currently hovering at around $50 per barrel for Brent crude, the European benchmark, representing a decrease of 60% since June when prices were at $115 a barrel.

Oil majors have been quick to react: BP, Shell, Conoco Phillips all announced cuts in the last six months.

More than half of all jobs in Aberdeen are linked to oil, yet at a time when the industry might be facing the biggest crisis in its history, the atmosphere in the Scottish hub has remained strangely calm.

In the port of Aberdeen, where

dockers are busy loading equipment for a rig onto massive vessels, workers were trying to stay optimistic.

Robert, who has worked on the dock for 29 years and whose son is doing an apprenticeship in the sector, dismissed the latest fall in prices as “a few blips”.

Residents still complain about traffic jams - seen as a positive sign reflecting the city’s commercial buzz and the failure of road infrastructure to keep up.

“If things were really bad the big building outside the airport would stop progressing,” said Dave, a taxi driver, referring to a luxurious office complex being prepared for Norwegian oil services firm Aker Solutions.

‘A ghost town’

Job cuts and their potential consequences on the city have not really sunk in but the warning signs are there.

“Aberdeen could be a ghost town in 10 years’ time,” said Colin Welsh, chief executive of Simmons & Company, a US-based bank specialising in the oil industry.

Aberdeen South’s member of parliament, Anne Begg, said job cut announcements have not resulted in actual layoffs yet.

“There will be a time delay, and there always is, so we could be looking at another six months to a year before it really starts to impact the economy,” Begg said.

The oil and gas industry has made Aberdeen prosperous - salaries in the industry are two and a half times the national average - and the Scottish National Party based its failed drive for independence on a prediction of future bountiful revenues from the North Sea. Local residents, a majority of whom voted against independence, now point out that the SNP had based its budget calculations on a $110 barrel.

“The oil prices have fallen, I did not predict that but nobody else did,” said Fergus Ewing, the SNP’s regional minister for commerce, energy and tourism. l

India is betting that mobile phone vendors, fuel stations and corner stores can help it put basic banking within the grasp of hundreds of millions of its poor people living beyond the reach of traditional bank branches.

The clock is ticking down to a Feb 2 deadline for applications to set up so-called payments banks under new rules that would allow successful bidders to offer services such as remittances and deposits, but not loans.

The regulations announced by the central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), reflect a realisation that traditional banks alone can’t achieve the objective of financial inclusion championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a four-month campaign to end “financial untouchability”, Modi has opened 115 million new bank accounts. Yet of those, 80 million have no money in them, underscoring the huge challenge he faces in delivering on his promise.

Backers of the payments banks say they could help bring those accounts to life by bridging the gap from bank branches in town to India’s 600,000 villages, making it easier to send money home, collect state benefits or do business deals.

“There’s an entirely new set of actors,” said Bindu Ananth, a member of the RBI committee that designed the payments banks rules. “We said: Let’s create a regulatory framework that allows the participation of non-banks.”

Mobile operators and pre-paid wallet players are expected to lead the charge, seeking to add transaction fees to revenue streams from products such as phone minutes and bill payments. Retailers are interested too. Future Group, one of India’s biggest with a presence in more than 100 cities, says it will apply for a permit.

Online players also spy an opportunity to boost client loyalty and scale up volumes. Paytm, a platform that is close to winning backing from China’s e-commerce king Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, will bid.

A man speaks on his mobile phone as he sells eggs while Buddhist monks walk nearby REUTERS

“We are aiming at 100-200 million users (overall),” said Vijay Shekhar Sharma, CEO of Paytm, which provides pre-paid wallet services, helps consumers make bill payments online and offers coupon discounts.

Paytm now has 20 million users.

The last-mile bank In the most important change, payments banks will be allowed to not only accept cash, but also pay it out, boosting their appeal for low-income savers. Their precursors, Pre-paid Payment Instrument (PPI) providers, were not allowed to pay out cash.

Payments banks could cut the use of cash in an economy where nine out of 10 transactions are still paid in notes and coins and kick-start the use of low-cost payment forms like mobile money that have been used by only one in every 300 Indians.

That compares with 76% of people in Kenya, Africa’s mobile money pioneer, where Vodafone’s M-Pesa affiliate dominates the market.

Payments specialist Oxigen is applying for a licence and wants to become a “last-mile” bank, said group president Rajpal Duggal. Oxigen would treble its 130,000-strong agent network to meet a requirement for the payments banks to have a quarter of their retail ‘touch points’ in rural India.

For Oxigen agent Gurmukh Singh, who sells air time, runs an Internet cafe and offers city tours from his tiny shop in New Delhi’s Karol Bagh market, the payments bank model is a new opportunity.

“Now we can only send money to a bank account, but if we could pay out too it would be a good business,” he said as, with a few computer clicks, he made a 2,000 rupee ($32) bank transfer for a customer remitting money to his family in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.

Fee driven The business model for the payments banks will be driven by transactions, rewarding players like Bharti Airtel that have already built out their infrastructure.

India, a country of 1.25 billion people, has more than 900 million mobile phones.

The cost to a mobile operator of hosting a payments account would be a tenth of that to a regular bank, according to RBI committee member Ananth.

Airtel and Vodafone declined to comment but are widely expected to apply.

Modi, meanwhile, is determined to activate the new accounts opened at conventional banks under his financial inclusion drive, linking them to India’s identity card scheme and paying welfare benefits into them. l